CHARLES A. SCHLECHTY.  That farming in Darke county is a profitable occupation is attested by the subject of this sketch, who, although he has been in business for himself for comparatively only a few years, is now the owner of one hundred acres of valuable land, this being located on the New Madison road, about six miles south of Greenville, in Neave township.  Mr. Schlechty belongs to that class of men who, born in Darke county, have grown up and developed with its growth and development, and have at the same time built up and shared its prosperity.  His birth occurred on the farm on which he now resides, his natal day being June 18, 1870, and he is a son of George and Rebecca (Winters) Schlechty.
     Four generations of the Schlechty family have resided in Darke county.  The great-grandfather of Charles A. Schlechty was born in Switzerland, from whence he moved to Germany, and from that county emigrated to the United States and settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania.  Chrisitan Schlechty, the grandfather of Charles A., was a lad when he came to this country, he being a native of the Fatherland.  He grew up in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he received an ordinary public school education, and early adopted the vocation of agriculturist, which he followed throughout his life.  With his wife Susannah he migrated to Darke county, Ohio, in middle life, and here both grandparents passed away.  George Schlechty was born on the farm in Darke county which is now occupied by his son and here he passed a peaceful existence as a tiller of the soil, accumulating a competence for his declining years, rearing his children to habits of industry and honesty, and gaining the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens because of his many excellent traits of character.  He married Rebecca Winters, and they became the parents of six children:  Willis M., Eason V., David, Jasper N., John F. and Charles A. of whom David is deceased.
     Charles A. Schlechty received his preliminary educational training in the Fort Jefferson public schools, following which he took course at Valparaiso, Ind., and completed his studies in the Haynes Business College, Chicago.  He was well pre pared to adopt the vocation of educator, and began to teach when but seventeen years of age, and as such spent some time in the South, but eventually returned to his home, where he remained until reaching the age of twenty-one years.  At the time of his father's death, he took charge of the farm, and later, in partnership with his brother, he bought the interests of the other heirs, and since that time has conducted the operations on this highly desirable piece of land.  His labors in the active affairs of life have been crowned with afair degree of success, and his well cultivated fields yield to him agolden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestowes upon them. In his political views, Mr. Schlechty is a stanch Democrat, and takes acommendable interest in local affairs, although he is not apolitician in the sense of the office seeking.  However, his fitness for office has occasioned his selection on the part of his fellow townsmen for the office of justice of the peace of Neave township.  He belongs to the Masonic lodge and takes much interest in its work.  His time, however, is usually given to his farm and home interests, and he is accounted one of the practical and progressive agriculturists of the communiy. While he is not member of any particular church, he liberaally supports all religious and charitable movements, and is strictly honorable in all things, owing his success solely to energy, industry and perseverance.
     On May 22, 1901, Mr. Schlechty was married to Miss Minnie Hunsinger, daughter of Max and Lena (Wertmiller) Hunsinger, and to this union there have been born two children George F. and Forest Eugene.
Source:  History of Darke County, Ohio From its earliest Settlement to the Present Time - Vols. I & II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914 - Page 333

Source:  History of Darke County, Ohio from its earliest Settlement to the Present Time Vol. II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914 - Page 170

ED SHAFER.     Ed Shafer, clerk of Darke county courts, is a young man of promise, progressive and earnest in his thoughts and ideas, and well fitted by nature and training for the responsible position he fills.  He has the full confidence of his fellowmen throughout the county and stands well with all classes.   He is a native of Richland township, Darke county, born Feb. 27, 1881, a son of John C. and Rachel (Earhart) Shafer, also natives of Darke county.  John C. Shafer was born in Richland township May 13, 1858, and was a farmer by occupation, having now retired from active life.  His wife was born in Greenville township, Mar. 17, 1861.  They now live in Greenville, the father having retired from active life.  They had two children, Ed, the elder, and one daughter, Bessie, at home.
     Mr. Shafer attended the rural schools and his first work after leaving school was assisting in the work of the home farm.  He continued until his marriage, Oct. 16, 1904, to Miss Bertha Kley, who was born in Wayne township, Darke county, Apr. 17, 1884, and died Sept. 10, 1912, being buried in Greenville Cemetery.  She was the daughter of Lewis and Hulda (Taylor) Kley.  Mr. Kley was born in Cammerforst, Germany, Sept. 17, 1832, and Mrs. Kley, who was born in Wayne township, Aug. 11, 1829, near Versailles, Darke county, Ohio, died Apr. 29, 1913.  He still resides in Wayne township.  They had six children, three of whom survive: Salem, of Wayne township; Anna, wife of Ed Williams, of Versailles, Ohio; Charles, of Wayne township; three who are deceased, including Mrs.Shafer.  Mr. and Mrs. Shafer had one child, a daughter, Ruth Vivian, born Sept. 22, 1911, who lives with her father's parents,  where he also now makes his home.  Mrs. Shafer was a devoted member of the Christian church in Versailles and Mr. Shafer belongs to the church of the same denomination in Greenville.  Mr. Shafer had lived in Greenville form March until October, before his marriage, and continued his residence there until after their marriage and there made many friends in various circles.  Mrs. Shafer was a charming young woman and her death was a sad loss to her family and friends.
     For five years after locating in Greenville Mr. Shafer was employed as a traveling salesman for the firm of A. G. Keighley, wholesale dealers in confectionery.  In August, 1909, Mr. Shafer was appointed deputy clerk of the courts, serving until August, 1913, when, having been elected the preceding November to his present office of clerk of the courts, he began filling that position, which continues to Aug. 1, 1915.  He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first presidential vote for William J. Bryan in 1904.  He is well known fraternally, being affiliated with the Blue Lodge of Masons at Greenville.  He is Past Chancellor Commander in the Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Knights of Karrassons of Sidney, Ohio, and for three years served as secretary of the United Commercial Travellers of America, Royal Council No. 270, and has also served as Page of this society.  He is well liked and popular and makes friends easily, wherever he goes.  He is fond of reading and good literature and is well informed on the questions of the day.  He is looked upon as a representative citizen who may be counted upon to do his share for the good of the community.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - From its earliest Settlement to the Present Time - Vol. II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914 - pg. 380

ORTON OSBORNE SMITH.     Real merit has received proper recognition in the case of Orton Osborne Smith, cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of Arcanum, for he has been promoted to his present responsible position because of his natural ability and conscientious training for the duties pertaining to such work.  A man of careful habits and one who has always given close attention to detail, he manifestly is the right man in the right place.  The cashier of a financial institution of the size of the Farmers' National Bank must be a good judge of men; be able to estimate fairly and justly the value of securities and to handle wisely and sagaciously the interests placed in his hands.  That he measures up o the high standards necessarily set for work of this class, his standing in the community and with the business men of Darke county, prove conclusively.  He was born at West Baltimore, Ohio, Apr. 1, 1878, a son of Nathan and Anna (Thomas) Smith, and grandson of Reason Smith, and John and Ruth (Dinwiddie) Thomas.
     Reason Smith and his wife were born in Maryland, east of Frederic, but came to Ohio in the latter part of the forties, settling in Preble county that State, where he carried on farming.  Both died in Preble county, when a little over middle age.  Their children were as follows: Nathan, William, Monroe, Elijah, Joel, Emma and Jane.  John Thomas and his wife were also natives of Maryland, and coming to Ohio at an early day, located on a farm that lay between Sonora and Lewisburg and was in Preble county.  Later they moved, during the late sixties, to a farm in the vicinity of West Baltimore, but rounded out their old age in Harrison township.  Their children were as follows: Anna M., Rachel, Jacob, Izora and one who died in childhood.
     Nathan Smith and his wife were both born in Preble county, Ohio, the former being reared in the neighborhood of Lewisburg, that county, where he developed into a public school teacher.  His professional duties led him to various points in Preble, Darke and Montgomery counties, he teaching in all twenty terms.  At one time he was one of the educators connected with the Greenville schools, and was very popular with his pupils, as well as with their parents, who recognized his ability to train their children.  At present he is residing at West Baltimore, Ohio, his wife also surviving.  In religious faith he is a Lutheran, but she believes according to the teachings of the United Brethren church.  In his life work, Nathan Smith has displayed some very admirable qualities.  Losing his father when a lad of twelve years, at that tender age he took upon his shoulders the responsibilities of the family, and worked diligently while studying at night to perfect himself for what afterwards became his life work.  In thus training his faculties, he developed a fine character, and his worth has always been recognized by his associates who testified to their appreciation by making him justice of peace for several terms, and by coming to him for advice and instruction when in  need of direction.  Needless to say no one eer applied to him in vain for counsel, and many problems of his neighborhood were wisely and quietly solved by him.  He and his wife had eight children: Alton, who resides at Dayton, Ohio; Clarence, who is deceased; Orton O., whose name heads this review; Homer B., who resides at Greenville, Ohio; Raymond E., who resides at West Baltimore, Ohio; Blake S., who resides at West Baltimore, Ohio, and Dale, who is a resident of the same place as Blake S.
     Growing up at West Baltimore, Orton Osborne Smith not only attended the grammar schools of Harrison township, but the high school of West Baltimore, from which he was graduated in 1898.  Desiring to supplement his schooling with a business training, he took a course at Miami Commercial College at Dayton, Ohio, in 1899, and for a period following the completion of it, was bookkeeper for a Dayton concern.  In 1803, he came to Arcanum, Ohio, to become assistant cashier of the bank with which he still continues.  This bank was organized as a State bank May 22, 1902, with a capital stock of $30,000, paid in.  In 1908, Mr. Smith was made its cashier, and with characteristic energy he began to inaugurate changes, making the bank a national one, and increasing the capital stock to $50,000, which action increased the number of stock-holders from forty-three to sity-seven.  These stockholders are nearly all either prominent farmers or representative business men, and the stability of the institution is unquestioned.  The work Mr. Smith has accomplished with regard to this bank has made him a well-known man all over Darke and surrounding counties, and his knowleddge of financial matters is recognized and his judgment commended.
     On Mar. 29, 1904, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Inez Overholser of Brookville, Ohio, a daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Bausman) Overholser, who was born near Brookville, her parents being natives of Ohio, who still reside in the place of her birth.  They have had eight children, namely: Daisy, Frank, Charles, Otto, Inez (Mrs. Smith), Ray, Ross and Florence.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children as follows: Reva L., Freda L. and Melvin Woodrow.  the United Brethren church holds the membership of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and receives their earnest support.  He belongs to Arcanum Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., and Ochlawaha Tribe No. 78, I. O. R. M.  In political faith he is a democrat and served very acceptably as township clerk for a period extending over two terms.
     Mrs. Smith is a member of the Sunset club.
Source:  History of Darke County, Ohio From its earliest Settlement to the Present Time - Vols. I & II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914 - Page 200

Source:  History of Darke County, Ohio from its earliest Settlement to the Present Time Vol. II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914 - Page 165