Store photo from “You’re Probably From Greenville, Oh if…..”Facebook page.
One of the People of Darke County on the DAR America-250 Educational Panels.
From:”The History of Darke County…” by W.H. McIntosh, 1880. Copied from Find-a-Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117840091/henry-st_clair
“HENRY ST. CLAIR, merchant ; Greenville ; dealer in groceries, provisions, produce, glass and queensware, etc., etc. Greenville, like most cities of its size, has its representative business men in nearly all branches of trade, and while it has several good stores in the above line, it is conceded by all, that the leading grocery house of Greenville is that of Henry St. Clair, who is one of the most enterprising, energetic and active business men of the place, and has by the above traits of character, combined with honorable and fair dealing, during the past eight years, built up the largest grocery trade done by any one house in Darke County ; he carries a large stock, selected with care, which would do credit to any large city. He has had a steady yearly increase of trade ; his sales for the year 1878 being up ward of $200,000. Mr. St. Clair was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., upon the 7th of May, 1852 ; when 3 years of age, he emigrated to Darke County with his parents, and, after a residence of seven years, removed to Cincinnati, and was educated in the public schools, and completed his education by a course of instruction in the Commercial College ; at 16 years of age, he accepted a position as book-keeper in a large wholesale house in Cincinnati with which he remained four years ; in 1872. he came to Greenville and engaged in his present business. A card of his business will be found in the business directory of Greenville, in another part of this work. His marriage with Ella S. Van Dyke was celebrated Feb. 4, 1875 ; she was born in Glendale, Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1853.”
Mr. St. Clair was instrumental in providing part of the funding for the Greenville Carnegie Library(with the majority of funds from Andrew Carnegie). Upon Mr. St. Clair’s death, he left the Greenville Board of Education $100,000 for the building and maintenance of an assembly hall for students. In 1912 it was completed more than $30,00 over buget. Mrs.St.Clair reimbursed the board for their expenses. Today the Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall is still in use and is on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance.
**Henry was raised by his grandparents and actually relocated to Darke with them as his mother Margaret Lott (1850 federal census) passed away in December 16, 1852. Henry’s biological father was G.J. Garretson. (The Buffalo Commercial Friday, Dec. 31, 1852, and 1860 federal census) Henry latter changed his name to mother’s surname, Lott, then uncle’s business name, St. Clair. (1870 federal census and Greenville Democrat Wed. Apr. 9, 1873).
Henry St Clair from Find-a-Grave
Home
http://www.stclairmanor.com/history/. Permission from Sherrie Jones, Manor owner.
St Clair Manor…Photo by Annette Stewart
St. Clair Manor was built by Henry St. Clair for his wife, Ella Van Dyke St. Clair. This was her dream house. It was her dream house with all the latest technology.
He was also very concerned for those children who could not afford school clothes, food, and books. So he called on the truant officer to get a list of how many students needed assistance. The truant officer came up with the list, Henry said he did not want to see it. Just tell him how many. Henry gave him enough money to clothe, furnish all books and feed them for lunch. Henry told the truant officer to never divulge who was paying for the children. They never did, and each year the list was changed to cover new children and for those who graduated. It said they were some of the best dressed children in school.
Henry also felt very strongly that the school needed to teach the Arts. So he proposed the building of what would become known as St. Clair Memorial Hall. He wanted art rooms, music rooms, a full stage with an auditorium. But he also felt equally strong that the girls needed to learn all the new ways of caring for the family and the house with all the new inventions coming to market. And equally important he felt the boys needed to learn how to us the modern tools being invented. He felt that not knowing these things would put them at a disadvantage. Or more importantly give them the stepping stone to a good job. So his proposal was that the front would be for the arts and the back would be for home economics and shop class. Henry felt learning all three would give the children the chance for success.
Henry and Ella never had any children of their own, And after Henry’s passing sheknew of other women who were not as lucky as her. So, after her passing she set up a foundation where widows could stay at no or very little cost. The new addition was added to the back and east to permit more bedrooms with the stipulation that nothing in the main house would be changed and no paint could be used on the wood trim. This is why the main house is as it was when it was built.
In 1986, it became to expensive for the foundation to meet the ever changing requirements set by the state. The foundation sold the house, all widows were moved to the Brethren Home. The foundation is still being used for the widows of Darke County at the Brethren Home to this day.
Memorial Hall
Photo by Annette Stewart of Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall
Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall, the generosity of Henry and Ella St. Clair, which is located at 215 West Fourth Street in Greenville, Ohio. The building is currently owned and operated by the Greenville City Schools and is the site of musical’s, art shows, performances and various uses by the community, groups, and individuals. Also home to the Darke County Center for the Arts. https://www.darkecountyarts.org/henry-st-clair-memorial-hall
The St. Clair’s are buried at Greenville Union Cemetery. We encourage you to read the entire history on this family, the St. Clair Manor, and Memorial Hall as well as visit these places and the cemetery memorial.
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