CHARLES BACHMAN, tailor and clothier, No. 88 Broadway, Greenville, Ohio.  There are probably but few of the successful business men of Greenville, who have shown the energy, enterprises, and quick conception of the wants and demands of the public, as the subject of our sketch, who is among the popular clothiers of Greenville.  He was born in Prussia June 1, 1836, and emigrated to America when 18 years of age; in 1861, he located in Eaton, and followed the occupation of merchant tailor, until 1867, at which date he came to Greenville, where he has since followed the above business, with the exception of two years.  As one of the patrons of the above gentlemen, we can cheerfully recommend him as educated in his business, and to his honorable dealings, together with his large and carefully selected stock of seasonable goods and to his personal attention to the details of every branch of his business, may be attributed the secret of his success.  A card of his business is to be found in the business directory of Greenville, in another part of tis work.  His marriage with Julia Marenthall was celebrated in 1861.  She was also a native of Prussia.  They are the parents of three children, viz., Jennie, Samuel and Malely.

ANDREW BAIRD, (Greenville Twp.) farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Greenville; the subject of this memoir was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1844, and is a son of Tunis Baird, also a native of Warren Co., Ohio, his father coming from New Jersey, and are of Scotch descent. Andrew was raised in the above county, his early occupation being that of a farmer's son; he obtained the advantages of a common-school education; he remained with his father upon the farm till the spring of 1864, when he enlisted in the 146th O. N. G., and went forward to battle for the Union. He was forwarded to West Virginia, where he served the full term of his enlistment, and received his discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in September, 1864. He then returned to Darke Co., and farmed one year upon the old home farm, and in the latter part of the year 1865, he went to Illinois, where, upon the 22d day of June, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miranda Collett. She was born and raised in Darke Co. In September, 1866, he returned to Darke Co., since which time he has followed farming with the exception of some eighteen months, during which time he was engaged in the coal and wood business in Greenville. The children of Andrew and Miranda (Collett) Baird are five in number, four daughters and one son, viz.: Lula, Ella M., Franklin T., Cora D. and Kittie.

JACOB BAKER, attorney at law, Greenville; born in Butler Township in 1840; practiced law in Greenville since 1864, where he has been connected with some of the most important legal proceedings had in the county; was defeated for the Legislature in 1865, and elected in 1867.  He introduced and carried through several important pieces of legislation.  He was a delegate from this Congressional District to the St. Louis Convention at which Mr. Tilden was nominated for President.

HENRY BEACHLER.  For many years this gentleman was one of the prominent farmers and highly respected citizens of Neave township, Darke county, Ohio, his home being on section 18. He was a native of this state, born December 20, 1819, in Montgomery county, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Mary Weaver, who was born in the same county, about two miles from Miamisburg, June 10, 1823. The birth of her father, Henry Weaver, occurred four miles from that city, his parents being among the first settlers of Montgomery county from Pennsylvania. All were farmers. Mrs. Beachler is the youngest in a family of seven children. Her oldest brother, Henry Weaver, is living with her at the age of eighty-six years, they being now the only survivors of the family.
     To our subject and his wife were born six children, of whom the oldest, Louisa, and the fifth, Ambrose, are deceased. Melina, the second in order of birth, is now the wife of George Barnhart, and they have two children, Ambrose and Ella. Sarah Jane is the wife of Samuel Kerst, and they have six children, Henry N., Herman, Flora, Mamie, Grace and Vanda. Mary Ann is the wife of Hartman Plock, but they have no children. Henry is married, and has two children, Ward and May. He lives in Missouri.
     On the 26th of February, 1846, Mr. and Mrs. Beachler came to Darke county, and located on the farm on section 18, Neave township, where she still resides. To its further improvement and cultivation he devoted his energies throughout life, and died there in November, 1891, at the age of seventy-two years, leaving behind him an honorable record well worthy of perpetuation. He was a man of the highest respectability, was faithful to his church, to his country and to his friends, and in his home was a most exemplary husband and father. His death occasioned the deepest regret throughout the community. He was an active and prominent member of the Reformed church, in which he served both as deacon and elder, and his remains were interred in the Reformed church cemetery.
     Mrs. Beachler is still living on the farm which has now been her home for fifty-four years, but she rents the land. To her other business interests she gives her personal attention, and has met with success in the management of her affairs. She is a lady of many sterling qualities, and she and her family have a large circle of friends in the community where they reside.

BEANBLOSSOM, DAVID (Greenville Twp.), (Deceased); one of the early pioneers of Darke Co., was born in North Carolina, May 25, 1801; when 16 years of age, he came to Ohio and located in Darke Co., consequently he was one of its very early settlers.  He was twice married; his first wife was Susanna Rarick; she died about the year 1834; eleven children were the fruit of this union, of whom one is now living - Joseph, now living in Greenville Township.  His marriage with Mary Delk was celebrated No. 6, 1836; she was born in Darke Co., a few miles south of Greenville, Sept. 30, 1816; she was a daughter of Etheland Delk, who was born in North Carolina, and came to Darke Co. in a very early day.  The children by the last marriage were fourteen in number, of whom two are deceased.  The living are Ludena, born May 20, 1840; Enos, Jan. 6, 1842; Ann Eliza, born Oct. 25, 1843; Julia A., born Nov. 24, 1845; William, Jan. 6, 1848; Elizabeth S., born Oct. 22, 1849; Margaret M., born Feb. 9, 1852; David D., Jan. 14, 1854; John C., Aprl. 18, 1856; Rachel and Isabell (twins), and Henry A., born Jan. 13, 1859.  Of the deceased, Nancy, born Aug. 28, 1838, died Feb. 26, 1854; the other died in infancy.  Mr. Beanblossom died Dec. 8, 1861, upon the same place he located, in 1817, and where he lived forty-four years; his old residence, which he built in 1820, is now occupied by his son Enos.  Mr. Beanblossom suffered all the privations and hardships of frontier life.  He commenced without capital, and split rails at 25 cents per hundred to obtain his wedding outfit.  He, with the assistance of his wife, fought the battles of life nobly, and at the time of his death, had accumulated upward of 400 acres of land; built his present residence in 1856.  He took a deep interest in the cause of religion, and was a Deacon in the Christian Church and was a member of the same for forty years.  He died respected and beloved by all who knew him.

BEANBLOSSOM, ENOS, (Greenville Twp.) , Sec. 1; P. O. Pikesville.  Another of the old settlers of Darke Co.; born upon Sec. 1, Greenville Township, Jan. 6, 1842, where he has always lived, with the exception of three years that he served in the army; he is a son of David Beanblossom, who was born in North Carolina, and emigrated to Ohio, and located in Darke Co. in 1817; he entered Government land, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred Dec. 8, 1861, aged 63 years.  The mother of Enos Beanblossom was Mary Delk, who was born in Ohio, and is now living in this county.  Our subject was raised to agricultural pursuits, which he followed until July 10, 1862, when he enlisted in the 45th O. V. I.; he served in the army of Gen. Sherman until the fall of 1864, when he was made prisoner in Tennessee and taken to Belle Island; after remaining there three months, he was taken to Andersonville, where the cruel treatment received here was in keeping with its well-known acts of barbarism; during his imprisonment his weight was reduced from 155 to 94 pounds; he remained in prison some five months, and was released in the spring of 1865, and received his discharge during the summer, at Columbus; thence returned home and engaged in farming, which business he has since followed.  He now owns 100 acres of well-improved land.  His marriage with Ann E. Sipple was celebrated Mar. 31, 1872; she was born in Darke Co., Feb. 3, 1845; they have four children - Irene M., born May 17, 1873; Daisy V., born July 31, 1875; Ora E., born July 26, 1877, and an infant, born Sept. 14, 1879.  The residence in which Mr. Beanblossom now lives was erected by his father in 1820, and is now a good comfortable home.

BEANBLOSSOM, JOSEPH, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Greenville; another of the old settlers; born in Darke Co., Ohio, Feb. 7, 1826, he was the oldest son of David Beanblossom, one of the early pioneers, whose biography appears among the sketches of Greenville Township in this work.  The subject of our sketch was raised to agricultural pursuits upon the farm of his father, until he attained his majority, when, upon the 22d of February, 1847, he was married to Rhoda Brandon; she was born Mar. 12, 1823, and died Sept. 3, 1853, leaving three children - Thomas A., born Nov. 7, 1847; Mary A., born Oct. 19, 1849; David W., born Nov. 24, 1851.  His marriage with Elizabeth Potter was celebrated Nov. 6, 1855; she was born in Greenville Township, Darke Co., Sept. 26, 1829, and was a daughter of David Potter, one of the early pioneers, who came to Darke Co., in 1812 or 1813, and died in 1869; his widow who survives him, is now living upon the old place, where she has lived for upward of fifty years; her maiden name was Maria Ullery; the children by the union of Joseph Beanblossom and Elizabeth Potter are four in number, viz.: John R., born June 29, 1857; George N., born Aug. 24, 1858; Charles F., born May 26, 1860; Maria, July 27, 1864.  Mr. Beanblossom located upon his present place in 1857, where he has since lived for a period of up-ward of twenty-two years.  Upon locating here it was all woods; he has since cleared some 70 acres, and brought the same to a good state of improvement.  His home farm contains 140 acres, with good buildings, located two miles northwest from Greenville.  Mr. and Mrs. Beanblossom are entitled to a place in the front ranks of the old settlers of Darke Co., having been continuous residents of the county for upward of half a century.

JACOB L. BEATTY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Greenville.  Among the settlers of Darke Co. in 1850, we mention the name of the above gentleman; he was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Apr. 16, 1816, and was the only son of Thos. Beatty, who was born in New Jersey in 1787, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents in 1797, and to Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1832, and, in the fall of 1848, came to Darke Co., and located in Neave Township, where he died Jan. 21, 1855.  He married Mary Roury,  in Pennsylvania, in 1815; she was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Apr. 8, 1798, and is now living with her only son, Jacob, in the 82d year of her age, is in possession of all her faculties, and can read any common print without the use of glasses; there were two children by this union - Jacob L. and Eliza; the latter is now Mrs. Dr. Thomas Duncan Stiles, of Neave Township.  The subject of this sketch followed farming in Guernsey Co. until 1850, at which date he came to Darke Co. and located upon his present place, where he has since lived for a period of thirty years; he has 120 acres of land upon Secs. 8 and 5, 80 acres of which are under a good state of cultivation.  His marriage with Hester Stiner was celebrated in 1840; they were the parents of six children - Mary E.,  born Sept. 18, 1841; William H., Apr. 16, 1843; Sarah A., Mar. 7, 1845, died Aug. 30, 1846; Eliza J., born Nov. 20, 1847; Thomas, May 10, 1851, and Reuben L., Dec. 21, 1860.

SAMUEL BECHTOLT, farmer; P. O. Greenville; born in Miami Co., Ohio, Jan. 10, 1819; when an infant, his parents removed to Warren Co., where the subject of our sketch was raised to farm labor until 20 yeas of age, and, in the fall of 1849, he came to Darke Co., and located in Greenville Township, and, in 1852, purchased his present place, where he has lived for a period of twenty-seven years.  He owns 132 acres upon his home farm, with good farm buildings, and one-half of the woolen-mills owned by the firm of Fox & Bechtolt.  His marriage with Eleanor Vannote was celebrated in 1840; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio; they have four children now living; lost two by death; the living are Catherine E., Joseph, Mary E. and George; the deceased died in infancy.

LEWIS BECKLER, farmer; P. O. Greenville; another of the old settlers of Darke Co.; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Aug. 30, 1837; at 10 years of age, he came to Darke Co., and made his home with Henry Beckler until 23 years of age, and, upon the 20th of December, 1860, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Dininger; she was born in Darke Co., April 14, 1843; they were the parents of two children.  Mrs. Beckler is a daughter of Jacob Dininger, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co.  Upon the marriage of Mr. B., he located upon his present place, where he has since lived; he owns 100 acres, upon which is his home farm, under a good state of improvement.  He is a son of Peter Beckler, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he married Hannah Dill.  He died in Montgomery Co., in 1840.  His widow was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, and is now living, at the advanced age of 73.

CHARLES BILTEMIER, manufacture and dealer in boots and shoes, etc., of the firm of Biltemier & Maitini, Broadway, Greenville.  The above gentleman is the oldest continuous person in the above business in Greenville; he was born in Hessian Germany in 1822; at the age of 14 years, he commenced the trade of shoemaking, which he followed twelve yeas in his native country; he emigrated to America in 1848, and landed in Baltimore; coming directly West, he located permanently in Greenville in 1849, where he has since lived; upon locating here, he received employment as journeyman until 1855, at which date he engaged in business for himself, which he has since successfully followed; in 1864, he associated with his present partner, since which time they have conducted the business under the above firm name; they carry a large and complete stock of gents', ladies', youths and children's goods, and employ from three to five hands.  He was married to Carolina Dohm in 1852; she was born in Hessian Germany; they have four children now living, viz., Lizzie, Caroline, Henry, and Anna.  He with his wife, have been members of the German Methodist Church since 1853.

WILLIAM J. BIRELEY was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1812, and died suddenly in Adams township, Darke county, Ohio, several years ago.  He was the son of John and Barbara Bireley.  John was born in the first county above named and Barbara was born in Hagerstown, Maryland.  Her maiden name was Brindle.  The grandfather, John Bireley, was born in Saxony and emigrated to this country before the Revolutionary war.  The grandmother was from Wurtemberg, Germany, and also came to this country prior to the Revolutionary war.  Mr. Bireley's father came to Lancaster, Ohio, in the spring of 1822 and in the fall following went to Montgomery county, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1827.  Mr. Bireley, the subject of this sketch, came to Darke County, Oct. 15, 1830, and located in Greenville.  He carried on the boot and shoe business for William Martin, Sr., and continued with him about five months, when he returned to his mother, in Montgomery county, where he remained until 1833, when, on January 24th, of the same year, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth Martin, Sr.  The were born at Sewickley, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1814, and located in Butler county in 1815, settling about five miles east of Greenville.  After raising a large family of children they moved to Greenville, where they lived and died.  Mr. Bireley, in May, 1833, came back to Greenville and entered upon the manufacture of earthenware, which occupation he followed for twenty-eight years, doing an extensive business.  He then bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, one mile out of the corporation of Greenville, and in 1851 he moved his family to this farm.  In 1858 he sold this farm and bought another, five miles east of Greenville, upon which several quarries of limestone were located.  He engaged in the manufacture of lime and continued at this business until January, 1880, when he rented the place to Martin Smith and Emanuel Hershey for five years, receiving four hundred dollars yearly, or two thousand dollars for the five years.  In 1870 Mr. Bireley moved from the farm into Greenville, where he resided for a number of years, or until the expiration of the above lease, when he moved back on the farm, where he resided at the time of his death, and where his widow now resides with her daughters, Mary R.  Mr. Bireley was the father of ten children, seven of whom are now living:  Henry R., Elizabeth E., William W., Barbara C., Harry H., Wade G., all married and settled in life, and Mary R., the youngest, who remains at home with her mother.  Mr. Bireley united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1835, lived a consistent Christian life and the record he has left here upon the pages of time is surely a worthy example for a future generations to follow.

WILLIAM J. BIRELEY, retired, Greenville; was born in Frederick Co., Md., in 1812; was the son of John and Barbara Bireley; John was born in the same county, and Barbara was born in Hagerstown, Md.; her maiden name was Brindle; the grandfather, John Bireley, was born in Saxony, and emigrated to this country before the Revolutionary war.  The grandmother was from Wurtemburg, Germany, and also came to this country prior to the Revolutionary war.  The grandmother was from Wurtemburg, Germany, and also came to this country prior to the Revolutionary war.  Mr. Bireley's father came to Lancaster, Ohio, in the spring of 1822, and in the fall following came to Montgomery Co., where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1827.  Mr. Bireley, the subject of this sketch, came to Darke Co. Oct. 15, 1830, and located in Greenville; he carried on the boot and shoe business for William Martin, Sr., and continued with him about five months, when he returned to his mother, in Montgomery Co., where he remained till 1833, when, on Jan. 24, of the same year, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth Martin, Sr.; they were both born at Sewickley, Penn., and came to Ohio in 1814; they settled in Butler Co., and then  moved to Darke Co., in 1815, and settled about five miles east of Greenville; after raising a large family of children, they moved to Greenville, where they lived and died.   Mr. Bireley, in the next May after his marriage, in 1833, came back to Greenville and entered upon the manufacture of earthenware, which business he followed for twenty-eight years, doing an extensive business; he then bought a farm of 150 acres, one mile out of the corporation of Greenville; he then took his family and moved on to the farm, which was in 1851; in 1858, he sold this farm and bought another, five miles east of Greenville, upon which were several quarries of limestone, and went into the manufacture of lime, and continued at this business till Jan., 1880, when he rented in to Martin Smith, and Emanuel Hershey for five years, receiving $400 yearly, or $2,000 for the five years; Mr. Bireley moved from the farm into Greenville in 1870, where he has since resided.  Mr. Bireley is the father of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz., Henry P., Elizabeth E., William W., Barbara C., Harvey H., Wade G. and Mary R., all married and settled in life except the youngest, who is still single, and remains at home.  At the commencement of the rebellion, his three oldest sons enlisted in the 44th O. V. I., and, after being out eighteen months, they went into the 8th O. CV. C., and in this they served through the war till honorably discharged, and all returned safely home.  Mr. Bireley was one of the pioneers, coming here when all was a wilderness, and but few houses constituted Greenville; he has lived to see the wilderness pass away, and now a flourishing town of 4,000 inhabitants occupies the spot where then all was woods and wild animals; even the citizens who lived here then have all passed away, with but few exceptions, viz., Henry Arnold and wife, Dr. I. N. Gard and wife, John Wharry, Esq., Allen La Mott and Mrs. Farrer.  Mr. Bireley and wife are active members of the M. E. Church, having united in 1834.  Mr. Bireley started in life upon sound principles, having resolved never to take the wine cup or waste his time and means in attending sows and theaters, which resolution he has firmly kept; he is one of the few whose life is filled up with usefulness, and whose business interests in his various undertakings have met with remarkable success, and we may trust that from his Christian life he will enter that, "life beyond the vale" is due time with the same assurance of success and happiness unalloyed with the cares and conflicts which attend this life, and that the record he has here left upon the pages of time will be a worthy example for all future generations.

HENRY J. BISH.  Prominent among the prosperous and influential farmers of Darke county who have been the architects of their own fortunes and have builded wisely and well, is the subject of this sketch, whose home is on section 20, Neave township,—a man honored, respected and esteemed wherever known, and most of all where he is best known.
     Mr. Bish was born September 8, 1832, in Carroll county, Maryland, about thirty miles from Baltimore, and is a son of William and Catherine (Bixler) Bish, also natives of Carroll county, and of German descent, though their respective fathers, Adam Bish and Peter Bixler, were both born in Maryland, where they spent their entire lives
as farmers. William Bish was a tailor by trade, but he also engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in politics was a Democrat, taking an active interest in political affairs. He died in his native county about 1874, at the age of seventy-four years, his wife December 30, 1875, at the age of seventy-three. In their family were twelve children, of whom eleven grew to, adult age and seven are still living.
     Of this family Henry J. Bish is the fifth in order of birth and the fourth son. He was reared and educated in his native place, where he remained until twenty years of age and then came to Ohio, arriving in Montgomery county with only one dollar and a half with which to begin life for himself. Having previously learned the miller's trade, he soon found employment in a mill at Dayton, where he remained about two years.. At the end of that time he located on a farm thirteen miles west of that city and. engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account.
     In November, 1855, Mr. Bish was married there to Catherine Clemmer, a native of Montgomery county, and five children were born to them: Phoebe died at the age of twelve years. Mary Frances married Johnson Warner and they had two children,— Herman and Harry. She died December 12,. 1892. Eva Jane is the wife of James Lamberton, of Greenville township, Darke county.  Emma is at home. Ward C. is a resident of Union City, Indiana.
     Mr. Bish continued his residence in Montgomery county until 1873, when he came to Darke county and located on the farm where he still makes his home. He has always engaged in general farming and that he thoroughly understands his chosen vocation is evidenced by the remarkable success that he has achieved. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his landed possessions from time to time and now owns four valuable farms in Darke county, one of two hundred and thirty-six acres on section 20, Neave township, where he now resides; one of one hundred and sixty-four acres in Butler township; one of one hundred and sixty-eight acres in York township; and the other of one hundred and twenty acres in Greenville township, making six hundred and eighty-eight acres in. all. He has ever made the most of his opportunities, and being a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment has been unusually fortunate in his investments. He is a trustee of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Darke county and a member of the board of the Children's Home. He has also filled the office of school director and by his ballot supports the men and measures of the Republican party. He is a member of Champion Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Greenville, in which he has filled all the chairs, and is a member of the encampment, having filled all the chairs in that organization. He also belongs to the Horse Thief Detective Association.

T. L. BISHOP.  In the history of those men who are ac­corded recognition as leading and repre­sentative. citizens of Darke county T. L. Bishop is mentioned.   He was born in Butler county, Ohio, November 8, 1829, and is a son of William F. Bishop, deceased, who came to this county in 1842, locating in Greenville township near Mud creek, and was born near Burlington, New Jersey, in the year 1800, and was a son of Frazee Bishop, who was descended from one of the old. colonial families.
     William F. Bishop was reared in the state of his nativity until five years of age, when he was taken by his parents to Ohio, a settlement being made at Middletown, Butler ¦county, in 1805. Cincinnati was at that time only a small village and Ohio was thought to be upon the very border of western civilization. .There William Bishop was reared to manhood and acquired a common school education. When still a lad he began the butchering business, although he had familiarized himself with the tanner's trade. He followed butchering until 1842, when he made preparation to come to Darke county. Three days were consumed in making the trip and they had a wagon train of thirteen teams. Mr. Bishop was accompanied by his wife and eight children. The former bore the maiden name of Maria Bogas and their marriage was celebrated in Butler county in 1825. Their children were Ezra, Thompson L., Peter W., Joseph L., Elizabeth, Mary, Frances and Valeria F. After coming to this county Theodore, their youngest child, was born. On the land on which he located the father made his home until his declining years when he removed to Greenville, his death occurring there in 1887. His wife passed away in 1880 at the age of seventy-five years. She was of Virginian parentage. Mr. Bishop was a prominent and influential citizen and was frequently called upon to serve in township offices. His wife was a prominent member of the Baptist church and an exemplary woman, and their home was often the meeting place for people of the Baptist denomination, services being held whenever a preacher was in the neighborhood. Mr. Bishop gave his political support of the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. He was a stanch advocate of Abraham Lincoln's administration during the civil war and was a radical Union man. He held membership in the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges of Greenville and in his daily conduct exemplified the benevolent and enobling principles of those fraternities. He began life a poor young man, but by his enterprise and energy he gained success and acquired a good property. He was very progressive and at one time was the owner of shops in three different places, at least fifteen miles apart, all three of which were carried on under his personal supervision. He never speculated, but depended upon the more substantial elements of success,—honest labor and capable management.. He modeled his life according to the Golden Rule and by his adherence to its principles he won many friends throughout the county, being highly respected by all who knew him. He was familiarly known as "Uncle Billy" When called to his final rest he was laid to rest beside his wife in Greenville cemetery and thus two of the most highly esteemed pioneers of Darke county passed to the home beyond.
     On his father's farm in his native county T. L. Bishop spent his boyhood and in that locality he obtained a common and high school education. With his parents he came to Darke county in 1842, when fifteen years of age.  His education was quite thorough for that day, for he learned something of Latin and the higher branches of science.  He continued with his father until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account, continuing to engage in the pursuit to which he had been reared. He married Miss Cynthia A. Dunham for a companion and helpmeet on life's journey. She resided in Warren county, Ohio, and their wedding took place in December, 1856. Subsequently Mr. Bishop engaged in the operation of a sawmill at Gordon, Darke county, where he resided until 1861, when he purchased ninety acres of land, on which he now lives. This he bought and operated in partnership with his brother, Peter W. Bishop, the business relationship between them existing for eight years. In May, 1864, Mr. Bishop enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, for one hundred day' service, and spent that time in Virginia. With his command he went to Martinsburg, thence on the Hunter raid through the Shenandoah valley, penetrating through the country as far as Lynchburg. He participated in several skirmishes and at White Sulphur Springs his comrade, Mr. Thomas, of Arcanum, was killed by his side. Mr. Bishop served his term of enlistment and was then honorably discharged at Camp Dennison on the 2d of September, 1864.
     He has added to his original purchase and is now the owner of one hundred and thirty-seven acres of good land, all under a high state of cultivation and improved with the various modern accessories which go to make up the model farm, many of these having been placed on his land by himself, and his property is a monument to his thrift and enterprise. While his life has been a busy one he has yet found time to faithfully discharge public duties and has held several minor offices. For over twelve years he was-supervisor and for eighteen years has been a school director. In educational matters he has always taken a deep interest, doing all in his power to promote the efficiency of the schools. He was at one time actively connected with the Masonic fraternity, but is not now associated therewith. At the age of twenty-nine he was converted and has since been a prominent and useful member of the Baptist church.  He was one of the first members of the first Missionary Baptist church of Greenville, has long been one of its officers, served as its first clerk, has for many years been a deacon and has likewise filled the position of church trustee.
     The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop has been blessed with three children,—Sylvan E., Cora B. and William L., all yet living. The mother died in 1884, at the age of fifty-six years. She was a member of the Baptist church and an exemplary Christian woman. Mr. Bishop was again married in 1896, when Mary F. Sayers, of Troy, Ohio, became his wife. Mr. Bishop affiliates with the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. His efforts in business life were attended with the success which never fails to reward honest and continued labor when directed by sound judgment. He is one of the widely known and highly esteemed citizens of Darke county. His life has ever been an honorable and useful one, his word is as good as his bond and his example is indeed in many respects worthy of emulation.

CHARLES H. BOLLES.  Among the professional men of Greenville, Ohio, none are more deserving of rep­resentation in this volume than Dr. Bolles, who has been one of the leading dentists of that place for almost thirty years. He has that true love for his work without which there can be no success, and his skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage he enjoys.
The Doctor was born near the city of Cleveland in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, December 2J, 1834, and is a son of Gurdon and Louise (Carior) Bolles, natives of Hartford, Connecticut, while the former was of English and the latter of Scotch descent. The father was born in 1790, and in early life learned the tanner and currier's trade, together with shoemaking, which he followed for a number of years, but later turned his attention to diversified farming. In 1816, some time after his marriage, he and his wife started for Ohio in a wagon drawn by oxen and were seven weeks in making the trip. They experienced all the discomforts of such a journey, as well as all the hardships and privations incident to frontier life after settling in Lake county, this state. In 1827 they removed to Cuyahoga county, where the father developed and improved a farm, upon which they spent their remaining days, living in a very modest way. During his residence there he devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He died about the close of the Civil war, in 1865.
     Dr. Bolles was reared upon the home farm in Cuyahoga county, and began his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, but for a time he attended school in Medina, the homestead being near the county line. From the common schools he entered the Richfield Academy, where he completed his literary education, and then took up the study of dentistry with Drs. Pollock & Finch, of Cleveland, in 1859. He commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1859, and remained at that place for four years. In 1871 he came to Greenville, where he opened an office and has since successfully engaged in practice, being one of the oldest dentists of Darke county in point of continuous service. He keeps well abreast with the times, is progressive in his methods and justly
merits the liberal patronage which he receives. Socially as well as professionally he is a man of prominence in the community, and is well liked by all who know him. He is a member of Ithaca Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M., of Arcanum, Darke county.
     December 1, 1857, Dr. Bolles was united in marriage with Miss Arabella Finch, of Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of Lewis and Mary (Garrett) Finch. By this union were born two daughters, namely: Clara, May 21, 1858, wife of James Helm, by whom she has a little daughter Adda Bell; and Ina May, born May 8, 1878, now a successful teacher in the public schools of Greenville.
 

ISAAC NEWTON BOOKER.  Darke county has many enterprising and energetic business men whose success is due to their industry, perseverance and sound judgment, and to this class belongs the subject of this sketch, who is at the head of the-hardware trade in North Star. He was born in Huntington county, Indiana, Oc­tober 25, 1863, a son of Jacob and Rebecca. (Detrich) Booker, the former born in Pennsylvania, December 17, 1833, the latter in Virginia, November 3, 1839. Our subject never remembers seeing his paternal grandfather, Emanuel Booker, as he died in Montgomery county, this state, about 1866.  Throughout life the father engaged in farming. He began for himself in a humble way, had a hard struggle, and never accumulated much, though he lived well. He died September 24, 1896, and his wife departed this life September 3, 1893, both being laid to rest in Gilbert cemetery, Darke county. They were active members of the German Baptist church and most estimable people. In their family, were ten children, six sons and four daughters, and with one exception all grew up, were married and are still living, namely: Mrs. Mahala Elizabeth King, who was born October 27, 1860, and has been three times married; John Henry, a farmer of Miami county, Ohio,. born April 5, 1862; Isaac N., our subject; Benjamin Franklin, a farmer of Darke county, born June 13, 1865; Mrs. Sarah Jane Young, of Delaware county, Indiana, born January 31, 1867; Jacob Albert, a farmer of Darke county, Ohio, born July 2, 1869; Mrs. Harriet Ann Trissell, born July 22, 1871; Samuel Theodore, a resident of Miami county, born March 9, 1873; Chloe Ellen, deceased, born November 21, 1874; and Abraham, of Darke county, born September 28, 1876.
     During his boyhood Isaac N. Booker received a good common-school education, and remained at home until he attained his majority. On the 22d of January, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Roselle Hartzell, of Greenville township, who belongs to a most, worthy and intellectual family. Her maternal grandfather, John S. Shepperd, was a native of this state, while his wife, Susan Hartpence, was born in New Jersey and in early life came to Ohio. After their marriage, in 1838, they settled in Greenville, and Mr: Shepperd became one of its most prominent citizens, serving as postmaster and in other important official positions connected with the court house. His son, W. W. Shepperd, was recorder and held nearly every county office. He was born October 12, 1841, and died February 3, 1887. He was a man of unswerving integrity and irreproachable habits, and he had the entire confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. His mother, who was a most noble woman, died November 10, 1883. Mrs. Booker's father, Charles W. Hartzell, was born in 1839, and has spent his entire life on a farm in Greenville township, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married, March 7, 1866, to Emma Shepperd a native of this county, and to them were born- four children, namely: Elmer Sanford, who was born April 14, 1867, assists in the operation of the home farm; Lillian Rozell, born December 15, 1870, is the wife of our subject; John Homer, who was born Septem­ber 22, 1873, is a graduate of Delaware Col­lege, was professor in an educational institution in Pike county, Ohio, and is now a med­ical student in Cleveland; and Olive May, born May 30, 1875, died December 19, 1878, at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Booker have four children: Ethel Leonora, born in 1889; Florence Belle, in 1890; Sanford Charles, in 1892; and Wallace Hartzell, in 1895.
     In early life Mr. Booker engaged in farming in Wabash township, but in No­vember, 1898, he sold his farm and removed to North Star, buying the hardware stock and trade of R. Mendenhall. He is now doing a large and profitable business, and is the owner of his store building and home in North Star. As a Democrat he takes quite an influential part in local politics, and in 1894 he was elected town clerk, which office he has filled for six years in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.

DAVID WELLER BOWMAN.  Among the leading and prominent attorneys of Greenville, Ohio, hone are meeting with better success than the subject of this review. He is a native of Darke county, born on a farm two miles east of New Madi­son, January 20, 1860, and is the second son of George W. and Phebe (Noggle) Bowman. The father was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and came to Darke county, Ohio, with his parents in 1838. On the maternal side our subject's grandfather, Michael Noggle, was also of Pennsylvania stock, his ancestors being residents of Franklin county, that state, but early in the nine­teenth century the family came to Ohio. Our subject's maternal grandmother was of Eng­lish descent and her people made their home in Georgia and the Carolinas before coming to this state.
     The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and in the high school at Greenville. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school and taught eighteen months before attaining his majority. On the 4th of April, 1881, he entered the office of Allen, Riffle & Otwell, attorneys of Greenville, and began the study of law. In October following he entered the office of Hon. J. W. Sater, with whom he pursued his legal studies until. May 1, 1883, on which date he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court at Columbus. He at once began the practice of law at Greenville and on the 4th of February, 1884, formed a partnership with Hon. D. L. Meeker, a connection which continued until May 14, 1888, when the firm dissolved partnership on account of the election of Mr. Meeker to the office of common pleas judge. On the 1st of July, 1888, Mr. Bowman entered into partnership with Hon. C. M. Anderson, with whom he is still associated, and they enjoy a large and lucrative practice. They rank among the ablest attorneys of Darke county, and, as prominence at the bar conies through merit alone, their skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage they receive.

BRUMBAUGH FAMILY.  The name Brumbaugh is of German origin and in America has taken various spellings and includes all such as Brumbach, Brumback, Bombach, Brombach, Broombaugh, Brombaugh, Brownbaugh, Brownback, and perhaps some others, all due no doubt to the fact that people in America on hearing the newly arrived immigrant pronounce the name each gave his own spelling to it.
     One of the family who came to America was Gerhard Brumbach, who was born in 1662, in Saxony, near Wittenberg, Germany.  His name is found spelled not less than five ways, not from his writing it himself as he always made "his mark."  He settled at Germantown, Pa., when there was but one house there, which was built in 1683.  He was then about 21 years of age.  It has been asserted that he came across on the Concord.  He must have been about 54 or 56 years of age when he married Mary Rittenhouse Papen, who was born in 1695.  She was the daughter of Heivert and Elizabeth (Rittenhouse) Papen.  Her father was a man of considerable means and Gerhard Brombach settled the estate and his wife had quite an inheritance.  At this time there were several spellings used in the name and the second generation used that of Brumback, but in the third generation it became Brownback, which remains to the present time.
     Gerhard settled in Vincent township on 600 acres of land, but later acquired more, until he had about 1,000 acres.  It was at that time a wilderness and there was a village of about 300 Indians nearby.  With these he made friends and employed them as laborers, smoked the "peace pipe," took part in their wrestling matches, and others sports.  He paid them in provisions.  He built a house and barn of logs, very substantial, the house with a door through which logs could be hauled by a team to get the logs to the fireplace.  The farm descended to Henry, then to Peter, then what is called the upper farm to Jesse, then to another Peter, and now both farms belong to Garrett Ellwood Brownback and have never been owned outside the family since the original grant from Penn.  There was such a demand made upon him to keep travelers over night that he applied for and received permission to open a "public house." which came "Brownback Inn" about 1736.  He was "Ye jolly landlord" until nearly the time of his death, which took place 1757.  His son Benjamin succeeded him and on Sept. 4, 1777, and for several days thereafter had the honor of entertaining Generals Washington and LaFayette.  LaFayette had received a wound at Warren Tavern, and had retreated to join Washington's army on its way to Germantown.  The landlord, Benjamin Brownback, held a lieutenant's commission in the continental army dated Aug. 21, 1776.  Not only as Gerhard an innkeeper, but he was interested in many other enterprises.  The most prominent of these is the part he took in establishing German Reformed church in 1743.  The first building was of hewn logs.  This was later replaced with a building of stone in 1800, rebuilt in 1846, remodeled and enlarged in 1878, and in 1907 a tower and a Sunday school room were added.  It is today one of the most beautiful churches in the county.
     Another of the family to come to America in colonial times was Johnson Jacob Brumbach, who was born about 1728, and came to America on the ship Nancy, arriving at Philadelphia August 31, 1750.  It seems that his parents had passed away before he left Germany and he brought with him as his inheritance about two hundred fifty dollars with which he seems to have bought a tract of land in what was then Frederick county, Maryland, south of Mason's and Dixon's line, not far from Hagerstown, but north about four miles from there.  When about thirty-two yeas of age he married Mary Elizabeth Angle.  He had built a log house before his marriage.  This building is still standing and occupied.  He rendered efficient service as a packman in the French and Indian war.  He was well to do in later life as is shown by his securing 6,000 acres of land.  On arriving in America he must have dropped the name Johann and was thereafter known as Jacob Brumbach  He was a very religious man and died in Pennsylvania April 10, 1799.  Of his seven children we have to do only with the fourth, Daniel S. Brumbaugh, the spelling having already been changed no doubt by some one in making out legal papers and writing it as pronunciation sounded.  He was born in 1772 in what is now Washington county, then Frederick county, Maryland.  He died August 24, 1824.  He had married Elizabeth Long and to them were born nine children.  His wife lived until Dec. 12, 1860, being 81 years and 11 months.  Of their children the third was named for his father, Daniel, and was born in Washington county, Maryland, Aug. 6, 1803.  When twenty years of age he married Annie Gray, a cousin of Ex-Gov. Isaac P. Gray, of Indiana.  She was born in Maryland Aug. 5, 1805.  Four years later they moved to Bedford county, Pennsylvania.  In Dec. 1863, they moved to Darke county, Ohio, where they carried on farming.  Daniel died in that county Jan. 29, 1882.  His wife had passed away about 1874.  Of their ten children the fourth, Samuel David, was born Jan. 7, 1831, near Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland.  On Dec. 8, 1853, he married Elizabeth Darner, who was born June 24, 1831, near Beaverstown, Montgomery county, Ohio.  He had come to Ohio several years before his parents came.  His wife was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Darner.
     Samuel David Brumbaugh was drafted during the Civil war but when he went to take the examination he was rejected as being physically unfit for military service.  He afterward was commissioned first lieutenant of Company E, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for which he did a recruiting service.  He died March 18, 1868.  To them were born five children as follows:  John Franklin, born Nov. 12, 1854.  He married Sarah M. Campbell of Darke county, Ohio.  He later became the owner of the farm which had been bought by his father before the latter's death.  To him were born four children:  Maude Elizabeth married John E. Kline, who served as deputy auditor for Darke county from 1909 to 1914, when he was appointed deputy district tax commissioner by W. D. Brumbaugh.  They have two children.  The second of John Franklin Brumbaugh's children was John Walter, who died at the age of two years.  The third is a daughter, Hattie.  She married Claude Oswalt, a farmer residing on a farm adjacent to Brumbaugh farm in Greenville township.  No children.  Gertie, single, lives with her widowed mother on the Brumbaugh homestead across the road from Concord German Reformed church.  John Franklin Brumbaugh died September 10, 1898.  The second child of Samuel David is Daniel Harmon Brumbaugh, born Oct. 11, 1856.  He married Ella Bender of Darke county.  He is a farmer and lives near Arcanum, Ohio.  To them have been born eight children, five of whom are living.  The third child of Samuel David Brumbaugh is Virginia Bell.  She was born Dec. 21, 1859.  She married John W. Stephens, a farmer of Darke county, Ohio.  They live in Greenville now and have five children.  Clement Laird Brumbaugh, fourth child of Samuel David, was born in Richland township, Darke county, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1863.
     William David Brumbaugh, the youngest of the five children, was born Aug. 1, 1866.  He was about 18 months' old when his father passed away.  The father had bought the old Deed's farm by the Concord church in Greenville township, consisting of 80 acres, in the fall before his death.  The mother then took up the struggle of rearing these children and of keeping them together.  This she succeeded in doing and by hard labor upon the farm, often doing a man's labor of out-door work, she with the help of the children succeeded in saving fifty-five acres.  A part of the struggles is told in the biographies of her two sons, Clement L. and William David,  which follows this article.  She lived to see all her children well established in the world and her last years were spent in her little home on Martin street by the side of her daughter's residence, where she was cared for and administered to by her loving and faithful sons and daughter.  The bosoms of her children swell with pride when they say that "they never heard her speak a reproachful word for any person and that they never knew her to seek her repose at night without first committing the care of herself and her little family to the keeping of her Savior, whom she fervently served to the last moment of her earthly existence."

HON. CLEMENT LAIRD BRUMBAUGH.    Congressman Clement L. Brumbaugh, democrat, of Columbus, Ohio, belongs to an old and honored family, which has been located in America for nearly two hundred years, the progenitor having come from Germany about 1750 and settled in what was then Frederick county, Maryland.  A very good history of the Brumbaugh family may be found in this volume, as well as sketches of several prominent members of the family who are identified with Darke county.  A family characteristic is having a purpose in view worthy of striving for and steadily working toward the desired end.  Clement L. Brumbaugh has had to make his own way in life since he was a mere lad and has steadily progressed in worldly position and in the degree of usefulness to his fellows.  His sturdy character is shown in his face and bearing and he is a striking figure in any gathering.
     Mr. Brumbaugh was born on a farm near Greenville, Darke county, Feb. 28, 1863, son of Samuel D. and Elizabeth (Darner) Brumbaugh, the parents given extensive mention in connection with the history of the family mentioned above.  Samuel David Brumbaugh was the fourth of the ten children of Daniel and Anna (Gray) Brumbaugh, and was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, Jan. 7, 1831, came to Ohio before 1860, and died Mar. 18, 1868.  Elizabeth Darner was born Jun. 24, 1831, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Darner.  Samuel D. Brumbaugh was drafted for service during the Civil war, but was not accepted on account of physical defects, though he was later commissioned first lieutenant of Company E, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for which he did a recruiting service.   He and his wife had five children, all of whom still survive.  The fall before his death he purchased the old Deede farm near Concord church in Greenville township, consisting of eighty acres.  His widow was left with five small children, and endured many privations in her effort to do her best for them all.  She worked in the fields and often did a man's work.  She never lost courage and faith in the future, and in her later life her children in truth realized and appreciated what she had done for them and the ambition she had instilled into them.  She wished each one to make an honorable place for himself and lived to see them all in comfortable circumstances and a credit to her hard work and foresight.  All honored her highly and they did their utmost to make her last days happy and to make up to her for the hardships she endured.  She succeeded in saving for their home fifty-five acres of the farm and as her sons grew large enough to help they did what they could for her and later went to work for others to do their share to keep up the home.
     Clement L. Brumbaugh was five years old at the time of his father's death, so that his earliest recollections are associated with hard work and privation.  He became a farm hand as soon as he was large enough to be accepted in that capacity.  This was in the days when farmers worked from the rising to the setting sun and sometimes later, and expected the most conscientious and painstaking service.  He was never known to shirk his duty and always had his ideal for the future, resolving to better his condition as he was able to do so and schooling himself in patience.  He attended the district school when opportunity offered and applied himself so diligently that he was able to secure a certificate to teach, using this profession as a stopping stone to higher ground, as so many others have done.  For a few years he taught winters and worked as a farm hand during the summer months, and upon reaching manhood's estate he had saved some money toward his educational plans.  In 1887 he graduated with degree B. S. from the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio; then founded Van Buren Academy, which he conducted four years; from 1891 until 1893 took a special course in ancient languages at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware Ohio; in the fall of 1893 entered the senior year in the classical course at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., graduating with degree A.B. in June, 1894; the city of Washington; from 1896 to 1900 served as superintendent of schools in Greenville.  He had a special liking for the study of history and also made a specialty of studying political economy, in this way following a train of thought that made his later public services especially valuable, for he has always been very conscientious in fulfilling every trust.  He was an alternate at large for the State of Ohio to the democratic national convention at Kansas City in 1900; from 1900 until 1904 served as a member and minority leader in the Ohio legislature, during which time he made a record that was of great assistance to him in his later career as a politician.
     During his college course, Mr. Brumbaugh had studied law and in 1900 was admitted by the Supreme Court of Ohio to practice the profession, which he immediately took up in the city of Columbus, winning a place at once by his ability. While holding the position of deputy superintendent of insurance of the State of Ohio he was nominated for Congress in the Twelfth Ohio Congressional District, at a democratic primary held May 21, 1912.  The district had a normal republican majority of about 5,000, but on account of Mr. Brumbaugh's previous progressive record in the Ohio legislature he was endorsed by the progressive party of the district, which helped win his election to the Sixty-third Congress.  He received 24,340 votes to 14,682 for hon. Edward L. Taylor, Jr., republican; 7,095 for Jacob L. Baehman, socialist; and 450 for John R. Schmidt, labor socialist, and he was the only democratic nominee for Congress in Ohio to receive the endorsement of the progressive party.  He had carried on an able campaign and had made numerous able speeches, which had brought him into prominence throughout the State, for all its citizens were interested in his success, more especially as his record of being a self-made man appealed to all.  His upright, and enthusiastic zeal and courage won him many friends; all who know him well predict greater things in his future.  He has always been steadfastly true to his party and its interests and is known as one of the typical democratic leaders form Ohio.

WILLIAM D. BRUMBAUGH.  Few men are so well known in Darke county as William D. Brumbaugh, prominent attorney of Greenville, who has for many years been identified with one or another of the movements for advancement and progress in the community.  He was born in a log cabin on a farm now known as the Kelsey Place, Richland township, Darke county, Aug. 1, 1867, and is the youngest child of Samuel D. and Elizabeth (Darner) Brumbaugh.
     The father was born and grew to manhood on a farm near Hagerstown, Maryland, coming as a youth to Montgomery county, Ohio.  He there was united in marriage with Elizabeth Darner, born on the old Darner homestead in that county.  Soon after marriage the young couple located in Richland township, Darke county; they later bought eighty acres in Greenville township.  The father died a few months after this purchase, leaving his widow with five children, form sons and one daughter, the eldest being twelve years of age.  At that time William D. was eighteen months old.  Mrs. Brumbaugh managed to keep her little family together and, with their help, managed to keep for himself fifty-five acres of land.  Of the children:  John Franklin, who had purchased the old homestead, died about 1900, leaving a widow and three daughters: Daniel H., whose home was in Darke county, died Dec. 23, 1912, from the effects of an operation at St. Elizabeth hospital, Dayton, Ohio, leaving a widow and five children; Clement L. lives at 1309 Niel avenue, Columbus; Jennie Belle, the only daughter, married John W. Stephens, and they have five children, their home being in Greenville; William D., the youngest, whose name heads this sketch.
     Samuel D. Brumbaugh was a democrat in politics and was a member of the Reformed Church.  He was drafted for service in the army during the Civil war, but was rejected on account of physical inability.
     William D. Brumbaugh remained with his mother until he was twenty-eight years of age.  He worked during the summer months and attended school through the winter, as did his brother also.  The first money he earned was a dime which he received for dropping corn over the three acre field around the old school house, which was owned by Uncle William Oswald.  When he was thirteen years of age he hired out to Joseph S. and John Walker at fifty cents per day and worked form them three summers doing a man's work in plowing, in the harvest field and wherever he could be most useful.  The winters of his fifteenth and sixteenth years he attended Greenville high school, walking the three miles there and back morning and evening.  During this time he ate his noonday meal in the retail grocery and hardware store of Westerfield Bros., in the building now occupied by the C. C. Hall cigar store.  He spent his spare time at noon taking special work in mathematics under Prof. F. M. White, as he wanted to progress faster than the rest of the class were able to do.
     On the first day of March after he had reached the age of sixteen years, Mr. Brumbaugh started his career as a teacher in his home district, the Concord school, as it was called.  His mother's home had sheltered the teachers in the district, as well as all preachers who came to the neighborhood to preach.  For the first ninety days, a spring term, he received one dollar per day.  He continued this work three winters and four springs, earning money which assisted to pay off the mortgage on the home place.  He taught one winter at Poplar Ridge and three winters at Bear's Mills, and during four summers attended school at Lebanon, where he was under the influence and instruction of "Daddy" Holbrook.  He used the money he had earned to proceed with his education, but as he did not have enough, John Walker, who had held the mortgage on the old homestead for years, offered to loan what he needed to finish, and he took scientific, classic and engineering courses, in all of which he did creditably.  At the age of twenty-four years, when he finished his course, he was owing Mr. Walker $575, and took out Union Central Life insurance in favor of his mother, who was also a signer of his note, in order to protect her interests.
     Shortly after leaving school Mr. Brumbaugh was nominated on the democratic ticket for the office of county surveyor, being elected in the fall, and he took his office Jan. 1,  1891.  He was re-elected in 1894, at which time he led the ticket, and on account of changes in the law affecting length of office he served six years and eight months.  While serving his last term he was appointed city engineer by the city council.  A bout 1899 he and his brother, Clement L., built a house in Greenville and there William D. Brumbaugh and his mother made their home.  For eleven years he continued to serve as city engineer and during that time he served as chief engineer of the sanitary board, which put in seventeen miles of sewer system and during this time also Broadway, Washington avenue, East and West Fifth streets, East Fourth street and East Third street were paved.  He has superintended work in nearly every section of the State.  There is scarcely a farm in this county which he has not been on and he is so familiar with the land s of Darke county that upon hearing the location of a man's home can at once name his near neighbors.
     Mr. Brumbaugh was married in Greenville, Sept. 17, 1895, to Miss Carrie E. Ridenour, born and reared in Greenville, a graduate of Greenville high school, and who was a teacher in Darke county.  She is a daughter of William and Nina (Phillips) Ridenour.  Four children have blessed this union:  Laird R., born Aug. 23, 1897, died June 17, 1913, when a junior in Greenville high school; Nina E., born Dec. 29, 1899, is a member of the sophomore class in high school; William D., Jr., born Aug. 15, 1906, and Herman Edward, born July 15, 1910.
     While teaching, Mr. Brumbaugh had his first impulse to study law and actually began his course, reading in the office of Attorneys Bickel and All read,  above the old postoffice, where later he had his own office.  He abandoned the idea for a few years, on account of his mother's scruples, but never lost his desire or predilection for the law, and his course at Lebanon helped him in his later studies along this line.  While service as city engineer he took up this study during his evenings and his wife was of great assistance during this period, giving him his quizzes.  By the close of his service as city engineer he was fully prepared for his examination, which he passed in June, 1904, and was admitted to the bar.  He was since been engaged in the active practice of his profession and has gained a high reputation.  He has a suite of offices on the second floor of the Trainor building on Broadway, and has been successful to a gratifying degree.
     During early manhood Mr. Brumbaugh was a democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland.  He has always taken great interest in public affairs and has been active in teh interests of his party during campaigns and at the polls.  He served several times on the executive committee of Darke county and in 1912 was its chairman.  In 1894 Mr. Brumbaugh, with four others, viz., Charles J. Herr, Guy C. Baker, James Chenoweth and J. Willard Ditman, were conducting a lecture course in Greenville, and had booked John Temple Graves for a lecture.  However, Mr. Graves was unable to meet his engagement and Mr. Brumbaugh, as secretary of the committee, was empowered to secure a substitute.  HE wrote to his brother, Clement L., then a teacher in Howard University, Washington, D. C., to ascertain if he could secure Bourke Cochrane.  At that time William J. Bryan was serving his first term as congressman from Nebraska, and had delivered his electrifying speech on the tariff question, which Clement Brumbaugh was fortunate enough to hear, and without attempting to secure Mr. Cochrane, wrote back to his brother, "If you want to get the coming leader of the people get W. J. Bryan, of Nebraska."  This was done, and in the spring William D. Brumbaugh had the pleasure of introducing the "silver tongued" orator to his first Ohio audience, in the greenville opera house.  Since that time there has never been a presidential or gubernatorial campaign at which Mr. Bryan has not addressed the people of Darke county, and Mr. Brumbaugh has been an ardent admirer of Mr. Bryan since first meeting him.  In 1909 he was a candidate for nomination for office of probate judge, but was defeated by the present incumbent, James B. Kolp.
     In March, 1912, he was appointed deputy state oil inspector for the seventh district, holding that office until he resigned it to accept position of district tax assessor in Darke county, being appointed to office by Governor Cox.  His mother was a member of the Union Brethren church and at the age of sixteen eyars he also joined it a Concord, and after locating in Greenville identified himself with the church there, serving some time as a member of the board of trustees and as superintendent of the Sunday school for several years.  Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and to the Knights of Pythias.  He has a large number of friends throughout the county and has been well supported in his campaigns for office and in his personal efforts for the welfare and progress of his county and state.  His wife is a member of the Altrurian club of Greenville and the family are well known in social circles.  Mr. Brumbaugh is an upright, public spirited citizen and has always been much interested in his fellow men and in any institution or movement which he feels will result in good to the greatest number rather than to a few.
 

MORRIS BRYSON, deceased, the eldest son and child of James Bryson, was born on the old Bryson farm on Mud creek, Greenville township, Darke county, Ohio, May 13, 1818. Here he grew to manhood, obtaining only a limited education in the schools of the district, but continuing his studies at home and thus fitting himself to teach. He then taught school for a number of terms, He was married April 8, 1846, to Miss Mary Annie Cole, a daughter of Joseph and Annie (Sweet) Cole, both representatives of pioneer families of the Western Reserve. Mrs. Cole was born in 1800, and came to Ohio at the age of eighteen. She was living near Oswego, New York, during the war of 1812, and from her home could see the smoke of battle. After the marriage of Morris Bryson and Miss Cole they began housekeeping on a rented farm, on which they resided two years. In 1848 he bought eighty acres of improved land in Greenville township, to which they moved and where he passed the rest of his life and died, his death occurring December 17, 1896.
     Of Morris Bryson it may be said that he was a representative man in his locality. He was one of the founders of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and for a number of years, up to the time of his death, was a director of the company. In educational matters he always manifested particular interest. For many years, off and on, he was a school director and always gave his support to whatever he believed was for the advancement and best interest of the schools of his district. A man of recognized, business qualities, he was sought for by the administrators of estates, and thus had charge of the interests of numerous heirs. Politically he was originally a Whig, which party he continued to support until 1856, when he joined the Republican ranks. During the civil war he championed the administration's policy, and his generosity in caring. for soldiers' widows and families during that period is yet well remembered; and not only during that period but throughout his life he was noted for his generous hospitality. The needy were never turned empty handed from his door. By honest toil and careful management he worked his way up to a position of financial independence, and at his death he left to his family a fine farm comprising two hundred and eighty-seven acres. Mrs. Bryson died in 1885, at the age of sixty-three years. She was a most estimable woman, a devoted member of the Disciples' church, and was much beloved by all who knew her.
     The children of this worthy couple were ten in number, seven of whom are still living, namely: James W., Rachel, Joseph C., Newton, Clarissa, Volney and David. The deceased were William, an unnamed infant and Mary Alice. Those living are all residents of Darke county. James lives in Brown township, and Newton in Washington township, and the others at the old homestead. Joseph married Eva Bennett in 1881. She died August 28, 1884, leaving one child, Mary C. Volney married Mollie Vail, by whom he has four children—Cloe, Elmer, Belle and an infant. David married Cora Harris, and they have five children—William Ray, Roscoe, Guy, James and Caroline.
     The Bryson brothers operate the home farm in partnership. They are enterprising, representative citizens arid enjoy the respect of the people of the community in which they live.