JOHNSON K. ALBRIGHT.  After years of active labor as an agriculturist, this worthy citizen of Twin township, Darke county, is now living a retired life.  He belongs to an honored pioneer family of this state, and traces his ancestry back to three brothers who came to America from Germany prior to the Revolutionary war.  One settled in North Carolina and one in Pennsylvania, but all trace of the third has been lost.  It was from the first that our subject is descended.  He served all through the Revolutionary war.  His son, Philip Albright, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in Orange county, North Carolina, and in early life learned the tailor's trade.  Some time previous to 1804 he and his wife Christina came to Preble county, Ohio, and he entered land one the present site of Lewisburg, where he erected a primitive log cabin and followed farming throughout the remainder of his life.  He died November 20, 1820, his wife, December 29, 1817, and both were buried at Lewisburg.  Of their children John died in Arkansas; Catherine, the wife of John Thomas, died in Preble county, this state; Elizabeth, the wife of Daniel Sharp, died in Twin township, Darke county; Barbara, the wife of Lewis Thomas, died in Preble county; Philip died in Twin township, Darke county; Adam died in the same township Mary, the wife of Philip Nation, died in Eaton, Ohio; Jonas also died in Eaton; and Simpson, the father of our subject, died in Arcanum.
     Simpson Albright was born in Lewisburg, November 2, 1804, and received only a limited education.  He was an excellent reader but had little knowledge of other branches of study.  As his father was lame and in limited circumstances most of the farm work fell to his sons, and when he died the family were left poor.  Simpson was only thirteen years of age at that time and was forced to earn his own livelihood by working as a farm hand, being thus employed until his marriage.  He drifted to Anderson county, Tennessee, where he met Miss Mary Snoderly, who became his wife November 9, 1828.  She was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, November 1, 1808, and was a daughter of Philip and Mary (Thomas) Snoderly, who moved to Tennessee about 1816.
     After his marriage, Mr. Albright continued to make his home in that state until August, 1832, when he returned to Ohio and located in the northeast corner of Preble county.  The following spring he rented a farm in Preble county, where he resided two years, and during that time bought eighty acres of wild land in Twin township, this county.  At that time no improvements had been made and there were but few families in the neighborhood.  Philip Mullenix had squatted near the Albright farm and built a house, but William Nealeigh, of Lewisburg, had paid him a small sum for his right to the tract and entered the land.  The property Mr. Albright rented until he could clear a small tract of his own land and erect a cabin thereon, which was accomplished in April, 1836.  The house, which was sixteen by twenty feet, was built of round logs and contained but one room.  He cleared his land and transformed it into a beautiful farm, finally selling it, after his children were grown, for one hundred dollars per acre.  He then moved to Arcanum and lived retired until his death, which occurred May 17, 1886.  His wife died November 7, 1883.  They were leading members of the United Brethren church of Arcanum, and were very charitably disposed, their home being a refuge for the poor and needy.  In early life the father was a Democrat, but in 1854 severed his connection with that party and later became an ardent Republican.
     Our subject is the oldest in a family of eleven children, the others being as follows:  Henry M., born in Anderson county, Tennessee, December 29, 1830, married Elizabeth Eichelberger.  He was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the one-hundred day service during the civil war, and was a farmer of Van Buren township, Darke county, Ohio, where he died August 24, 1878.  Henderson L. born in Tennessee, February 19, 1832, married Catherine Leedy.  He was a member of the same regiment as his brother, and now resides on a farm in Neave township, this county.  Daniel S., who was born in Preble county, this state, October 6, 1834, married Elizabeth Leedy.  He, too, was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, and is now living in Arcanum.  Philip S., born in Twin township, Darke county, in 1836, married first Malinda Raines and secondly Nancy ____, and is now a farmer of Greenville township, this county.  He served for three years in the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and then veteranized, remaining in the service until hostilities ceased.  William K., born in Twin township, March 22, 1838, married Nancy Clark, and resides in Greenville.  He enlisted first for nine months in the Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after being discharged joined Company B, One Hundred and Tenth Regiment, serving until the close of the war.  Adam C., born in Twin township, November 21, 1842, married Nancy Robeson and now lives in Adams county, Nebraska.  He served through the war as a member of the Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Catherine S., born in Twin township, November 24, 1843, married Anderson Tillman, and died in Arcanum.  Sarah Ann, born in Twin township, February 13, 1845, married George F. Hapner and resides in Arcanum.  Elizabeth, born in Twin township, August 13, 1848, married Dr. Royalston Ford, of Greenville, Ohio, and died in Arcanum.  Margaret Minerva, born in Twin township, January 21, 1856, died in infancy.
     Johnson K. Albright was born in Anderson county, Tennessee, June 13, 1829, and was only three years old when brought by his parents to Ohio.  He received his education, as he says, "in the woods."  He attended school when he was not needed at home; was fond of study and spent much time with his books.  He qualified himself for a teacher, received a certificate from the county examiners and taught one year.  He passed through all the different phases of pioneer life.  Being the oldest son the responsibilities of the farm work fell upon him at an early age, as his father was not strong, and he did much of his father's business until leaving home.
     On the 11th of September, 1851, at Phillipsburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, Mr. Albright was united in marriage with Miss MAry Ann Reichard, who was born in Pyrmont, that county, December 8, 1834, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Winicke) Reichard.  Two children were born to them, but Edward Henry, born September 28, 1853, died April 6, 1854; and Granville Moorey, born May 15, 1859, died May 3, 1870.  Mrs. Albright died September 21, 1897, and was laid to rest in Abbottsville cemetery.  She was a devout member of the United Brethren church, possessed a beautiful disposition and was a loving wife and mother.
     After his marriage, Mr. Albright remained with his father until the following December and then moved to his present farm of eighty acres, which he purchased November 3, 1851.  His first home here was a hewed-log house, 18x20 feet, but he and his wife were very happy in their humble abode, and in 1876 he built his present beautiful home of red brick.  When the civil war broke out he was operating a saw-mill, and was engaged in that business for three yeas.  HE also owned and operated a threshing machine for the same length of time.  The first school hosue erected in the north precinct of Twin township was built on a corner of his farm, it being of round logs and about 12x20 feet in dimension.  The first teacher was William McGriff, who taught the first year in an old log cabin which was built by Alfred Ayers and stood on what is now the Aaron Wellbau place.
     Mr. Albright was also one of the "boys in blue" during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting May 2, 1864, in the one-hundred-day service, as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  The regiment was continually on the march, and participated in Hunter's raid.  Mr. Albright was discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, September 2, 1864, and is now an honored member of Rosser Post, G. A. R., at Arcanum, of which he has been the commander two years.  He cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, in 1852, and is now a stanch supporter of the Republican party.  Quiet and unassuming, he has the confidence and respect of all who know him, and justly merits the high regard in which he is held.

PETER ALBRIGHT, one of the leading citizens of Van Buren township, Darke county, Ohio, owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and eleven acres, which he has placed in a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings.  His possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts, and as the result of his long sustained endeavor he has won a place among the well-to-do citizens of his community.
     The first of the Albright family to come to America was our subject's great-grand-father, George Albright, a native of Germany, who settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania.  The grandfather, Jacob Albright, spent his entire life in that county, as a farmer, and died about 1842, when over eighty years of age.  The father, Peter Albright, was born in the old homestead in Berks county, and on reaching manhood married Catherine Heffner, a native of the same county.  Later they moved to Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, locating eighteen miles west of Harrisburg, where the father bought a farm of eighty acres, which he operated until his death in 1885.  He was twice married, his first wife being Catherine Heffner, by whom he had several children.  There were two children by the second marriage:  Peter, our subject; and Lucy.  The mother died in 1841.  She, too; twice married, her first husband being Mr. Cline, and she had children by that union.
     Our subject was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1836, and was quite small when the family moved to Cumberland county, where he made his home until sixteen years of age, his education being obtained in the country schools.  At the age of fourteen he commenced learning the cabinet maker's trade, and was to receive thirty-five dollars for three years' work, three weeks of rest and three years' work, three weeks of rest and three months of schooling in winter; but he was not given the educational advantages.  At the age of sixteen he came to Ohio, having just enough money to bring him to Greenville, where he found work at his trade.  After his marriage he rented a farm near that place, but did not remain thereon a year.  The following year was spent upon a farm west of Greenville, in Van Buren township, and for seven years he rented Dr. Gard's farm.  At the end of that time he purchased fifty acres of land in Van Buren township, erected a house and other buildings, and continued the improvement and cultivation of that farm for twenty years.  Since then his home has been on his present farm, and he has built thereon a good barn and made many other improvements, which add to the value and attractive appearance of this place.
     While a resident of Greenville, Mr. Albright married Miss Maria Pearson, who was born in Van Buren township, September 15, 1837, a daughter of Allen and Mary (Arnold) Pearson.  Of the five children born of the union, Monta L. and Mary Estelle died young; Allan married Anne Weaver, and has two children, Opal and a son not named; William, at home, married Mary Rainbarger, and has one child, Ruby; and Pearl is also at home.  The family are members of the Caylor Chapel, United Brethren church, and in his political views Mr. Albright is a stanch Democrat.  He is strictly a self-made man, whose success in life is due to industry, enterprise and perseverance, and he has the respect and confidence of all who know him.

BENJAMIN M. ALLEN.  This gentleman, the only son of William Allen, was born in the village of Greenville, Ohio, July 3, 1868, and his boyhood was spent there. He obtained his education in its public schools, was an apt student and was graduated in the high school in the year 1888, passing through a five-years course of study with credit to himself. He then took a commercial course at Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York.  Returning to Greenville he turned his attention to farming and stock raising until 1899 and had one of the finest herds of blooded cattle in the state of Ohio. He afterward discontinued his farming operations and is now successfully engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business in Greenville.
     On the 14th of August, 1889, Benjamin M. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Jennie E. Gaskill, a daughter of Abram and Sarah A, (Youart) Gaskill. Her mother was an own cousin of Lord Gladstone, of England. Mrs. Allen died February 12, 1899, leaving one daughter, Alcie, born February 12, 1891.
     On the 5th day of June, 1900, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Laura Telma Shearer, daughter of Samuel and Sarah A. Shearer, of Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, the former now deceased.

MATTHEW T. ALLEN, (Greenville Twp.) lawyer, Greenville; was born in Butler Township, Darke Co., Ohio, Sept. 17, 1848; he lived on his father's farm, and enjoyed the usual educational privileges of farmers' sons of that period (his father and mother are noticed in the sketch of his brother, Hon. William Allen); in the fall of 1864, he entered Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio; after a partial course at that institution, he removed to Winchester, Ind., where he was employed as clerk in a shoe store one year; he next taught school one year; in 1867, he commenced the study of law with D. M. Bradbury, of Winchester; after admission to practice, he was appointed Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Indiana, comprising the counties of Wayne, Randolph, Jay and Blackford; in the summer of 1872, he came to Greenville, and continued practice as junior member of the firm of Allen, Devor & Allen. In 1878, the firm dissolved, and, subsequently, young Allen formed a partnership with the Hon. John Devor, under the style of Allen & Devor. In 1878, Allen was the Republican candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, and, such was his popularity, that he was fairly elected in a county giving 1,200 majority against his party, but was counted out by reason of mistakes in writing his initials on scratched tickets. Mr. Allen has already won an enviable distinction as a counselor and advocate, and his genial social qualities render him immensely popular with all classes. His marriage with Mary V. Whiteside, was celebrated upon the 23d of April, 1879. She was born in Camden, Preble Co., March 17, 1860. (Source: History of Darke Co., Ohio - 1880)

WILLIAM ALLEN, the prominent lawyer, judge and legislator of Greenville, Ohio, was born in Butler county, this state, August 13, 1827, and died July 6, 1881, in Greenville. His father, John Allen, was a native of Ireland, born January 26, 1800, and came to America in 1812. After residing six years in New York, he located in Butler county, Ohio, in 1818, and in February, 1838, moved his family into the sparsely settled forests of Darke county, where he erected a log cabin, having a split-log floor and mud and stick chimney. He died on the 2d of October, 1858, a very much respected citizen. He possessed fine conversational powers, and in the latter part of his life was a preacher of the United Brethren church.
     Our subject was favored with the advantages of the common schools only, yet by earnest personal application he qualified himself to teach the English branches at the age of fifteen and in this way for several years employed his winters.  At the age of nineteen he began reading law under the late Felix Marsh, of Eaton, Ohio, was admitted to the bar in June, 1849, and the following October began practice at Greenville. He met with success in his chosen . calling and became one of the most prominent and successful lawyers of Darke county. On the 30th of September, 1851, Mr. Allen married Miss Priscilla, daughter of John Wallace, a native of Pennsylvania, and an early pioneer of Butler county, Ohio, who settled in Darke county in 1834, and died in the summer of 1863, at the age of about eighty years. He was always recognized as an upright mail and an excellent citizen. The children born of this marriage were five sons and three daughters, of whom only one son is now living. (His sketch is given next). Four of the children died of diphtheria under the most afflicting circumstances, and within the brief, space of two months. This was in the winter of 1861, when Mr. Allen was summoned home from Washington city to the scene of bereavement.
     Early in life Mr. Allen became prominently identified with public affairs, and has been called upon to fill several important official positions. In the fall of 1856 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Darke county, and re-elected in 1852. In the fall of 1858 he was elected representative to congress from the fourth district of Ohio, comprising the counties of Miami, Darke, Shelby, Mercer, Allen and Auglaize, and re-elected in, 1860, thus serving in the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh congresses. In the winter of 1865 he was appointed by Governor Cox as judge of the court of common pleas of the first subdivision of the second judicial district of Ohio, composed of the counties of Butler, Darke and Preble, to fill an unexpired term in the place of Judge David L. Meeker, resigned. In 1872 he was a member of the Grant electoral college, and also an elector for Garfield in 1880. The electors of Ohio, after casting their vote for the latter, paid him a visit of congratulation at his home in Mentor, Ohio. Mr. Allen was again nominated for congress on the Republican ticket from the fifth congressional district of Ohio in the summer of 1878, but declined the honor on account of ill health. Of local positions, it may be mentioned that he was president of the Greenville Bank, then a private enterprise, conducted under the firm name of Hufnagle, Allen & Company;
Mr. Allen began the world in poverty, was reared in a rough log cabin, and enjoyed none of the golden opportunities for social and educational improvement which are lavishly, bestowed on the youth of today, but he always made the most of his advantages, and without the aid of influence or wealth rose to a position among the most prominent men of his county, his native genius and acquired ability being the stepping stones on which he mounted. As a lawyer his career was successful, while his record as a statesman was creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents.

WILLIAM ALLEN, (Greenville Twp.) lawyer, jurist and statesman; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Aug. 13, 1827. Hi father, John Allen, was born in Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1812; after residing six years in the State of New York, he moved ot Butler Co., Ohio, in 1818; he moved his family into the woods of Darke Co. in 1838, his dwelling being a log cabin with puncheon floors and a mud and stick chimney; in the latter part of his life, he was a preacher in the United Brethren Church. Our subject was favored with no educational advantages, except those afforded by the common schools of the day, yet by making most of these, eh was able to teach at the age of 15, and for several years followed that vocation; at the age of 19, he commenced the study of law, under the late Felix Marsh, of Eaton, Ohio; was admitted to the bar in 1849, and in the following year commenced practice in Greenville; in 1850, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Darke Co., and re-elected in 1852; in the fall of 1858, he was elected to Congress from the Fourth District, comprising the counties of Darke, Shelby, Mercer, Auglaize and Allen, and re-elected in 1860, thus serving in the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Congress; in the winter of 1865, he was appointed by Gov. Cox as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the first subdivision of the Second Judicial District of Ohio, composed of the counties of Butler, Darke and Preble, to fill a vacancy made by the resignation of Judge D. L. Meeker; in 1878, Judge Allen was nominated he married Miss Priscilla Wallace, whose father settled in Darke Co. in 1834; the issue of this marriage was four sons and four daughters, of whom only one son survives; four of his children died of diphtheria under the most afflictive circumstances, in the space of as many weeks; this was in the winter of 1861, when he was summoned from Washington City to his despoiled home; Mr. Allen, although he has risen from poverty to affluence by his own unaided exertions, is one of the most charitable of our citizens, and his integrity has never been questioned; his positive character, while it wins friends true as steel, also makes bitter enemies, but even his enemies concede to him great ability and unflinching honesty of purpose; he is at present, Vice President of the Greenville Bank, and President of the Greenville Gas Company. (Source: History of Darke Co., Ohio - 1880)

JAMES I. ALLREAD.  The name of this gentleman figures prominently in connection with political and professional interests in Darke County and his reputation and acquaintance are by no means limited by the confines of the county.  He is now practicing law in Greenville, with excellent success, and his analytical power, executive ability and thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence have gained him a leading position in the ranks of the legal fraternity of this community.
     He was born upon his father's farm in Twin township, September 29, 1858, and is the eldest son of Isaac and Hannah C. (Houk) Allread.  The paternal great-grand-father was William Allread, one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, who, under command of General Wayne, aided the colonists in their struggle for independence.  The grandfather, Henry Allread, became one of the early settlers of Butler county, Ohio, where he located about 1820, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land in the midst of the forest.  Isaac Allread, the father of our subject, was born in Butler county, in 1826, and became a farmer by occupation.  He married Hannah C. Houk, daughter of James and Abigail Houk, who removed to Darke county about 1820.  The latter lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years.  The mother of our subject was born in Darke county about 1830, and by her marriage had three children:  James I., Stephen W. and Mary.  The parents held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father, a stanch Republican in politics, was often found in the councils of his party, where his opinions carried considerable weight.  He died July 2, 1876, and his wife passed away in 1866.
     James I. Allread spent his boyhood days upon the home farm in Twin township, and in the winter months he mastered the common English branches of learning taught in the district schools.  He afterward continued his education in Greenville under the instruction of Professor J. T. Martz and Professor Seitz.  He then returned to the farm where he remained until nineteen years of age, when he began reading law in the office and under the direction of William Allen, of Greenville, being admitted to the bar before the supreme court, on the 6th of October, 1880.  He then established an office in this city, where he has since engaged in practice up to the present time - a period of twenty consecutive years - with the exception of a short interval when he served as judge of the circuit court, to which position he was appointed by Governor McKinley to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Shauck, who was advanced to a seat on the supreme bench of the state.  When the term was extended Mr. Allread resumed the private practice of law and has been connected with important litigation in all of the courts, local, state and federal.  He has tried many cases involving large interests in intricate legal problems and has been very successful in winning verdicts favorable to his clients, for he gives careful preparation and marshals strong points in evidence with the skill of a general in the field of battle.
     On the 1st of August, 1883, Mr. Allread was united in marriage to Miss Emma S. Roland, of Greenville, the third daughter of Charles Roland, editor and proprietor of the Greenville Democrat.  Unto the Judge and his wife have been born two children:  Marie A., born July 1, 1886, and Charles Harold, born August 13, 1889.  They have a pleasant home in Greenville, and their many friends speak in high terms of its hospitality.
     A well-known Mason, Judge Allread holds membership with Greenville Lodge, No. 143, F. & A. M.; Coleman Commandery, NO. 17, K. T., of Troy, Ohio.  He was for several years a high priest of the chapter, and in 1899 he was representative to the grand lodge and served as grand junior deacon..  As every true American citizen should do, he takes a deep interest in the political questions of the day, studies closely the political aspect of the country and as the result of his mature deliberations gives his support to the Republican party.  In 1898 he was a member of the Republican state executive committee, and his labors have been effective in promoting the success of his party.  His arguments in its defense are strong and decisive and the same earnestness marks his support of everything which tends toward the public wealth.

HENRY ALTER, (Greenville Twp.) farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 12; P. O. Greenville; was born in Washington Co., Md., March 18, 1833; he was a son of Jacob Alter, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1799; emigrated to Maryland, and in 1866 came to Darke County; and after residing in Greenville one year, made his home with his son until his decease, which occurred in May, 1875. He was married, in 1819, in Maryland, to Eliza Tice; she was born in Washington Co. in 1806, and is now in her 73d year, and makes her home with her son. Henry Alter went to Clark Co., Ohio, in 1858, and followed farming there until 1866, when he came to Darke Co. and located upon his present place. His marriage with Elizabeth Ilges was celebrated in 1864; she died in 1870; one child was born to them - Mary L., born Aug. 18, 1866; his marriage with Mary Clew was celebrated Dec. 17, 1874; she was born and raised in Darke Co., and is a daughter of D. B. Clew, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co.
 

JOSEPH AMANN, JR., deceased. (Greenville Twp.) The subject of this memoir was born in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1840,a nd was a son of Joseph and Francis Amann; in early life he learned the blacksmith trade; in 1853, he came to Darke Co. and followed farming and blacksmithing until the breaking-out of the rebellion, when he enlisted and served four years in the Union army; after being mustered out of service he returned to Greenville, and in 1867 was married to Barbara Caron; six children were the fruits of this union, viz., Nora, Louisa, Joseph, Katie, William and Barbara. He engaged in business in Greenville soon after his return from the army, and in October, 1873, he purchased his brick buildings on Third street, and followed the restaurant and saloon business until his decease, which occurred in October, 1879. The business has since been conducted by his widow.

LEWIS C. ANDERSON, M. D.  Darke county has been signally favored in the personnel and character of her professional men, and. in that most exacting of all professions, medicine and surgery, a notable representative is he whose name appears above. Dr. Anderson, who holds distinctive prestige as a physician and surgeon of marked ability in. his profession and as a man of sterling characteristics in all the relations of life, maintains his residence and office in Greenville, from which headquarters his practice ramifies throughout the county, while he is frequently called into consultation by his professional confreres at points more or less distantly located. He is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Montgomery county on the 15th of January, 1850, the son of John and Mary (Hulse) Anderson. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. After their marriage they settled in Montgomery county, this state, where they remained until 1863, when the family removed to Darke county and settled upon a farm, which continued to be the home of the hon­ored parents until death released them from their labors,—the father passing away in November, 1869, in the forty-eighth year of his age, while the mother survived but a short time after their removal to this county, her demise taking place in 1864.
     The paternal grandparents of the Doctor were James and Ruth (McCahan) Anderson, the former born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1792, the latter in January, 1800. His paternal great-grand­parents were Irish and lived about twenty miles from Dublin, where all of their children but James were born. They emigrated to the new world in 1791. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject was Patrick McCahan, also a native of the Emerald Isle, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Green, was a near relative of General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame.
     Dr. Anderson passed the first twelve years of. his life in Montgomery county, accompanying his parents upon their removal to Darke county in 1863. Thus he spent part of his youth upon the farm, growing strong in mind and body under this sturdy discipline, supplemented by his attendance at the district schools, in the vicinity of his home. His father was appreciative of the advantages of broader education and the young man was encouraged in his aspirations to seek a wider field of endeavor in preparing for the battle of life. He matriculated as a student in the Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he prepared himself for pedagogic work, which has served as the stepping stone for so many of our leading professional men, and after being duly fortified in this line he devoted himself to teaching for one winter in the district schools and for two winters in the village of Ansonia. In the meanwhile he had formulated specific plans for his future life work, and, having decided to prepare himself for the medical profession, began a course of reading under the preceptorage of Dr. Hooven, a well-known physician of Dayton, Ohio, later prosecuting . his studies and clinical work in the Miami Medical College, at Cin­cinnati, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1874. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Ansonia, Darke county, where he remained until 1888, when he removed to Greenville, the county seat, having been elected to the office of probate judge, as the nominee of the Democratic party. He assumed the duties of this important and exacting office February 9, 1888, and after serving with signal ability and impartiality for his term of three years was chosen as his own successor and con­tinued his effective administration of the office for a further three years. At the expiration of his second term the Doctor prepared to again devote himself to his regular professional work, which he had but held in temporary abeyance. In order to thoroughly reinforce himself for his duties he went to New York city, where he completed a post­graduate course at the New York Post Graduate Medical School.  Returning to Greenville he entered into a professional alliance with Dr. D. Robeson, under the firm name of Robeson & Anderson, engaging in general practice. His success has been the diametrical result of his ability and personal popularity and he is known as one of the able physicians and surgeons of the state, being a close and indefatigable student and ever keeping abreast of the advances made in his profession. The Doctor is a member of the Darke County Medical Society and also of the State and National Medical Associations, in whose work he maintains an active interest. He served two years as a physician to the Darke County Children's Home and is a member of the soldiers' relief committee of the county and a member of the Greenville city school board.
     In politics the Doctor is a stanch Democrat and has been an active worker in the cause. Fraternally his allegiance is given to the time-honored order of Freemasons, in which he holds membership in Ansonia Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and Greenville Chapter, R. A. M., while he is also identified with Ansonia Lodge, No. 605, I. O. O. F., and the Knights of Pythias, being distinctly popular in each of these organizations, to which he gives as much of his time as is possible in the midst of the exac­tions of his professional work.
On the 29th of September, 1875. Dr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Tullis, daughter of Milton and Sarah Tullis, of Ansonia, and of this union one son has been born, John M.., a young man of much intellectuality and strength of character, who is now a student in the celebrated Rush Medical College, in Chicago, where he is preparing to follow the profession to I so marked success.

CHRISTOPHER M. ARMACOST, deceased, was for many years one of the respected citizens of Darke county, Ohio. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, November 2, 1807, and was descended from German and English ancestors. The Armacosts were of German origin, but at what time the first representatives of the family landed in this country is not now known. Christopher Armacost, the father of Christopher M., was born, reared, passed his life and died in Baltimore county, Maryland. His wife, whose maiden name was Malinda Murray, was also a native of that place, where both her father and grandfather settled on landing in this country from England, where both were born. Christopher and Malinda Armacost. were the parents of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, Christopher M. being the fourth son and seventh child.
     In his native county Christopher M. Armacost was reared and married. Thinking to better his fortunes by seeking a home in what was then called "the west," he came in the fall of 1837 to Darke county, Ohio, bringing with him his wife, whom he had married in the spring of that year. They first located on a rented farm,. where they spent the winter, and in the spring of 1838 moved to the farm on which Mrs. Armacost still lives, on section 29, German township. Their first home .here was a little log cabin, 16x14 feet situated in a small clearing with heavy timber all around them. On this farm he lived and labored for more than a quarter of a century, and as a result of his industry the primitive log house was replaced by a better home, the forest was cleared away, and the well cultivated fields gave evidence of prosperity. Here he lived until 1885, when he moved to Hollansburg, where he died the following year. His life was a useful, active one, and there were few, if any, of the early pioneers of this locality better known or more highly respected than he.. He helped to raise many of the log houses and barns in the county. He served as a township trustee and constable; and he was ever ready to give his influence and support to whatever he believed to be for the best interest of the county. Politically he was a Democrat, being the only one of the large family of which he was a member that voted with the Democratic party.
     The date of Mr. Armacost's marriage has already been given. Mrs. Armacost was before her marriage Miss Sarah Hoover, and is of German origin, her great­grandfather having been born in Germany. The German for Hoover is Huber, and the name was changed after the settlement of the family in this country. Both Ulrich and Henry Hoover, the grandfather and father of Mrs. Armacost, were born in Pennsylvania, near Hanover, and from there Henry Hoover, after his marriage, moved to Baltimore county, Maryland, where the rest of his life was spent on a farm, and where he died at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, nee Susannah Dubbs, was a native of Pennsylvania, as also was her father, Oswalt Dubbs, and the Dubbs family also was of German origin. Henry and Susannah Hoover were the parents of ten children, namely: David, deceased; Mrs. Lydia Cooper, lives in Rutland, Illinois; Mary, deceased; Sarah, now Mrs. Armacost; Henry, deceased; Catharine, deceased; John, deceased; and Margaret, Peter and Susannah. Sarah, the fourth born and third daughter in the family, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, January 17, 1813, and is the only member of her family in Darke county, Ohio. She is the mother of ten children, as follows: Eli, living; Henry, Amanda, Louisa, John and Elizabeth, all deceased; Lydia, wife of John Harnish, of Washington township, Darke county; Mary P., wife of J. B. Jones, of Randolph county, Indiana; Margaret C, wife of George Mikesell, of Republican county, Kansas; and James B.
     James B. Armacost, the youngest of the above named family resides with his aged mother on the home farm. He was born here, April 8, 1857, and in May, 1881, was married to Miss Emma R. Heironimus, a native of Darke county, Ohio.  She died in 1889, leaving him with four little children: Eva Gertrude, born March 9, 1882; Herbert E., October 23, 1883; Henry Glen, September 3, 1887; and Justin Ray, October 18,
1889. Mrs. Armacost has. other grand­children, numbering in all thirty, and her great-grandchildren at this writing number twelve. Her son, James B., has charge of the home farm and is ranked with the representative citizens of the community. Like his father before him he affiliates with the Democratic party. He served three years as a township trustee, and at this writing is a school director. Fraternally he is identi­fied with the Knights of Pythias, having his membership in Lodge No. 476, at Hollansburg.

JOHN ATEN, farmer; P. O. Jaysville (Greenville Twp.) . The subject of this memoir was born in Twin Township, Preble Co., Ohio, April 1, 1823, and is a son of Adrian Aten, who was a native of Kentucky but came to Preble Co. in 1822. John Aten was raised to agricultural pursuits upon the home farm, and, upon the 6th of April, 1854, was united in marriage with Lavina Russell, who died Sept. 19, 1875; nine children were the fruits of this union, viz.: Abraham R., born June 30, 1855; Adrian, April 29, 1856; John H., Oct. 3, 1857; James F., Jan. 25, 1859; Theodore C., Oct. 20, 1860 (died Aug. 8, 1863); Emma, July 11, 1862 (died June 29, 1863); William, Jan. 6, 1864; Charles, Oct. 23, 1865, and George W., June 1, 1867; upon the marriage of Mr. Aten, he continued farming upon the old homestead three years, when he purchased a farm in Preble Co., and, in the fall of 1860, purchased property at Arcanum, Darke Co., residing here five years; he then purchased the saw-mill at Jaysville, selling the following year, and, in 1866, purchased his present property where he has since lived; he has 110 acres upon his home farm, a large part of which he has reclaimed from a swamp by means of a ditch and tiling until it is now as productive as any land in the county. He is one of the self made men of Darke Co., and has by his hard labor and correct business habits placed himself among the large landholders and successful farmers of Darke Co. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in the King Hiram Lodge, at Alexandria, Sept. 25, 1850, and is now a member of the order of A. F. & A. M. at Greenville.

J. B. AVERY, (Greenville Twp.), farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Woodington; an older settler of Darke Co.; born in New London Co., Conn., Aug. 27, 1826; at 17 years of age, he commenced farming and school teaching until 1847, when he came to Darke Co., and, in the following year, purchased his present place of 80 acres, where since he has since lived for a period of thirty-one years; upon locating here, there were some 7 acres only partially cleared; no building, no fences; he first put up a small frame house in which he lived several years, and to which he has since attached a much larger residence; he has cleared some 55 acres of his place and brought the same to a good state of cultivation by his own hard labor.  His marriage with Macella Earhart occurred Nov. 14, 1848.  She was born in Darke Co., Jan. 10, 1827, and has always lived within one mile of the place where she was born; she was a daughter of Samuel Earhart, one of the early pioneers, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1802, and came to Darke Co. in 1820, and located on Sec. 10, Greenville Township; he died Jan., 1854; he married Elizabeth Scribner; she was a daughter of Azor Scribner, who was the first permanent settler of this county; he established a trading post in Mina Town in 1806; Mrs. Earhart died March, 1873, at the age of 67 years.  The children of J. B. and Marcella (Earhart) Avery were five in number - Prudence M., born Sept. 20, 1849; Franklin P., born Jan. 21, 1852 (died May, 1859); Emily M., born Oct. 8, 1858; Lizzie M., born Jul. 28, 1862, and Ira J., born Feb. 28, 1869.  Mr. Avery has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for upward of thirty years; his wife, for a period of thirty-eight years, and all the children, save the youngest, also being members of the same church.

JAMES B. AVERY.  The subject of this sketch needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, but the work would be incomplete without, the record of his life. He has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public development and has done all in his power to advance the moral, educational and social welfare of his township and county.
     This worthy citizen of Greenville township, whose home is on section 3, traces his ancestry back to Christopher Avery, who was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1590, and who, tradition states, came to America in 1630 or 1631 and landed in Salem, Massachusetts, though his home was for the most part in Boston. He had one son, James, who subsequently settled in Connecticut and from whom all the Averys in New England are descended. He left four sons, one of whom was an ancestor of our subject. The family has always been well represented in the wars of this country. Some have been noted in professional life and have distinguished themselves in letters and politics, but it has been in manufacturing circles that they have been most prominent. Elroy M. Avery, of Cleveland, Ohio, is the author of a series of school text books and has represented his district in the state senate, and in ministerial work members of the family are scattered through the various Protestant denominations.
     Our subject was born in New London county, Connecticut, August 27, 1826, a son of Billings and Prudence Avery, in whose family were four children, three of whom reached years of maturity, namely: James B., Theopolis and Amos G. Theopolis is now deceased. The father died in Connecticut July 15, 1833, at the age of thirty years, and the mother March 23, 1833, at the same age.
     In the county of his nativity James B. Avery grew to manhood, aiding in the work of the home farm and attending the local schools. In 1847, on attaining his majority, he came west alone, and after looking the country over stopped in Greenville township, Darke county, where he taught a district school during the winter. In the spring of 1848 he returned to Connecticut, but the following fall he located permanently here, buying eighty acres of the land in Greenville township where he now resides. To this he has added until he now has one hundred and thirty, acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. Only a few acres had been cleared when he took up his residence thereon.
     In the fall of 1848 Mr. Avery married Miss Marcella Earhart, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Scribner) Earhart, early settlers of this county. By this union were born five children: Prudence M., now the wife of David Hartle, Jr., of Darke county; Franklin, deceased; Emily, the wife of Orin Hartle, also of this county; Lizzie, the wife of Frank Townsend; and Ira J., who lives with his parents.
     Samuel Earhart, the father of Mrs. Avery, was a son of George and Mary M. (Smith) Earhart, who were among the first settlers of Warren county, Ohio, and about 1818 came to Darke county, entering land in Greenville township. George Earhart was a Virginian by birth and of German descent. He died in Greenville township in 1852, his wife in 1858.  They had ten children, namely: Martin, Samuel and Elizabeth, all deceased; Mary; Washington; Mahala; William; Nancy; Julia and Henry J. They were earnest Christian people, the grandfather being a member of the Christian church, his wife of the Presbyterian. Mrs. Avery's parents were life-long residents of Darke county and her father was an elder in the Presbyterian church, to which both belonged. He died in 1854, aged fifty-three years, Mrs. Earhart in 1873, aged sixty-seven. Their children were Marcella, the wife of our subject; Anna M., Mary Jane and William Henry, all deceased; George F., a resident of Oregon; Samuel M. and Mrs. Elizabeth Sarah Warnfelt, both of Darke county; Stephen James, of Oregon; Isaac S., of Oklahoma; David, of Florida; and Mrs. Lucinna Mergler, of this county. Azor Scribner, Mrs. Avery's maternal grandfather, came from New York to Darke county, Ohio, in 1806 or 1807 and traded with the Indians.  Both he and his brother, Abraham, were soldiers of the war of 1812. He died in 1822, leaving the following children: Mrs. Sarah McCann, Mrs. Elizabeth Earhart, Mrs. Rhoda Clare, Mrs. Emily Kidder, Mrs. Maria Gates, Mrs. Nancy Stacy, Mrs. Julia Lee and Mrs. Mary Hool. The mother of these children was three times married, her third husband being a Mr. Davis. She died about 1849.
     Mr. Avery is a well informed, enterprising man who has taken an active interest in educational affairs, and has efficiently served as a school director many years. He votes the Republican ticket, and both he and his wife are active and consistent members of the Presbyterian church of Greenville, in which he has served as an elder. He is a man of exemplary habits, of strong religious convictions and has endeavored to live up to the teachings of the Golden Rule. He has always been charitably disposed to all worthy enterprises, is well informed on current topics, possesses a retentive memory and is incisive and clear in speech. In fact he is one of Darke county's best and most valued citizens, a kind husband and father and a good neighbor.