Butler County, Ohio - Chapter 6, 1905 (part 4 of 18)

Mr. Wharton remained on the home farm assisting in its cultivation and management until he engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his own responsibility, in due season purchasing one hundred and sixteen acres of land in Williamson county, Illinois, which he improved and on which he resided during the twenty years following. At the expiration of the time noted he disposed of his real estate and other interests in Illinois and returned to Butler county, purchasing the old homestead, which was endeared to him by so many fond recollections and tender associations, and on which he has since lived and prospered. Mr. Wharton's farm, consisting of one hundred fine acres of fertile and valuable land, is well situated for agricultural and live-stock purposes and ranks with the best improved and most productive places in the township of Union. Since taking possession he has added many substantial improvements, his buildings of all kinds being first-class and up-to-date, and no reasonable pains or expense have been spared to make the home beautiful and attractive in all the terms imply. As an agriculturist, Mr. Wharton stands in the front rank, being energetic and systematic in his management,' and his present comfortable circumstances and the ample competence which he has laid by for his declining years speak well for his progress and success as one of the enterprising, independent farmers of today.

In state and national issues Mr. Wharton is a Republican, but in matters purely local he not infrequently rises above party and gives his support to the best qualified candidate. He is first of all an American and exceedingly proud of his citizenship, under a government for which he has ever manifested an intense loyalty and for the preservation of which he experienced so many hardships and dangers while following the flag throughout the Southland. His is indeed a true and lofty patriotism and in times of peace, as well as in war, he keeps this spirit alive, considering the love of country, and willingness to defend it, his highest duty, and everything else subordinate thereto. He joined the Grand Army of the Republic while living in Illinois, and has ever since been a zealous member of the organization, nothing pleasing him better than to meet in the local post the old comrades who, in the days that tried men's souls, stood shoulder to shoulder, under the folds of the stars and stripes, and successfully withstood and drove back the armed hosts of treason which were bent upon the destruction of what every true American patriot holds dear and sacred.

Some years ago Mr. Wharton established a ceremony of decoration akin to the regular Decoration Day exercises, but purely local in its character, being confined to the adorning of soldier graves in his own community alone. The first of these exercises was held at his home, and a great many people were present, the day being making a day long to be remembered. Sine then many such meetings have been hel It his Place, the last of which was on the Sundaj following Decoration Day, 1903- attended by an immense concourse of people, over one hundred of whom were entertained at his own table in > "d mutually happy and agreeable east 1 du Wharton manifests a pardonable pride in Tse anniversary occasions and spares no toe nor expense in making them answer to purposes for which instituted, procuring hue mmic and popular orators, Iks, « providing many other features calculated to keep ^in memory the fallen heroes arous sentiments of patriotism and add to the general feeling and appropriate enjoyment of the day. He is seldom absent from to meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic iiost to which he' belongs, and only sickness or some unavoidable exigency is pel nut e to keep him from attending the national encampments, be they far or near.

Mr. Wharton is a man of wide intelligence and has read much, being well informed upon a great many subjects especially the history of his country and to leading questions and issues of the day. He has strong convictions and decided opinions, the soundness of ' which he defends with tenacitv when necessary, yet he is tolerant of the opinions of others, and ever ready to accord the same privileges of private judgment which he reserves for himself. Few men in the county are as widely and favorably known and none stand higher in t e confidence and esteem of the public or are more respected in the social circles H.s career has been eminently honorable, an in the future as in the past, his patriotism will be extolled, his conduct commended and his life be pointed to as an example worthy of emulation.

\ representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Butler county and known as one of the skilled and popular y g members of the medical profess. on ^n * in practice in Oxford. ne homestead fan,,, in Red, county, on the ,4* of March, .S^toug a son of Alfred and Emma (H ^ Deneen. Alexander Deneen, grandfather of the subject, was born in Cincinnati, state and when a mere boy came with h.s parents to Butler county, to taxml, -locat g in Reilv township, where he was reared maturi.yr.here passing the rema.nder ofh,. life in agricultural pursuits.

College, in the city of Topeka. In 1893 he entered the National Normal School, in Lebanon, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1894, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Shortly afterward he began his technical education by entering upon a course of study in the Kansas Medical College, at Topeka, Kansas, and in 1896 he became a student in the Ohio Medical College, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1897, receiving his coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. Shortly after his graduation Dr. Deneen established himself in practice at Reily, in his native county, and there remained three years, at the expiration of which, in 1900, he removed to Oxford, where he has since been successfully engaged in the work of his noble profession, attaining prestige as a thoroughly skilled and discriminating physician and surgeon and enjoying marked personal popularity. He has devoted special study and labor to surgery, and in 1903 took post-graduate work in this line in various of the leading medical institutions in the city of Chicago. He is assistant surgeon for the Cincinnati. Hamilton & Dayton Railroad at Oxford, and is local medical examiner for the Hartford Life Insurance Company, also of the Canada Life Assurance Association, while he holds membership in the American Medical Association, the Union District Medical Society and the Butler County Medical Society. The Doctor and his wife are valued and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Oxford, and he also is a member of its official board. Fraternally, he is identified with Oxford Lodge, No. 67, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he gives his allegiance to men or party that he believes to be in the right.

On the nth of April, 1900, Dr. Deneen was united in marriage to Miss Laura R. Rentz, who was born in Cincinnati, Hamilton county, this state, on the 25th of August, 1872, being a daughter of Ferdinand and Rebecca Rentz. Mrs. Deneen is an accomplished musician, having attended the Cincinnati College of Music, of Cincinnati.

Pierson Cory Conklin

The subject of this review is a native of Butler county and a descendant of one of the early established families in historic Reily township. His birth occurred on the 24th of January, 1833, an<I he has been a resident of his native county during his entire lifetime. Mr. Conklin is a man of deep learning and broad culture and has been a close student from choice rather than necessity, and has thus chosen books for his companions instead of the allurements of clubs, lodges and politics. Mr. Conklin laid the foundation of his liberal education in the public schools of Reily township and when quite young took a course at the Farmers' College, at College Hill, Hamilton county. This was supplemented by a classical course at the Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, where he was an associate of Benjamin Harrison and was intimately acquainted with other noted men and women who claimed Miami as their alma mater and who have attained national renown in the world of affairs. After his graduation from Miami, in 1853, Mr. Conklin took up the legal profession as his life work and prosecuted his studies with the same zeal and devotion which had characterized his college life.

He was admitted to practice in i8g, and at once established his office m Ham'lt0 ' where b, dose application ,o Phonal duties he soon achieved success. For many years past Mr. Conklin has one of the ablest lawyers at the But county bar. He is only a lawyer, and desires to be nothing more. His qvulificat.ons would readily have placed him m hue political preferment, and m the race for supremacy he stood an eqital chance wit the most talented men in the city or conn y, but he persistently refused to enter politic or to foresake his chosen calling. In i

Conklin is careful and painstaking, h.s counsels are conservative and deliberate, and his decisions accurate and in accordance \\ the best interests of his clients, who see doubtful satisfaction at the end of a lawsuit. He is far-seeing and sagacious and thoroughly conversant with law, w 1 e is desire for professional honors is modulate by a keen appreciation of justice and right. As a trial lawyer Mr. Conklin does not assume to sway judges and juries by appeals to prejudices, and flowery speeches, but makes his pleas by a plain, statement of the evidence, backed by the law upon which his premises are taken. He is always fair and honorable in his claims ' and this characteristic in his nature is fully recognized and commands respect from courts, juries and attorneys. He is prompt to take advantage of any weaknesses upon the part of opposing counsel, but tolerant and obliging in the correction of legal errors. He believes in "equal and exact justice to all, special privileges to none." Mr. Conklin is a man of domestic habits who finds more pleasure around his home fireside than elsewhere, and has, throughout his life divided his time between his home ci de and his place of business. He has never become identified with any secret or^mzation nor taken more than ordinary in political or social affairs..

PThe subject was married on the' 23d April. 1861, choosing for his companion in life Miss Margery, daughter of tie a e William H. Scobey, of Hamilton Mrs. Conklin was born in Butler coun y m i»39- She was educated in the Hamilton public schools and at Oxford Female Coflege_ onlv child born to this union was Miss Jess e who was reared and educated temkr passed to the other shore. This was a terrible blow to the 'fond and loving parents whose hearts were centered the of a long life of usefulness and happy

Pierson C. Conklin is a son of Pierson and Hannah (Marsh) Conklin, the former a native of New Jersey and the latt in Pennsylvania. Both parents en -n youngest child and only sur\ ivo ilv He had one brother. Joseph M., the e est of a family of five, but who died tore life »t Jerseyvjlle. - d in 1841; Rebecca Ross, ladv, died at Topeka, Kansas, 1 Sarah Gray died in Hamiltor « ® wife of David Gray. The were married in Pennsylvama and cam

Walnut Hills, Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1806, coining from New Jersey. The father died at the age of eightv-two years and the mother at the age of sixty-eight years.

This well-known contractor and builder in Hamilton is a native of Cincinnati, born on the 2d of March, 1845. His early years were spent in the schools of his native city, but at the age of thirteen he accompanied his parents to Hamilton, and the family home was established at Lindenwald. Here he again entered school, but, like many others of the youth of his day, his higher education was sacrificed for the perpetuity of the national union. He had scarcely passed his nineteenth birthday when, on the 14th of May, 1864, he enrolled as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Sixtyseventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His term .of service was short and decisive, but occurred during a period when there was active work at the front. The Civil war had been in progress, with varying fortunes, for three years, and the character of the national foe had been demonstrated on many bloody fields; hence it was no experimental stage when the young man, too young to go earlier, responded to the President's call in 1864. Fortunately, however, the war was soon at an end, and the survivors were permitted to return to their homes in the full consciousness of duty well performed. Their loyalty and devotion to country were fully exemplified by the prompt response to the call, ignorant as they were of the possibilities of the future.

Then young Van De Griff returned to his home and engaged in farming until 1867. But the life of a farmer was not congenial to his tastes, and he left that employment and took up the carpenter's trade. His instructor was William D. Blackall. under whose capable tutorship the foundation of this practical and popular trade was laid. Mr. Van De Griff continued the work alone, and soon launched out as a contractor on all classes of wood-work. This has been his life business until recently, in which he attained unvarying success. His handiwork is shown on many of the handsome and substantial buildings in Butler and adjacent counties, and lie is recognized as a skillful and thoroughly reliable mechanic. But Mr. Van De Griff has not confined his labors alone to his profession. He early manifested an interest in the welfare of his late comrades in arms, and promptly allied himself with the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has ever shown an active interest in behalf of the "boys in blue.'' He served the local organization in various capacities in prominent offices, and is ever ready to relieve the worthy distressed wards of the nation. In recognition of his interest and ability, he was appointed, in 1894, as a member of the soldiers' relief commission, and the wisdom of this selection was fully , emphasized by his reappointment, in 1895. for a term of three years. He was chosen secretary of the commission, and in this capacity proved his efficiency and capability by the fullness, accuracy and completeness of his official records in the office. This appointment was made, as provided by law, through the judge of the common pleas court, and Judge Griffin conferred a merited honor in the selection of George Van De

Of which he was organizer. Here his abi itv was again recognized and he was appointed deputy grand chief, a position in which he represented the highest tribunal of the order. In the local court he was elected scribe, a position he has held for nine years. At a recent meeting of the supreme court of this fraternity a resolution was passed awarding prizes to local scribes who should sustain the greatest percentage of members in good standing, and for other official evidences of interest and activity.

The first prize of thirty dollars in cash was awarded to Mr. Van De Griff, a more tangible recognition of his usefulness in the order than any long-drawn-out articles in this connection would represent.

Mr. Van De Griff was married on the 30th of November, 1875, choosing for his companion on life's journey Miss Agnes J. Cooper. She was born in Fairfield township, Butler county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Howard) Cooper. Her father died in 1895, at the age o eighty-three years. Her mother is living and - has passed the four score and third milestone on life's journey. The parents of the subject are William J. and Letitia S. (Stevens) Van De Griff. The father was born in Hamilton, August 23, 1823, and has always lived here except seven years the family lived in Cincinnati. He has spent his active years as a wholesale trunk dealer and manufacturer. The mother of the subject was born in Cincinnati, February 18, 1823, and was married to William J. Van De Griff on the 10th of June, 1844- These venerable people have traveled life's rugged path together for almost sixty years. They are in the enjoyment of excellent health and in possession of all their natural faculties. George Van De Griff was the eldest of five children, three of whom have passed to their reward in another life. The surviving brother is William J., Jr., a mechanic in the employ of the Hamilton Foundry Company, where he has held a lucrative position for

Mr. Van De Griff gave up his mechanical labors, except for a brief peno when he was employed as a supervising architect, and turned his attention to fraternal as an organizer, but is specially e^fs in the Tribe of Ben Hur. Through ^efficient efforts Esther Court, No. 4, order has had a phenomenal growth, an now numbers on the books of the hundred members in good standing, w a lapse in two years. The - nance of this record was the secret o r.

Griff receiving the prize, as previous* men tioned. He is also an organizer for th Pathfinders and the Order of Amer'"ers Besides being associated with these in the matter of organization, he is - local collector for all of them. Mr. Van D and pension attorney. In 1898 h ,f ts a in the mercantile pursuits and condu good business in groceries, provision , Sons, etc., at No. 923 Sycamore street The store, however, is practically in fi Sjiter. his son, Robert C., a young man o^ ^ ^ ary and business attainments, only child and he is unmarried and 1 S at home. Mr. Van De Griff has cessful in the accumulation of prop is rated well-to-do. His life has been busy one, and even now there seems but little relaxation from its active duties. He is a inan of unswerving integrity and uprightness of character. He is firm and uncompromising in his political principles as a Republican and seldom fails to attend all the conventions of his party and take an active part in their deliberations. He has been register judge in his precinct for twelve years, and still holds that position.

Mr. Van De Griff traces his ancestral lines to Revolutionary stock through his maternal grandfather, and he is a member of that distinguished society, Sons of the American Revolution. His paternal grandfather, George Van De Griff, was paymaster general of New Jersey troops during the second war with Great Britain. The founders of the family in America first located in New Jersey, whence the paternal grandfather emigrated to Butler county, Ohio, in 1814. Here he was known as Colonel George Van De Griff, and was prominently associated with the state militia. Two brothers of the subject's father went South in their early lives, and were there identified, as soldiers, with the "lost cause." Others of the same family were arrayed against them, hence in this case it was truly "brother against brother." Mr. Van De Griff has been- secretary of his regimental association since its organization in 1893, and takes great pleasure in the annual reunions of his old comrades.

Christopher L. Eberling

the 25th of June, 1850. He is a descendant from pure German ancestors and is a son of Louis T. and Katherine (Van Neda) Eberling. The father was born in Saxony in 1825, and the mother in Bavaria on the 7th of June, 1828, while they were married in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1848. The father emigrated to America in his sixth year, locating at Cincinnati, where he died in i860, having been a butcher by occupation. The mother died in Dayton, Ohio, while on a visit, in 1902. They were the parents of five children, two sons and one daughter living, and two daughters dead. Their names were : Christopher L., the eldest; Margaret, wife of Michael Kareth, of Cincinnati ; Lewis, also of the Queen City, and two that died in childhood.

C. L. Eberling, of this sketch, was educated in the Cincinnati public schools. He learned the machinist's trade with Miles Greenwood, of Cincinnati, and began his career as an engineer in that city, and has since followed that business, mostly, as a means of livelihood. For the past nineteen years he has been employed as chief engineer at the city water-works in Hamilton. His long continuance in that position is the best evidence of his qualifications. His work has been so faithfully performed, and his administration so careful and painstaking, that he has been continued through different systems of municipal government without regard to political strife or party supremacy.

Mr. Eberling is an avowed Democrat in his political relations, though in no sense an office seeker. He has served a number of years as a member of the board of education and occupies that honorable position as a representative from the third ward at the present time. He served two years as treasurer of the board, and has always proved himself a safe and conservative member, manifesting at all times a strong personal interest in the success of the publi

Of December, .874. Miss f f Dowtv being the lady of his choice. She » a sister of William C. Dowtv. whose family genealogv appears upon another page ot ibis work. Two children have come bless the happy domestic hresule of - - «

Karl Wilson. Himself and wife are . mversalists in religions views. Mr. -belling is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Ordei o

When the Hamilton water-works were established in 1884 Mr. Eberling was selected as chief engineer, and has occupy that position continuously since. He u» one assistant, also a licensed engineer Mr Eberling holds a license from the state boaid of examiners as a first-class engineer. He and family sustain high social relations ,n the city of Hamilton and are classed among the best people in the city.

Salem R. Clawson

The best title one can establish to the esteem of an intelligent community is a long and honorable residence therein, and the best evidence he can produce as to his worth is the record of what he has done to benefit his fellow men. The subject of this review is a native and lifelong resident of Butler county, but the results of his experiments 1 1. WhirVi his life has been mainly devoted have given wide repute not only in his own county and state but throughout a large section of the Union. Salem R. Clawson, son of Stephen anc becca (Tocock) Clawson, was torn m Libertv township, this county, on : her 1 v 1852. His grandparents were James and Rebecca (Vail) Clawson, both natives of the state of Pennsylvania and among the earlv settlers of Butler county, the maternal branch of the family locating in Lemon township, the paternal in . ^ 11 Stephen Clawson was horn m \ became one e.f the tadins ^ ' " Stock raisers of the township m winch he lived also one of its most intelligent am progressive men of affairs. For many years be devoted his attention to the fine cattle anil other high-grade live stock and was long a leader and an authontv^n this important branch of husbandry, lo him more perhaps than to any other was due the success of the Agr.cultu al So cietv of Butler County, in the esta ) is of which organization he took a leading P

He was successful in his business affans. cumulated a valuable estate, an 1,s was long identified with matters of pu interest Few men of the county were^as widely and profoundly mfoimec and national questions as he. and 1 - ence was always with the side ofjg^ he saw and understood the ngi - ^ dence. The death of this worthy man and public-spirited citizen occurred in the year 1891 and fifteen months later his good wife followed him to the silent land. The following are the names of the four children born to Stephen and Rebecca Clawson ; Frank, who became a well-to-do farmer and stock raiser of this county and who died some years ago from the bite of a mad dog. He was married, his wife having formerly been Miss Maria Minton, daughter of Peter Minton, a well-known resident of Butler county, near Millville. The second son, Clinton, was also a farmer and live-stock man who met with encouraging success in all of his undertakings He married Elizabeth Harper, daughter of James Harper, of Liberty township, and departed this life a few years ago, greatly lamented bv all who knew him. Linus P., the next in order of birth, lives in Hamilton and is regarded as one of the prominent men of that city. He married Rosa Hughes, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Hughes, of Butler county. After his marriage he removed to Hamilton and engaged in the manufacture of paper mill machinery, in which he was eminently successful, having retired from active business some years since. The subject of this review completes the list.

Salem R. Clawson was born and reared on the old family homestead in Liberty township, and in the college of Xenia, this state, supplemented the knowledge he had acquired in the district schools of his neighborhood. From an early age his chief ambition was to become a first-class fanner and to the attainment of this end all of his energies were bent. He did not labor in the perfunctory way that so many country lads do, but threw all his powers into his work and never undertook anything without carrying it to a successful conclusion. The maxim "Do with your might what your hands find to do" he found the key that opened the door to successful endeavor and by following the advice so tersely expressed in this brief sentence, his progress from the beginning to the present time has been rapid and today he occupies a prominent standing among the leading men of his vocation not only in the township of his residence but in the county as well. Realizing that the raising of live stock, if properly conducted, afforded a much surer and more liberal source of income than that of mere tilling of the soil, Mr. Clawson early gave his attention to this important branch of farming and in due time his success was assured. He made a specialty of shorthorn cattle and to him is due the credit of introducing this idea into this part of Ohio. He believed that they were a superior breed and conceived the idea, that they could be produced without horns by scientific breeding.

In the year 1889 Mr. Clawson was one of the eight men who met in Chicago for the purpose of organizing the Cattle Breeders' Association, one of the principal objects of which was to produce the shorthorn cattle with all their quality, hut minus the horns. The result was the development of the new and superior breed of Polled Durham cattle, which have since become so popular among live-stock men of the United States and other countries. He devoted much intelligent study and practical investigation to this important matter and by a series of successful experiments finally developed the absolutely hornless breed which he and Peter Shaffer first exhibited in the states of Ohio and Indiana and for which there has since been such a wide and constantly growing demand. On Northview Place, his beautiful and admirably situated stock farm, Mr. Clawson keeps a large herd of these valuable, animals, selling such as he cares to dispose of by private sale and receiving for them the fancy prices to which his scientific experiments so justly entitled him, his customers coming from many parts of Ohio, also from remote places in other states. Mr. Clawson has been liberal in the matter of beautifying and adding to the attractiveness of his farm, which is today one of the finest and decidedly one of the most desirable rural homes in Butler county. The buildings are in good repair and up-to-date, both in the matter of architecture and appointment, while all his other improvements are in keeping therewith and the evidences of thrift and good taste everywhere manifest bespeak the presence of a master mind, thoroughly abreast the times and in close touch with the spirit of progress in the matter of advanced agriculture.

Eliza1>eth Smalley, who became the wife of Mr. Clawson in 1879, was born in Benton county, Indiana, May 1, 1859, being the daughter of Elias and Ellen (Vail) Smalley, whose father, Jonathan, was the son of John Smalley, who achieved a distinguished record as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. The Smalleys are an old family of Scotch-Irish descent, and the ancestors of the American branch came to this country a number of years before the struggle for independence and settled in one of the eastern colonies. Mrs. Clawson's father was a prominent Indiana farmer. After spending many years in that state he came to Ohio, but subsequently returned to his former place of residence, where he still resides, at the age of seventy-seven years, together with his wife, at the age of seventy-two years. After his marriage Mr. Clawson settled on the family homestead where he has since lived and which, as already indicated, is now one of the representative stock farms of southern Ohio. ' Mr. and Mrs. Clawson have had two children, the oldest of whom, Hubert, was born June 14, 1884, and died in the year 1895. Amor E., whose birth occurred on the 2d of February, 1886, and who has just finished his education, is his father's assistant on the farm. In politics Mr. Clawson is a stalwart Republican, unwavering in the support of the. party and its principles. He is recognized as a leader in its ranks in the township of Liberty, has been a delegate to a number of conventions and his influence has tended greatly to the success of the ticket in the campaigns of past years. In all that concerns the welfare of the community and the advancement of its various interests, Mr. Clawson has thanifested the progressive spirit of the true American times. He is a public-spirited citizen who lends an active .support and cooperation to every movement for the general good, has always worthily upheld the credit of the family which he represents and is regarded in business and social circles as a gentleman of sterling worth and a loyal friend, whom to know is to honor and esteem.

Charles A. Patton

Among the enterprising men who have acted a leading part in promoting the varied interests of Butler county, Charles A. Patton has long been a noticeable figure. Dur- in g a continuous residence here of fifty-one years, or ever since his birth, he has contributed to the development of his community in various ways, earning by legitimate efforts honorable positions and ample means, and at all times he has exercised a wholesome influence among his friends and fellow citizens. The Pattons were among the pioneers of Butler county, the subject's grandfather moving here in an early day from the state of New Jersey and settling near Miltonville, Madison township. After a few years he moved to Preble county and still later changed his residence to Camden, this state, where the remainder of his life was spent. David Patton, the subject's father, was born in Madison township, Butler county, and on reaching manhood married Miss Sarah Brelsfoard, whose parents were also early settlers and for many years neighbors of the Patton family. After his marriage David Patton engaged in the grocery trade at Camden and later went to Cincinnati, where he embarked in the commission business, to which he devoted his attention for some time. He was also connected with the Western Union Stock Yards of that city, but of late years has been dealing in horses, which he handles on quite an extensive scale. By his first wife he had two children, James, and Charles A. of this review, the former dying at the age of seven years.

Charles A. Patton was born in Wayne township, Butler county, April 13, 1851, and at the tender age of six months was deprived of his mother by the cruel hand of death. He was then taken by his grandmother Brelsfoard, who cared for him until her own death, which event occurred when he was a yduth of fifteen, and from that time until his twenty-second year he made his home with his uncle, Brelsfoard, who lived in Wayne township. Meantime he enjoyed the advantages bi a public-school education and at the age of twenty-two contracted a matrimonial alliance with Miss Lydia A. Paulin, daughter of Isaac and Ellen (Schenck) Paulin, the marriage being solemnized on February 27, 1873.

Shortly after the marriage Mr. Pa,tton embarked in the grocery business at Middletown and continued the same until 1899, when he disposed of his establishment and purchased the farm in Wayne township, on which he now lives and which under his effective labors has been brought to a fine state of cultivation and otherwise highly improved. Mr. Patton is one of the most enterprising and progressive agriculturists in his part of the county, also a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment and possesses the capacity to carry to successful completion any undertaking in which he may be engaged. Personally, he is an agreeable and companionable gentleman, inheriting the sturdy characteristics for which his family has long been noted, besides exhibiting to a marked degree the attributes of mind and heart which win the respect and command the confidence of those with whom he mingles in business or social relations. For a number of years he has been active in the political affairs of Butler county, being one of the leading - Democrats of Wayne township, and as a reward for his energetic and valuable services in behalf of his party he was twice elected to the office of assessor, besides serving two terms as township trustee. In the year 1903 he re-

2, Knights Templar, and the chapter of Royal Arch Masons, in all of which branches of this ancient and honorable brotherhood he is active and enthusiastic.

. ship and her home was only a half mile front the place where her husband spent his childhood and youth. The two were reared in the same neighborhood, attended the same school and have known each other from an early age, having been playmates and companions from their childhood. Their marriage, a pleasant and happy one, has been blessed with one child, a daughter. Della B., whose birth occurred on the 26th day of February, 1882, and who is now the wife of Rudolph Imhoff, a farmer and stock raiser of St. Clair township. Butler county.

Henry Block

Success has been worthily achieved -by the enterprising agriculturist of whom the biographer writes in this connection, a man of sterling worth, whose career from the time of beginning tl\e struggle of life in humble circumstances to his present independent position and high standing among bis fellow citizens of his township, demonstrated the possession of business ability and the faculty of rising superior to environments. Henry Block is in every sense of the term a self-made man and as such he no onlv compares favorably with the most intelligent and progressive of his contemporaries. hut is deserving of great credit for h,s continuous advancement in the face o so manv opposing circumstances. is ' e 1 been one of great activity and. never having seriously considered the possibility of failure nor at any time lost faith m h.s own resources, it is not at all surprising that h.s energy and ability, encouraged by a spirit of splendid optimism, should have pave the wav to success such as few under like circumstances would have achieved.

Mr. Block is one of Butler conn > » native sons, born in Union township November 13, 1861, being the second of e.g children whose parents were John and Fa. - nie (Brown) Block. He was reared on h father's farm, and in due time learned he lessons of industry and frugality m t fields where he spent the summer mon*s until a youth in his teens, devoting the winseas,,,. .0 attending ^ in which he received a fan e(Wca training, completing the ing the prescribed course of s lK >- with the idea ever . prominent m h,s mn d that labor is honorable and idleness a 1 disgrace, he early formed i-histr,ous haHts and grew to manhood with a hrm <

Lion to make it subserve useful and noble ends. His father found him a re. ' valuable assistant- in all the labo, s farm, and to him more, perhaps, of his brothers fell the responsibility ^ managing the place and looking < interests of his parents and the younger members of the family. With true filial regard, he remained with his parents longer than do the majority of young men, for it was not until his twenty-third year that he severed the ties which bound him to the fireside and set up a domestic establishment of his own.

On the 6th day of November, 1884, Mr. Block entered the marriage relation with Miss Maggie Lintner, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, August 31, 1864, the daughter of John Lintner, for a number of years a prosperous farmer of Union township, also one of its respected and most praiseworthy citizens. During the two years following his marriage Mr. Block lived at Maud Station and cultivated his father's farm for a share of the proceeds, but not satisfied with being a renter he removed at the expiration of the time to the place near Fort Union, which he purchased and on which he has since lived, the meanwhile, by diligent and continuous toil and superior management, reducing the greater part of his land to tillage besides making a number of substantial improvements thereon. Mr. Block's farm contains one hundred and thirty-eight acres of valuable land, the productiveness of which not only has been maintained but enhanced by the judicious use of artificial fertilizers and proper rotation of crops, and in addjtion to the abundant returns realized from its cultivation he adds very materially to his income from the sale of live stock, especially of hogs, in the breeding and raising of which he has been quite successful. He keeps none but the finest and most approved breeds of domestic animals, his horses and -cattle as well as his swine being 'of the best blood and highest grade; indeed everything on his place suggests the care and painstaking effort characteristic of the first-class agriculturist, who believes in prosecuting his labors bv the most advanced methods and is satisfied with nothing but the largest results. Mr. Block's home is admirably situated and is a model of neatness as well as comfort, his residence being well built, beautiful in appearance and with its attractive surroundings it impresses the passerby as the dwelling place of a man of intelligence and enterprise, who is prosperous and satisfied with his lot. The farm is a valuable one and every dollar which it represents, together with the liberal amount of personal property and the private capital in his possession, is the legitimate fruit of his own toil, as he began life poor and by sheer grit and long continued effort forced from fortune the favors which that fickle goddess would not otherwise have bestowed.

Like all good citizens, Mr. Block takes a lively interest in public affairs and l>elieves that every true lover of his country should to some extent be a politician. He reads much, keeps himself well informed relative to current events and the great questions upon which men differ and parties divide, and ever since attaining his majority he has been a zealous Democrat and a fearless advocate of the principles which he upholds. In party circles he has been a judicious counsellor, a good organizer and an effective and untiring worker in campaign years, and though never an office seeker nor an aspirant for leadership, he has been twice elected trustee of his township, the duties of which position he discharged in an eminently satisfactory and business-like manner. He has always been an ardent friend and earnest advocate of education, his interest in behalf of public institutions leading the people of his township some years ago to elect him a member of the school board. While identified with that body, he served in the capacity of presiding officer, clerk and treasurer, and it fell to him to hold similar positions on the board in charge of the special school at Port Union.

Mr Block is a believer in organized measures for the promotion of charity and benevolence, and secret fraternal societies if founded upon correct principles and properly conducted, also have his endorsement and support. Indeed, any laudable movement having for its object mutual helpfulness, the alleviation of distress and the moral good of man is sure to enlist his hearty co-operation, as all such organizations are agencies for the uplifting of humanity and in his judgment should be en couraged by every lover and well wisher of his kind. For some years past Mr. Block has been a member of Lodge No. 552, Knights of Pythias, at Port Union, in which he now holds the title of past chancellor, and which he has represented on two occasions in the grand lodge of Ohio, the first time at the session held in Springfield, the second when the body convened in the city of Cincinnati.

Mr. Block and wife are respected and consistent members of the St. John's Evangelical church in the city of Hamilton, and are deeply interested in its various lines of religious and benevolent work, also liberal contributors to the support of the congregation and all missionary and other activities under the supervision thereof. Their marriage has been blessed with seven children, whose names in order of birth are Freddie, Otto, Rhea, Bernice, Wilmore,. Harlin and Edna, all living at home.

Frank Hammerle

Frank Hammerle, councilman at large in the city of Hamilton, was born m Bavaria, Germany, April n, i838- * 1 * * age of six years he was left an orphan, and three vears later he was brought by his brothers. John and Frederick, to America. Two sisters accompanied them and w other sisters had arrived three years previously. It is sad to relate that .this famdy was never afterward all together, younger ones found homes among strangers and were reared amid hardships and privations. The older brothers went ^est; sisters married, and Frank knew but ..ttle of his family after arriving in Amer'" . in a number of years he lived with a y Dearborn county, Indiana. His ed"C^°" was acquired largely by reading and . sU > after he grew to young manhood. H heves thft he is now the only survivor of his family. There were eleven chddre' whom he was the youngest Mr. Han merle knows but little of h,s ogy. He remembers that his father ^ was John and his mother's Ehzabet -

On the 15th of October, 1863, Mr. Hammerle married Miss Catharine Meyer, who was born on the 7th of October, 1842, in the house which has since been her home. She is a daughter of Henry and Eva Myers, the former a native of Switzerland, and the latter bom in Bavaria. Both are long since deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hammerle have a family of three sons and one daughter. The eldest is Henry, a trusted employe of the Second National Bank in this city. He also served several years in the mail service, in Hamilton, being assistant postmaster for two years. He married Miss Grace Sheley. Frank learned the gunsmith's trade with his father, but is now in mercantile business. His wife was Miss Etta, daughter of Frank Brown, of Morning Sun, Ohio. Louisa became the wife of Allison Grover, a mechanical engineer in Milwaukee. Fred M. is a civil engineer by profession and lives at home with his parents.

Mr. Hammerle has achieved success in his life work and has attained to a position of prominence in social and political affairs. He began his official career as trustee of St. Clair township. West Hamilton, being then under the township system. He served four years in that capacity. He was a member of the Hamilton board of education for sixteen years without intermission. In April, :9°3> he was elected councilman at large for the city, and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. .Hammerle has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for thirty-five years, and has passed all the official stations both in the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The religious home of the family is with St. John's German Evangelical church. In political views Mr. Hammerle has been a lifelong Democrat and has taken an active interest in political affairs, both local and general. He is a pleasant, agreeable old gentleman, wellinformed upon current events, and well and favorably known in the county.

Freeman Compton

Freeman Compton, a well-known business man of Hamilton, was born on a farm in Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 21st of May, 1831. The family from which he is descended has been represented in southern Ohio for considerably more than a hundred years. It was established in Cincinnati by *the paternal grandfather of this subject as early as 1796, Jacob Compton being the founder of the family on Ohio soil. He came across the mountains from New Jersey by the then only available route. While passing through Kentucky, en route from New Jersey to Cincinnati, Abraham, the father of the subject, was born, his birth occurring on the 29th of February, 1796. The family located in Cincinnati, little dreaming that it would ever become the metropolis of Ohio and the Queen City of the West. The exploits of Boone and Simon Kenton were more a subject of discussion among the few residents than the possibilities of a great city, while the "dark and bloody ground," the daring deeds of the few adventurous white settlers, and the murderous treachery of the Indians were themes familiar to all. Jacob Compton located with

His son Abraham learned the carpenter's trade in young manhood and followed that business throughout his life. He married Miss Abigail Phillips, with whom he settled on a small farm near Mt. Pleasant, at which place he died at the age of eightyseven years. His wife survived him a few years, and died at the age of ninety years. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters, most of whom have passed to the other shore. Their names were Catherine, Oliver P., Orminah, Sarah, Freeman, Alvira, Alfred, John A., Spencer P. and Hannah. Two of the brothers, Oliver P. and John A., lost their lives in the Civil war. The former died in the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, as a result of exposures at the battle of Shiloh. John A. was color bearer of the Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was* killed in the battle of Resaca. The post of the Grand Army of the Republic in Hamilton bears the name of this martyr to the cause of union and liberty, an honor to his memory most worthily bestowed. Freeman Compton, of this review, spent his early life in Mt. Pleasant and accpiired a commonschool education at the Pleasant Run school house, in the vicinity of his birthplace. lie became apprenticed to the carpenter's trade in Hamilton, and began his mechanical career on a salary of eight dollars for his first month's services, and fifty cents per day for the second month, the recompense increasing as greater efficiency was demonstrated. It was in the fall of 1852 that he came to Hamilton, where he worked at his trade for about four years. But the spirit of emigration was abroad in the land and he decided to cast his fortunes with the new West. In 1856 he took up his residence in Keokuk, Iowa, and there began his life work in general contracting. After three years spent there, he returned to his native town and continued his mechanical operations there for several years. In 1864 he enlisted at Mt. Pleasant as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirtyeighth Ohio Infantry, rendering worthy service to his country, the duration of his term being short, owing to the early termination of hostilities. After an absence of ten years, he returned to Hamilton in 1866 and has since been a continuous resident of this city. Since 1867 Mr. Compton has conducted a very extensive business as a building contractor, and since 1884 he has operated in connection a large and lucrative lumber business. He has long been recognized as one of the leading contractors in the city, and many of the finest buildings, both public and private, bear the marks of his handiwork. He was the original contractor for the erection of the county infirmary building, which cost eighty-five thousand dollars, also for the Butler county court house, which cost over three hundred thousand dollars, on each of which Mr. Compton had the contract for the entire work. Many of the handsomest and most elaborate residences of the city were also constructed by him and his corps of skilled workmen. It would be impossible to enumerate within the confines of the narrowed space afforded all of the evidences of Mr. Compton's superior skill as a workman, thorough-going mechanic and safe and reliable business man. Suffice to say that there has never been any necessity for his seeking contracts abroad and all his labors have been confined to Butler county. He gives employment, in season, to a large number of wage earners, therein contributing materially to the support of many worthy families, as well as to the advancement and growth of his home city.

Mr. Compton has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Josephine Smith, of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. She died on the 16th of July. 1886, leaving two sons. George A. and Charles L. Three daughters born to this union died in infancy and early childhood. In February. 1889. Mr. Compton was united . in marriage with his pre-ent companion, who in maidenhood was Miss Marietta Lashhorn. a native of Hamilton. For many years they occupied a beautiful home situated on Campbell avenue, one of the handsomest and best-kept thoroughfares in the city, but at present the family residence is on Williams street. The home is elaborate and evinces the taste and architectural skill of its designer. But the domestic happiness, peace and tranquility which emanate from the home fireside are vastly more pleasurable than the environments of a loveless home, however elegant.

Mr. Compton has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity for fifty years and takes an active interest in the deliberations of that time-honored body. The motto of the order has a meaning to him throughout all his associations with men. Mr. Compton is the sire of Odd Fellowship in this section of the state. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of his initiation the fraternity in Hamilton made it an event of merry making and good fellowship. They gave Brother Compton a surprise in token of their brotherly regard and spent an evening long to be remembered in the annals of local Odd Fellowship. On their departure. the brotherhood left tangible evidence of their high appreciation of Brother Compton and his long-continued adherence to the principles of the order. Fifty years of continuous membership in a fraternal order give unquestioned evidence of the conscientious appreciation of the persisting member and is an achievement to which very few men ever attain. But the followers of Wilder and Fidgelcy, and their three associates. in establishing this beneficent association on American soil are imbued with the cardinal principles of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

In religious affiliation Mr. Compton is prominently associated with the Christian church. He was a member of its first official board, and has always taken an active interest in religious work. His parents were devout members of the Old-school Baptist church, in which faith their lives were spent.

In political' views Mr. Compton adheres to the principles of the Republican party. I11 Butler county this means ostracism from political honors, since the opposing party is largely in the ascendancy. It is truly refreshing to find a man whose political principles are founded on the basis of fire-tested Republicanism and in open defiance of the allurements of political preferment.

Mr. Compton is a man devoted to his business interests, but not to the exclusion of the social and domestic endearments of life. He exercises a broad phi lanth ropy, is generous and open-handed in the relief of worthy distressed humanity, and publicspirited and enterprising in the advancement of the city's interests. As a citizen, no man sustains a more exalted station among Ham-

The sons are engaged in business, George A. being associated with his father. He is married and has one son Clarence^ Charles L. is employed in the office o the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad in Chicago. He is married, and has two children, Florence and Isabelle. -

Mr Compton was the nominee of his party for the office of county commissioner in 1903, and received a majority of the votes at the polls, as his friends believe and have often expressed their views unequivocally. The process by which his opponent secured the office is unexplained, except that the returns from two precincts which cidedly for the Democratic nominee did not appear for consideration of the election board until some time after due there.

Prof. Edward Payson

Among the many illustrious educators of of Ohio few have achieved as honorable distinction as Prof. Edward Payson Thomp- - son of Oxford. In the hearts of his fellow citizens the name will ever occupy a conspicuous place, and for generations to come his record is destined to be handed down from parent to child as the exemplification of success in his chosen field of endeavor and an example eminently worthy of emulation. .

Professor Thompson is a native of De- Kalb county, Illinois, and the son of Rev. Samuel Findlev Thompson, now living at Redding, Iowa, and Eleanor Kerr Given

Thompson, who departed this life at Tarkio, Missouri, in February, 1891. The father, long a leading minister of the United Presbvterian church, has served congregations in different states and, though not as active as in former years, is still engaged in the noble work to which his life and energies have been consecrated. He was pastor o the church at Lawrence, Massachusetts for a number of years, and from New England moved to Illinois, where he served the congregations at Ross Grove, Zion and othe places, subsequently being transferred 1 to Dickson, Tennessee, where he labored with great acceptance until called to another field in the Northwest. The mother of Professor Thompson, a ladyof beautiful character and super-intellectual attainments, was 01 Scotch-Irish lineage and a direct descendan of Joseph Dixon, of Dublin, who foug with distinguished bravery in die siege so Derry and was also a grenad'erinthearmy of William HI at the battle of the Boy in 1 690, 'later serving with the noted killen Dragoons, which took sue a c spicuous and distinguished part in the bloody ' engagement at Aughrim on July 12, 9 -

Mm Thompson wns bom in jj'jj . Cullvbackey, County Antnm, re , in 1844. when fourteen years of age, compared her parents to the United Sttt* settling at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where she grew to maturity. After a ffiorou^ educational training she engage ing, which profession she followed or * number of years, spending the mediately preceding her marriag public schools of Allegheny, a woman son ble aims and high ideals. Mrs. early impressed upon the minds and h ^ of her children the necessity of corre ing, and to her wise and judicious instruction they are largely indebted for the inspiration, refined tastes and honorable tendencies by which their subsequent lives were characterized.

Edward Payson Thompson was born -on May 4, 1858, and spent his early life in his Illinois home and also in Tennessee, receiving his preliminary education in the public schools of those states. A naturally strong and inquiring mind, combined with an ardent desire to rise superior to a common school training, early led him to lay plans for. a future of usefulness, accordingly, in 1875, he entered Monmouth College, Illinois, where he pursued the studies of the regular classical curriculum until his graduation, four years later, achieving an honorable record in all of his studies, especially in mathematics, for which he always manifested peculiar aptness and talent and which he has since followed as a life pursuit. Shortly after completing his collegiate course Professor Thompson decided to devote his life to teaching, as educational work to one of his tastes and training afforded the most obvious and promising openings; accordingly he began his labors in this line by taking charge of a country school about four miles south of Biggsville, Illinois, where he had the usual opportunities and valuable experiences which come to almost every pedagogue in his first attempts at imparting instruction and administering discipline. He succeeded admirably with this school and at the close^of the term accepted the chair of mathematics in Geneva College, at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where he taught continuously for a period of ten years, resigning his position in 1890 for the purpose of taking a year's course in Johns Hopkins

University. In the fall of 1891 Professor Thompson removed with his family to New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, to teach mathematics and chemistry in Westmoreland College, an institution under the auspices of the United Presbyterian church, where he remained for two years, during which time he added greatly to his reputation as a profound mathematician and successful instructor. Receiving a call to the chair of mathematics and astronomy in Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, at the expiration of the time noted, lie severed his connection with Westmoreland College and, entering the latter institution in the fall of 1893, has continued a member of the faculty to the present time, his labors the meanwhile winning the confidence and respect of associate professors and students, besides earning for him much more than local repute as a profound and erudite scholar in the branches to which, his abilities are being devoted. Professor Thompson prepared himself for his life work by long, arduous study and painstaking research, availing himself of every opportunity to increase his knowledge and add to his skill and efficiency as a teacher. To these ends he took the special course in Johns Hopkins University referred to in a preceding paragraph, and in addition thereto attended several summer terms at Harvard and Cornell Universities, where, under the direction of some of the most distinguished specialists of the day, he received the training which has since made him so efficient in his class work and earned him the honorable reputation which he now enjoys among the leading educators of the Buckeye state.

most exacting of the sciences, many ot them original, are as dear, explicit and successftt as his knowledge is profound. He was e to the especial field from taste and afforded opportunities and. as already indicated, he has accompanied his work with constant effort at self-improvement. In addition to the responsible and exacting duties of his professorship. he has done considerable spec.a work, besides publishing two technical books, one a laboratory guide on qualitative analysis in chemistry, the other a collection of problems in mathematical physics. Professor Thompson aims to lie practical in his teaching and to this end has done considerable teaching, surveying and civil engineering in connection- with his class work, taking his students with him on these expeditions so as to give them the benefit of actual experience as well as of theoretical knowledge. Ouite a number of his former pupils are now occupying useful public and professional positions in different parts of the country, and wherever located, their services have proven eminently satisfactory, thus rellecting credit upon their alma mater, and especially upon the tireless and obliging professor who spared no efforts to fit them fot the profession in which they have achieved such signal honor and usefulness.

Professor Thompson has always been a close student and as such keeps in close touch with the trend of scientific and general educational thought, being a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Mathematical Society, and the National Teachers' Association, having attended two sessions of the lastnamed body, besides meeting with the National Congress of Mathematicians at Paris, France, in the summer of 1900, during his

Biggsville, Illinois, on June 23, 1881, to yifss Mary Eleanor Rankin, whose father. Samuel S. Rankin, a representative of a sturdv Scotch-Irish family, settled in Indiana in an. early day. removing thence to western Illinois shortly after the close of the Black Hawk war. The Rankins have long been noted for sound, practical intelligence and business capacity, one of the test known of the name being David Rankin, of Tarkio, Missouri, who for many years has teen one of the wealthiest farmers and most extensive stockmen in the United States. Professor and Mrs. Thompson are the patents of six children, namely : Harriet Eleanor, born at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania October 21. 1882. and Harry Somerville, whose birth occurred at the same place on the 19th of February. 1885. and who died there Feb- 'mary 22. 1887; William Howard an the latter November 4, 1889: Riba ene'a was born June 8, >892, at ton, Pennsylvania, and Caroline Rankin the youngest of the family, first saw the igi dav at Oxford, Ohio, on April 8. .i**- T'ie_ Professor has an interesting family anc , e ing a man of domestic tastes, takes gre prfde in his home. His wife has been h true helpmeet and wise counsellor all U days of their married life and they are par ing neither pains nor expense m their children to lives of honor and useful nently proper to state that the bright promises of his youth have been more than realized in the distinguished record which he has achieved in his chosen field of endeavor. He never courted notoriety, but always aimed to excel and make himself efficient, in consequence of which he has never had to seek for position, his reputation being such as to create a wide demand for his services by the leading colleges and universities of the country. An estimate of his personal and professional standing as fair perhaps as any other is that of President W. O. Thompson, of the Ohio State University, who in 1898 said of him : "Professor E. P. Thompson came to Miami University as professor of mathematics in September, 1893. He has during these years impressed himself upon the members of the faculty as a student of his subject and a scholar. He is not contented with the mere routine of his work, but is a progressive scholar, gleaning constantly from the experience of the best teachers. The high ideals that govern his life have produced the diligent student. In him the better is never permitted to be the solving of the best. His example and attainments alike inspire an earnest student. His never failing fidelity to his calling commends him to those who know him. He has learned the art of attending to his own work and insists upon doing it. Such qualities make him an agreeable and acceptable colleague in a faculty.''

Other commendation in keeping with the above could be adduced were it necessary, but sufficient has been said to form a correct estimate of the Professor's attainments and ability in the line of his work and to demonstrate his sterling qualities of manhood and citizenship. It may be added, however, that notwithstanding the interest and enthusiasm which he displays in his profession he is by no means narrow or pedantic, as so many school men are; on the contrary, being a man of broad mind, liberal views and a student of many subjects in which the public manifest a lively regard. A reader and a thinker, he is well informed upon political economy and history, being familiar with the principles and doctrines of the different political parties and a close and intelligent observer of current events and, like all public-spirited citizens, takes an active interest in good local government, besides giving his support to all progressive measures for the material advancement and moral welfare of the community in which he resides. In state and national affairs he is a Republican, but in county and municipal matters gives his support to the best qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation. He may with propriety be termed an independent Republican and with tendencies in voting on the side of reform, and all measures with this object in view are sure to enlist his earnest co-operation. He has done duty at various times on the election board and while a resident of Pennsylvania served as a member of the school board of Beaver Falls, holding a similar position since 1900 in the city of Oxford.

Religiously, Professor Thompson was born and reared in the United Presbyterian church and became actively identified with the same at Dickson, Tennessee, on the first day of April, 1871. He has served as ruling elder since his ordination at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and in addition to this office holds at the present time the position of trustee and treasurer in the church at Oxford, being also the efficient superintendent of the Sabbath school under the auspices of the congregation. In brief, it may be said that his life has been largely devoted to others, through the medium* of the family, the school, the college and the church, and in these several capacities his abilities have shown transcendence and his labors have been crowned with abundant success. Few men of his age and experience have accomplished as much or risen as high in professional and public esteem and, being still in the prime of his physical and mental powers, he is not content to rest with honors already won, but looks forward to a future in which there is a wider sphere of usefulness to achieve and brighter laurels to be won.

Professor Thompson comes from a family that has long been active in religious and educational work, several of its representatives having gained more than local repute as ministers and teachers, while others have achieved honorable careers in different lines of labor. Rev. Samuel Findley Thompson, the subject's father, is at this time one of the older living divines of the United Presbyterian church in the West, and a brother, the Rev. J. A. Thompson, D. D., an able minister and erudite scholar, is president of Tarkio College, Missouri. Another of the subject's brothers is professor of mathematics in an educational institution at Sterling, Kansas, while a third is pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Washington. Pennsylvania.

David H. Ayers

From remote antiquity tilling the soil has been considered an eminently honorable and dignified calling and if there is a vocation at the present day that carries with it a patent of nobility it is that which the agriculturist follows. The farm is the fruitful source from which has sprung the majority of our country's leading statesmen, soldiers, men of letters, and artisans, to say nothing of the great rank and file of the body politic, while nearly all the leaders of thought and captains of industry attribute their rise and success to their early training in the fields. It is a fact demonstrated by centuries of experience that the success of any nation or people depends very largely upon the agricultural classes, as all wealth comes from the earth, the greater part being derived from the products of the soil. The farmer is not only independent, but eminently respectable, and now more than at any previous time he is an influential factor in promoting the welfare of the community in which he resides and a great conservative force in formulating political policies, directing public opinion, and giving tone and moral standing to the social element which constitutes the corner-stone upon which the real stability of the American republic rests. While he has always fed all and paid for all, it is only of recent years that he has forged to the front and became a leader in the dominion of thought and action instead of a mere slave of the soil as in former centuries. The husbandman of the twentieth century, if appreciative of his vocation and successful in its prosecution, is nature's true aristocrat and to him more than to the votary of any other calling do we look for the clear brain, the sound judgment and the high aim which enter so largely into our national conscience. A follower of this vocation is the wellknown gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article, a gentleman of practical intelligence and progressive ideas, whose in- fluence has helped to elevate agriculture in his community and make it not only the source of substantial material wealth, but also the means of mounting to a conspicuous position among his fellow men in business circles and in the social world.

David H. Ayers, of Union township, is a native of Butler county, Ohio, as was also his father, James Ayers, son of Elias and Ursula (Davis) Ayers, who, with their parents, came to this part of the country in an early day. James Ayers married, in his early manhood, Miss Loretta E. Hulse, daughter of David and Ernestine (Krouskopf) Hulse, and became the father of three children, Weller, David H. and Bertha J.. the last named being the wife of Walter W. Voorhis.

David H. Ayers was born on the family homestead in Union township November 13, 1867, and there spent the years of his childhood and youth, growing up to habits of industry and while yet young becoming accustomed to the discipline of farm life. He received a practical education in the public schools and from the death of his father, in 1882, until his marriage, eleven years later, remained at home helping to look after his mothers affairs and cultivate the farm; while thus engaged he laid plans for his future course of action, one of them being the earnest desire to become a prosperous tiller of the soil, which he has since carried into effect.

In the year 1893 Mr. Ayers contracted a marriage with Miss Anna C. Block, who was also born in Union township. December 21, 1870, being a daughter of John and Stevania (Brown) Block, well-known and highly respected citizens of Union township. Mrs. Ayers' parents were both natives

Immediately following his marriage, Mr. Ayers set up his domestic establishment on the paternal homestead, which had come into his possession, and he has cultivated the same ever since, meeting with continued success as an agriculturist and stock raiser. In addition . to his home place, Mr. Ayers owns two hundred and twelve acres in section 18, Union township, all of which is in a fair state of cultivation and otherwise improved. In 1903 he was elected trustee of Union township, which position he still holds, discharging the duties of the same to the satisfaction of the people of the jurisdiction.

The beautiful liome of Mr. and Mrs. Ayers is gladdened and made bright by the presence of five children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Howard J., April 15. 1895; Walter E.. January 22, 1897; Mildred, May 13, 1900: Alfred C., February 17. 1902, and Alice, February 19, T904.

David Hulse, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch and one of the leading and progressive men of the community in which he lived, was born April 2, 1819, and was the' youngest son of William and Catherine (Lutes) Hulse,. both natives of New Jersey and of Dutch descent, who emigrated to Ohio in 1815 mid settled on a farm in Union township. He reared a family of eight sons and two daughters. David attended the common schools and obtained a fair education, becoming also thoroughly versed in agricultural pursuits. In his fourteenth year he went to Indiana with an older brother, remaining there for three years.

In 1839 David Hulse was united in marriage to Ernestine Krouskopf, who was born in Germany September 20, 1817. She was the daughter of Louis and Catherine (Mercer) Krouskopf, who came to America with their family in 1821, and settled in Hamilton county, Ohio. They removed to Butler county in 1829, where he resided until his death, December 31, i860, his wife surviving him about five years. Louis Krouskopf was a highly educated German and was a cavalry officer under Napoleon in the French expedition against Russia, his regiment losing all but fifty-five men in that campaign.

Mr. Hulse, immediately after his marriage. located upon a farm adjoining the one his father had settled on, which had come into his possession at the death of his father, in 1833. There were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ilulse seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, but all preceded their parents to the great beyond, Lewis, the eldest son, dying from a wound received at the battle of Stone River December 31, 1862.

Mr. Hulse was a Republican and, although never aspiring to public distinction, he always displayed a commendable interest in whatever concerned the welfare of the community, and his influence and material assistance were given to every laudable enterprise for the public good. He possessed in a marked degree the sterling characteristics which beget and retain confidence and in every relation of life his integrity was conspicuous and his good name above suspicion or reproach. He possessed a fund of cultivated experience which made him the sage of reference among those who^ knew him. Mrs. Hulse for a long time was a practitioner in obstetrics, in which she was very successful, exhibiting also marked ability in the handling of children's diseases, and she enjoyed the full confidence of the community. Through her nursing the sick and administering home remedies to the afflicted, her sound advice to the growing young and her proficiency in the propagation of flowers, she became one of the most interesting of neighbors. Neither she nor her husband ever showed any selfish greed, but were always willing to share with those in distress or want. Mr. Hulse was a man among men and Mrs. Hulse a true and tried ministering angel to all with whom she came in contact. Mr. Hulse died July 7, 1903, at the home he had built in his younger days, on the farm he commenced operations on sixty-four years before. Mrs. Hulse preceded him to the silent land about seven years.

Conrad Wunder

This gentleman is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Butler county and his success in the prosecution of his life work has won him an honorable reputation among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Reily township. As the name indicates, Mr. Wunder is of German lineage, his parents, Paul and Anna (Huffman) Wunder, having been natives of the kingdom of Bavaria. They came to America in 1848, were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1851, and seven years later moved to Butler county and took up their residence at which he served an apprenticeship in the land of his birth. Paul and Anna Wunder spent the remainder of their lives in Reily township, both dying some years ago, and of their eight children five survive, namely: John, a contractor and builder, whose home is in Minnesota; Carrie, wife of Jacob Avrams, of College Corners, Indiana; Dr. Henry E., a practicing physician of Soudan, Minnesota, and the proprietor of a large hospital at the same place ; Anna Stein, now living in Reily township, and Conrad, whose name introduces this sketch.

Conrad Wunder was born September 26, 1852, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and after spending the first six years of his life in that city was brought to Butler county, of which part of the state he has since been an honored resident. A good common-school training was the extent of his educational experience, and until attaining his majority he remained at home assisting his father in various ways and contributing of his earnings to the support of the family. For some time after reaching manhood's estate he worked for his father by the month and in this way spent his time until his marriage, which was solemnized in the year 1876, with Miss Catherine Urban, who died in 1880, leaving one child, a daughter by the name of Charlotte, who is now the wife of Harvey Weaver, of Reily, this state. Subsequently Mr. Wunder contracted a matrimonial alliance with Miss Barbara Chalip, the union being without issue, but since then he has reared an orphan boy, Harry Peterman, whom he has provided with a good home and given all the privileges and benefits that would have been conferred upon a child of his own flesh and blood.

Wunder has devoted his time and attention to agriculture, and his continued success has won for him a leading place among the representative farmers and stock raisers of Reily township. He owns a beautiful, wellcultivated place in which are some of the best improvements in the township, and the excellent condition of the buildings and the farm generally shows him to be a man of advanced ideas in everything relating to agricultural science, and progressive in the prosecution of all of his undertakings. Mr. Wunder has a well-established reputation as a raiser of fine live stock, making a specialty of swine, for the proper caring of which he is perhaps better prepared than any other man in the county. His hog house, twentyfour by seventy feet in size, and supplied with every convenience for the successful breeding and raising of first-class animals, is one of the largest and most complete structures of the kind in this part of the state and the Poland China and other breeds to which he devotes especial attention, and of which he sells a great many every year at the highest market price, are of the highest grade and the source of a very liberal income. Mr. Wunder is also a successful chicken fancier and takes great pride in raising fine fowls, of which he is not only an excellent judge, but a recognized authority. His favorite breed is the celebrated Plymouth Rock, which he raises for general purposes as well as for special sale, some of his finer fowls having taken first premiums at the different places where exhibited, and he has no difficulty in disposing of them at figures far in excess of what are usually asked for the more common species.

though manifesting a commendable interest in public affairs and keeping himself well informed relative to the great questions and issues on which men and parties differ and divide. He is an enthusiastic member of the Odd Fellows order and its several branches, having passed all the chairs in St. Charles Lodge, No. 332, at Reily, besides important positions in the Rebekah degree and in the encampment at Oxford. As a citizen Mr. Wunder is public-spirited to the extent of lending his influence and aid to all- worthy enterprises for the advancement of the community, materially and otherwise, and every laudable measure having for its object the moral welfare of his fellow men is sure to enlist his sympathy and support. He has not sought public attention, nor at any time attempted to gain high positions, but on the contrary has rather chosen the more sequestered ways and contented himself with the unobtrusive manner in which his success has been attained and his eminently useful career achieved. In every relation of life he is worthy the high regard which is uniformly extended him and it is with pleasure that the foregoing brief review is presented in this connection.

Alfred Compton

The subject of this sketch was born on a farm near Pleasant Run, Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 16th of July, 1833. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of southern Ohio, as appears more fully in the sketch of his brother, Freeman Compton, in this volume. To avoid unnecessary

Alfred Compton was the seventh child in a family of ten born to Abraham and Abigail (Phillips) Compton. His education was acquired in the district schools of his native locality in the well-remembered old school house at Pleasant Run. At the age of about sixteen years he became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade in Hamilton. Later he worked at the business for a time in Piqua, Ohio, and from the latter place he went to Iowa, which state was then rapidly developing with the impetus of westward emigration. Mr. Compton located at Columbus City, in the Hawkeye state, and there began his career as a contractor and builder. After ten years thus spent, he returned to Ohio and in 1864 located at Symmes Corners, a village four miles south of Hamilton, and, from that point as headquarters, he continued the work of contracting and building for ten years. He then moved to Hamilton and for a shprt time he was in partnership with his brother Freeman. On the 1 st of June, 1875, the brothers dissolved their business relations, since which time Alfred Compton has given his entire attention to the lumber business. He has occupied a very desirable and convenient location at the southwest corner of Third and Sycamore streets for nearly thirty years and enjoys a fine trade in all kinds of lumber and building materials. Mr. Compton has been phenomenally successful in a financial way and stands in the front rank of Hamilton's corps of able business men. The site upon which his yards are located represents quite a fortune in market value, while he carries a heavy stock of goods at all times. In addition to this his rentals from numerous residences in the city yield him a handsome income. His possessions are wholly the result of his own well-directed energies and business sagacity.

While a resident of Iowa, Mr. Compton was married to Miss Nancy Jane Luckey, a native of Piqua, Ohio, born on the 4th of February, 1835. This union was solemnized at Columbus City, Iowa, on the 30th of March, 1854, and proved a most happy marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Compton have had six children born to them, two of whom died in infancy. Francis, a prominent young man of eighteen, lost his life as an employe of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company. The living children are Lester and Thomas L., engaged in business with their father, and John A., a transfer man in Hamilton. Lester is unmarried and lives at home with his parents. Thomas married Martha Jane Green, and their three children are named Mary Jane, Thomas Alfred and Paul Dewitt. John married Miss Laura Frazier and their only living child is Alfred. Thus the ancestral name Alfred is to be perpetuated through succeeding generations.

The subject of this review and his estimable wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the 30th of March. 1904. It is a pleasant duty to record the fact that this event, which is of seldom occurrence in these days of "divorces for trivial cause," only emphasized the wisdom of their first choice, and shows that in spite of the lapse of half a century, the "old, old story" of love, trust and confidence was reaffirmed and intensified at the nuptial altar of 1904.

Mr. Compton has been an active member of the Church of Christ for many years and is a zealous and conscientious worker in the cause of Christianity. Nearly all the years of his membership have been spent in some official capacity in the church, but mostly as a member of the official board. Mrs. Compton is also a member of the same religious organization, a devout Christian lady and an active member of the various ladies' societies connected with the church. In political affiliations Mr. Compton has been a lifelong Democrat, but has never allowed his name to go before the people as a candidate for any public office. He regards politics as a "necessary evil," as the affairs of the political parties are usually conducted, and has no place in his make-up for the chronic office seeker. Social orders, or lodges, he classes in the same category as politics, withholding the word "necessary." But he is not aggressive in forcing his views upon others, giving to all the same privileges which he claims for himself.

William C. Dowty

William C. Dowtv, fire marshal of the city of Hamilton, was born on the 14th of November, 1855, and has been a resident of Hamilton all his life. He was the second child in a family of two sons and two daughters born to James Wilson and Anna (Mathias) Dowtv, both of whom were natives of Butler county. The father died of consumption in young manhood, thus ending a promising career of usefulness in 1861, at the age of thirty-three years. He was serving in the capacity of a county officer at the time of his death, and was promi- nent and well known in local political circles. He was a young man of exemplary habits and a high order of intellectual attainments. His wife was a daughter of Isaac Mathias, a well-known early pioneer of Butler county, and died in 1894, at the age of fifty-five years. Both the Dowty and Mathias families came to this county from Pennsylvania and were of German extraction. Mrs. Lida Eberling, of Hamilton, was the eldest child born to James W. and Anna Dowty, and William C. of this sketch was the second. The third born was James Wilson, who tips the scale at three hundred pounds, and is employed as watchman at the county treasurer's office in Hamilton. Carrie, the youngest of the quartette, died in infancy.

William C. Dowty was reared and educated in the city of his birth, and when quite young learned the tinner's trade, as did also his brother, and they were in business together for a number of years. In 1879 M**- Dowty first became connected with the fire department and from that date he served three years in the capacity of "runner," or pipeman, in 1882 becoming the driver of a hose wagon. He filled this position, with entire satisfaction to his superiors and the city he served, for a period of eleven years, hence is one of the oldest men now connected with the department. In October, 1903, he was appointed fire marshal, a position second in importance and authority to that of chief. But aside from being the chiefs assistant at fires, he has specific duties outside of that sphere. The position carries with it a good salary, and the appointment of Mr. Dowty is a compliment worthily bestowed upon a faithful guardian of the city's interests. He is prompt and reliable in the discharge of his

Mr. Dowty was married on the 7th of June, 1876, the lady of his choice being Ella, a daughter of Jacob and Isabel Rutter, of Princeton, Butler county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Dowty are the parents of four daughters, three of whom are popular young ladies in society, while the fourth is yet a student in the city high school. Their names are Bessie, Pearl, Mina and Josephine. The three first named are graduates of the high school, while the younger one is entering upon her second year's work in that institution. The mother and daughters are much interested in religious work, and are worthy members of the Reformed church. The only secret society with which Mr. Dowty is connected is Butler Court, Tribe of Ben Hur. In political affiliations he is a Democrat, though not aggressive in politics. He supports the candidates of his party, as best representing his views on the political issues, and leaves the selection of candidates to the machinations of party manipulators.

David C. Brate

In reviewing the life and achievements of the enterprising farmer whose name appears above it is learned that he is a creditable representative of the large and eminently honorable class of men whose influence is always potent for good and whose ambition and persevering industry invariably lead to the goal of success. David C. Brate, the ninth in a family of twelve children whose parents were John and Eliza (Brumbarger)

Brate, is a native of Ohio, and dates his birth from March 30, 1856. He first saw the light of day on the family homestead in Union township and like the majority of country lads his early life was comparatively uneventful, having been spent among the stirring scenes of the farm, varied at intervals by attendance at the district schools. From his seventh year until a youth of eleven his yearly school term amounted to about nine months, but from the latter age until twenty years old the terms were much shorter, the majority of them being reduced to three months a year. Young Brate possessed a naturally active mind and his fondness for reading and study enabled him to make such rapid progress that he found it easy to keep pace with pupils much older than himself. His educational training terminating at the age of twenty, he began making his own way by working for monthly wages and he continued in this capacity until attaining his majority, the meantime being employed by various parties, among whom was his brother, a progressive and well-to-do young farmer of Union township.

On reaching manhood's estate Mr. Brate engaged in the pursuit of agriculture upon his own responsibility and from that time to the present he has continued the same with most gratifying results, being today one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Union township, as well as one of its most energetic and public-spirited men of affairs. His place, which consists of one hundred and eight acres of fine land lying in sections 8 and 9, is in a high state of cultivation and otherwise well improved, its productiveness being as great perhaps as that of any other farm of its size in the county, as is also its value. Mr. Brate began farming as a renter, and his present beautiful and attractive farm, together with the most of its improvements and the large amount of valuable personal property in the way of implements, live stock, etc., besides a liberal share of privatecapital, represents the labor of his own hands, directed by sound business management. A modern farmer in all the term implies, he keeps fully abreast the times in every thing pertaining to agricultural science and methods of tillage, reads the best farm literature and by practical experience demonstrates the relative* value of the various theories which writers advance. He is familiar with the nature of soils and their adaptability to the different crops, in consequence of which he is never mistaken as to what he should grow and seldom fails to realize abundantly from the time and labor expended in his fields.

Mr. Brate, on the 19th day of February, t88o, was happily married to Miss Laura B. Morris, whose birth occurred in Fairfield township, Butler county, September 15* 1859, being a daughter of Joseph K. and Mary Morris, the father a prosperous farmer of Union township, dying some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Brate have one child, Arthur M., who was born September 6, 1883. After finishing the common-school course he was graduated, at the age of eighteen, from the Barthlett Commercial College, in Cincinnati, and a little later accepted the position of stenographer and account clerk with Black, Clawson & Company, of Hamilton, Ohio, which responsible place he still holds.

labored diligently for his party's interests and done much to insure its success, he has never asked any favors in the way of office or public station, being content with the life he is now leading and satisfied with the simple title of a private citizen. A firm believer in the holy Scriptures, he has strong religious convictions and for a number of years his life has exemplified the great beauty and worth of practical Christianity. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Port Union and a zealous worker in the same, being especially active in the Sunday school, which he served at different times as superintendent, besides rendering efficient service for many years as a teacher. At this time he is steward and trustee of the congregation to which he and his wife belong, one of the trustees of the parsonage and it is but just to state that his contributions to the church and to all its lines of work are frequent and liberal. Mr. Brate is now captain of Springdale Mutual Protective Society, of Butler county, and has been zealous in maintaining the same and promoting its interests ever since its organization. He served nine years as school director, during which time he did much for the cause of education in his township and his deep interest in the schools has never been allowed to subside. In his relations with his fellow men Mr. Brate has ever been actuated by correct motives and his dealings at all times have been eminently honorable. His character will bear the closest and strictest scrutiny, hi§ integrity is above adverse criticism and from his youth to the present time his life has been directed and controlled by those lofty principles which satisfy the most critical and exacting. In brief, he is essentially an upright man whose aim is to live in the present and make the world better by his conduct and influence, in both of which respects he has admirably succeeded, as his high standing among his fellow citizens abundantly attests.-