Butler County, Ohio - Chapter 6, 1905 (part 16 of 18)

Mr. LeSourd engaged in agriculture upon his own responsibility and on November 7, 1866, he married his cousin, Miss Jane Le- Sourd, a daughter of John LeSourd, one of the well-known farmers and popular citizens of Liberty township. During the three years following the marriage the subject lived on a farm in Warren county, but at the expiration of the time returned to Butler county and took up his residence in the township of Liberty, where he has since made his home, removing to Hughes Station in July, 1898. .After cultivating the soil for a number of years with varied success, Mr. LeSourd, in 1891, engaged in the dairy business, to which he has since devoted his attention, with encouraging results. He has gradually built up a lucrative patronage, which is steadily growing, and at the present time he keeps thirty-five milch cows of the Jersey breed, while the demand for his product is much greater than he can supply, all of it being shipped to certain parties, this obviating the trouble and annoyance of retail custom. Mr. LeSourd owns a small but beautiful and finely situated place, which is well adapted for the purpose of dairying, consisting of fertile soil, excellent pasturage and an abundance of pure water for his stock, while the appliances for handling his product preparatory to shipment are of the latest and most approved kinds and fully answer the object for which intended.

Mr. LeSourd has prosecuted his business with great energy, and the excellence of the milk and cream he markets insures the highest prices, in consequence of which his success has been steady and substantial and he now ranks among the well-to-do men of his township, being well situated from a financial point of view, having a sufficiency of this world's goods in his possession to be termed independent. In the management of his affairs lie is careful almost to conservatism, keeps in view every minor detail and his honorable dealings and freedom from anything savoring of deceit or misrepresentation have been greatly in his favor as the steady increase in the volume and importance of his business amply testify.

Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. LeSourd, four are living: Lulu, wife of L. S. Shafon, of Hamilton; Josie, the wife of F. S. Demoret, of Peoria. Indiana: Cary, married to Miss Stella Wyle, of Hughes, and for some time past a telegraph operator and station agent for the Big Four Railroad at London, Ohio, and Walter, who is still with his parents. Wilbur, the deceased member of the family, was born March 24, 1872, and departed this life some time the following year. Mr. and Mrs. LeSourd are respected members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethany, he being a trustee of the organization and a faithful teacher in the Sunday school, a work for which he is peculiarly adapted both by nature and training. In politics Mr. LeSourd is stanchlv and reliably Republican, his reading and study, especially along the lines of history and political economy, convincing him that the principles and policies of his party are for the best interests of the people, in that they have fostered, developed and protected home industries which in a large measure form the basis of our national prosperity. Aside from serving as trustee of Liberty township, he has held no political office, nor has he ever manifested a desire for preferment of this kind, his only ambition being to succeed well in his business and to live as becomes a true American citizen with the welfare of his county, state and nation at heart.

Mr. LeSourd belongs to Lodge No. 202, Knights of Pythias, in which he holds the title of past chancellor, and is also identified with the Odd Fellows lodge at Monroe, in which he has served in various official capacities from the lowest to the highest, one of the latter being that of noble grand, the most important and honorable position within the gift of the organization. The subject's many warm friends attest the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and fellow citizens, and the interest he takes in furthering the welfare of the community speaks well for his intelligence, enterprise and public spirit as an influential factor of the body politic. In his domestic life, as well as his relations with his fellow men he has been guided bv those high principles of morality and equity which earn the respect of all, ever manifesting a commendable pride in his integrity. It can justly be said that his influence has always been in the direction of truth and right anti that his example may be safely imitated by the young man whose career is yet a matter of the future.

August Schumacher. M. D.

This talented and popular physician is a native of Hamilton, born on the 7th of February, 1874. His entire life has been spent in his native city, with the exception of three years spent in college. Dr. Schumacher has met with more than ordinary success in his chosen calling, and stands today in the front rank of Hamilton's corps of young physicians. He was graduated from the high school of his native city, with the class of 1894, being then but twenty years old. While in school he had chosen his life profession and immediately after his graduation he took up the study of medicine. For a brief period Dr. George C. Skinner was his tutor, but in the autumn of 1*894 he entered upon his collegiate work in the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, where he completed the prescribed course, and graduated in 1897;. By working over time, he also carried on a special course in opthalmology, receiving his certificate of graduation in this science, along with his diploma as Doctor of Medicine.

Returning to the parental home, a neat and convenient office was soon erected on the lot upon which the Doctor was born, and there he has since remained. From the first he has been successful, not only in curing the ills of humanity, but also in establishing a large and lucrative practice, which is constantly growing. His popularity and ability were shown in his appointment as one of the district physicians of the city., in which capacity he served two years. The succeeding two years he served as city health officer, declining a reappointment, this term being closed in July, 1903.

Dr. Schumacher is a member of the Butler County Medical Society and of the Union District Medical Association. He takes an active interest in the deliberations of these professional societies, and is a close student of medical and surgical literature. Of the social fraternities, the Doctor is a member of the popular order of Elks. In a protective line, he holds membership in the Catholic Foresters, the Independent Foresters, and in the German Beneficial Union. He was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church. In political affiliations Dr. Schumacher is a Democrat.

Katherine (Fischer) Schumacher, natives of Germany. They came to America in early life and were married in this country. The family home was established in Flamilton in the early forties, and here the parents are still living, well-advanced in years. During his productive years the father was a mechanic, in which business he accumulated a competence, and is now retired from active labors. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living. The sixth and eighth born, Ludwig and Mary, died in infancy. The living are: Joseph, Anna, Rosa, Lizzie, August, Katie and John C. The two brothers are machinists, in which business they command good salaries. Anna is the wife ctf Mr. Scgers, a grocer in Hamilton, and Lizzie married Charles Halbrook, a merchant in this city. Joseph is married.

Dr. Schumacher is a pleasant and affable gentleman and still remains at the parental home, sharing with his brother and sisters the blessings of maternal love and care, so precious to the thoughtful and considerate.

Wilson Clawson

It is with no little satisfaction that the writer attempts to set forth in the following paragraphs the leading facts in the life of one of Butler county's oldest native citizens. The family of which he is a worthy representative was among the first to penetrate the wilderness of what is now one of the most thrifty and advanced portions of southern Ohio and from the earliest settlement of the county to the present time the name Clawson has been known and honored. Tracing the subject's genealogy, it is learned that his paternal ancestors were Dutch, his great-grandfather, Cornelius Clawson, having come from Holland to America prior to the war for independence and settled in Pennsylvania. He was a single man at that time, but shortly after his arrival in the country married Martha Smalley and, purchasing land, devoted the rest of iiis life to the pursuit of agriculture. Among the children of the couple was a son by the name of Andrew Clawson, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania and who chose for a wife Miss Mary Russell, daughter of James Russell, a native of Scotland and an early settler of the county in which the Clawsons lived. After spending the first few years of his wedded life in his native state Andrew Clawson decided to move west, where he was convinced better opportunities for obtaining a livelihood and acquiring a competency were to be found ; accordingly, in 1802, he started on his journey to southwestern Ohio and, reaching his destination in due time, settled near Middletown, Butler county, purchasing land in what is now Lemon township, which he at once proceeded to clear and otherwise improve. He lived where he originally located until his old age, when he turned the farm over to other hands and spent the remainder of his days with his son who lived in the township of Liberty. James Clawson, son of Andrew Clawson, was born in Pennsylvania and was a lad of seven years when the family moved to Butler county in 1802. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Lemon township and after his marriage with Miss Rebekah Vail took up his residence in Liberty township where he purchased and improved a farm, which he made his home for many years. Industrious, energetic and a capable business man, he added to his possessions at intervals until his real estate amounted to over six hundred acres, much of which he improved and all of which increased greatly in value during his lifetime, making him one of the wealthiest farmers in the county. Some time before his death he moved to the township of Fairfield where he spent the remainder of his days in retirement and where his death occurred in 1885, when nearly ninety years of age. James Clawson was a lifelong member of the Baptist church, and his relations with his fellow citizens were characterized by the high sense of honor which marks the man of noble aims and correct ideals. He was one of the original Republicans of Butler county, labored earnestly to promote the success of the party and always manifested a commendable interest in public affairs and the leading questions of the time. Of the five sons and three daughters that constituted the family of James and Rebekah Clawson, all but two have followed their parents to the unseen world, the survivors being Mrs. Deziah Po- Gock, of Hanover township, and the gentleman whose name heads this article.

Wilson Clawson was born near Princeton, Butler county, Ohio, November 21, 1829, and spent his early years on the farm in Liberty township which his father purchased and improved some years before. At the proper age he took his place in the fields and soon became familiar with the rugged routine of farm life and after the harvests were gathered he was wont to attend for about three months of the year the district school not far from his home. He remained at home as his father's able assistant until attaining his majority, when he rented a part of his father's farm and, at the age of twenty-four, circumstances justified him in taking a wife and helpmeet, whom he found in the person of Miss Harriett Fulkerson, who was bom 'n Hamilton in the year 1834. When about sixteen years of age Mrs. Clawson accompanied her parents, Hiram and Angeline (Beardsley) Fulkerson, upon their removal to Clinton county, where she remained a short time, subsequently returning to Hamilton, where her marriage was duly solemnized in 1854. Mrs. Clawson's father was born in Butler county, his father Benjamin moving to this part of Ohio many years ago from his native state of New Jersey. The family is old and highly esteemed and the descendants now living are highly respected in their different places of residence. To Mr. and Mrs. Clawson five children were born, three of whom are living, namely : Hiram, a resident of Hamilton ; Anna, wife of Robert Brooks, and Hattie, who married Charles Frederick, one of the thrifty farmers of Liberty township.

Mr. Clawson devotes his active life to his calling and achieved marked success as a farmer and stock raiser, becoming the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and otherwise well improved. By industry and the exercise of sound judgment in his business affairs he succeeded in providing comfortably for his family and in amassing a sufficiency of material wealth to make him independent during the remainder of his life so that he is no longer under the necessity of laboring for a livelihood. After accumulating a competency, he sold his farm, retired from active life, and is now spending his closing years in the enjoyment of many comforts and blessings which have come to him as a result of his persevering toil and excellent management. Mrs. Clawson is a firm believer in revealed religion and subscribes to the beautiful and reasonable faith of Universalism, being a leading member of the church of this denomination in the city of Hamilton. A lifelong Republican and in former years an influential party worker, he has never had any political aspirations, either for office or leadership, having no desire for public distinction nor any taste for the wiles and questionable methods to which the majority of place seekers resort in order to achieve the objects of their ambition. Throughout a long, busy life and eminently useful career Mr. Clawson has attended strictly to his own affairs, at the same time discharging with commendable fidelity the duties of citizenship and never losing sight of his interest in the public welfare. Being closely interwoven with the history of the township and county, his life has been fruitful of much good, and his voice and influence have been on the right side of the question in which great moral issues were involved. Since 1899 he has traveled life's pathway alone, his faithful wife and companion having died on May 7th of that year.

Mariah Ray

The name of this estimable lady is a familiar sound to the people of Butler county and the brief record of her life, outlined in the following paragraphs, will doubtless be

Centennial History Ok

Miss Mariah Ray is the eighth in a family of fourteen children whose parents weie Philip and Elnora (McCain) Ray, and was born in Butler county, Ohio, on May 25. 1835. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred in the year 1788, and in 1797 he accompanied his parents upon their removal to southern Ohio, settling in Hamilton county, from which he subsequently moved to the county of Butlei.

A farmer by occupation, he achieved marked success in his chosen calling and he also served with a distinguished record in the war of 1812, enlisting at the beginning of that struggle and remaining with his command at the front until its close. lie lived an honorable life, was highly esteemed by all who knew him and his death, in the year 1849, was deeply lamented by the large ciicle of friends and acquaintances with whom he was wont to mingle. Mrs. Elnora Ray survived her husband about thirty-seven years, departing this life in the month of December, 1886. Of the large family that formerly gathered around the hearthstone of this excellent couple, only three survive, namely : Malinda, widow of Isaac Snively,

Mariah Ray's childhood was spent at the old home where she first saw the light of day and under the direction and tutelage of her mother she early became accustomed to the varied duties of the household and familiar with the homely, domestic virtues which exercised such a potent influence in forming the character and shaping the lives of the young women of this country fifty and sixty years ago. During her youth she attended the subscription schools and availed herself of the meager advantages they afforded, the training thus received being afterwards supplemented by a three-years course at College Hill, an educational institution of a high grade which was long patronized by young ladies from many of the best families of the state. For one year after finishing her education Miss Ray was engaged in teaching, but not caring to follow this kind of work and being needed at home, she entered heartily into her domestic duties and as long as her mother lived remained with her under the parental roof, ministering to her comfort in every possible way, besides woiking after the various interests of the farm. When the mother died in 1886 Miss Ray took her dower interest in the homestead and later on bought out the Other heirs, thus becoming sole*" possessor of a farm of two hundred and ten acres of fertile and highly improved land which is generally conceded to be one of the most beautiful and attractive places in Wayne township, as well as one of the most valuable. During the ensuing six years she managed the farm very creditably and successfully, made a number of substantial improvements, and conducted her business a - fairs in a way that proved her well qualified to superintend work and conduct interest, which from time immemorial have been considered the exclusive province of the sternei sex. At the expiration of the period notec she left the farm and moved to Seven Mi e, where she has since lived and where s e owns a beautiful home, which, being amply furnished with material comforts and luxuries not a few. affords her a most charming retreat in which to spend the remainder of her earthly sojourn. She sold her iome in 1902 for fifteen thousand dollars.

Miss Ray possesses sound, practical intelligence and business ability of a high order and in the course of an active and eminently useful life has demonstrated unusual capacity in the matter of conducting her affairs and adding to her wealth. Little by little she enlarged her interests and increased her means, and while thus engaged did not lose sight of her social duties or neglect any of the obligations which grew out of her relations with the friends and neighbors with whom she was wont to associate. Miss Ray has been active in every good work in the community and is always ready with her influence and means to encourage and support worthy enterprises. While her character is strong and forceful and her intellect keen, she possesses a beautiful moral nature and is not wanting in those gentle qualities and tender graces which constitute the refined and cultured lady and give her the charm that wins and retains esteem. She is essentially a woman of domestic tastes and a great lover of her home, notwithstanding which strong and abiding attachment she has traveled quite extensively, especially throughout the Central and Eastern states, her experience bringing her in close touch with all classes and conditions of people, thus broadening and strengthening her mind and adding to her knowledge in a practical wav which makes one truly well informed. Miss Ray enjoys a high degree of personal esteem in Seven Mile and is one of the most widely known and popular ladies of the town. Her friendships are strong and abiding, her loyalty above question and all with whom she comes in contact in a business or social way speak in glowing terms of her many admirable qualities of mind and heart.

It is gratifying to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work that there remain identified with the professional, public and civic affairs of Butler county many who are native sons of the county and who are ably maintaining the prestige of honored names. Of this number is Dr. Roll, who is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in the city of Hamilton, being one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the county.

Dr. Roll was bom on a farm near Stillwell Corners, Hanover township, on the 1 6th of December, 1845, being a son of Israel and Maria (Jones) Roll, who were early settlers of the county, where the father was prominently identified with agricultural pursuits and was one of the sterling citizens of the county. He died in 1883 and his wife passed away in 1893, while of their six children four are living at the present time.

The early life of the subject was uneventful save that his opportunities for acquiring a good education were of the very best, while his studious habits and desire for self-culture led him to make the best use of the advantages thus afforded him. But the Doctor's school days were interrupted by the great Civil war, for his patriotism and youthful ardor led him to tender his services in defense of the Union. On the Jth of October, 1861, though not yet sixteen years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and he served for three years in the ranks, being absent from duty only two weeks during that period. He participated in a number of the hard-fought battles of the war, the regiment having credit for nineteen general engagements, besides a number of somewhat less importance. The most conspicuous battles in which Dr. Roll took part were those of Stone River, Chickamauga and the battle and siege of Atlanta, but there were four engagements in which the Fourth Cavalry participated which were more disastrous to that particular organization than were any other in which it took part, although these are not mentioned in the Ohio Roster, namely : Elk River, Little Harpeth, Framington and Muddy Creek. Our subject received his honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of enlistment, in November, 1864, and then returned home and resumed his interrupted studies. He entered a private academy conducted by Prof. D. P. Nelson, at Stillwell, Connecticut, while he also began the study of medicine. He was matriculated in the Ohio Medical College, in Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1872, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was thereafter engaged for a time in the practice of his profession in the vicinity of his parental home, and in 1887 located in the city of Hamilton. His professional career has been conspicuously successful and he stands high in the medical fraternity. His success has been wholly due to his close application to business and his careful and conscientious work. The Doctor served four years as a member of the board of United States pension examiners for Butler county, under the administration of President Harrison, and was reappointed by President McKinley, being still a member of the board and having now served for a total of twelve years, a fact which stands as voucher for his professional ability and personal integrity, while he ever maintains a lively interest in the welfare of his old comrades in arms, seeking to secure to them their just dues. He is also secretary of the pension board. Dr. Roll is an active member of various professional societies and takes a lively interest in their councils. He is a member of the building committee for the erection of the soldiers, sailors and pioneers' monument in Hamilton, having for its object the perpetuation of the memories of those who have contributed to the growth and development of Butler county and to the service of the state and nation. In politics the Doctor has ever given allegiance to the Republican party, and fraternally, he is identified with Wetzel Compton Post, No. 96, Grand Army of the Republic, and with Washington Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.

On the 14th of October, 1873, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Roll to Miss Lina Baldwin, of Wood Station, Ohio, and they have three children: Bessie; Mabel,

Rev. Gotthilf Ziegler

Rev. Gotthilf Ziegler, the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran church in Hamilton, Ohio, is a native of Effingham county, Illinois, his birth having occurred on the 6th of July. 1870. His parents are Louis and Katherine (Frank) Ziegler, both of whom are natives of Baden, Germany. They accompanied their parental families to America when they were children and the first home was established in New York, but after a short stay they removed west, stopping for a time in Pennsylvania, but ultimately reaching Effingham county, Illinois, in the pioneer days of that country. The parents of the subject were married in Pennsylvania, and soon after reaching Illinois established their home on the farm where the subject was born and reared and where the family has resided for more than forty years. The father has became very well-to-do and is retired from active labors, though still occupying a portion of the old home farm. Both parents were born in 1828, and are still enjoying good health and the well-earned respite from labor which their early industry rendered possible. They are the parents of eight children, all living and engaged in life's duties on their own account. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of his family; Jacob, the eldest, is a prosperous farmer in his native county ; Katie is the wife of Otto Klitzing, a well-to-do farmer; Louise married Jacob Wendling, a successful farmer; Elizabeth became the wife of Rev. August Mundt, a Lutheran minister located at Forest Green, Missouri; Lottie is the wife of Frederick Wendling, a young farmer in Brown county, South Dakota ; Louis and John complete the family circle. They are married and occupying and cultivating the old home farm, each having his own residence and working independently.

Rev. Mr. Ziegler was educated at Concordia Lutheran College at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and his theological course was completed in Concordia Seminary at St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained to the ministry in November, 1895, at Brazil, Indiana, and began his ministerial life at a mission church in that city. He remained there for eight years, or until he was called to the pastorate of Immanuel church in this city. Mr. Ziegler was installed as pastor of this church on the 10th of January, 1904, a well-merited promotion for his faithful services in the cause of Christianity. Immanuel congregation embraces about three hundred and sixty communicants, all natives of Germany or descendants of German ancestors. The services are conducted, mostly, in the German language, though the pastor speaks English with fluency and accuracy.

Mr. Ziegler is quite liberal in his views regarding the social side of life. He does not believe that all of Christianity consists of prayers and "long faces," but sees evidence of the grace of God in kindly actions, pleasant smiles and innocent sports. He believes that the conscience is an internal monitor, directing and controlling the actions of men in the secular affairs of life, and that no serious wrong or transgression of the moral law is ever committed without remorse of conscience. Immanuel parochial school has an enrollment of over fifty students, in charge of one teacher. The Sunday afternoon services are conducted along the lines of Sunday-school work, the Scriptural texts, music, etc., being selected especially with reference to instructing the young, and the services are suited to their capacities, this taking the place of the customary school. The church society owns a handsome modern pastoral residence, adjoining the church lot on the north, this being the pleasant home of Mr. Ziegler and his family. Mr. Ziegler was married in St. Louis on the day made memorable by the disastrous cyclone there which cost many lives and millions of dollars in property, the 27th of May, 1896. being the date. Mr. Ziegler very pertinently remarks that he hopes that they had all their

"storms" at once, and that there will be no recurrence, either physical or mental, during their sojourn. The lady of his choice was Miss Anna Bufe, a native of Germany, who was brought by her parents to St. Louis when a child of three years, and was reared and educated in that city. Her parents, August and Ernestine (Wonnberger) Bufe, had a family of four children, namely: Otto, who is cashier of the Estey Piano and Organ Company in St. Louis; Hermann, an organ builder and piano tuner, employed in the Estey factories in New York city; Emma is at home. Mrs. Ziegler is the eldest of the family. Her parents are both living, the father aged sixty-five and mother fiftyeight years. Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler have an interesting family of four children, of whom Paul is the eldest, the others being Elinor, Karl and Edwin.

John Q. Brate

The gentleman whose brief biography is herewith presented enjoys worthy prestige among the prosperous farmers of Butler county and is an honored representative of one of Union township's old and highly esteemed families. The subject's grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Butler county in an early day and purchased land in Union township where he spent the remainder of his life as an enterprising and successful agriculturist. John Brate, father of the subject, was born and reared in the above township and also became a farmer of considerable note as well as a prominent, public-spirited citizen. In connection with agriculture he devoted a great deal of attention to stock raising and prosecuted his affairs so successfully as to accumulate a comfortable fortune, which he lived many years to enjoy. He married, in Union township, Miss Jane Brumbarger, who bore him ten children, the subject of this sketch being the seventh in order of birth.

John O. Brate was born on the family homestead in Union township June 29, 1854, and remained with his parents until twenty-three years old, his experience the meanwhile being closely identified with the rugged duties of farm life, varied at intervals by attending the district schools. At the above age he rented the farm he now owns and three years later took to himself a wife in the person of Miss Jennie S., daughter of William and Jennette Miller, the ceremony being solemnized on the 25th day of February, 1880. Mrs. Brate was born and reared in Fairfield township, Butler county, enjoyed the advantages of a good common-school education and thus far her life has mainly been spent within a comparatively short distance of her native place. During the four years following his marriage Mr. Brate, in partnership with his brother, ran what is known as the Brant farm, but at the expiration of that time rented land upon his own responsibility and continued to cultivate the same until purchasing his present place in 1893.

Mr. Brate's farm, which consists of one hundred acres of fine tillable land, lies in one of the richest agricultural districts of Union township and in point of improvement and productiveness compares favorably with any like area in Butler county. B is kept in excellent condition and cultivated according to the most advanced methods, the buildings of all kinds being first-class and up-to-date, especially the beautiful and commodious dwelling, which was erected in 1901 at a cost of several thousands of dollars. It is attractive and imposing in appearance, tastefully arranged in all parts and, being supplied with the comforts and conveniences calculated to make farm life desirable, impresses all who see it as a model country home. Mr. Brate is not only an enterprising agriculturist and stock raiser, but exhibits a commendable public spirit in all matters pertaining to the material advancement of his township and county and the social and moral welfare of his fellow citizens. He has been identified with several local enterprises of note, including among others the Springdale Mutual Protective Company, of which he is now serving as chairman, and for several years he was president of the Memorial Association of Union Township, besides holding the office of trustee of his township for a period of six years, in all of which positions he discharged his duties ably and in a most praiseworthy manner. In politics he is one of Union township's leading Democrats, being influential in party affairs and an active worker in promoting the success of the ticket, though by no means an office seeker or an aspirant for any kind of public distinction.

Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order United American Mechanics, having served as noble grand and deputy grand master in the first-named organization, and at this time he holds the titles of past chancellor and past grand representative in the Pythian brotherhood. He is also a member of the Dramatic Order of Knights of Khorassan.

Mr. Brate possesses excellent judgment and sound discretion in business matters and it is a fact worthy of note that all of his undertakings have been eminently successful, as he is today one of the financially strong and reliable men of his community, as well as one of its most progressive and public-spirited citizens. He has made farming pay, and the handsome competence he now commands and the independent position which he occupies are directly attributable to his own industry and to his wellformed purpose to succeed. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Brate are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, belonging to the congregation at Westchester, in which the subject holds the positions of elder and trustee. He is active in all lines of work under the auspices of the church, being especially efficient in the Sunday school, where his services as a teacher and official have long been valuable and greatly appreciated. Mr. Brate and wife have many warm friends and admirers in their community and stand high in the confidence and esteem of all with whom they associate or come into contact. Their influence has always been direct and salutary and on every question of morals they are invariably found on the side of right. They are the parents of one child, Murray Miller Brate, whose birth occurred on August 5, 1889.

Arthur Elliott

For many years prominent in the affairs of Liberty township and distinguished as a citizen whose prestige and influence were felt far beyond the limits of the community honored by his residence, the late Arthur Elliott stood out a conspicuous figure among the successful farmers and representative men of Butler county. Characterized by remarkable breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, and in all of his enterprises and undertakings actuated by noble motives and high resolves, his success and achievements but represented the result of fit utilization of innate talent in directing effort along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. He was one of the strong, forceful men of his day and generation, a leader in movements having for their object the material advancement of the community, while his influence in directing and controlling enterprises for the social and moral welfare of his fellow men was second to that of none of his contemporaries.

Arthur Elliott was born near the old Spring church, in Liberty township. Butler county, Ohio, on the 2d day of March, 1817. His parents. Joshua and Betsey (Hughes) Elliott, were natives of Maryland and from them he inherited many of the sturdy characteristics and sterling qualities which made his life such a conspicuous example of usefulness and his influence so strong in moulding and directing the careers of others along the lines of honorable achievement. His uncle, Rev. Arthur W. Elliott, was one of the pioneers of Methodism in southern Ohio, and did as much as any minister of his day to establish the church upon the solid foundation which made its early growth and subsequent history in the middle west so bright and illustrious.

Arthur Elliott was reared in a comparatively new and undeveloped country and experienced the various vicissitudes incident to clearing and developing a farm from the virgin forest. He was taught the necessity of industry from his youth, and grew to the full stature of manhood with a proper appreciation of the dignity of toil and of responsibilities which every one must meet and overcome who would make life a success. On arriving at manhood's estate he chose agriculture for his vocation and during the remainder of his life followed the same with most gratifying results, as is attested by the fact of his having accumulated large and valuable tracts of real estate, reduced to a high state of tillage and improved with fine buildings. Enterprising and progressive in all the words convey, he was one of the model farmers of his day and his aptness in business as well as in labor and management made him in due time one of the wealthiest men of his township.

In the year 1840 Mr. Elliott and Miss Emmeline Van Gorden were united in the bonds of wedlock and during the eight years following they lived on the old homestead in Liberty township. In 1848 Mr. Elliott purchased the farm in the same township on which he laid the foundation of his subsequent success and on which he reared his family and spent the remainder of his days. During his active years he devoted his attention very closely to agriculture and stock raising and while thus engaged added to his means until at the time of his death his estate amounted to eight hundred acres of fine land in Liberty township, besides a large amount of valuable personal property which was the legitimate result of his energy and well-directed toil. The real estate was in a high state of cultivation.

Seven children were born to Arthur and Emmeline Elliott, only three of whom survive. namely: James C. and E. T. are residents of Butler county and B. F. resides in

Los Angeles, California. Arthur Elliott possessed many noble traits of character and was always distinguished for strict integrity upright conduct and a high sense of personal honor. Among his other pronounced characteristics may be noted his sobriety, morality, prudence and punctuality in business, temperance and devotion to family and riends. He donated the ground upon which the old Spring church was erected, and contributed liberally to the building, besides giving a lot for cemetery purposes. In politics he was an enthusiastic Republican. His ideas were always clear and explicit; his opinions carried weight and commanded respect, and among his fellow citizens he was regarded as an adviser and counsellor in business affairs. Mr. Elliott was intensely and enthusiastically an American and the love of country and its institutions was to him paramount to nearly every other consideration. He discharged the duties of citizenship as became a broad-minded man. with the good of the state and nation at heart, nor was he ever negligent in his obligations to the community in which he lived, but encouraged to the extent of his ability every enterprise and progressive measure which made for its interest. As a neighbor he was obliging, kind-hearted and generous: liberal almost to a fault, he gave freely of his means to the needy, assisted to carry out undertakings for the public good which necessitated the expenditure of considerable sums of money, and in religious and charitable enterprises his name generally headed the lists. Mr. Elliott's life was replete with good to his kind and blessed bv his presence. He lived to a good old age and died greatly beloved and deeply mourned by all who knew him, on the 24th of April. 1898. in the eighty-second year of his age.

In no specific branch of science has there been greater advancement or more momentous discoveries than in the treatment of diseases. Compared with what it was a quarter of a century ago, the healing art is now almost a new profession. Perhaps the most radical departure from old and time-honored methods of treatment is the recently established and widely popular and eminently successful school of osteopathy, than which no other system in the same length of time has made such remarkable progress in the history of medical science. Briefly stated. this new departure in the treatment of human ills may be outlined as follows : Oste-op-a-thy : osteon - bone, and pathos, suffering. Legal : A system, method or science of healing. Historical: Osteopathy was discovered by Dr. A. T. Still, of Baldwin. Kansas, in the year 1874. The Doctor reasoned that a natural flow of blood is health, and that disease is the effect of local or general disturbance of the blood : that to excite the nerves causes muscles to contract and compress the venuous flow of blood to the heart : and that the bones can be used as levers to relieve pressure on the nerves, veins and arteries. Technical : Osteopathy is a system of treating diseases without drugs, by the use of the hands to adjust all parts of the human mechanism to perfect mechanical relations. It is the science which finds in disturbed mechanical relations of the anatomical parts of the body, causes of disease, and which is employed to cure disease by applying technical knowledge and high manual skill to the correction of all disturbed relations occurring in the mechanical arrangement of the body. It is essentially founded upon the principles of anato- my and physiology. The word does not mean the treatment of the bones nor of bone diseases ; it was used as a name because the founder of the system discovered the importance of disturbances in the bony framework of the body in causing disease. He studied the skeleton as the foundation of anatomy, upon which science he grounded his system. The meaning of the word applies not only to derangement of bony parts, but to disturbed relations of ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and of any body tissue as well. Osteopathist : One who practices osteopathy, an osteopatha, doctor of osteopathy, the technical and official designation of a graduate and practitioner being D. O., Doctor of Osteopathy.

Representing this new and rapidly growing system of treatment in the city of Middletown, Ohio, is Dr. William B. Linville, whose success since locating in his present field of practice has been little less than phenomenal. The Doctor is a native of Knox county, Missouri, where his birth occurred on March 4, 1874, being the son of Joseph Linville, who was also born and reared in the same county and state and who followed farming and stock raising for a livelihood. The early life of the subject began assisting with the duties of the same, the meantime entering the district schools of his native county, which he attended until his fourteenth year. At that age he became a student of the town high school not far from his home, from which he was graduated in the summer of 1891 and later he entered the American School of Osteopathy at Kirks ville, Missouri, where he prosecuted his studies for a period of two years, completing the full course and receiving the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy in 1900.

In looking around for a favorable field in which to begin the practice of his profession, Dr. Linville was impressed with the advantages which the thriving city of Middletown, Ohio, offered ; accordingly, in February following his graduation, he opened an office here and it was not long until his method of treatment commended itself to the public. At first, it is true, there were certain prejudices of long standing to encounter and the hostility of the regular schools of medicine to overcome, but in due time these obstacles were successfully surmounted and a professional business established which in point of magnitude is not exceeded by that of any other practitioner in the city. He has treated, with the happiiest results, numerous chronic cases given up by regular physicians, and his success with all kinds of diseases has been truly remarkable. Thoroughly in earnest in all he undertakes and determined to leave nothing undone in the way of increasing his knowledge and in perfecting his methods of treatment, the Doctor shortly after locating at Middletown took a post-graduate course in the Chicago School of Osteopathy, since which time his advancement has been continuous and his reputation as an able and successful healer equal to that of any other physician in a part of the state long distinguished for a high order of medical talent. Dr. Linville enjoys the confidence of the public to a marked degree and among his patients are many of the best families in Middletown and adjacent country. Not content with laurels already won, he strives with all the power at his command to keep pace with modern medical thought, and, judging by his series of successes in the past, the future is roseate with promises of

In the year 1902 Dr. Linville was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Barxalow, a cultivated and refined young lady of Franklin, Ohio, a graduate of the high school of that city and a favorite in its best social circles. Since coming to Middletown she has won a warm place in the affections of a large number of friends and associates and, as a faithful and devoted member of the Presbyterian church, has made her influence felt in religious and charitable work, being deeply interested in all movements for the moral and spiritual welfare of the people of her adopted city. The Doctor is a Methodist and has demonstrated his faith by his works, being as characteristically earnest and conscientious in his religious zeal as he is in his profession. Fraternally, he is identified with the Pythian order, and politically, supports the principles of the Republican party.

Elmore T. Elliott

The record of the subject of this review is that of an enterprising gentleman who worthily upholds an honorable family name and whose life has been very intimately associated with the material prosperity and moral advancement of Liberty township during the most progressive period of its history. E. T. Elliott, the youngest son of Arthur and Emmeline Elliott, is a native of Butler county, Ohio, and was bom on his father's homestead in the above township, January 24, 1852. During his boyhood and early youth he manifested a lively interest in the work of the farm and while still a mere lad took a pardonable pride in keeping pace with much older and more experienced person in all kinds of manual labor in the fields. At the proper age he entered the district school, where his young and naturally strong and inquiring mind began to unfold and to give promise of the intellectual advancement which he subsequently made under more favorable circumstances in higher institutions of learning. Finishing the elementary branches in the country schools, he spent the sessions of 1869-70 in the Seven Mile Academy, after which he yielded to a laudable desire to increase his scholastic training by entering Miami University at Oxford, where he pursued his studies from 1871 to 1873 inclusive, during which time he acquitted himself creditably and earned an honorable reputation as a diligent, enterprising student. His father having large landed interests which held out flattering inducements to one desirous of living an independent life and achieving a useful career, young Elliott chose agriculture in preference to the honors and emoluments of a learned profession and, leaving the above institution at the time noted, he returned to the farm and assumed the duty and responsibility of its management. On November 10, 1875, he contracted a matrimonial alliance with Miss Margaret M. Withrow, the accomplished daughter of John L. Withrow, a prominent farmer and influential citizen of Wayne township and a descendant of one of Butler county's oldest and most highly esteemed families. Mrs. Elliott was born in the township of Wayne, March 16, 1856, received a liberal education in the public schools and the high school of Jacksonboro and intellectually as well as in other respects is ad- mirably fitted to be the companion and helpmeet of the husband of her choice. The Withrows have figured quite prominently in the affairs of Butler county and the name is also widely and favorably known in other parts of the state, a brother of Mrs. Elliott, Dr. John M. Withrow, being a man of commanding influence in the medical circles of the city of Cincinnati.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Elliott has been blessed with two children, Mabel, born July n, 1877, and Edith, whose birth occurred on August 9, 1879. The former, after finishing the public-school course, entered the Hamilton high school and was on her second year's work in that institution when prematurely stricken by the cruel hand of death in 1891. Edith attended the public schools, spent one year in the Western College, Oxford, Ohio, and the same length of time at Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, after which she became the wife of Eugene Hunter. She is still an inmate of her father's beautiful home and the happy mother of a bright and promising son by the name of Elliott Hunter, who was born on the 21st day of December, 1898, and who is the pride and delight of his grandparents and the sunshine of the household.

For a number of years following his marriage Mr. Elliott devoted his attention very closely to agricultural pursuits and in due time became one of the leading farmers and representative citizens of his township. His farm, consisting of two hundred and fifty acres of fine tillable land, is in an excellent state of cultivation and, being admirably situated for agricultural and livestock purposes, it returns him the handsome income, which, with his earnings from several other enterprises in which he has been and is still interested, has made him not only independent but one of the financially strong and reliable men of Butler county. While still residing on his farm, where he has one of the most beautiful and attractive rural homes in the county, Mr. Eliott has retired from active life, though he still retains his interests in the Black & Clawson Company, of Hamilton, and the Sidney Steel Scraper Company, of Sidney, this state, with both of which concerns he has long been identified and from which, as already indicated, no small share of his liberal income is derived. Mr. Elliott is an optimist and has always looked on the bright side of life and received therefrom all the pleasure obtainable as well as a goodly share of profit. He has been judicious in expending his means for wise and useful purposes; has not been sparing in beautifying his home and supplying it with needed improvements and comforts, and in a much wider scope he has aided and encouraged all worthy enterprises, besides lending his influence and financial assistance to measures and movements having for their object the educational and moral welfare of the people among whom he lives.

Like his father before him. Mr. Elliott is first of all an American and the love he bears his country is second only to that of the strong and abiding religious convictions which have ever been among his most pronounced characteristics. A firm believer in Christianity and the church, he gives to each an earnest and intense devotion, being a Methodist in belief and an active member of the congregation and one of its most liberal contributors. A Republican in the full sense of the word, an uncompromising supporter of the principles upon which the party is founded* and a believer in the great mission which called it into existence, he has persistently refused to enter the political arena as an office seeker, nor has he ever permitted his quiet to be disturbed by dreams of public honors or aggrandizement. His chief aims have been to dignify and make successful his chosen calling and to live so that the title of citizen may mean something higher and nobler than a mere empty sound. Mr. Elliott is a clever gentleman, popular with a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and he embodies in his make-up the sterling qualities and sturdy characteristics of the broadTminded, enterprising American who hopes for the best and strives with might and main to make these hopes vital and real. Of pleasing personality and dignified presence, he is easily accessible and the high esteem in which he is held proves that the universal confidence with which he is regarded has been worthily bestowed.

John T. Armistead

Hie buildings and grounds of the Western College, at Oxford, have as superintendent the subject of this sketch, and on every sid£ are to be found gratifying evidences of the discrimination which he has brought to bear in lending attractiveness to the institution. Mr. Armistead is a native of Butler county, having been born in Wayne township, on the 1st of March, 1854, and being a son of Jonathan B. and Elizabeth ("Taylor) Armistead. the paternal ancestry being of English origin and the maternal of German. while both families early became

John T. Armistead passed his boyhood days on the farm and early began to contribute his quota to its improvement and cultivation, while his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. He continued to be actively identified with farming until he had attained his legal majority and then secured employment in the machine shops of Gaar, Scott & Company, at Richmond, Indiana, where he remained three years, after which he passed a number of years in the west. In 1885 the board of trustees of the Western Female Seminarv, as Western College was then known, appointed him to his present position, and he has remained incumbent of the same during all the intervening years, ever taking the deepest interest in the work assigned to his charge and rendering so effective service as to gain to him unqualified commendation. With the growth and advancement of the institution his duties have been augmented, and he has made a particular study of landscape gardening and the results of his discriminating taste are practically shown in the beautiful appearance of the college grounds today, while he also has the entire supervision of the various buildings. In politics Mr. Armistead is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Oxford, while he is also a member of its board of trustees. He is an appreciative member of the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Oxford Lodge, No. 67, Free and Accepted

On the 29th of June, 1898, Mr. Armistead was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Fay Jones, who was bom in Oxford, this county, and they have one child, George Donald, who was bom on the 10th of January, 1900.

J. Martin Clark. M. D.

Successfully established in the practice of his profession in the city of Hamilton, Dr. Clark is one of the representative physicians and surgeons of this section and is also a scion of honored pioneer families of Butler county. The Doctor was bom in the village of Seven Mile, St. Clair township. on the 2d of November, 1869, being a son of Wilson S. and Hannah (Pottinger) Clark, both of whom were likewise natives of Butler county and both of whom are now deceased, the father having been a merchant, broker and commercial traveler at different periods. He died in 1895, as the result of an accident, being in his fifty-fifth year at the time. The mother of Dr. Clark passed away when he was an infant, and his father later consummated a second marriage, of which two children were born. One is living. Bert, who is an expert bond man, located in Chicago, Illinois, as the western representative of the National City Bank of New York. He was educated in Chicago and his initial business experience was in connection with insurance lines, in which he was very successful.

began the study of medicine and later was matriculated in Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1894. Thereafter he served for a time as house physician and surgeon in the Hahnemann Hospital, with which the college is connected, and he continued to be a member of the hospital staff until 1899, when he came to Hamilton and established himself in the active practice of his profession, while he has gained precedence and success in his chosen work and is recognized as one of the able and discriminating practitioners of the county. The Doctor defrayed the expenses of his collegiate education through his own efforts. He taught school in the west for a number of years before taking up the study of medicine. He is held in high regard in professional, business and social circles and is still a bachelor.

Reverting to the genealogy of the subject, we may say that the Clark family has been identified with the annals of American history from the colonial epoch, and the paternal grandparents of the Doctor came to Ohio and settled in Wayne township, this county, in the early part of the last century, being numbered among the sterling pioneers of this section, which was then practically a forest wild. Representatives of the family were participants in the war of the Revolution, and the grandfather of our subject took part in the war of 1812. The maternal grandparents came to this county from Kentucky, about the same time as did the Clarks. Samuel Pottinger, great-grandfather of the Doctor, died here in 1820, at the patriarchal age of one hundred and two years. Both families were numbered among the first settlers in the county and their de- scendants are numerous in southern Ohio, while many members of later generations have been identified with various professions. The Pottinger family traces its lineage back to stanch English origin, and the first representatives in America settled in Maryland, probably at the time when Lord Baltimore was at the head of its government.

Rev. G. A. Mechling, the pastor of the First Congregational church in Hamilton, is a man of broad experience in his chosen calling and is universally esteemed for his many excellent traits of character. No man in Hamilton is better known than Rev. Mechling, who has labored unceasingly for the salvation of souls among the people of Butler county since 1857, when he began his ministerial career. He was bom near the town of Glenford, in Perry county, Ohio, on the 19th of February, 1829, was reared to young manhood on the parental farm, and there became inured to habits of rural life. His elementary education was acquired in the common schools of Perry county. At the age of eighteen he engaged in teaching, continuing for a period of three terms. But his professional career had already been outlined in his youthful mind, and he entered Heidelberg University, at Tiffin, Ohio, in 1851, to prepare for the ministry, and was graduated in the class of 1854 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Soon thereafter he entered upon a course in theology at the same institution and was graduated March 1, 1857. Three days later, that being the day when James Buchanan entered upon his career as President of the United States, Mr. Mechling was licensed and ordained to the ministry of the Reformed church. He transferred his residence to his field of labor, which then embraced four congregations in Butler county, and from that day to the present he has been prominently identified with religious affairs in this county. His first charge involved great labor and selfsacrifice, but he was young then and full of energy and zeal for his Master's cause. The Elk Creek congregation was two miles west of Middletown; he had another preaching point at Seven Mile, a third one at Hickory Flat and the fourth was located at Millville. He served the four congregations regularly for two years, when the Elk Creek congregation was detached, to be connected with the Germantown charge, which was never consummated, and he continued his labors with the other three congregations for twelve years. Two years previous to severing his connection with these charges Mr. Mechling had organized the First Reformed church in Hamilton, thus materially increasing his labors. In 1869 moved his family to Hamilton and was installed as pastor of the newly organized congregation. A church building was soon erected and Mr. Mechling remained the pastor in charge for twenty-six years, resigning that high office in 1893. This completed thirty-eight years of active pastoral labors, during which time Mr. Mechling had taken but little recreation other than as it came in connection with his work. Profound research and thorough investigation during more than forty years of Christian life led Mr. Mechling to look with great favor upon the Congregational church as a religious home. While he recognizes all Christian churches as by-paths leading to the great highway to holiness, and ultimately to the Christian's portion in the world to come, he does not regard any particular one of them as any more essential than the others; hence a person can be a devout Christian in any religious organization; yet all Christian people have preferences as to their church affiliations and feel more at home in one than in another. Having severed his connection with pastoral duties, he soon saw a field of useful labor in the church whose tenets, discipline and history met his ideas gained during years of careful reading and investigation. He therefore withdrew from the Reformed church soon after resigning his pastorate and united with the Miami conference of the Congregational church. At that time there was not a member of this church in Hamilton except himself. But he immediately l)egan a series of missionary labors in the fourth ward in Hamilton, and on the 14th of April, 1895, the church was organized, with seven members, Mr. Mechling and wife being two of these. The church was received into the conference on May 3d following its organization. There was not a cent of money with which to build a church or even to hire a building or room for church services. But the missionary spirit with which Mr. Mechling and his estimable wife were imbued was sufficient for the emergency. from their own means they purchased a lot at the southeast corner of Sycamore streets, and held it in trust to the new organization. They also contributed liberally of their means to the church erection fund and soon a unique and handsome chapel adorned the lot. The building was dedicated on the 1 2th of April, 1896, and Mr. Mechling donated his first year's labors as pastor, thus placing the newly formed organization upon a solid basis. The growth of the church has not been rapid, but it has been substantial and of the best class of citizenship. One hundred and twelve members have been taken into the church altogether.

A prosperous Sunday school, with one hundred and fifty members, with the attendant social organizations, gives evidence of prosperity and unity of sentiment. Not content with this noble work, Mr. Mechling has been instrumental in organizing a Sunday school at Coke Otto, a suburb of Hamilton, embracing laboring people mostly, and will soon organize a church there. Though five years past the "three score and ten years allotted to man," he preaches three sermons every Sunday, teaches in two Sunday schools, attends to his pastoral visiting, conducts funeral services as required, and entertains his friends with the true cordiality of a gentleman of the olden time. Mr. Mechling has always taken an active interest in public affairs and is a firm adherent to the principles of social purity and municipal reform. He was reared a Democrat, but has allied himself to the Republican party during all of his mature years.

The family genealogy traces his ancestry to Germany, the first of the name to locate on American soil being Jacob Mechling, the paternal great-grandfather, who settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1728. They remained in that locality during the Revolutionary period and doubtless some of them took an active part in the struggle for American independence. The father of the subject. George Mechling, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Perry county, Ohio, with his parental family, in 1817. There he married Miss Sarah Zartimn, also a native of the Keystone state, whose parents came to Perry county the same year that her huband came to this country. The father was a farmer and both parents ended their lives on the old Perry county farm where the subject was horn. Of a family of nine children born to George and Sarah Mechling, six are now living. George 7... of this article being the eldest of the survivors. The others are Margaret, now Mrs. David C. King; Caroline, wife of John Iletrick; Leah, who married David Castanian ; Isaac IT. and Harriet, wife of John C. Brown. The brother is a retired merchant at Somerset,- Ohio.

The subject of this article has been twice married, first on the 30th of October, 1866, the lady being- in maidenhood Miss Mary A. Jacoby, who proved a most exemplars' wife and devout Christian companion. The union was a most happy one. in which two congenial spirits united their efforts for the good of mankind and endured many hardships and privations in the early da vs of the young minister's life. Mrs. Mechling passed away in Hamilton, on the 31st of December, 1891. The present companion of Reverend Mechling was Miss Sue E. Timberman, a native of Ross township. But- Iei county, and a representative of an early and prominent family. The union was solemnized on the 10th of April, 1894. Miss fimberman was liberally educated, and was an instructor for some ten years in the Western bemale Seminary at Oxford, this institution being her alma mater. She is a zealous worker in the church and a recognized leader in the social functions of religious work in the community. She is active and sprightly, vivacious and cheerv, her very presence in a sick room being like an infusion of the elixir of life to a despondent sick one. I he union is a happy and congenial one and Mr. and Mrs. Mechling have the sincere regard of all classes regardless of church or social affiliations. The family residence is at No. 318 South D street.

Hiram Clark

Hiram Clark, a dealer in horses, of Middletown, is a native of Butler county, Ohio, born in the township of Madison on the 20th da\ of December, 1858. His parents, Martin and Elizabeth Clark, were natives of New Jei sey and Ohio respectively, the mother belonging to one of the old and wellknown families of Madison township. The father came In Butler county in his boyhood, was reared to agricultural pursuits and when a young man married Miss Elizabeth Deem, by whom he had ten chidren, the subject of this review being the second of the family, brom a moderate beginning Martin Clark gi adually became one of the leading bu rners and stock raisers of this county and also achieved enviable repute as a fruit grower, his orchards being among the largest and most valuable in the southern part of the state. He was an enthusiast in the latter industry, as well as an expert, and to him belongs the credit of developing several new varieties of fruits which have since been handled quite extensively by the leading nurseries throughout the Union. In his business affairs Mr. Clark was uniformly successful and at one time he owned a beautiful farm of two hundred and forty acres of as fine land as the township of Madison could produce, besides other valuable property, and for a number of years he was accounted one of the representative agriculturists of Butler county, also one of its wealthy men and public-spirited citizens. In politics he wielded a strong influence for the Republican party and in all that made for material advancement and honorable citizenship of the community he was a leader, having been a liberal supporter of churches and generous in his benefactions to benevolent and charitable enterprises. His life was characterized by good works and noble deeds, his influence was ever on the side of right and all who knew him were profuse in lauding his upright conduct and many estimable qualities. The death of this excellent citizen occurred in Madison township in 1863 and was much regretted by the large circle of friends and admirers who held him in such high esteem.

Hiram Clark was reared under the beneficial influence of farm life and received a good education in the public schools. He early became a valuable helper on the home place and assisted in its cultivation until his twenty-fourth year, when he was united in marriage with Miss Ella Weikel, an accomplished young lady of Lemon township and a member of one of the prominent families of that part of the county, the union resulting in the birth of two daughters, Edna and Elsie. From his marriage until the year 1885 Mr. Clark carried on farming in Madison township, but at the latter date disposed of his agricultural interests and engaged in the livery business at Middletown, which vocation he followed until November, 1903, when he disposed of his business. He is essentially a business man, possessing firstclass qualifications, enjoys in a marked degree the confidence of the people with whom he comes in contact and as a citizen keeps in touch with all public measures and enterprises calculated to promote or in any way enhance the welfare of the city of his residence. Mr. Clark is not a politician, although a zealous supporter of the Republican party, and it has never occurred to him to ask for office, or to seek public honors at the hands of his fellow citizens. He holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and, with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Middletown, both being earnest workers in the congregation and greatly respected for their activity and efficiency in the various departments of religious endeavor under the auspices of the same.

Mr. Clark's daughters are intelligent, well educated young women of high social standing, both being graduates of the Middletown high school. Edna is the wife of Frank Gillman, a well-known and popular citizen of this city, while Elsie is unmarried and still a member of the home circle.

George Bisdorf

George Bisdorf, one of the best known citizens of Butler county, was born in Germany, July 24, 1835, his birthplace being in Jesberg, Kreis Fritzlar Heseen. He came to America alone in 1848, landing at Baltimore, Maryland. For five or six years following his arrival in this country he was employed at various lines of work in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. In the latter place he learned the miller s trade, and in later years followed die milling business in Cincinnati and Hamilton. In Philadelphia Mr. Bisdorf formed the acquaintance of John Reust, a German boy like himself, and they became firm friends and traveling companions. Together they started on an overland route to Pike's Peak, and visited various points of interest in the far West and South. During their rambles they fell in with a party of mule drovers at St. Joseph, Missouri, and hired out to the company to drive a herd of mules through to California. Seventy-five men were employed on this mission, and they represented nearly every nation on the globe. They were for the most part adventurers, who had but little regard for the laws of God or man. The foreman, or superintendent of the enterprise, was hasty-tempered, quarrelsome and abusive. He was soon at enmity with the ringleaders among the employes, and cursed and abused them on the slightest provocation, real or imaginary; on the third day out some of the party rebelled against the treatment ac-, corded them and a fight ensued, the foreman being killed. The two German boys decided that they were not in congenial company, and hastily returned to St. Joseph, where they surrendered the horses they were riding and started for Chicago. In that city they hired out to work as sailors and laborers aboard a freight vessel on Lake Michigan. While conveying a cargo of twentyfive thousand bushels of grain from Chicago to the eastern shore of the lake, the vessel was wrecked and John Reust was drowned.

Mr. Bisdorf was finally rescued after great peril, having been in the water for six hours clinging to some floating debris from the VTeck. These two thrilling incidents in his early life in America made a lasting impression upon young Bisdorf. He came to Butler county in 1854 and worked on a farm for two years. He then secured a position in the old Anderson Mills, and was employed there for about three years. His next venture in business was in the purchase of a dray line, which he operated until 1863 In that year Mr. Bisdorf was appointed street supervisor for the second ward, a position he held four years. He was elected constable of Fairfield township, which then included the city of Hamilton. This was quite a political achievement, in that there were seventeen candidates for the office. He was street commissioner of the city from 1872 to 1874, after which he was engaged as a street contractor until 1887. During his career as commissioner and contractor Mr. Bisdorf made all of the paved streets in Hamilton up to that time. He also dealt very largely in paving stones, which were gathered from the surrounding farms by the hundreds of tons, and this surplus was shipped to Cincinnati, it proving to be a very profitable business. In 1887 Mr. Bisdorf was appointed janitor of the Butler county court house and has held that position continuously since. It is doubtful if there is a voter in Butler county who is not personally acquainted with genial George Bisdorf. His career has always been characterized by honest and upright dealings with his fellow man, whether in the heat of a political campaign or in the affairs of private life. He has thus acquired an influence in political matters which is the envy of all professional office seekers. He exercised this power at all times for the good of local Democracy, and could not be induced to support an unworthy aspirant. For many years Mr. Bisdorf was a member of the central committee of the city and county and wielded a strong influence in the counsels of local Democracy. But with the encroachments of years, he has relaxed somewhat of his political activity. He has be^n a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1865, and served many years in official stations in his lodge. The work was performed in the German language, and this was a fruitful source of familiarity with his native tongue. He took a trip to his native country during the summer of 1903, after an absence of fifty-six years. His friends and relations were both surprised and gratified to find him so prompt and accurate in the use of the German language, and Mr. Bisdorf attributes this largely to reading, writing and speaking it in Masonic work. He is exceptionally well posted in the mysteries of Freemasonry, and found this knowledge a fruitful source of pleasure and assistance when abroad. He is a genial and companionable old gentleman, whose kindly heart and generous nature are the subject of remark by his friends.

Mr. Bisdorf was married, in i860, to Miss Catherine Straher, a native of Germany. who came to America in babyhood. They had a family of ten children, eight of whom are living. The names are : Henry, Katie, Peter, George, Fred, Lizzie, Clara and Emma. Mary was a twin with Margaret. and they were the eldest of the family, the last named dying at the age of eleven months. Mary married John Albrecht, and died at the age of thirty-six, leaving a family of five children. Eddie, Annie, Martin, George and Leroy Albrecht, and since their mother's death they have been members of the family of the subject. Fred Bisdorf is a widower with one son, Hilbert, and they are both members of the Bisdorf family. These six grandchildren are as welcome in the Bisdorf family, and as much pride is taken in their proper education, as though they were the children of their loving, philanthropic grandparents.

George Bisdorf is a son of John and Mary (Rissel) Bisdorf. The father died in his native land, and the mother spent the last seven years of her life in the family of her son, the subject of this sketch, dying in Hamilton, at the age of seventy-four years. There were twelve children in the parental family. The three who came to America are Henry and George, of Hamilton, and Mrs. Margaret Schmidt, of Middletown. The survivors of the family in Germany are all in comfortable, and some in affluent, circumstances. Mr. Bisdorf has been a member of St. John's German Evangelical church since his marriage in i860. He has been an officer in the church for many years and is at present the president of the congregation.

John A. Holzberger

The subject of this article is a native of Butler county, Ohio, and was bom at Symmes Corner, on the 8th of October. 1871. He received his education in the public schools in the vicinity of his early home, and when quite young he came to Hamilton as an apprentice to the plumber's trade. He served his full term of three years and was considered an expert in the plumbing business. His qualifications were fully recognized when he was appointed to the office of city sewer inspector, a position which he held for a number of years, in this capacity rendering very satisfactory services to the city. His parents were John and Catherine (Eiler) Holzberger, both natives of Germany. They came to America in early life and were married at Symmes Corner, where the productive years of their lives were spent. Their family consisted of nine children, of whom five survive, namely : Mrs.

Daniel Wheton, of Cincinnati; Mrs. John Held, and Mrs. Charles Brannon, of Hamilton, and Fred and John, of Hamilton. Mr. Holzberger was married November 24. 1897, to Miss Anna Zoller, a native of Butler county. Three children have been born to this union, viz : Walter, Glenn and Earle, the latter deceased. For a number of years Mr. Holzberger has been conducting a cafe and restaurant at the northeast corner of Front and High streets, and has been prosperous in business. He is a public-spirited citizen, well and favorably known in the community. He is a man of intelligence, and wields a strong influence in political affairs in the city.

Louis A. Boli

Louis A. Boli, a well-known business man of Hamilton, Ohio, was born on the 1 6th of January. 1848. at Washington, Indiana, and is the only living son of Jacob and Caroline Boli. The father was a native of Germany, born December 30, 1819, and was educated and learned the baker's trade in his native country. He came to America in 1838, and located for two years at Massillon, Ohio, where he worked at his trade as baker and confectioner. Mr. Boli removed to Cincinnati in 1840, and two years later was married in that city to Miss Caroline Ballet, who was a native of Butler county, Ohio. After marriage the young couple took up their residence on a farm in Washington county, Indiana. Subsequently they removed to Louisville, Kentucky, where the father was engaged in the grocery business for ten years. In May, 1856, the family came to Hamilton, and Mr. Boli re-engaged in the grocery business on the West Side, and removed to the old location on Front street, about i860, where he continued a prosperous business in family groceries for many years. He was a successful business man and accumulated a fine property in real estate. Both he and his wife were exemplary Christians and active members of St. John's German Evangelical church. They lived to ripe old age and died honored and respected by all who knew them, the father dying at the age of seventy-nine years and the mother at seventy-five. Of ten children bom to these parents, but two lived to years of maturity, the sister becoming Mrs. Caroline Dilg, wife of Alexander Dilg, of Hamilton. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky, April 10, 1849. an(l died I9°ILouis A. Boli, the subject of this sketch, was a delicate youth and did not readily engage in life's work on his own account. He received a good education, being a graduate of the Hamilton high school, and began his business career, in a modest way, in 1869. From that day to the present he has been identified with the business interests of Hamilton, for the most part in the line of watches and clocks and jewelry. Some little time after beginning business he served an apprenticeship to the jeweler's trade and has for many years been a practical work- man along the lines of his chosen profession. In later years Mr. Boli, in connection with his sons, turned his attention to the brokerage business, and opened the Mutual Loan Company, though still continuing along former lines. Having ample means to conduct this within his own resources, he operates a strictly confidential business and treats his patrons with fairness and on honorable business principles. Anything of value is received in pledge for a reasonable proportion of its worth in cash, at a rate of interest scarcely commensurate with the value of the accommodations. Unredeemed pledges are offered for sale for the actual amount of money invested in them and in addition to this Mr. Boli carries a full line of new goods, such as are usually found in a first-class jewelry store. Mr. Boli is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, taking an active part in social and educational af-' fairs and wielding a potent influence in local politics. He has served a number of years as a member of the board of education in this city, and has been otherwise prominent in municipal affairs.

During his younger years Mr. Boli took an active part in the deliberations of various social fraternities, among which may be mentioned the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is well advanced in Masonry. Aside from his principal business interests, he has also been connected with a manufacturing concern. In 1890 he went to Kuttawa, Kentucky, and purchased a manufacturing plant which is now operated by his son, Louis A. This is a hub and spoke factory which is doing a large and profitable business.

May, 1869, when he chose for his life companion Miss Carrie Buckle, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Buckle, of Hamilton, both deceased. This happy union has been blessed with eight children, of whom four are living, viz: Louis A., Edward O., Albert F. and Peter Paul. All are graduates of the Hamilton high school. Edward O. is manager of the Pioneer Knitting Works, while his brother Albert is foreman of the machinery in some enterprise. Peter P. is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Boli have a pleasant home at 313 South Front street.

Bentel Brothers

Ben tel Brothers, jewelers and opticians, is one of the leading business houses of the city of Hamilton. There are three brothers of them, Frederick C., Walter L. and Rudolph S. Ben tel. The brothers sustain the reputation of doing the finest watch repairing and the most intricate mechanical work in the city. Two of them are graduates of the well-known Bradley Horological (watch) School. Rudolph S. Bentel is a graduate optician, and received a diploma from the Bradley Polytechnical and Optical School.

Frederick Bentel, the father of the Bentel brothers, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1841 and spent his active business life in Hamilton, where he now resides. He wedded Miss Wilhelmina Sohn, who was born in Hamilton in 1844. She represents one of the long-established and prominent families in this city. Both parents are still living.

draughtsman by profession, and has now charge of a machine shop in Washington, Pennsylvania. The daughter, Minnie, is the wife of Mr. O. L. Schwenker, of Cincinnati.

Fred C. and Rudolph S. Bentel are prominent members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Walter L. and Rudolph S. both belong to the order of the Hamilton Rifles. In religious affiliation the family are Presbyterians and in political views are Democrats.

Rev. Ignatius M. Wilkens

Among present-day composers of church music Rev. Ignatius M. Wilkens, of the Franciscan Order, occupies a front rank. He is a thorough student and an able exponent of true church music, and his works combine with their rythmical qualities a devotional spirit, chaste and pleasing melody and correct harmonization. Added to this are his simplicity of style and ease of writing, all of which tend to place his works among the very best of their kind. Father Ignatius, as he is commonly called, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 15th of February, 1856, and received in holy baptism the names Francis Theodore. He attended St. Francis' parochial school and at the age of eleven years entered St. Francis' College, in charge of the Franciscan fathers. Having finished his classical studies, he determined to enter the Franciscan Order and on the 17th of September, 1871, was invested as a novice of that society. He received then, as is customary in religious orders, the name of Ignatius (from St. Ignatius, the great founder of the Jesuits), and made his solemn profession September 19, 1875. He was ordained a priest by the Most Rev. Archbishop Purcell, D. D., on the 21st of December, 1878. His career in the holy ministry was marked with success in the various places to which he was appointed by his superiors. Father Ignatius is an eloquent and powerful orator, and is recognized as one of the brightest men of his order. His sermons are plain, his words come from a heart filled with love of God, and never fail to make a deep impression on his audience.

God has certainly blessed him in many ways, but especially so in giving him such great talent for music. This inclination showed itself plainly in youth, and later on in the order was carefully fostered and developed under good masters. Father Ignatius is truly religious, and this is shown plainly in his works. He does not seek the esteem of people, nor the applause of the world, his only desire being to produce music worthy of the holy house of God, music that at once distinguishes itself from all secular influence. His compositions have the true sacred ring; they are of a religious character, filling the soul with devotion, as church music should. His music is very earnest, especially so his masses, as the character of the sacred text demands it. His efforts for reform have been crowned with success, and his works are sung by the best of choirs, who recognize not only their musical value, but also their correct interpretation of the sacred words of the Catholic liturgy. Father Ignatius has written four masses, quite a number of hymns for the benediction service of the church, but his best known work is the famous "Jubilate Deo," "Sing Joyfully to God," performed at the Cincinnati Music Hall by a chorus of five hundred voices, accompanied by the full Cincinnati orchestra and the grand organ. This piece carried his name throughout the states, and gained for him an enviable reputation as a composer of true church music.

When the Most Rev. Archbishop some few years ago took up the work of reforming the music in the churches of his diocese, he appointed a commission whose duty it should be to carefully and judiciously examine all the music in the diocese and to eliminate whatever should be found unworthy of the holy house of God. Father Ignatius was appointed a member of this commission and has devoted much of his valuable time to this noble work, that has been watched all over the world, and whose work is just now being extensively copied in the various dioceses of the states.

Father Ignatius celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood at St. Stephen's church, Hamilton, Ohio, on the 26th of December, 1903, in grand style. Many friends from far and near came to honor the plain Franciscan and to thank God for all the good done through His humble servant in the ministry. The jubilee sermon, a masterpiece of eloquence, was preached by the Rev. Philip Rothmann, Order of Franciscan Monks, the editor of St. Anthony's Messenger, published in the interest of poor students for the ministry. Father Ignatius has been for years a regular contributor to this and the other monthlies published by the order, and thus his word reaches many who have not the happiness of his acquaintance, but profit by his earnest and interesting work of the pen. - [From the Catholic Telegraph, official organ of the Most Rev. Archbishop Elder, D. D., of the archdiocese of Cincinnati.]

Miles D. Lindley

Miles D. Lind ley was born in Reily township, Butler county, Ohio, on the nth of September, i860, and since his eighth year has been a resident of Hamilton. He is the son of John C. and Elizabeth (King) Lindley, the latter a daughter of Hon. James B. King, for many years one of Ohio's leading public men and an influential member of the state legislature, also of the constitutional convention of 1853. The mother of the subject died on April 29, 1904. In the public schools of the city Mr. Lindley received his early education. He has been connected with different pursuits in the city of Hamilton and during the last thirteen years he has devoted his attention principally to the real-estate business, and at this time is one of the leading handlers of city property. In 1883, when but twenty-three years old, Mr. Lindley was elected a member of the board of education and from that time until recently has been identified with that body. He is recognized as an active and aggressive factor in local political circles, and for a number of years he has been regarded as one of the representative Democratic politicians of Hamilton, being one of the organizers and leading party workers. His public services have been confined principally to the thankless offices and committees connected with the schools and like interests, in which, as already stated, he has

1883. In 1885 he was elected city commissioner, and filled the position for a period of two years. In recognition of his services to the party in past years, Mr. Lindley's friends in 1903 urged his candidacy for the office of sheriff of Butler county, but he was unsuccessful in securing the nomination. Mr. Lindley is popular with all classes of citizens and shades of political opinion and stands deservedly high in public esteem. He is a warm-hearted, affable gentleman, pleasing in person and address. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Eagles, in all of which organizations he has been honored at different times with official stations.

1884, to Miss Sarah Sophia Straub, daughter of the late Joseph Straub, of Hamilton, the union resulting in the birth of two children, Elizabeth, who was graduated from the high school in 1903, and David Howell, who is a member of the class of 1905 in the high school.

David Lingler

The Hamilton fire department is a system of protection to the city of which the people very properly are proud. It numbers among its very efficient corps of valiant workers some men who have been connected with the department for long years, and no one will say that their tenure of office has been sought and given purely on selfish grounds. They have a lively and personal interest in rendering to the city the most competent and efficient service in time of need. David Lingler, the present chief of the fire department, has the business ability to earn a much larger income than that paid in the salary of the office, and has demonstrated this fact in a successful business career when employed in the affairs of private life. But notwithstanding this fact, Mr. Lingler has served more years at the head of the fire department in Hamilton than any other two men who have occupied this same position. There is a certain fascination about the dangers and exposures of a fireman's life, coupled with the consciousness of rendering aid to the helpless in time of need, which is well nigh irresistible.

David Lingler was elected chief of the fire department in April, 1883, having previously demonstrated his fitness by proper service in a subordinate, department. By subsequent elections and appointments, he retained the position for five years. Retiring from the office, he worked at his trade, that of an iron moulder, until 1892, when he purchased a stock of groceries and embarked in the mercantile business. But in July, 1893, he was recalled to his former position, under Mayor Charles Bosch, and continued at the head of the department for five or six years, also continuing for the most part his mercantile interests. Under the new code recently adopted, another system of selecting certain officials came into vogue and again Mr. Lingler was recalled to the head of the fire department by the city board of control. He received the appointment in the autumn of 1903, but four months later was ousted under the new law, which provides the chief shall be taken from the ranks of active firemen, which he was not at that time. Mr. Lingler is a man specially qualified for the responsible position in which he has served so long and faithfully. And whatever the friends of disappointed candidates may say of the matter, it is nevertheless true that the position came to Mr. Lingler on the strength of personal merit, rather than political favoritism. Should a vote of the city be taken as to the best qualified man for the position, it is more than probable that David Lingler would receive the strongest endorsement ever given a candidate for any office in Hamilton.