Memoirs
of the
Miami Valley
pages 450-499
* Previous page |
* Surname index | * Next Page
[NOTE: Names begining with "Mc" start on page 525]
(Samuel Love)
Samuel Lowenstein was born at Zanesville, Ohio, December 17, 1859. His education was acquired at the country schools, and he was still but a lad when he was taken from his studies and put to work in the clothing establishment of an uncle, David Goodman, at Zanesville. When he had assimilated the rudiments of business, he was sent, a lad of thirteen years, to Cincinnati, with a stock of notions, and from this small start has come his success. His entire business career of twelve years at Cincinnati saw him constantly progressing. In Cincinnati he was married to Betty Zinsheimer, a Canadian by birth. Following their marriage they moved to Arlington, Ind. After five years in that city, he came to Hamilton, where he established himself at the corner of Third and
Ludlow streets and remained until 1899. In the meantime, in 1896, the old building had been torn down and the present two-story establishment erected, and subsequently the building of the six-story rear addition in 1903. In 1899 Mr. Lowenstein embarked in the furniture trade, and he was at the high tide of his prosperity when, in the flood of 1913, he suffered a loss of $20,000. As soon as repairs could be made to building and stock, he resumed operations and the Lowenstein Furniture company is one of the well known business houses of Hamilton. Mr. Lowenstein's present attractive home, at No. 447 S. Second street, was erected by him in 1897. As a fraternalist he belongs to the B. P. O. E., the Eagles and the I. O. O. F. He is a Democrat in politics. As a public-spirited citizen he is at the present time acting in the capacity of member of the Hamilton Board of Health. Mr. and Mrs. Lowenstein are the parents of three children: Harry, Joseph and Stella. Harry Lowenstein was born in 1889, at Hamilton, and received his education in the public schools. He joined his father in the furniture business and October, 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army as a private of the 322nd Field Artillery. By the time that organization was ready to go to France he was wearing the stripes of a sergeant, and once across the Atlantic entered an officers' training school, where he won a commission as second lieutenant. With that rank he saw some of the severe fighting during the last five weeks of the war, and after the armistice was in the army of occupation. He is a Mason and an Elk. Joseph Lowenstein was born at Hamilton in 1893, and after completing his education in the local schools also entered the Lowenstein Furniture business with his father and brother. In August, 1918, he became a member of the American fighting forces, enlisting in the Field Artillery stationed at Camp Taylor, Ky. Later he was transferred to Camp Knox, Ky., and at the time the armistice was signed had been selected as one of the candidates to enter the officers' training school at Camp Knox. He was mustered out of the service in January, 1919, and returned to Hamilton, where he resumed his labors as a member of the Lowenstein Furniture company. He is a Mason and a Shriner. Stella Lowenstein married David M. Silver, who is also associated with the Lowenstein Furniture company. He was born August 2, 1883, at Chicago, Ill., and after securing his education in the graded and high schools of that city enlisted in the United States Cavalry, in the Regular Army, and served three years. Upon his discharge he traveled for the Foss Packard Shoe company for nine years, out of Boston, and became acquainted with Miss Lowenstein at Hamilton. They were married December 4 1912 and following the happy event Mr. Silver purchased an interest in the Lowenstein Furniture company. Mr. and Mrs. Silver now reside at No. 309 S. Fourth street. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Elks, while Mrs. Silver is one of the popular young married women of Hamilton, active in various affairs, and associate matron of Washington Chapter, No. 195, of the Order of the Eastern Star.
John Luechauer is the owner of a well-cultivated and valuable
farm situated in Ross township, Butler county, and is accounted one of his community's valued and public-spirited citizens. He was born at White Oak, Hamilton county, Ohio, April 10, 1859, a son of Martin and Margaret (Hane) Luechauer, natives of Germany, who were children when they came to the United States with their respective parents. Following their marriage, Martin and Margaret Luechauer settled near White Oak, in Hamilton county, and there passed the remaining years of their lives in agricultural pursuits, becoming highly respected and well-to-do people. Their children were: Anna, who is the wife of Theo Detman, of Hanover township, Butler county; Christina, who is the wife of John Myers; Mary, who is the widow of Martin Lewis; and John. The parents were members of the United Brethren church, and all the children were reared in that faith and to habits of honesty and industry, so that they grew to honorable man and womanhood. John Luechauer received his education in the district school at Pleasant Run and grew up on the home farm, where he continued to assist his father in the tasks of farming until his marriage to Katie, daughter of Jacob and Kate (Pfeindel) Westerman, who were residents of Hamilton and parents of the following children: Henry, Lucy, Will, Barbara and Kate. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Luechauer moved to Georgetown and lived on the Andy Jones place until 1901, when they came to their present farm in Ross township, a tract of 147 acres. They still occupy the home that was here when they came, improving it and making other improvements on the property. The land is devoted to general farming and the raising of a good grade of live stock, and Mr. Luechauer, through perseverance and industry, has become one of the well-to-do men of his locality. He is a good and public-spirited citizen and during the war was a generous contributor to the various drives promoted by the Government. He votes the Democratic ticket, and he and the members of his family belong to the United Brethren church. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Luechauer, eight are living: Harry, John and Charles, who assist their father in the cultivation of the home place; Josephine, the wife of Walter Raum, a farmer of Morgan township, who has one son, Paul; Lillie, the wife of Elbert Werbel, of Butler county, with one son, John; Barbara, the wife of John Sipfel, a Butler county farmer, with two children, Albert and Lucille; Kate, who resides with her parents and is her mother's assistant; and Marie, the wife of John Schwartzer, of Columbus, Ohio.
Mrs. Hannah Luyster. A member of one of the old and honored families of the Miami valley, Mrs. Hannah Luyster has resided here all of her life, and is now spending her declining years amid the comforts of her pleasant home at Jacksonboro, in which locality she is the center of a wide circle of appreciative and sincere friends. Mrs. Luyster was born in Butler county, a daughter of the late Mr. .and Mrs. John Leslie. Her paternal grandfather was John Leslie, who was born in Loudoun county, Va., and went in 1797 to Pennsylvania, where he married in that year Hannah Davis a native of the Keystone state. They became the parents of ten
children, of whom Joseph, Reazin, Hannah and John were the only ones to grow to maturity. In 1805 they moved to Preble county, Ohio, where they settled on a farm, and there passed the remaining years of their lives, the grandfather dying in 1853 and the grandmother two years later. When he went to Preble county Mr. Leslie possessed a capital of only $500, but he saw the possibilities of the country and entered five quarter sections of land from the Government. He became one of the wealthy and influential men of the county and was also highly esteemed as a public-spirited and patriotic citizen. During the War of 1812 he served as a teamster in the American Army, hauling flour from Middletown to Fort Meigs, Fort Defiance and Fort Recovery. The parents of Mrs. Luyster were born in Preble county, and passed their entire lives in Preble and Butler counties as agriculturists, the mother dying November 22, 1894, and the father February 14, 1902. They were honorable and God-fearing people, who were highly esteemed in their community, and who reared their children to lives of righteousness, industry and probity. Their children were: Steven, Davis, John, Reazin Tabitha, Hannah and Mary. Hannah Leslie received her education in the public schools in the vicinity of her father's farm, and while growing to womanhood was trained carefully in all the arts of domestic science. She resided with her parents until her marriage October 22, 1872, to John Luyster, who carried on farming until his death, in September, 1913, since which time she has resided on the old Leslie farm, located near Jacksonboro. This is a well-kept and valuable property, which reflects the cultured and refined taste of the owner. Mrs. Luyster is a great lover of flowers, and an attractive greenhouse in front of the home lends beauty to the general surroundings. Living on the homestead with Mrs. Luyster are her only daughter, Eva, and the latter's husband, William Michael, who were married November 25, 1900, and who have a daughter, Susie. William Michael has been a resident of Butler county since 1875, in which year he came from the state of Maryland with his parents. Mr. Michael is one of the skilled and industrious agriculturists of the community and through using modern methods in his work keeps the farm in splendid condition. He is a Democrat in politics, but has not sought public preferment. Mrs. Luyster is a member of the United Baptist church, in the work of which she has taken an active interest.
William A. Mack, a retired farmer of Wayne township was born at Camden, Preble county, Ohio, March 10, 1840, a son of William Mack; who was born near Collinsville, Butler county, Ohio, and was of Irish descent. He was reared in his native place and attended its common schools, remaining at home until his marriage, when he located at Camden, Ohio, and embarked in business as a merchant and pork packer upon quite an extensive scale, conducting it until his death at the age of fifty-six years. In politics he was a Republican. William Mack was married to Miss Mary Jones, born in Wayne township, Butler county, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Jones, the former of whom was a native of Georgia and one of the very early settlers of Wayne township, where he~
secured 320 acres of land, adding to this till he owned 2000, a goodly portion of which was under cultivation at the time of his death, he passing away on his homestead at the age of sixty years. In addition to farming, William Jones raised a number of horses, cattle and hogs. He came of Quaker stock, his father being a preacher of the Society of Friends, and both were very highly respected. In politics William Jones was an old line Whig. After the death of his first wife, William Jones was married (second) to a Mrs. Carter, and when he was again left widower, he was married (third) to Amy Swain. He had the following children: Mary, Amy, Keziah, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, Susan, and two sons. Mrs. William Mack was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She and her husband had three children, namely: Elizabeth, who died young; Andrew Jones, who married (first) Mary Ann Leslie, and after her death, married a second time; and William, who was the youngest. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Mack was married (second) to Samuel T. Rittick, a merchant at West Elkton, Ohio. She died in Wayne township, Butler county, in 1864. William A. Mack was six years old when he lost his father, and was taken by his mother to a home she bought in Wayne township, and here he was reared, attending the local schools. He remained with his mother until 1864, when he married, after which he settled at Seven Mile, Ohio, for two years, when he bought a part of his mother's farm in Wayne township. In 1881 he left this for his present farm of 302 acres, on which was an old log cabin. This he replaced the same year with the present handsome two-story ten-room brick house, and erected other necessary buildings, putting the farm in fine shape, and setting out the trees which now add so much to its beauty, and in addition to this farm, Mr. Mack owns 118 acres, and a substantial bank building at Seven Mile, Ohio. He has devoted his active years to farming, and has been very successful at it, specializing in general crops. About ten years ago he retired. April 13, 1864, Mr. Mack was united in marriage with Sarah A. Withrow of Wayne township, a daughter of Samuel P. and Mary Withrow, natives of Kentucky, who were early settlers of Wayne township, where Mr. Withrow speculated quite extensively in land and stock. He died at Seven Mile, Ohio, while his wife died in Wayne township. Their children were: John L., Robert B., Joseph, David K., who is the only survivor of the family, Theodore, Leonidas H., Mary, Sarah A., and Catherine. The first Mrs. Mack died September 11, 1907, having borne her husband two children: Samuel, who died at the age of six years; and Minnie M., who is at home. October 26, 1910, Mr. Mack was married (second) to Ida A. Thomas of Wayne township, a daughter of John and Mariah (Miller) Thomas, both of Wayne township. John Thomas was a son of Benjamin Thomas, born in Pennsylvania, who was a pioneer of Wayne township. He died in January, 1917, his wife having passed away in 1882. After her death, he was married (second) to Mrs. Belle Marks. By his first marriage, John Thomas had the following children: Benjamin, who lives at Clarksville, Mo.; Anna, who married John Carney, lives at Salina, Kans.; Ida, who is Mrs. Mack; Elizabeth,
who married Fred Barr lives in Madison township; Charles M., who is a farmer of Oxford, Ohio; John L., who is a farmer of Wayne township. William A. Mack and his wife and daughter are of a congenial and social nature, and are known for their hospitality. He is strong in his support of the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Seven Mile, coming as he does of one of the pioneer families of the county, he forms a connecting link between those days and the present rising generation, and is proud of the fact that he has been permitted to see such marvelous development in the region where his useful life has been spent.
Charles Foster Macready, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Monroe, has succeeded to the practice of his father, Dr. James Macready, one of the distinguished men of his profession in Butler county, whose name is venerated by those of the older generation who benefited by his skill and experience. Charles Foster Macready was born at Monroe, O., October 28, 1879, a son of Dr. James and Sarah Elizabeth (Keyt) Macready, and grandson of John and Mary (Hart) Macready. Both John Macready and his wife were of Irish descent, and the former was born in 1808, and while still an infant was brought to Ohio by his parents, who settled near the present site of Cincinnati, where he was reared. He became a farmer of Warren county, O., and died there in 1841, and his wife, born in 1814, died March 27, 1841. They had three children born to them. Left at the tender age of six years, an orphan, James Macready was reared by his paternal grandparents, who took him to their farm in Warren county, and sent him to the common schools of the neighborhood. He possessed unusual ability, and not deterred by lack of sufficient funds, decided upon acquiring an education which would enable him to enter a learned profession. Step by step he progressed, being halted many times until he could earn enough money to take him a bit forward, and went through the Miami academy and then took a year's course at Miami university at Oxford. In 1901 this university conferred upon Dr. James Macready the honorary degree of Master of Art. Going to Lebanon, O., he took up the study of medicine under Dr. Joshua Steven of that city, and completed his course at the Medical college of Ohio at Cincinnati, O., from which he was graduated in 1859, following which he began the practice of his profession at Bethany, O. Few of his associates made the record he did, and all of his life he realized that he owed his training to his perseverance, which did not permit him to be discouraged no matter what the obstacles, overcoming them by the power of his will and his ceaseless mental activity, rightly directed. In 1863, he responded to the call of his country for help during the Civil war, and enlisted in the Union army, being made assistant surgeon of the 13th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until June 26, 1864, when he received his honorable discharge. Returning to Ohio, he located permanently at Monroe, and there rounded out his useful and successful career, and there died, being actively engaged in practice until his demise. He took a lively interest in local affairs, as a staunch Republican, and was a member of the school board for many years, refusing other political preferment.
Professionally he was very active in the Butler County Medical society, the Ohio State Medical society, the American Medical association, and was secretary of the United States Pension Examining Surgeons for many years. He passed all of the chairs of Miami Lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F., and was a charter member of the Hill City Lodge, No. 571, K. of P. May 8, 1860, Dr. James Macready was married to Sarah Elizabeth Keyt, born in Illinois, May 15, 1837, a daughter of Edward Keyt. She was educated at Cincinnati, O., and was a teacher in the public schools of that city prior to her marriage. An accomplished musician, she transmitted this talent to all of her children. Her death occurred February 23, 1897. Dr. James Macready and his wife had the following children born to them: Edwin Keyt, who was born October 6, 1862, died February 8, 1864; Etta DeCamp, who was born September 16, 1866, was married September 16, 1889, to D. E. Voorhis, and she died November 6,1914; Joshua Hart, who was born January 5, 1868, died May 5, 1912, was graduated from Miami university in 1889, and from the Ohio Medical college in 1892, was engaged in practice at Cincinnati, O., and he married Caroline Curtis; and Charles Foster, whose name heads this review. The educational training of Dr. Charles Foster Macready was secured in Miami university, from which he was graduated in 1902, and the Miami Medical college, from which he was graduated in 1906. Immediately following the securing of his degree, Doctor Macready began the practice of his profession at Monroe, where he has since remained, the son following in the footsteps of the father, who is remembered as the man who was so big of brain and warm of heart that he had friends in every rank of life, and a reputation for medical skill that extended all over the state. Doctor Macready was married October 14,1908, to Nell Farnshill, born at Miamisburg, O., July 12, 1886, a daughter of J. V. and Margaret S. (Bechtolt) Farnshill, both of whom were born at Miamisburg, O., where for fifty years Mr. Farnshill was engaged in business as a manufacturer, but is now retired. Mr. and Mrs. Farnshill had the following children: Jean, who married Marvin Buckly, lives at Springfield, O.; Nell, who is Mrs. Macready; Mary, who is deceased; Margaret Cora, who is a teacher, lives with her parents; Doris; J. D., who is with the signal corps of the United States Army; and Kathryn, who is living with her parents. The children born to Doctor and Mrs. Macready are as follows: Margaret, who was born January 13, 1913; and Elizabeth, who was born September 12, 1916. Doctor Macready is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. He is a member of Miami lodge, I. O. O. F. No family is better known in Warren and Butler counties than this one, and the name of Macready carries with it in these sections a sense of solidity and good citizenship, which is fully sustained by the present representatives of it. Doctor Macready, like his father, may be relied upon to take part in sustaining the better element in local affairs, but his time is too fully occupied for him to accept of political preferment.
David Malony. The career of David Malony, one of the well-known business men of Middletown, has covered many years of
participation in various lines of business usefulness, and his present connection with mercantile affairs rests in the proprietorship of a successful retail grocery. Mr. Malony was born on a farm in Preble county, Ohio, February 17, 1858, a son of Michael and Sarah (Creason) Malony. His father, a native of County Clare, Ireland, came to the United States in 1848, by way of New Orleans, which city was reached by the little party at the time of an epidemic of yellow fever. This was contracted by his wife, who died soon after, and Mr. Malony thereupon fled the scourged city, losing all his belongings. He managed to make his way to Cincinnati, where he worked at any employment he could secure for a time, and about 1850 went to Preble county, where he settled on a farm. In 1855 he was married to Sarah Creason, and they became the parents of three children: Michael H., who met his death in a railroad accident near Hamilton; David, of this notice; and James, twin of David, who is connected with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and resides at Dayton. The father continued to be engaged in farming until his death, which occurred March 21, 1877, while the mother passed away April 5, 1875. The education of David Malony was not of an extensive character, being confined to about three months each winter term until he had just passed the age of thirteen years. His services were then needed on the home farm and he gave up his studies, but since that time close observation and experience have given him a good education and he is well-informed on a number of topics. When about nineteen years of age Mr. Malony came to Butler county, where he secured employment as a farm hand and was thus engaged at various places. In 1881 he located at Middletown, where he has since resided, his first employment being in the Sorg plant, where he was paid the sum of $5 per week for a start. He remained with that concern for seven and one-half years, at the end of which time he was receiving the highest salary paid, $11 per week, and subsequently was in the service of the Middletown Paper company, and the Tytus plant for three years. Mr. Malony embarked in business on his own account April 9, 1891, when he opened a grocery at No. 412 Moore street, and this he has conducted ever since, with the exception of a period of nineteen months, when he was living at Dayton. He now has a large and lucrative business, built up by his good management and honorable methods of doing business, and carries a full and up-to-date line of staple and fancy groceries, carefully selected, handsomely displayed and popularly priced, catering to a high class of patronage. The business enjoys an excellent reputation in trade circles, as the proprietor does in business life, and while the establishment has grown in public favor, Mr. Malony has been strengthening his position in public confidence. He was married December 8, 1880, to Miss Lydia A. Yeakle, a resident of Butler county, Ohio, and they became the parents of two children: Sarah E., who is now Mrs. D. C. Anderson, of Middletown. and Clara who is now Mrs. O. P. Patrick, also of this city. The mother of these children died March 21, 1885, and Mr. Malony was again married September 17, 1888, to Miss Johanna Williams, who died without issue in November, 1906. Mr. Malony took his third wife August 19,
1907 when he was united with Mrs. Agnes Taylor McCabe, daughter of James P. and Ellen (Tierney) Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Malony are devout members of the Holy Trinity Catholic church.
Bryan Manning, a machinist by trade and a son of William H. and Sara (Griffey) Manning, was born June 24, 1897, in Wolf county, Ky. When a small boy, he came with his parents to Middletown, Ohio. After completing his education in the public schools, he became associated with the American Rolling Mill company as a machinist. He enlisted July 8, 1918, with Company B, 11th Marines and was sent to Quantico, Va., where he remained until September 30, when he sailed for France. Landing at Brest, October 13, he was stationed there until receiving his discharge, June 18, 1919. On his return home, he resumed the position with the American Rolling Mill company, which he had held at the time of his enlistment. Mr. Manning is a young man of fine attainments, genial in disposition and affable and courteous in manner, and popular with all who know him. He has seven sisters and brothers: Lizzie, Mrs. J. Wells; Cora, Mrs. William Montgomery; Florence, Mrs. Robert Smith; Pearl; Courtney; Maude, Mrs. Harvey Williams; Mamie, Mrs. Steve Osborn. All live in Middletown save Courtney, who is a resident of Illinois. Mr. Manning is unmarried and lives with his parents whose thrift and management have enabled them to hold and occupy as their own one of the most handsome homes on Lefferson street. Politically, our subject holds to the principles promulgated by the Democratic party.
John Manrod. Prominent among the respected and progressive agriculturists of Butler county is to be found John Manrod, now the owner of a handsome and valuable property located in Milford township. Mr. Manrod's career has been one of intense activity and industry ever since he started his independent operations, and his able management, wise investments and constant enterprise have combined to place him in a position of recognized substantiality among the farmer citizens of this part of Butler county. Mr. Manrod was born at Darrtown, Butler county, Ohio, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hyatt) Manrod. His father, a native of France, emigrated to the United States in young manhood, settling near Darrtown, where he met and married Elizabeth Hyatt, who belonged to a well and favorably known agricultural family of this region, and they settled down to a life devoted to farming, in which they were able to accumulate a satisfying share of this world's goods, the home farm consisting of 164 acres. They were the parents of Margaret, who is deceased; John, of this notice; Jacob, a resident of Hamilton; Charlotte, whose home is in Virginia; Mary, who is now Mrs. Ledwell, a resident of Hamilton; Roswell, who lives at Oxford; and McClellan, the owner of a good property in Hanover township, a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this work. John Manrod received his education in the public school at Darrtown, and under his father's training was brought up to be a practical and industrious farmer. He was married in 1874 to Sarah Jane, daughter of Bennett and Emmeline (Burke) Kay, residents of Ross township, Butler county. Bennett Kay was married three times, Mrs. Manrod's
mother being his second wife, and his third wife being Margaret Timberman, who bore him seven children. After the marnage of Mr. and Mrs. Manrod they resided on a farm in Hanover township for a time, but subsequently removed to Riley township, where Mr. Manrod prosecuted his farming operations with continued industry and interest. From that locality he changed his residence to Woods station although he continued farming in Riley and Morgan townships, but finally purchased his present farm, where he has lived since 1912, a property consisting of 222˝ acres. This is a valuable farm which has been made attractive by the erection of good buildings and the installation of up-to-date improvements, and which has been carefully cultivated with the most modern machinery and appliances. While he is not a politician or office seeker, Mr. Manrod has taken a keen interest in local movements, and has never failed to support good enterprises which promise to be of benefit to the community of his adoption. He was particularly active during war times in lending his aid to all worthy causes. He and the members of his family belong to the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Manrod have six children: Nellie, who married William Teckman of Darrtown, and has three children, Ora, Ruth and Mabel; Jacob B., of Hanover township, who married Clara Weaver, and has three children, Walter, Mildred and Martha; George O., who resides at home and assists his father; Jesse K., who married Minnie Phares, of Wayne township, Butler county; Carl, who was overseas with the American Expeditionary Force and saw service in France with a machine-gun company, and who since his return has been attending Miami university; and Emmeline, the wife of Jacob Burkhart, of St. Clair township, Butler county, who has two children, John and George.
McClellan Manrod. Among the representatives of the farming interests of Butler county, one who has contributed strength and solidity to this honored vocation during a long and active career is McClellan Manrod, the owner of a valuable and well-cultivated property situated in Hanover township. Mr. Manrod has passed his entire life on this property, where he was born in January, 1864, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hyatt) Manrod, the latter a native of Darrtown, Ohio. Jacob Manrod was born in France and was a young man when he emigrated to the United States, settling near Darrtown, in Butler county. There he met and married Elizabeth Hyatt, who belonged to a family of agricultural people well and favorably known here, and they settled down to a life devoted to agriculture, the father working industriously, where he resided for so .many years and where he died. The parents had a family of eight children: Margaret, who is deceased; John, a farmer and owner of a good property in Milford township, a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this work; Jacob, a resident of Hamilton; Charlotte, whose home is in Virginia; Mary, who is now Mrs. Ledwell, a resident of Hamilton; Roswell, who lives at Oxford; and McClellan, of this notice. The parents were honorable, God-fearing people, who reared their children to lives of industry and honesty, and who were highly esteemed in their community. McClellan Manrod was
given the advantages of a public school education in Hanover township, and upon the completion of his studies became his father's associate in his farming operations. He has always resided on this place, of which he became the sole owner in 1913, when he bought the place of a Mr. Smyley, and, at this time he has a model farm, with excellent improvements, where his intelligent operations are achieving him excellent returns for labor and capital expended and invested. General farming has received the greater part of his attention, although he is also accounted a good judge of stock, and raises some cattle as a side line. His buildings and equipment are modern, and his place in the community is among the substantial farming class. In 1891 Mr. Manrod was united in marriage with Mell, daughter of Israel and Letitia Welliver, of Riley township, Butler county, whose other children were: Ernest, who is now deceased, and Ollie, now Mrs. Landor. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Manrod; John C., on the home farm, who married Mildred Greenwood and has one child, Alice Louise; and Ernest E., a graduate of high school, who is now a student at Miami university. Mr. Manrod the elder is a staunch Democrat, and has taken an interest in civic affairs, having rendered excellent services in the capacity of member of the board of trustees of Hanover township, a position which he occupies at this time, he and the members of his family took an active part in all war activities, and in various ways have exemplified their patriotism and public spirit.
Peter P. Marsh. The name of the late Peter P. Marsh is inseparably associated with the farming history of Butler county for a long period of years following his attainment of manhood and ending with his death, May 2, 1907. He was of a good family, inherited qualities of an admirable nature, and in his career worked out a splendid destiny, leaving behind him a record of honest attainment and honorable living. Mr. Marsh was born at Poast Town, Butler county, O., a son of Richard and Eliza (Poast) Marsh, both of Madison township, this county. On the maternal side he belonged to the pioneer family for which Poast Town was named, while his paternal grandfather was John Marsh, who came from the East as a pioneer, bringing with him to an undeveloped and practically unknown country a wealth of resource and unspoiled ambition, tempered with rare judgment and business sagacity. In his veins flowed the blood of agriculturists, tradesmen and patriots, and that dignity upheld his actions commonly associated with people accustomed in youth to the settled conditions of the state of New Jersey, where he had been born. In the vicinity of Poast Town, where he located, he cleared a property and established a home, and there continued to be engaged in farming and blacksmithing during the rest of his life. Following in his father's footsteps, Richard Marsh engaged in farming, and he and his wife passed their entire married lives on the old homestead in Madison township, becoming well known and highly respected people, who were held in esteem for their many sterling qualities of character. They had three children: Peter P., of this review; Daniel, who lived on the home place and never married; and Abraham, a teacher, who died young. Peter P. Marsh was educated
in the country schools of Madison township and those at Middletown, and as a youth learned the carpenter's trade, a vocation which he followed in connection with farming during his entire life. He was a man who quickly gained and indefinitely held the confidence of those with whom he came into contact, and was known for his integrity, his industry and his fidelity to his word and the letter of his contracts. Mr. Marsh was married December 14, 1897, to Mary Elizabeth Reed, who was born near Monroe, O., a daughter of David and Caroline M. (Boyd) Reed, the latter of Monroe, O., a daughter of Andrew and Temperance (Pocock) Boyd. Mrs. Boyd was born in Maryland and came with her parents to Butler county, O., at the age of seven years, and at Monroe met Mr. Boyd, who had come from Kentucky and was proprietor of the first grocery at Monroe, where both died. They were the parents of eleven children: Caroline M., Rachael Ann, Catherine, Sophronia, an infant, Charlotte, Joseph, Sarah, Eugene, Mary and Agnes. David Reed was a son of Daniel and Ruth (Carrick) Reed, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, who came as young people to America with their parents and settled in Pennsylvania, where they met and were married. Later, in 1794, they traveled on horseback to Bourbon county, Ky., taking with them their son, John, four years of age, but only remained there a short time and then pushed on to Butler county, O., and settled on Dix Creek, in Lemon township. In this wild territory, in which the Indians were still numerous, and wild game plentiful, they made their home, and here rounded out their careers, Mr. Reed passing away in 1812 and his widow surviving him until 1854. They were the parents of the following children: John, born in 1790, who was a farmer in Lemon township and married Nancy Morrison; Thomas, born in 1797, who was a farmer in Lemon township; George, who died as a lad; Margaret, who died in Indiana; Jane, who died single; William, a farmer of Lemon township, and father of Dr. T. E. Reed, of Middletown; Ruth, born in 1809, who married Edward Estle and died in Kansas; Betsy, born in 1806, who died single; Robert, who married Sallie Cassidy, and died in Iowa; and David, born in January, 1812. The children of David and Ruth Reed were as follows: Ruth, the widow of John Brown, of Hollister, Cal., with two children, Ida and Agnes; Andrew Boyd, a farmer of Lemon and Madison townships, who married Mary Gorsage of Maryland, who died in 1870, leaving two children, Anna, the wife of Frank White, a farmer of Madison township, and Clifford David, of Cleveland vice-president of the Ohio Farmers Insurance company, treasurer of the Temple Motor company, and president of the Fourth National bank, married Jane Miller; David Chalmers, born in Butler county, O., lived in Illinois seven years, and subsequently at Labette Kas., for a time, was in the Indian service twenty-five miles from Flagstaff, Ariz., for fourteen years, later resided in Hardin county, O., then farmed for twenty years in Lemon township, and lived retired with his sister, Mrs. Marsh, till he died, April 19, 1919; Mary E1izabeth, who is now Mrs. Marsh; Carolina Sophronia born in Sangamon county, Ill., was a school teacher in Butler county for fifteen years, and now makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Marsh; Noble
King, a salesman of Middletown, who married Elizabeth Cleveland and has a son, Samuel B., born in Illinois; and Margaret Temperance, who died at the age of twenty-three years. After his marriage, David Reed lived on the home place for several years, following which he went to Sangamon county, Ill., and there engaged in farming for seven years. Returning then to Butler county, he spent the rest of his life here, passing away at the early age of forty-seven years, in 1859, while his wife survived until 1890 and died at Franklin, aged sixty-two years. They were active members of the United Presbyterian church at Monroe, where Mr. Reed was leader of the choir. This family is one of the best and most favorably known in Butler county, where its members have always taken a prominent and influential part in all activities, and where they have established excellent reputations for honesty, morality and good citizenship.
W. S. Marshall. The claim of W. S. Marshall upon the good will and esteem of the people of Warren county is based upon long residence, strict adherence to the ethics of right living, proper discharge of the duties of citizenship and a helpful interest in the welfare of his community and its residents. Mr. Marshall belongs to the agricultural class and has been successful in his operations, this due to the fact that he has used good management and progressive methods, that his early training was thorough and inclined to make him industrious, and that he has inherent ability in this direction, having come from a long line of successful tillers of the soil. W. S. Marshall was born in June, 1873, on a farm in Lemon township, Butler county, O. He belongs to a historic family of pioneers, for his great-grandfather built the second house located between the cities of Philadelphia and Chicago. This pioneer was the owner of a tract of 640 acres, secured from the United States Government, which has since increased to many times its original value, and is still in the possession of the Marshall family. On that homestead was born the grandfather of W. S. Marshall, James Marshall, who, like his father, was a man of sturdy character and industrious habits, a husbandman all of his life and a man much esteemed in his community, where he wielded no little influence in public affairs. He married Eliza Conover, also of Butler county, and they became the parents of a family of children, among them being M. V., the father of W. S. Marshall. Like his forebears, M. V. Marshall adopted the vocation of farming when he chose his life work, and the greater part of his career was devoted to the development of his land in Butler county. He had inherited their good qualities and his life was one in which he displayed the possession of industry and strength of character, while his operations brought him material success and his integrity won him public confidence and respect. He married Miss Simonton, and they became the parents of several children. W. S. Marshall received a public school education and much of his boyhood was passed in training for the calling it was supposed that he would follow, that of farming. He came of age in Butler county, but eventually removed to Warren county, where he resided for six years, then removed to the old homestead in Lemon township, Butler county, which still belongs to his father, and settled down to its
development and cultivation, thus keeping alive family traditions. As noted, his work has already eventuated in success and this property is now one of the valuable ones of the township, having splendid modern equipment and good, substantial buildings. The machinery is of the latest type, evidencing Mr. Marshall's liking for modern methods; his cattle and other stock are sleek, content and well taken care of, and the farm gives a general impression of prosperity that speaks volumes for the ability of the owner. Mr. Marshall was married in 1894 to Miss Katherine Graham, daughter of James Graham, an agriculturist of Warren county, and to this union there have been born two children: James and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are members of the Presbyterian church. In his political views he is a Republican, and has something more than ordinary influence in his township, where he has served as judge of elections for upwards of twenty years.
Charles M. Martin, one of the typical native-born citizens of Butler county, where he is well and favorably known as a wide-awake, practical and progressive agriculturist, is the owner of a splendid property approximating 275 acres in Hanover township, all accumulated through the medium of his own industry. Mr. Martin comes of a long line of agriculturists, belongs to an old and honored family of Butler county which has resided here for generations, and is himself a native of this fertile county of the Miami valley, having been born on his father's farm July 29, 1871, a son of Robert and Isabelle (Mitchell) Martin. His father was born in Fairfield township, Butler county, where he was married to Isabelle Mitchell, who was born in Scotland and was three years of age when brought to the United States by her parents who settled near Oxford, Ohio, and there spent the rest of their lives. Following their marriage, the parents settled in Fairfield township, on the old Martin homestead, and that continued to be their home until the death of Robert Martin, when his widow moved to Oxford, and there died in 1914. They were the parents of the following children: A. W., a resident of Jacksonboro, Ohio; Helen, the wife of Charles Smith, a farmer of Fairfield township; Robert; Mary Isabelle, who resides at Oxford; W. Bruce; Charles M.; and George C. The public school at Jones Station, in Fairfield township, furnished Charles M. Martin with his educational training, and as a youth he was reared to the vocation of farming, in which his entire life has been passed. He was married in 1893 to Jessie, daughter of Frank Hites of Fairfield township, a well known and highly esteemed agriculturist of that locality. There were the following children in the Hites family: Hattie, who is the wife of Ben Cooper, of Indianapolis, Ind.; Hattie, who is the wife of Doctor Rosenbush, a practising physician of Hamilton; Lola, the wife of George Reif; Remmy, who is deceased; Franklin, who is also deceased; Jessie, the wife of Mr. Martin; Minnie, the wife of Ed Young, a resident of Yakima, Wash.; and Stanley, also of that city. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Martin resided in Fairfield township for three years, and then moved to Union township, which was their home for five years. Deserting agricultural pursuits temporarily, Mr. Martin then embarked in the transfer
business at Hamilton and devoted himself thereto for a period of eight years, but then disposed of his interests and in 1911 bought the old McGonigle farm in Hanover township. He has since sold off a part of this property, but is still the owner of 275 acres, and has his land under a high state of cultivation. His buildings have been remodeled and put into splendid condition, and his improvements and equipment are of the best, making of his property an ideal country estate. The manner in which he has conducted his activities has served to establish him not only as a capable, intelligent and progressive agriculturist, but as a man well meriting the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of one son: Robert H., who is attending high school. Mr. Martin the elder is a popular member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, but his chief interests are found in his farm and his home and he has not aspired to public office. He is a citizen who supports good movements in his community and who is thoroughly representative of the best agricultural element of the Miami valley.
Curtis Martin, who for a number of years has held an important position as superintendent of one of the departments of the American Rolling mill, at Middletown, has passed his entire career in connection with his present line of work. Mr. Martin was born at Covington, Ky., November 20, 1871, a son of Thomas J. and Margaret (Mardis) Martin. The Martin family was well and favorably known at Covington, where its members had been people of industry, honorably connected with various lines of industry, and in the schools of that city the youth secured his education. He was an industrious and ambitious lad and was just beyond school age when he began to apply himself to the mastery of a useful trade. Not long after the establishment of the American Rolling mill at Middletown, he came to this big plant, a skilled, thorough and experienced workman, and rapidly rose to the superintendency of one of the departments. Mr. Martin has merited the recognition which he has received, for he has at all times been loyal to the interests of his employers while at the same time being popular with the men in his department. In politics Mr. Martin is a Republican, and he and his family belong to Holy Trinity Catholic church. February 22, 1894, Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Henrietta Holthenricks, who was born November 21, 1871, one day after Mr. Martin's birth, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Stahl) Holthenricks. Two sons have been born to this union: Clarence, born in 1897, who is employed at the American Rolling mill; and Ralph, born in 1902, who is employed at the plant of the Sorg Paper company, Middletown. The father of Mrs. Martin died in 1906, but her mother still survives.
Francis M. Martin. Among the wide-awake, energetic business men of Middletown is numbered Francis M. Martin, an honored veteran of the Civil war. He is well known as being engaged in house moving, and his watchfulness of business opportunities, his unfaltering perseverance and his well-known reliability are the elements which form the secrets of his prosperity. Mr. Martin was born August 6, 1845, in England, and when he was four years of age his father left that country for the United States and in his search
for opportunities settled at Middletown where he engaged in work as a farm hand. Two years later, in 1851, he was joined by his wife and small son, who came down the canal by boat from Toledo, and in his boyhood Francis M. Martin saw the first train that ran over the C. H. & D. railroad. The elder Martin continued to work as a farm hand for a time and was also variously employed at Middletown, but did not seem to be able to get started on the highroad to prosperity, and finally disappeared, never to be heard from again by his family. Francis M. Martin, who had received a public school education, took up farming as his vocation and followed it for a long period with a certain degree of success, the result of his industry and perseverance. While thus engaged, he had some experience with house moving, and gradually became convinced that this presented opportunities for a permanent enterprise. After some preparation and experimental work, in 1882 he went to Middletown and secured a position in the paper mill which furnished him with employment until 1893. In that year he found himself ready to enter business on his own account, and established himself as a house mover, a business which he has followed now for more than a quarter of a century, with constantly increasing success. Mr. Martin has had the contracts for all the important work done at Middletown and in the surrounding country, and has done all the work of this character for the American Rolling mill. Mr. Martin is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having joined the Thirty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry in January, 1865. He was in the army of General W. T. Sherman, with which he took part in a number of skirmishes, and conducted himself in a brave and soldierly manner. He received his honorable discharge July 24, 1865, at which time he returned to his home, at Middletown. Mr. Martin is fraternally identified with the Loyal Order of Moose, in which he has numerous friends, as he has also in business life. He is a Democrat in his political alliance, but is not radical in his views, and on occasion is apt to support the candidate of another party where he feels conditions warrant the setting aside of party lines. Local advancement and national progress are causes dear to his heart and in citizenship as in business he is alert and constructive. Mr. Martin was married December 11, 1866, to Miss Cynthia Ann Landis, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Kerns) Landis, of Preble county, Ohio, and to this union there have been born eleven children: One child who died in infancy; George, who is deceased; Wesley; Ida, who is deceased; George, also deceased; Frank; Effa, who is now Mrs. Thomas Pressler; Bertha., who is now Mrs. Manuel Clifford; William; Stella, now Mrs. Rollin Barrett; and James E. James E. Martin, the youngest son of Mr. Martin maintains the family military prestige as a soldier of the World war, having enlisted May 29, 1918, as a member of the 325th Field Artillery, A. E. F., and received his honorable discharge, March 1, 1919.
Jacob Martin. Prominent among the devotees of farming and stock raising in Butler county, one who has been the architect of his own fortunes and who has reared a structure of agricultural and general success is Jacob Martin, the owner of a fine property in section
16, Lemon township. Mr. Martin was born at Trenton, O., September 28, 1858, a son of Henry Martin. The family is of French extraction, John Martin, the paternal grandfather of Jacob, having been a native of Lower France, also his wife, who bore the maiden name of Bauman. She died in 1839 and he also passed away in his native land, both in the faith of the Catholic church, and after worthy and honorable careers spent in farming. They were the parents of four children: Anna and Magdalena, who are both deceased; Lewis, who came to the United States and passed the rest of his life here; and Henry. Henry Martin was born January 8, 1828, at Weissenburg, Alsace-Lorraine, and was twenty-four years of age when he decided to come to the United States, being accompanied by his brother, Lewis. They made the journey on a sailing vessel, which took twenty-three days in accomplishing the trip, and from their landing point at New York city the brothers made their way to Cincinnati, O., where they had a cousin, and after a short stay moved on to Trenton, where Henry Martin secured employment on a farm at a wage of $6 per month. His brother Lewis was married there, and later enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil war, in which he fought for three years. Later he returned to Cincinnati, where his death occurred December 25, 1916, he having attained the advanced age of ninety-one years. Henry Martin was married at Trenton, in 1856, to Mary Meyer, of Germany, and they continued to make their home at that place until 1871. In the meantime they had secured a team and later another, and in the year mentioned bought a farm in Lemon township, consisting of 162 acres, on which was a log house and small stable. Mr. Martin, a man of marked industry and resource, cleared and cultivated his land, erected the buildings just as they now stand, and in 1890 built a good brick house. During his active career he was always a farmer, and while he has been living retired for seventeen years still continues to take an interest in agricultural matters. He is a remarkable man for his years, with a splendid memory. He is a member of the Catholic church, to which Mrs. Martin, who died in June, 1919, also belonged. From hard labor at 65 cents per day to the ownership of large and valuable properties is a long step, but such was the task accomplished by Mr. Martin; during his career he was ever noted for his fairness and fidelity to engagements and contracts. There were seven children in his family: Margaret, who married Henry Keltman of Middletown; Jacob; Lizzie, the wife of Henry Brown, of Middletown; Herman, a farmer of Lemon township ; John, a farmer on the home place; Henry, jr., a stockman of Middletown; and George, a railroad freight agent of Middletown. Jacob Martin attended the public schools south of Trenton, as well as those of Lemon township, worked industriously as a young man, and lived at home until he was thirty-one years of age. At that time he located on the Holly farm, which he operated for fifteen years, and in 1905 moved to his present farm in section 16, Lemon township, which he had purchased some time previously. In addition to remodeling the house, he put up a new barn, a silo and tobacco sheds, and in other ways improved his property until it is now one of the valuable and
attractive ones of his neighborhood. His 211 acres are under a high state of cultivation, being largely devoted to general farming, although Mr. Martin also does considerable trading in stock and has dairy cattle, the milk from which is sold at Middletown. He is a good business man who merits the confidence in which he is held by his associates, and his good citizenship has been exemplified on more than one occasion. As a voter he supports Democratic candidates and principles, and his religious connection is with the Roman Catholic church, he being a member of St. John's congregation. Mr. Martin married Miss Julia Wiesen, who was born at Somerville, Ohio, daughter of John and Catherine Wiesen, the former a tanner who died at Somerville, while Mrs. Wiesen passed away at Middletown. Mrs. Martin has a brother, John, who is a blacksmith of Madison, Wis.; and a sister, Kate, the wife of John Luen, of Middletown. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin: Hilbert, a graduate of the Middletown High school, single and superintendent of the Middletown Post office; Caroline, a graduate of the Middletown High school, wife of Joseph Gordon of that place; Llewellyn, a stenographer of Middletown; and Catherine, who resides with her parents; and Loretto, who died in 1894, when four years of age. All the children have been given good educational advantages.
John H. Martin, while a resident of Middletown only since 1916, when he came to this city from the east, has already impressed himself forcibly upon the people of this community as a man possessed of rare mechanical ability and ingenuity, thereby adding to the reputation which he had established in New Jersey. He was born at Easton, Pa., March 3, 1871, a son of Joseph Martin and Rachael (Rush) Martin, the former of whom died April 21, 1915, while the latter still lives in the east. His maternal grandparents were William J. and Letitia (Warman) Rush. Mr. Martin's only brother, William R. Martin, is blacksmith of the American Bridge company. John H. Martin received a public school education, and in his youth showed a disposition to ally himself with some mechanical trade. He was encouraged in various ways and gradually his native talent in this direction was developed and he became associated with large plants where his services were found of value and where every opportunity was given him to progress. Gradually he entered the field of bridge building, a line in which he has won marked success and in which his mechanical genius has been given full play. He has been identified with the work of building bridges in various parts of the country, notably the White River bridge, one of the finest in the United States. He came with his family to Middletown in 1916 and here has established himself firmly in his business associations, in addition to which he has identified himself as a solid citizen, reliable and public-spirited and a decided addition to the community. Mr. Martin was married at Stewartsville, N. J., December 23, 1893, to Miss Anna Laura Willever, born October 26,1866, in New Jersey, daughter of Garrett C. and Mary (Myers) Willever, and granddaughter of John J. and Penelope (Conover) Will ever and Mathias and Melinda (Broderick) Myers. Mrs. Martin is of Revolutionary stock, her great-grandfather, Hazard, having fought with Gen.
George Washington during the struggle for American independence. Her father died April 20, 1912, while her mother survived until August 10, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of two children: Russell W., born April 4, 1895, who joined the United States Navy, December 1, 1917, was "gassed" while in action against the enemy on a submarine chaser, and was at one time stationed in Northern Russia, is a Junior Mechanic, Odd Fellow and a Mason; and Harry W., born December 22, 1899, who graduated from the Phillipsburg high school, New Jersey, in June, 1917, and is at present in the employ of the American Rolling mills at Middletown. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are also rearing a niece, Mildred S. Martin, who makes her home with her uncle and aunt to whom she is devotedly attached. She was a member of the 1919 graduating class of the Middletown high school. Mr. Martin is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the I. O. O. F., and the Order of Elks, in all of which he is very popular. He is non-partisan in his political views, and a generous supporter of all beneficial movements, civic, educational or religious. He and Mrs. Martin, the latter a woman of cultured and pleasing personality, are members of the Presbyterian church. The Martins have just completed a beautiful and palatial residence, located on 107 S. McKinley avenue.
Reuben Martin was born in Huntington, Brown county, Ohio, September 7, 1842, and is the son of Edmund and Mary (Greene) Martin. Edmund Martin was born near Wheeling, West Va., and his wife was a native of Brown county, Ohio. Edmund Martin came with his parents to Brown county, and settled on a farm. His brothers and sisters were Elijah, Ezekiel, Samuel Absalom, Alexander, Hannah and Jane. Samuel had two sons, Elijah and Samuel, jr., who fought in the Union army during the Civil war. Alexander also had a son, Rufus, who was a soldier of the Union. Edmund Martin and wife settled in Union township, Brown county, following their marriage, and later became residents of Huntington township. He was prominent in the affairs of his community, and was well known as a breeder of draft horses, in which business he was engaged very successfully for many years. To them were born the following children: Rufus, Samuel, Edmund, jr., Ezekiel, Reuben, subject of this sketch; Johnson, Alexander Quincy and Adeline, all of whom are deceased but Reuben. Reuben Martin attended school in Brown county, and worked for his father. On February 23, 1882, he was married to Marianna Brown, daughter of John L. and Caroline (Mason) Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born in Aberdeen, Ohio, the former being a son of George Brown, one of the early citizens and pioneer boot and shoe makers of Aberdeen. George Brown and wife had these children: Thomas, Louis, James, George, Richard and Maria. Louis Brown was the father of four sons, three of whom, John, Rufus and Calvin, were soldiers in the war for the preservation of the Union. Thomas Brown's family also had a splendid record of service to the republic in its time of need, for John, Jefferson Jackson, Albert, and three other sons served in the Civil war, as did two sons of James Brown. Caroline Mason was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (O'Connor) Mason, both natives of
Aberdeen, Ohio, who had the following children: Caroline (Mrs. Martin’s mother), Nancy, and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. John L. Brown lived at Indianapolis, Ind., on a farm northwest of Ft. Benjamin Harrison. He was elected county treasurer of Marion county at an early date. Later Mr. Brown moved to a farm in Marion county, acquiring about 700 acres in that vicinity. To them were born the following children: Marianna, who married Reuben Martin; Clara Belle, Stella Lee, now Mrs. Andy Huff; John W. and Daniel E. Brown. The maternal grandmother of Mrs. Reuben Martin was Mary Lee, a cousin of Robert E. Lee; and John Brown, the martyr of Harper's Ferry, was related on the paternal side. Thus the family record is interwoven with historic incidents and characters. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Martin occupied the Brown homestead near Aberdeen, Ohio, for about thirty years. Seventeen years ago they moved to the place where they now live, which consists of 147 acres of the old Jones farm, but they still retain their present holdings. Reuben Martin is a prominent and successful citizen and is engaged in general farming and raising purebred cattle. To Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Martin were born the following children: John and Daniel, at home; Clarence R. and Mary Lee, who became the wife of Roy Walling, of Akron, Ohio. Clarence R. Martin attended school at Lawrence, Ind., and was graduated from the following seats of learning: a school at Indianapolis; the Indiana Law school, and the University of Michigan Law school at Ann Arbor. He later engaged in practice at Indianapolis. When America entered the World war, Clarence R. Martin entered the first officers' training camp at Ft. Benjamin Harrison and was commissioned captain and sent to Camp Taylor. He was later promoted to major and assigned to duty as camp inspector. Selected for overseas service, he was sent to France, and there detailed to a military school for further instructions. Later he saw active service at the front.
Edward Marts. For more than a decade over a century the Marts family has been identified with Butler county, and during this time its members have been important factors in the progress and development of this fertile and productive region of the Miami valley. Those who have borne the name have been people of worth and stability who have characterized their actions by strict adherence to high principles of living and citizenship, and for the greater part agriculture has been the family vocation. To this occupation Edward Marts, a worthy representative of the family, has devoted his life, and his farm lying just outside of Jacksonboro evidences the fact that he possesses in full the family characteristics of industry and farming ability. Mr. Marts was born near Jacksonboro, Butler county, Ohio, a son of David J. and Sarah Jane (Paullin) Marts. His grandfather, David Marts, was born on a farm in Madison township, Butler county, June 15, 1815, a son of Abraham and Mary (Reed) Marts, who came to Butler county in 1808, Abraham Marts subsequently fighting as a soldier during the War of 1812. The grandfather of David Marts, also named David, was an American soldier during the Revolutionary war and fought with gallantry in
the battle of Brandywine. David Marts the younger was married four times, first to Mary Snyder, daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Weaser) Snyder; second to Catherine Snyder, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Snyder, and third to Elizabeth Shartle, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Lingle) Shartle. By these unions he was the father of eleven children: Abraham, Samuel, Mrs. Catherine Carson, Mrs. Mary Gebhart, Mrs. Sarah Johns, John W., Snyder, David J., Willard, Charles and Mrs. Ida Long, of whom all are deceased, except Mrs. Mary Gebhart and David J. David Marts, the father of these children, had a reputation throughout the countryside for his gift in the cure of cancers, and his reputed cures in this connection brought him visitors from miles around. He was one of the prominent and influential men of his day, and served as township treasurer twenty years, as county commissioner for six years, and from 1860 to 1880 as appraiser of real estate for Madison township. He was also a successful farmer and a highly respected citizen. The parents of Edward Marts, David J. and Sarah Jane (Paullin) Marts, passed their lives as farming people of Butler county, where they established reputations for good citizenship and industry, and where they became widely known and universally esteemed. Edward Marts was educated in the public schools of Jacksonboro, where he had as a county teacher, James M. Cox, present governor of Ohio, who still cherishes in his heart a warm spot for the friend of his boyhood and holds him among his closest friends. Mr. Marts was one of Governor Cox's appointees as oil inspector. After completing his education, for a time Mr. Marts taught school at Jacksonboro, and has always been a staunch supporter of education, being a member of the board of directors of his home school district, and is at present a member of the board of education of Butler county. Leaving the schoolroom for the farm, Mr. Marts started agricultural operations on his own account, and at this time is the owner of a valuable and attractive property which lies just outside of the corporate limits of Jacksonboro. This has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and the buildings are modern and the equipment complete and up-to-date in every particular. Mr. Marts carries on his operations along scientific lines and has made a decided success of his labors. He married Grace, daughter of James M. Shafor, of Jacksonboro, and to this union there have been born four children: Lester, Howard, Elizabeth and Zelma. In politics Mr. Marts is a Democrat, and he and the members of his family belong to the United Brethren church.
Russell E. Mattex, a successful farmer and trustee of Madison township, was born on the old Mattex homestead in this township, November 28, 1877, a son of Elias Mattex, and grandson of David Mattex, a native of New Jersey, who was the first of the family to come to Butler county, Ohio. David Mattex was married to Effie Rutan, and they located on ninety acres of wild land at Miltonville, and here he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. He cleared off and developed his farm and made it a valuable property. Their children were as follows: Susan, Elias, Squire and Mary. Elias Mattex was reared on his father's farm, and had but limited
educational advantages, but made the most of what he had. Remaining at home until his marriage, he learned farming in all its details from his father, and after a year, returned to the homestead, where he lived until his death in December, 1905, when he was eighty-two years old. His wife passed away in 1894. Their children were as follows: Theodore, who is living in Montana, where he conducts a large ranch; Effie, who was married to Arthur Maud, lives southeast of Hamilton, Ohio; Russell E. ; and Anna, who married Harry House, lives at Miltonville, Ohio. Mrs. Mattex was the widow of Jacob Wescoe when she was married to Elias Mattex. She and her husband added to the original Mattex homestead until they owned about 150 acres of land. Russell E. Mattex attended the common schools of Madison township, and lived with his parents as long as they were spared to him. As a very young man he assumed charge of the farming, and conducted the home place until the death of his father when it was divided and sold. Mr. Mattex later bought twenty-two acres of land north of his old home, and farms it and other land which he rents, being very successful in his work. He makes his home at Miltonville, however, going back and forth each day to his farm. January 19, 1918, Mr. Mattex was elected township trustee, on the Republican ticket, and still holds that office. He is also one of the trustees of Trenton, Ohio. Fraternally he belongs to Middletown Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Trenton Lodge, J. O. A. M. Not only has Mr. Mattex prospered in his farming, but he has proven himself an efficient official, his judgment as such being generally recognized as upright and sincere. Still in the very prime of life, he is ambitious for the future, and the coming years will doubtless bring him other honors and material prosperity.
Clifford Matthews. During the past eight years Clifford Matthews has been identified with the American Rolling mill, at Middletown, and in this time has come to be known as a conservative, steady going and entirely competent workman. In the capacity of rougher he is a part of the intricate and varied human machinery which furnishes the brain-power for the working of the huge machines. Mr. Matthews was born at Piqua, Ohio, and is a son of Richard and Margaret Matthews, the former of whom is now deceased, while the latter is a resident of Middletown. He has four brothers and one sister: Stanley, who is a resident of Newport, Ky.; Samuel, of Middletown; Parker, also of Middletown; and Agatha, of Piqua, Ohio; Lawton, of Warren, Ohio. The public schools of his native place furnished Clifford Matthews with the opportunities for an educational training, and his boyhood was passed much the same as that of other lads of his community. Like others, he looked forward to the day when he would be old enough to take his place with the other workers in "the mills," and when that time came he was ready to meet the test and to show that he was possessed of the ability and stamina to measure up to acceptable standards. After spending some years in the rolling mill at Piqua, the mills closed down and he worked in Wheeling, W. Va., mills before coming to Middletown in 1911, and here he has since remained as an employee of the American Rolling mill. He capably discharges the duties
pertaining to the position of rougher, and during the time of his employment here has gained the reputation of being steady, dependable and competent, and at the same time has earned and held the goodwill and friendship of his fellows. Notwithstanding, a somewhat quiet and retiring nature, he enjoys the companionship of his comrades, with whom he fraternizes as a popular member of the local lodges of the Masons. He belongs also to the M. E. church. Mr. Matthews married Miss Edith Wilson, of Wheeling, W. Va., whose parents are still residents of that city. Mrs. Matthews has one sister, Mrs. Anna Burke, and one brother, Carl, both residents of Wheeling. Mrs. Matthews is a young woman of many accomplishments and possessed of a charming disposition. She is a member of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which she has numerous friends, as she has elsewhere, as she is generally popular. Particularly is she a favorite with children, and her friends' children are guests frequently at the handsome Matthews home, which was erected by Mr. and Mrs. Matthews during the summer of 1919.
Wilson S. Mears. No history of Butler county or this portion of the Miami valley would be complete without mention of Wilson S. Mears, for many years a leading agriculturist and now living a retired life. He was identified with this section in young manhood, received his education in its public schools, left it to fight for the Union in the Civil war, returned to help in its development and further advancement, and today, having gained prosperity through well directed and honorable effort, is enjoying well earned rest from further labor and occupies an attractive and comfortable home at Middletown. Mr. Mears was born September 1, 1844, at Poast Town, Butler county, a son of Samuel and Mary (Keister) Mears, natives of Poast Town, the former born in 1804. The founder of the family in this county was Alexander Mears, who came from Pennsylvania at a very early day, while the maternal grandfather of Mr. Mears was Jacob Keister, also from the Keystone state, and both were farmers all their lives. Samuel Mears, in addition to carrying on farming, operated a threshing outfit, and lost his life when his son Wilson S. was a lad. While growing to young manhood in the home of his stepfather, Jacob Temple, jr., Wilson S. Mears secured his education in the public schools of the country district. The Temple family was the first to settle Poast Town and the surrounding country, and many of the name still live in this community which had its beginning with their settlement. John Temple, the father of Jacob jr., fought as a soldier during the Mexican war. When the Civil war came on, there was no more ardent young Unionist in Butler county than Wilson S. Mears, and it is reported that he was only eighteen years of age when he cast his first presidential vote, for Abraham Lincoln. It was not until August 8, 1862, however, that he could get himself accepted for service, at that time entering Company D, Ninety-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The Ninety-third was encamped near Dayton (The National Cash Register company put up a monument on the grounds where the regiment was camped), on the old Patterson
farm. Young Mears was mustered into the service August 20, and three days later with 967 comrades, left for the front. From that time on the regiment saw hard and constant fighting, and when mustered out of the service at Nashville, Tenn., June 8, 1865, consisted of only 367 men. Mr. Mears' battles included the following: Lebanon, Stone River, Chickamauga, Browns Ferry, Orchard Knob, Missionary Ridge Dandridge, Buzzards Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta; Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Franklin, and Nashville. During his brave and faithful service, Mr. Mears was struck by bullets four times, once a bullet barely grazed his cheek, and on numerous other occasions he had narrow escapes, through the intrepidity which led him always into the thick of the engagement. It is characteristic of him, that on the first day that he returned home, he did not stand around, gossiping, telling stories or boasting of his exploits, but at once removed his coat and started in to help his stepfather with the hay and corn. That kind of industry and sense of responsibility assisted him materially when he engaged in farming on his own account, and helped him to the accumulation of substantial and worth-while property. In 1905 he retired from active labor and settled at No. 639 Garfield avenue, Middletown, where he now makes his home. Mr. Mears was married September 20, 1866, to Miss Martha Elizabeth Poast, daughter of Michael and Mary (Lucas) Poast, and four daughters and six sons were born to this union: Nettie, Charles, Sadie, Mary, Ira, Samuel, Bert, John, Alma and Clyde. In 1900 Mrs. Mears suffered fatal injuries in a fall down stairs, resulting in her death, and this accident also resulted indirectly in serious injuries to Mr. Mears, for while he was going for a doctor to attend his wife he fell from his buggy and his injuries confined him to his bed for sixteen weeks. In 1905 Mr. Mears was again married, being united with Mary Leshar, daughter of Henry and Mary (Ankerman) Leshar, the former born near Dayton and the latter in Germany. To this union there has been born one daughter: Nellie May, at home. Mr. Mears has taken an active part in public affairs in his community, having been a member of the board of supervisors and of the school board for a number of years. He is a staunch Republican and a popular comrade of the local post of the G. A. R.
John F. Mee, was born June 2, 1852, at Darrtown Ohio a son of David Mee of Wales, who settled in the Monongahela Valley in Pennsylvania on his arrival in this country. He later came to this county and married Mary Magdalene Flenner. Mr. Mee attended the public school of Darrtown, and at an early age displayed marked talents as an educator, having received his first teacher's certificate at the age of fifteen. After teaching several years in his home schools, he attended the commercial college at Cincinnati, and at the age of twenty-one was elected president of the Commercial college of Covington, Ky. Later, he returned to his home at Darrtown, where on March 19, 1875, he married Mary Emmaline Teague, daughter of James C. and Delilah (Randall) Teague. Mrs. Mee is a charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Oxford, and
is a member of the Methodist church and the Ladies' Aid Society at Darrtown. In his early life Mr. Mee took an active interest in politics, was a member of the Democratic Executive Committee and served as deputy sheriff of Butler county. He was one of the organizers of the Oxford National bank, and served as a director and its first vice-president. Mr. Mee was a thirty-second degree Mason of the Scottish Rite at Dayton, and a Knight Templar as well as being a member of the Mystic Shrine at Cincinnati. His father and grandfather were also Masons, and Mr. Mee was favorably known in that fraternity, in which he had many friends. Mr. Mee's death occurred August 25, 1917, when there was removed from his community a citizen who had been a useful and constructive factor in its growth and development. Besides his widow, two children survive: Edna (Mee) Stork of Oxford, and R. Kirk Mee of Darrtown.
R. Kirk Mee. The agricultural interests of Butler county have no more progressive or enterprising representative than R. Kirk Mee, who, after an experience in mercantile pursuits, has returned to the soil and is now extensively and successfully engaged in operations in Milford township, Butler county. Mr. Mee was born at Darrtown, Ohio, December 1, 1886, a son of John F. and Mary E. Mee. He received a common school education in the Darrtown and Oxford public schools, and later pursued his studies in Miami university and Ohio Northern university. He was married May 8, 1907, to Helen Frances Hickernell of Ada, Ohio, daughter of the Rev. Calvin B. and Mollie (Schoonover) Hickernell. Mrs. Mee was educated in the public schools of Ada and at Ohio Northern university, and also studied vocal music under the late Mrs. Harriet Walker Tyson and Professor Owen. She is a member of the Eastern Star and of the Theta Phi Delta college sorority. Mr. and Mrs. Mee are the parents of two children, John F. Mee, jr., and R. Kirk Mee, jr. Mr. Mee is a thirty-second degree Mason of the Scottish Rite at Cincinnati, a Knight Templar, and a member and treasurer of the Mystic Shrine at Hamilton, at which city he also holds membership in the B. P. O. E. In addition to these fraternal connections he is affiliated with the Sigma Phi Epsilon college fraternity at Ohio Northern university, and to the Theta Nu Epsilon inter-college fraternity. One of the active and influential Democrats of his county, during the past eight years he has been assistant secretary and a member of the Democratic Executive Committee of Butler county, as well as being deputy State Supervisor and inspector of elections of the same county. He is the youngest member of the Butler County Agricultural Board, which he is now serving in the capacity of treasurer. Mr. Mee has also been president of the board of Education of Milford township, and helped materially in bringing the schools up to their present high standard.
Peter M. Mehas, one of the proprietors of the Opportunity Barber shop, Hamilton, and also interested in other important ventures, was born May 27, 1890, in Sparta, Greece, a son of Michel and Evelyn Mehas, prominent farming people of their native land, where both passed away. Peter M. Mehas attended the public
schools of Greece until he was eleven years of age, at which time, in 1901, he emigrated to the United States and, after a short stay at New York went to the home of his uncle and aunt, at Cincinnati. He proved a~ industrious and energetic youth, and while attending the public schools of Cincinnati spent his leisure hours in working, so that when he completed his studies he was capable of rendering efficient help to whomsoever should be in need of his services. For a time he was variously employed in fruit and confectionery stores and also mastered the barber trade, and in 1908 opened a tonsorial parlor in partnership with Joseph Craven, in Cincinnati. At the end of four years he bought his partner's interest and continued the business alone, making a success of his undertakings and attracting to himself numerous friendships. In the meantime his brother, George Mehas, had come to the United States, and June 5, 1915, the brothers came to Hamilton, where they purchased the Colonial billiard hall, bowling alleys and barber shop, at 236 High street. One year later, June 5, 1916, they purchased what is now known as the Opportunity Barber shop, which was then owned by George Sutter, but which has since been greatly improved and enlarged to a seven-chair establishment, with the finest of fixtures and all modern appurtenances, equipment and accommodations. Peter M. Mehas now manages the barber shop, while George M. Mehas has charge of the billiard academy and bowling alleys. In 1918, the brothers bought a $25,000 building at Middletown, with Peter Courlas, each of the partners owning a one-third interest therein. Mr. Mehas is also the part owner of a wholesale and retail barbers' supplies business at Indianapolis, Ind., managed by Paul W. Jackson, who also has a half-interest in the business. Mr. Mehas is a business man of excellent capacity and his rating is high in commercial circles. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Hamilton, and a charter member of Opportunity Lodge, No. 761, Knights of Pythias. February 7, 1915, he was married at Cincinnati to Helen Morris, also a native of Sparta, Greece, who was brought by her parents to the United States as a small child. They are the parents of two children: Michel, born in 1915; and James, born in 1919. The family home is at 853 Central avenue, and was bought by Mr. Mehas in 1916. George M. Mehas is also married, has two children, and is a resident of Hamilton.
Jacob Mehl. The progressiveness and determination to make himself a potent factor in the agricultural affairs of Butler county, Ohio, which characterized Jacob Mehl in his youth have been accentuated within the last decade, he having increased his landholdings from time to time until today he is one of the truly representative tillers of the soil of Liberty township. From the day that he started making his own way in the world as a farmhand until he himself had become the owner of a fertile tract he has adhered with true devotion to the accepted rules for success that should guide every enterprising young man who would follow the vocation of farmer. His success has been all the more flattering because of the fact that he plodded along slowly and was content with the small financial returns that come from limited land ownership.
But his comprehensive grasp of conditions in the realm of agriculture and his enthusiasm over the future of Butler county as a farming community caused him to invest whatever money he could earn in additional acres with the result that his holdings today in that county total 270 acres of productive land. He was born in Fairfield township, Butler county, March 7, 1865, one of twelve children of Jacob and Lena (Wehr) Mehl, who were both natives of Strasburg, Germany. Besides Jacob, the other children, eleven of whom are living, were - Elizabeth, Anna, Lucy, Mary, Lena, Clara, Sarah, Samuel, William and Frank. The father came to the United States when a young man, locating in Butler county, where he worked as a farmhand a number of years. Later he rented a farm and soon the results of his efforts became apparent. In addition to his success with his acres he also became popular in the community and was respected by all as a desirable citizen who had the best interests of the community at heart. He passed away in 1889 and it may be truthfully said that genuine sorrow was expressed over his death. His sons and daughters had now grown to maturity and were well equipped, both by home training and inherited smartness, to perpetuate the estimable name of the family. Jacob received his education in Milford township, Butler county, and after leaving school was employed as a farmhand for a time, later leasing a farm. In 1900 he purchased the property he is now living on and operating in Liberty township, which consists of 145 acres. He has increased his holding in Butler county from time to time until today he owns about 270 acres of valuable land in Liberty township. He has spent his money unsparingly whenever he believed that such action was warranted in making improvements on his property. The buildings are up to date in every respect and all conveniences that a modern farm should have are provided. His returns from his investment have been such as to encourage him incalculably. He married Martha J. Boyle, daughter of John and Martha (James) Boyle. A history of the Boyle family will be found on another page of this publication. Seven children were born to Jacob Mehl and wife: Paul, Harry, John, Corwin, Stella, Esther and Helen. Paul is the husband of Hazel Brown and Harry married Mildred Kyle, one child resulting from this union, Myron.
Elmer Mendenhall. It is not worth while here to expatiate in cant phraseology upon the well known reputation of Quakers for honesty, integrity and reliability, but it may be justifiable to state that perhaps the mental and moral constitution of Elmer Mendenhall is an inheritance from the fine old Quaker stock from which he is descended. Mr. Mendenhall, who is engineer at the plant of the Sorg Paper Manufacturing company, was born at West Elkton, Ohio, a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Reeves) Mendenhall. The family was founded among the earliest of this section of the Miami valley by the great-grandfather of Elmer, Elijah Mendenhall, who came to Ohio from Georgia and settled at West Elkton. There he rounded out an honorable career, was laid to rest in the Mendenhall private burial ground. Marmaduke Mendenhall, son
of Elijah, married Elizabeth Johnson, and they became the parents of the following children: Elijah, the father of Elmer; Nathan and Martha, who are deceased; Hannah who is now Mrs. Walter Roberts, of Somerville; Joseph, deceased; William, a resident of Camden, Ohio; and three children who died in infancy. There were five children in the family of Elijah and Elizabeth Mendenhall, namely: Elmer; Harvey, who resides in Indiana; Lindley, living at Gratis, Ohio; Martha, who is deceased; and Etta, the wife of Charles Pugh, of Gratis. Elmer Mendenhall obtained a public school education at West Elkton, and when just past boyhood began to learn his trade. He proved an apt pupil and mastered his vocation, since which time his advancement has been consecutive and satisfying. For several years past he has been engineer at the Sorg Paper company's plant at Middletown, where his services have been highly appreciated by his employers. Mr. Mendenhall is rather retiring in disposition, but that he enjoys the friendship and comradeship of his fellows is shown in the fact that he holds membership in several fraternal organizations, among them the Knights of Pythias, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political adherence is with the Republican party. Mr. Mendenhall was married June 19, 1895, to Emma Elizabeth, daughter of James Wilson and Marietta (Smith) Withrow, of Seven Mile, Ohio. Her grandfather, Robert P. Withrow, was one of the early settlers near Seven Mile, where he donated the ground for the Methodist church, and he and Mrs. Mendenhall's great-uncles built the structure. Mrs. Mendenhall's mother died March 23, 1895, and she, as the only daughter, assumed the mother's duties in bringing up the boys in the family. Three brothers had died in infancy, but there were six living: Robert, a resident of Somerville, Ohio; Fred, who lives at Middletown; Minor, living at Darrtown; Carl, whose home is in South Dakota; Tony, who resides at Hamilton; and Herschel, who succumbed to the influenza epidemic in December, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall there have been born three sons: Earl DeWitt, Shirley Elijah and Lindley Clifford. Earl DeWitt Mendenhall possesses much musical talent and prior to enlisting in the United States Navy, where he was assistant band master on the battleship Arkansas, was particularly active in church work. He married Mary Hart, of Houtzdale, Pa. Shirley Elijah Mendenhall entered the United States Aviation Corps, and after training at San Antonio, Texas, was sent in July, 1918, to France, as corporal in the 107th Photo Section, U. S. Air Service, A. E. F. While home on a furlough from San Antonio he was united in marriage with Malvina Bennett. Lindley Clifford Mendenhall is attending the Middletown High school. The family resides in its splendid home on Eleventh street. They are members of the Methodist church.
Charles. J. Merchant, a most active and progressive young citizen of Middletown, Ohio, son of Charles and Anna (McNeeley) Merchant, was born February 26, 1896, at the 16-Mile stand, in Hamilton county, Ohio, where his father was engaged in farming. In 1905, the family moved to Middletown, and the father became
a carpenter. The new high school building is evidence of his superior work and a monument to his skill and ability. Charles the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools, graduated from the high school in 1916, then commenced work with the American Rolling Mill company as a draftsman but, as in the case of other young men, his plans were somewhat deranged because of the World war. In the spirit of true American patriotism, he entered the service with the Aviation Corps, December 12, 1917, and on the 28th of that month was sent to Camp Taylor, Ky. He was transferred from Camp Taylor February 23, 1918, and three days later, February 26, arrived at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. His last transfer while in service was to Arcadia, Fla., September 9, 1918. He received his discharge March 26, 1919, and returning to Middletown, resumed his former position at the rolling mill. Mr. Merchant is a young man of much force of character and energy and is certain to succeed in life. He lives with his parents in their comfortable home on Lefferson street. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and a Republican politically.
Edwin R. Merrill. Of the mechanical engineers who are connected with prominent manufacturing houses at Hamilton, none is known better than is Edwin R. Merrill, plant engineer and superintendent of maintenance of the Niles, Ohio works. By inclination, natural talent and long and comprehensive training of a comprehensive character, he is a thorough master of his vocation, and since coming to Hamilton, in 1910, has added to the reputation which he established during his nineteen years of successful accomplishments at Columbus. Mr. Merrill was born December 23, 1866, at West Falmouth, Me., a son of William and Ada (Winn) Merrill, natives of that state, where his father was formerly superintendent of one of the S. D. Warren Company's pulp mills but is now retired and a resident of Cumberland Center, Me. The Merrills are descendants of the old DeMerle family in France, who left that country to escape persecution at the hands of the Huguenots and fled to England where the present spelling of the name was adopted. Mrs. Merrill is a direct descendant of Captain Morrison of the King's Army in Scotland. The only child of his parents, Edwin R. Merrill attended the graded and high schools of Yarmouth village, Me., following which he completed a course at and graduated from Westbrook's seminary, at Deering, Me., where he took a scientific course. He was graduated as a mechanical engineer from the University of Maine, in the class of 1891, and in September of that year went to Columbus, Ohio, where he became associated with the Jeffrey Manufacturing company in the mining engineering department. He remained eleven years thus employed, and for the eight years that followed was assistant superintendent and plant engineer, but in 1910 resigned his position and December 1 became associated with the Niles Tool works of Hamilton, in the capacities of plant engineer and superintendent of maintenance, posts which he still retains. Mr. Merrill is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the Engineers club of
Cincinnati and is well and favorably known in his profession. In 1891 Mr. Merrill was united in marriage with Blanche Lansil, formerly of Orono, Me., and one of five children born to her parents. Her mother is now deceased, but her father, who was formerly prominent in the sawmill industry, still survives although retired from active pursuits. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Merrill: Reginald G., Evelyn Ada and Edith Lansil. Reginald G. Merrill was born in 1894, graduated from the high school at Columbus and took a two-year course in pharmacy at the Ohio State university. He was studying dentistry at the time the United States entered the great World war and enlisted in the photographic department of the air service at Cornell university, Ithaca, N. Y. He was subsequently appointed second lieutenant and appointed assistant military instructor, and was later ordered overseas in charge of the 52d Section Photographic Division, being on board transport the day the armistice was signed. He is married and living at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he is associated with the Johns Manville company, as a member of the Cincinnati sales department. Evelyn Ada Merrill is a graduate of the graded and high schools of Hamilton, and of Martha Washington college, Abingdon, Va. She was at the Nurses' Training Camp, Camp Greene, Charlotte, N. C., during the war, is single and living with her parents at Hamilton. Edith Lansil, the youngest of the three children, is living with her parents at Hamilton and still a student in the high school.
Harry Metcalf, of Hamilton, who during the greater part of his life has been the incumbent of official positions connected with the preservation of law and order, has served as police officer, deputy sheriff and sheriff of Butler county, and at the present time occupies the post of special watchman at the plant of the Niles Tool company. Mr. Metcalf was born at Alton, Ill., in November, 1859, a son of Allen B. and Mary (Grummon) Metcalf, natives of Muskingum county, Ohio, who were married at Concord, this state. Allen B. Metcalf was a carpenter by trade and was fairly successful in his vocation, but feeling that the great west offered better opportunities for the acquiring of a fortune, in 1859, started for California. When he and his family reached Alton, Ill., it was found necessary to make a stop, but the father pushed on to California, and Harry Metcalf was born at the Illinois city. The father died in the west, and the mother, after a short stay at Alton, returned with her children, George B., Emma, Frank B. and Harry, to Ohio, where they resided for three or four years at Cincinnati, and then settled at Hamilton, where her death occurred. Harry Metcalf was educated in the public schools of Hamilton, and as a youth applied himself to learning the trade of blacksmith in the shop of Edward Goldrick. He worked only for a short time at his trade, however, and then joined the Hamilton police force, of which he was a member for nineteen years. For four years, under Sheriff Andrew Graff, he was deputy sheriff of Butler county, and in 1912 was elected sheriff, a position in which he served four years. When he was re-elected to that office he received the largest majority ever given a candidate
for that position, and continued to discharge the duties of his office with zeal, courage, honesty and ability until he was made special watchman at the plant of the Niles Tool company, a position which he still retains. Mr. Metcalf was married in 1880 to Carrie, daughter of Benjamin Antrim, of Hamilton, a veteran of the Civil war and long a resident of Hamilton, whose widow makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf. The latter have two children: Mary E. of Cincinnati, wife of Thomas Addison, a draughtsman for the Cincinnati Printing company; and Helen, wife of H. R. Smith, of the Commercial Gazette. Mr. Metcalf belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he has many friends, and he and his family are consistent members of the Methodist church.
William B. Meyer. Among the public officials of Butler county whose services have proved of benefit to their communities and who have conscientiously performed the duties pertaining to their elective or appointive offices, one who has also won the good will and esteem of the people is William B. Meyer, postmaster at Oxford, now serving in his second term. For a number of years a leading and well known business man, he displayed his integrity in business life and his probity of character, and these had much to do with securing his appointment to a position which he has honored by constructive and dignified service. Mr. Meyer was born in Union county, Indiana, in 1863, a son of George Meyer. His father, a native of Germany, emigrated to the United States in 1849, locating first at Stillwell's Corners, Butler county, where he conducted a blacksmith shop. Later he removed to Billingsville, where he also conducted a blacksmith shop for twelve years, but in 1865 returned to Butler county and located at Oxford, where he embarked in the hotel business. In 1891 he retired from active pursuits after a most honorable and successful career, and from that time forward lived quietly in his modern and attractive home at Oxford, where his death occurred in 1908, when he was eighty-three years of age. He was a Democrat in his political views and a highly respected citizen of his community, in the advancement of which he took a prominent part. Mr. Meyer married Walburga Eisenmann, of Germany, who came to the United States as a young woman of eighteen years and died in 1898, when sixty-five years of age. They became the parents of three children: George, a resident of Oxford; Anna S., who married Edward Riggs; and William B. William B. Meyer attended the public schools of Oxford, and as a youth was employed by his father in the hotel business. After fifteen years of this experience he turned his attention to the livery and undertaking business at Oxford, under the style of Nagel & Meyer, this association continuing successfully until Mr. Meyer's appointment, in September, 1913, to the office of postmaster. He is now in his second term. During his administration he has been successful in improving the service, and as the possessor of qualities of candor, sincerity, faithfulness and affability, retains a high standing in the estimation of those whose interests are entrusted to his care. As Mr. Meyer has never been a seeker for public preferment, the office came to him unsought, yet he has done his utmost to discharge
his duties in an entirely competent and expeditious manner, and in this aim he has been successful as is shown by public confidence and favor. Mr. Meyer is a staunch Democrat in his political affiliation and wields some interest in the ranks of his party locally. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks lodge at Hamilton and also with the lodge of the Knights of Pythias at Oxford. Mr. Meyer was married at Hamilton to Margaret, daughter of Peter Milders of Hamilton, and they are the parents of three children: Flora, the wife of Hugh Stephenson of Oxford with two children, - William and Robert; Margaret, who resides with her parents at Oxford; and Martin, an employee of the Goodyear Rubber company of Akron, Ohio.
Fred J. Meyers. In the field of wire and iron goods manufacture one of the best known and oldest established concerns of the Miami valley is the Fred J. Meyers Manufacturing company, of Hamilton. Founded fifty-five years ago, it has been located at Hamilton for more than a quarter of a century and at all times has maintained a high standing in trade circles, due to the honorable policy under which it is conducted. Its founder and president, Fred J. Meyers, who has directed its operations since its inception, is a man of marked and definite business ability. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 28, 1845, a son of Henry Meyers, and was a child when taken to Covington, Ky., where he was given his education in the public schools. His opportunities in this direction were limited, but he made the most of his chances, and being an ambitious and industrious youth early began to plan for his career. Being attracted to the business of fashioning articles from wire, he mastered this trade, and when but twenty years of age embarked in business on his own account. For a time he was associated with John Mieth, but eventually purchased the latter's interests, and continued at Covington as a private enterprise until 1890, about which year he incorporated the business for $125,000 as the Fred J. Meyers Manufacturing company. He was its first president, a position which he has retained to the present time, William Ernst was the first vice-president and Edward Ernst was first secretary and treasurer. In 1893 the business was brought to Hamilton, where it was established in the present building, at that time newly built, and five years later a reorganization of the business was effected, the officers at that time being: Fred J. Meyers, president; J. A. Woolflange, vice-president; J. C. Bramlage, secretary; J. F. Wool flange, treasurer; and Fred L. Meyers, cashier. The business is still incorporated for $125,000, and 200 people are employed in the manufacture of wire and iron goods. The product of this company has a wide sale, being known to the trade to be of superior quality and excellent workmanship. Mr. Meyers is a member of the Association of Commerce and has been honored by his fellow members with election to a position on the board of trustees of this body. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and he and his family are members of St. Stephen's Catholic church. His political adherence is given to the Republican party. May 22, 1865, Mr. Meyers married Minnie, daughter of Edward Thoss of Covington
Ky., and they have been the parents of eight children: Minnie, who is deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of William Kramer, of Cincinnati; Theresa, who resides with her parents; Catherine, the wife of George Weickert, of Hamilton; Fred L., cashier of the Fred J. Meyers Manufacturing company; and Edward, residing with his parents; Jennie, wife of Martin Arnold; Julie, wife of Joseph Bung.
John Michael. Agricultural methods in Butler county have changed to a remarkable degree in the past several decades, and the successful farmer and stockman of today is the one who studies land conditions, pays attention to crop rotation, breeds his stock in a scientific manner and brings into the operation of his property the latest power farming machinery. Such a progressive farmer and stockman of Butler county is John Michael, the operator of 125 acres of excellent land in Union township. Mr. Michael was born in this township, February 28, 1864, a son of Daniel and Mary (Snyder) Michael, the former a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and the latter of Cincinnati. The father of Mr. Michael was left an orphan when a small boy, and was reared in the home of a family named Ross, at Cincinnati. When he was a young man he moved into Butler county and started farming as a renter on the property of his father-in-law, but later purchased seventy-two acres, which continued to be the scene of his activity until his death. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Charles, Jennie, John and one who died in infancy. John Michael, after attending the local public schools, went to Cincinnati and pursued a course in a business college, following which he returned to his home and became associated with his father in the cultivation of the home property. At the time of his marriage he rented a tract of seventy-two acres, a part of the home farm, continuing on this until the time of his father's death, when he bought sixty acres. This has since been increased, through energy and industry, to 125 acres, and in addition Mr. Michael rents sixty-five acres. He has, at times, farmed as high as 200 acres, and is a large corn grower, although he feeds all of his corn to his stock. He milks twenty-five cows, all high grade Holsteins, and is accounted one of the progressive agriculturists of his township and one who is steadily forging ahead. His business record is excellent, he has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished, and his neighbors and associates respect and honor him as an honest, reliable citizen. A Republican in politics, he is not interested in public affairs, save as a good citizen, but has served two years as township clerk, an office in which he rendered excellent service. As a voter, he supports Republican candidates and principles. Mr. Michaels married Miss Rosa Stephenson, and they have four children: Clyde, George, Edward and Althea, the first-named of whom is married and lives in Columbus, Ohio, and is a salesman.
Jacob Milders, proprietor of Milders Inn, at Symmes Corner, Butler county, has proved most successful and popular in catering to an appreciative patronage, which includes many of the automobile tourists who pass through this village, as well as others who come for the express purpose of partaking of the fine dinners set
forth at the attractive cafe of Mr. Milders, whose wife is his efficient and equally popular coadjutor in the enterprise. Mr. Milders was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 25, 1869, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Rupp) Milders, the former of whom was born in Holland and the latter of whom was born in the United States. Peter Milders was reared and educated in his native land and was a young man when he came to Ohio and established his residence in the city of Hamilton, where he engaged in the bakery business, on Ludlow street. He was a man of broad views and marked intelligence, and the versatility of his talent soon came into evidence. After having conducted his bakery for some time he purchased a small newspaper plant at Hamilton, where for a brief interval he figured as editor and publisher of a weekly newspaper. At Hamilton he became the owner of the building now occupied by the Holbrock shoe store, and in this building he operated a bakery during the period of the Civil war. He was one of the representative business men and valued and honored citizens of Hamilton, and he left on the community at his death the impress of a worthy and useful life. Of the children of Peter and Margaret Milders the names are here given: Kate, Mrs. Andrew Seibald; Mary, Mrs. George W. Schuler; Elizabeth, Mrs. George Burkhart; Lena, Mrs. Andrew Graf; Magdalene, Mrs. William B. Meyer; John, deceased; Peter C. Schuler Sohngen, son of Richard and Maggie (Schuler) Sohngen and grandson of Mrs. Mary (Milders) Schuler, was one of the gallant young men who represented Butler county in the Nation's military service during the late World war. Jacob Milders, the immediate subject of this review, acquired his early education in the public schools of Hamilton, and as a youth he turned his attention to the newspaper business. For seventeen years he held the position of circulation manager of the Hamilton Journal, prior to which he was for two years in the United States mail service. Subsequently he promoted the organization of the Hamilton baseball park, in the ownership of which he held the controlling interest, as did he also in the Hamilton baseball club, which made an excellent record during the period of his connection with its management. This association on his part covered a period of a quarter 6f a century, and in later years he has not appreciably abated his interest in the "national game." Mr. Milders gained prestige as one of the most vital and efficient promoters of civic and material progress in Hamilton, where he served five years as a member of the board of education and where he was the chief factor in the promotion and construction of a large public assembly building known as the coliseum, this structure having been destroyed in the great flood of 1913. At one time Mr. Milders owned and conducted two novelty stores at Hamilton, and at all times he was an influential and popular figure in the representative business and social life of the city. Finally he established the Milders Inn, at Symmes Corner, and this has become known as one of the best and most popular cafes in this part of Ohio, its admirable service, together with the personal popularity of its owner, drawing to it a representative supporting patronage from Cincinnati, Hamilton and other cities in the vicinity, as well as of
those making automobile tours through Butler county. The chicken dinners of the Milders Inn have a reputation that far transcends local limitations, and Mr. and Mrs. Milders find pleasure as well as profit in catering to their many patrons. The year 1891 recorded the marriage of Mr. Milders to Miss Mary A. Doellman, daughter of Frank and Anna (Heet) Doellman, well-known citizens of Hamilton, Mrs. Milders being the eldest in a family of eleven children, and the names of the others being here recorded: Henry, deceased; Edward, Frank, Louis, deceased; William, Carl, Leo, Theresa, Anna, Mrs. Luther Parker; and Lulu, deceased. Leo Doellman was in the nation's military service during the World war. Mr. and Mrs. Milders have two children, Helen and Raymond. After having been graduated in the Hamilton high school and the Hamilton Business college, Miss Helen Milders became stenographer in the office of James W. See, of Hamilton, and later she was given the position of assistant secretary of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, of which post she is still the efficient and popular incumbent. She was influential in the food-conservation movement during the late war period, and was secretary of the Butler County Fuel Administration committee for several months and took part in all Liberty loan and Red Cross drives. Raymond Milders was graduated in the Hamilton High school, as a member of the class of 1919, and is now a student in Miami university. It should be stated that Mr. and Mrs. Milders were notably patriotic and loyal in their support of the various war drives for the sale of government war bonds, savings stamps, etc., as well as in the support of the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A., Salvation Army and other agencies that aided materially in upholding American prestige during the climacteric era of the war. Mr. Milders is a Democrat in his political allegiance and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Tribe of Ben Hur, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. At Symmes Corner he is the owner of a tract of eight acres, aside from that on which his inn is established, and the products from this land add to the popularity of the service of his cafe.
William E. Miles. During the period of his connection with the Middletown plant of the American Rolling mill, William E. Miles has established an excellent record for faithful and efficient service and for friendships gained and maintained. A thorough master of his vocation, he has contributed with his fellow-workmen to the marvelous success of the company whose representative he is, and at the same time has shown his integrity and probity in private life and his fidelity in friendships. Mr. Miles was born at Roanoke City, Va., September 25, 1871, a son of Nicodemus Henry and Amanda (Neighbors) Miles. His parents, who reside at Muncie, Ind., where they are well known and highly respected, have the following eight children: William E., of this notice; Louella Montrey, who is the wife of Burton Barnes, of Toledo; Lillian Catherine, who married Melvin Williams, of the same city; Lulu, who is Mrs. Bob Vaughn, of Toledo; Miss Della Virginia, who is a resident of Muncie, Ind.; Joseph Walter, whose house is at Danville, Ill.; Andrew Russell, a resident of Gary, Ind.; and Blanche, the wife of Charles Aleshire, of
Geneva, Ind. The educational training of William E. Miles was secured in the public schools of Roanoke City, Va., and there he also secured the rudimentary knowledge of his chosen vocation. For a number of years he was variously employed in rolling mills in different parts of the country until finally coming to Middletown, where he has since been in the service of the American Rolling Mill, in the capacity of roller. Through his long and faithful service has shown himself to be an employee to be relied upon and implicit faith is placed in his work a confidence that has always been vindicated. Mr. Miles was married July 4, 1894, at Muncie, Ind., to Miss Emma Alice Danner, who was born December 14, 1871, daughter of Thomas J. and Charlotte Jemima (George) Danner. Mrs. Mlles is the sister of Samuel O. Danner of Middletown, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He married Miss Daisy Langston of Muncie, Ind. William Arthur Danner, also of Middletown, and who married Miss Anna Shockley of Muncie, Ind., is another brother of Mrs. Miles, as is also John G. Danner of Middletown, and is the husband of Miss Anna Miller of Muncie, Ind. The sisters of Mrs. Miles are Rosa and Malvina. Rosa is the wife of Albert Bailey of Middletown. Malvina married J. F. Watkins of Muncie, Ind. Mr. Watkins was in the employ of the American Rolling Mills and was what was termed one of the fifteen-year men. He died November 28, 1918. Mrs. Miles' parents are still living and residents of Muncie, Ind. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miles: Walter E., who died aged one month and twenty-seven days; and Glenn E. Glenn E. Miles was born December 31, 1896, at Muncie, Ind., and in June, 1916, graduated from the Middletown high school. At that time he began work in the American Rolling mill, but subsequently entered the service of the United States Army and for seven months was stationed at Camp Taylor. When he received his honorable discharge he resumed his former position at the mill, and at this time is his father's helper. Both he and his father are liberal in their political views, preferring their own choice of candidates to those chosen strictly along party lines. Both are members of the Amalgamated Association of Iron Workers, and the elder man is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while the younger holds membership in the Benevolent Order of Elks. The family belongs to the Christian church and its members have been identified with progressive and constructive measures, either educational, religious or civic in character. The attractive home of the Miles family is located on Linden avenue.
Albert C. Miller. A progressive representative of the agricultural interests of Butler county is found in the person of Albert C. Miller, who is the owner of a well-improved property located on the Franklin road. Mr. Miller's entire career has been passed amid an agricultural atmosphere save for the short period of eighteen months, and the modern methods which have brought him success have been mastered through a long number of years of experience and practical training. Mr. Miller was born in Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1867, a son of Charles L. and Louise (Knecht) Miller, natives of Germany, and a grandson of Daniel
Miller. The Miller family came to the United States in 1830, settling near Miamisburg, and in that community Charles L. Miller grew to manhood and engaged in farming. He continued as a tiller of the soil throughout his life, and died on his property in 1903, being still survived by his widow. Albert C. Miller received a district school education, and was brought up as a farmer's son. On attaining years of maturity, he chose farming as his own life's vocation, and, as noted, has continued to follow this line of endeavor with the exception of eighteen months. He carries on mixed farming, on his fifty-one acre tract, located on the Franklin road, not far from Middletown, a property which has been made generously productive through the use of skilled methods of treating the soil. The improvements are attractive and the buildings commodious, and in his neighborhood Mr. Miller is accounted one of the well-to-do and substantial agriculturists of the community. He is a Democrat, but has not interested himself actively in politics, save as a voter and supporter of good men and constructive measures. With his family he belongs to the Lutheran church at Middletown. Mr. Miller was married February 27, 1894, to Barbara, daughter of Leonard and Catherine Schell. Mrs. Miller was born in Germany and was still a young woman when alone she made the journey to, and having a brother in Middletown, she made her home with him, November 25, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of two children: Mary Louise and Carroll F.
Alexander Miller. The career of the late Alexander Millet belongs to the past rather than to the present of Butler county, for more than thirty years have passed since this honored citizen's death. Mr. Miller was born on a farm in Union township, Butler county, December 10, 1848, a son of William and Mary (Cummings) Miller, both also natives of this county, where the father, a lifelong farmer, was honored by election as county commissioner during the early days and wielded a strong influence for good among the pioneer residents. There were four children in the family: Mattie, Alexander, Ross and John. Alexander Miller was given a public school education and received his agricultural instruction under his father. When he was twenty-one years of age he broke home ties and embarked upon a career of his own, eventually becoming the owner of a farm of 103 acres, which he operated with success until the time of his demise. He was an industrious man, of practical ideas, and in the community in which he resided he was recognized as a man of honor, a farmer of ability, and a citizen of public spirit and high ideals, and his death, which occurred August 17, 1887, caused much sorrow among a wide circle of friends. Mr. Miller married Fannie, daughter of William and Rachel (Seward) Garris. Mr. Garris, who was born near Lancaster, Pa., was but eleven years of age when brought to Ohio by his parents, and when a young man removed from Hamilton county to Butler county, where he passed the rest of his life as a farmer. He had only one child, Fannie. The only son and child of Alexander and Fannie (Garris) Miller, W. Harry Miller, is one of the energetic farmers of Union township. He was educated in the public schools, and after leaving high school
began farming operations with his father, at whose death he assumed management of the home place, which he has since conducted. He has the entire 103 acres under a high state of cultivation, and in addition to carrying on general farming has met with success in the dairy line, and now milks fourteen cows. Like his father, he is accounted one of his community's stable citizens and can be depended upon to support all worthy measures. He has served acceptably as a member of the board of school directors of his community, and in politics is a Democrat with independent inclinations. As a fraternalist, he has passed through the chairs of the Knights of Pythias, and his religious affiliation is with the West Chester Presbyterian church. In 1891, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Clara, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Gould) Vail, and to them have been born three children: Alexander, William Marion and Naomi.
Charles E. Miller, who has been a resident of Middletown, Butler county, from the days of his boyhood, was a youth when he accepted a minor position in the employ of the Middletown Machine company, and by his energy, technical and executive ability and sterling character he continued to make consecutive advancement in connection with the affairs of this important industrial corporation until he became president of the same, after thirty-four years of continuous and efficient service. He is today not only one of the representative business men of Middletown, but is also one of the most liberal and public-spirited of its citizens-one who has been especially influential in advancing its civic and material progress and prosperity. Charles E. Miller was born at Hamilton, Ohio, November 8, 1861, and is a son of Theobald and Sarah (West) Miller, the former of whom, after a long career of signal honor and usefulness, was summoned to the life eternal, on July 14, 1907, at Middletown, where his venerable widow still resides, she being a representative of a colonial American family of English origin and a direct descendant of that historic character, John Rolfe. The subject of this review was a boy at the time of his parents' removal from Hamilton to Middletown, in which latter city he continued his studies in the public schools until his graduation in the high school, as a member of the class of 1878. Thereafter he was for several years a student in the University of Ohio, and after leaving this institution he accepted a position in the employ of the Middletown Machine company of which he is now the executive head. With this company he rose step by step and developed to the fullest degree his exceptional mechanical genius which indeed might well be termed the genius of his substantial success: He has been a resourceful force in the development of the large and prosperous business of the company of which he is now the president, and his business loyalty has been equaled by that which he has shown as a citizen. For many years he has been active and influential in public affairs at Middletown, where he was a member of the city council at a time when some of the most important issues in the city's history were under consideration. He has always been the staunch advocate of progressive municipal policies and has given his influence and co-operation in the furtherance of many enterprises and measures that have
inured greatly to the prosperity and prestige of his home city. He is not formally identified with any religious organization but is liberal in support of all denominational church activities. In politics, with well fortified convictions, he is found aligned as a staunch advocate and supporter of the cause of the Republican party. A man who has done and is doing a man's work in the world, and who represents in his makeup the sterling traits that make for ideal citizenship, Mr. Miller has a secure place in the confidence and good-will of all who know him-especially the people of Middletown. He and his family occupy the beautiful old homestead that was erected for his father, on Reynolds street, and a revered member of the family circle is his venerable and gracious mother, who is loved by all who have come within the compass of her gentle influence. In the year 1886 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Miller to Miss Margaret J. Stein, who was born in Pennsylvania and reared in Middletown, Ohio, and who is a daughter of John and Anna (Schliecher) Stein. She is the popular chatelaine of the beautiful old family home, which under her regime has been notable for its generous and unassuming hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two sons, Dr. Charles L., who is engaged in the practice of his profession at Middletown, as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of his native county, and Herbert S., who is his father's able and valued coadjutor, as the incumbent of the position of vice-president of the Middletown Machine company. Dr. Charles L. Miller was graduated in the Middletown High school and thereafter he entered the Cincinnati Medical college, in which he was duly graduated, with the degree of M. D. For a number of years thereafter he was engaged in practice in Cincinnati, and recently he returned to his native city, where he has already built up a substantial and representative professional business. He married Miss Eleanor Hoffman, of Cincinnati, and they have as the principal joy-giver of their home their winsome little daughter, Dorothy.
Charles E. Miller. For more than twenty years the business established at No. 20 S. Second street by Charles E. Miller, in 1899, and since his death conducted by his widow, Mrs. Minnie Miller, has been one of the well-patronized cafes of Hamilton, which is made attractive through the strict observance of cleanliness, the courtesy of the proprietress, moderation in prices and good quality of products. Charles E. Miller was a native son of Hamilton, his parents being Jacob and Mary Miller, both deceased. Jacob Miller was a gardener, and he and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom five survive. Charles E. Miller was given a graded school education at Hamilton, and was variously employed until 1899, in which year he embarked in the cafe business at No. 20 S. Second street. His long residence within the boundaries of the city, and his connection with a stable business enterprise, gave him a wide acquaintance and materially contributed to the maintenance of a large and lucrative business, with which he was connected until his death in 1915. Mr. Miller was married in 1896 to Minnie daughter of George and Amelia Morner, early settlers of Butler county, and to this union there were born three children: Lillian W., Edward M.
and Ross L., who reside with their widowed mother at No. 610 S. Second street. Mr. Miller was a member of the following fraternal orders: Eagles, Moose, and Monkeys, and belonged likewise to the Mutual Aid society and Walnut Aid society. The business which he established is still being conducted by his widow, a woman of marked business ability and unusual accomplishments. Her stock consists of soft drinks, near beer and lunches, and she is enjoying an excellent patronage, built up through her energy, courtesy and good management, as well as by the excellent quality of the goods sold. She has many friends in the city in which she has passed her entire life.
Horace O. Miller, who occupies the responsible position of director of purchases of the American Rolling Mill company, of Middletown, is another of the men connected with this great industry who has been the architect of his own fortune. In his youth he was granted only ordinary advantages and had no aiding influences to make the way easy for him in his upward climb. What he has accomplished has come as a direct result of his own ability and industry, and his success is therefore all the more commendable as well as satisfying. Mr. Miller was born at Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio, December 9, 1879, a son of Henry and Maria L. (Akley) Miller. His father was descended from a European family which came to the United States many years ago, and his death occurred at Goshen, Ohio, April 3, 1918. The Akley family, members of which fought as soldiers during the Revolutionary war, came from Lancaster county, Pa., and settled near Milford, Ohio, where Mrs. Miller was born. She still survives and resides with her son at Middletown. There were three sons in the family: Jesse and Horace O., of Middletown; and Rev. Frank, a Methodist minister in the Southwestern Ohio Conference. Horace O. Miller was educated in the public schools of Goshen, Ohio, after leaving which he secured a position in the office of the Union Central Life Insurance company, Cincinnati, where he spent several years. Next he came to Middletown to accept the position of private secretary to George M. Verity, president of the American Rolling mill, an office which he filled creditably for a number of years. He was then promoted to the post of director of purchases, and this he occupies today. Mr. Miller takes an active part in the work of the local Y. M. C. A., is an Elk and a Mason, and in politics votes and supports the Republican ticket. With his family, he belongs to the Presbyterian church. He has a number of pleasant social connections, and is the owner of a beautiful home on South Main street. June 19, 1907, Mr. Miller married Ada Bell, daughter of Clement C. and Jennie (Bell) Bateman, of Washington Court House, Ohio. Mrs. Miller is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her great-great-great-grandfather, William Bell, sr., was born in Scotland and emigrated to the United States in 1757, and his son, William Bell, jr., was born in Delaware, May 28, 1761. As a child he removed with his parents to New Jersey, and during the War of the Revolution served two enlistments, as a private in Capt. Silas Howell's Company, First New Jersey Regiment, commanded by Col. Mathias
Ogden. In 1784 William Bell, jr., married Mary Brady and in 1790 they removed with their children to Philadelphia, in 1794 to Culpeper, Va., and in 1798 to Greenfield, Highland county, Ohio. Ohio was at that time still a territory, and William Bell, jr., was the first white man buried in his community, where his descendants still reside. He had three sons: Joseph, who served in Capt. Watson Douglass' detachment of Col. William Key's Regiment of Ohio Militia in the War of 1812; Josiah, and Charles, who served in Captain Jones' Company in the same struggle. Mrs. Miller's great-grandfather, Frederick Backenstowe, fought as a soldier during the Mexican war, and her grandfather, Capt. John M. Bell, son of Joseph Bell, organized a company for the Civil war, in which struggle he met a soldier's death in battle. Clement C. Bateman, father of Mrs. Miller, was born at West Liberty, Ohio, March 4, 1850, and died August 24, 1910, and his wife was born in Washington Court House, Fayette county, Ohio, and died December 2, 1913. They had two children: Mrs. Miller, of this review; and her elder brother, Frank M. Bateman, one of the best-beloved residents of Middletown, and a valued employee of the American Rolling Mill company, was a soldier in the Spanish American war. He died March 6, 1919. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller there have been born two children: Sara Elizabeth, who is deceased; and Richard Bateman, born March 2, 1910, an exceedingly bright young lad who is attending the graded schools.
J. Lowry Miller. J. Lowry Miller, of Butler county, for some years a popular educator, but now extensively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Lemon township, was born near Georgetown, Brown county, O., a son of Alfonzo and Angeline (Bolender) Miller, and grandson of Joseph Bolender. His father, a resident of Brown county during his entire career, was a teacher for a number of years, and maintained his interest in educational matters throughout his life, contributing generously to projects pertaining to the advancement of the public schools. He was also active in the work of the Presbyterian church, quite influential in the Republican party in his community. He and his wife were the parents of three children: J. Lowry, of this review; Clyde, who is engaged in farming in Brown county; and Clarence, who is carrying on operations on the old home place. J. Lowry Miller attended the graded and high schools of Felicity, and in order to perfect himself in the profession of teaching, entered the Wooster university, from which he did not graduate, leaving it in 1904. During the two years that followed he taught at Russellville, was then located at Fayetteville for three years, and at Monroe for a like period, and became one of the most popular and efficient teachers in his section. He was accounted an excellent teacher, who had the faculty of being able to readily impart his own knowledge to others, and thereby mould the plastic mind of youth in a fitting and beneficial manner. Agricultural matters began to interest him, however, and in 1913 he settled on the old Dunn farm, in section 26, Lemon township, and here his success has been very satisfying. In addition to his general farming operations, he is a breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs, and raises Buff Orpington chickens. Although he has not resided long in Butler
county, he has become well known and has made many friends and is counted one of the most public-spirited citizens in his community He has accomplished good work as a member of the Public Welfare committee, is a master of his Grange, secretary of the Middletown Milk Dealers' association, and is also a valued member of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Miller's religious connection is with the United Presbyterian church and he has been active in church work and in politics is a staunch Republican. In 1903 Mr. Miller ,vas united in marriage with Miss Beulah Davis, of Russellville, O., and to this union three children have been born: Muriel Elizabeth, Helen Leona, and May Catherine. While the love of home predominates, Mr. Miller enjoys the companionship of his fellows, in being a popular member of Masonic Blue Lodge No. 103, at Felicity, Ohio.
John S. Miller. One of the old and highly honored agriculturists of Hanover township, Butler county, who has been a participant for the last thirty years in the active life and consistent development of this section of the great Miami valley, is John S. Miller, who is still carrying on successful farming and stock raising operations on the old Fulkerson place. He was born in Fairfield township, this county, October 26, 1849, a son of William H. H. Miller, who was born in Springfield township, Hamilton county, Ohio, December 15, 1814, and a grandson of Samuel Miller, a native of New Jersey. Samuel Miller was among the early settlers of Butler county, locating in Fairfield township, six miles from Hamilton, where in addition to the vocation of farming, he plied industriously his trade of stone mason, and during the early days was called upon to construct many of the stone chimneys which graced the homes of the pioneers. In 1844, W. H. H. married Jenette Brown, who came from Scotland to the United States in 1831 with her parents and a colony comprising forty others, being eight weeks and four days on the Atlantic before making port at New York. In 1810 the Browns came to Cincinnati and secured 100 acres of land in Fairfield township. Soon after his marriage to Miss Brown, Samuel Miller settled on the farm which continued to be their home until their deaths. They were the parents of three sons and one daughter, of whom the daughter died in infancy, the sons being Clark, who was a farmer at Symmes Corner, Ohio, where he died; William H. H.; and Levy, who was a farmer in Fairfield township, where his death occurred. William H. H. Miller had little chances for an educational training in his youth, as he was still a boy when he was bound out to a farmer named Archibald Martin. When he attained manhood and entered upon a career of his own he located in Fairfield township, where he took up farming, and there made his home until 1880 when he sold his farm and located in Hanover township, buying 255 acres on which he made many improvements. There his death occurred April 10, 1887. He was a Republican in his political allegiance, and was a faithful member of the United Brethren church to which also belonged his wife, who was born in Scotland, July 12, 1820, and died March 7, 1901. They were the parents of six children: Mary Isabelle, born March 2, 1846, married H. B. Joseph, of Cincinnati, where
she died September 10, 1918; John S., of this notice; William C., born April 28, 1852, a resident of. Reily township, Butler county; Helen M., born September 23, 1855, married J. R. Fulkerson of Hanover township, and died September 10, 1918; Sarah J., born June 2, 1858, who married John Q. Brate, of Union township; and Nettie, born November 20, 1861, residing in Reily township. The education of John S. Miller was acquired at the public school at Jones station, where there were 120 pupils under one teacher. He was reared as a farmer and remained at home until attaining the age of nearly thirty-five. On February 19, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Fulkerson, a native of Milford township, Butler county, and a daughter of James R. and Kate (Bennett) Fulkerson. James R. Fulkerson was born in 1833, at Hamilton, Ohio, a son of Epperson Fulkerson, a hat manufacturer of that place, who was also the owner of farms in Milford and Hanover townships. At the age of twenty years, James R. Fulkerson took up farming in Milford township, but in 1868 moved to Hanover township, where he died in August, 1913. His wife, whose parents were natives of Ireland, died in 1880, and Mary Ann was the only child born to them. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller there were born four children: Bertha A., born in Hamilton county, August 30, 1886, wife of Alvin Decker of Reily township; William R., born February 4, 1889, a farmer of Hanover township, married January 31, 1918, Sadie Campbell, daughter of William and Lydia Campbell, farming people of Hanover township; Catherine, who resides with her father; and Charles B., twin of Catherine, a farmer of Union township, married Anna Wright and has a daughter, Orveda. The mother of these children died December 13, 1900. After marriage, John S. Miller made his home in Springfield township, Hamilton county, for six years, and then moved to the old Fulkerson place in Hanover township, Butler county, where he has 108 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. He raises Duroc Jersey Red hogs and Belgian horses and does a general farming business, and through his good management and modern application of methods has won his way to a comfortable position in life and to high standing in his community. He is a Republican in politics, takes an intelligent interest in all important topics and worth-while movements of the day, and during the past fifteen years has been a member of the Butler County Agricultural board. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, at Darrtown, in which he has numerous friends, as he has also wherever he has come into contact with his fellow-men.
R. I. Miller, who is favorably known as the proprietor of a well-equipped and profitable furniture and undertaking establishment at College Corner, belongs to that class of citizens who have worked out their own success. While he came into a business already established, he has furnished the industry which has built the establishment up to its present proportions and importance. Mr. Miller was born on a farm two and one-half miles west of College Corner, in Union county, Ind., a son of W. C. and Nancy (Ridenour) Miller. His father was for a number of years a well-respected farmer of that county, and then, in middle life, moved to the village of College
Corner, where he established himself in business as an undertaker and funeral director. After he had completed his education in the public schools, R. I. Miller joined his father in this business and continued in association with the elder man until the latter's death, at which time he succeeded him as sole proprietor. Under his management there has been added to the business a full line of furniture, carpets and rugs, and in addition Mr. Miller carries pianos and has the local agency for the Edison, Pathe and Brunswick talking machines, and his business is an excellent one. As a citizen Mr. Miller is also held in high esteem, and has, during his career, served as town treasurer of the Indiana side of College Corner. He is a Republican and wields some influence in his party, and he and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Miller married Mary, daughter of T. B. Barkley, of Oxford, who retired after many years spent in agricultural pursuits in Butler county, and to this union there were born two children: Harold, born in 1903, who is attending high school; and Thomas S., born in 1911, a student of the graded schools.
Dan Millikin, M. D. In the heyday of existence, when an individual is achieving success beyond his contemporaries and winning prosperity and applause, public honors and private adulation, his compelling personality may have much to do with influencing opinion, but, after he has passed from the scene of life, and his deeds, his triumphs, his failures and successes are viewed with the cold and unbiased criticism that posterity accords even its highest and greatest, his true character stands forth and his measure of usefulness to mankind is clearly revealed. The student of history and biography knows full well how often this acid test brings only disappointment. When, then, a community can point proudly to a man the records of whose daily life disclosed true nobility, how valuable, how interesting is the story and how farreaching may be its influence. To the memory of such a man, Dr. Dan Millikin, Hamilton pays tribute. In compiling a biography of such a man as Doctor Millikin, it will be the object of this all too inadequate sketch to trace the origin and progress of a rare personal career, briefly to present the life of an eminent citizen as it has been seen by the mass of unprofessional people among whom it was spent, to note the high professional honors which it has received, and to indicate some of the studies which engaged the thought of a great man. Dr. Dan Millikin was born April 17, 1845, in Fairfield township, Butler county, Ohio, youngest of the six children of Major John M. and Mary G. (Hough) Millikin. In tracing the genealogy of the family of which he was a member, seven different ways of spelling the name have been common, viz.: Milliken, Millikan, Milligan, Mulliken, Mullikin, Millican and Millikin. The family is of Scotch-Irish origin, and the earliest families of the name known to have settled in the American Colonies came to Maryland in the train of Lord Baltimore from whom their land grants were extensive. Many of the name fought in the year of the Revolution and the War of 1812, and during the war with Mexico several Millikins served under Gen. Winfield Scott. The family was represented by more men in the Union and
Confederate armies during the Civil war than any other in the country more than 100 soldiers bearing the name having borne arms in the great struggle- In tracing the direct ancestry of Doctor Millikin, we are taken back to Dormore, County Down, province of Ulster, in the North of Ireland, which was the cradle town of many Millikins and Millikins. James Millikin (1), born in 1727, died at Dormore, April 17, 1789. He married Martha Hemphill, born in 1729, died May 12, 1800, and they had nine children: James, William, John, Mary, David, Martha, Samuel, Nancy and Robert. James (2), son of James and Martha (Hemphill) Millikin, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, January 27, 1752, and married March 31, 1778, Dolly McFarland, born June 6, 1762. In 1771 he came to America and settled on Ten Mile Creek, Amwell township, Washington county, Pa., and died July 30, 1821. He and his wife had eleven children, among whom was Daniel Millikin (1) their eldest son, who was born in the Washington county home, February 4, 1779. He married December 31, 1801, Joan Minor, of a staunch New England family which had come to the Colonies soon after the arrival of the Mayflower. When eighteen years of age Daniel, Millikin was sent by his parents to Jefferson college, Canonsburg, Washington county, Pa., where he remained over a year devoting some time to the study of languages preparatory to the study of medicine. He then began a course under Dr. James Bell, of Greensboro, Pa., and commenced practice at his early home, but removed later by way of the Monongahela to Cincinnati by flatboat, and reached Hamilton, May 7, 1807. He was the earliest permanent practitioner at Hamilton, and "Old Doctor Dan" became widely known and greatly beloved all over the countryside. He was a surgeon in the regiment of Colonel Mills during the War of 1812 and for a time was acting quartermaster. He served as a trustee of Miami university for many years, and in 1816 was a member of the House of Representatives. He was likewise a major-general of the Third Division of State Militia, and served as associate judge (or wooden head) of the common pleas for three terms. He died at Hamilton, November 3, 1849, the father of twelve children, of whom four were by his second wife, Ellen Curry, who survived him. John Minor Millikin, second son of Daniel Millikin, was born in Washington county, Pa., October 14, 1804, and came to Hamilton with his father as a child. He married September 6, 1831, Mary G., only daughter of Joseph and Jane (Hunter) Hough. After being instructed by Doctor Proudfit, of Hamilton, Maj. John M. Millikin returned to his birthplace in 1824 and entered Washington college. He subsequently studied law with Jesse Corwin, of Hamilton, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1827. At that time he formed a partnership with William Bebb, who afterward became governor of the state; but this relation was dissolved in 1844 and Mr. Millikin retired to his farm, three miles east of Hamilton, to recruit his health. He did not return to legal practice but became much interested in agriculture, contributing many able papers to the farm journals. For many years his farm was a model one; in 1846 he was a member of the State Board of Equalization; and in 1856 was made a member of the State Board
of Agriculture, and was twice re-elected, being president of the board one year. In 1860 he was appointed a trustee of Miami university, a capacity in which he served until his death, and in 1873 was named one of the commissioners to make a treaty with the Creek Indians. In 1876-77 he was state treasurer. His death occurred April 9, 1884. Major Millikin was the father of six children: Joseph Hough, born July 5, 1832, died October 3, 1838; Col. Minor M., born July 9, 1834, was killed at the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862; Mary Jane, born January 29, 1837, died September 23, 1838; Joseph, born January 28, 1840, died November 4, 1883; Mary Ella, born March 19, 1843, died October 17, 1870; and Dan. The boyhood and youth of Dr. Dan Millikin were passed at his father's country home, where he was surrounded by all that a cultured home could give. His natural love of learning inclining him to employ his leisure moments profitably, he gained in his youth a fund of knowledge not often acquired by boys of his age. As a little lad, with his pony and books, he would spend whole days in the woods surrounding his home, acquiring a thorough acquaintance with nature. He knew at an early age every tree and shrub that grew and his knowledge of the birds and insects was a marvel to everyone. The studious habits of childhood remained with him throughout life and he ever considered a day wasted in which he did not accomplish some reading and study. After graduating in 1862 from the local high school, in 1863-66, he was a student in the Sheffield school of Yale college. During this time, as an ardent supporter of the cause of the Union and ever earnest in its uplift and upholding, he served for a brief period as a member of the "Squirrel Hunters" in the dark days of the Civil war. After his marriage, at the age of twenty-one years, he settled down on his father's farm, where he did horticultural work and passed his leisure time in study and writing. During the summer of 1873, the year of the Greeley campaign, while on a visit with his family at Minneapolis, Dr. Millikin contributed many editorials to the Minneapolis Times, a paper devoted to Horace Greeley, and edited by Pliny Bartlett, formerly of Hamilton. The journalistic fever was now very strong with him; life on the farm hardly afforded the opportunities desired, and he sought a larger sphere. It was a choice between journalism, law and medicine; and he chose the last named. After graduating with honor in 1875, from the Miami Medical college of Cincinnati he began the actual practice of his calling at the age of twenty-nine years, and, rapidly acquired a large, lucrative and important professional business. His devotion to his work was unflagging, while his success came as the result of his ability and assiduous application. He taught in his alma mater, Miami Medical college, from 1884, first holding the chair of Medical Chemistry, then of Materia Medica and Therapeutics and finally the chair of Medical Jurisprudence. He was elected to the presidency of the Ohio State Medical society in 1895-96, was a member of the American, Union District and Butler County medical societies, and from December 31, 1906, until December 31, 1913, was president of the board of education, and was a strong governing force in placing the public schools of Hamilton
upon the high plane they occupy today. A profound student of the Ohio profession, widely read on topics of the times and in a wide range of literature, scientific, economical and medical, his services were much in demand as a contributor to literary and scientific journals and his lectures were of the utmost interest. He was not only a man of science and high professional attainments, but a man of letters, having a recondite knowledge along general lines of thought. He was a prolific writer of pedagogics, especially along physiological lines, and delivered many addresses on that and kindred subjects. He contributed the sketch of Butler county in "Butler County Art Work," a publication issued at Chicago, likewise wrote an article for the Centennial Souvenir Book of Hamilton, on the literary men of the city, and his many papers on medical subjects were made doubly attractive by his rare and pleasing literary style. Doctor Millikin was appointed a trustee of Miami university by President McKinley, then governor of Ohio.
For many years, up to the time of his death, Dr. Millikin was a member of the State Forestry Board, and shortly after his marriage wrote a prize essay on the preservation of the forests, which was published by the state. He read a paper, "The Ruin of the Hills," at the meeting of the Ohio State Forestry association at Columbus, January 15, 1888, which was published. "Doctor Dan" possessed one of the finest private libraries on literary and scientific subjects in the state. But it was not so much for his great professional ability and brilliant attainments that he was so well loved, as it was for his fine personality, his splendid and manly charm of character, his forcefulness and geniality, his cheerfulness and good humor, his willingness at all times to lend himself to the cause of charity and to the advancement of all that tended to make men happier and conditions better. For years he took part in local entertainments and with a dominant personality he left an impression on the community. Many essays, addresses, plays, fiction and some narrative poems have accumulated, some of which may be published eventually. Many of these were unfinished, as he had the faculty of speaking from few notes. As an impromptu speaker he had few equals. No better idea of the genial and kindly nature of the Doctor can be given than that expressed in his own cheery words: "I train with young people for the most part, and I trust that the new crop of ten-year-olds will love me when we are all ten years older." In this connection a contemporary writer said: "The name of Dr. Dan Millikin stands for many things. We think of him as the man of many gifts - physician, lecturer, writer and a walking encyclopedia to whom the whole town might turn for knowledge upon any subject, and, busy man that he was, he always took time to give the needed information, even to the humblest inquirer. Yet, neither as scientist, lecturer or scholar will Doctor Dan be remembered best by some of us - but in a much humbler role - as ‘Gankie’ the mender of dolls and toys. The childish lips which found ‘Grandpa’ too long and dignified a name, so shortened it in comradeship to ‘Gankie’ - christened the Doctor for all time with his most beloved title. It was always to ‘Gankie’ that the broken toys were brought. Dr.
Dan Millikin possessed a mental attitude which was sublimely gracious. He had no grievance with his Maker - he accepted life and found it good. Having a truly poetic nature, he was a genuine worshiper of all beauty, but the soul of the man drew back from the commercial side of life. He was generous almost to a fault; never pushed a creditor; yet the world is richer for the cheer, jovial warmth and humor which his life poured into it; while the poetic fancies of his brain as well as his exact technical knowledge have added to the sum-total of the world's culture. He was so versatile in his talents and skilled in so many directions that he will always be remembered as a man of brilliant attainments, an honor to the State of Ohio; but some few of us will always love best to think of him, just as ‘Gankie,’ the mender of dolls."
Doctor Millikin lived a full, active and happy life. During the last eighteen months of his earthly existence he was troubled by a pernicious anaemia, of the encroachments of which he was fully aware. He calmly and courageously faced the outcome and when his spirit took its departure, June 5, 1914, his house was in order. His death came as a great and lasting sorrow to many hearts, and the city of Hamilton never has been called upon to mourn the loss of a distinguished citizen whose death occasioned as widespread sorrow. It has been the privilege of but few men in this, or of any other, community to become the center of as wide a circle of personal friends or to attach to themselves, by the indissoluble chains of affectionate esteem, so many men and women of widely varying fortune and social rank. The medical profession, of course, suffered an irreparable loss. Said the Cincinnati Medical News: "It is difficult to refrain from the use of superlatives in speaking of services rendered to the medical profession - indeed, to humanity – by the late Dan Millikin. . . . The American Medical association, the profession of Ohio and of Hamilton and Cincinnati lose a leading member, science loses a devoted follower, art a cultured patron, literature a valued contributor. The citizens of the entire country lose by his death one who always advocated and fought for the highest ideals of a member of a democratic community." At the time of his death, extended eulogistic editorials appeared in various papers throughout the state, and expressions of sorrow were heard on every side. His alumni association adopted resolutions and a memorial was prepared. Five hundred of the thousands of friends of the departed were at the Memorial meeting held in the new Y. M. C. A., and it was considered peculiarly appropriate that this should be the occasion for the first use of the new building. At this meeting, ex-Governor Campbell, who presided, gave a long and appropriate address in regard to his former friend, and other men prominent in public life and in professional and business circles paid tribute to one whom they felt merited the tribute of truth to truth, and the honor that man pays to nobility in man.
At the age of twenty-one years, Doctor Millikin was married to Amanda, daughter of William and Anna (Jenifer) Hunter, pioneers of Hamilton, the Jenifers being an old family from Baltimore, Md. William Hunter, who was a well-known business man and merchant
of Hamilton, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1797, and carne to Hamilton in 1807. In 1826 he located in Butler county, where in 1835 he was elected country treasurer, and subsequently served as president of the city council of Hamilton. His death occurred in 1856. He was part owner of the old grist and flour mill that stood on the site now occupied by the park at the bridge that joins West Hamilton and Hamilton, and which later became known as the Morey mill. William and Anna Hunter had ten children, of whom five grew to maturity. Amanda, the youngest, became Mrs. Millikin. In private life Dr. Dan Millikin was domestic in his tastes, his home life was ideal, and his friends were always welcomed at his home. He and his wife were schoolmates in early life, and he secured in her a companion fully suited to the qualities of his mind and character. To a large degree it was due to her ready sympathy and mental capacities that he was enabled to make for himself so noble a record as a physician and a citizen, and to their children have been transmitted those principles of honor and integrity which they made the rule of their lives. Four children were born to Doctor and Mrs. Millikin: Dr. Mark, who married in 1893, May Beckett, and has six children, Frances, Katheleen, Madeleane, Neil, Ruth and Eleanor; Mary, who married in 1894, Thomas M. Beckett, and has nine children, Nora who died in 1900, Minor Millikin, Alice, Walter, who died in 1901, Lucy, Edith, Emily, William and Dan Millikin; Guy, who died in 1894; and Minor, who died in 1880.
Jere F. Mincher. Compared with some of the biographies appearing in this work, the connection of Jere F. Mincher with the business life of Middletown is of comparatively recent date, but during the period of his stay he has identified himself with interests and movements that have served to make him well known, so that today, probably, he has as wide an acquaintance and as broad an influence as many of much longer residence. Mr. Mincher was born March 12, 1863, at Bilston, Staffordshire, England, a son of Thomas and Lydia (Francies) Mincher. When he was but a child he was taken to Scotland by his parents and there reared, receiving his education in the public schools. In the big steel mills of that country he secured his first employment and received his introduction to the steel industry, and this business has continued to hold his attention ever since. In Scotland, Mr. Mincher plodded steadily along, without receiving much encouragement in the way of appreciation, and eventually, when he had reached the age of thirty-five years, he decided it was best to try his fortunes in some other land. America, of course, with its manifold opportunities, was the first to present itself to his mind, and accordingly, in 1893, he came to this country and first located at Cambridge, Ohio, where he worked in the steel mills. He was not, however, satisfied with being a mere laborer or common workman, he desired something more advanced, and after five years at Cambridge went to Dresden, Ohio, where he was given the opportunity of learning the trade of steel sheet heating. He gladly accepted this chance to better himself, and after completing his trade went to St. Louis, Mo., where he worked at his trade. When he left that city it was to come to Middletown, where he has
since resided and where he has become one of the most trusted and efficient employees of the American Rolling mills. Mr. Mincher is a reliable, finished workman industrious, skilled and accurate i his work, taking pride in its completeness and quality and giving his best efforts in behalf of his employers. As an integral part of the human machinery which makes possible the operation of the mills he occupies an established position in the community. While still a resident of Great Britain, December 16, 1888, Mr. Mincher was united in marriage with Miss Isabelle Morrison, a native of Scotland, and a daughter of John and Christina Morrison. Twelve children have been born to them, of whom three have passed over, the others being: Christina, now Mrs. William Woodall, of San Francisco, Calif.; Lydia, who is now Mrs. Howard Humphrey, of Lebanon; Jessie, who is now Mrs. Thomas McMurray, of Chicago; Thomas, John, Jere, jr., Florence, Isabelle and Josephine. The sons are all employed at the American Rolling mills. During the time that the United States was a participant in the Great war, Mr. Mincher was engaged in governmental work as an inspector connected with the artillery branch of the service. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masons and is active in the work of that order along with his brother lodge members. He is a man of more than ordinary intellectual attainments and interests himself in subjects which call for genuine thought and consideration. His faith in the hereafter has caused him to adopt the religious faith of Spiritualism, a creed to which the members of his family adhere. His political support is given to those who advocate the cause of Socialism in its best and truest sense. The pleasant home of the Mincher family is situated at No. 1217 E. Third street, and there Mr. Mincher's well-known hospitality is given full scope for exercise in the entertainment of his many friends.
William Minton has for a long period been one of the progressive and successful representatives of farm industry in Butler county, where his ideal rural home is situated in Ross township. He has assumed not a little of leadership in community sentiment and action in his native county and has at all times exemplified the liveliest public spirit and civic loyalty. Special interest further attaches to his career by reason of the fact that he is a scion of one of the old and honored families of this favored section of the Buckeye state and that he was one of the gallant young men who went forth from Ohio to do valiant service as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war. He was made his life count for good in every stage of his career and is a well-known and highly esteemed citizen, who merits a specific tribute in this publication. William Minton was born in Millville, Ross township, Butler county, and is a son of Peter and Hannah (Conklin) Minton, sterling pioneers of whom adequate mention is made on other pages, in the sketch of Henry J. Kumler, who married one of their daughters. He whose name initiates this review was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm and he has shown his excellent judgment by paying unfaltering allegiance to the basic industry of agriculture during virtually the entire period of his active career. He was a member of the State Militia at the
William Minton, continues, pp 500-1
to page 500