Butler County, Ohio - The whole text, 1882 (part 23 of 39)

Peter Jacobs was born in Germany, April 1, 1826, and received but a limited education. He came to America with his parents in 1834, making his way direct to Hamilton. After getting old enough, he became a clerk in several establishments. He was with McCleary, in his store, and also in Perry G. Smith's drug store, being connected with the latter establishment till the death of Mr. Smith. He then entered the employment of John O. Brown, a prominent druggist, with whom he was in partnership for some time after removing on the east side, when Mr. Jacobs succeeded him in the business. This was in the building now occupied by L. A. Boli. From there he removed to the store now occupied by John C. Schwartz, where he continued until his death. He was a successful business man, doing the largest trade as a druggist of any one in Hamilton. He was a self-edu. cated man, but had acquired a fine knowledge of chemistry. He was a member of the Masons, and had been their treasurer for more than twenty-five years, and was also an Odd Fellow. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

He was married in October, 1848, to Miss E. C. Meyers, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Meyers. Mrs. Jacobs was born in Cincinnati in 1832. They were the parents of the following children:-Sarah Alice, who is the wife of Joseph Morris, is now a resident of Cincinnati; William H. Jacobs lives in Cincinnati; Kemmey, now Mrs. Edward Ratcliff, is in Cumminsville; Flora M. is the wife of Zeller Shanks, of Hamilton; Charles F., Minor M., Jessie B., Edith, and May are at home. Mr. Jacobs died January 4, 1877. Mrs. Jacobs conducted the business - successfully for some two years after her husband's death, selling out to John C. Schwartz in November, 1879. She has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1848, and is a genial and cultivated lady.

Frederick Jacobs was born in Hamilton, Butler County, November 15, 1835, and is the son of Peter and Catherine (Kemeline) Jacobs. Peter Jacobs was born in Prussia in 1800, and was married in Germany. He came to America in 1834, settling in Hamilton, and burned lime and engaged in the ice business until 1859. He reared a family of four sons, two of whom are living, Frederick and Conrad, a druggist of Zanesville, Ohio. Peter Jacobs was one of the organizers of St. John's Church, and died in 1873. Mrs. Catherine Jacobs is still living with her son Frederick, and is in fair bodily health at the age of eighty-two. Frederick was educated in the common schools in Hamilton, and assisted his father in conducting the ice business till 1859, when, in company with his brother Conrad, he engaged in the same occupation for himself. They made an artificial ice pond, and were quite successful.

present location, but closed out after a few years, then leading a retired life for four or five years. In the Fall of 1880 he again began the grocery trade at his old location, doing a nice retail trade. He was married on the 29th of March, 1860, to Elizabeth Kirchort, who was born in Darke County, April 6, 1839. They are the parents of eight children, Kemmie K., Carrie M., Louisa A., Wilhelmina F., Frederick C., Emma B., George, and Susie. Mr. Jacobs is a member of St. John's Church, and belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of the Golden Rule, and Knights of Honor.

Mrs. A. J. Hutchison was born in Morgan Township, May 138, 1828. She is the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Bell) Abbott. She was educated in the common schools and Young Ladies' Seminary in Hamilton and elsewhere, receiving a liberal education. Her guardian, Ludwig Betz, provided her with a home at his residence in Hamilton until her marriage, December 25, 1845, to Edward Hutchison, a native of Virginia, who was born April 17, 1818. He came to Ohio about 1830, and engaged in wagon making and afterwards in the coal business, which he afterwards conducted alone. He was an extensive dealer in Cincinnati and Hamilton. He was an attendant at the Universalist Church, and a liberal contributor to all worthy objects. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison were parents of six children, of whom four are living, one daughter and three sons. Mr. Hutchison died July 13, 1866. Mrs. Hutchison occupies the former residence on Dayton Street built by Mr. Hutchison in 1848. She isa member of the Universalist denomination.

Gabriel Huber was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, March 18, 1820. He is the son of George and Frances Huber. He learned the trade of weaver, and when sixteen began an apprenticeship of two years at the carpenter's trade. He worked at this until coming to America with his parents in 1842. The family settled in Hanover Township. He was married July 2, 1845, to Mary Seefert, born in Germany, August 18, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Huber are parents of six children, of whom five are living. Felix is a resident of Hamilton, Valentine is a carpenter by trade, Mary is the wife of John Fisher, and Elizabeth and Josephine are at home. After marriage he worked as a journeyman. He has been for the past sixteen years in the employment of M. F. Eisel & Co. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and an active Democrat in politics.

Isaac Hagerman is a native of this county, having been born in Lemon Township, April 27, 1801. His parents were Michael Hagerman and Margaret Freeman, who came to this county in 1799. He was married in June, 1835, in Fairfield Township, to Maria Reeser, daughter of William Reeser and Molly Skehlen, who came to the county in 1835, both now being dead. Mrs. Hagerman was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1815, and bore her husband nine children.

William was born December 96, 1836; Jane, June 29, 1838; Mary, May 17, 1840; Isaac, June 2, 1842; Francis, May 2, 1848; Sarah, December 20, 18590; Josiah, November 27, 1852; Aaron, July 20, 1857; Michael, July 20, 1857. Isaac died while serving in the Union army in the late war, having contracted camp fever; Josiah died October 15, 1878; and Michael died when eight months old. Mr. Hagerman is one of the oldest persons in the county, having lived here over eighty years, always having followed the calling of a farmer. One of his brothers was in the war of 1812. He now has twenty-one grandchildren.

The Rev. Nicholas Fr. Holtel, pastor of St. Stephen's Church, was born in Cincinnati, April 9, 1853. He is the son of George Henry Holtel and Anna Christine Holtel, née Nélgel. Mr. Holtel was regularly educated for the priesthood by the Franciscans, and fills his charge here acceptably.

James E. Hancock was born in Butler County, June 924, 1839, being the son of Henry G. Hancock and Ella Watson. Henry G. Hancock was born in Kentucky, coming to Ohio in 1889, and settling in Reily Township. He was a farmer by occupation, and reared a family of ten children, of whom six are living. He removed to Indiana about 1840, where he died in 1876. James E. Hancock was educated in the common schools in Indiana, and was brought up to farming. Upon the death of his mother, in his fourteenth year, he left home, and was for five years a resident of Illinois. In 1859 he came to Ohio, locating in Oxford, and entering the employment of GC. F. Billings, a broom manufacturer. He continued with him some four years. In the Fall of 1863 he came to Hamilton, in the employment of Bennett & Caverly, broom manufacturers, and was with them three years. He began business for himself in the firm of Rump & Hancock, in the same line, in 1866. He also engaged in the livery business the next year, and carried on both at the same time. The latter was discontinued after three years. He then engaged in farming and raising broom-corn. He employs in his manufactory from fifteen to twenty-five hands, supplying a demand that exists in Memphis, Natchez, and New Orleans. Mr. Hancock was married in 1865 to Miss Ella, daughter of George W. Louthan. They are the parents of three children, two now being alive, Ida Iola and Lulu May. Mrs. Hancock is a member of the Baptist Church.

Jervis Hargitt was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, on the 24th of April, 1833. He is the fourth child of Robert Hargitt and Jane Palmer. At the age of seventeen Mr. Hargitt entered mercantile life, as salesman and bookkeeper for a dry goods firm in Hamilton. In 1856 he became a partner. This occupation engrossed his attention until 1861, when he engaged in farming near Middletown. Mr. Hargitt was elected clerk of the court of common pleas in 1872, entering on its duties in February, 1873. He was re-elected in 1875, filling that position six years. He was a member of the school board for some of these years, and was president of that body. In the Winter of 1880 and 1881 he was elected assistant secretary of the State Board of Equalization, and served during its entire sessions. He is an active Democrat, and has been chairman of the Butler County Democratic Central Committee for five years. He isa member of the Masonic order, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Knights of Honor. He was one of. the incorporators, and is now secretary of the American Electric Brush Company, of Cincinnati, a prominent and extensive manufacturing concern. Mr. Hargitt was married October 23, 1855, to Miss Martha A., daughter of John Waldron, a resident of Lemon Township. They are the parents of two daughters and three sons, all under the parental roof. Thomas Palmer, his grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and was for twenty years recorder of Dearborn County, Indiana.

Robert Hargitt, mayor of Hamilton from 1854 to 1856, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to America with his parents, when a boy, settling in Dearborn County, Indiana. He came to Ohio in 1851, and established the first news depot in Hamilton. He was the first mayor of the consolidated villages of Hamilton and Rossville. He was a justice of the peace and postmaster of Rossville previously. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He had a family of eight children, of whom but three survive.

William G. Jellison was born in Preble County, Ohio, June 17, 1848, being the oldest son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cassell) Jellison, the former being a native of Pennsylvania, settling in Preble County about 1825, where he is still living in vigorous health. He reared a family of eight children, of whom six are living. William G. Jellison was brought up to farming, remaining at home till he was twenty-one. He continued to work at farming until coming to Hamilton, July 12, 1872, when he engaged to drive the omnibus, following this for some two years, for Davis & Maynard. He then purchased the business from them, conducting it till July, 1881, when he sold out to F. R. Hutchinson. In October, 1881, he began the livery business, on Front Street, but on the 9th-of April, 1882, was burned out, losing severely. His losses exceeded his insurance by more than a thousand dollars. He immediately put up a building opposite his former location, where he now is, and doing an increasing trade. .

He was married April 20, 1876, to Susie G., daughter of Asa Cain. They are the parents of one son, George Earl, who was born October 23, 1880. Mr. Jellison is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Knights of the Golden Rule. 'In his seventeenth year, in 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio National Guards, and with that regiment participated in the campaigns of West Virginia, Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Maryland, and was in a sharp skirmish near Cum-

Andrew Huber was born in Hohenzollern, Germany, November 30, 1834. He is a son of George and Frances (Herrmans) Huber. He was educated in Germany, and came to America with his parents in 1842. 'The family settled in this neighborhood, where George Huber purchased a farm, and lived upon it till his death. He reared a family of four sons and two daughters, of whom five are living. He died about 1853. Andrew Huber began his education in Hamilton, and was brought up to farming until he was sixteen, when he commenced an apprenticeship at the baker's trade. He worked as a journeyman until his marriage, April 1, 1856, to Miss Anna, daughter of Caspar Hoff. Mrs. Huber was born in Cincinnati, October 17, 1838. She is the mother of twelve children, of whom seven are living, five daughters and two sons. In April, 1856, Mr. Huber began business as a baker and confectioner on High Street, and continued it in a successful manner until 1861.

In that year the: war breaking out, he organized Company K, Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteers, going out as second lieutenant. He was afterwards promoted to first lieutenant, and was in command of the company. He participated in all its battles to Charlestown, West Virginia, and was in command in seven battles. II] health then compelled him to resign, and he was in the hospital some three months. He returned to civil life, and conducted the home farm some six or seven years. He then engaged in the fruit trade in Hamilton for some two years. He was in the employment of Long, Black & Alstatter in their wood-working department for three years, when he returned to the fruit trade, which he continued until beginning his present business in the First Ward in 1878. Mr. Huber had been a member of the Jackson Guards at the breaking out of the rebellion. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Captain Jonathan Henninger was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1829. He is a younger son of John and Elizabeth (Gaumer) Henninger. Mr. Henninger was a turner by trade, and came to Ohio in 1837, settling at Seven Mile. He reared a family of eight children, of whom five are yet living. He died in 1872. Captain Henninger had but limited opportunities for an education, but by study and reading in leisure hours has acquired much. He worked as a farmer until he was seventeen, when he learned the trade of stone mason, and afterwards that of cooper. He worked as a journeyman for three years, until ill health compelled him to abandon the occupation. He then was employed as a carpenter, and gradually acquired a good knowledge of that trade. He worked for others until 1854, when he began building and contracting in Hamilton, continuing in this till August, 1861.

the siege of Corinth. They went back to Louisville, Kentucky, in pursuit of Bragg, then at Perrysville, and were at Nashville and Murfreesboro. He was promoted to be first lieutenant in February, 1863, and the following May was made captain. He commanded the company at Hooven's Gap and Tullahoma, Tennessee, and also took part in the numerous raids and skirmishes. At the battle of Chickamauga he commanded the company both days, going in Saturday morning with thirtyeight men, and coming out Sunday night with eleven. They moved down to Ringgold, where he had several short skirmishes, and remained there until May, 1864. They broke camp then, and accompanied General Sherman on his Atlanta campaign, during which the captain was severely injured by an accident which disabled him for further service. He was in the hospital at Chattanooga for some two months. The time of the regiment having expired they were mustered out at Chattanooga. The officers who had been promoted were retained for some six weeks, but they were finally discharged in November, 1864.

On returning to civil life he resumed his former business in Hamilton, which he still continues. He has also been a member of the firm of Cole, Gehrman & Henninger since 1873. They manufacture sashes, doors, and blinds. He is also engaged in the stove and tin business at No. 106 Main Street, First Ward. Captain Henninger was married in 1854 to Miss 8. E. Ballinger, daughter of Dr. K. H. Ballinger, of Hamilton. To that marriage have been born twelve children, nine liying, five daughters and four sons. tion, are residents of the town. Mrs. Henninger died November 20, 1881. Mr. Henninger has been a member of the Odd Fellows since 1852. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Daniel Hart Hensley was born in Logansport, Indiana, January 10, 1844. His father, Richard Hensley, was born in Virginia, but brought up in Kentucky. He emigrated to Logansport in 1829. His wife, the mother of D. H. Hensley, whose maiden name was Frances Mull, was born in North Carolina. The boy received a common school education, and enlisted in July, 1862, under Colonel Gilbert Hathaway, in the Seventy-third Indiana Infantry. The regiment served with the Independent Provisional Brigade, and was captured. The men were taken to Belle Isle, but were exchanged the same Summer, and sent to the front. He served with the regiment until the close of the war, in 1865. He has been a resident of this town for the last ten years, and is the secretary of the Gas Works Company. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and is the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is also a member of the First Baptist Church. He was married to Miss Eliza A. Mundorff, December 25, 1867, and has two children - LeRoy R. Hensley, thirteen years old, and Mabel M. Hensley, one year old.

Daniel Hughes, of Lemon Township, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, January 27, 1806, being the oldest son of Elijah and Sarah (Mutchner) Hughes. He came with his parents to Ohio in 1816. The family settled on the place now owned by Joshua KE. Hughes, which was then deep in the woods, where the father carried on blacksmithing. Daniel Hughes received but a limited education, and was brought up to farming pursuits. He remained at home until he was twenty-six, when he went to Indiana, and located one hundred and sixty acres on the Wabash, but got tired of it and returned to Ohio. He was married in March, 1833, to Miss Anna B. Kain, born in New Jersey in 1805. They were the parents of four children, of whom three are living. Mary Jane is the wife of Job Mulford; Elijah resides with his father, and Samuel K. is also at home. Mrs. Hughes died in 1877. After marriage Mr. Hughes located on sixty acres, which constitutes a part of the home place, but was then wild and unproductive. He was in company with his brother Micajah, and for some seven years they owned every thing in common. Upon the marriage of Micajah the partnership was dissolved. Additions were made to the farm at various times, and it now amounts to five hundred acres. He also owns three hundred acres in the vicinity of Kyle's Station. Mrs. Hughes was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.

August F. Hine was born in Germany, January 16, 1828. He is the son of William Hine and Maria Graham. He came in 1848 from Piqua, where his parents settled in 1833, but is now a resident of Hamilton. He was married to Hannah Garrigus, in Hamilton, June 28, 1859. She is a native of Crawfordsville, Indiana, where she was born December 18, 1825. Her father was Abram Garrigus, and her mother was Mary Ann Messer. Her uncle, Jacob Messer, was in the Revolutionary War. Andrew J. Garrigus, her brother, and her half-brother, Edward J. Garland, were in the late war. The latter served two years. Mr. Hine has only one child, Mary, born July 26, 1860. She lives at Piqua. He enlisted in Butler County,.August 15, 1862, and was discharged July 6, 1865, at the close of the contest. He was engaged in the skirmish at Yazoo Swamps, December 16, 1862; Thomson's Hill, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicksburg, 1863; and Red River, 1864. He was wounded in the left leg April 9, 1865, and was mustered out of service, as sergeant of Captain F. M. Leflar's Company F, Eighty-third Infantry. In 1879 he was chief of police in Hamilton.

B. Hafertepen was born in Hanover, Germany, November 21, 1836, and was the oldest son of D. Hafertepen. His mother's maiden name was Ruve. Mr. Haf. ertepen was educated in Germany, where he received a liberal education. With his parents, he came to America in 1848, the family settling in Cincinnati, and served an apprenticeship of two years at the shoemaking trade, in

Cincinnati, beginning in his thirteenth year. He worked as a journeyman in Cincinnati until coming to Hamilton in 1856. October 1st he commenced business in a small way, in the same location he now occupies, and is doing an extensive trade. He employs six or eight hands on the average. In 1856 he was married to Miss Philomena Mahler, and Mr. and Mrs. Hafertepen are now the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living. He was elected township treasurer in 1871, filling that position two years. He has never desired office. Mrs. Hafertepen died in 1880, and he was married again in 1881, to Barbara Leus, daughter of Walter Leus, a well-known citizen of Hamilton. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Philip Hartman was born in Gilversam, Bavaria, March 10, 1827. He is the son of Jacob and Marillus (Nepnow) Hartman, and received instruction in the schools of Germany. In 1847 he was conscripted in the Bavarian army, serving one year, and emigrating to America in 1848. He came directly to Hamilton, and commenced to learn the trade of a turner, at which he was engaged three years. He worked three years as a journeyman for Owens, Ebert & Dyer, purchasing their stove business in 1855, and at once making extensive sales. He is a large dealer in stoves and tinware, and also manufactures tin goods. Mr. Hartman was married in 1857, to Anna Maria Lindeman, born in Germany, and they were the parents of three children, of whom but one now survives, Mary, wife of Henry Frechtling, Jr. Mr. Hartman is a member of Zion's Lutheran Chureh. With Mrs. Hartman he visited his old home, in Germany, in the Summer of 1881, and was absent four months.

John C. Hooven was born September 29, 1843, in Montgomery County, Ohio. He is the son of John P. and Mary (Baughman) Hooven, who were both born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Hooven was by occupation a farmer and cooper. John C. Hooven was educated at Franklin, Ohio, where the family removed in 1849, attending the common school. In 1864 he left Franklin, and removed to Xenia, where the firm of Hooven & Sons was formed, composed of John P., E. P., and John C. Hooven, in the hardware business. In 1864 he came to Hamilton, where he engaged in the agricultural implement business. The firm was dissolved in June, 1876, the father retiring, but the old firm name was retained by the two sons. 'In November, 1878, it was changed to John C. Hooven, Mr. KE. P. Hooven retiring, and in that year the concern took up the manufacture of threshing-machines. In September, 1879, he sold out the implement business to Clark & Stanhope, and in the following year the firm of Hooven, Owens, Rentschler & Co. was formed, now known as the Hooven, Owens & Rentschler Co., the Monarch and Kelipse Machine Works. They are manufacturers of portable and stationary engines, threshers and saw-mills.

Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of one hundred day service men. He was married November 21, 1867, to Miss Jennie Enyeart, of Troy, Miami County, the daughter of John Enyeart, a farmer of that place. Four children have been born to them. Their names are Blanche, Earle, Enyeart, and Paul M.

Peter Heck was born in Prussia, Germany, December 31, 1828, and is the oldest son of Jacob and Anna Maria (Bruck) Heck. With his mother and stepfather, he came to America in 1854, first stopping in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In the Spring of 1838 they came to Ohio over the mountain in a wagon, locating in Hamilton. In this place Peter received his education in the public schools. At sixteen he began an apprenticeship, lasting four years, to carriage-making. After completing his time, he worked as a journeyman for some fifteen years in St. Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati, ete. In 1864 he began the carriage business in his present location on his own account, and with a small capital, under the firm name of Heck & Co., remaining thus until 1873, when he purchased his partner's interest, since conducting affairs himself. The goods he makes are spring wagons, carriages, and fine work.

He was married when twenty-three years of age, on the 28th of June, 1852, and has had by this union five children, of whom two sons and three daughters are living. He was again married in 1864 to Mary Frederica Beinkampen. He is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. Mr. Heck, at the time of the rebellion, was a resident of Nashville, Tennessee, and with difficulty escaped conscription in the rebel army. He finally reached the North in 1862, and saw some stirring times. He again became a widower last year, Mrs. Heck having died August 21, 1881. |

Arthur T. Good, D. D. S., the son of Henry and Matilda (Carter) Good, was born near Trenton, March 20, 1849. His father was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1802, and with his parents, John and Magdalena (Landis) Good, came West, and located on a farm near Trenton in 1816, where he lived sixty years before moving to Trenton, his present place of residence. He was married January 20, 1837, to Miss Matilda Carter, daughter of Mordecai and Nancy (Cox) Carter, who was born near Lebanon, Ohio, November 5, 1809. Her parents were Quakers and were from North Carolina. Of a family of ten children, nine boys and one girl, but four are now living: John V., grain merchant; Nelson H., farmer; Anna N., wife of A. L. Kumler (lawyer of Lafayette, Indiana), and Arthur T., dentist.

Arthur T, Good, the seventh son, lived at home on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, attending district school as opportunity afforded. The school was « mile and a half away, and the distance in this case was materially lengthened by the path leading over many hills and hollows, and numerous fences. Hence in bad weather he had to remain at home until old enough to stem the torrents, which was very detrimental to his progress. In the Fall of 1868 he entered Antioch College, where he remained for two years, coming home in the Spring to work on the farm, thus missing the Spring term. After this he went to Otterbein University, remaining three and a half years, and completing the scientific course of study in that institution.

He entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery in Cincinnati in the Fall of 1874, taking in that institution two full courses of study - the full requirements - besides one extra term at his own wish, that he might be better prepared for the duties of his profession. By request of the dean, he remained in the infirmary of the college one Summer, which gave him considerable experience before he selected his field of labor. He was graduated on the 2d of March, 1876, receiving the degree of '' Doctor of Dental Surgery," and in May following opened an office for the practice of his profession in Hamilton. The doctor being a social and agreeable gentleman, has since that time had all the success that could reasonably be expected, or that might be deserved by a thorough preparation. Just after graduating he became a member of the Mississippi Valley Dental Society, the oldest association of the kind in the West, of which he is still a member, and was appointed by it a delegate to attend the American Dental Association which met at Niagara Falls the following August.

Dr. Good was married on the 14th of September, 1875, to Miss Emma Jane Beal, of Westerville, Ohio, an old schoolmate and classmate in Otterbein University. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church. She is the daughter of John and Jane (Budd) Beal. They have one son, Henry Lee Good.

Jacob Matthias was born in Winchester, Virginia, October 21, 1802, and attended school in the neighborhood of his father's house. Early in life he learned the trade of a coppersmith, and in the Fall of 1827 came to Cincinnati, remaining there a year. He was married in that city on the 27th of March, 1828, to Miss Emily Webb Grooms. To that marriage were born eight children, of whom one is living, Emma C., now the wife of William Miller, of the State of Illinois. On his first coming to Ohio he had made a journey to Hamilton on foot, returning in the same manner. In company with his brother Isaac he again went to Hamilton in the Spring of 1828, with the purpose of becoming a permanent resident. The two brothers at once organized the firm of I. & J. Matthias, engaging extensively in the coppersmithing business, subsequently adding the stove and tin-ware trade. Jacob Matthias-was also a member of the firm of Matthias, Kline & Resor, conducting a general store in Rossville. Mrs. Matthias died in 1845, and on April 28, 1857, he was married to Ann. M.

James, daughter of Barton James, one of the pioneers of Hanover Township, where he settled in 1817. Mrs. Matthias was born in that township, September 16, 1828. Her father was a successful farmer and prominent citizen. He raised a family of seven children, of whom Benjamin F., now a resident of Missouri, and Mrs. Matthias are the sole survivors. Mr. James died about 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Matthias were the parents of one son, W. J., and two daughters, Lutie E. and Lillie F. Three of the grandchildren by Mr. Matthias's first marriage are residents of Idaho, and one of them, George M. Parsons, has represented his district in the territorial Legislature.

Jacob Matthias represented his district in the State Legislature in the session of 1837-1838, and was also a member of the city council and the school board at various times. He was also infirmary director for some years before his death. All of these offices he filled to the utmost satisfaction of his constituents, and with credit to himself. He was a consistent member of the Universalist Church, and an active and influential citizen and successful business man. He died August 21, 1877. The firm of I. & J. Matthias existed until his death, or for fifty years, his heirs soon after purchasing the interest of Isaac Matthias, and since conducting the same under the able management of W. J. Matthias & Co. Mr. W. J. Matthias is looked upon as one of the promising young business men of Hamilton. Mr. Matthias's death was a misfortune to the poor, to whom he had always been a warm friend, and the press united in encomiums upon his character.

M. N. Maginnis was born near Frederick City, Maryland. He read law in the office of Governor John W. Stevenson, of Kentucky, and with Judge James Clark, of Hamilton, Ohio. He was admitted to practice at Hamilton in 1861. Believing that the States were voluntarily united under the powers vested by the Constitution in the government of the United States, he, while deprecating the resort to peaceable secession as the rational process for resuming powers which the seceding States claimed had\been perverted from their purpose, was opposed to armed invasion of them and their coercion to an involuntary union, as destructive of the American system of government by consent; as a renunciation of the opinions avowed in the Declaration of Independence and acted on by the colonies, and as a return to the practice of organizing the people for government instead of organizing government for the people. He was noted throughout the conflict for the courage and ability with which he expressed his convictions, and was respected by those with whom he differed for the unselfish advocacy of his opinions.

The law-abiding people of Hamilton had for a long time been terrorized by the criminal classes. To end the infamous and dangerous domination, the citizens, without distinction of party, elected Mr. Maginnis mayor. He served from 1871 to 1873. The reappearance of the disorderly element during the subsequent term led to his re-election in the same manner. During his second term, from 1875 to 1877, he procured the passage of an ordinance establishing a police force. This body, which he appointed, disciplined, and supervised, thoroughly suppressed the criminal and disorderly classes of the city. At the close of his second term, Mr. Maginnis returned to his profession, in which he is still engaged.

Joseph Mayer was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, September 7, 1846, being the oldest son of Anton and Catherine (Maile) Mayer. He attended the public schools in Germany, and was brought up to farming. He came to America in 1866, making his first place of sojourn Hamilton. Here he worked as a farmer for three years. In the employment of Louis Sohngen and Peter Schwab & Co. he spent five years. In 1876 he organized the firm of Schneider & Mayer, in coal, wood, and salt. This lasted three years, when he sold out to Mr. Schneider in 1879. Mr. Mayer began business in his present location, dealing in coal and wood, at the corner of Second and Sycamore Streets, soon after.

He was married on the 17th of May, 1870, to Miss Louisa W. Hiller. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer are the parents of seven children, of whom one is dead. Four sons and two daughters are living. Mrs. Mayer is a member of the Lutheran Church, and her husband belongs to the Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the United German Society. The names of their children are Edward C., Catherine J. E., Emma Maggie, John F., Joseph, and George F.

Charles E. McBeth was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 7, 1835, and is the oldest son of James and N. B. McBeth. He attended the common schools in his native county, then beginning to learn the machinist's trade at Urbana when seventeen years old. He continued there and in Eastern cities, working as a journeyman, until coming to Hamilton, in the Fall of 1860, with Lee & Leavitt. He built circular saws and steam engines for them by contract for some years, until they discontinued business. He purchased the greater portion of it, and during the war conducted it under the firm name of McBeth & McClung, manufacturing wood-working machinery. They sold out to Bentel, Margedant & Co. in 1874. He then became a member of the firm of Long, Alstetter & Co., now a stock company, known as the Long & Alstetter Co., and has been its secretary and treasurer ever since. They are manufacturers of agricultural implements, power punches, and hammers. They employ about one hundred and fifty hands. Mr. McBeth was married on the Ist of June, 1864, to Miss Lizzie Hunter, daughter of William Hunter. They have two daughters, Mary M. and Anna. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Elizabeth (Gorman) Miller. He was educated in the common schools of Hamilton County, and was brought up to mercantile pursuits in his father's store until he was eighteen. He then learned the trade of saddler, and worked as a journeyman for some time. He also learned carriage making. He came to Hamilton about 1856, when he entered the firm of Miller, Gary & Co., carriage manufacturers. The firm existed till 1860. About 1863 he entered the employment of John Crawford, in house furnishing goods, staying two or three years. He was also with H. H. "Wallace for two years. In 1870 he bought the interest of Henry Libby, then a partner of Robert Beckett, forming the firm of Beckett '& Miller. This lasted till 1874, a period of four years. At that time he purchased the interest of Mr. Beckett, since which he has continued the business himself. He is an extensive dealer in house furnishing goods, glass, crockery, queensware, window shades, etc. He also does a large business in carpets. He owns the building.

Mr. Miller was married in 1856, to Lile Jane, daughter of Mark C. McMaken. They are the parents of one daughter, Nettie, now the wife of Captain George W. Wilson, of Hamilton. Mr. Miller is a member of the Christian Church, and Mrs. Miller of the United Presbyterian. Mr. Miller has been a member of the Odd Fellows since 1854. During the war he rendered valuable aid to the Sanitary Commission.

Thomas McGreevy was born in Hamilton, Butler County, December 9, 1849, being a younger son of Conner and Jane (Meron) McGreevy. He improved his educational opportunities in the public schools in Hamilton, receiving an ordinary education. At seventeen he commenced an apprenticeship of three and a half years at the trade of blacksmithing. After acquiring the trade ~he worked as a journeyman in Hamilton some four or five years. He was appointed a member of the original police force of Hamilton about 1876, and served one year in that capacity, and then was employed for a year at his trade. In the Spring of 1876, Mr. McGreevy began business in his present location. He was elected a member of the City Council from the Fourth Ward in the Spring of 1876, and was re-elected in 1878 and again in 1880. He was vice-president for some four years, and president pro tem. for some little time. He isa member of the Roman Catholic Church and of various benevolent societies.

_Jobn Moebus was born in Rossville, in this county, March 6, 1840. His parents were John Moebus and Catherine (Stroh) Moebus, the father being a native of Germany. He came to Hamilton about 1838, and reared a family of four children, of whom three are living. He died about 1855, but his wife, Mrs. Catherine Moebus, is still in Hamilton, being vigorous in mind and body. John Moebus was educated in the common schools of Hamilton, and when fourteen became an apprentice to the tinner's trade in this place, and worked as a journeyman in Hamilton and elsewhere till 1861, when he enlisted in the Forty-seventh Ohio, and was with that regiment during its various conflicts. He was at Carnifax Ferry and took part in the campaign in West Virginia, and was in the battles at Lewisburg, Virginia, and Charleston, Virginia. He was sent to Louisiana, and took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and was afterwards at Jackson, Mississippi. They went to Atlanta by way of Chattanooga, when he was one of the first to cross the Tennessee River and take part in the battle. After being at Chattanooga he was at Dalton and through the Atlanta campaign, during this having many engagements. In this campaign he was, with some seventeen hundred men, made a prisoner, and taken to Andersonville. He escaped after some four months, but was recaptured eight days after. He and his comrade were tracked by bloodhounds. They were then taken to Macon, as Andersonville had been abandoned on the approach of General Sherman. From Macon they were sent to Florence, South Carolina, where they were held three and a half months, or till the close of the war. When first captured his term of service had nearly expired, or was within twenty-two days.

He was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, June 20, 1865. He returned to Hamilton, and went to work as a journeyman. In October, 1865, he was married to Margaret Eider, and had by her five children, three sons and two daughters. His wife died in 1875, and he was again married in 1878 to Kate Beal. They have one daughter and one son. In 1869 Mr. Moebus began business in his present location, in stoves, tin, japanned and _britannia ware, and in guttering, spouting, and roofing. He now does a large business, but began in a small way. He is a member of Zion Lutheran Church.

Henry Neiderauer was born in Bavaria, Germany, November, 1837, being the second son of David and Margaret (Carrel) Neiderauer. He attended such schools as existed in the neighborhood of his father's home until he was fourteen, being brought up to farming. He came to America in 1856, taking up his residence in Hamilton immediately. He served an apprenticeship of two years at the trade of carriage-maker, with Pfafflin, Keller & Co., in this place, and after acquiring his trade worked as a journeyman in Cincinnati for eight months, and Richmond, Indiana, for a year and a half. He returned to Hamilton, being again in the employment of Pfafflin, Keller & Co., and afterward was in various cities of the United States.

In 1862 Mr. Neiderauer began the wagon-making business in Hamilton, in the First Ward, doing a successful trade. In 1867 he removed his business to the east side, and continued there until 1872, when he entered into partnership with John Donges, under the firm name of John Donges & Co. Mr. Neiderauer has been married three times - first, in 1861, to Margaret Irving, who died in November, 1866; and again, in 1871, to

Katie Keeler, who died in 1874. The present Mrs. Neiderauer, to whom he was united in marriage March 29, 1875, is the daughter of William Huber, of Cincinnati. She was the widow of John Ganz, and the mother of two sons. To Mrs. and Mr. Neiderauer have been born two children, one of whom, Ida Sibylla Flora, who was born December 28, 1875, survives. Mr. and Mrs. Neiderauer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Linus Russell Marshall, professor of music, was born at Martinsburg, Lewis County, New York, March 23, 1825. He is the son of Samuel Marshall and Emma Kellogg. The father was a Baptist minister, who was a chaplain in Colonel Moody's regiment, the Seventy-fourth Ohio, and died in 1872. His son was educated in the common schools and at an academy in New York State, and at the age of nineteen left home for Tennessee, where two brothers were engaged in teaching. He studied with one of them, who had charge of an academy in Wilson County, and also taught part of the time. In 1849 he took charge of a select school in Clarksville, teaching one year. He married Sarah A. McFall, of that place, on the 24th of January, 1850. He went to Russellville, Kentucky, and Logan County, teaching literature and music. He was professor of music in the Female Institute of Russellville for three years, till 1858. In the same Summer he came to Ohio and engaged in teaching. In 1862 he enlisted for three months in the Eightyfifth Ohio, and re-enlisted October 16, 1862, in the Eighty-eighth. They were kept at Camp Chase to do guard duty. In July, 1863, he was promoted to second lieutenant, and in 1865 to the first lieutenancy. For a time he was detailed as the discharge officer of the northern department at Columbus, and afterward was in Cincinnati as a member of General Hooker's staff. He returned to Warren County at the conclusion of the war, where he taught till 1879. For seven years he was a special teacher of music in Lebanon, Ohio, and three years in the Holbrook Normal School of that place. In 1879 he was appointed special teacher of music in the Hamilton city schools, where he has since remained. At Lebanon he was the leader of the Lebanon Musical Society, which took part in the Musical Festival in Cincinnati in 1873, the first entertainment of that kind. Three of Mr. Marshall's children died young. One, Samuel H., born January 14, 1852, is a photographer. He was married in Florida, where he has spent about two years. Mr. Marshall has been a Mason since 1854, and a Knight Templar since 1877. -He is a member of the Miami Commandery of Lebanon, No. 52, and of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Golden Rule in Hamilton. Mrs. Marshall's father was Major Samuel McFall, who was out in the War of 1812, and was several times mayor of Clarksville. He was a prominent man. William H. Louthan was born in this city November 14, 1846, being the son of George W. and Mary

Ann (Devou) Louthan. George W. Louthan was born in Virginia about 1806, and came to Ohio about 1825, settling in Hamilton, in building and contracting. He married a daughter of Frederick and Mary Ann Devou, a family that were among the pioneers of the county. They reared a family of five children, all living. He served as city marshal for some time. His death occurred in October, 1866. His wife, now Mrs. Clawson, is still living, as also is her mother, Mrs. Mary Devou, who is in the ninety-fourth year of her age.

William H. Louthan was educated in the public schools of Hamilton till 1814, when he worked at broommaking, for a time conducting the business in connection with his brother-in-law, James E. Hancock. He carried on a livery business for some four or five years. In December, 1879, he began the grocery trade, in his present location, which has increased to large proportions. He was married, October, 1870, to Miss Alice, daughter of Jacob Lindley. They are the parents of four daughters - Mabel, Jessie, Alice, and Edith. Mrs. Louthan is a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. Louthan is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio National Guards, and participated in the West Virginia campaign.

John H. Lashhorn was born in Hamilton, December 29, 1852, his parents being Joseph W. Lashhorn and Hannah Stonebreaker. He was married, November 4, 1874, to Angeline Shuler, daughter of Asa Shuler and Mary J. Shuler. She was born February 10, 1854, In conjunction with Mr. Shuler, he carries on the nursery business, about a mile east of Hamilton, owning sixtythree acres of land for that purpose. He was brought up a machinist, but in the future expects to devote all his attention to the nursery. He had an uncle in the Revolutionary War.

Alexander Pugh was the first member of this family that came to Ohio. He was born in England, and was married to Hannah Stubbs, a native of Wales, when quite young. He came to this country, with ten of his brothers, all serving in the Revolutionary War. Since that time nothing has been known of the brothers. Alexander Pugh settled in the State of Alabama, after the close of the war, and in 1804 removed to Ohio, settling in Preble County, on the Twin Creek Valley. There he resided for many years, but late in life removed to Indianapolis, where he died. He had five children, only one of whom is living. His name is Jared, and he resides in Montgomery County.

_ John Pugh was the only one that came to Butler County. He was born in 1797, in Alabama, and moved to Ohio with his father in 1804, while a child. He was married about 1817 to Keziah Jones, born in North Carolina in 1797, by whom he had eight children. Elizabeth, wife of Ezekiel Samuels, lives in Seven-Mile ; Riley is deceased ; Alexander is married, and lives in Eaton;

William is married, and lives in Hamilton; John is married, and lives in Wayne Township; Isaac is married, and lives in Preble County ; Hannah, wife of John Mikesell, lives in Preble County; Keziah, wife of James Busenbark, lives in Cumminsville, Hamilton County.

Mr. Pugh came to Butler County in 1817, and settled in Wayne Township, on the farm now owned by his son John. He was a self-made man, for, although he received a small farm with his wife, it was all he did get. Two of his children, John and Isaac, were out in the late war. William Pugh, born November 7, 1825, was married December 24, 1851, to Cynthia Ann Boatman, born in Butler County, October 24, 1834. They have had three children: Charles Eugene, married, and living in Hamilton, and Carey Riley and Cassius M. Clay.

James S. Lewis was born September 12, 1819, and died November 23, 1876. He was a native of Warren County, and settled in Butler in 1847. By good management and industry he made for himself and family a good home, leaving his wife and children in good circumstances. His parents were John and Rachel Lewis. He was married September 5, 1850, to Julia E. Jackson, who was born in Charlotte County, Virginia, December 20, 1827. She is the daughter of Preston Jackson and Elizabeth Chevious. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had five children. Lloyd Augustus, the eldest, was born June 24, 1851, and died March 21, 1852. Julia Elizabeth was born August 31, 1853. Horace St. Clair was born May 24, 1856, and died July 2, 1859. Adelaide Bromly was born December 23, 1859, and died August 2, 1869. John Elsworth was born August 1, 1862. Mr. Lewis was a farmer.

Jacob Lorenz, president of the Lorenz Refrigerator Car Company, was born in Grethen, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, March 17, 1837. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Lorenz, whose maiden name was Stepp. In 1854, at the age of seventeen, he came to America and settled in Marietta, Ohio, where he learned the trade of a tanner. Here he remained until 1858 and then removed to Cincinnati and to Hamilton, where he finished learning his trade. He worked as a journeyman for three years, and at the expiration of that time opened a shop for himself. He sold out his store two years later to engage in other business. In 1877 he invented and patented a new idea in the way of an ice house, and that year erected six ice houses on the Miami River and canal, and in partnership with Messrs. Rupp and Held, formed the firm of Lorenz, Rupp & Held, which put in about fourteen thousand tons of ice annually. Prior to engaging in the ice business Mr. Lorenz was a member of the firm of Lorenz & Bender, who were proprietors of the Star Refrigerator Manufactory. From this he conceived the idea of building cars on the same principle as family and saloon refrigerators, and in 1881 built and patented one made by himself, which gave such satisfac- tion that in February, 1882, he had little trouble in forming the corporation known as the Lorenz Refrigerator Car Company, composed of the following gentlemen: Jacob and John Lorenz, H. and Joseph F. Reutti, Martin Mason, Israel Williams, Dr. A. Myers & Co., J. W. See, Carl Frenust, H. P. Deuscher, and J. F. Bender.

He was. married March 17, 1858, to Miss Barbara Eberhardt, by whom he has seven children, the oldest of whom is dead. Mr. Lorenz is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum.

Nathan Egbert Warwick, a member of the Butler County bar, was born in St. Clair Township, this county, February 11, A. D. 1849. His parents are Jeremiah Warwick, at present a citizen of that locality, whose biography appears in this book, and Lydia Smith, daughter of Daniel Smith and Alice Mary Jacoby, two pioneers of this county, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and noted for their industry, integrity, and piety. Mr. Warwick's boyhood was spent on the farm and at the common school until the age of fifteen, when he attended the Seven-Mile Academy, where he prepared himself for entrance to the collegiate course at the Miami University. In 1869 he entered the university at Oxford, then under the presidency of Dr. Stanton, and began the classical course, which he completed, along with the elective studies of practical astronomy and calculus, in the year 1872, graduating with the next to the highest average grade in all studies of any in the class of that year, and on account of his abilities as a speaker was by the faculty awarded the ''honor speech" on commencement day. While at the university, Mr. Warwick was a member of the Erodelphian Literary Society, holding in turn each of the offices of that organization, and receiving a diploma from it, as well as from the university, which conferred on him at his graduation the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Mr. Warwick, before this event, began the study of the law, which he pursued after the manner of his school studies, reading and digesting, and on October 25, 1873, was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court at Columbus, Ohio. He at once began active practice in all the courts, and has earned that degree of success which hard labor in his profession secures.

On September 18, 1879, Mr. Warwick was married to Miss Ida J. McLinn, daughter of Isaac B. MeLinn and Mrs. Jennie McLinn, née Kennedy, daughter of Robert Kennedy and Joan Minor Millikin. Mr. and Mrs. Warwick have a daughter, Hope, to add to the attractions of their home, on Second Street, in Hamilton. Mr. Warwick has never held any political office, although in 1878 he became a candidate before the Democratic Convention for member of the Legislature, but failed to secure the nomination. He has always been connected with the Democratic party, and since his removal to Hamilton has taken a deep interest in its success, and in nearly every campaign canvassed the county in its behalf.

December 15, 1833, and settled in this county in 1877. He is the son of William Walke and Virginia (Evans) Walke. He was married in Port Huron, Michigan, July 96, 1871, to Maggie A. Kimball, the daughter of David Kimball. She was born in Ontario, Canada, January 2, 1841, and has given him two children. Cora H. was born June 26, 1874, and Frances L. November 22, 1876. By a former marriage he has had Dora E., who was born January 15, 1858; Irena V., December 26, 1860, and Arthur, October 2, 1867. Dora E. is dead. Mr. Walke was justice of the peace and county commissioner of Lenawee County, Michigan, from 1867 to 1870. Mr. Walke is the inventor of the celebrated fountain pen known by his name, and is the manufacturer. His grandfather, Anthony Walke, served in the War of 1812, and was afterwards a member of Congress. His uncle, Henry Walke, rear-admiral in the United States navy, has been in that service since the age of sixteen, now a period of about fifty years. At the breaking out of the war he commanded the steamship Supply at Pensacola, put was soon transferred to the gun-boat Taylor, with Commodore Foote's fleet. From that he went to the gun-boat Carondelet, running the blockade at Island No. 10, and firing the first gun at Fort Donelson. Mr. Walke's brother William served in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry a short time as wagon-master, and afterwards was transferred to take charge of the supply between Louisville and Nashville. He was finally given charge of the hospital at Nashville, and was honorably discharged in 1864. Other brothers were in the hundred days' service.

George G. White was born in Virginia, April 24, 1792. At an early age he emigrated with his father to Ohio, and settled near the river, when it was the home of the Indian. In 1796 they set sail on a broadhorn, intending to go down'the Mississippi, but were convinced it was highly dangerous, and remained in this section of the State. In 1821 he was married to Miss Jane White, sister of the late Rev. Levi White, of the Cincinnati Conference. He united himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1815, and remained a consistent member all of his life. In 1824 he moved to Oxford, on the day Dr. Bishop was inaugurated the first president of Miami University. A few years after going there he was appointed postmaster, which he held for a long time, under five or six different administrations, up to that of President Buchanan. After that time he acted with the Republicans, having previously been a Democrat. He had four sons and four daughters, of whom George W. White, of Hamilton, is the only one living. His last illness was brief and not severe, his death occurring on the 15th of June, 1867, at the age of seventy-nine. He was an amiable, honest, and intelligent man, with a good literary taste. He was well versed in the best of the English poets and prose writers, quoting them with ease and

William R. Whitehead was born in Hamilton, July 18, 1836. -He was the son of Robert W. Whitehead and Lavina Wilsey. The former was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1806, being the son of an Englishman who had emigrated to this country. Mrs. Whitehead was born at Albany, New York, of New England parents. Her birth was in 1802. Mr. Whitehead received only the instruction of the average youth and left school early to learn a trade. His original tastes were for drawing and painting, but his father put him with a cabinet and pattern maker, which trade he learned and followed for a number of years. His artistic proclivities, however, led him into photography, and he finally bought out Poe Brewer, and started a gallery in Beckett's Block, which he carried on for a number of years. He felt a warm interest in the supremacy of the government in the late national struggle for existence, and sent out a substitute to the war, but did not himself enlist, owing to ill health.

He was a prominent member of Hamilton Temple, No. 17, Temple of Honor, and of the Sons of Temperance, for a number of years. He was an ardent and devoted Christian. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, and attained a reputation throughout the county as one of the most successful of primary teachers. His drawing aided him in showing the meaning of the lessons. He was in charge of the primary department of the Baptist school at the time of his death. He married Mary J. Randall, May 5, 1857. She came of a longlived family of hardy pioneers, who emigrated here from Pennsylvania. She died August 10, 1879.. At one time he was prominently connected with the sewing-machine interest. He first introduced the Singer machine and started the first sewing-machine wagon for that company in the State. He conducted the large offices at Hamilton, Richmond, and Dayton. Mr. Whitehead was a man of the highest character, and was esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He died December 6, 1880.

Americus Symmes is the son of John Cleves Symmes, the author of the theory of a hollow inhabited world, of whom an account is given on an earlier page. Americus Symmes came to Hamilton in March, 1828, on a canal boat, and carried on and cultivated a farm here successfully. In later years he retired to the neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, where he is still living. He is an ardent defender of his father's theory, and points to several facts recently discovered as a confirmation of the doctrine,

C. H. Stahler was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1843. He is the only living child of Joel and Elizabeth (Shantz) Stahler. He was educated in the common schools in Lehigh County, and completed his education in a commercial college at Allentown. He was brought up to farming, but began to learn the tan- ner's trade, which was interrupted by the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was afterwards consolidated with the Ringgold Battery. He remained with that command during his first term of enlistment of three years, being in sixteen battles, including the second Bull Run. His regiment was attached to Burnside's army corps. He was an inmate of a hospital at Covington, Kentucky, some three months, then re-enlisting. On account of physical disability he was sent home for medical treatment. He again went to the front, in Virginia, when his regiment took part in the battle of the Wilderness. He was appointed postmaster of the artillery corps, occupying that position until the end of the war. He took part in the siege of Richmond, and was present at the surrender at Appomattox and at the grand review in Washington.

He served until the close of the war,:and with the command was mustered out at Philadelphia, June 13, 1865. He came to Cincinnati in the Fall of 1865, and the next Spring arrived in Hamilton. He entered the employment of Owens, Lane & Dyer, and was with them about a year. He was then a book-keeper for Eli Cook. In the Fall of 1868 he went with M. Weismeyer, and remained there until the death of his employer, some three years. He conducted the business for the widow three years longer, until 1872, when he purchased it, and has since carried it on. He is an extensive dealer in family groceries, fresh and salt meats, and provisions.

Mr. Stahler was married in 1870, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Philip Lohrey. They are the parents of two sons, Joshua M. and Harry. Mr. Stahler was elected a member of the city council in 1876, and again in 1878, from the Second Ward. He is a member of St. John's ~ Lutheran Church, and also of the Masonic order. Mr. Stahler's mother is still living with him, vigorous in mind and body, in her sixty-fourth year.

Perry D. K. Travis was born in Tylersville, Butler County, August 9, 1848, being the younger son of Amos and Hester R. (Horton) Travis. Amos Travis was a native of Butler County, where he was born January 12, 1805, and was the son of Amos Travis, Sen., one of the pioneers of Union Township. Amos Travis, Jr., reared a family of five children to maturity, who are all living. He was a farmer by occupation. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His later years were spent at the house of his son, Captain Travis, in Hamilton, where he died January 12,1882. Mrs. Hester R. Travis died November 24, 1880.

Captain Travis was a pupil at the common schools in Tylersville, till coming to Hamilton with his parents, in 1861. He completed his education in Hamilton, but was brought up to farming. He was in the employment of a gunsmith a short time, and then was with John C. Holbrook. He stayed with him from November, 1864, till 1875. He was a member of the police force, under

Mayor Maginnis, but was in that position a short time only. He began business for himself, October 14, 1875, in the firm of Travis & Niphardt, an arrangement that lasted for some three years. He then was a member of the house of Travis & Louthan for over a year. In June, 1881, he sold out to Mr. Louthan, then commencing in his present location. He has an excellent trade in general family groceries. Mr. Travis was married, in 1875, to Miss Lucinda Meyers, and is the father of two sons - Harry DeKalb and Charles B. He is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the Knights of Pythias.

John Thomas, of Wayne Township, was born there August 27, 1829. He is the son of Benjamin Thomas, born in Maryland, who came to Butler County about 1805, and Anna Good, sister of Henry Good of Trenton. She came to this neighborhood with her parents in 1816. Mr. Thomas was married in Madison Township, November 9, 1854, to Maria Miller, daughter of Charles Miller and Catherine Reed. She was born July 23, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have had six children. Benjamin was born November 3, 1856; Anna, March 7, 1858; Ida Alice, February 28, 1861; Elizabeth, May 11, 1864; Charles M., February 4, 1866, and John L., February 21, 1871. Mr. Thomas's wife died March 19, 1882. She was a member of the Methodist Church at Seven- Mile, of which her husband is also a member. He is a leader and steward.

Benjamin F. Thomas, lately probate judge, was born in Liberty Township, Ross County, Ohio, February 19, 1830, and is the son of James and Tamson (Wilkins) Thomas. His education was limited to the merest rudiments of the common school branches till he was grown, when he attempted the task of acquiring a collegiate course, which was begun in 1851 and completed in June, 1857, graduating from Miami University with a class of twenty-six. He taught school from 1858 to 1866, at which time he was admitted to practice at the Butler County bar. He came to this county in 1852. He was married on the 24th of September, 1857, to Elizabeth Marston, a native of Butler County, being born near Trenton, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Ann (Vail) Marston. The mother, who was a native of Ohio, died in 1855. Mr. Thomas was school examiner of Butler County from July, 1863, to September, 1868, and probate judge from February 9, 1876, to the 9th of February, 1882.

Judge Thomas's father moved with his father from New Jersey in 1806 to Ohio, settling on the Scioto River about seven miles east of Chillicothe, where he died in to manhood eight sons, and to womanhood one daughter, The grandfather, Webster Thomas, was in the War of 1812. Judge Thomas's eldest brother, Webster, was in the Mexican War for about thirteen months as sergeant, and was also. in the War of the Rebellion. He served from 1862 till the close of the war as captain of a company from this county. He was at the capture of Vicksburg, and at numerous other smaller engagements. Another brother, William A., was also in the war for one year as a member of the band connected with Colonel Campbells, the Sixty-ninth. Judge Thomas is a trustee of the Lane Free Library.

Baltis B. Rusk was born in 1811, in the State of Maryland, in Baltimore County. His parents were David Louis Rusk and Elizabeth Rusk, and they came to Hamilton County in 1823, and to Butler County in 18937. Baltis B. Rusk was married, in 1837, to Elizabeth W. Gibson, born in this county in 1819, and the daughter of Robert and Anna Gibson. They raised six boys and five girls. Three of his sons were in the Union army, serving three years. One went through to Savannah, with Sherman, and was in twenty-two battles; one was down on the coast, and one in the Carolinas. His erandfather Rusk was quartermaster to the French division, in Baltimore, in the Revolution. Two great-uncles were in the Revolution, both being wounded at the battle of Brandywine.

Jonathan Rowland settled in this county in 1831. He served as a member of Company H, Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and also in the three months' service. He was married, on the 18th of June, 1865, to Mary Vencan, and has one child, Dora A., born September 17, 1870.

Charles A. Lee Reed, M. D., was born at Wolf Lake, Noble County, Indiana, July 9, 1856. He is the son of Dr. R. GC. Stockton Reed and Nancy Clark Reed. His literary education, aside from that obtained in the public schools, was acquired under private instructors. He received his medical education in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, where his father was professor of materia medica and therapeutics, graduating February, 1874. His taste for this profession was pronounced in early life, in consequence of which he was put at his medical studies when a mere lad. He first located in Cincinnati, in 1875, but in 1878 removed to Fidelity, Illinois, where he remained in practice till the time of his marriage. He then returned to Butler County, settling in Hamilton. He was professor of pathology in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from 1877 to October, 1878, having been elected to that position by the trustees. He resigned when he went to Illinois. He was elected professor of obstetrics and diseases of women in the same institution in June, 1882, and is now discharging the duties of the place. He was elected a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, in 1874, and is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is the editor of the Clinical Brief, formerly the Sanitary News, and has displayed, in its management, industry, learning, and tact. He was married, at Otterville, Illinois, May 30, 1880, to Miss Irena A. Dougharty, daughter of John G. Dougharty. The family is Scotch, coming originally from the town of Haddington.

Celadon Symmes, an old and highly respected citizen of Fairfield Township, was born January 25, 1807, on Section 34, in that township. His father, Celadon Symmes, was one of the earliest settlers in the county. He was a nephew of John Cleves Symmes, the patentee of the Miami lands. The present Celadon Symmes was married October 16, 1828, to Catherine Blackburn. They have had eight children, seven boys and one girl, of whom four survive. They are John Milton, Daniel T., Joseph C., and Aaron B. Mr. Symmes is still in hearty old age, vigorous in mind and body. He has filled many township offices, and for a number of years-was infirmary director. When General Harrison went up through this region to the battle of Tippecanoe he borrowed of Celadon Symmes, Sen., a sword and pair of pistols used by Judge John C. Symmes in the war of the Revolution, and which are still in the possession of the family. Mr. Symmes has all his life lived in this township.

Daniel Sortman was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1809, and is the oldest son of Benjamin Sortman and Mary Stonebreaker. He came hither with his parents on the 1st of October, 1811, settling in Hanover Township, where his father was a pioneer. He reared a family of eleven children. Daniel received a limited education in the common schools, and was brought up on a farm until he was twenty-five. When he was nineteen he learned the trade of a blacksmith, and after working as a journeyman one year opened a shop on his father's farm about 1850, remaining there some three years. From there he went to Millville, Ross Township, where he stayed thirteen years. The death of his father occurring, he returned home, when he carried on the farm for three years. He purchased a farm, and conducted it for six years, and then was in Reily Township for eight years. He came to Hamilton to live in 1856, and engaged in mercantile business. Since then he has been in trade in company with his son William, doing an extensive business, as dealers in groceries and provisions. Mr. Sortman was married November 29, 1832, to Elizabeth, daughter of Judge John McCloskey, a former well known resident of Butler County. They are the parents of two sons, William, a merchant of Hamilton, and John, who is conducting a flouring mill in this city. He never desired office, and is a self-made man, influential, prosperous, and respected. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a War Democrat.

James Rossman was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1802, and is the son of James and Martha Rossman. He came with his parents to Ohio in the Fall of 1806, by way of the Ohio River and Cincinnati. The family settled in Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. James Rossman was educated in the common schools until 1815, then removing to Rossville, now West Hamilton. He entered the employment of Alexander Delorac, then a leading merchant, and was with him brother. After completing his time, he worked as a journeyman for two years, and entered the employment of Mr. Lowry as a clerk, at Lebanon. He then entered into business as one of the firm of Skinner & Rossman, in the saddlery business at Lebanon, for two or three years. He returned to Hamilton in 1828, being in partnership as Taylor & Rossman, in the saddlery line. They did an extensive trade, particularly with Indian agents. They sold out in 1839. He then began a general store on the west side. Afterwards his brother was admitted under the firm name of J. & J. Rossman, which was continued till 1876. Since that time he has not been actively in business. He is a member of the Presbyterian Chureh. Mr. Rossman married, on the 31st of December, 1828, Miss Clarissa Crawford, born in Virginia in 1809, on the 16th of December. They are the parents of eight children, of whom but two survive. Three died young. Edward H. was a student at the time of his sudden death, in his nineteenth year, about 1844. Alexander C. Rossman was in the civil war. Mrs. Rossman died in December, 1880.

Herman Reutti, maltster, and for twenty-five years a resident of Hamilton, was born in Freiburg, province of Baden, Germany, February 5, 1834. He was the son of Carl and Charlotte (Wesser) Reutti. His father died when the son had reached the age of fifteen years. The boy then went to learn the brewing and malt business in his native province, serving an apprenticeship of two years. Desiring greater advantages than could be had at home in this business, he went to Bavaria, and thence to France, where he spent some time. In 1854, with his widowed mother and the remainder of the family, he ~set sail for America, landing in New York City. He left his mother at this point, and went on to Cincinnati, where he soon became employed in Schaller & Schiff's brewery. After an absence of ten months, he returned to New York, where he worked for a short time, but becoming dissatisfied with the wages there paid he removed to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he was at work for two years.

In 1851 he left Pennsylvania, and calling at New York for his mother, he came direct to Hamilton, where his first employer was John W. Sohn, who at that time was in the brewing business. He was in Mr. Sohn's employment about four years, and for the greater part of this time he filled the position of foreman. In 1856 he, in partnership with Ernst and Moritz Jacoby, bought out Mr. Sohn in the brewing business, and under the firm name of Jacoby & Co. conducted the business two years. Then another change took place, Peter Schwab buying out the Jacobys, and the firm changing to Schwab & Co. Mr. Reutti remained a partner in this concern until 1875, when he sold his interest to Mrs.

the space of four years he conducted a restaurant and billiard saloon. Then desiring a change of climate and to once more visit the scenes of his early boyhood, he went to Germany, and spent that Summer in his native land. Returning to Hamilton in the Fall, he made arrangements to lease the extensive malt house of John Schelley, and in partnership with his son-in-law, Martin Mason, the firm of Reutti & Mason, general maltsters, was formed, and has continued up to the present time. Mr. Reutti was married March 4, 1864, to Mrs. Henrietta Regner, by whom he had two children.

Jacob Reister was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, December 25, 1830, being the oldest son of Jacob and Sarah (Krafer) Reister. He received instruction in the common 'schools in Germany, and was brought up to farming. He came to America in September, 1853, staying at Cincinnati. He learned the trade of wagonmaker with his uncle, John Krafer, in that city, afterwards working as a journeyman, coming to Butler County in 1857, and here beginning wagon-making and_ blacksmithing. At this he worked for eight years, being successful, and coming to Hamilton in 1864. Here he built a residence at the corner of Fourth and Walnut. He was in the employment of Giffen & Brothers in their lumber yard as foreman for four years. In the Spring of 1873 he began the coal and wood business in Hamilton in a small way, removing to his present location on Canal Street in the Fall of 1877. He is now doing an

Mr. Reister married in 1856 Mary Lagua, and had by her two children, George and Louisa. Mrs. Reister died in 1863. The present Mrs. Reister, to whom he was married in 1864, was Miss Katie Isley. Mr. and Mrs. Reister are the parents of five children: Jacob, Amelia, Dora, John A., and Emma. Mr. Reister and his wife are members of the Zion Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Cordelia S. Quire was born in Harrison County, Indiana, on the 3d of March, 1830. Her maiden name was Fripps, and she was the eighth child of John and Sarah Fripps, out of a family of ten children. Their names were William, Susan, Mary S., Jonathan H., Margaret S., John H., Nancy Jane, Cordelia 8., Joseph P., and Wilkison B. She was married in 1849 to Charles N. Quire, who was a farmer, and followed that as his vocation until his death on the 7th of August, 1853. They had two children, Charles H., born February 22, 1851, and Joseph S., born August 22, 1853. The Fripps family were from Virginia, where John was born, September 16, 1782, and Mrs. Fripps, September 5, 1792. They came to this county in 1837. Her grandfather, Beverly Spencer, was a private in the Revolutionary War, and served completely through that struggle under General Washington.

was a pative of Germany, where he was born in 1806, and came to Hamilton in 1828. He was a baker by trade, and carried on that business on the west side of the river until retiring, about 1850. He was a successful business man, and built and conducted for many years what is now known as the Butler House. He reared a family of four sons and two daughters, most of them being residents of Butler County. He was a councilman of Rossville one term, and a member of the Masonic order.

Philip' Rothenbush went to the common schools in this place and to the academy then kept by Mr. Furman. He was in the employment of his brother as dispensing druggist for some six years, until April, 1861, when he enlisted in the company of Captain W. C. Rossman, Third Ohio Volunteers. He served out his three months' term of enlistment, and again entered the service in Company I, Thirty-fifth Volunteers, as orderly sergeant. February 1, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and on March 30, 1864, to captain. His was the first company. to take possession of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and its subsequent exploits are mentioned in our history of the Rebellion. Lieutenant Rothenbush was severely wounded at Chickamauga, but staunched his wound and continued in action. No hospital existed, every thing having been captured, and during a lull in battle he was shot again by a sharpshooter, while he was gathering cartridges for his men, as a scarcity existed. He received a third wound before leaving the field. He was then led off by his men. In the evening he went to Chattanooga, and remained under the care of a surgeon there for some time. After a while he obtained leave of absence for six weeks. He returned to the front January 1, 1864, and went to Ringgold, and from that time on took an active part in the advance of the army. At Peach-tree Creek he had a narrow escape. He served out his term of enlistment, and was mustered out at Chattanooga, September 29, 1864.

He was with his father, in 1865, in the grocery business, in the First Ward, being there two years. He was married, January 16, 1866, to Miss Ollie M., daughter of Robert Ratliff, a former well known resident of Oxford. They are the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter. They are James E., Jennie M., and Clifford E. In 1866, he was assistant United States assessor, and was also United States storekeeper in 1867, 1868, and 1869. He was of the firm of Borger & Rothenbush, in the fruit business, for two years. In 1871 the firm of Rothenbush & Ratliff was formed, which js still in existence, and does a large and successful business in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and confectionery. member of the Grand Army of the Republic. | William Ritchie was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 26, 1839, being the only son of George Ritchie, formerly of that place. He was educated in the public schools, and when twelve or fourteen began an apprenticeship to the machinery trade, in Hamilton, where 'he had come in 1856. He was in the employment of Owens, Lane, Dyer & Co., continuing with them in later years, as superintendent of their works, until they discontinued business, in 1879. He then organized the Ritchie & Dyer Company, manufacturers of saw-mills and roadengines, now employing some forty hands. It is an extensive concern.

Mr. Ritchie was married, in 1870, to Miss Pattie Nifong, who was born in the State of Missouri. They are the parents of one son, Oscar N., who was born in 1874. Mr. Ritchie was elected chief of the fire department, as an independent candidate, in 1879, for two years. Besides his business life, Mr. Ritchie has a long and honorable record in the last war. He enlisted, in 1861, in the Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and afterward was transferred to the Sixty-ninth. After the battle of Murfreesboro, he was transferred to the engineer corps, where he was placed in charge of the machinery, in connection with the Army of the Cumberland. He made the celebrated march to the sea with Sherman. He more than served out his time, and was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, in January, 1865. Returning to civil life, he resumed his former position with Owens, Lane & Dyer. He is a self-made man, prosperous and influential. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Dr. Silas J. Nicolay was born in Somerset, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1847, being the son of Frederick and Margaret (Jennings) Nicolay, the latter being a daughter of Colonel Benjamin Jennings, an officer in the Continental army under Washington, crossing the Delaware with him and assisting in the capture of a thousand Hessians on the night of December 24, 1776. Mr. Frederick Nicolay is still living in Pennsylvania. Dr. Nicolay was a pupil at the common schools until he was fourteen, when he commenced an apprenticeship of three years at the trade of silversmith. He had acquired the trade in 1864, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, participating in the capture of the Weldon Railroad, and in numerous skirmishes and raids. He was at the battle of Hotel's Run, February, 1865, when the regiment suffered a loss of one-third of its men, and in the battles preceding Lee's surrender, also being present at that event. He served until the close of the war, and was discharged at Washington, June 3, 1865.

He came to Ohio in 1865 as a student in the National Normal School at Lebanon, where he remained one year, graduating from that school in 1868. He engaged in teaching in Butler and Hamilton Counties till 1871. In 1870 he entered the office of Dr. William Jones, at Montgomery, Hamilton County, remaining there till 1871, when he commenced a three years' course at the Ohio Medical College. He graduated from that institution March 1, 1874, then beginning the practice of his profession at Mercer, Illinois, in connection with an older brother, Dr. William J. Nicolay. He continued there till September, 1880, when he came to Hamilton, purchasing the business formerly carried on by Hilker & Son, and dealing extensively in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, books, stationery, and fancy articles.

Dr. Nicolay was married in 1875 to Miss Margaret Parrish, daughter of Jared Parrish, a former well-known resident of Westchester, Butler County. They are the parents of one daughter, Helen, born August 6, 1881. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows, and the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

William Arthur Nichols was born in Hamilton County, Indiana, in 1839, being the son of George and Margaret Nichols. He was married in Dayton, Ohio, in 1870, to Mildred Wiley, daughter of Thomas and Mildred Wiley, who was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1851. They have five children. Maggie was born in 1871; Harry, in 1873; Nellie, in 1875; Blanche, in 1877; and Paul, in 1880. Mr. Nichols enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, in 1862, and served nearly three years. Two brothers enlisted in 1864, and were out till the close of the war. Mr. Nichols came to Hamilton in 1874, and is the principal of the Ohio Commercial College.

Joseph W. Myers was born in Hamilton, August 26, 1848, being the son of Peter and Mary J. (Ward) Myers. Peter Myers was a native of Pennsylvania, being born in 1815. He came to Ohio about 1837 and engaged in building. He brought up to maturity five sons, four of whom were members of the Union army during the Rebellion. But two of these sons survive - Joseph W. and Edward, also of Hamilton. Peter Myers is still living, acting as an assistant foreman in the building depart-

"iment at the Soldiers' Home, at Dayton. Joseph W. Myers was educated in the common schools of Hamilton. When sixteen he learned the trade of carpenter, and was working at that business in the Spring of 1861. He enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated with it in nearly all its engagements. At the battle of Perryville he was a sergeant. During the battles of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge he was engaged on detached duty, recruiting for the regiment. At Buzzard's Roost he had command of the company, and took part in the siege of Atlanta. He was mustered out with the regiment September 10, 1864.

Returning home he again went to work as a carpenter. He was engaged in the broom manufacturing business in Indianapolis in 1867 and 1868, and carried on the confectionery business in Hamilton for some years. He was elected city street commissioner in 1875, and filled that position for two years, then being-a_ builder and contractor till 1879, when he was appointed captain of the police force, acting as such for two years. In August, 1881, he entered the employment of Bentel, Margedant & Co., and is still with them. Mr. Myers mar- ried in 1870 Miss Mary Stafford. He was captain of the fire department from 1869 to 1879, and is now captain of the Veteran Guards, an organization connected with the Grand Army of the Republic. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, and Mrs. Myers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His administration as street commissioner was marked by its economy, saving the city some eleven thousand dollars during his term.

Robert C. McKinney was born in Troy, New York, January 20, 1852, being a younger son of Robert and Mary McKinney. With his parents he came to Cincinnati in 1861, where he attended the public schools, and was at the Woodward High School. In 1872 he entered Cornell University, where he took a course in mechanical engineering, and completing his education there. In 1873 he entered the employment of the Cope & Maxwell Manufacturing Co., and in 1876 was assistant postmaster. In 1877 he became connected with the Niles Tool Works, and was elected secretary of the company January 1, 1879, a position he still occupies. Mr. McKinney was married in the Fall of 1879 to Miss Nellie, daughter of William Beckett. Mr. and Mrs. McKinney are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Joseph J. McMaken, city clerk, was born in Union Township, January 10, 1848. He is the youngest child of Mark C. and Martha (McCracken) McMaken. His family are among the oldest settlers in the county, having been here eighty-seven years, and his father is the oldest living native of the county. He was educated in the public schools in Hamilton, being occupied in farming for some time. He entered the United States Navy in the Fall of 1862, being in the lower Mississippi squadron, on the. steamer Benton, at Vicksburg and Grand River. Ill health compelled his removal to the hospital at Memphis, where he remained three months, then being discharged for disability. In December, 1864, he returned home, and entered the Miami University in 1866. He was there four years, and graduated in 1870. He read law in the office of James E. Campbell, and was admitted to the bar in 1873. The state of his health, however, did not permit him to practice. He became connected with the Cincinnati Enquirer about 1875 as a local writer. He now controls the branch office in Hamilton. He was appointed United States commissioner in 1876, and still occupies the position, and he is also city clerk, being elected to that place in 1881. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 1871 to Miss Sarah Belle McElwee.

Mrs. Charlotte McGuire was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 9, 1814, and was the oldest daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Cameron. She received her education in subscription schools, and lived with her mother until her marriage, August 7, 1835, to James McGuire, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born in 1803. He came to Ohio in 1834, and was connected with a paper mill, in various capacities, till 1848, when he formed a partnership with Kline and Erwin, under the firm name of McGuire, Kline & Erwin, the present Skinner & Tweedale mill. He was connected with that mill, under different firm names, as long as he was living, and was one of its originators. He always declined office. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church at the time of his death, and had been an active member of the Masonic order. He was of a retired, quiet disposition, and was a Democrat in politics, but supported the war earnestly. He was a suceessful and esteemed gentleman. He died August 6, 1874. Mrs. McGuire is very pleasantly located, and is an intelligent lady.

Robert Barbour Millikin, clerk of the courts of Butler County, was born in this city March 21, 1844. He is the son of Thomas Millikin, and grandson of Dr. Robert B. Millikin, and his mother was Mary Van Hook, daughter of William B. Van Hook. He attended school in Hamilton, and afterwards was two years at the Park Latin School, Boston, Massachusetts. On leaving there, he entered Miami University, where he was two years, then enlisting in the Ninety-third Regiment, on July 16, 1862. He was promoted to be second lieutenant May 6, 1864, and first lieutenant May 31, 1864. He resigned on account of disability November 22, 1864. He began business as a manufacturer of implements and machinery at Hamilton in 1865, in the firm of Millikin & Co., now Millikin & Cisle. He was clerk of the city of Hamilton for six years from 1875, and is now the clerk of the courts of Butler County. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Knights of Honor. He was _ married at Piqua, Ohio, August 16, 1865, to Carrie E. Brandon, daughter of Abel and Martha Brandon, pioneer settlers of Miami County, Ohio.

David Mering was born in Morgan Township, June 10, 1836. He is the son of John and Mary E. (Bottenburg) Mering. John Mering was born in Maryland in 1799, and came to Ohio in 1819, settling the next year on the place in Morgan Township now owned by Evan Evans. He was married in Morgan in 1820, and raised a family of eight children, of whom five are living. Two died in infancy. John George enlisted in an IMlinois infantry regiment, and was killed in battle at Jackson, Tennessee, in 1864. Two of his daughters are residents of Butler County. John Mering was an active militia man, an ardent Whig, and a prominent member of the Congregational Church. At the time of his death he was a member of the Lutheran Church. He was a miller by trade, and conducted the Smith Mills, which he owned for many years. He died October 29, 1849.

David Mering was educated in the common schools, was at Farmers' College for the years 1852 and 1853, and afterward was two years at Franklin College, Indiana. He taught school some two years in Warren and Montgomery Counties, and also in Indiana. He was brought up to farming and milling. He was .married, in 1858, to Miss Mary E. Crockett, daughter of Marmaduke Crockett, a relative of the colonel. After a residence of one year in Minnesota, he located in Warren County, at Springboro, where he is engaged in mercantile business, also having been postmaster for the past ten years. He was a licensed preacher of the Gospel in Indiana, but is now a member of the Methodist Church, in which he has been made a local preacher. In 1862 Mr. Mering enlisted as a recruit in Company H, Fifth Ohio Cavalry, and participated in its engagements. He served till the close of the war, and was honorably discharged June 29, 1865. He is a member of the Masonic order.

John McKee, late postmaster of Hamilton, was born in Kentucky, February 20, 1829. His parents were William and Louise McKee. The father is still living, but the mother, whose maiden name was Stip, died February 21,1881. They came to this county in 1844. Mr. McKee's grandfather, John McKee, was in the Revolutionary War. The late John McKee was married to Sarah J. Beckett, daughter of Robert Beckett and Mary Crawford, September 24, 1861. Robert Beckett died March 11, 1863, aged sixty-nine years, and Mrs. Beckett died in August, 1873, aged seventy-eight. He came to this county in 1805, and she in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. McKee had three children. Mary L. was born October