The six Ivester children were: Martha Jane born 1853; William 1855; Josephine 1858; Olive 1862; Allie Onda 1864; and Mina Bernice 1868.
This information is from various sources including: The Darke County Atlas, George Ivester HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY, OHIO – W.H. BEERS; Find-a-Grave; and The Arcanum Times Newspaper. Various clippings found by Rich Emery.
Martha Jane, commonly referred to as “Mattie”. 1853-1924. From the Arcanum Times: Martha Jane Ivester daughter of George and Rebecca Ivester died Wednesday, February 13, age 71 years. Born in Casstown, Ohio, January 11, 1853 she moved to Arcanum as a small child. After coming to Arcanum one brother, William and four sisters, Emma Josephine, Olive Belle, Allie Onda and Mina Bernice were born. At the death of Olive Belle, Martha became a mother to George, Cleo and Robert Helm. After the death of Emma Josephine she became a mother to Helen Kepner and after the death of Allie Onda she mothered Rolland Ogborne. Cleo and Rolland have since passed away. She was a member of the W.C.T.U., Eastern Star and the M.E. Church. She is survived by one niece, Mrs. Helen Kepner Wright and two nephews, Robert Helm of Arcanum and George Helm of Detroit, Michigan. Funeral at the house and burial at Abbottsville. (AT 2/14/1924)
Mattie was the first to be born and the last Ivester to survive. She was unmarried but cared for many of her nieces and nephews during her lifetime. Most probably remember Mattie for her donation of the Ivester Park which so many love, use and enjoy today in Arcanum. From the Times we read “Miss Mattie Ivester donor of the beautiful grove where Chautauqua and assemblies were held. It would be more fittingly and lastingly honored if the place was designated as Ivester Park.” Which it is today. “A bronze plaque was dedicated to Mattie Ivester, Easter Sunday, April 9 (1939). Donated by the Arcanum Lions Club. The Ivester Park was donated to the people of the community. ” 3-23-1939. A rock with this plaque sets at the south entrance of the park near the drive and gazebo.
William Ivester 1855-1915
In Frazier Wilson’s 1914 history, we read: “William H. Ivester was reared on the home farm now occupied by him and his sister, Mattie J. He attended the schools of Arcanum and at the same time assisted in caring for the farm and sawmill, and was in a flour mill business for a short period. With his sister, he inherited the homestead.” Given his approximate age during school years, we could speculate he went to the little school house once located near the Faith United Methodist before building on East South where the Little University is today. The other thought is was Ivester’s property considered in the town limits for schooling since they were noted “as being outside the town limits in other readings?” The closest schools then would have been West Point on Arcanum Hollansburg or Nealeigh on Alt Rt. 49 East near Gordan-Landis. It seems the more logical or convenient location would be in town. However, we do not have concrete evidence unless a newspaper article or artifact surfaces.
When William and Mattie were left as the last two surviving, it was noted William’s fields were open for ball and sports as well as the Chautauqua.
Wm. H. Ivester died Tuesday evening (May 25), age 59 years. Postmaster for two years under Cleveland’s first administration and Deputy Postmaster under M.E. Wild in Cleveland’s second administration. Leaves a sister, one niece and nephews. Buried Abbottsville. (AT 5/28/1915) William H. Ivester died May 25, 1915 and was the last living member of the George Ivester family save for one, Mattie J. Ivester.
It was reported that William had seven farms and was a wealthy individual from his obit. From Frazier Wilson’s book we read he was involved in the Ithaca Lodge #295, Arcanum Lodge #341, IOOF (located where Troutwines Auto Lot is today) and Arcanum Encampment #206. We have only noted the local involvements familiar to people today. William’s father, George, was also of the IOOF Lodge according to a newspaper article from Darke County Democratic Advocate 1888.
Josephine Emma 1858-1896
Josephine was married to H. (Harrison) A. Kepner February 1895. Their daughter, Helen Bernice was born and shortly after, Josephine died leaving Helen, sadly without a mother, on September 26, 1896.
H. A. Kepner was an intriguing figure which we will briefly mention here and devote another story to later. He arrived to the community in 1858 from Perry County, PA. Kepner was a successful businessman with a hardware store on West George Street per the “Arcanum Business” book., along with being a Mayor of Arcanum and Justice of the Peace for Neave Township for six years. He had a red brick home built in Arcanum on George Street in 1887. The 102 West George where he owned and his business was located, is often referred to as the Kepner Block. He was involved with many businesses and passed away in 1905 in which his daughter, Helen, went to live with Aunt Mattie Ivester.
Olive Belle 1862-1887
Olive was married to Steve Helm, per the Greenville Journal paper, at the brides home . Per the Greenville Journal, died 6 years later. Children were: George who we read about his accident with the electric traction car in Greenville in 1905 and being nursed by Mattie Ivester; brother Robert 1887-1929; and Cleo 1885-1912. Both Robert and Cleo succumbed to TB. Their mother died 5 months after Robert was born and he was brought to the Ivester home where Mattie took care of him. Per the March 21, 1929 Arcanum Times.
Allie Onda 1864-1899
Allie or Onda was married to Edwin Ogborne. They had a son, Rolland 1899-1902. Allie attended the Methodist Church on West South Street.
Mina Bernice 1868-1884
Mina passed away at 15 years of age and was the first in the Ivester family to go. It is highly possible that Mina attended the fairly new school on East South as it was built around 1876. We would love to see a photo or read about that in a newspaper article.
From the “Arcanum Business” book we could safely say they attended the Methodist Church on West South as it’s history is recorded as early as a dedication in 1856 and many of the Ivester’s articles mention their Methodist faith and monies being donated from the estate.
Grave memorial stones at this link along with some bio’s of the family and various photos: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101885878/george-ivester
In the Ivester’s collection, we found many family obits and newspaper clippings about the family which we plan to scan and include in the research binder.
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