My Genealogy Hound

DANIEL B. OLWINE, livery and exchange, Arcanum; the subject of this sketch we are pleased to place in the foremost ranks of the early pioneers of Darke Co., he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1835, and is a son of David and Nancy Olwine, and removed with his parents to Van Buren Township in the spring of 1839. Mr. Olwine, the subject of this sketch, was only 4 years old at the time, but has many vivid recollections of the early pioneer life; he assisted his father in the duties of farming, and, as a matter of course, young David had his part to perform in the many log rollings that were necessary before the dense forest of Darke Co., could be subjected to the use of the plow; he labored on his father’s farm till 18 years of age, or in 1858, when he commenced his career without a dollar in his pocket or a second suit of clothes; he served an apprenticeship as carpenter for one year, for which he received $8 per month, when he hired to another party for better wages and labored for three years, for which he received $18 per month. His marriage was celebrated on Oct. 1, 1857, with Miss Amanda Jones, daughter of Henry and Susan Jones, old residents of Darke Co., Ohio; after his marriage; he was without funds to procure the necessary furniture for housekeeping; but by negotiating a small loan from his father-in-law, he procured a little lumber and manufactured his own furniture for housekeeping, renting a farm in Adams Township, near Gettysburg, on which he lived for one year; selling out again, he embarked in the carpenter business in Harrison and Adams Townships, which he prosecuted till 1860, when he again engaged in farming till 1864; he then engaged in the cabinet business and followed cabinet-making till 1869, and then handled walnut lumber for two years; in the fall of 1871, he again resumed the cabinet-making business; in the spring of 1872, he removed to Arcanum and engaged in his previous business for two years; during that time he erected a very fine residence, then kept hotel and dealt in real estate till 1875; selling out the hotel business, he purchased a large livery and barn and contents, which business he still continues to follow. Mr. Olwine has had a checkered career, and in all of his ups and downs he has been nobly assisted by his amiable and estimable wife. His barn contains many fine turnouts, and we would advise any who wants a drive to call on Dan. Eleven children have been given to this union, of whom all are living except three, two having died in infancy—Franklin T., was born Aug. 21, 1858; Susan B., May 8, 1860; Nancy J., Sept. 4, 1862; Ida L., Sept. 9, 1864; Essie G., Aug. 11, 1868; Gladis M., Dec. 20, 1870; Adda F., June 21, 1873; Parlie M., April 15, 1876; Nancy J., died April 15, 1869, aged 7 years 7 months and 11 days.