My Genealogy Hound

WM. H. MORNINGSTAR; P. O. Greenville. We could hardly do justice to the business interests nor to the history of Darke Co. without devoting a brief space of this work to the above gentleman; he was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Sept. 15, 1819, and is a son of George Morningstar, one of the early pioneers who located in the southwest part of Greenville Township in 1832, where his decease occurred in 1850. Our subject followed agricultural pursuits until 1844, when he came to Greenville and followed clerking some three years; in 1847, he embarked in the merchandise trade, and followed different mercantile pursuits, with the exception of four years, until 1878, since which time he has devoted his attention to milling. He has taken a deep interest in the political questions of the day; was in early days a Whig, but has been a strong Republican since the organization of the same. During the late rebellion, he was one of the leading outspoken Union men, and was the chief target for the enemies of the Government; his sympathies for the Union was not only outspoken but active, as his service in the 152d O. N. G., will show; his oldest son also serving in the Union army four and a half years, when he received an honorable discharge. Mr. Morningstar has been twice married; his first wife was Elizabeth Wagoner, their nuptials being celebrated in 1848 or 1849; she died in 1869; in 1874, he was married to Frances Zell, a native of Clinton Co., Ohio. Mr. M. has resided upon his present place for upward of thirty years; his family consists of his wife and three children, of whom Benjamin F. has occupied the position of Government mail agent for ten years, and resides, near the old homestead; John H., one of the founders and proprietors of the Greenville Commercial College, residing in Greenville, and Alice, living at home. The beautiful spot upon which is located the large and commodious house of Mr. M. is truly historical; it lies just across the Greenville Creek, on what is known as Tecumseh’s Point, and which, in early days, was the home of both Tecumseh the chief, and his brother, the Prophet, and for this reason was held sacred by the red men; to such an extent did this feeling extend among the Indians, that when orders were issued in 1832 to remove them from their settlement at Wapauketna to their reservations beyond the Mississippi River, the officer in charge designed taking them through Miami Co. to Cincinnati, but they insisted upon being brought through Greenville, that they might once more visit the old home of their chief and Prophet, and their request being granted, they remained several days; further mention is made of the interest of this point in the historical part of this work.