Personal Sketches D-F

John Diehl, born in Pennsylvania and residing in Perry Township

The above-named gentleman was born in Champagne County, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1824. His parents emigrated from Baltimore, Md., and settled on a farm near Urbana, Champagne County, Ohio, in 1812. The father of the Doctor died in the year 1829; his mother remained on the "old farm" three years, and removed, in 1832, to West Alexandria, Preble County, where she continued to reside up to the time of her death, which occurred in 1853. Dr. Donnellan is the youngest of a family of ten children, - seven sons and three daughters, - five of whom are now dead. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school, and continued this occupation during the winter for several years, pursuing a private course of study during the summer.

In 1848, he commenced the study of medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. N. Donnellan, in West Alexandria. After the completion of his studies, he entered upon the practice of his profession in Farmersville, this County, in April, 1851. He remained there two years; of these two years he cherishes many pleasant recollections. He occupied the same office with H. S. Elliott, Esq., now Judge of the Common Pleas Court. Mr. Elliott had then just commenced the practice of the law. Dr. Donnellan came to Germantown May 3, 1853, having formed a partnership with Dr. C. G. Espich, an old and popular physician, who had been a successful practitioner of medicine in this place from its earliest settlement. This partnership continued until Dr. Espich's death, which occurred Nov. 24, 1853.

Dr. Donnellan was married March 16, 1854, to Mary M. Hiestand, whose parents came to this County at an early day, from Lancaster County, Pa. They have two children, viz., Emma and Annie, who belong to the Reformed Church. The Doctor is a member of the Board of Education in Germantown. He also was a member of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Infirmary from 1860 to 1866. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the Charter Members of Germantown Lodge, and was for several years its Master. Dr. Donnellan has been in the constant practice of medicine since 1851, with the exception of a period of four months in 1864, at which time he went out with the National Guardmen, in the 132d Regiment, which did duty at White House Landing, in General Butler's department, near Bermuda Hundred, between the James and Appomattox Rivers, and at Norfolk, Virginia.

The medical gentleman whose name is written above was born November 22, 1841, in the Township of Jefferson; he is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Drayes. The principal part of his education was acquired in a district school. The Doctor, in his earlier days, followed various occupations and worked on a farm; but, in 1866, March 1, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Henkel, at Farmersville, Montgomery County.

He attended medical lectures at the medical college in Columbus, Ohio, during the winters of 1867 and 1868. Our subject removed to Miami County, Indiana, and there commenced the practice of medicine; he remained there one and a half years, and then returned to Farmersville, Ohio, and opened the first drug store in that place, in partnership with George W. Moyer. They continued in Company one year, at the end of which time he purchased Mr. Moyer's interest, and took charge of the business. He remained in the drug business about six months, when he exchanged it for a steam saw-mill; selling the saw-mill after a few months, he again attended lectures in Cincinnati, and graduated June 27, 1872. After his graduation he opened an office in Farmersville; he has pursued the practice of his profession from that time till the present with every success.

Mr. Drayes married Arabel, daughter of James and Caroline Campbell, of Preble County, Ohio.

Dennis Dwyer was born in the Parish of Fethard, County Tipperary, Ireland, February 3, 1830. He emigrated to the United States when about fifteen years of age. For a while he worked at farming; came to Dayton in 1850; learned the cabinet-making business; afterwards worked at pattern-making, and made the patterns for the first steam engine in the United Brethren printing establishment in Dayton. He read law with the late firm of Wood & Nead, and was admitted to the bar in 1856; has for a long time taken an active part in local State politics; was for a while with the late Hon. C. L. Vallandigham and James Kelly, one of the proprietors and publishers of the Dayton Empire and Ledger; has served for several years as Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Montgomery County, and once as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee; was elected Probate Judge of Montgomery in the fall of 1866; again in the fall of 1869; and re-elected for a third time in the fall of 1872, and is now filling the office. He originated, about five years ago, the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union of the United States, a union of societies for benevolent and charitable purposes, which has since spread over twenty-three States and Territories of the United States.

German [Township]
Joseph Endress, son of John G. and Maria Ann Endress, of Germany, was born June 1, 1834. When at the age of ten years, he came with his father to Cincinnati. While there, he served a term of three years as apprentice to the business of cigar-making. When seventeen years old he commenced business for himself in Dayton, manufacturing cigars with indifferent success. He remained there six years, traveling, in the meantime, more or less. Mr. Endress settled in Germantown in 1856, and commenced the manufacturing of cigars, and also dealing in tobacco. He is a self-made man; commencing in life without capital, he has gradually worked his way by industry and perseverance, until he has become one of the leading business men of Germantown. He has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property, and has one of the very finest residences and locations in the County. A view of his premises may be seen by referring to another page. [Referring to another page in Everts 1875 Combination Atlas Map.] On the 10th October, ----, he married Molly East; result of said union, two boys, viz, Harry and Joseph. He is a heavy dealer in cigars and leaf tobacco.

Van Buren [Township]

Basil Ewry, son of John and Elizabeth Ewry, was born November 20, 1812, in this place; he was reared a farmer. His advantages for education were only fair; by application, and a tenacity of purpose, his intellectual attainments are above mediocrity. November 8, 1838, Mr. Ewry married Miss Magdalene Swigard; two children were born, viz., William and David. Mrs. Ewry died March 18, 1843. He was again married, to Miss Elizabeth Swigard, who was born April 16, 1816; the result of this marriage was ten children, viz., Henry H., John G., Benjamin F., Albert R., Oliver P., Isaac W., Charles O., two infants, and Mary E. In 1845, he purchased the farm where his family now lives. He began life under poor circumstances, but became well off. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the German Reformed Church. April 5, 1864, Basil Ewry died, leaving a large family, who are acting well their part in life's great drama. Mr. Ewry met his death by a vicious horse; the animal kicked him three times, from the effects of which he died four days afterwards. His widow is living on the old homestead, surrounded by a large and thriving family. The subject of this sketch was Elder to his church for many years, and it can be truly said of Elder Ewry that, when he died, the community lost a good citizen.

Van Buren [Township]

Deacon Charles Fauver, son of John and Ann Fauver, was born in Salem County, New Jersey, May 6, 1820. He was early in life taught to work on a farm, and had but little opportunity to attend school. At the age of twenty-one he commenced working at the "stone trade," and continued at it till 1854.

In 1850, January 10, he married Catharine Van Cleve, of Dayton, born February 14, 1832. Of this union three children were born: Allen, born October 18, 1850; Calvin, born August 31, 1854; Elmer Grant, born June 2, 1869. On the 14th February, 1850, he settled on the farm where he now lives. In politics a Democrat. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, and is one of the deacons of said church. During the late crusade, Mr. Fauver allied hmself with the Prohibition party, and now stands foremost as one of its advocates. Whatever may be the opinion of many concerning the propriety of the late crusade, yet its worst enemies cannot but say that it emanated from the purest motives. Although women had the management of the institution, and bravely tried to accomplish her purpose,--and she did to a great degre,--yet we think that she had not generally even-handed justice dealt to her. Contempt and ridicule were often thrown to her. Men laughed, and a class of females sneered; and yet Mr. Fauver thought it his duty to espouse their cause, and assist in putting down the wide-spread traffic in which steals our brains and robs our children of their birthright. May Mr. Fauver continue in the good work!

Van Buren [Township]

John Fauver is of German descent. His grandfather came from Germany. His father was born in New Jersey; and John, the subject of our sketch, was born in Salem County, New Jersey, July 7, 1793. He was reared on a farm, and has always worked at it. June 6, 1814, he was married to Ann Johnson, who was born June 15, 1797. This union produced the following children, viz., Ann, Eliza, Allen, Charles, Harriet and Jane (twins), John, Mary, Samuel, Matthew, and Clarissa. Seven of them are yet living, and all grew to be men and women, and settled in life. May 6, 1828, he located in Dayton, and the old gentleman says that he has always lived within the sound of its church-going bells. In 1846 he settled where he now lives. In politics, Mr. Fauver is a Democrat. His father was one of the old Revolutionary soldiers, from the age of sixteen to that of twenty-three. He is a member of the German Reformed Church of Dayton. As the shadows and sunset of life are approaching, he and his helpmate can satisfactorily look into the past and see much good that has been effected by their influence and deeds. May their children ever remember them for whom this sketch is written! Mr. Fauver is one of nine children, and the only surviving one.

German [Township]

Mr. Frank was born July 2, 1831, and is the son of Matthew and Barbara Frank, of Germantown. His advantages for education were good; he attended the common school first, and concluded his studies in the Germantown Academy. When seventeen years of age, he was apprenticed to learn the shoemaking business. He has been Justice of the Peace for the last nine years. Mr. Frank was Mayor of the town for a long time, also Township Clerk for several years. In the year 1870, he was admitted to the bar of Montgomery County, and has practiced since that time. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but since the Rebellion has been an active member of the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and I.O.O.F. He was Secretary in an Odd Fellow's Lodge seventeen years. He was united in marriage, March, 1873, to Miss Nancy Lucas, of Germantown; result of this marriage, one child. Mr. Frank, as a man of business tact and sound judgment, is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens; he has, withal, a warm heart, and is sincere in his attachments. The town can boast of possessing a gentleman who is capable of looking after its interests, and who would be greatly missed if taken away. Our subject has been Master in the Masonic Lodge; President of the Fire Company; Clerk of the Board of Education; Member of the Board of Trustees of the Germantown Institute. The fact of Mr. Frank's having been intrusted with these different offices shows that he is a gentleman of no ordinary ability, and that his fellow-men have unbounded confidence in his integrity.

Mad River [Township]

In speaking of the early pioneers and intelligent citizens of Mad River Township, none deserve a better record than the above family. The first of the name who came here was George Frybarger, a native of Germany. He arrived in the country about the year 1776, and settled in Frederick County, Md. He came to Ohio in the year 1805. He joined his destinies with Catharine Matter; result of this union, four children, viz., George and Martin; but be it remembered these two were children by his first wife; Valentine and Annie were by his last wife; but all, except Annie, are dead. Mr. Frybarger died in 1812; his wife died in 1829. His son Valentine was born November 17, 1805, on the farm where he spent nearly all of his days. His advantages were poor, but by reading and reflection, he adquired a good practical education. He married Miss Elizabeth Hosier, April 14, 1831. This lady was born November 1, 1812, and was the daughter of Abraham and Lucy Hosier. They were made one by Parson Winters. The result of this union was ten children, viz., Mary J., born May 12, 1832, died August 27, 1852; Geo. W., born July 14, 1833, died December 15, 1864. He was a soldier in the Rebellion; enlisted in 20th Indiana Volunteers. Valentine, born September 26, 1835; Abraham H., born April 20, 1837; Sarah E., July 16, 1839; Rueben, March 26, 1841; Amanda, October 1, 1843; Nettie, August 13, 1846; Lucy, July 29, 1850; Victoria, March 30, 1856. Mr. Frybarger made all the improvements as now seen on his farm. For many years he pursued the stone-quarry business, and furnished the stone for the County Court-House, and many other places of note in Montgomery County and Greene County likewise. In politics he was a Whig. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Church for many years.

Mr. Frybarger owned one hundred and eighty acres of land two miles southeast of Dayton.

On the 22d July, 1873, he departed from this earthly tenement to dwell in the mysterious and undiscovered country. His wife died August 24, 1874. Thus two more of the noble band of men and women have been severed from the home-circle and left weeping eyes by the old hearth-stone. This sketch is given by their son Reuben, in memory of his parents.