JAMES McCABE.  For almost sixty years this gentleman has been a resident of Darke county, Ohio, and during this long period, which covers nearly the whole span of the county's development from a primitive state to its present flourishing condition, he has been actively interested in its progress.  His upright course in life commands the respect and commendation of every one, and he is justly entitled to prominent mention in the history of his adopted county.
     Mr. McCabe was born near Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1826, and is a son of John McCabe, born Aug. 31, 1798, a native of New Jersey and of Scotch Irish descent.  The father grew to manhood in his native state, and followed the occupations of a carpenter and farmer.  About 1817 he removed to Warren county, Ohio, making the journey on foot, and there he remained until 1842,when he came to Darke county, locating in Neave township, where he remained until his death, Feb. 8, 1887, at the ripe old  age of eighty-nine years.  He was three times married, his first wife being Anna Vantilburgh, the mother of our subject.  She was a native of Warren county, of which her parents were pioneers, and it is supposed that they were of  lowland Dutch descent.
     James McCabe is the second child and oldest son in a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, and is the only one now living.  During his boyhood he pursued his studies in a primitive log school house, and remained in his naive county until 1842, when he came with his parents to Darke county, locating on a farm in Neave township, which he helped his father to clear and improve.  At the age of nineteen he started out for himself, working by the month for nine dollars.  Having acquired a good education he commenced teaching school, in 1845, receiving his first certificate from John Briggs, one of the pioneers of the county.  As they had no printed forms at that time, the certificate was all written.  At that time the school houses were all of logs, and most of them had greased-paper windows and very rude furnishings.  His first school was in the Spring Hill district, but was then called the Ohler district.  For eight years Mr. McCabe continued teaching, with good success, and came to German township in 1852, having charge of the school in Palestine, where the Teaford twin boys were among his pupils.
     In 1854 he turned his attention to farming on what is now known as the Armstrong farm, where he remained two years, and then bought the Weaver farm, now owned by Mr. Philipi, on section 11, German township.  In 1863 he sold that place and moved to Palestine, where he bought a half interest in a mill, but sold out in 1871.  He next formed a partnership with Mr. Kester and bought a saw-mill, which they conducted together until 1874, since which time Mr. McCabe has operated it alone and has met with good success in this venture.
     On the 10th January, 1852, Mr. McCabe was united in marriage with Miss Ebaliah Wagoner, who was born Oct. 26, 1823, a native of Neave township, this county, and a daughter of George and Sarah (Stephens) Wagoner, who were among its pioneers.  Mr. Wagoner, who were among its pioneers.  Mr. Wagoner was a pioneer, and was in the war of 1812, being in the surrender of Hull.  By this union four children were born, namely: Flora Bell, who died in infancy; Orlando who married Anna, the daughter of Dr. Stiles of Greenville, now lives in Dayton, Ohio; Virgil, who married Jennie Starbuck, of Dayton, and they have five children: Roscoe, Hallie M., Bepo, Emma and Mary; and Ida May who is the wife of Eli Overman of Dayton, and they also have five children: Omer, Frank, Mary, and Harry and Terry, twins.  Concerning Mrs. McCabe, we should add that she lived with her parents until 1852; coming to German township, she resided there until her death, which took place July 26, 1899, when she had attained the age of seventy-five years and nine months.  She died as she had lived, a member of the Universalist church, and a consistent Christian, believing in the fatherhood of Good and the brotherhood of man.  The funeral sermon on the occasion of her death was preached by one of her dearest friends in the blessed faith of her denomination, Rev. Thomas S. Guthrie, now of Muncie, Indiana.   
     In early life Mr. McCabe was a Whig in politics, but he assisted in organizing the Republican party, in 1856, and has since been one of its stanch supporters.  He has filled the office of township assessor and township clerk many terms, and has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs.  In 1864, during the civil war, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served one hundred days.  He is now an honored member of Reed Post No. 572, G. A. R., in which he has served as commander and is now filling the office of chaplain, and he has also been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for some years, and the Universalist church.  He is widely and favorably known throughout the county, and well deserves the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 255

HENRY H. McEOWEN.  There is in the life of every individual a period free from care - happy childhood days; then comes the period of labor and responsibility which falls to the lot of every individual.  The years pass and man's duties are manifold and often of an onerous nature; but if his labors are wisely directed and his energies guided by sound judgment, he may again reach a stage in life in which he can enjoy rest from the cares of former years, having acquired a competence which enables him to put aside the heavier burdens that were his in the prime of life.  Such has been the career of Henry Hagerman McEowen, who is now living retired in Rossville.
     He was born in Turtle Creek township, Warren county, Ohio, on the 21st of July, 1823, and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey.  The family is of Scotch lineage.  The grandfather of our subject was a native of Scotland, and now lies buried near Trenton, New Jersey.  Alexander McEowen, the father of Henry H., was born in New Jersey in 1787, served as a wagon boy in General Wayne's army, and died near Greenville, Ohio, in 1864.  He married Miss Ollie Hagerman, also a native of New Jersey, the marriage taking place about 1813.  The father had been previously married, and by the first union had two daughters and one son, - Eliza, Mary and Ord.  After the death of his first wife the father married Miss Hagerman, and they became the parents of seven children, as follows:  Alexander, who was born in 1814, and died in 1884, leaving a widow; Harriet, who became Mrs. Atkinson and died leaving five children; Jane, who became the wife of Peter Bercaw and died in 1882, while of their family of seven children one daughter and two sons survive; Batie, who died at the age of twelve years; Henry H., the next younger; Charity Ellen, who became Mrs. Reppetowe, (SHARON'S NOTE: See biography of William H. Reppeto herein) and died in Piqua about 1850, leaving one son; and John, who died at the age of eighteen years.  After the death of the mother of these children, the father was a third time married, and had one son by that union, Jacob R., who is now residing at Dawn, Darke county.
     Mr. McEowen, whose name introduces this review, was bereft of a mother's care when only nine years of age.  He then went to live with his uncle, Henry Hagerman, a farmer of Warren county, Ohio.  At the age of nineteen he began learning the wagonmaker's trade, serving a three-years apprenticeship.  He followed that pursuit as a journeyman for less than one year, and then began learning the plane making trade, for which he served a three-years apprenticeship.  In 1850 he came to Darke county and opened a wagon shop in Ithaca.  Subsequently, however, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits for seen years, residing upon a farm of eighty acres in Allen township.  He then located in his village home in 1896, where he is now enjoying a well earned rest.  His has been an energetic and industrious life, and his indefatigable efforts have brought to him a comfortable competence.
     On the 13th of September, 1851, Mr. McEowen was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Millette, who was born in Ithaca in 1834, a daughter of John and Sybil Millette.  Their Marriage was blessed with eleven children, three sons and eight daughters, and they lost one daughter in infancy.  Florence Emily, the eldest child, was born Sept. 28, 1852, and is now the widow of Ezra Heistand, by whom she had four children, of whom three are living.  John, a farmer in Greenville township, is married and has two sons.  William Henry, a resident farmer of Allen township, had eight children, of whom five sons and two daughters are yet living.  Ollie died at the age of nineteen years.  Sarah Ann is the wife of Tobias Heistand, and has ten children.  Jennie is the wife of Jacob Replogle.  Nellie May, who was a pianist and music teacher, died at the age of twenty-eight years.  Charles W. engaged in the operation of the home farm of eighty acres, where he lives with his wife and two sons.  Lillie Pearl is the wife of William Howard, of Greenville township, and has only one son.  Mattie is the wife of Richard Kineson, of West Alexandria, and has two children.
     During the civil war Mr. McEowen loyally responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting on the 5th of August, 1862, at Greenville as a member of Company G, Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He served until the close of the war in mounted infantry and cavalry forces, was once taken prisoner and twice his horse was shot from under him, at Martinsburg.  He was incarcerated one month at Richmond, in the Pemberton building, and then released.  Always found at his post, he faithfully defended the old flag and stood by the Union cause until its supremacy was established.  He now holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and finds much pleasure in recalling memories of tented fields in the midst of his old army comrades.  In politics he is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office.  At the age of nineteen years he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and has since been one of its consistent representatives.  He has served as a class leader, and he has always endeavored to mold his life after the teachings of the denomination with which he is connected.  His has been a useful and honorable career, such as commands the respect and confidence of all.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 399

JESSE A. McGRIFF.     Jesse Allen McGriff, who is living on a farm on section 34, Butler township, was born in Twin township, Apr. 29, 1849, and is a son of Price McGriff, who is represented on another page of this volume.  Upon his father's farm he was reared and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  In early life he began work in the woods of Butler township, whither his parents removed when he was five years of age.  His educational privileges were very meagre, being limited to two months' attendance at the district schools of the neighborhood during the winter season until he was fourteen years of age.  He was married in his twentieth year, on the 14th of January, 1869, to Martha Jane Holesapple, whose birth occurred June 20, 1851, her father being David Holesapple.  She died Mar. 4, 1876, at the age of twenty-four years, eight months and fourteen days.  Of her four children, Emma A. died Aug. 19, 1870, at the age of eleven months; Levi, born Sept. 8, 1871, is a farmer of Butler township and has a wife and one child, having also lost one child; O. P., born Sept. 7, 1873, is a teacher and student of civil engineering, and married a daughter of William Fouble.  The next child of the family died in infancy at the time of the mother's death.  On the 8th of July, 1877, Mr. McGriff was again married, his second union being with Lizzie Emerick.  Their children are: Walter Franklin, who was born June 26, 1878 and lives in Springfield, Ohio, with his wife and one child; Granville Scot, who was born Nov. 13, 1881, and aids in the operation of the home farm; Perry Allen, born Aug. 10, 1883; Hester Gertrude, who was born Oct. 8, 1889, and is a most interesting child of eleven years; Jesse Howard, who was born in December, 1895, and died at the age of ten months; and William Herbert, born Mar. 21, 1899.
     Mr. McGriff is rearing a family upon his farm in Butler township, and his attention is largely given to the cultivation of his one hundred acres of land.  He located thereon in 1881 and by the careful management of his business affairs he has gained a place among the representative agriculturists of the community.  He rotates his crops of clover, corn and wheat or oats and annually gathers rich harvests.  He also engages in raising hogs and cattle and feeds his crops, with the exception of his wheat.  In his political views Mr. McGriff is a Democrat and has served as township trustee, which position he is filling at the present time in a most commendable manner.  Both he and his wife formerly held membership in the United Brethren church, but in February, 1894, severed their connection therewith.  Their little daughter, Esther Gertrude, was an in valid up to the age of five years, being almost entirely helpless.  The medical profession could render her no aid.  Her head was abnormally large, so that the weak little body could hardly sustain its weight, and her recovery came about through the marvelous example of the Divine gift of healing in prompt answer to the prayers and faith of a company of people attending camp meeting.  Now when the little girl is indisposed she goes in prayer herself to the Great Healer.  Her recovery was most marvelous, being a manifestation of the infinite power of which mortal man has but little conception.  Mr. and Mrs. McGriff are both widely and favorably known in this locality and the circle of their friends is extensive.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 681

PRICE McGRIFF.     A wide-awake and progressive farmer actively connected with the agricultural interests of Darke county for many years, Mr. McGriff is now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.  He has reached the eightieth mile-stone of life's journey, and his record is an honorable one, well deserving mention in this volume.  He was born Aug. 18, 1820, just over the line in Preble county.  His father, Patrick McGriff, was born in Virginia in 1786, and died in Preble county in 1854.  The grandfather, Thomas McGriff, was a native of Ireland, and was of Scotch-Irish lineage.  He and his brother, together with two comrades, were held prisoners by the Indians for some time in the colonial epoch of our country's history, but one night while the guards were asleep all succeeded in escaping with the exception of one.  They suffered many trials and dangers trying to return to their homes, but at length reached safety in Virginia.
     On leaving the Old Dominion the father removed to Tennessee, and afterward to Ohio, coming to this state when the town site of Cincinnati was entirely unimproved save by a little blacksmith shop.  Mr. McGriff located on rented land between the big and Little Miami rivers, and in 1811 began the development of a farm in the midst of the forest in Preble county.  He was married in Virginia to a Miss Atkins, and they had a large family of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, all of whom were married and all of whom had children with one exception.  Richard is probably the only surviving member of this family.  The grandfather died about 1828, leaving a claim consisting of a quarter-section of land.  He was a survivor of his wife for several years, her death having occurred about 1831.  She was a woman of resolute and noble nature, well-fitted to brave the hardships of pioneer life.
     Patrick McGriff, the father of our subject, paid for his grandfather's claim, and there made his home through a long period.  He married Elizabeth Price, who was born in Virginia, about 1782, and in 1809, in Preble county, Ohio, became the wife of Mr. McGriff.  The father of our subject served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and accumulated a good property, owning nearly an entire section of land in Ohio and Indiana, besides considerable valuable personal property.   He died in 1854, and his wife passed away ten years later, their remains being interred in the churchyard near Manchester, Ohio.  This worthy couple became the parents of six sons and three daughters, who reached mature years and with one exception were married, John having died at the age of sixteen years.  Wear died at the age of thirty-three, leaving a wife and six children.  Rachel became the wife of Joseph Clark and died about 1886.  Price is the next of the family.  Alfred, of Twin township, has three living children, died of typhoid fever in 1855, leaving four children.  Patrick Phoebe Guard, born about 1827, died about 1892, survived by four of her six children.  Andrew Jackson resides near New Madison, and has four children.  Elizabeth died in July, 1899, at the age of sixty eight years.  Parker C. is a farmer near Arcanum, and has three living children.
     The educational privileges which Price McGriff received were very limited.  He pursued his studies in a little log cabin, fitted up with puncheon seats, but though he did not spend much time over text-books, he has gained a practical knowledges that well fitted him for his business affairs.  As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Jane Mullenix, the wedding taking place on the 10th of April, 1845.  She was born in Twin township, Darke county, in 1827, and is a daughter of Philbert and Mary (McDonald) Mullenix.  Her parents were farming people and came from Pennsylvania to Ohio with their respective families at an early date.  In their family were six daughters and a son, of whom four are now living: Jesse, a retired farmer of Butler township; Mrs. McGriff; Margaret, now Mrs. Harriman, a widow of Dayton; and Mary, the wife of William Price, of Darke county.
     Upon Mr. and Mrs McGriff have been born seven children: John B. W., who had seven children and died in 1881, at the age of forty years; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Wesley Mellin, of Preble county, by whom she has six children, including twin sons whose likeness to each other is very strong; Jesse A., a farmer of Butler township, who has been twice married; William P., a farmer of Butler township, who has three sons and a daughter; Phoebe Jane, the wife of Jacob Wolverton and the mother of Dr. Wolverton, of Castine; Samantha A. McLear, of Indiana, who has a son and daughter; and Cordelia, the wife of Calvin Braddock, of West Manchester, by whom she has one daughter.
     Mr. and Mrs. McGriff began their domestic life empty-handed.  He operated his father's farm and other lands until he was enabled to purchase property of his own, becoming the owner of eighty acres on which a few improvements had been made, including the erection of a small log house.  The purchase price was one thousand and fifty dollars, and of this he paid twelve hundred dollars down.  From his father's estate he received twelve hundred dollars, but later in life he lost through one debt twelve hundred and thirty dollars, so that all he has has been acquired by himself.  He at one time was the owner of three famers, comprising altogether five hundred acres.  He had three hundred and twenty acres in the old home place, and still owns two hundred acres of this.  He has found greater profit in the raising of corn and hogs than in any other department of farm work, though he has also raised wheat extensively. frequently having from ten to twelve hundred bushels in a season.  His corn he feeds to his stock, and one year his drove of eighty head of hogs brought him sixteen hundred dollars.  His farm has long been in the possession of the McGriff family, it having been the property of John McGriff, the father of the famous twins, John and Richard McGriff.  It was in 1813 that he built his log cabin here, and the present home was erected by Richard McGriff, one of the twins, nearly fifty years ago.  Our subject has accumulated the property for thirty-four years, and has made it a very valuable tract of land.  In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for office, although he has served the township as supervisor and trustee. He is now well advanced in years, and is living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and greatly deserves.  Straightforward in all his dealings and upright in every relation of life, he certainly deserves mention among the representative citizens of Darke county.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 324

WILLIAM P. McGRIFF.     Through many decades the name of McGriff has figured in connection with the agricultural annals of Darke county, and of this honorable calling William P. McGriff is a representative.  He was born in Twin township, Aug. 3, 1850, and his father is Price McGriff, who is a native of Preble county and is now living retired in Darke county.  The grandfather, Patrick McGriff, was also born in Preble county, and thus it will be seen that the family has long been connected with Ohio in its history.  Mr. McGriff, of this review, was reared upon the old homestead, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age.  He received a meager education, pursuing his studies through the winter season in the district schools of the neighborhood until about sixteen or seventeen years of age.  During the summer months he worked in the fields, aiding in the cultivation of the crops.
     He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred on Feb. 18, 1875, the lady of his choice being Melzoni Braddock, who was born in Preble county, and is a daughter of James and Margaret (Shields) Braddock.  Her father was born in Montgomery county in 1833 and her mother in Virginia in 1836.  They were married about 1852 and had six children, all of whom are yet living, with one exception, Jane, who became the wife of Charles Barnns and died soon after her marriage, leaving one child.  the children of Mr. and Mrs. McGriff are Clayton, Flora, Dewitt and Gorman.  The family reside in a pleasant home upon a farm of one hundred and twenty-acres, which Mr. McGriff purchased in 1888; the purchase price being sixty-five dollar per acre.  On the farm is a large barn and other substantial improvements.  The owner is engaged in raising corn and hogs and also has eight head of horses.  He raises about two thousand bushels of corn annually and feeds much of this to his stock, selling about one hundred head of hogs each year.  He is an enterprising farmer, whose diligence results largely in the acquirement of a comfortable competence.  In politics he is a Democrat and for two terms has served as justice of the peace, discharging his duties in a prompt, faithful and impartial manner.  
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 285

HUGH T. McKIBBEN is a retired farmer living on his seventy-five acre farm on section 26, Mississinawa township.  The competence which enables him to rest from his labors was acquired by active toil in former years.  He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1826, and his grandfather, Hugh McKibben, was one of the pioneers of that locality, to which he removed from his former home in Pennsylvania.  His wife was Susanna Hughes, and they became the parents of thirteen children, six of whom reached adult age and were married.  Of the family, however, William and Wesley died in early life.  Three sons reached mature years, and Hugh and Joseph died in Illinois, while Samuel Parker McKibben died in Kentucky.
     John McKibben, the father of our subject, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 13, 1802, and was reared amidst the wild scenes of the frontier.  After he had attained to man's estate he married Jemima Pigman, who was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia.  They were married about 1821, and became the parents of six children, five sons and one daughter, all of whom were born in Clermont county.  One son, Harrison, died in that county, at the age of eight years.  On the 15th of September, 1839, the family arrived in Darke county, and the father purchased a quarter-section of land about two miles from the present home of our subject.  In the midst of the forest he cleared and developed a farm, the timber being so dense that he had to cut away the trees in order to erect his log cabin, which was built of round logs, while the roof was made of boards cut from a large red oak tree which stood on the site of the cabin.  The floor above also was made of red oak, while the lower floor was made of puncheons.  The father, with the aid of his sons, cleared the greater part of the land, and there he made his home for eighteen years.  But about 1857 he went to live with his son Hugh, and his death occurred in 1881, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years, his remains being interred at Rose Hill.  His widow was called away about four years later, when eighty-four years of age.  Of their children we observe: Joshua R., who was born in 1821, followed carpentering and died in Indianapolis, Indiana, about 1877, being survived by his widow; Levi P. was born in 1824, and died in Rossville in1895, when about seventy-one years of age; his only child, a daughter, is also deceased; Hugh T. is the third of the family; Joseph H. was the next youngest and died in childhood; Susanna Jane died when about twenty-one years of age; and William W. was born in 1834, was a farmer and is now living in Knobnoster, Missouri, his family consisting of four children, of whom two sons and a daughter are now living.
     The educational advantages which Hugh H. McKibben enjoyed were limited.  He pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse, sixteen by sixteen feet, with puncheon seats and floors.  His training at farm labor, however, was not meager, and he remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when he was married to Mary Nesmonger, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1827.  They took up their abode in the midst of the forest and the farm upon which Mr. McKibben resides has been cleared almost entirely by his own efforts.  For forty-six consecutive years he aided in building houses and barns, attending all the log-rollings, and was thus an active factor in the development of this portion of the county.  He always enjoyed good health, being never ill except on one occasion, when he suffered an attack of sickness lasting thirteen days.  His life has been one of marked industry, bringing to him creditable and desirable prosperity.
     Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. McKibben.  Amanda, the eldest, became the wife of William Funke, and after his death married Jacob Seacrist of Darke county; he has one living child by the first marriage; Mary A. is the wife of George Brooks, a farmer of Jackson township, and they have five sons and four daughters, and have lost two other children; Hiram A., a farmer residing five miles from Arcanum, is married and has three sons and one daughter yet living; Sarah J. is the wife of Gottlieb Coupp, and they have two children living.  Albert J. is married and has five sons and three daughters; Irving Grant manages the home farm and has four daughters; Elmer Elsworth, twin brother of Irving, resides in Jackson township and has one son and one daughter; and Dora Ellen is the wife of William Stauffer, of Union City, Indiana, and they have a son and daughter.  Mr. McKiben has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty-seven years, and the house of worship is located on his farm.  His wife and most of the children are also members of the same church and the family is one of the highest respectability, enjoying the war regard of many friends in the community.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 624

GEORGE E. MARKER.  The bulwarks of our national prosperity have ever been found represented in the sturdy and basic art of agriculture and in every community the husbandman is a recognized power and is accorded the honor which is his just due.  Richland township, Darke county, is one of the opulent agricultural sections of the Buckeye state, although it is small in area, and one of the representative and influential farmers of this township is he whose name introduces this sketch, and he is a member of the family which stands high in social and educational fields as well.  Mr. Marker was born in Darke county, Ohio, May 7, 1853, being the youngest in the family of five sons and three daughters born to Ezra and Catharine (Weaver) Marker.  Of the children only one is deceased, and a brief record concerning the other members of the family will be appropriate at this juncture: Perry, a veteran of the civil war, is a resident of Versailles, Ohio; Levi is a farmer of Montgomery county, this state; Isaac, a resident of Versailles, is a prosperous agriculturist, having for some years been engaged in mercantile pursuits also from which he has now retired; Susanna is the wife of John Nichol, a merchant of Versailles; and Sarah E. is the wife of George Hively, a contractor and builder of Dayton, Ohio.  The other member of the family is a twin of our subject, Lucinda by name, and she became the wife of William Markland, a mechanic of Dayton.
     Ezra Marker was born in Frederick county, Maryland, Apr. 30, 1810, and his death occurred Aug. 27, 1893.  He was apprenticed in his youth to learn the wagonmaker's trade, having received a rudimentary education in the subscription schools of the early days, and through his alert mentality and personal application he became a man of broad information and mature judgment.  He remained with his parents in the state of Maryland until he was about thirteen years of age, when the family came overland in a wagon to Montgomery county, Ohio, which was then practically a wilderness, and there the parents were umbered among the earliest pioneer settlers.  The grandfather of our subject died in that county and the death of his paternal grandmother occurred in Preble county, this state.  Ezra Marker was a young married man when he came to Darke county and though his financial means were of diminutive order he was reinforced by sterling integrity of character and a capacity for hard work.  He came to this county in 1839 and located on a tract of land known as the Winbigler farm in York township at that time being still a portion of the primeval forest save here and there the lonely cabin of the pioneer.  The young couple settled in the forest, having had to hew a way through the woods to the place selected for the erection of their little cabin of logs, which in due time became their modest home.  The Indians were their neighbors and deer and other wild game were plentiful, while the implements utilized in clearing up the new farm and instituting the work of cultivation were crude and primitive in the extreme.  Mr. Marker's original purchase comprised eighty acres and through his industry and good management he eventually attained a high degree of success, owning one hundred and seventy-one acres of land, besides real estate in the city of Versailles.  He was possessed of that energy and frugality so characteristic of those of German lineage and in all relations of life he was honorable, gaining the esteem and confidence of all.  His father, George Marker, was born in Maryland and was there married to Margaret Storm, who had emigrated thither from Germany, where she was a member of a wealthy farmer, whose estate in the fatherland is yet to be divided among the descendants.  Ezra Marker was a true Jacksonian Democrat in political proclivities, his first presidential vote having been cast for "Old Hickory."  He enjoyed a marked popularity in his township, and held at different times almost every local office in the gift of the people of the community.  His honesty and judgment were proverbial and he was often chosen as administrator of estates and to perform other duties implying the implicit confidence in which he was held.  He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and aided in the erection of the church edifices in York township and in Versailles, showing their liberality of spirit also by contributing to similar enterprises of other denominations.  The mother of our subject was born near Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1816, and her death occurred Feb. 17, 1898.  She was a tender and devoted mother and her teachings will serve as beacon lights to brighten the lives of her children through all the days to come.
     George E. Marker, the immediate subject of this review, was reared in Wayne township and is distinctively a Darke county boy.  He received a common school education of a practical nature and his life has been spent as a tiller of the soil, the free and independent vocation to which he was reared, though he devoted about two years of his early youth to work at the cabinetmaker's trade.  He remained with his parents until he attained the age of twenty years, giving them his labor and his wages, and when he reached his majority he was fortified by only a sterling character, an alert mentality and a determination to make a success of his life.  For his companion in life he chose Miss Belle Kershner, whom he wedded Aug. 16, 1874, and three sons have graced this union - Albertus, who was born Aug. 18, 1875, and is with his parents, is one of the most highly respected young men of the township, being a successful teacher, having received his teacher's certificate at the early age of sixteen and having been engaged in pedagogic work almost every year since that time.  He has passed the teacher's examination in both Darke and Montgomery counties and at all times keeps abreast of his profession, being a close and ambitious student, and gaining his physical reinforcement by assisting in the work of the old homestead during the summer vacations.  In politics he supports the Democracy.  The second son, Village, born Sept. 3, 1877, is, like his brother, a successful teacher, having secured his certificate when only fifteen years of age, and he has made his mark as a teacher of tact and discrimination.  He was married, Apr. 8, 1900, to Miss Daisy Beanblossom, of Greenville township.  He and his elder brother are experts in amateur photography, and both cast their first presidential votes for William Jennings Bryan.  Claude, born Sept. 13, 1879, the youngest of the children, is a farmer of the family, as he seems to have a natural predilection for the vocation to which he was reared.  He successfully passed the Boxwell examination, which entitles him to admission into any high school in the county.  He wedded Miss Grace Wolfe Jan. 7, 1900, and they reside in Wayne township.  The young men are all creditable to their parents and to their native county, having shown exceptional talent and having the esteem of all who have known them from their childhood days to the era of personal accomplishment of effective order.
     Mr. Marker is a native of Richland township, this county, where she was born June 16, 1853, being the second of the three daughters of Daniel and Catharine (Coppess) Kershner.  One sister is deceased and the other survivor is Cordelia, who is the wife of George Kissinger a farmer of Richland township, and who is the mother of eight children.  Daniel Kershner was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Apr. 12, 1830, and died Mar. 30, 1895.  He was a blacksmith by trade, having come to Darke county in 1840, when a lad of ten years, and here he made his home more than half a century, being one of our honored and influential citizens.  He was a veteran of the civil war, having been a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He was a stanch Republican in politics and was a strong advocate of abolition.  The mother of Mrs. Marker was born in Darke county Nov. 15, 1828, and she is yet living her mental and physical vigor to a marked degree.  She is a member of the Reformed church and is a resident of Dawn.
     Mrs. Marker received her educational discipline in the public schools of her native county and she has been to her husband and faithful assistant and wise counselor, while to her careful and devoted training may be ascribed much of the success and the sterling characteristics of her sons, who cherish her counsel and admonitions and give her the deepest filial affection.  When our subject and his wife began their wedded life they were poor in all save mutual affection, ambition and intrinsic ability, even having to secure credit for a portion of their first meager supply of farming implements, while the first money they had to invest in land was secured from the sale of a cow.  They began as renters in Richland township and for nearly sixteen years they spared neither mind nor hands in the indefatigable efforts to secure a foundation for future prosperity.  Their first purchase of land was nineteen acres, to which they later added twenty acres, finally disposing of this tract and purchasing eighty acres of their present homestead, which is one of the fine estates of Richland township, improved with a beautiful and commodious brick residence and in all portions showing the discriminating cure and attention bestowed.  They have attained a marked success in temporal affairs through their own efforts and they stand high in the social circles of the community.
     In politics Mr. Marker gives stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, having cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden.  Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 286, located at Versailles, and in this lodge he has passed all the chairs.  He and his wife are zealous members of the Christian church at Beamsville and they have always aided liberally in church and benevolent enterprises.  As representatives of that sterling citizenship which has so signally conserved the progress and prosperity of this favored section of the Buckeye state, and family is peculiarly worthy of consideration in this edition.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 573

ISAAC MARKER.  Among the citizens of Darke county whose lives have been devoted to agricultural pursuits is Isaac Marker, a well-known farm­er of Van Buren township. He was born in Mercer county, Ohio, Sept. 5, 1855, and when thirteen years of age came to Darke county with his parents, George and Lydia (Epperell) Marker, locating in Van Buren township, where lie grew to manhood, early becoming familiar with every department of farm work.
     On the 1st of November, 1877, Mr. Marker was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Shields, who was born on her father's farm in Van Buren township, Jan. 4, 1855, and was educated in the country schools of the neighborhood. They began their domestic life upon a farm of eighty acres which she owned, and there they have since made their home, Mr. Marker being engaged in its operation. In his political views he is a stanch Democrat, and he has been called upon to fill several local offices.
Mr. and Mrs. Marker have eight children whose names and dates of birth are as fol­lows: Lucy, born Sept. 19, 1878; George A., Oct. 17, 1880; Lydia Maud, Oct. 1, 1884; Dolly Frances, Dec. 28, 1886; Therman Russell, Dec. 10, 1889; Mary, May 12, 1893; Harley Earle, July 7, 1895; and Homer Jennings, Dec. 26, 1898.  Mary died in infancy, but the others are living and are still at home with the exception of Lucy, who was married Aug. 12, 1899, to Roy S. French, and they have one child, Rhoda Helen.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 752

LEONARD MARKER, a well known undertaker and furniture dealer of Versailles, Ohio, has the distinction of having won the proud American title of self-made man.  His great determination and energy have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward to prosperity.
     He was born near Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 9, 1846, and is of German descent, his paternal great-grandfather having been a native of Germany.  The grandfather, George Marker, was born in Maryland and became a wealthy slaveholder of that state, but being a very liberal man he lost his property by going as security for others.  He then came to Ohio with his family, and located on the site of the present Soldiers' Home near Dayton, Montgomery county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at about the age of seventy-two years.
     Raymond J. Marker, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland, in 1824, and was four years of age when the family removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Eliza Bachman, who was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but was reared in Montgomery county, this state.  Her father, Christian Bachman, was a native of Germany.  She died at an early age of twenty-eighty years, leaving four children: Leonard, our subject; Allen, who is engaged in the transfer, dray and express business in Versailles; Hiram, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Maggie C., the widow of George Burns and a resident of Cleveland.  In early life the father followed the butcher's trade, but after coming to Darke county, in 1850, he purchased a farm near the old Bowers Mill and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.  He died there in 1855, at the age of thirty-one years.  He was serving at that time as justice of the peace, and had also filled the offices of township clerk and land appraiser.  In religious belief he was a Lutheran, and in politics a Democrat, and he was one of the most highly respected citizens of his community.
     Left an orphan at the early age of nine years, Leonard Marker went to live with his uncle, Perry Marker, in Liberty, Ohio, remaining with him until nineteen years of age and attending the village schools.  He then spent two years with B. Engelken, of Versailles, learning the cabinet maker's trade, working the first six months for no material compensation.  On attaining his majority he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business on his own account at that place, and now has the oldest established house of the kind in Darke county.  He has kept a complete record of all the funerals of which he has had charge since 1867, the date of the same, the name of the deceased and the number of miles traveled.  He has buried over two thousand people.  When he first became connected with the business he manufactured all his own coffins from the rough lumber, often working all night.  He now has two diplomas as an embalmer, one from Professor Clarke at Springfield, Ohio, and the other from Professor Sullivan, of the Indianapolis (Indiana) School of Embalming.  He has one of the finest funeral outfits in the county, and is doing a large and successful business.  Having prospered in his life work, he is now the owner of considerable property, including his business block and residence in Versailles.
     At Versailles, Apr. 1, 1869, Mr. Marker married Miss Girtie Reed, a native of that place and a daughter of J. C. Reed, one of its first business men.  By this union were born four children, namely:  Grace, who was graduated at the Versailles high school, and has successfully engaged in teaching in the same for eight years; James R., also a graduate of the same school, who has engaged in teaching for five years, and is now completing a four-years classical college course; Maud, who was graduated at the Versailles high school and is at home; and Raymond J., who is still in school.
     As a Democrat Mr. Marker has taken an active interest in local politics, and has been honored with a number of offices, having served as a member of the board of health, the school board and as township clerk.  He has been the chief of the fire department almost continuously since 1884, and superintendent of the Greenland Cemetery Company since its organization in 1896.  It is one of the finest cemeteries of Darke county.  Mr. Marker has a fine collection of geological specimens, and Indian, war and family relics, and is interested in the founding of a reading room for young men.  Socially he is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, of Versailles, in which he has filled all the chairs, and has served as deputy grand master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  He is a member of Lodge No. 290, F. & A. M., and has served as the secretary for a number of years.  Religiously he and all of his family are members of the Christian church.  He has ever taken an active part in its work, was a member of the building committee of the parsonage, and is now serving as the clerk of the church.  In all the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him, whether public or private, and has done all in his power to advance the interests of his town and county.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 622

D. W. K. MARTIN.     D. W. K. Martin, the well-known editor and proprietor of the Versailles Policy, published at Versailles, Ohio, is a native of Darke county, born in Adams township, June 2, 1849, and is a son of John B. and Rachel (Kreider) Martin, natives of Montgomery county, at the age of nineteen years, the father came to this county and settled in Adams township, where he followed his chosen occupation - that of farming - throughout life, dying in his seventy-sixth year.  He was of German descent and a member of the Dunkard church.  He was three times married, his first wife being Barbara Bigler, by whom he had one daughter.  His second wife was the mother of our subject, who also was of German descent and died in 1872.  By this union there were nine children, all of whom grew to manhood or womanhood, all married and all are still living, with one exception.  For his third wife the father married Catherine Sword, by whom he had two children, both of whom are living.
     The subject of this sketch is the second child of the second marriage.  He was reared in his native township, and acquired a good practical education in the district schools, remaining at home until twenty years of age.  At the age of nineteen he commenced teaching school and successfully followed that profession for twenty-one years, three years of which time he was superintendent of the schools at Fort Recovery, Ohio.  He taught for two years in Versailles, for one year in Bradford, and the remainder of the time in country schools.  He became interested in the newspaper business in 1889, when he purchased the Versailles Policy, which he has since so successfully carried on.  When he took possession of the office it was supplied with an old Washington hand press, but he was added an engine and Campbell press and also job presses, and now has a well equipped office.  He conducts the paper in the interests of the Democratic party, and has made it one of the best and most popular journals of Darke county.
     In 1870 Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Lydia A. Apple, a native of Wayne township, Darke county, and a daughter of George and Catherine (Rhodes) Apple.  To them have been born nine children, namely:  Minnie A., Cora D., Ira J. and Estella M. (twins), Laura V., Marion A., Grace E., George J. and Clissie C.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 533

JACOB B. MARTIN.     In the records of York township, Darke county, the history of Jacob B. Martin well deserves a place.  for he is a leading agriculturist of the community and is now acceptably serving for his third term as township trustee.  He is both widely and favorably known in this locality, the circle of his friends being extensive.  He was born in Adams township, Darke county, July 30, 1848, and is the second in a family of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters, whose parents were David and Eliza (Burns) Martin.  Of this family two daughters and seven sons are yet living and are residents of Darke county, the sons all being farmers.  One sister is the wife of a farmer, but Flora is the wife of John Kniseley, a teacher of Gettysburg.
     David Martin was born near the city of Dayton, in Montgomery county, in 1822, and died in October, 1844.  He was reared to agricultural pursuits and pursued his studies in the common schools, but his education was somewhat limited, as he was compelled to aid in the development of the home farm.  He was a lad of only five years when his parents came to Darke county, where his father entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Adams township from the government.  Their first home was a typical, primitive log cabin, with its puncheon floor and mud-and-stick chimney.  This pioneer structure made a deep impression upon the mind of our subject, who can also remember many incidents of pioneer life, including the friendly visits of the Indians.  Deer were frequently killed on the prairies and other wild game was to be had in abundance.  The farming implements of those days were the old-fashioned cradles, sickles and scythes, and with such farm machinery Mr. Martin has spent many a day in the harvest fields, working from early morn until the setting of the sun.  His father was a successful agriculturist and became the owner of a good property.  In his political sentiments he was a Democrat, firm and inflexible in support of its principles.  He was also a friend of the "little red school house" and advocated the education of the masses.  He cared nothing for the honors and emoluments of public office, preferring to give his energies to his business interests.  He held membership in the German Baptist church, aided in the erection of a number of churches in this locality and was charitable and benevolent, withholding not the hand of assistance from the needy.  His grandmother was a native of Germany and his grandfather Martin was born in Pennsylvania.  His great-grand father Martin was born in Germany and took up his abode in the Keystone state.  The mother of our subject was born in Darke county about the year 1832 and is yet living in Adams township.  She is a good Christian woman and her teachings have had a marked influence on the characters developed in her children.
     Jacob B. Martin was reared in Adams township and became a citizen of York township about 1883.  He worked in the fields from an early age, and, as his school privileges were necessarily somewhat limited, he devoted much of his leisure time to reading and study and later had the advantage of instruction in the public schols of Greenville and in the Normal Training School.  He began his study, however, in the little log school house which his father had frequently attended.  The building was about 30x24 feet and was heated by an old-time fireplace, while the writing desk for the big boys and girls was formed of a rough board resting upon wooden pins driven into the wall.  The puncheon seats were without backs and the master dextrously used the birch rod in maintaining discipline.  The windows were formed by sawing out a section of a log from the side of the building and inserting in the aperture panes of glass 8x10 inches.  The first teacher which Mr. Martin had was Dr. Lewis Lecklider, who is now deceased.  Those old-time school houses are in marked contrast with the substantial structures of the present day in which the youth now receives his educational privileges.  When twenty-one years of age Mr. Martin successfully passed a teachers' examination and for thirteen years followed the profession for which he was prepared, giving satisfaction to all in the localities where he taught.  For his first school he received one hundred dollars in cash and with this capital he began life on his own account.
     On the 9th of March, 1882, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Malinda Puterbaugh, who was born in Darke county Mar. 3, 1858, a daughter of David and Annie (Parent) Puterbaugh, who were early settlers of the county and were familiar with its pioneer development and progress.  Her father entered his farm from the government and on his land on more than one occasion has killed deer.  In his family were twelve children and all became identified with the agricultural interests of the county.  Mrs. Martin acquired her education in the common schools and was a lady of genial nature and kindly disposition, who in her every-day life won friends by her many estimable characteristics.  Mr. and Mrs. Martin began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Richland township, where they lived for one year, and in 1883 they purchased their present farm of eighty acres on section 16, York township, going in debt for a portion of the property.  In his business affairs our subject has been prosperous, and the many improvements which he has placed upon his land indicates that he has successfully carried on his business.  He has built a new barn and good sheds and fences and now has one of the most desirable farming properties in York township.  Honesty and integrity have characterized his entire business career and have gained him the respect and confidence of his fellow men.
     In his political views, Mr. Martin is a Democrat, having supported the party since casting his first presidential vote for Hon. Samuel J. Tilden.  He is unflinching in his advocacy of Democratic principles and has been called upon to serve as a delegate to the county conventions, which indicate his standing in the party ranks.  In 1891 he was elected township trustee and after serving for a full term was appointed to fill out an unexpired term.  In 1897 he was re-elected and in 1900 he was again chosen, a fact which well indicates his personal popularity and his fidelity to duty.  He advocated every measure which would advance the welfare and prosperity of his township and county along material, intellectual and moral lines, and he and his wife are classed among the best citizens of York township, and as such we present them to the readers of this volume.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 384

LUTHER MARTIN.     Luther Martin, an enterprising agriculturist of Harrison township, residing on section 10, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, Feb. 2, 1840.  His father, Luther Martin, Sr., was a farmer of that state and was born there in 1805.  Having arrived at years of maturity, he married Betsey Armacost, and they became the parents of fifteen children.  One son died at the age of four years, a daughter at the age of twelve and another child at the age of fifteen, but the remaining twelve all reached mature years, while with the exception of one son and one daughter all were married.  The nine now living are as follows: Henry, who is a farmer of Maryland and lives upon the old home farm where the father settled over seventy-five years ago; Jabez, who also follows agricultural pursuits; Joshua, who is living in Baltimore; Caleb, who is a resident of Maryland; Ephraim, who is living in the same state, as is also John Thomas; Luther is the next of the family, and the younger brothers are Charles Wesley and Henry.
     No event of special importance occurred to vary the monotony of farm life upon the home farm where Luther Martin was reared.  He has always devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits and the pracical training of his youth well fitted him for a prosperous career in his later life.  As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Louisa J. Purvine, but she survived their marriage only two years, leaving a son, Lew W. Martin, who died at the age of twenty-four years, survived by a wife, one son and one daughter.  In Greene county, Ohio, on the 26th of October, 1871.  Mr. Martin was again married, his second union being with Catherine Keefer, whose birth occurred in that county.  Jan. 7, 1843, her parents being John and Mary Ann (Flatter) Keefer, farming people of Greene county.  In their family were four children: James, now deceased; John W., who is living in Prophetstown, Illinois; Mrs. Martin; and Martha E., the wife of Stephen Campbell.  After the death of the mother of this family, the father was again married and had two children by that union.  He died in 1894, at the age of seventy-eight years.  The home of Mr. and Mrs. Martin has been blessed with six children, who are yet living: Oscar E., a farmer of Harrison township, who is married and has two children, a son and daughter; Luella May, the wife of George Wolfel, by whom she has two children; Pearl, the wife of James E. Irelan, a farmer living near Hollansburg; Virgil, who assists in the operation of the home farm; Colonel L., who also works on the home farm; and Carrie Edith, who completes the family.
     In March, 1863, Mr. Martin removed to Harrison township and worked by the month as a farm hand.  After his wife's death he sold this property and broke up housekeeping, his little son being cared for by his grandmother Purvine.  The first farm which he owned was a tract of seventy-seven acres in German township, and in 1883 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Harrison township.  To this he has added fifteen acres.  He carries on mixed farming and is very practical and progressive in his business methods.  He raises corn and wheat - between thirty-five and forty hundred bushels of corn and about two thousand bushels of wheat annually.  He has also raised live stock, selling as high as seventy-five hogs in one year.  His home farm is well improved and developed, and in addition to this he owns a tract of eighty three acres and a second tract of forty-three acres, which farms are cultivated by his son and son-in-law.  His life has been one of industry, carefully guided by sound judgment, and his success has been the legitimate result of his own labors.  In politics he is a Democrat.  In religious belief his wife is a Methodist, holding her membership in a church of that denomination.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 727

Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 229

GEORGE J. MARTZ, M. D.     Among those who are devoting their energies to the healing, art in Greenville is Dr. George J. Martz, who was born in the city which is still his home on the 21st of August, 1867, his parents being George H. and Angie E. (Jamison) Martz.  His paternal grandfather, John Martz, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Somerset county June 1, 1798, and in 1829 came to Ohio, taking up his abode in Darke county.  George H. Martz, the father of the Doctor, was born upon a farm in Greenville township, Darke county, Apr. 19, 1831.  For a number of years he engaged in teaching in Greenville and Darke county.  His wife was one of Ohio's native daughters, her birth having occurred in Delaware county in February, 1837.
     Dr. Martz of this review, acquired his elementary education in the public schools of Greenville and continued his studies in the high school, in which he was graduated in the class of 1887.  Subsequently he engaged in teaching in Darke county for a time, and then took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. W. H. Matchett, of Greenville.  He entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and on completing the prescribed course in that institution was graduated in March, 1891.  In the village of Palestine, Darke county, he began practicing, remaining there for eight years, when, wishing to seek a broader field of labor, he took up his abode in Greenville, where he has since remained.  He has gained a prestige which many an older practitioner might envy and excellent results have attended his care of the sick, making him a most successful young medical practitioner with a bright future beforehim.  He has been a close and earnest student of his profession, and in 1899 took a post-graduate course in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is a charger member of the Darke County Medical Society and also of the Ohio State Pediatric Society.
     On the 31st of October, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Martz and Miss Bitha Cassatt, of Greenville, a daughter of Rev. J. W. Cassatt, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church.  They enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in the city and their own residence is the center of a cultured social circle.  The Doctor is a prominent and valued member of Greenville Lodge, No. 143, F.  A. M., and of the Knights of Pythias, and has represented the latter in the grand lodge.  His professional career has been one of continued advancement and his future will undoubtedly be a successful one, for he is a man of strong mentality, which enables him to master the principles of medical science and practice, and at the same time he possesses that deep human sympathy without which no one ever made much advancement as a representative of the medical fraternity.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 568

JACOB T. MARTZ, lawyer and educator, Greenville, Ohio, was born in Darke county, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1833.  He is the son of John Martz, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1798, settled in Darke county in 1829, and died at the home of his son, Jan. 5 ,1883, aged eighty-four years, seven months and four days.  His wife, Barbara Hardinger, the mother of our subject, and a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, died in 1841.
     Jacob T. Martz attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, at which institution he was graduated in June, 1856.  During the nine succeeding years he was engaged in teaching, and superintending the schools of Greenville.  During part of this time, and while engaged in teaching, he also read law under Judge D. L. Meeker, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1860.  In March, 1865, he resigned the superintendency of the Greenville school and formed a law partnership with the Hon. J. R. Knox.  In August, 1865, he was appointed receiver of the Cincinnati & Mackinaw Railroad Company, which work occupied his time for nearly five years.  In 1871 the superintendency of the Greenville school was tendered to him without his solicitation.  This he accepted, but at the end of that school year he asked to be relieved by the board of education from further supervision of the school, but his work had been done so well, having brought the schools out of a state of chaos, as it were, to one of order and efficiency, that the board prevailed upon him to continue his good work, which he did for seventeen consecutive years, and closed his labors as superintendent on the 1st of June, 1888.  In this year the enumeration in the district was twelve hundred and eleven, and the enrollment in the school for the year was ten hundred and ninety-eight, showing that ninety-one per cent of the entire enumeration was enrolled upon the school registers, while in efficiency the school stood second to none in the state.  Under his supervision he saw the school grow so steadily that the corps of teachers was increased from four to twenty-two.  When he took charge of the school there was no laboratory, no apparatus and no geological cabinet, except a few ordinary specimens, but in June 1888, over sic hundred dollars and been expended for educational philosophical apparatus of various kinds, and there was a large and convenient laboratory arranged with all the modern conveniences, geographical maps and globes, and physiological charts, enabling the teacher to illustrate and explain all the modern methods of teaching, together with a human skeleton procured, prepared an mounted by Mr. Martz and the janitor of the old school building, and which they have kindly permitted to remain in the laboratory, for the benefit of the students in physiology and hygiene.  The cabinet containing various specimens of value, including the bones of the mastodon found in this county, and which are in a remarkable state of preservation, are the result of Mr. Martz's personal purchase and labor.  During all these years, modern methods of teaching and government were introduced by the superintendent and adopted by the teachers, so that tardiness was measurably controlled by the teacher, and truancy, except in a few chronic cases, was almost a thing of the past.  Order, system and good government prevailed in all the rooms and in the deportment of pupils, while improper language was seldom heard on the play-grounds, and so potent was the influence of the superintendent in maintaining order and decorum among the pupils on the play-ground that it became the pride of all, even the most combative element among the boys, the moment they reached the school grounds to stand upon their good behavior.  The high school course of study contained no more branches than could be mastered by every pupil of ordinary intelligence in the five years given to complete the same, while the elocutionary drill and composition writing, in all the grades of which they were taught, strengthened the memory and exercised the reasoning faculties to the great benefit of the pupils.  No partiality was shown in these exercises as all were expected to do their part.
     The methods of graduation from the high school was Mr. Martz's suggestion and it has been adopted by a least four union schools in this county, and the one hundred and four alumni, all graduated under his supervision, speak of good order, management and efficiency of the school.  Superintendent Martz with two other teachers organized the Darke County Teachers' Association in 1859, and though for several years it struggled for existence, yet by his untiring energy and enthusiasm for its success it increased in numbers and interest almost beyond expectation.  During the greater part of this time he presided over its deliberations.  He was also a member of the board of county school examiners for about twenty-two years, and assisted greatly in advancing the qualifications of the teachers in the county.
     He has also taken an active part in developing the resources of the county, and was for six years secretary of the Darke County Agricultural Society, and was mainly instrumental in selling the old grounds of the society and purchasing the large and commodious grounds it now owns.  For eight years he was secretary of the first building association organized in this county, having closed out the same, and he has been for more than eight years secretary of the largest company of the kind now doing business in the county.  Mr. Martz has always manifested a deep interest in the moral and religious influences in the county, has for a long time been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, ahs been superintendent of the Sabbath school for a number of years, and for more than eight years has been recording steward of its official board.  For the past years he has been associated with his law partner of 1865 and the mayor of the city of Greenville in the legal profession.  He has also assisted in all the local enterprises that were intended to advance the public good; has been associated with the trustees of the Greenville cemetery as their secretary sine 1865, and assisted in bringing about that order and system which ahs resulted in beautifying, adorning and enlarging those grounds to meet the public wants.
     On Sept. 19, 1860, he married Miss Esther M., daughter of James H. Jamison, of Delaware, Ohio, with issue of four sons; John H., born Nov. 8, 1861; Adelbert, born Sept. 28, 1868; James J., born May 8, 1872, and Benjamin F., born Dec. 18, 1874.  John H. is married and is engaged in farming and raising fine registered stock.  Adelbert  is also married and is teller of the Greenville Bank.  James and Benjamin F. is engaged in farming his father's place.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 246

URIAH MEDFORD.  The commercial activity of New Weston is largely promoted through the enterprising efforts of Mr. Medford, who is engaged in the undertaking and farm implement business.  He is also identified with agricultural interests, being the owner of one of the finest farms of Darke county.  He was born in Wabash township, this county, on the 21st day of May, 1857, and is of English. lineage, his great-grandfather, William Medford, having been a native of England.  His grandfather, Charles Medford, was a farmer of Darke county and died in this locality when about seventy years of age.  He was twice married and reared a large number of children, but all of his children are now deceased.  George D. Medford, the father of our subject, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, Dec. 6, 1827, and died in Kansas in 1893, at the age of sixty-six years.  He wedded Mary Ann Gates, who was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, Feb. 20, 1828, their wedding taking place Oct. 26, 1847, in Ohio.   There they began their domestic life upon a farm and. their union was blessed with six children, namely: Myron C., of Dayton, Ohio, who has one son; Matilda B., who became the wife of J. M. Rose and the mother of four children, and died in middle life; Charles, a farmer of Wabash township, who has nine children, three sons and six daughters; J. C., who is living in Darke county and has four children; Uriah, of this review; and Irene, the wife of J. H. Spencer, of Hollanshurg, by whom she has two children.   After the death of the mother of these children George D. Medford wedded Augenette Orput, and they had two children, George Guy and Stanley, both of whom are residents of Kansas.
     Mr. Medford, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was reared to farm life on the old family homestead and enjoyed the educational privileges afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood. At the age of sixteen he started out in life on his own account and went to Buchanan county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming in connection with his eldest brother for four years.  They then sold their property there and Uriah Medford went to the far west, spending two years in Washington and California.  On the expiration of that period he returned to Ohio, and, wishing to better prepare himself for life's responsible duties, he pursued a course of study in the business college in Greenville.  He then visited his father in Virginia and in the spring of 1882 he purchased a farm in Wabash township, which he cultivated through a tenant, with whom he made his home for some years.
     On the 7th of October, 1886, Mr. Medford was united in marriage to Linnie Cottrell, of Wabash township, a daughter of A. S. Cottrell, who resides with Mr. Medford, his own wife having died, as well as nearly all of their children. Mr. and Mrs. Medford have lost their only child, an infant daughter.  In his business affairs our subject has prospered and is today the owner of two hundred and twenty-one acres of rich and valuable land comprised within two farms in Wabash township and which are improved with good buildings and are under a high state of cultivation.  He is also engaged in the farm implement business in New Weston, and in connection with E. C. Richardson is engaged in the undertaking business.  His well directed efforts have been crowned with a high degree of success and all who are familiar with his straightforward business methods agree that his prosperity is well deserved.  During the World's Fair in Chicago he was a member of the Columbian Guards.  Both he and his wife hold membership, in the Methodist church, taking an active part in its work and he is serving as a steward and trustee.  Socially he is a Master Mason, belonging to the lodge at Ansonia, and politically he is a Democrat.  He has twice served as township assessor and for three terms was a justice of the peace.  In both offices he discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity, and at all times he has been found true to every trust and obligation reposed in him.  During the greater part of his life he has been a resident of Darke county, is familiar with its history, its progress and its upbuilding, and has given a hearty support to all measures calculated to promote the general welfare.  In manner he is free from ostentation, is genial and courteous and the circle of his friends is extensive.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 706

DAVID L. MEEKER.  Perhaps the public record of no man in Darke county has extended over a longer period than that of Judge David L. Meeker, and certainly none has been more fearless in conduct, more faultless in honor and more stainless in reputation.  He served for nearly twenty years as judge on the common pleas bench, and his career was marked by the utmost fidelity to duty, while a comprehensive knowledge of law and great accuracy in applying the principles of jurisprudence to the points in litigation won him high standing among the legal fraternity.
     Judge Meeker was born in Darke county, Ohio, on the 18th of July, 1827, a son of David M. and Nancy Ann (Miller) Meeker.  The former, a native of Newark, New Jersey, came to Ohio in 1802, when about ten years of age, and for a time worked in brickyards in Cincinnati.  On attaining his majority he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, following farming for a short time in Hamilton county, Ohio, whence he removed to Darke county, settling within its borders when it was a wild region almost on the extreme limit of frontier civilization.  There the remainder of his life was passed in the work of transforming the wilderness into a pro­ductive farm, and, by the assistance of his wife rearing a large family of children, who have honored his memory and added lustre to his name.  He died in 1852, respected by all who knew him.
     Upon his father's farm Judge Meeker spent his boyhood, becoming familiar with all of the hard Work and discomfort of clearing the land and cultivating the soil when the financial reward of agriculture was scarcely greater than the advantages offered for education.  He attended the school in his native district a portion of each year and enjoyed the limited amusements which the country afforded.  The privations of pioneer life were more than offset by the helpfulness of neighbors and the genuine, unpretentious hospitality characteristic of the occupants of log cabins in pioneer times.  When sufficiently advanced in his studies he was employed in teaching the district school for several winters and extended his studies to the advanced. branches in the academy, which marked the progressive instincts of the people among whom he lived.  While engaged in teaching he directed his course of reading with a view to entering the legal profession as soon as the opportunity offered.
     His preliminary study of the law was prosecuted under the instruction of the late Judge Ebenezer Parsons, of Miami county, and he was admitted to the bar in June, 1851, For almost a year thereafter he was traveling-in the west, and it was not until 1853 that he settled in Greenville for the practice of his profession.  The discipline acquired by study and teaching the habits of industry formed and his close application to books, together with an excellent natural capacity, qualified him for success in the law.  He made his way unaided among the attorneys of the county and soon established himself as a lawyer.  In 1856 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the county and reelected in 1858, serving four years. His preference for the practice of law rather than the duties of public office was so pronounced that he yielded reluctantly to the solicitation of friends to accept even the judgeship.  He persistently declined to permit the use of his name as a candidate for congress, although he was frequently urged to become a nominee for that important position. In 1861 he was elected judge of the common pleas court of the first subdivision of the second judicial district for a term of five years, but resigned after four years of service and was succeeded by Judge William Allen.  Resuming the practice, he was permitted to continue it without interruption until October, 1872, when he was appointed judge by Governor Noyes, on the unanimous recommendation and petition of the bar in every county of the judicial district. This appointment was for the unexpired portion of the term to which Judge McKemy had been elected. Judge Meeker's service on the bench was so acceptable to all the people that he was chosen at the next election for the position without opposition. Both of the leading political parties nominated him, and the members of the bar without dissent recommended his election.  After this he was reelected for two terms and declined a third because of failing health.
     It is given to few men to enjoy the public confidence to a degree that disarms all political opposition.  The example of Judge Meeker is almost unique.  Although a member of the Democratic party and a partisan, in the sense of supporting its principles and candidates, he was known to be so fair and impartial as to be universally trusted by political adherents and .political adversaries alike.
     The Judge was married, on the 18th of June, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Deardorff, of Darke county, and to them were born eight children: Frank D., who married Emma Anderson, of Franklin,, and is engaged in the real estate and loan business in Greenville; Sadie E., who is the wife of D. L. Gaskill, who was associated in the practice of law with her father; Walter S., who was also his; father's partner, married Minnie Lowry;. Mary C., who is the wife of J. R. Smith, a druggist, of Dayton, Ohio; Nana, who is. the wife of Dr. S. A. Hawes, of Arcanum, Ohio; Virginia G., who is the wife of W. H. Gilbert, an attorney at law, of Troy, Ohio; Alice M., who is the wife of A. R. Crawford, of Ventura, California, where he is serving as deputy clerk of the court; and Carrie W.; at home.  The mother of these children died Nov. 21, 1876, and the Judge was afterward married, on the 5th of September, 1878, to Miss Jennie D. Crisler, of Eaton, Preble county, a lady of many accomplishments, who presided over his household with dignity and grace, assisting him to dispense. the hospitality for which his home was noted.  She is a native of Ohio.  Her father, Albert G. Crisler; was born in 1810 in Culpeper county, Virginia; and her mother, Ann nee Foos, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812.
     They were married in 1831 in Preble county, Ohio.  The mother died Feb. 28, 1857, and the father passed away Oct. 19, 1857, near Columbus, Indiana.
     Mrs. Meeker attended the country schools in her early girlhood, but later enjoyed, and took advantage of the privileges afforded by a private school.  At the age of sixteen she began teaching and followed that profession for a few years, when she went to reside with her uncle, J. H. Foos, a prominent attorney of Eaton, Preble county, Ohio.  After her marriage to Mr. Meeker she took change of his household, discharged faithfully all the duties of helpmate, and at once took a motherly part in caring: for, educating and advising his eight children in the moral and religious duties of life, the youngest child being at the time only three years of age.  After the death of the Judge she erected her present residence from a fund set apart by him, and with the request that after his death a new dwelling house should be built for her because it required too much care and expense to keep the former residence—a palatial brick—in proper condition.  The new dwelling was planned by Mrs. Meeker, assisted by her stepson, Walter S. Meeker.  It is modern in architectural design, neat, and commodious in all its appointments. Mrs. Meeker is an acceptable member of the First Presbyterian church, is consistent in her professions, and her life of Christian fortitude may well be imitated by all.
     Judge Meeker's tastes were essentially domestic, and he found at home the pleasure some men seek at the club.  The time not necessarily devoted to business was spent in the society of his family and among the inspiring, renewing influences of home.  One of the leading lawyers of the district has furnished a characterization of him substantially in. the following terms:  Judge Meeker filled a place in the history of this judicial district that is creditable to himself and honorable to the profession.  A judge for a period of almost twenty years, he retired from the bench with the highest respect of the profession and admiration of the public.  He was always a close student, and when in practice was known as a hard working lawyer, and likewise a successful one.  His greatest reputation, however, will rest on his work as a judge.  His judgeship was almost unerring.  He possessed what is termed a legal mind; understood thoroughly the principles of the law; was painstaking in his investigations, and accurate in his decisions.  He was always fearless and impartial in the discharge of every duty.  There has never been on the bench in the history of this judicial district a judge who held the confidence of the profession to a greater degree.  His. personal popularity was unbounded.  Nature made him a gentleman, and he made himself a lawyer.  One of the sources of his popularity was undoubtedly his unassuming manners, unfeigned cordiality, his fine sensibilities, and readiness to help his fellowmen.  Both in the relations of private citizenship and in public office, Judge Meeker's life was irreproachable.  Not only was he an able jurist, but also a successful business man.  He possessed one of the finest homes in the county, accumulated a competence and left a valuable estate.
     Judge Meeker died suddenly, Sept. 5, 1896, at his home in Greenville.  While at the supper table he was stricken with partial paralysis, which became complete a few minutes later, causing a painless death within three hours.  The tributes to his character and worthiness, expressed in a memorial meeting of the bar and in the funeral service, were hearty and sincere.  They testified that he was not only an incorruptible judge but also scrupulously, delicately and conscientiously free from all willful wrong, in thought, word or deed.  His uniform kindness and patience to the younger members of the bar were marked. In later years he was accustomed to recount for the edification of the young lawyers his own early struggles to secure success, the discouragements he encountered and the difficulties he had overcome.  He was not a dreamer in any idle sense, but as a boy looked forward hopefully, spurred to his best endeavors by high aspirations.  In a paper read at his funeral by D. W. Bowman, a former law partner, it is said that throughout a career of nearly half a century at the bar and on the bench, the day dream of his boyhood, the cherished desire of his heart in youth, was never lost sight of, but kept in full view. With this noble longing for professional success he wore the judicial ermine for twenty years, and laid it aside as spotless as when it first touched his shoulders.  He achieved a fame that posterity will not willingly let die.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 626

FREDERICK MEIER, deceased, was one of the early German settlers of Greenville township, Darke county, Ohio, a man of sterling worth and highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities of mind and heart. Frederick Meier was born in Haseling, Province of Hesse, Germany, Dec. 25, 1802, one of a family of nine children. According to the German custom he attended the public schools from the time he was six until he was fourteen and then learned a trade.  His trade, that of cabinetmaker, he learned in his father's shop, under his father's instructions, and he followed it throughout his life.  His first wife, whose maiden name was Gustena Wissel, bore him three children, CHARLES and Caroline, and one that died in early life in Germany. His second wife, Gustena Klemme, he also married in Germany, Apr. 15, 1850. With his wife and three children, he embarked from Bremen for Baltimore, which port they reached in safety after a voyage of four weeks and four days.  From Baltimore they started west via the canal, their destination being Darke county, Ohio, and after about a month's travel by water and team they landed in Greenville township.  Mr. Meier's capital at this time consisted of about six hundred dollars.  With this he purchased forty acres of land, which had on it a little "clearing" and a small cabin, and here he established his home.  His money all in­vested it was necessary for him to go to work at once to supply the immediate wants of his family.  Work at his trade brought him sixty cents a day and this, with what his son, Charles, could earn, was sufficient to keep the family in food.  His land was nearly all under water and it required much labor and time to clear and drain it so that satisfactory crops could be raised.  This however, was finally accomplished and the land yielded a support for the family.  Meantime Mr. Meier continued work at his trade, traveling about from place to place until he was too old to work.  He died Jan. 20, 1885, and is wife Mar. 29, 1888; both are buried in St. John's cemetery.  For many years they were identified with the Lutheran church.  Mr. Meier was prominent in the organization of St. John's church, giving freely of both his labor and money to assist the enterprise and for many years he was one of its official members.  The children of his second wife were six in number, but all are now deceased, and his son, Charles, above referred to, is the only living representative of the family.
     CHARLES MEIER was born in Germany Jan. 19, 1836; was educated in the common schools and confirmed in the Lutheran church, and at the time he came with his father and family to this country was fourteen years old.  He assisted his father in the improvement of the farm above referred to and also worked out on other farms and thus at an early age aided in the support of the family.  He married Miss Augusta Krickeberg, a daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Sigsmend) Krickeberg, German people, who settled in Brown township, Darke county, Ohio, in 1852.  The date of their marriage was Feb. 9, 1863, and since then they have lived on the old homestead farm, which now comprises one hundred and forty acres, and in addition to this farm he owns other land.  The home farm is well improved and nearly all under cul­tivation, the beautiful residence having been erected in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Meier have had six children, four of whom are living, Charles, Mena, Caroline and John, and all except the youngest are married and settled in life. The deceased children were Sophia and Frederick.
     In his political views Mr. Meier is what is termed an independent. In 1863 he was drafted into the Union army and served four weeks, at the end of which time he hired a substitute, for whom he paid nine hundred and eighty-five dollars, and received his discharge.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 707

BERNHARD MENKE.  Among the worthy citizens that the fatherland has furnished to the new world is Bernhard Menke, the popular tailor of Greenville.  He was born in Cloppenburg, Germany, Jan. 16, 1845, his parents being Joseph and Frances (Hill) Menke.  The father was a farmer by occupation, and both parents died in their native land.  Their son Bernhard was the second in a family of six children.  At the age of six years he entered school, where he pursued his studies until fourteen years of age in accordance with the laws of his native land.  He then learned the tailor's trade, serving for three years.  On the completion of his apprenticeship he was employed as a journeyman in the fatherland until 1868, when he bade adieu to home and friends and sailed for the United States, landing at Baltimore, Maryland.   He made his way thence direct to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for one year, and in 1869 he came to Greenville, Ohio, where he was employed by the firm of Chenoweth & Haberling, merchant tailors.  Subsequently he entered the service of Moses Hughn, by whom he has been employed for the past thirty years.  He is particularly expert as a coat maker and is now the oldest tailor engaged in active business in Greenville.  As the years have passed his financial resources have been increased, and he is now the possessor of good and valuable city property.  Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature, but in consequence he does not wish to put aside business care and continues in the active prosecution of his trade.
     In his twenty-seventh year Mr. Menke was married to Miss Susannah Bashore, the eldest daughter of Jacob G. Bashore, of Webster, Ohio. Their union has been blessed with seven children: Ann, now the wife of Henry E. Mohler; Jacob, a tailor; Joseph, who occupies the position of teller in the Farmers National Bank, of Greenville; Ida, at home; Orville, Chester and Barnard. They also lost two children in infancy. The mother of Mrs. Menke was Sarah (Miller) Bashore, and her death occurred in 1892, in her seventy-second year. The father, Jacob G. Bashore, was one of the early settlers of Darke county, and died within its borders in his sixty-ninth year.
     Mr. and Mrs. Menke are widely known in Greenville and have a large circle of friends.  They occupy a pleasant residence here, and also own two or three dwellings in the city, besides some good business houses, which he rents and a forty-acre farm in Wayne township, which is under a high state of cultivation.  He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for here, where opportunity is unhampered, he has worked his wav steadily upward and his advancement along well defined lines of labor has secured to him merited financial reward.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 581

Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 176

AMOS MILLER.     The farming interests of Butler township are well represented by Amos P. Miller, who resides on section 33, where he has a fine farm under a high state of cultivation.  He was born near Dayton, Ohio, Sept. 9, 1849.  His father, David T. Miller, was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, born Feb. 15, 1812 and in 1822, at the age of ten years, he removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, with his parents, David and Hannah (Foutz) Miller, both of whom were natives of Virginia.  The grandparents of our subject had five sons and one daughter, all of whom reached mature years, were married and reared families of their own, namely: Michael, Joel, Solomon, David T., John and Barbara.  All are now deceased.  The mother of these children survived her husband about twenty years and died in 1863, in her ninety-first year.  Her remains were laid by his side in the Hull cmetery in Perry township, Montgomery county.
     David T. Miller spent the greater part of his youth in Ohio, being reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier.  After he had attained to man's estate he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Eliza Souders, by whom two children were born, one of whom died in infancy, and one, Ephraim, lived until about thirty-five years of age, leaving three children.  After the death of his first wife David T. Miller married Miss Anna Shock, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1819.  They were married about 1838 and ten children graced their union, of whom nine reached mature years, as follows: John, who died in 1866; Susannah, who became the wife of Noah Comer and died about 1878, leaving five children; Hannah, who became the wife of David Grove and died in the fall of 1898, at the age of fifty-one years, leaving four sons; David I., who died in 1874, leaving two sons; Amos P.; Rachel, who first married Noah Ulrey, by whom she had three children, and is now the wife of Cyrus Devilbiss, by whom she has four children; Samuel, who is living on the homestead farm west of Dayton and has seven daughters and one son; Aaron, who removed from Kansas to southern California moved from Kansas to southern California in 1895 and is there living with his family of seven children; and Kate Ann, wife of Charles Millard, who resides near the home farm in Montgomery county with his wife and four children, three daughters and a son.  Mrs. Miller was called to her final rest in December, 1872, and the father was afterward married again.  His death occurred in August, 1886.  He was a tanner by trade and carried on business along that line on his own account for about twenty years.  He owned three hundred acres of land in Montgomery county, also land in Kansas, and liberaly aided all of his children.  Both he and his wife were members of the German Baptist church, and their remains were interred in the Hull cemetery.
     Mr. Miller, of this review, received an ordinary common-school education and remained at home until his twenty-third year, when he was married, on the 26th of March, 1872, to Barbara E. Garber, whose birth occurred in Montgomery county, in 1851, her parents being Jonathan and Catharine (Rife) Garber.  Nine children have been born of this union: Elsie M., wife of Abram Wholsinger, of Preble county; Clement L., a farmer of Butler township, who is married and has one son and one daughter; Catherine V., wife of William Petry, of Preble county, by whom she has one daughter; Olive I., wife of John Hapner, of Preble county, by whom she has one daughter; Rachel E., wife of Charles Slusher, of Preble county; David I., who aids his father in the operation of the home farm; Jonathan O., who died at the age of eight years; and George E. and John D., who are yet under the parental roof.
     Mr. Miller located upon his present farm in the spring of 1882 and has here eighty acres of land.  In addition to the raising of cereals he makes a specialty of the growing of tobacco, and for several years has operated a threshing machine.  His place is improved with fine buildings, and every thing about the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating the careful supervision of the owner.  Mr. Miller is independent in politics and has not voted since casting his ballot for General Hancock, twenty years ago.  His time and attention are largely given to his business affairs and in these he has met with creditable success.  Activity in the affairs of life, guided by sound judgment, has brought to him a comfortable competence and he is therefore classified among the substantial farmers of his community.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. II - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 267

CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER, known in the literary world as JOAQUIN MILLER, "the poet of the Sierras," was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1841.  When only about thirteen years of age he ran away from home and went to the mining regions in California and along the Pacific coast.  Some time afterward he was taken prisoner by the Modoc Indians and lived with them for five years.  He learned their language and gained great influence with them, fighting in their wars, and in all modes of living became as one of them.  In 1858 he left the Indians and went to San Francisco, where he studied law, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar in Oregon.  In 1866 he was elected a county judge in Oregon and served four devoting a good deal of time to literary pursuits, and about 1874 he settled in Washington, D. C.  He wrote many poems and dramas that attracted considerable attention won him an extended reputation.  Among his productions may be mentioned "Pacific Poems," "Songs of the Sierras," "Songs of the Sun Lands," "Ships in the Desert," "Adrianne, a Dream of Italy," "Danites," "Unwritten History," "First Families of the Sierras" (a novel), "One Fair Woman" (a novel), "Songs of Italy," "Shadows of Shasta," "The Gold-Seekers of the Sierras," and a number of others.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 218

DANIEL MILLER.     Daniel Miller, who follows farming on section 25, Harrison township, is a highly respected farmer, whose life has been quietly and unostentatiously passed, yet contains features that may well be emulated, for in all relations he has been found true to his duty to his neighbors, his family and his country.
     He was born near West Alexandria, Preble county, Nov. 19, 1829, and in August, 1831, was brought by his parents to the farm upon which he now resides.  His father, George Miller, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, about 1793, and died in New Madison, Ohio, in 1872, having located there the previous year.  John Miller, the grandfather, was a well-to-do farmer of Pennsylvania, and reared five children, including George Miller, who spent almost his entire life in the Buckeye state.  Having arrived at years of maturity he married Elizabeth Cunningham, who was born in Ireland and during her girlhood was taken to Pennsylvania.  By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children, one of whom, Nancy, died at the age of two years.  Seven sons and three daughters reached adult age Mrs. Anna Adams, a widow now living in Kansas at the age of eighty-three years; Mary, the wife of Washington Ulam, a farmer living near Winchester, Indiana; William, a farmer of Harrison township, who died at the age of seventy-eight years, leaving three children: John, who died in the prime of life on his farm in Indiana, leaving five children; Robert, who died in New Madison, in his sixtieth year, leaving four sons; Elizabeth, the wife of John Ray, who died at the age of seventy-three, leaving four daughters, while four died in infancy; George, who died at the age of twenty-seven years; David, who died at the age of twenty four; Samuel, who died in Harrison township about 1893, leaving three sons and a daughter; and Daniel, of this review.  The mother passed away about 1852, and the father afterward married Mrs. Hannah Gray, nee Worthington.  She was the mother of five children, including I. P. Gray, a prominent statesman of Indiana, who served as minister to Mexico.  The father of our subject was reared and married in West Virginia, and after the birth of the greater part of his children came to Ohio, where in 1830 he pre-empted eighty acres of land, taking up his abode thereon in August, 1831.  Not a furrow had been turned, a tree cut or an improvement made upon the farm.  He secured his land from the government for a dollar and a quarter per acre and subsequently he made other purchases until he was the owner of a valuable tract of two hundred and twenty acres, together with a house and lot in New Madison.  He also had a good bank account and was one of the substantial residents of the community.
     Daniel Miller was reared upon a large farm and early took his place in the forest with an ax, aiding in clearing away the trees and preparing the land for the plow.  He attended school for two or three months each year in a little frame building, supplied with puncheon seats.  The writing desk was formed of rough boards laid upon wooden pegs driven into large auger holes bored into the wall.  To his father he gave the benefit of his services until his marriage, which occurred Oct. 15. 1871.  Miss Rebecca Lawrence becoming his wife.  Their acquaintance had continued from childhood, for they were reared on adjoining farms.  Mrs. Miller was born Oct. 6, 1829, a daughter of Rial and Minerva (Braffet) Lawrence.  Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and at an early epoch in the pioneer history of Darke county came to Ohio, locating near the home of C. C. Walker.   At his death, which occurred May 7, 1885, the following obituary appeared in one of the local papers: "Death has claimed an other of the pioneer citizens of Yankeetown.  On the 7th instant died Rial Lawrence, in the eighty-fourth year of his life.  He was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 19, 1802, and in 1825 was married to Minerva Braffet.  They lived together sixty years and had six children, who with their mother survive him."  Now, in 1900. the children are all living, but the venerable mother passed away at their home in January, 1899. at the advanced age of ninety two years.  Mr. Lawrence was an industrious and economical husbandman, a good manager and a square man in his business dealings, his word being as good as his bond.  His remains were interred in the new cemetery at Madison, by the side of those of his wife.
     Mr. Miller is the owner of three hundred and twenty-two acres of valuable land, lying in Harrison and Butler townships.  He purchased one hundred and forty-six acres of land of his father, and the farm includes ninety acres of good timber land.  He carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of short-horn cattle and fine sheep, having from fifty to a hundred head of the latter upon his farm most of the time.   His well-tilled fields yield to him good returns, and he raises annually from two to three thousand bushels of corn and about fourteen hundred bushels of wheat.  He sowed fifty acres of wheat in the fall of 1899, and for the first time in years the crop proved a total failure.  He feeds all of his corn to his stock, and in addition to his cattle and sheep he raises about one hundred head of hog's annually.  His place is one of the best improved in this part of the county.  In 1882 he built a large red wagon house, and the following year an immense barn, 42x72 feet, with an L 32x42 feet.  There is a good two-story residence upon the place, which was erected in 1886.  He has never moved but once, and that was when he left the old home for the new.  The old frame house, however, erected by his father, in 1842, is still standing, but in 1886 he tore down the log cabin which had been built in early days of round logs with a mud-and stick chimney.  He is very thorough, systematic and methodical in his work, and is at the same time progressive and enterprising.  His land is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences.  The place is well drained and everything upon the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating the careful supervison of the owner.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are widely known in Darke county, and enjoy the warm friendship of a large circle of acquaintances, and their many excellencies of character have gained them high regard and esteem, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers their life record.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 557

Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 218

JOHN F. MILLER.     Among the representative young farmers of Monroe township, Darke county, Ohio, is found John F. Miller, who is the German descent and who possesses many of the excellent traits of character for which the German-American citizens are distinguished.
     Frederick Miller, the father of John F., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany.  On leaving school, at the age of fourteen, he learned the trade of a stone-mason and bricklayer, and at eighteen emigrated to America, landing at New York after a voyage of sixty-two days.  From New York he at once came west to Dayton, Ohio, and here secured employment as a farm hand.  He worked on a farm six months.  Then he turned his attention to his trade, which he followed successfully for some time, after which he married came to Darke county and settled down to farming.  His first purchase of land in this county, an eighty-acre tract, he subsequently sold, investing the proceeds in one hundred and sixty acres in Monroe township, which he improved and on which he made his home the rest of his life.  He also acquired by purchase two forty-acre tracts of land in Franklin township.  He died in November, 1863.  A faithful member of the Lutheran church, a strong Democrat, a public spirited citizen, baying served several years as trustee and treasurer of his township, be was a man who was as highly respected as be was well known.  His widow, whose maiden name was Susannah Flory and whom he married at Brookville, Ohio, survives him, and at this writing is seventy-four years of age.  The fruits of their union are: Mary, now Mrs. Peter Neswonger; Susannah, now Mrs. William Murray; Jennie, who died at the age of seven years; John F., whose name introduces this sketch; Amelia, now Mrs. Harvey Hattsborger; and Maria, now Mrs. Christopher Bechler.
     John F. Miller was born on his father's farm in Franklin township, Darke county, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1856, and received his education in the district schools of Franklin and Monroe townships.  He spent his youth in assisting in the work on the home farm, and bas continued to reside thereon up to the present time, having acquired eighty acres of the homestead.  On this land he has carried forward the work of improvement, ditching, erecting buildings, making fences, etc., until his farm is classed with the best in the locality.
     Mr. Miller married, July 22, 1881, Miss Belle Grise, a daughter of Peter Grise, and their children are as follows: Opal, who died in infancy; Frederick P., born Sept. 15, 1883; Jennie, Sept. 29, 1885; Susannah, Feb. 19, 1888; and Roscoe, Aug. 19, 1890.
     Like his father before him, Mr. Miller is a stanch Democrat.  He is also a Knight of Pythias and an Odd Fellow, maintaining membership in these orders at Arcanum.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 430

LEWIS C. MILLER.     Lewis C. Miller, one of the representative and prominent agriculturists of Darke county, owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres on section 9, Greenville township.  Its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of the owner and shows him to be not only a skillful farmer, but also a man of good business and executive ability.  He located where he now resides in 1873, at that time purchasing eighty acres of partially improved land, to which he subsequently added another eighty-acre tract, but has since given a part of this to two of his sons.
     Mr. Miller was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Mar. 6, 1834, and is a son of Christian and Martha (Stronn) Miller, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively.  Our subject's maternal grandfather was Enos Stronn, an early settler of Ohio.  In 1801, when only a year old, the father was taken to Fairfield county, this state, by his parents, Christian and Elizabeth Miller, also natives of the Old Dominion.  This was some time before Ohio was admitted to the Union, and near where the Miller family settled was an Indian village.  Upon the farm where they first located the grandparents of our subject spent their remaining years, and his parents were also life long residents of Fairfield county.  The father lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years.  He was a farmer and also a mechanic, manufacturing wagons, plows, etc., and making the first left-handed plow constructed in Ohio, designing the molds himself.  Both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church, taking an active interest in religious work, while their home was always the stopping place for the ministers visiting their locality.
     Lewis C. Miller was reared and educated in Fairfield, and remained there until after his marriage, operating his father's farm and taking care of his parents until their death.  As previously stated, he came to Darke county in 1873, and has since resided upon his present farm.  He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sites, and to them were born nine children, namely: Cletus, Laura, James, Charles, Fannie; Emma, deceased; Mollie, Mannel and Maude.
     Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Miller are active and influential members of the Grand View Union Brethren church.  They have always taken a very prominent part in all church work, and assisted in organizing the churches of their denomination at Hill Grove, Coalville and Grand View.  Mr. Miller has also been officially connected with his home church for many years, and has led a most exemplary life.  Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, but takes only a nominal interest in political affairs, such as is exercised by our best citizens.  He well deserves the high regard in in which he is uniformly held.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 353

THOMAS B. MILLER, superintendent of the Darke County Infirmary, is a man well known in this county, where he was born and where he has passed his life.  The Millers were among the pioneers of Darke county.  George Miller, the grandfather of Thomas B., was a native of. Pennsylvania, in which state he wedded Margaret Kaskey, a native of the Emerald Isle.  In 1816 they, removed with their family from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, and took up their abode in Harrison township, Darke county, where they passed the rest of their lives.  He died at the age of seventy-four years.  Their son John, the father of Thomas B., was born in Lancaster county, in 1815, the year before their removal to this state.  Here he was reared and married, his wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. McGee, being a native of Ohio.  She died in 1854.  Of their children, eight in number, one died at the age of twelve years, and those who reached adult age are as follows: George W., Thomas B., Martha E., Henry B., Mary I. and Margaret P.  All are living excepting Francis R.   Mary I. is the wife of C. W. Moore, and Margaret P. is now Mrs. Luther Black.
     Thomas B. Miller was born on his father's farm May 22, 1847, was reared to farm life, and received his education in the district school.  He was yet a school boy when the civil war broke out, but before it closed he offered his services to the Union and proved himself a true soldier.  It was in 1864 that he enlisted, and as a member of the One Hundred arid Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel Dawson, he entered the service.  His term of enlistment was spent chiefly in garrison duty.
     Receiving an honorable discharge from the army in 1866, Mr. Miller returned to Darke county and engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he continued for some time.  Then for a number of years he carried on a mercantile business in Greenville.  In 1890 he was appointed superintendent of the Darke County Infirmary, which position he has since filled, having been reappointed from time to time.  The infirmary buildings were burned in 1897, but were im­mediately rebuilt on a much larger scale, and are now ranked with the best county infirmary buildings in the state of Ohio.  Under Mr. Miller's management the institution is one in which the county has reason to take pride; everything is neat and orderly and the inmates are well cared for.
     Mr. Miller was married in 1877 to Miss Elizabeth McGrew, a native of Preble county, and a daughter of Patrick McGrew.  They are the parents of three children: Arthur V., Edna B. and Harry C.  Politically Mr. Miller is a stanch Democrat, has a voice in the councils of his party, and has frequently served as delegate to county and state conventions.  He is a member of Jobes Post, No. 147, Grand Army of the Republic.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 751

THOMAS C. MILLER, a member of the Darke county bar, was born in West Milton, Miami county, Feb. 25, 1841, upon a farm.  His father, Samuel Miller, was a native of Virginia, born in Charleston, in 1801.  He learned the miller's trade and followed that pursuit for many years.  In early manhood he removed to Ohio, and in this state was married to Margaret Bowman, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio.  Subsequently they removed to Miami county, where Mr. Miller followed his chosen vocation for many years.  In 1860 he came with his family to Darke county, locating in Arcanum, where he remained for a number of years, and then returned to Miami county, where his death occurred in 1874.  His wife, who survived him for some time, died in Greenville in 1890.
     Thomas C. Miller, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, was the only child born to his parents. He spent his boyhood days in the vicinity of his native town and pursued his education in the common schools, and afterward assisted his father in the work of the farm and the operation of the mill; but, not content to devote his energies to industrial pursuits, he determined to enter professional life and to this end began reading law under the direction of Hon. E. P. Kellogg, of West Milton, now a prominent lawyer of Columbus, Ohio.  Mr. Miller was admitted to the bar at Troy, this state, and began practice in Bedford, Ohio, where he remained for twelve years.  On the expiration of that period he removed to Greenville, where he has since devoted his attention assiduously to the practice of his profession and the duties it involves.  He is recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the Greenville bar, and his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial.
     Mr. Miller has been twice married, and by the first union had three children: Perry. E., William E. and Lemuel E. His present wife bore the maiden name of Miss Anna Gundell.  She was born in Darke county, was a daughter of Benjamin Gundell, an old resident of this county, and at the time of their marriage was the widow of Henry Beard.
     During the civil war Mr. Miller manifested his loyalty to his country by enlisting in the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Captain Jason Young and Colonel J. Warren Keifer.  The regiment was ordered to Virginia, and in the south he faithfully served until 1865. He participated in a number of engagements and skirmishes, and also spent some time in the hospital, and when the war was ended received an honorable discharge, in July, 1865.  He is a member of the Frizelle Post, No. 227, G. A. R., and is as true and faithful to the duties of citizenship in times of peace as when he followed the starry banner upon the battlefields of the south.  His life has marked a steady advance in his profession, and by his careful preparation of cases, combined with keen power of analysis, he has won many notable forensic combats.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 605

MRS. CATHARINE MILLS.     The ladies of the good old Buckeye state have ever played a most conspicuous part in her history, from the annals which tell of the pioneer struggles and vicissitudes down to the records which bespeak the unexampled prosperity of the end-of-the-century period.  In connection with the history of Darke county the good lady whose genealogical record here appears is one who is held in high regard and respect by all the citizens of Richland township, which is essentially the pioneer township of the county.  She was born in Lebanon, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of November, 1835, being the fourth in order of birth of the four sons and three daughters of John and Catharine (Bowman) Fettery, and she is now the only survivor of the family.  her father was a native of the family.  Her father was a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he was born July 19, 1803, and his death occurred Feb. 7, 1872.  In the agnatic line he was of Scotch ancestry, and in the maternal of English extraction.  John Fettery, who was educated in both the English and German tongues, was a blacksmith by trade, and was employed for some time in the great shops at Cornwall.  The parents of Mrs. Mills emigrated to Ohio, from their Pennsylvania home, in 1837, being members of a colony which comprised seven families, the journey being made by means of horses and wagons, and the objective point being old Fort Greenville.  At this time the wily red men of the forest were far more numerous than the white settlers in this section of the Union.  Mr. Fettery worked at his trade to some extent in Preble county, and after a time removed to Darke county, where he established himself as a pioneer farmer.  He was active and energetic, and was possessed of the most sterling attributes of character.  His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, in which connection he had personally traversed some of the historic ground of Darke county.  in his political adherency John Fettery was a zealous Democrat in his support of the cause and was active for many years, but in the later years of his life he espoused the cause of Prohibition, taking high grounds on the subject of temperance.  He was a great friend of the public schools, and, in fact, of all those worthy enterprises which tend to elevate the moral or intellectual standing of the community.  He was a good man, and had the utmost respect of all who knew him.  He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church at Wakefield, Ohio.
     Catharine (Bowman) Fettery the mother of Mrs. Mills, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, Sept. 5, 1808, and her death occurred July 18, 1862.  She was of German lineage, and her life was one of signal kindness and devotion to all that is good.  Her prayers and her admonitions to her children will ever live as the years roll on, such influences being cumulative in character.
     Mrs. Mills was but a child of eighteen months when her parents removed to Ohio, and thus she has been reared and educated in this section of the state and has dignified Darke county by her life and example and as a worthy representative of a pioneer family.  She was educated in the primitive schools of the early days, and the first school she attended was in the little log school house, with puncheon floor, slab benches, etc., which is so frequently mentioned in this compilation, such institutions being typical of the time and place.  Mrs. Mills gives most interesting reminiscences of the early days and graphically describes the amusements which were in vogue among the pioneers, who assembled together for the apple-parings, the quilting bees and the corn huskings, while at night innocent games attracted the attention of the young folks.  Under the influence of these good old pioneer days she passed her girlhood, and when she was about eighteen years of age she consented to preside over a home of her own.  On the 11th of August, 1853, she wedded Marion Mills, their union being solemnized in Greenville, and they became the parents of two sons and three daughters, of whom four are living at the present time, namely:  Sophia C. is the wife of Jasper N. Riggle, the well-known insurance agent in Greenville, this county.  Mrs. Riggle was educated in the high school at Greenville and the normal college at Lebanon, Warren county, and she was for several years successfully engaged as a teacher in Darke county.  She and her husband are members of the Methodist church.  Lucy B. Mills became the wife of Daniel Oliver, a successful farmer of Mount Heron, Ohio, and they have three children - Everett, Nola Belle and Chester.  Mr. and Mrs. Oliver are members of the Christian church.  George H. M. C. Mills, a resident of Beamsville, Ohio, is a paperhanger and painter by trade.  He wedded Miss Callie Warvel, and they are the parents of two children - Otto and Ethel.  They are members of the Christian church.  Lewis Alphonso, the youngest of the four living children of Mrs. Mills resides with his mother on the old homestead.  He married Miss Leona Stahl, and they have three sons and one daughter, - Orville, Melvin M., Blanche L. and Raymond V.  Alphonso will conduct the farm for his mother, being well fitted for this charge as he is an able and industrious young man, being a practical and advanced agriculturist, and also taking marked interest in mechanics.  He was educated in the public schools of the county.  In politics he is a Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland.  Fraternally he is identified with Ansonia Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
     Marion Mills, whose death occurred Mar. 6, 1900, was born in Greene county, near Clifton, Ohio, July 28, 1831, continuing to eside in his native county until he was eleven years old, when he accompanied his parents to Union county, this state, where he learned the trade of wagon-maker, as an artisan in which line he came eventually to Greenville, Darke county.  He was a man who was liberally educated, having carefully disciplined his mind through well directed study.  When he and his young wife started out in life together they had but little of this world's goods, but they were determined to live goodly lives and to lay a permanent foundation for the future.  In both these objects success attended them in full measure.  Mrs. Mills recalls the fact that the first taxes which they were called upon to pay amounted to thirty-five cents.  The first reality which they purchased comprised twenty-five acres of the present estate and to secure even this much they had to assume an indebtedness.  As the years passed on, by dint of economy and thrift, this worthy couple accumulated eighty-five acres of fine land, and all the nice improvements of the estate - the cosy and comfortable farm residence, the barns and outbuildings and the well kept fences - all indicate the care and thrift of Mr. and Mrs. Mills.  They had resided in Beamsville for twenty-three years, and there Mr. Mills was engaged at this trade.  He served for nearly twenty years as township clerk.  Twenty-two years ago, in 1878, he located on the present beautiful farm now occupied by his widow.
     Mr. Mills was unostentatious in his manners, kindly and genial, and one who aimed to live a model life.  He found in his home his greatest satisfaction and enjoyment, and there his hopes and affections centered.  He found in his home his greatest satisfaction and enjoyment, and there his hopes and affections centered.  He commanded the confidence and respect of all who knew him, and in his example and worthy life has given the most valuable of heritages to his children.  Politically he was a Democrat, but for the last twenty years he advocated prohibition and labored zealously for the cause of temperance; and he and his wife always manifested their stanch friendship for the cause of popular education and for all other worthy instruments concerning the advancement of their fellowmen.  Mr. Mills was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, and he and Mrs. Mills have aided financially in the erection of the churches in this vicinity and have otherwise contributed liberally to all good works in the community and the poor and needy have never gone hungry from their door.
     Mr. Mills was suddenly called from the scene of mortal activities on Mar. 6, 1900, entering into eternal rest with the assurance of the rewards prepared for those who have lived according to the precepts of the Divine Master.  to his cherished and devoted wife the bereavement was severe in the extreme, but the soft dew of consolation and compensation comes in the memory of having touched so worthy a life and through the hallowed associations of the days that are gone.  They had traveled the journey of life side by side, sharing in the joys and the sorrows which touch the lives of us all, and after a half-century of such close and loving companionship the husband and father was summoned to the better land, leaving his devoted companion to complete the journey without him, but sustained by the filial solicitude of her children.  She has nobly acted her part, and can recall with satisfaction the days that have passed and the blessed reunion in the hour when the mortal veil shall be lifted.  She is surrounded by many kind friends, who are ever ready to comfort and console her in her bereavement, and as the years come and go her life will bear its benediction to all who have come within its sphere of action.  The recordof such true and worthy lives is what gives the utmost justification to works of this nature, and this tribute is gladly accorded in this great genealogical history of Darke county.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 564

Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 244

Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 545

ROGER QUARLES MILLS, a noted United States senator and famous as the father of the "Mills tariff bill," was born in Todd county, Kentucky, Mar. 30, 1832.  He received a liberal education in the common schools, and removed to Palestine, Texas, in 1849.  He took up the study of law, and supported himself by serving as an assistant in the post-office, and in the offices of the court clerks.  In 1850 he was elected engrossing clerk of the Texas house of representatives, and in 1852 was admitted to the bar, while still a minor, by special act of the legislature.  He then settled at Corsicana, Texas, and began the active practice of his profession.  He was elected to the state legislature in 1859, and in 1872 he was elected to congress from the state at large, as a Democrat.  After his first election he was continuously returned to congress until he resigned to accept the position of United Stats senator, to which he was elected Mar. 23, 1892, to succeed Hon. Horace Chilton.  He took his seat in the senate Mar. 30, 1892; was afterward re-elected and ranked among the most useful and prominent members of that body.  In 1876 he opposed the creation of the electoral commission, and in 1887 canvassed the state of Texas against the adoption of a prohibition amendment to its constitution, which was defeated.  He introduced into the house of representatives the bill that was known as the "Mills Bill," reducing duties on imports, and extending the free list.  The bill passed the house on July 21, 1888, and made the name of "Mills" famous throughout the entire country.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Pt. I - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 211

JOHN MOHLER is a popular young farmer of Franklin township, Darke county, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio.  His grandfather, Rudolph Mohler, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Feb. 6, 1801, and married Susanna Souman, who was born in that county on the 12th of December, 1801. At an early period in the development of the Buckeye, state they came to Miami county, locating on a farm near the Sugar Grove church in Newberry township.  There the wife died, after which Mr. Mohler made his home with his children, dying at the residence of his son, Samuel Mohler, in Miami county. He had three children by his first marriage, namely: William, who was born Oct. 3, 1823, and died Sept. 29, 1851; Mary, who was born May 3, 1825, and is the wife of George Croft, of Darke county; and Ephraim, who was born Nov. 10, 1856, and married Mary Annie Neal.  After the death of his first wife the grandfather married Elizabeth Miller, who was born July 31, 1801, and their children were: Henry, who was born May 14, 1829, married Harriet Deeter; Jacob, the father of our subject; Sarah, who was born Jan. 2, 1833, became the wife of Henry Deeter and died Aug. 20, 1863; Susanna, who was born July 21, 1834, is the wife of William Shellabarger, of Covington; John, who was born Dec. 8, 1835, is now living in Missouri with his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Miller; Samuel, of Miami county, was born Mar. 27, 1837, and married Sally Miller; Rudolph, who was born Mar. 18, 1839, and married Fannie Etter; Daniel, of Missouri, was born Oct. 2, 1842, and wedded Maria Mowry and both died in Miami county; and Hannah, who was born Jan. 29, 1845, became the wife of Justice Deeter.
     Jacob Mohler, the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Mar. 15, 1830, and when fifteen years of age accompanied his parents oh their removal to Miami county.  The journey was made by wagon, Jacob walking the greater part of the distance.  His father had previously made a trip to Ohio on horse­back and purchased the farm in Newberry township upon which Jacob was reared to manhood.  Having attained his majority, he was married, on the 15th of January, 1852, to Miss Eidelia, a daughter of John S. and Sarah (Reed) Deeter and granddaughter of David and Elizabeth (Stutzman) Deeter.  The Deeter family removed from Pennsylvania to Preble county, Ohio, and later settled in Miami county.  After their marriage Mr. Jacob Mohler operated the Sugar Grove mill for seven years and then purchased the farm now known as the Teague place in Newberry township.  That property he old to Joseph Teague for the latter's farm in Franklin township, Darke county, and on that place he died May 28, 1898, after a long and useful life.  He was much respected and was a faithful member of the German Baptist church, with which he united in 1852. In politics he was a Republican.  His wife still survives him, and by her marriage she became the mother of the following children: Allen, who was born Jan. 27, 1856, and died in infancy; Sarah E., who was born July 18, 1857, and also died in infancy; Elizabeth, who was born Dec. 10, 1858, and became the wife of Aaron Shellabarger, of Franklin township; Mary A., who was born Apr. 6, 1861, and died in infancy; Martha, who was born Jan. 15, 1863, and is the wife of Jonathan Cool, of Franklin township; Rudolph, born Nov. 22, 1865; Mina, born Jan. 10, 1868, and now the wife of William Penny, of Franklin township; and John.
     John Mohler was born Jan. 30, 1870, on his father's farm in Newberry township, and in the public schools of the neighborhood he acquired a good education, fitting him for life's practical duties.  He engaged in the cultivation of the home farm, both before and after his marriage, which important event occurred in 1890, Miss Lizzie Knutt, a daughter of George Franklin Knutt, becoming his wife.  After his marriage Mr. Mohler purchased and located upon his present farm, which comprises twelve and a quarter acres. He is very enterprising and progressive in his farming methods and carefully cultivates his land so that it yields to him a good tribute in return for the labor he bestows upon it.  In politics he is an independent Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. Socially he is connected with several organizations, including the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Improved Order of Red Men at Bradford.  His genial manner and social disposition and sterling worth have made him popular, and he is known as one of the leading young agriculturists of the county.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 242

JOHN HERSCHEL MORNINGSTAR.  This well-known business man of Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, was born in that town, Jan. 3, 1851, and is a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Wagner) Morningstar.  The father was born near Xenia, in Greene county, Ohio, Sept. 5, 1805, and in early life followed farming, but later he was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits in Greenville, where he settled in 1840.  He continued in active business there until within a short time of his death, which occurred Dec. 28, 1886.  His wife, the mother of our subject, died in Greenville, Apr. 7, 1869.  Her parents were George and Sarah (Stevens) Wagner. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Darke county, Ohio.  At an early day he came to this county, and spent the remainder of his life in German township.
     Reared in Greenville, John H. Morningstar acquired his early education in its public schools. Later he was a student at Chickering Institute, in Cincinnati, and subsequently took a commercial course at Eastman's College, Poughkeepsie, New York.  Soon after his return home he was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Ferguson, a daughter of Robert H. and Mary A. (Turner) Ferguson, of Dayton, Ohio.
     Mr. Morningstar embarked in the confectionery business in Greenville soon after his marriage, Mar. I, 1877, and has since successfully engaged in that line of trade.  For thirty years he has dealt in ice.  He owns a beautiful park containing a small lake skirted by one thousand fruit trees.  He has provided a good band stand, boats and seats for the convenience of his guests, and many other accommodations.  It has become a popular resort during the warm season, and is frequented by large crowds of pleasure-seekers.  Being a pleasant, genial gentleman, Mr. Morningstar thoroughly. understands the best methods of conducting such an enterprise.  Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 657