Peter Perrine De Hart was at one time president of the Coshocton Manufacturing Company and a man of well balanced powers, whose business and social qualities gained for him a creditable place in public regard. He was born in Kimbolton, Guernsey county, Ohio, May 29, 1853. His father, William De Hart, was a native of Trenton, New Jersey, and on his arrival in Ohio in 1Peter 832 became of resident of Guernsey county, where he secured land and followed farming, becoming one of the enterprising agriculturalists of that locality. He was well known and highly respected there. His birth occurred in 1800, his death on the 9th of January, 1890, so that he lived to be about ninety years of age. His political support was given to the republican party. From pioneer times he was active in the development of his community, bearing his full share in the work of general progress and improvement as wild lands were converted into rich fields and log cabins were supplanted by modern farm residences. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Powers, was a native of Pennsylvania and, surviving her husband about three years, passed away in 1893.

Peter P. De Hart was a pupil in the district schools near his father's home and alternated his shcool work with the labors of the farm. After leaving home he went to the west and was variously employed for two years. He then returned to Guernsey county and became a manufacturer and salesman, remaining an active factor in the business circles of that locality until about thirty years of age, when in 1882 he removed to Coshocton. Here he entered into a business agreement with E. C. Renner, for whom he became a traveling salesman and later they formed a partnership under the name of the Coshocton Manufacturing Company, conducting a novelty advertising busienss. A year or two later they merged their interests with the Premium Manufacuring Company and from that time until his death Mr. De Hart was not active in business management. He had through former years of acivity acquired a goodly competence and it supplied him throughout his remaining days with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life and enabled him to leave his family in good circumstances.

In 1890 Mr. De Hart was married to Miss Ella Thompson, of New Comerstown, Ohio, and unto them were born a daughter and son: Beralen who was born in 1883 and is the wife of Harry Hunt; and Frank, who was born in 1888 and is still in school.

Mr. De Hart belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Episcopal church associations which indicated much concerning his characteristics and the principles which governed his actions. In community affairs he was deeply interested and at the time of his death was serving as a member of the county election board and also of the board of public safety. He passed away August 28, 1905, at the age of fifty-two years. He was yet in the prime of life, had many friends and was filling a position in public affairs that made him a valued citizen. Friendship was to him no mere idle word, for he was loyal to all those to whom he gave his confidence and good will. He was also devoted to the welfare of his family and his salient characteristics were such as make his example well worthy of emulation.

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