Cyrus W. Van De Grift
Cyrus W. Van De Grift was born in Philadelphia County, Pa., in 1833. He came with his pa rents to Dayton, Ohio, in 1841, where he remained until 1846, when he went to Springfield, Ohio. Here he clerked in a dry-goods store for several years, after which time he learned the art of ambrotyping. In 1857 he came to Sidney and bought an art gallery of Jas. McCullough, and in 1858 made the first photograph made in Shelby County. In 1859 he and his partner (S. N. Tod) bought a bookstore, which they ran in connection with the gallery. To this they added a stock of drugs. They carried on the business until 1865, when they sold out their entire stock. In 1868 Mr. V. went to Springfield and engaged in the clothing trade until 1877, when he again sold and returned to Sidney and again opened a photograph gallery, in which he is engaged at the present time. In 1860 he married Miss Belle Knox, of Sidney. By this union they have four children, Harry, Willie, May, and Robert.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883