David Shafer Eylar
He was born July 10, 1831, in Manchester, Adams County, the ninth of ten children of the first marriage of Judge Joseph Eylar. He was taught what the District school could give him. His father was a tanner and he learned the trade under him. In 1832 to 1857, he conducted a tannery in Locust Grove. In the Fall of 1857, he was elected Sheriff on the Democratic ticket and re-elected in 1859.
On May 30, 1858, he was married to Miss Martha Cannon and began housekeeping in West Union. He moved to Locust Grove from West Union 1n i860 and has resided there ever since. From 1860 to 1865, he kept hotel in the property formerly occupied by Mrs. Jeremiah Cannon. In 1865, he took the present Eylar Hotel and conducted it until his death. For some time after returning to Locust Grove he carried on farming.
He was Justice of the Peace of Franklin Township from 1875 to 1878 and from 1881 to 1806. He was the father of nine children, as follows: Jennie, married James C. Copeland and resides in Locust Grove; Oliver Rodney, physician, located at Cynthiana, Pike County, Ohio. He graduated as M. D.. April 12. 1900, from Starling Medical College, Columbus. Ohio. He was married to Miss Lilly B. Newland in 1885. The second daughter. Hettie, married R. D. McClure and died in 1890, leaving one child. Elizabeth married Jacob Randolph Zile, Ex-Commissioner of Adams County, and a prosperous farmer. Oscar Coleman married Laura Rearick and is a farmer near Locust Grove. Ella and Ruth reside with their mother. Alverda died at the age of four years. John Randolph, the youngest, resides with his mother in the old home.
In politics, Mr. Eylar was always a Democrat. He took an active part in all the contests in which his party was engaged. He usually attended all the conventions and was active in the caucuses and at the polls. He had a fascination and love for political contests. He was not religious in the sense of church membership, but aimed to deal fairly with all men. He was a heavy set man, over the medium height, of a dark complexion, dark hair and broad, with a saturnine expression. While he could laugh and enjoy humor, his usual mood was serious and earnest to an unusual degree. He was kind to his family and loyal to his friends. For his enemies he cared but little. He aimed to do the best he could for those dependent on him and that is the best any one can do. He died March 11. 1897.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900