Orlin C. De Good
Orlin C. De Good, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest school teacher, with respect to years of sernice, in Delaware County, is a highly esteemed resident and leading citizen of Scioto Township. He was born at Sparta, Morrow County, Ohio, July 17, 1849, and is is a son of Joseph O. and Nancy (Vining) De Good.
The De Good family can be traced back to 1770, when the great-great-grandfather of the present generation crossed the Atlantic ocean from France and settled at Hagerstown, Maryland. He fell a victim of the British in the Revolutionary War. He left one son, Joseph, then an infant, who never could recall anything of the family. Left an orphan at an early age he was reared by strangers, and died in Knox County, Ohio. He married a widow, Mrs. Taylor, who was a sister of the great British naval commander, Admiral Nelson. He lived with his wife and five children at Hagerstown, Maryland, until the youngest was six years of age. In 1812 he crossed the mountains and settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, at a village called Ten Mile Creek, later removing to Knox County, Ohio.
Joseph O. De Good, father of Orlin C, was born in Pennsylvania, but he was reared in Ohio. He was a man of quick intelligence, but without educational advantages in his youth, and after his marriage he was taught, as was one of the Presidents of the United States, to read and write by his wife. He worked at the cooper's trade until 1856, when he bought a farm in Bennington Township, Morrow County, consisting of 50 acres, on which he built a shop and combined coopering with farming until his death, in 1858, at the early age of 37 years. He was one of his township's most popular citizens and had filled many official positions, and at the time of his death he was the Republican party's candidate for sheriff of Morrow County. He married a most estimable lady, one who had much to do with shaping his career. She was a daughter of Calvin Vining, of Morrow County, and was a school teacher at the time of her marriage. She died in 1854, when but 29 years of age, leaving two children: Armine, who is the widow of Elias Good, of Danville. Illinois; and Orlin C. Both parents were members if the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Orlin C. De Good was bereaved of both parents in childhood. He spent several years as a member of the family of Thomas H. Madden and during that period attended the country schools. When he was 14 years old he went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he secured a position in the Quartermaster's Department, but within six months he became sick and returned to Ohio, going to live with an aunt in Scioto Township, whose husband was in the army. In 1867, Mr. De Good began to teach school, in which occupation he continued in this section until 1906, a period covering 39 years. He has seen class after class go out from under his instruction to take their places in life and often his interest has followed their careers for years. Few men in this section are better known or more highly esteemed than Mr. De Good.
In 1870 he purchased a farm of 40 acres, on which he now resides, having added to it from time to time until it has reached the extent of 100 acres. It was all wild land when he came here and he has not only cleared it all, but has put up all of the substantial buildings. He raises from 40 to 50 sheep and about 100 hogs of the Jersey Red variety. He makes a specialty of growing the Golden Mammoth corn, some of the ears of which are 15 inches in length and have other desirable qualities. Mr. De Good introduced it into Ohio from Illinois, where it was originated.
Mr. De Good married Gertrude Robinson, who was born in Scioto Township. They had five children and two grew to maturity, namely: Robinson and Claude O. Mrs. De Good is a member of the Christian Union Church, while Mr. De Good is a Quaker. He was identified with the Republican party until 1896, since which time he has voted independently, taking no active interest in politics. He is an Odd Fellow and belongs to Edinburg Lodge, at Ostrander. and was connected with the Good Templar organization as long as it was in existence.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908