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L. D. FOLKERTH.
Among those leading and representative farmers of Darke county,
whose labors have contributed to the material advancement and
general welfare of the community is L. D. Folkerth,
now living a retired life at Greenville, where his pleasant home is
located on Switzer street. His life has been a busy and useful
one and furnishes an example of honorable dealing, steadfast
purpose, fidelity to principle and invincible moral courage that is
well worthy of emulation. He has rendered his fellow-citizens
signal service in offices of responsibility and trust, and at this
time is acting efficiently in the capacity of treasurer of
Greenville township. Mr. Folkerth was born
April 2, 1842, in this township and is a son of Jesse and
Anna (Curtis) Folkerth.
Jesse Folkerth was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, whence
he came to Darke county in 1808 and located in Greenville township,
entering land from the United States government. His first
operations were in the line of general farming, but gradually he
became interested in stock raising, and in this connection became
widely known in this section of the county. He and his wife
were the parents of five children: William, Maria,
who married Mr. Swank, L. D.; George, who is
deceased, and Christ.
L. D. Folkerth attended the country schools
and secured the greater part of his education in VanBuren township,
although his school days ceased when he was fifteen years of age,
when he commenced working by the month. He gradually obtained
property of his own, and for forty years resided on the
Studebaker farm in Greenville township. At the time
of his retirement from agricultural pursuits, Mr. Folkerth
came to Greenville and now resides on
Switzer street, where he has a commodious and comfortable home,
fitted with the most modern conveniences. At the outbreak of
the Civil war, Mr. Folkerth, with other youths of
his locality, offered his services to the Union cause, and being
accepted was made a member of Company G, Forth-fourth regiment, Ohio
volunteer infantry. His was a commendable service, his bravery
and cheerfulness under all conditions winning him the respect of his
comrades, and his faithfulness to duty gaining him to esteem of his
officers. Mr. Folkerth is still interested in
the stock business, and makes a hobby of handling horses, of which
he is an excellent judge. In politics a Democrat, he has been
an active worker in the ranks of his party, and is now serving his
third term as trustee of Greenville township. His
administration of the affairs of this position has always been safe,
yet progressive, and while connected with the township government
has been able to do much to advance his community's interests.
Mr. Folkerth is a member of the Christian church,
to the movements of which he has been a liberal contributor.
In 1862 Mr. Folkerth was united in marriage with
Miss Rachel Cox, of Greenville township, and to
this union there has been born four children: William,
who is married and has two children; Jesse, who is
the father of six children; Thomas, who has one
child; and Charles D., a farmer
and stockraiser of Greenville township, who is married and has three
children. Mr. Folkerth's second marriage was
to Miss Fannie Purdy, and they
have had three children: George, who has one child;
Ora, who has two children; and Harry,
who is deceased.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio
from its earliest Settlement to the Present Time Vol. II - Milford,
Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914 - Page 342 |
