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Darke County, Ohio

Biographical Index
(Source: A biographical history of Darke County, Ohio
Evansville, Ind. :: Unigraphic,, 1900, 816 pgs.)

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ANDREW ROBESON CALDERWOOD, attorney-at-law of Greenville, and one of the old settlers of Darke county, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, September 14, 1818, and died at Greenville several years ago. He was a son of George and Margaret (Robeson) Calderwood, natives of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania.  They Were married September 14, 1811, and in the fall of 1817 moved to near Dayton, Ohio, going thence in 1832 to Darke county, where George Calderwood died September 7, 1849. His wife survived him until August 12, 1873, when her death occurred. George Calderwood was of Scotch parents and though uneducated was a man of sound judgment, great firmness and courage, of large stature and possessed of an iron constitution. He was kind and generous to a fault. Margaret Robeson descended from Scotch, Welsh and Irish ancestry, and was a woman of remarkable good sense, fine natural talent and great kindness. Our subject was employed in early life upon a farm, digging ditches, mauling rails, etc. His education was meager, but being called upon to serve as juror, he was so inspired by the eloquence of some of the attorneys in the case that he resolved to become a lawyer and at once commenced the study of law, being admitted to the bar and beginning practice in 1851. He was elected probate judge in 1854 and after serving three years he entered the Union army as second lieutenant; was promoted to captain of Company I, Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; resigned his commission on account of injuries received from being thrown from a horse, and on regaining his health he was re-commissioned by Governor Tod, and by Colonel Cranor was assigned to the command of his old company. After six months' service in the above position, by loss of his voice and previous injuries, he was again compelled, to leave the active service of the army and acted in the capacity of recruiting officer until the close of the war, after which he resumed the practice of law. On December 3, 1876, he assumed the editorial control of the Sunday Courier, a leading organ of the Republican party of Darke county. He was three times elected mayor of Greenville, and .in 1868 the Republicans of Darke county presented his name in the fourth congressional district of Ohio for congress, his competitor, Mr. McClung, being nominated by a small majority over him. Hg always had a liberal share of the law practice in this county and enjoyed more than a local reputation as a criminal lawyer; at the forum his abilities were best known; he had an original faculty of developing a subject by a single glance of the mind, detecting as quickly the point upon» which every controversy depended. There was a deep self-conviction and emphatic earnestness in his manner, and a close logical connection in his thoughts. He wove no garlands of flowers to hang in festoons around a favorite argument, yet for impromptu appeals and eloquence he stood among the first of his profession, and, by his great knowledge of human nature he was acknowledged to be one of the best judges of a jury at the bar.

DANIEL CAUPP who owns and operates a valuable farm on section 23, Mississinawa township, was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 10th of August 1844, and is of German lineage.  His father, Frederick Caupp, was a native of Stuttgart, Germany, born in 1808, and about 1824, when sixteen years of age, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world.  He wedded Barbara Zimmerman, also a native of Germany, and they took up their abode on a farm of forty acres in Ross county, Ohio, where most of their children were born.  There were six children by the first marriage:  John, who enlisted for the service in the Fortieth Ohio Infantry during the civil war and died of typhoid fever while in service, his remains being interred at Plain City, Ohio; Susan, the wife of Andrew Horlocker; Daniel, of this review; David, who died at the age of twenty years, of typhoid fever; Frederick, who died of the same disease and about the same time; and Gottleib, a farmer residing near the old homestead.  The parents of this family started out in life in limited circumstances, but their united efforts enabled them to work their way steadily upward until they became the owners of a valuable farm of ninety acres.  The father died about 1880, at the age of sixty-five years, and was laid to rest in Pleasant Ridge cemetery, but the mother still survives him.  Mr. Caupp, of this review, pursued his education in the district schools and remained upon the home farm through the period of his boyhood and youth.  No event of special importance occurred during that time, yet his was a busy existence, his time being devoted to the labors of the fields through the summer months and the mastery of the common English branches of learning during the winter season.  He was married Oct. 12, 1873, to Louis Beal, of this county, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Miller) Beal. Their union has been blessed with thirteen children, of whom ten are living, as follows: Lemuel S., who assists in the operation of the farm; David, who is married and lives on a far in the locality; William; Myrtle, the wife of George Thomas, of Mississinawa township, by whom she has one son; Daniel N. Earl, Florence, Iva, Ira and Mabel.
     Mr. Caupp, votes with the Democracy and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office.  He carries on general farming and recently has devoted eight or ten acres to the cultivation of tobacco.  His sixty-acre farm was a part of his father's homestead and his rich and fertile tract is under the high state of cultivation.  He believes it is best to keep his land in good condition and to follow progressive methods of farming.  He has upon his place a large, fine, frame residence, which he erected in 1858, and near by stand a commodious barn and other outbuildings, providing ample shelter for the grain and stock.  He has planted many fruit and shade trees around his place which add much to the comfort and beauty of his rural home.  His work has been carried on so systematically and carefully that he is today the possessor of a comfortable competence and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of his community - which fact entitles him to mention in the history of Darke county.
(Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio - publ. 1900)

FRED CLINE.  Whenever a new firm is organized, the people of a community in which it proposes to do business, are interested, but this is intensified when the members of the new association are well known men in that locality.  Fred Cline and his partner, O. S. Simpson, members of the drug and jewelry firm of Simpson & Cine of Arcanum, Ohio, are native sons of Arcanum, where the major portions of their lives have been spent, and their success is a matter of gratulation to those who have watched these young men develop from boyhood into responsible business activities.  Fred Cline was born at Arcanum, Ohio, January 22, 1884, a son of Charles and Isola (Harris) Cline, natives of Ohio.  Michael Cline, the paternal grandfather of Fred Cline, married a Miss Miller, and both were natives of Virginia.  They became early settlers of Salem, Ohio, where he became a trader of cattle, although a cooper by trade.  They died at Arcanum, he after passing into the seventies, and she when sixty-eight years old.  They had six children, namely: Granville, who died when a child; Mary, Henry, Charles, Edward and William.  The maternal grandfather married Martha Conner, both of them being natives of Tennessee, who moved to Hamilton, Ohio, at an early day.   By profession the grandfather was a lawyer who practiced at Cincinnati, and was killed in a railroad accident when thirty-four years old.  His widow survives and has been married twice.  The only child by her first marriage was Isola.  The second husband of Mrs. Harris was a Mr. Brown and they had one child, G. L. Brown.  By her third husband, a Mr. Ludlum, she had a daughter, Myrtle.
     Charles Cline was a tobacco merchant, who operated at Arcanum when the tobacco business was in its infancy.  He first started as a commission man, handling tobacco for a New York house, and remained in this line for twenty years.  His death occurred at Arcanum in August, 1900, when he was forty-six years old.  His widow survives him.  In fraternal matters, he was an Odd Fellow.  Charles Cline and wife had two children, namely: Fred and Charles, the latter being a resident of Dayton, Ohio.
     Fred Cline grew to manhood's estate at Arcanum, where he attended both the grammar and high schools.  When he attended both the grammar and high schools.  When his father died he was forced to earn his own living, and his first father died he was forced to earn his own living, and his first employment was with a tobacco House.  Later he was on the road  was a commercial salesman for two years, but returning to Arcanum, he began his connection with the jewelry business in the store of L. T. Grubbs, and within two years, or in 1907, purchased the business from his employer, and has continued it ever since.  Mr. Cline learned the watchmaking and jewelry trade partly under the tuition of Mr. Grubbs, but took a practical course in it at Detroit, Michigan, so that he is an expert in his line.  When he associated himself with Mr. Simpson in 1912, he felt that he was broadening his field of operation, and gaining from the experience of Mr. Simpson, as the latter would profit from his own knowledge.
     Fraternally, Mr. Cline belongs to Ithaca Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M., and he is a thirty-second degree Mason, according to the Scottish Rite.  He also belongs to International Archaeological Association, and the American Indian Association.  These connections have been formed as the outcome of a taste he formed in boyhood for collecting Indian relics to which he has added until he now has one of the finest collections in the State, if not in this country.  Keeping in close touch with the authorities at Washington, he receives the literature along the lines in which he is interested, that is issued by the government, and is much thought of by those who appreciate the value of his research work.  As is only natural, Mr. Cline is a great reader, finding his enjoyment among his books, of which he has an excellent library.  He and his mother live on East George street, Arcanum, where they have a pleasant home.
Source: History of Darke Co., Ohio - Vols. II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914. - Page 206

FRANK T. CONKLING, book-keeper, Greenville; born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 1858; his early education was obtained in the common schools of his native place, and completed by a study of eight yeas in Cincinnati; in 1875, he came to Greenville, and in July, 1876, accepted a position as book-keeper of the Greenville Bank, which situation he has since filled with credit to himself, and satisfaction to his employers.

ADAM S. COPPESS, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Jackson, township, belongs to one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Darke county, his grandfather, Adam Coppess, having taken up his abode here in 1819, only two years after Jacob Hartle, the first white settler, located within its borders. He was of Dutch extraction and a blacksmith by trade, being the first to follow that occupation in this county. On first coming to Ohio from North Carolina he located in Greene county, and it is said that he had to hide to keep from being murdered by the Indians. In Darke county he entered land for himself and sons, made a clearing and built a log house, which stood for a number of years. He took an active part in laying out the roads in his locality, cleared many acres of land and in connection with work at his trade manufactured cowbells by hand. In politics he was a Democrat and in religious belief a Lutheran. He died at the age of seventy-four years and his wife survived him several years. Before leaving North Carolina he married a Miss Mock, whom our subject well remembers, and to them were born the following children: John, David, Peter, Adam, Alfred and Daniel, all farmers; Mrs. Phoebe Horning, Mrs. Mary Frampton, Mrs. Elizabeth Brewer, Mrs. Catherine Harney and Mrs. Sarah Robison. John Coppess, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina and was only six years old when brought by his parents. to this state. The family had owned a negro slave, who was set free on their arrival here. John Coppess attended the subscription schools to a limited extent, but was mainly self educated, and being fond of reading he became a well informed man. He was very ingenious and able to engage in almost any occupation, including blacksmithing, carpentering and farming. He also followed the trade of a fuller for some time, and later operated a water power saw mill until steam came into general use, when he turned his attention to general farming, owning three-hundred and fifty acres of land, including a part of the old homestead. Returning to Greene county, he married Mrs. Susanna (Stevenson) McFarland, a native either of Kentucky or Virginia. Her father was a scout in the war of 1812 and saw much active service under General Wayne. He afterward received a land grant in recogni­tion of his services. Our subject's paternal grandfather also took part in the same war. Mrs. Coppess was fairly well educated and was a great bible student. Her children were Andrew, a farmer and stock raiser of Iowa; Adam S., our subject; Jacob P., a farmer of Ansonia, this county; and B. F., now a resident of Greenville. For his second wife the father married Rhoda Horny, who died leaving three children: John, a justice of the peace; and Pyrus and Peter, both school teachers. Most of the family held membership in the Presbyterian church and the father was a Democrat in political sentiment.
     In an old cabin on the homestead in Richland township Adam S. Coppess was born October 2, 1833. He began his education in a subscription school, but after attending fifteen days he broke his arm and was forced to remain at. home for some time. At the age of eleven he entered the public schools, where he pursued his studies three months during the year until he was fifteen, and though his advantages were limited he acquired a fair education. He aided his father in the labors of the farm until seventeen years of age and then began earning his own livelihood, though he remained at home until he attained his majority. During the following three years he managed his father's business, and in 1857 purchased eighty acres of his present farm on section 24, Jackson township, which at that time was practically new land and had to be drained before it was ready for cultivation. He now has a fine farm of one hundred and ninety acres, though he at onetime owned four hundred and forty acres. He is successfully engaged in. general farming and stock raising and also devotes some attention to the dairy business.
     On the 4th of June, 1854, Mr. Coppess married Miss Sarah A. Davison, who was born in Richland township, this county, April 6, 1834, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Stratton) Davison. They have five children, all of whom were provided with good educational advantages James Madison, the eldest, follows farming; Robert F. is a druggist and physician of Alger, Ohio, and was educated in Cincinnati; Andrew J. is engaged in farming on the old homestead; Stephen A. attended school in Toronto and Cincinnati, and is now a veterinary surgeon: and horse dealer of Ridgeville, Ohio; and Mary E. is the wife of George Russ, and they have one child, Adam Paul.
     In religious faith Mr. Coppess is a Universalist, and in political sentiment is a Democrat. He has efficiently served as road supervisor, was school director twenty-seven years and clerk of the board when every brick school house was built. Socially he is a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 488, F. & A. M. He is a very entertaining man, possesses a good fund of general information and is very hospitable.

WILLIAM COX.  In the year 1816 the Cox family was founded in the Darke county, and through the intervening years the name has been inseparably interwoven with the history of this locality on account of the prominent part of its representatives have borne in the development and progress of this section of the state.  It is therefore with pleasure that we present to our readers the record of William Cox, who is known as a successful and highly esteemed agriculturist of Washington township.  His grandparents, Jacob and Eve Cox, were the first of the name of whom we have authentic record.  They had eight children and in 1816 the entire family emigrated westward to Darke county, Ohio, from Fayette county, Pennsylvania. A settlement was, first made in the northeast portion of German township, and they were among the first to take up their abode in what was then an almost unbroken wilderness. The trip from Pennsylvania had been made with teams and wagons, and often they had to mark out a road for themselves or follow an old Indian trail. . There in the midst of the woods Mr. Cox, assisted by his children, made a small clearing and erected a rude log cabin, in which they began life on the frontier in true pioneer style. Of sturdy and courageous spirit, they were well prepared to meet the hardships of such a life and in a short time they had a portion of their land under cultivation. Year by year the cleared tracts were enlarged and improved, and when Mr. Cox passed to his final rest the home farm presented every appearance of thrift and prosperity and was regarded as one of the valuable properties of this section of the state. The land was inherited by his son, Henry Cox, who shortly afterward disposed of it and removed to Missouri, but when a few years had passed he returned to Ohio, taking up his abode in Miami county, near Pleasant Hill, where he spent his remaining days. The other two sons of the family, Jacob and Martin, came to Washington township, Darke county, after the death of their father, and were the first white men to enter claims in his locality. Jacob Cox, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of July, 1887, and, as before stated, came west with his people, living with them in German township until 1817, when he and his brother removed to Washington township. They took up adjoining claims, and the first cabin was erected where the home of Samuel Cole now stands.
     In that little home both brothers with their families lived for some time, or until a cabin could be erected on the land owned by Jacob Cox, now the property of his son, William. The little pioneer home stood on the site of the present handsome residence, and in this rude domicile, the second one to be erected in Washington township, the sturdy pioneer family began life in the midst of the forest. With characteristic energy- the father continued to clear away the trees and transformed the tract into rich and fertile fields. He was a man of undaunted energy and perseverance, and soon a valuable farm indicated what may be accomplished by people of determined purpose. who are not afraid to meet the obstacles and difficulties in their path. At the time of his death Jacob Cox owned four hundred and eighteen acres of valuable land, and was considered one of the most prominent and successful farmers and influential citizens of Darke county. In the early days the Indians often camped in a small ravine near his home, but they were friendly and occasioned no trouble to the settlers. Jacob Cox married Elizabeth Wise, who was a native of Hardy county, Virginia, and removed to Ohio with her parents, who afterward went to Indiana, where they spent their last days. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox: Jesse, who was born April 24, 1817, and died September 28, 1873; Job, who was born February 8, 1819, and died September 28, 1834; Hannah, who was born May 20, 1821, and became the wife of Lorenzo Dixon, their home being now in Greenville township, Darke county; Samuel, who was born October 7, 1823 and died April 16, 1849; Martin, who was born June 20, 1826, and died December 14, 1876; Jacob, who was born January 2, 1829, and died on the 22d of October of the same year; Mary, who was born August 17, 1830, and is the wife of Philip Rodgers, of Washington township; John, born March 17, 1833; Eliza Jane, who was born February 26, 1835, and is the wife of Samuel Van Fleet, of Washington township; a daughter who was born in 1836 and died before being named; Israel, who was born June 22, 1838, and died in 1889; and William, the immediate subject of this review.
     Jacob Cox, the father of these children, was a stanch supporter of the Baptist church and 'a consistent Christian gentleman. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy and earnestly advocated its principles, but was' never an aspirant for political honors. He died April 3, 1842, and his estimable wife, surviving him many years, passed away in 1877. Both were honored and respected by all who knew them, and when they were called to the home beyond their loss was mourned not only by many relatives but throughout the entire neighborhood, for all who knew them were their friends. Upon the farm on which he settled in 1816 Martin Cox, the brother of Jacob, lived up to the time of his death, in 1856.
In taking up the personal, history of William Cox we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Darke county. He was the youngest child in his father's family, and was born in the hewed log house which is still standing on the farm that is yet his home, his natal day being January 27, 1841. The old log cabin is now used for storage purposes, and stands as a mute reminder of pioneer days, and the habits of life at that time. His school advantages were somewhat limited, but he mastered the elementary branches of the English language in the district schools of the neighborhood, and by experience and observation has added greatly to his knowledge. His training at farm labor was not meager, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields, and was thus largely engaged from the time of spring planting until crops were garnered in the autumn. Upon attaining his majority he came into possession of a portion of his father's estate. He has always carried on general farming, and for years has made it a practice to manufacture maple syrup and sugar .on an extensive scale, disposing of this product to regular customers in Greenville. He has a large sugar camp and the excellence of the product enables him to secure a ready market therefor. In 1892 he erected upon his farm a fine, modern residence, and near by stands good outbuildings. The place is neat and thrifty in appearance, and the owner is recognized as one of the practical and progressive agriculturists of his community.
     On the 22d of August, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cox and Miss Margaret A. Van Fleet, daughter of John D. and Mary (Fradmore) Van Fleet. This family came from New Jersey to Ohio at an early day, locating in Washington township, Darke county. Mrs. Cox is now the only representative of the family living in the county. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children: Ory Newton, who was born January 22, 1873, was married December 20, 1898, to Miss Jennie, daughter of William Young, of Greenville, and they reside upon the old home farm; Harriet A., born November 5, 1874, is with her parents; a son, born in 1876, died the same year unnamed; and John Jacob, born December 18, 1877, also resides at home. In his political views Mr. Cox was a supporter of Democratic principles for some time, but now votes the Socialist ticket. He holds membership in the Christian church. He has neither time nor inclination for political office, but finds ample time to faithfully discharge every duty of citizenship. He is a man of determined character, of sterling worth and. of inflexible integrity, and among the residents of Darke county he has a host of warm friends. He resides upon one of the oldest developed farms in Washington township, and is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, whose connection with the history of Darke county has ever been creditable.

GEORGE F. CRAWFORD was reared on his father's farm in Twin township, to the cultivation of which he gave his assistance as soon as old enough.  After attending the district schools, and the Arcanum high school, he became a student in the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he prepared himself for a pedagogical career.  For a number of years he was successfully engaged in teaching school two years of the time in Texas, and he won an enviable reputation as a educator.  He then took up the study of law and in 1901 he was admitted to the bar, and immediately afterwards entered upon the practice at Greenville.  He met with a favorable reception on the part of both the legal fraternity and the public and from the beginning of his professional career to the present time he has had no reason to regret his choice of a life work.  He owns and lives on a cozy little farm, just outside of the corporation, where his most enjoyable hours are spent.  Thorough training, natural aptitude and a love for his profession have combined to give Mr. Crawford a standing in professional circles in Greenville, which could not have been purchased by other means.  He has been connected with some of the most important litigation tried in the local courts and has uniformly met with a gratifying measure of success.
     On Dec. 25, 1894, George F. Crawford was united in marriage with Jane McClain, the daughter of Andrew and Martha (Wieland) McClain, and to that union was born a son, Leo C.  Mrs. Crawford was born near Gordon, Monroe township, this county.  Her father, who was one of the early settlers in that locality, died on Jan. 6, 1913, aged sixty-nine years and nine months, and is survived by his widow.  They were the parents of three children, namely: Nelson, who died in infancy; Jane, wife of the subject, and Myrta, who is the wife of Orie O. Weisenbarger, a druggist in Greenville.  Mrs. Jane Crawford was a woman of excellent qualities of character, beloved by all who knew her, and was an earnest member of the Baptist Church.  Her death occurred on April 11, 1910, at the age of Thirty-six years and eleven months.  Her paternal and maternal grandparents were, respectively, Nelson and Amanda (Gordon) McClain and Jacob and Olive Wieland.
    
Politically, Mr. Crawford has always given his support to the Democratic party, in the success of which he is deeply interested, though he is not in any sense a seeker after public office.  Fraternally, he is a member of the Greenville Lodge, No. 161, Knights of Pythias, in the work of which he takes an appreciative interest.  Mr. Crawford is a man of high intellectual attainments, being a close and critical reader, and holds broad views of men and things.  In him there are combined to an unusual degree those qualities which inspire personal friendships of uncommon strength, and all who know him have the highest admiration for the excellent qualities of his head and heart.

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