CHARLES A. M. DAMARIN.     In the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio among the pioneers probably no business man was distinguished by greater influence, integrity, and broader usefulness than the late Charles A. M. Damarin, who for many years was identified with Portsmouth and vicinity, and whose descendants still live in that section of Ohio.
     Charles A. M. Damarin was born in Paris, France, Apr. 10, 1797.  His father, Antonius M. M. Damarin, also a native of France, emigrated to America in 1817, bringing with him his two sons, Charles and Augustus.  The former had been well reared and educated in his native laud, and was twenty years of age when he first came to this country.  From New York City the father and his two sons went directly to Southern Ohio, and located at the old French settlement at Gallipolis on the Ohio River.  Charles Damarin there began his career as a clerk, but in a short time his business capacity was demonstrated by the purchase of an interest in the business of his employer, John Peter Roumains.  After a number of years during which he had made considerable progress toward business prosperity Mr. Damarin in 1830 returned to Paris, and was in that city at the time Charles X was dethroned.  When he returned to the United States in 1831 he was accompanied by his mother and his sister, Pauline.
     In 1831 Mr. Damarin moved from Gallipolis to Cincinnati, was in business there two years, and then established a retail grocery house at Portsmouth.  Successful from the start, he soon enlarged his scope of operations to include a wholesale business, extended his commercial relations to a large territory in several states, and in course of time had amassed a fortune.
     It was his interest in enterprises closely related with the general welfare and progress of Southern Ohio that made the career of Mr. Damarin particularly noteworthy.  In his history of Scioto County the author, Mr. Evans, who knew him well, said: "He took the lead in business affairs in Portsmouth and maintained it all his life.  While he was in active business no enterprise of any public consequence was undertaken unless he was in it and at the first.   He was one of the founders of the Commercial Bank and one of its directors.  He was one of the first to start the Scioto rolling mill and he built the Hamden Furnace, and by endorsing made it possible to build the Scioto and Hocking Valley Railroad.   In 1835 he was selected to obtain a loan of ten thousand dollars to build a court house, and the commissioners left the money with him and checked it out as needed.   He had a strong will, great power of endurance both mental and physical, and his integrity shone above all other qualities.  He was charitable and benevolent."
     Charles A. M. Damarin married Harriet Offner, a daughter of Doctor Jacob and Mary (Harness) Offner.  To their marriage were born three children, namely: Augustus A. M.; Mary E., wife of Albert B. Voorheis of Cincinnati; and Harriet, wife of George Drake Scudder of Portsmouth.
Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Page 1314