Preble County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 4 of 13)

Benjamin Longanecker was born in 1818 and died in 1905, his whole life having been spent in Miami county. He was a deacon in the church for many years and was a blacksmith by trade. He was also a farmer, having owned several farms in Miami county subsequent to 1853. Benjamin Longanecker was the father of thirteen children, all of whom are living and who are active church workers. No one of his nine sons chews, smokes or drinks and all of them vote the Prohibition ticket. The children are

Sarah, Jerre, Samuel, Joseph, Henry, Caroline, Susanna, Ephraim, Davis, Ezra, Harvey, Ella and William. Sarah is the widow of William Mote and lives in Miami county, Ohio. Jerre married Sarah Penny and lives in Lawrence, Kansas. Samuel married Susan Wolfe and lives in Anderson, Indiana. Joseph and Henry are twins and when children looked so much alike that their parents could not tell them apart. Henry married Matilda Isenbarger and lives in Burthold, North Dakota. Caroline is the wife of Michael Miller and lives in Darke County, Ohio. Susanna is the widow of Levi Miller and lives in Darke county. Ephraim married Minnie Kinsey and lives in Miami county, Ohio. Davis married Lydia Isenbarger and lives in Miami county. Ezra married Rose Detrick and lives in Anderson, Indiana, where he is a physician. Harvey married Joysa Oldwine and lives at Salem, Montgomery county, Ohio. Ella is the wife of Willis Stutsman and lives in Canada. William is married and lives in Butler county, Ohio. The eldest one of these children is seventy-two and the youngest is fortyeight. Most of them are farmers.

Joseph and Henry Longanecker, the twin sons of Elder Longanecker, both are ministers of the gospel and the astonishing physical resemblance they bear each other is borne out in the similarity of their pulpit methods, their manner of preaching being similar to an extraordinary degree, both exhibiting great earnestness in proclaiming the word of God. They, following in the footsteps of their venerated father, have proved a large influence in the communities in which their ministrations have been so effective.

Elder Joseph Longanecker was reared on a farm in Miami county and obtained his education in the common schools. He was employed on his father's farm until he reached his majority, when he started for himself. On August 21, 1869, he married Emeline Albaugh, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, March 1, 1852, the daughter of John and Esenetta Albaugh.

To this union five children were born, three of whom are now living, Mrs. Lillie Bredenbaugh, Mrs. Lina Beason and Mrs. Emma Hess. Mrs. Longanecker died September 1, 1879, and on September 16, 1880, Joseph Longanecker married, secondly, Maggie Albaugh, a sister of his first wife. To this latter union three children were born, Clarence, who married Mary Richards; Pheres, who married Emma Wertenbaker, and May, who is the wife of Willis Wondle.

Joseph Longanecker joined the church in 1870 and was elected to the ministry on January 20, 1882, advancing to the second degree in January, 1883. On July 26, 1900, he was ordained to the eldership and on Septem-

The second Mrs. Longanecker died February 16, 1911, and on May 27, 1914, Elder Longanecker married Mrs. Anna (Sipe) Shank, who was born in Virginia, March 8, 1867, and came with her parents to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1871. She was educated in the cojFpjnon schools and on October 10, 1886, married Noah Shank, by which marriage she had six children, five of whom are living. Noah Shank died in 1911. Elder Longanecker solemnized Anna Sipe's first marriage and baptized her into the church.

Elder Joseph Longanecker is known throughout a large community for his progressive spirit, for his initiative and for capable methods of doing things. As a private citizen, he likewise is honored and respected by all with whom he has come in contact during a long and busy life.

Joseph Larkin Brouse

Success irf farming depends upon something more than hard labor. A farmer might toil from dawn to twilight every day of the year and yet fail to accomplish very much. There must be sound judgment and discretion, a knowledge of soil, grain, the best breeds of live stock and, in fact, the rudiments of general business. The man who accomplishes much as a farmer and a manager of an estate in these days should be accorded rank with men who succeeded in any other walk of life since it often requires more ingenuity and courage to succeed as a farmer than it does to succeed in other vocations. Joseph Larkin Brouse, an enterprising farmer of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, has been successful in farming, not only because he has worked for this success, but, undoubtedly, more because of his careful business methods and ability to manage. Mr. Brouse is a man who received a splendid general training for any vocation to which he might have directed his energies. His success on the farm, therefore, is not surprising.

Joseph Larkin Brouse, a farmer and stockman, living at the edge of the Eaton corporation line and the proprietor of ''Hope Farm/' consisting of fifty acres, was born January 30, 1859, in Dixon township, the son of William and Catherine (Norman) Brouse, the former a native of Starke county, Ohio, and the latter a native of Rockingham county, Virginia.

time after their marriage, which occurred in Montgomery county, Ohio. They located in Dixon township and were the parents of nine children, as follow: Martin N., who was graduated from the National Normal, at

Lebanon, Ohio, with the degree of. Bachelor of Science, and was a teacher; George H., Pierce, who formerly was a teacher and late a minister of the Dunkard church 2, 1915; J. Larkin, who is the subject of this sketch; L. D., who was graduated from the Glasgow (Kentucky) Normal School with the degree of Bachelor of Science and is a teacher at Sedalia, Ohio; John P. IV., who was graduated from the Glasgow Normal School with the degree of Bachelor of Science and later received the honorary degree of Doctor of Law.

Joseph Larkin Brouse was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. He received a certificate to teach school at the age of eighteen and taught for twenty years. Mr. Brouse was graduated from the scientific course of the Danville (Indiana) Normal and received the degree of Bachelor of Science, later receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Brouse \vas superintendent of the public school at Paris, Tennessee, for one year. He took a course in civil engineering at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and served as city engineer of Toledo for two years. Later he was superintendent of the West Alexandria schools for two years and principal of the high school at Franklin, Ohio. After returning to Preble county, he taught school and farmed.

Joseph Larkin Brouse was married in 1889 to Olive M. Marker, to which union two children have been born, Stanley C» and Carl. Stanley C. was graduated from the high school and in 1915 received a diploma from a veterinary school. Carl is a graduate of the Eaton high school.

Mr. Brouse is an extensive breeder of thoroughbred registered Jersey cattle, his herd being headed by "Baron Oakland of Orange," No. 109335. The sire of this famous animal and the g^anddam were both owned by William Vanderbilt, of New York City. *The mother is now owned by the "Victor Farm," of New York state. Aside from his cattle, Mr. Brouse keeps a high grade of other live stock. He keeps a great many registered Rhode Island chickens.

Joseph Larkin Brouse is secretary and treasurer of the farmers' institute. In politics, he is a Democrat. Although he is interested in political affairs, he has never held office. Mr. Brouse and family' are active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are well known in Eaton and Preble county and are highly respected for their many good qualities of heart and head.

Levi T. Shoemaker

There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pronounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. By perseverance and a directing spirit which never fails, such men always make their presence felt, while the vigor of their strong personality serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To this energetic and enterprising class of citizens Levi T. Shoemaker, a farmer living on Rural Route No. 2, out of Camden, Ohio, very properly belongs.

Mr. Shoemaker was born in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, February 15, 1878, a son of Abraham and Mary (Kindley) Shoemaker, the former a native of Virginia, born in 1840, and the latter a native of Dixon township, born in 1842. Abraham Shoemaker came to Ohio in an early day, settling in Preble county, and after his marriage located on section 33 of Dixon township. He owned about four hundred acres of land and was one of the most prosperous farmers of the township. Both he and his wife were members of the Friends church and, politically, Mr. Shoemaker was a Prohibitionist, although he sometimes voted the Republican ticket. He and his wife were the parents of four children, two of whom are still living. Daniel M. is connected with the bureau of plant industry of the United States department of agriculture, and is located at Washington, D. C. He was graduated from Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and from Johns Hopkins University with the degree of Doctor of Science. Levi T. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Robert F. is deceased. Martha married Walter A. Scott, a physician at St. John, Michigan, and had one son, Robert S. Mrs. Scott is deceased.

Levi T. Shoemaker was reared on a farm in section 33 of Dixon township, receiving his early education in the common schools of his home neighborhood, later becoming a student in Earlham College. After leaving Earlham, he took up farming and has become one of the most extensive farmers of Dixon township. He operates three hundred and twenty acres of land, which land is known as "Burr Oak Farm." Mr. Shoemaker himself owns eighty acres, and has an interest in one hundred and sixty acres with his brother and his sister's son. He is an extensive breeder of Angus cattle, his herd being headed by a good registered animal. He has been a breeder of these cattle for the past twelve years and has met with much success in this line of endeavor. Mr. Shoemaker also specializes in the raising of soy beans

On August 18, 1897, Levi Shoemaker was married to Susan E. Gillingham, who was born on a part of the George Washington estate, her father having owned two hundred acres of this estate at Mount Vernon, Virginia. She was reared there and educated in the schools of that district, later becoming a student in a private school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker are the parents of three children : Mary E., a student in the Fairhaven high school; Elsie E., a student in the public schools, and Martha A., the youngest member of the family, also is a student in the public schools.

Mr. Shoemaker and family are members of the Friends church at Westfield, Ohio, and Mr. Shoemaker is one of the elders and also one of the trustees of the meeting at that place.

Few men are better known in Preble county than Levi T. Shoemaker, a man who has always been guided by the very strictest principles of justice and fair dealing, and a man who is honored and respected for these sterling traits of character.

Orla P. Kimmel

It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by the people who know him. They see him at work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, and observe the operation of his code of morals. They witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are therefore competent to judge of his merits and demerits. The best testimonial of the character of Orla P. Kimmel is the official position which he holds. Mr. Kimmel is superintendent of the children's home of Preble county, Ohio.

Orla P. Kimmel was born in Monroe township, Preble county, Ohio, November 26, 1874, the son of Peter and Elzina (Potterf) Kimmel, the former of whom was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1838, the son of Jacob Kimmel. Peter Kimmel's wife was born in Gasper township, Preble county, Ohio. The maternal great-great-grandfather, Gasper Potterf, laid out Gasper township in this county, which bears his name. The father and mother of Orla P. Kimmel were married in Preble county. They were farmers, but in 1910, they moved to the village of Eldorado, where they now reside, honorable and respected citizens. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, as follow: William E. is a tailor at Columbus, Ohio; Della is the wife of C. H. Hart, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Irvin is married and lives in Monroe township, where he is engaged in farming; Mattie is the wife of Clem McKee, and lives in Monroe township; Orla P. is the subject of this sketch; Estey, a Jefferson township farmer, married May Emerick; Elmer L., a Monroe township farmer, married Daisy Fudge, and Minnie is the wife of Tyler L. Fudge, a farmer of Washington township.

Orla Kimmel was reared on his father's farm in Monroe township, and attended the district schools of his home township. He was graduated from the common and high schools and attended the normal school at Eaton, Ohio, after which he was a student at the Northern Ohio University, at Ada, later attending Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. He then entered Jacobs Business College at Dayton, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated, after which he was a teacher in Clark's School of Business one summer. He then was engaged as principal of the North school building at Eaton, Ohio, and served in that capacity for eight years. He taught seventeen years in the schools of Preble county, seven years of which service was spent in Monroe township, two years in Washington township and eight years as principal of the North building of the Eaton public schools, and his career as an educator is an eminently satisfactory one. Mr. Kimmel has a life certificate to teach in the state of Ohio.

Mr. Kimmel was married in 1901 to Daisy Shuman, a daughter of William and Olivia (Eidson) Shuman, who was reared in Eldorado, Ohio. She was graduated from the high school of that village and for five years was a teacher in the same school. Two -children have been born to this union, Josephine, who was born January 14, 1903, and Maxine, born February 17, 1904.

Mr. Kimmel is a member of the Masonic fraternity holding membership in Bolivar Lodge No. 82, at Eaton, and is earnestly interested in the work of the lodge. He is a Republican and for years has taken an active part in the councils of his party. He was appointed superintendent of the Preble county children's home by the trustees on February 3, 1911, and took charge of the institution on February 6 of the same year. He has held this position since that date, giving eminent satisfaction to the board of trustees and to the citizens of the county generally. Mr. Kimmel served as president of the Ohio state conference of dependent children, which was held at Columbus, Ohio. He is a pleasant and affable man, genial in disposition, and an honorable and highly esteemed citizen of the county.

Augustus Fowble

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. Augustus Fowble is one of the best-known and most highly esteemed young farmers of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio. Like his sterling father before him he has been a man of well defined purpose and has never failed to carry to successful completion any work or enterprise to which he has addressed himself.

Augustus Fowble, the proprietor of "Maple View Stock Farm" consisting of ninety acres situated one mile southwest of Eaton, Ohio, was born in Harrison township, Preble county, March 3, 1871, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Lock) Fowble.

Peter Fowble was born near Baltimore, Maryland, the son of George Fowble, and came with his parents from Maryland to Ohio, the family making their way in wagons, bringing with them all their worldly possessions. George Fowble located near Sugar Valley and soon afterwards settled on a school section in Preble county, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Peter Fowble grew up in that neighborhood and there he married Elizabeth Lock, who was born near Lewisburg, in Harrison township, the daughter of Phillip Lock. This was the third marriage of Mr. Fowble, he and his third wife being the parents of five children, all of whom are living, Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Frazier; Wesley, who married Rilla Brown; George, who married Flora Pyles; Mollie, the wife of David Rookstool, and Augustus.

Augustus Fowble was reared on a farm in Harrison township and was educated in the public schools, which he attended until he was about seventeen years old. He worked on the farm for his father until he was twentyone and was married when he was twenty-two.

Mr. Fowble married Margaret M. Sheller, April 29, 1893. She is the daughter of Ephraim and Margaret Sheller and was born in Harrison township, in the same neighborhood as her husband. She was educated in the public schools and was a teacher for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Fowble are the parents of two children, Freda B., who was born August 9, 1894, was graduated from the Eaton high school and the Wilks Business College at Dayton, Ohio, and Mary E., who was born July 30, 1907, is now a student in the public schools.

father's death two years later, he purchased eighty-five acres of the old homestead and lived on this farm until 1906, when he purchased his present farm, one of the best farms in Preble county. His house consists of fifteen rooms and a basement. Mr. Fowble is a breeder of registered Duroc hogs, his herd being headed by "Colonel Mayhon." He keeps from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of this stock all the time and sells it for breeding purposes. He also keeps other stock of high grade.

Mr. and Mrs. Fowble are members of the United Brethren church at Eaton and Mr. Fowble is one of the trustees of the church. He is a Republican but he has never taken an active part in political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Fowble have engaging personalities which have made them popular in the community in which they live. Both are well known throughout Preble county.

John H. Potterf

The student of Preble county history does not have to carry his investigation far before learning that John H. Potterf has long been one of the most active and prominent leaders in its agricultural and stock-raising interests and that his labors have been a potent force in making Preble county a splendid agricultural region. He has carried on general farming for many years and has gradually brought the farm upon which he now lives up to its present high state of production. While he has prospered in his private business, he also has found time and opportunity to assist in the material and civic developments of Preble county.

John H. Potterf, a successful farmer and the proprietor of "Beulah-land Farm" of one hundred and two acres, two miles east and three-fourths of a mile north of Eaton, Ohio, was born in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, March 26, 1853, the son of John C. and Elizabeth (Wysong) Potterf.

John C. Potterf, who also was born in Preble county, was the son of Joseph Potterf, who came to Preble county in an early day. Elizabeth Wysong was the daughter of Joseph Wysong, of Montgomery county, Ohio. After their marriage, John C. Potterf and wife moved to Preble county and lived here the remainder of their lives. He was a successful farmer and owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he lived, as well as three hundred and twenty acres in Defiance county, Ohio. He taught school in Preble county and was a merchant in West Alexandria. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Eliza, the widow of Dr. Isaac Kesling;

Amanda, the wife of George Drayer, of Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio; Elvira, the wife of Samuel Rider, of Eaton; Sarah E., the wife of Jacob Harry, of Dayton, Ohio; and John H.

John H. Potterf was reared on a farm in Preble county and was educated in the district schools, which he attended until he was eighteen years old. His father died when he was fifteen months old and after thgt-he made his home with Samuel Rider.

On March 27, 1873, Mr. Potterf was married to Isadora Borden, the daughter of George and Rosilla (Cline) Borden, who was reared on a farm in Preble county and educated in the district schools. To this union two children have been born, Daisy and Charles, the latter of whom is deceased. Daisy was born September 15, 1877, was graduated from the common schools and married Noah Wikle, of Washington township. They are the parents of two children, Martha L. and Earl P.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Potterf, they rented land for two years and then purchased a small farm. Their present farm was purchased in September, 1883. Mr. Potterf is a breeder of a high grade of hogs, cattle and horses. The buildings on his farm, which are maintained in a splendid state of repair, have all been erected by Mr. Potterf.

Mr. and Mrs. Potterf are active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Potterf is a Republican but he has never been especially active in political affairs, preferring to devote' his energies to private rather than to public enterprises. John H. Potterf deserves to rank as a representative citizen of Preble county.

Oscar W. Silver

Oscar W. Silver is widely known in Preble county, Ohio, and is one of the honored citizens of Dixon township, where he is living a life more or less retired after a strenuous period of activity in farming. Mr. Silver's welldirected effort in the practical affairs of life, the capable management of his business interests, and his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity. His life demonstrates what may be accomplished bv a man of energy and ambition, who is not afraid to work, and who has the perseverance to continue his labors in the face of any disaster or discouragement that may arise. In all the relations of life Mr. Silver has commanded the confidence and respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact. A biograph-

Oscar W. Silver, who owns the northwest quarter of section 25, township 7, north, range 1, east, of Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, was born on the southeast quarter of section 26, in the same township, called the old Silver farm, on July 24, 1844, a son of W. B. and Ann (Johnson) Silver. W. B. Silver was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, while his wife was born in Dover county, Delaware, and came to Ohio when young, locating at Waynesville, Ohio, in which latter place Mr. Silver and Miss Johnson were married. Immediately after their marriage they came to Preble county, Ohio, and located in section 26, of Dixon township. Both of them died in Kansas City, Kansas. W. B. Silver was an extensive landowner and at one time owned eight hundred acres of land. He was a Republican, and a devout member of the Quaker church. To Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Silver five sons and two daughters were born, six of whom are now living. Horatio Silver is a farmer living in Wayne county, Indiana. Margaret is the widow of Clarkson Jennings, and lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. Oscar W. is the subject of this sketch. Joseph lives in Kansas City, Kansas. Robert Silver lives in Knightstown, Indiana. Rebecca is the wife of Winfield Freeman, and lives in Kansas City, Kansas.

Oscar W. Silver was reared on the farm in section 26, of Dixon township, this county, and received his education in the district schools of his home township. He remained at home until he was past twenty-four years of age.

Mr. Silver was married in 1873 to Helena Button, who was born in Gasper township, receiving her education in the common schools. She is a daughter of George Button. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Silver settled on the quarter section where they now live. They are the parents of two children: Dr. H. Z., of Eaton, Ohio, and William B., who is unmarried

Mr. Silver is a Republican, although he has never been especially active in political affairs and has never held office, preferring to devote himself and his energies to his wife and family. He has a modem home with every possible convenience, built in 1912 at a cost of four thousand dollars. Previously, in 1907, Mr. Silver had erected on his place, at a cost of three thousand dollars, a bank barn, fifty by seventy feet, and has made many other valuable improvements on the farm, including one hundred rods of ditching for the better drainage of the place. He engages in general farming and devotes considerable attention to the raising of high-grade stock.

The Silver family are highly respected members of society in Preble county and well known in Dixon township, where they have lived for so many years.

John E. Miller

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the records the verdict of popular opinion regarding his worth as a private citizen and as a neighbor. John E. Miller has led a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well-defined purpose - elements of a true, useful and honorable life.

John E. Miller, proprietor of a farm consisting of eighty acres, one and one-half miles southeast of Eaton, on the Franklin road, was born in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, August 7, 1871, and is a son of Charles and Hannah M. (Stanza) Miller.

Charles Miller was born near Stubert, in Wurtemburg, Germany, April 1, 1838, a son of Jacob and Mary (Lutz) Miller, who lived and died in Germany. Charles Miller came to the United States in 1854, when sixteen years of age, and located at Eaton, Ohio, where he found employment at farm work. Mr. Miller was a poor young man at this time, but he later owned a large farm. Charles Miller was married to Hannah M. Stanza, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born six children: Mary C., the wife of Joseph C. Stover, a farmer of Gasper township; William E., living in Kansas City, Missouri; Hattie A., the wife of C. M. Rader, of Walla Walla, Washington; Charles F., who married Lulu Williams, and lives in Campbellstown, in this county; John E., the immediate subject of this review, and Elizabeth B., the wife of Clarence McWhinney, who lives in Jackson township in this county.

John E. Miller was reared on a farm in Lanier township, where he lived until fourteen years of age, at which time he moved to the farm which he now owns. He received his education in the district schools of Lanier and Gasper townships, and in the winter of 1890-91, he attended a commercial school at Dayton, Ohio. After leaving school he returned to the farm and has since engaged in farming.

On September 6, 1893, John E. Miller was married to Maggie G. Gilliam, who was born in Charleston, West Virginia, and was educated in the common schools of that state. She is a daughter of J. E. and Sarah E.

(Berkley) Gilliam. The Berkleys were prominent families in their native state. To John E. and Maggie G. (Gilliam) Miller were bom four children: Grace B., born January io, 1897, was graduated from the Eaton high school; Kenneth F., born June 10, 1899, is a student in the Eaton high school, in his sophomore year; Gladys I., bom September 26, 1900, is a student in the high school at Eaton; Blanche M., bom April 18, 1905, is a student in tile fourth grade of the Eaton public schools.

Mr. Miller is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and is an ardent adherent of the Democratic party. He is a prosperous farmer and progressive in all his methods of agriculture. In 1908 he erected a new, modem house of eight rooms, equipped with all the latest conveniences for an attractive country home. He is a good judge of stock and keeps only the very highest grades. Mr. Miller has long been a leader, not only in his vocation, but in civic and political movements in the community in which he lives.

Porter P. Webb

Farming as a vocation is a hard master. It requires the closest kind of application, much hard physical labor and long hours of service. It is said that the farmer's work is never done, but it is also true that man's work is never done, no matter what his vocation. The hopeful phase of farming is that men like Porter P. Webb, of Eaton, can perform the hard work connected with farming and at the same time retain their keen and active spirit of optimism. Mr. and Mrs. Webb are honorably numbered among the oldest people now living in Preble county.

Porter P. Webb was bom in Preble county, Ohio, near Camden, March 3, 1828, the son of Jacob and Nancy (Mattox) Webb, natives of New York and Virginia, respectively. Jacob and Nancy Webb were the parents of five children, John H., Abraham V., Jeannette, who was the wife of Moore Adams, of Oxford, Ohio; Lucinda, who was the wife of Charles Guild, and Porter P., all of whom, save the latter, are now deceased.

Jacob Webb was reared in New York City, where he was a shoemaker. He came to Preble county, Ohio, in 1820, and settled on a small tract of land one-half mile from Camden. He afterwards lived in Camden, where he conducted a hotel. He died in Camden, in 1854, at the age of sixty-five. Part of his life he lived in New Jersey. His wife died in 1884 at the advanced age of eighty-four. He was a soldier for a short time in the War of 1812, in which he was a captain. He carried a sword in that war which an elder brother, Abraham, had carried in the Revolutionary War. This sword is now owned and cherished by Porter P. Webb.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Webb were natives of England and lived for awhile in New York City after coming to this country. They later moved to Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and both he and his wife lived to advanced ages in Perth Ambpy, New Jersey. Their children were Abigail, Elizabeth and Jacob. The maternal grandparents of Porter P. Webb were natives of Virginia, where they died. Their family history is lost.

Porter P. Webb was born and reared in Preble county, and has lived here his entire life of eighty-six years. He lived in Camden until about eight years of age and received his schooling there. There is not a person now living in Camden who lived in that place when Mr. Webb was a child. He began huckstering when a young man and was accustomed to visit over a hundred farms on his regular rounds. There are none of the old residents now living on these farms who were living at that time.

Mr. Webb purchased some land while engaged in the huckstering business, later engaged in farming, mostly in Gasper township, where he still owns two hundred and forty acres. He lived on this farm until 1899, when he turned over the management of his farm to his sons and moved to Eaton, where he purchased a nice home, and there he is spending his declining years in the ease and comfort to which his long years of ceaseless toil and activity have entitled him.

On November 18, 1864, Mr. Webb was married to Mary Catherine Mc- Manus, the daughter of John O. and Catherine (Miley) McManus, and to this union three children were born, Edward E., Olive J., and Charles C. Edward operates the home place in Gasper township. He married Jennie Huffman, and they have four children, Grace M., Roy R., Eva E., and Stanley Arthur. Olive J. became the wife of James E. Jennings, and has one daughter, Ella Marie. Charles C, the youngest child of Mr. Webb, is unmarried and lives at home with his parents and assists with the work of the home farm.

Mrs. Webb was born in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, November 7, 1832. Her father was born in New York state, and her mother in Butler county, Ohio, and they were pioneers in Preble county. Her father died in 1852 at the age of sixty, and her mother died in 1885, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. She had acquired her second eyesight and could thread a needle and read without the aid of glasses. John C. McMa- nus and wife were the parents of eleven children, Abraham I., Sarah Ann, Mary E., John G., Margaret J., Elizabeth, Samuel M., Mary C., Lavina E., Julia A., and Charles H.

Mr. and Mrs. Webb are among the oldest settlers now living in Preble county, he having lived in the county more than eighty-six years, while his wife has been a resident of the county for more than eighty-two years. Both are intelligent and well preserved, and Mr. Webb heartily enjoys a good story or joke and has a fund of ready wit. He and his wife have a large circle of friends and both are highly esteemed by all who know them. They are industrious and frugal, and by their good management have accumulated a substantial competency. Mr. Webb was a thrifty farmer and owns one of the best farms in the county. He and his wife belong to the old school of politeness and hospitality, and their friends are legion.

Richard Edwin Morrow

After one has been born in a community, and has spent most, if not all, of his life in that community, after he has participated in public affairs and the public has had a fair chance to measure his worth, it is a splendid tribute to be honored by the ever-observant public. Richard E. Morrow, a farmer and stock breeder, of Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, the proprietor of "Spring Farm," and a former member of the Ohio General Assembly, has risen to a position of large influence in Preble county. He is wide awake, alert and well informed on all public questions, a man possessed of much native ability and equipped to be a leader of men.

Richard E. Morrow was born on the farm where he now lives, consisting of ninety acres, situated on the Dayton & Western Ohio electric traction line, December 6, 1847, the son of Richard and Sarah (Barr) Morrow.

Richard Morrow was born in Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio, January 29, 1807, the son of Andrew and Rebecca (Laughlin) Morrow. Andrew Morrow was born in Orange county, North Carolina, in 1767, and was the son of William and Sarah (Reed) Morrow. William Morrow came to America from Edinburgh, Scotland, about the year 1750, together with his brothers, George and Hugh. After a short residence in Pennsylvania, they moved to North Carolina, one brother a little later settling in South Carolina.

Hon. Richard E. Morrow

After coming to America, William Morrow married Sarah E. Reed, a native of Dublin, Ireland. He was killed in the Revolutionary War. Andrew Morrow, with his wife and family, emigrated to Ohio and located in Jackson township, Preble county, March 25, 1807. He entered a section of land in the woods, and was widely known and a prominent citizen of the community during his life. Andrew Morrow was a devout Quaker, and was opposed to slavery and left the south for Ohio for this reason. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity, John, William, Andrews Richard, Hannah, Rebecca, Rachel and Nancy.

Richard Morrow grew up on a farm in Jackson township, this county, and attended the schools of his day in a log school house. He was extremely active in neighborhood affairs and at one time owned two hundred and sixty acres. In early life he was a member of the Whig party, later a "Freesoiler," and finally a Republican. He also was a Quaker. On February 2, 1832, he married Sarah Barr, who was the daughter of Alexander and Mary (McElheney) Barr. Alexander Barr was a native of Ireland, of Scotch- Irish stock, and a devoted Presbyterian, as also was his wife. He came to America about the year 1800, and a little later married Mary McElheney, a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. After a short residence in Dauphin county, they moved to Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and about the year 1815 came to Ohio. Sarah Barr was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1810, and came to Ohio from Pennsylvania with her parents when a child of five years. Richard Morrow and his wife were the parents of nine children, five of whom grew to maturity, Sarah J., who is unmarried and lives at Richmond, Indiana; D. R., w'ho married Helen Boyle; James M., who is married and lives in Jackson township; Richard Edwin, the subject of this sketch; H. C., who married Frances Catterson, upon whose death he married Belle (Potter) Harris, of Austin, Texas, in which city he is a practicing physician. Sarah J. was graduated from a medical college in Chicago and is a practicing physician in Indiana. D. B. Morrow is a practicing physician at Dallas, Texas.

Richard E. Morrow was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He was graduated from the scientific and classical courses of the National Normal University with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts, in 1871 and 1872. Mr. Morrow was graduated in the same class with President H. B. Brown, of the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso. Mr. Morrow taught school for six years and served as superintendent of schools at Clinton, Illinois. Later he read law, and still later he began farming.

On August 25, 1880, Richard E. Morrow was united in marriage with Martha Joan Adams, daughter of Thomas B. Adams, and a graduate of the Brookville (Indiana) College. She was reared in Brookville, Indiana, until eighteen years of age and was graduated from Brookville College, after which she moved to Shelbyyille, Indiana, where ^she was married. Five children have been born to this union, D. A., Edwina, Richard B., Mary and Ruth. D. A. was graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and is employed in the department of commerce at Washington, D. C. Edwina was graduated from the Jackson township high school, and after teaching a few years, took a position with the American Book Company. Richard B. took the agricultural course at Ohio State University and is a farmer with his father. Mary was graduated from Earlham College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and is the principal of English in the schools at Bedford, Indiana. Ruth was graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Cincinnati, Ohio, and has charge of music in the schools at Lonoke, Arkansas.

Mr. Morrow is a past master of the Whitewater Valley Grange, and is a Republican, having served one term in the lower House of the Ohio Legislature, in 1898-99. Mr. Morrow was a member of the Preble county Republican central committee for sixteen years and has always been active in the affairs of this party in Preble county. Much of the time he has been a member of the county executive committee. Mr. Morrow also was chairman of the school board in Jackson township four years and served nine years as a justice of the peace. At present Mr. Morrow is independent in his political views. Mr. Morrow was foreman of the jury which tried the celebrated National Cash Register case.

Prof. Edwin H. Young

Few men realize the sacrifices which educators make in behalf of the communities which they serve. Few realize the preparation necessary for educational work, the long, hard struggle for scholastic training and the outlay in time and money necessary to obtain this training. Yet the educational profession is one of the most poorly paid of all and the accumulation of a competence is extremely difficult so long as one follows this profession. The teacher's work is, however, a work of love, in this respect comparing with that of the ministry. Educational leaders not only merit the profound respect of the community, but are to be admired for the sacrifices they endure because of their love for their work and their interest in the communities they serve. One of these unselfish and capable educational leaders of Preble county is Prof. Edwin H. Young, a teacher in the public schools at New Paris,

Prof. Edwin H. Young was born in Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, August 31, 1876, the son of Cyrus N. and Mary (McMahon) Young. Cyrus N. Young was born in Preble county, Ohio, a son of James H. and Mary (Brown) Young. James H. Young was born in 1806 in Rockingham county, Virginia, and came to Preble county, Ohio, about 1825, settling in Jefferson township. He and his wife were married in Virginia. After their arrival in Preble county they bought eighty acres of land in section twenty-two, and this land is still held by the Young family. James H. Young was a loyal and faithful member of the Presbyterian church.

James H. Young and wife were the parents of four children, Margaret, who was unmarried and died in 1896; Caroline, who died in 1909; Mary, who died at the age of eighteen, and Cyrus N., the father of Prof. Edwin H.

Cyrus N. Young was bom in Preble county, May 3, 1838, and grew to manhood in Jefferson township. He attended the public schools of the township and received a splendid education. He served one hundred days in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. On November 17, 1874, Mr. Young married Mary McMahon, who was the daughter of Thomas and Mary McMahon, of Irish descent. Five children were born to this union, four of whom are living, Edwin H., the subject of this sketch; Ada R., born October 6, 1878, who is the wife of Oliver Spencer, of Bethel, Indiana; Leonard, who is a graduate of the New Paris high school and is a farmer on the old home place in Jefferson township; and Mary, who is the wife of Amos Black, of Richmond, Indiana.

Prof. Edwin H. Young was reared on a farm in Jefferson township and was educated in the district schools. He was graduated from the New Paris high school and attended the medical department of the University of Cincinnati. Professor Young also has taken normal courses at Earlham College and Miami University. He taught two years before attending normal school and has taught six years since that time. He is serving his fifth year as teacher in the public schools at New Paris.

Professor Young was married, November 18, 1902, to Alice M. Osborn, the daughter of David H. and Martha (Newell) Osborn, who was born in Dayton, Ohio. Her father was a soldier in the Civil War and died in 1897, his wife dying in 1903. During a part of their lives they were resi-

Professor Young and wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder. Professor Young is a member of Fellowship Lodge No. 106, Free and Accepted Masons; Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons; Matchett Council No. 91, Royal and Select Masters, of Greenville, Ohio, and Richmond Commandery No. 8, Knights Templar. He is secretary of the local Masonic lodge and also a past master. He also holds membership in Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor of that lodge. He is a Republican and is now a member of the town council. For several years he has been a member of the Jefferson township public library board, of which he is secretary. Few people are better known in Jefferson township than Professor and Mrs. Young and they enjoy the esteem of all the people of the township.

Robert Steele

Fealty to facts in the analysis of the character of a citizen of the type of Robert Steele, one of the best known and most popular farmers of Israel township, Preble county, Ohio, is all that is required to make a good biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true worth of a county or state revered and respected. In the broad light which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical sketch stand revealed and secure. Though possessed of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, Mr. Steele's career has been signally honorable, and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon life's work, for it shows that the man who persists along right lines of endeavor eventually will accomplish what he sets out to do.

Robert Steele was born in Israel township, Preble county, March 23, 1852, a son of Samuel and Martha (Hays) Steele, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1814, the son of Joseph and Jeannette (Taylor) Steele, and the latter of whom was a native of Preble county, born in 1815. In the year 1818, when Samuel Steele was four years of age, his parents came from North Carolina to Preble county, Ohio, and here Samuel grew to manhood. In the fall of 1830 Joseph Steele moved from Preble county, Ohio, to Clinton county, Indiana, his son, Samuel, accompanying him. For seven years Samuel remained with his father in his Indiana home, after which he returned to Preble county, and rented a farm in Israel township. In 1840 he married Martha Hays, and seven years after his marriage bought the farm which he had so long rented, and there he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in the year 1897. His wife had preceded him to the grave many years, her death having occurred in 1879. To Samuel and Martha (Hays) Steele were bom ten children, whose names are set out in the biographical sketch of Joseph C. Steel, brother of Robert Steele, presented elsewhere in this volume, where it will be noted that the brothers spell the family name differently, Joseph omitting the final e.

Robert Steele received his education in the excellent district schools of Israel township and spent his life as a farmer, becoming known in his neighborhood as one of the most progressive agriculturists and stock-raisers in the county. On April 19, 1893, he was united in marriage with Emma Irwin, a daughter of J. B. and Emeline (VanDyke) Irwin, the former of whom was born in Oxford, Ohio, and the latter in Butler county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin were married in Preble county, and to them four children were born, only two of whom are still living, Mrs. Steele and William Irwin, who lives in Butler county. The first child of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, Mary E., married Dr. S. R. Lyons, of Richmond, Indiana, to whom she bore two daughters, Flora and Harriet. Mrs. Lyons died in 1887. Harriet, the third child and second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, died in 1884. J- B. Irwin died February 12, 1896, and his widow is living at College Corners, Ohio.

at Fair Haven; Harry K., born August 18, 1898, also is attending school at Fair Haven; Martha, born December 19, 1899, and Georgia, born December 5, 1901, all of whom are at school. These lively, happy youngsters continually make glad the hearts of their parents, and the social activities of the Steele home, on account of the presence of the young people, to which is added the influence of the well-known hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Steele, make this home one of the most attractive gathering places for the youth of that neighborhood.

has brought to a high state of cultivation. In addition to his regular farming, he makes a specialty of the breeding of high-grade, full-blooded Poland China hogs, from which annually he takes considerable profit. Both he and Mrs. Steele are earnest members of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven and take an active interest in all the good works of the community, their lives having been so ordered as to project their wholesome influence into all movements having to do with the advancement of the best interests of the community, in whose social and moral life they have proved themselves such prime factors.

Theodore W. Mitchell

There are few farmers in Washington township, Preble county, who have in the same period accomplished more in farming than Theodore W. Mitchell, who lives on Rural Route No. 3, out of Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Mitchell, by patient industry, perseverance and economy, has acquired a substantial tract of land in Washington township, and is an enterprising and progressive farmer.

Theodore W. Mitchell was bom in Washington township, near New Hope, July 25, 1857. He is a son of William L. and Catherine (Hunsaker) Mitchell, the former a native of Preble county, Ohio, the son of Nathan and Jane (Carr) Mitchell, natives of Maryland, who came to Ohio and located near Camden. They came down the river on a raft, and after locating near Camden remained in that vicinity the rest of their lives.

William L. Mitchell, the father of Theodore W., grew to manhood in Preble county, Ohio, and married Catherine Hunsaker, the daughter of [acob and Mary Hunsaker, the latter of whom was reared by a sister who lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. William L. Mitchell and wife were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living: William C., who lives at Hamilton, Ohio; Laura, the wife of I. C. Price, of Dayton, Ohio; Theodore W., the third child in order of birth, is the immediate subject of this sketch; Charles M., of Elwood, Indiana; Frank A., a farmer of Washington township in this county, and Ella B., the wife of J. D. Beard, of Dayton, Ohio.

Theodore Mitchell was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the district schools of his home township. Early in life he chose agriculture for his life work and is now the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres two and one-half miles west of

Preble Count V, Ohio

On November 13, 1881, Mr. Mitchell was married to Hernandez Swain, the daughter of John L. and Sarah (Hapner) Swain. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Washington township, this county, September 9, 1858, and received her education in the common schools of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have no children.

Mr. Mitchell is identified with the Republican party, but he has never taken an active part in the affairs of that party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 30, of Eaton, Ohio. Mrs. Mitchell is an active member of the Christian church. The Mitchells are well known in Washington township and are popular and influential in the community where they reside.

David E. Hoover

It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches in this work the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well-focused light on the individuality and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each respective career. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this character to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments, of which generic history is ever engendered.

David E. Hoover, a prosperous farmer living on Rural Route No. 1, out of Eldorado, Ohio, was born in Monroe township, Preble county, Ohio, June 20, 1865, only son of David and Malinda (Fudge) Hoover, both of whom also were natives of Preble county, the birth of David Hoover having occurred in Washington township, while his wife was born in Monroe township, this county, on June 3, 1847, the daughter of George Fudge and wife. David Hoover, Sr., spent his entire life in Preble county, his death occurring here in January, 1865.

having died six months before he was born, and when an infant he was taken in charge by his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Fudge, with whom he lived until his marriage. He was reared to the life of a farmer, attending the district schools of his home neighborhood during the winter seasons, and worked on the farm during the summers. In this way he thoroughly learned the principles of farming and early in life decided to make this location his life work. He is now the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land in sections 32 and 33, of Monroe township, on which he carries on a general system of farming and stock raising with more than ordinary success.

On February 27, 1888, David E. Hoover was married to Mrs. Laura M. (Young) Fudge, who was born in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, April 27, 1863, a daughter of Levi and Huldah (Barnhart) Young. Her father died in 1886, while her mother is still living. Mrs. Hoover's first husband was Joseph Fudge, to whom she was married in 1880, and to which union two sons were born, Clarence E., born March 1, 1881, who married Ethel Coee, and lives at Frankfort, Indiana; ttaffy M., bom January 15, 1884, who married Mary Cox, and is a resident of Eaton, Ohio. Joseph Fudge died January 6, 1886. David E. Hoover and wife are the parents of one daughter, Ethel M., born June 4, 1897, who is at home.

Mr. Hoover is an adherent of the Democratic party, but owing to his extensive agricultural interests has not given much attention to political affairs, although he is interested in any movement having for its object the betterment of his community. He is a member of Waverly Lodge No. I43> Knights of Pythias, and takes an active interest in the welfare of that fraternal organization. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are highly-respected citizens of their community and popular among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

Hiram Johnson

Among the farmers of Preble county, Ohio, who believe in following twentieth-century methods is Hiram Johnson, of Gratis township. He comes of a splendid family of early settlers in this and other parts of the country, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the community. Such people are always welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders, and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields. It is to such men, of both the past and the present, that Preble county owes its prosperity. The men who wrought there in the past laid the foundations of the great community which has since sprung up, a community which the men of the present are developing and improving, until it stands second to none in the entire broad country.

Hiram Johnson was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, August 12, 1842, a son of Jacob and Eliza (Snively) Johnson. Jacob Johnson was bom in Frederick county, Maryland, and his wife also was born in that state. They were married in Maryland and came west at an early date, settling in Winchester, Preble county, Ohio, where they remained for a short time. They then moved to a farm east of Winchester, in what is now Gratis township, where they followed farming for the remainder of their lives. Eight children were born to them, as follow: Alfred, deceased; Hiram, the subject of this sketch; Aaron, deceased; Levi, deceased; David, who lives in Montgomery; and three children who died in their early youth.

Hiram Johnson spent his early life on the farm with his parents, and on May 31, 1865, married Mary Lavaiida Baer, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January 24, 1848. To them was born one daughter, Lillie Pauline, the date of whose birth was July 16, 1867. She married George Swisher, October 29, 1887, and to them three children, two of whom are living, were born, Ada Victoria, born October 18, 1888; Paul J., born May 5, 1900, who died January 14, 1902, and Alice Kathleen. Ada V. married Thomas Bratton, and one daughter, Agnes Naomi, was born to them, August 13, 1906. Mr. Bratton is the son of Milligan and Anna (Cooney) Bratton, both of whom were born in Preble county, and are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bratton live on the Johnson farm and Mr. Bratton has charge of its operation.

Hiram Johnson owns one hundred and six acres of excellent farm land, one-half mile east of Gratis, and makes his home on the farm. He has improved the land during his ownership of it and has developed it into one of the finest farms in his vicinity. He has spent all his life, with the exception of six years, in Gratis township. For three years he lived in Germantown, and for a like period in Lanier township, Preble county. He has now retired from active work on his farm and is enjoying the fruits of his former labors.

Politically, Mr. Johnson has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his community, but has never considered himself affiliated with any given political party, it having always been his custom to vote for a man, rather than for the party which he represented. That his views regarding the affairs of his community have been considered of value by his neighbors is witnessed by the fact that he has served his township as road supervisor for fourteen years, and that for two years he also was a school director.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Progressive Brethren church and take an active part in all the work of that church. In all phases of life's activities Mr. Johnson has been enterprising and progressive, winning the praise and commendation of all who know him because of his energy, indomitable spirit and the success which he has attained.

John C. Stover

The development of Preble county, Ohio, has now reached the stage that practically calls for the retirement of the pioneers who have borne the brunt of the hardships and have conquered the wilderness for all time. Many of those hardy early settlers have passed beyond to receive the ultimate reward for the good services they rendered while fulfilling their destinies on earth. The burdens of their responsibilities have been shifted to the shoulders of the sons and grandsons, who are most ably filling the places left vacant by the retirement or death of their fathers. The present generation of Preble county's citizens is "making good" in every sense of the term, profiting in a great measure by the teaching and experience of their fathers and receiving the additional benefits of the scientific knowledge now obtainable for the promotion of all important pursuits. It is from these descendants of the pioneers who founded and developed this county, and the success which is now attending them, that much of the interest of a history of the county is gained.

John C. Stover was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, December 31, 1853, a son of Jacob F. and Catherine M. (Chrisman) Stover. Jacob F. Stover, the subject's father, was a son of Daniel Stover, a native of Virginia., who settled in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, in 1826. Daniel Stover's wife was Susannah Funk, who died in Lanier township in 1870.

Mrs. Catherine M. (Chrisman) Stover, the subject's mother, was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, March 17, 1829, a daughter of John and Susan (Hall) Chrisman. On February 20, 1820, John Chrisman married Mrs. Susan Hall, the widow of Richard D. Hall, who emigrated from Newmarket, Maryland, in 1809, the year of his marriage. Mrs. Chrisman's maiden name was Fishborn. She was born in Frederick county Maryland, February 8, 1791, and, when very young, went with her parents to Baltimore, Maryland. She later became a resident of Newmarket, Maryland, and from that place came with her first husband to Preble county, Ohio, and settled on the farm where she was living when John Chrisman married her. She continued to live on that farm until the time of her death, which occurred June 10, 1877.

John Chrisman was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, September 13, 1797, a son of Daniel and Mary (Ozias) Chrisman, who also were natives of Guilford county, Daniel Chrisman having been born there in 1775, a son of Jacob Chrisman, who was born in Pennsylvania. Daniel Chrisman emigrated from North Carolina in 1803 and came to Warren county, Ohio, with his son and his wife's parents. The little party was six weeks in making the journey, and finally settled near Springborough, Warren county, Ohio, where Grandfather Jacob Chrisman spent the remainder of his life, having died there in August, 1805. Daniel Chrisman moved to Preble county, Ohio, with his family and settled in Gratis township, but spent the latter part of his life with his youngest son, Daniel, in Washington township, where he died on February 12, 1861. His wife died on March 2, 1851. Both Jacob and Daniel Chrisman were members of the Presbyterian church.

To Mr. and Mrs. John Chrisman were born two daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine. Elizabeth married Henry Riner, and to them were born three children, Charles W., Susie and John C. Catherine married Jacob F. Stover, and to them was born one son, John C. Stover, the subject of this sketch. John Chrisman was a member of the German Baptist, or Dunkard, church.

John C. Stover received a common-school education, and, after having completed his studies, followed in the footsteps of his father in the calling of agriculture, having settled on the old homestead of one hundred and seventy acres, which has been in the family since 1809. On October 11, 1883, he married Naomi E. Henkel, a daughter of Dr. G. C. and Catherine (Martin) Henkel. Doctor Henkel was bom in Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, a son of Rev. Andrew Henkel, who organized the Lutheran church in the territory which includes Toledo and Cincinnati, Ohio. Rev. Andrew Henkle was a clergyman of great prominence. Dr. G. C. Henkle died in 1912.

low: Harry J., born September 19, 1884, who is a farmer and is living at home; Charles, born July 18, 1886, who died July 18, 1888, and Susie K., born July 16, 1891, who lives at home and is a musician who possesses great talent for both vocal and instrumental music.

John C. Stover still assumes active charge of the operation of his farm, which he has developed and expanded until he is now the owner of six hundred and thirty acres of well-improved farm land. He devotes the farm to general farming and, in addition, breeds and raises high-grade live stock. He shares his home with Mrs. Jacob Stover, his mother. The members of the family are all loyal supporters of the Brethren church and are active in all church work.

Mr. Stover is recognized as a man of sterling worth, whose life is closely interwoven with the history of the community which he has taken such an active part in building up, and his efforts have always been put forth in behalf of the advancement of the neighborhood. In this he has been ably seconded by Mrs. Stover and by the other members of his family, all of whom have led well-regulated and industrious lives, which fully entitle them to representation in a history of Preble county.

Frank Gazell

In past ages the history of a country was confined chiefly to the records of its wars and conquests. Today, history is largely a record of commercial activities and those whose names are foremost in the annals of the nation are those who have become leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are of mind over matter and the victor is he who can most successfully establish, control and operate commercial enterprises. Frank Gazell, of West Alexandria, Preble county, Ohio, is one of the strong and influential citizens whose life is an essential part of the history of Preble county. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing in the right place and time are the chief characteristics of Mr. Gazell. These, combined with every day common sense and guided by strong will power, are concomitants which will insure success in any undertaking.

Frank Gazell, a tobacco buyer and dealer in leaf tobacco, at West Alexandria, Preble county, Ohio, was bom February 27, 1866, at Gratis, Ohio, the only son of William Frederick and Sarah Jane (Focht) Gazell, who were the parents of three children, of whom Frank is the eldest. The other two are Mrs. Clara Smith, of Gratis, Ohio, and Mrs. Maggie Bowman, of Richmond, Indiana.

William Frederick Gazell was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, October 17, 1843, and left Germany with his parents when seven years old. His parents settled in Darke county, Ohio, and Frederick Gazell worked as a laborer in his younger days. He was a soldier in Company F, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War, and also took part in the pursuit of Morgan's raiders. In 1873 he went into the tobacco business, in which he is still engaged at Gratis, Ohio. William Frederick Gazell is the son of Michael and Barbara (Kayler) Gazell. Michael Gazell was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Daner) Gazell. Jacob Gazell was born in the Black Forest and was of French descent. He was a forest protector, and was a justice of the peace for fifty years. Michael Gazell was a shoemaker in Germany, where he worked until coming to Darke county, Ohio. He worked at his trade after coming to this county until his death. Mrs. Frederick Gazell, the mother of Frank Gazell, was born in' June, 1847, in Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of Michael and Mary Magdalene (Sweeney) Focht, natives of Pennsylvania.

On November 22, 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Gazell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Just previous to this happy event, Mr. Gazell had spent six weeks on a hunting trip in northern Wisconsin, where he had killed a bear, the carcass of which he brought home and which provided a fine roast for the golden-wedding dinner. Mr. Gazell was then past seventyone years of age. His sight still is strong and his aim is just as accurate now as it was then. He has spent thirty-five autumns on hunting trips after big game, having killed a moose on one of his recent trips, and has many fine trophies of the hunt and chase.

Frank Gazell attended the schools at Gratis, Ohio, and worked with his father in the tobacco business until 1903 when he moved to West Alexandria and began dealing in leaf tobacco, which has been his business ever since. Mr. Gazell owns property in West Alexandria and is a shareholder in the Twin Valley Bank, of West Alexandria, as well as in the National Bank at Eaton, Ohio.

Mr. Gazell was married in 1894 to Minnie Dewitt, who was born in 1867 n^ar McGonigle's Station in Butler county, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob and Mahala (Freeman) Dewitt. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gazell.

son of Willis and Elizabeth (Beard) Dewitt, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Butler county. Jacob Dewitt grew up in Butler county and lived there about fifteen years after his marriage, at the end of which time he came to Preble county, locating on a farm northwest of Camden, where he remained for a time and then moved to the town of Gratis, where he lived about thirty years, his death occurring there in 1901. His wife, Mahala Freeman, was born in Oxford township, Butler county, Ohio, a daughter of Warner and Martha (Cross) Freeman, the former of whom was bom in Hartford, Connecticut, and the latter in Lexington, Kentucky. Willis Dewitt was of French descent and his wife, Elizabeth Beard, of English ancestry. Martha (Cross) Freeman also was of French descent. Warner Freeman's father, John Freeman, was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, his service with the Connecticut troops beginning when he was seventeen years of age and covering the seven long years of that great struggle for independence. Jacob Dewitt served his country as a Union soldier during the Civil War, serving three years and seven months as a member of Company C, Sixty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Politically, Mr. Gazell is a Republican. In 1887 he was elected township clerk of Gratis township and held this office for four years. Later he was township treasurer for two years. In 1893 an(l 1897 Mr. Gazell was postmaster at Gratis, Ohio, and also corporation treasurer of Gratis. In all of his official positions, Mr. Gazell has acquitted himself as one who fecognizes fully the true meaning of public service and has a commendable record in every political position which he has been called upon by the people of his community to fill.

Albert R. Graham

Prominent in the affairs of Preble county, Ohio, and distinguished as a citizen of Twin township, whose influence extends beyond the limits of the community honored by his residence, is Albert R. Graham, a man whose work is conspicuous among the successful farmers and stock breeders of Twin township. His undertakings have been actuated by noble motives and high purposes, characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality. His success and achievements but represent the results of utilizing native talent and directing his efforts along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way.

Albert R. Graham, a prominent farmer of Twin township, was born February 26, 1872, in Johnson county, Missouri, a son of Robert and Nancy (King) Graham, to whom eleven children were born. Robert Graham was born October 5, 1843, in Johnson county, Missouri, and farmed in that state until 1897, when he retired from active farm life and moved to Centerview, Missouri, where he remained until 1909, in which year he moved back to the farm, where he died on February 2, 1914. Robert Graham was county commissioner of Johnson county for two years. His wife, Nancy King, was born in 1847, in Tennessee, and now is living with her daughter, Mrs. Laura Towers, at Albany, Oregon.

After attending the district schools of Johnson county, Albert R. Graham took a course at the State Normal School, at Warrensburg, Missouri, after which he attended the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois, where he was graduated in 1894. Following his graduation from the business college he engaged in the general merchandise business with his brother, Charles, at Centerview, Missouri. After remaining in this business one year, he sold his interest, and took up farming in Johnson county, Missouri. In 1900 he bought one hundred acres of land in that county, but his wife being a native of Preble county, Ohio, Mr. Graham sold out his interests in Johnson county, Missouri, in 1905, and came to Ohio. He rented land here until 1911, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from his father-in-law in section 12 of Twin township.

Albert R. Graham was married, June 3, 1896, to Susan Markey, who was born March 30, 1877, on the present farm, a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Hart) Markey, natives of Preble county. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are the parents of nine children, Barbara, Caroline, Robert, Amy, Stella, Russell, Joe, Jane and Saxon.

The paternal grandparents of Albert R. Graham were Guy and Nancy (Hobson) Graham, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter a native of Missouri, in which latter state they died. Robert Graham, the father of Albert R., was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in 1862, at Sedalia, Missouri, in a company of Missouri cavalry, and saw most of his service in the state of Missouri. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

As has been stated, Albert R. Graham was one of eleven children, the others being Ella, Mattie, Charles, George, Oscar, Guy, Jesse, Stella, Paul and Lora. Ella, now deceased, was the wife of Frank Woolridge, who was warden of the state penitentiary at Jefferson City, Missouri. Charles is a resident of Centerview, Missouri. George was a soldier in the Spanish- American War, and is now living at Magnolia, Missouri. Oscar is deceased.

Guy is a resident of Idaho. Jesse lives at Walla Walla, Washington. Stella is deceased. Paul lives on the home place in Missouri and Lora is living in Oregon.

Albert R. Graham, in his career as a farmer, has made a specialty of raising corn, and his profits from this crop have enabled him to make many splendid improvements upon the farm where he lives. He is rated as one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Preble county, and is well known and highly esteemed in Twin township. Politically, Mr. Graham is a Democrat, although he has never been active in the councils of his party. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife holds to the faith of the Progressive Brethren.

William L. Burtner

The science of agriculture finds an able devotee as well as a successful practitioner in the person of William L. Burtner, who is widely known in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio. His father was a well-known farmer of Twin township and played a prominent part in the general development of Preble county. William L. Burtner believes in following twentiethcentury methods and his success as a farmer is due largely to the improved methods he has always used.

William L. Burtner, a well-known farmer and stockman of Twin township, was born May 26, 1867, in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Campbell) Burtner to whom three children were born, Alice, who lives at Rhode Island, New York; Charles, of Tiffin, Ohio, and William L., who was the eldest child.

Joseph Burtner was born in 1842 in Ohio. He farmed first in Lanier township, this county, also five years in Montgomery county and continued so after coming back to Preble county, Ohio, and settling in Twin township, early in 1874. Here he purchased one hundred and six acres of land in section 15 and made extensive improvements upon this farm. Joseph Burtner came to Lanier township first about 1866, and rented land for two years. After returning from Montgomery county he farmed in Twin township until his retirement. He has been living at West Alexandria, Ohio, for the past eighteen years. His wife, who was Elizabeth Campbell before her marriage, and the mother of William L., was born in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, in 1843. Both of William L.'s parents are still living, and in this respect he is fortunate beyond the average man of his years.

William L. Burtner came to his present farm with his parents when six years of age and excepting a residence of two years in Lanier township, has lived on this farm continuously since that time. He was at one time an extensive breeder of Poland China hogs. Mr. Burtner is now renting one hundred and ten acres from his father. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of Preble county, and is one of its most respected citizens.

In 1892 Mr. Burtner was married to Emma Fouts, the 'daughter of John and Esther (Potter) Fouts, natives of Preble county. To Mr. and Mrs. Burtner, five children have been bom, Robert and Albert, twins, the latter deceased; Dorothy, Frank and Esther, all of whom live at home.

Mr. Burtner is a Republican and is a member of the advisory board for his party in Twin township and also a member of the county executive board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is active in the affairs of this lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Burtner are members of the Reformed church.

Edwin Ozias

Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character have gained a prominent place for them in the community, as well as the respect and confidence of their fellow citizens is Edwin Ozias, of Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, a leading farmer and stockman of that community, and a man of decided views and laudable ambitions. His influence ever has been exerted for the advancement of his community, and in the vocation to which his energies are devoted, he ranks among the representative farmers of Preble county.

Edwin Ozias was born, January 7, 1871, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, a son of Wesley and Elizabeth Jane (Markey) Ozias, who were the parents of six children, two daughters and four sons. Wesley Ozias was born in 1842 in Twin township, and was reared on a farm there. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of land in Twin township, and has been a very successful farmer and stockman. During his active career he made many improvements upon his agricultural holdings. He retired from active farm life in 1912, and is now living in his magnificent home located on the West Alexandria and Euphemia road. His wife, who was Elizabeth Jane Markey, was born in 1840, in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio.

remained with his parents on the farm until 1893, when he moved to Monroe county, Missouri, where he rented land, farming there until 1896. At the end of this period he removed to New Hope, Ohio, where he engaged in the grain and live-stock business for five years. In 1901 Mr. Ozias again engaged in farming, removing to his father's farm in Twin township. He now rents this farm of two hundred acres, and is himself the owner of seventy acres of land in Pike county, Ohio.

Edwin Ozias was married in 1893 t0 Leona Royer, who was bom December 6, 1874, in Johnson county, Missouri, a daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Elliott) Royer, the former of whom was a native of Maryland, and the latter a native of Preble county, Ohio. To this union four children have been born, Lillian, who was graduated from the high school at West Alexandria and is now a student at the normal school at that place; Jennie K., Wesley and Agnes E., all living at home.

Mr. Ozias is a Democrat, but he has never been active in political affairs, preferring to devote his attention to the vocation which he chose for a life work, leaving the management of political matters largely in the hands of others. Mr. and Mrs. Ozias are faithful attendants of church, Mrs. Ozias being a member of the Church of the Brethren. They are highly respected in the community in which they live, and, because of their well-ordered lives, thoroughly merit the esteem and confidence of their neighbors.

William S. Cloyd

Among the citizens of Preble county, Ohio, who have built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves with large real and personal property, none has attained a higher degree of success than William S. Cloyd. With few opportunities except those his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he made an exceptional success of life and until his recent invalidism, has had the gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence and his counsels.

William S. Cloyd, a retired farmer of Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, was born, May 27, 1836, in the northeast part of Lanier township, not far from his present farm in the same township. He is the son of Stephen and Eliza (Swihart) Cloyd, the mother born in Montgomery county, Ohio, December 4, 1809, and the father a native of Virginia, born in i799» who came to Preble county, Ohio, with his parents, in 1809, driving through in a covered wagon drawn by oxen. They entered land from the government and the farm which Mr. Cloyd owns has been handed down to the present generation. The children of Stephen and Eliza Cloyd were Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, Mrs. Catherine Lopman, Mrs. Minerva Baker (deceased), . Gordon, Mrs. Nancy Baker (deceased), William S., Mrs. Hannah Brubaker (deceased), Mrs. Maria Lohman, Henry Cloyd and three who died in infancy.

Stephen Cloyd was the son of James and Catherine (Eckels) Cloyd, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ireland. In 1885 Stephen Cloyd, father of William S. Cloyd, wrote the following:

"A short history of my great grandfather from Ireland: Lived on the frontier of Virginia in 1700, and was robbed by a party of Indians (spared to be led by a white scamp) while the father and his son were gone to Richmond. They robbed the house and killed one son, then took all they wanted, and took grandmother and the negroes and put off in a hurry, going not far till they tomahawked and left grandmother for dead. She came to her senses, lived a few days and died. They went a piece farther and tomahawked all the negroes. Some of them got well. I saw one of them. She was about eighty years old. Her head was lopsided and full of dents. I believe there were but two boys left, Michael, who was with his father, and Joseph, who escaped in the woods. Michael, my grandfather, settled at Amsterdam, in Botetourt county, Virginia, and Joseph settled on New river, Montgomery county, Virginia, and was a colonel in the Revolution/'

Throughout his active life, William S. Cloyd was a hardworking farmer and a successful breeder of Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. He made many exhibits of Hereford cattle at the fairs held at Eaton, Hamilton, Franklin and Greenville, Ohio. Mr. Cloyd also was an extensive breeder of thoroughbred Duroc-Jersey hogs as well as Poland Chinas, making a specialty of the latter breed. Mr. Cloyd now owns two hundred and six acres of wellimproved land in section 12 of Lanier township. In 1907 he became affected with blood pressure on his brain and is now under the care of a physician at his home.

William S. Cloyd was married February 23, 1865, to Rebecca Campbell, who was born, August 2, 1842, in Lanier township, the daughter of William and Christina (Brower) Campbell, both natives of Preble county, the latter of whom is the wife of C. O. Daily. Maria C. was born, November 23, 1865, on the farm where her parents now live and where she also lives. Mrs. Flaura E. Daily also lives on the home place.

William Campbell was born in Preble county, March 7, 1819, a son of Captain William and Catherine (Van Ausdol) Campbell. William Campbell's wife, Christina Brower, was born, November 26, 1820. William and Christina Campbell were the parents of fourteen children, as follows : Harvey (deceased), Rebecca, wife of William S. Cloyd; Elizabeth Catherine, wife of Joseph P. Burtner; Maria (deceased), was the wife of William Coffman; Isaac, John Sevire (deceased), Nancy Alice, died at the age of sixteen years; Francis William (deceased), George Washington, Mary Ellen (deceased), was the wife of George R. Smith; Henry Milton, Carrie Elmina, the wife of Washington Marker; Elona May, wife of Sebastian Deem, and Louelly, who died at the age of nine years.

Miss Maria Cloyd has never married and has always remained at home with her parents. She attended the same schools which her mother and father before her had attended and her sister's daughter attends the same school. The Cloyd family are well known arid influential members of the Dunkard church and no family is more highly respected or better known in Lanier township.

John Winkelman

The history of the Buckeye state dates officially from 1802, in which year it was admitted to the Union. It is a record of the steady growth of a state which in the beginning was a wilderness. Each county has its share in the story of Ohio's growth and progress and every county can lay claim to some incident or transaction which goes to make up the history of the commonwealth. After all, the history of a state is but a record of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and their sturdy descendants occupy places of no secondary importance. The story of the plain, common people who constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should ever attract the attention and prove of interest to all lovers of their kind. In the life story of John Winkelman, there are no striking chapters nor startling incidents, it being merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that would stimulate the youth starting in the world to an industrious and prudent career.

the son of Cord and Rebecca (Wendt) Winkelman, who were the parents of seven children, all of whom are deceased except the subject of this sketch. Cord Winkelman was born in 1812 in Germany and remained in his native land as a farmer until his death in 1892. His wife, the mother of John Winkelman, was born in Germany and died when John was about eight years old. She was about forty years old at the .time of her death. John Winkelman left Germany, March 12, 1865, and was seventeen days making the voyage across the Atlantic. He came at once to Preble county, Ohio, and engaged in saw-mill work in Lanier township. He worked at this for seven years for one man and then rented land and started farming. In 1878 he purchased a steam saw-mill located in Twin township a mile and a half north of West Alexandria and operated it until 1914. He has handled vast quantities of lumber in Preble county. He furnished lots of lumber for bridges, and it was said that what he furnished was the best furnished in the county. He now owns sixty-two acres of land in Twin township and, in connection with his son-in-law, E. A. Loxley, is farming twenty-four acres of land, upon which they raise tobacco. It may be said that Mr. Winkelman and his son-in-law produced the largest crop per acre of tobacco that was raised in Preble county in 1914. They attribute their success to rotating crops and fertilizing both with barn-yard manure and commercial fertilizer, keeping the soil built up. John Winkelman is a prominent stockholder and director in the Farmers and Citizens Bank of West Alexandria. What education Mr. Winkelman received, he received in the schools of his native land.

John Winkelman was married in 1872 to Sarah J. Hoops, who was born, October 20, 1853, in Kentucky, the daughter of William and Anna (Tabelman) Hoops, natives of Germany, who came to Preble county from Kentucky when she was only three or four years old. To Mr. and Mrs. John Winkelman, six children have been born, William C. and Caroline, deceased; Leonard, a farmer of Twin township; Esther, the wife of Elmer Loxley, who lives with her parents ; John, who is a school teacher of West Alexandria, anck George E., a farmer of Twin township. Leonard married Ida Coleman and has one daughter, Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Loxley have one little son, John Paul. John married Hazel Ozias, and has a son and a daughter, Mildred and Richard. George married Mary McGregor and has two sons, Charles and Wilbert.

Mr. Winkelman for years has been prominent in the affairs of Twin township and served as township trustee for a period of twelve years and served nearly as long on the school board. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party. Religiously, Mr. Winkelman is a member of the

Lutheran church and is an elder of that denomination and, therefore, active in the affairs of this faith. Throughout his life, John Winkelman has been a hard working, industrious citizen and is honored by the people of his community for his industrious habits.

Hon. Will E. Murphy

Preble county has been the birthplace of a brilliant galaxy of noted law makers, physicians, ministers - in fact, it is hard to mention a profession in which one or more of Preble county's sons has not won distinction. A legislator and now a progressive tiller of the soil, Hon. Will E. Murphy is one of Preble county's best known sons. He served as a member of the eightieth General Assembly of Ohio from 1913 to 1915, having been the fourth Democrat ever elected to the Legislature from Preble county.

The Hon. Will E. Murphy, who is now the proprietor of "Meadow Lawn Farm," was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 9, 1857, the son of Peter and Cerena (Van Gordon) Murphy, who were the parents of six children: Sallie M., the wife of J. E. Anderson; Lewis D., deceased, who

The paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Murphy was bom in Ireland, his son, Cornelius Murphy being the father of Peter Murphy, father of the subject of this sketch. Peter Murphy was elected sheriff of Butler county, Ohio, and served two terms ; he also served one term in the state Senate, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. He was well known and popular and was a member in high standing of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Cerena Van Gordon was born in Butler county, Ohio. Her father, Benjamin Van Gordon, served two terms in the lower house of the Ohio Legislature, from Butler county, as a Whig, in the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth General Assemblies of Ohio. The last days of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Murphy were spent in Hamilton, Ohio.

Reared as a farm boy, Will E. Murphy was educated in the common and high schools and attending the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. After his marriage he moved to Dixon township, Preble county, in 1881, and there lived two years, after which he moved to Somers township, where he lived until 1896, in which year he sold his farm and moved to Camden, Ohio, where he remained until 1909, in which year he located on his present farm

Preble Countv, Ohio

On January 28, 1880, Mr. Murphy married Nannie I. Vinnedge, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, the daughter of M. P. Vinnedge, to which union one child has been bom, Peter V., who was graduated from the Camden high school and attended the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and who married Ethel Flora, a daughter of Josiah Flora.

The Murphy family always has been found in the country's councils, serving wisely and well. Mr. Murphy's brother, Clarence, is one of the judges of the common pleas court of Butler county, and is the youngest man ever elected probate judge in Butler county. Fraternally, Mr. Murphy is a member of Camden Lodge No. 259, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Murphy is a member of the Presbyterian church of Camden, Ohio. Mr. Murphy is well liked throughout the county and is well known in Ohio. As a legislator he served his constituency ably and without prejudice. As an agriculturist, he applies that keen intelligence which has at all times distinguished him, in consequence of which he has met with deserved success.

Perry A. Marker

A great English poet has said that the proper study of mankind is man. No truer statement ever was made. To be able to trace one's ancestry back through past generations and find that they have occupied high and honorable positions in their country is a source of genuine satisfaction and deep gratification. The Marker family of Preble county, Ohio, has a family tree of four generations which dates back to Germany, from which country the family came. Throughout these several generations the Marker family has been one of high ideals and patriotic devotion, whether to their native land or to the country of their adoption. Perry A. Marker is one of the well-known farmers and stockmen of Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, and one who is thoroughly conversant with all of the latest scientific methods of agriculture.

Perrv A. Marker was born, March 22, i860, in Montgomery county, Ohio, a son of Paul and Margaret (Myers) Marker, who were the parents of seven children. Frank lives in Laporte, Indiana. Mrs. Ellen Hoffman lives in Topeka, Kansas. Mrs. Martha Marker is a resident of Washington township in this county. Mrs. Laura Schnabel lives in Ohio. Perry A., the fifth child, is the immediate subject of this sketch. Mrs. Julia King, formerly of Camden, this county, is deceased, and Mrs. Dora Long lives in Los Angeles, California.

Paul Marker was bom in 1826, in Montgomery county, Ohio, and came to Lanier township, Preble county, in 1876, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he farmed until his death in 1880. His wife, who was Margaret Myers before her marriage, was born in Cincinnati, in 1832, and is now living with her son, Perry A. Marker. Her parents came from Germany.

Perry A. Marker attended the district schools of Montgomery and Preble counties, and after his father's death, took charge of his farm until he was twenty-one years old. The mother then sold the farm, after which Perry A. bought and sold several different farms. In 1906 he purchased his present farm, which is located in section 30, of Twin township.

Mr. Marker is a scientific farmer and an active member of the agricultural society of Preble county, and as such he has exerted a wide influence in the matter of securing better agricultural methods in Preble county, and is a man extremely popular in this society. Mr. Marker is the correspondent for several farm journals and has devoted his attention to answering questions of inquiry directed to the agricultural departments of the same. He is an extensive breeder of Percheron horses and Shorthorn cattle and has made exhibits at the county fair at Eaton, and at several fairs in Indiana.