Preble County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 6 of 13)

Doctor Bittle is a Democrat and is always more or less interested in political affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Doctor and Mrs. Bittle are members of the United Brethren church and are active in the affairs of this denomination. Dr. Seymour Bittle is a man who, while he has devoted himself industriously in the practice of his profession and to his own personal business interests, has not failed to give to worthy public interests and movements the attention which they deserve from representative citizens. Doctor Bittle is a representative citizen of Preble county, and a man who especially, because of his professional success, is entitled to representation in this volume.

Mrs. Cevilla Finney

Mrs. Cevilla Finney needs no introduction to the people of Preble county since her entire life has been spent in this county. Her life has been devoted not only to the comfort and happiness of her family, but to the welfare of all the people of the community. Mrs. Finney is an honorable representative of one of the well-known families of Preble county, her father having filled no small place in the industrial life of this county in his day and generation. Mrs. Ci villa Finney, the widow of the late Lewis Finney, who died in 1910, is a splendid type of the intelligent, progressive, public-spirited woman, of the present generation. She is a woman of ex-

Mrs. Cevilla Finney was born on October i, 1851, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of Christian and Mary (Richard) Disher, to whom four children were born, Mrs. Finney, who was the eldest; George,* who is a farmer in PreUejawiHty; Mafe*hia:s,**who lives in Harrison township, this county, and Mrs. Elizabeth Horn, of Lewisburg, this county.

Christian Disher was bom on October 6, 1825, in Virginia, and came to Preble county, Ohio, when four years old with his parents. He was reared on a farm and remained on a farm until his death, on February 12, 1897, a* ^e age of seventy-two years. His wife, who was Mary Richard, was born in Preble county on November 30, 1830, and died here on April 21, 1888, aged fifty-eight years.

After attending the district schools of Harrison township, Mrs. Finney attended the public schools of Euphemia, Ohio. She was married at Brookville, Ohio, in 1879, to Lewis Finney, who was bom in Warren county, Ohio, March 20, 1848, and who passed away on February 9, 1910. Lewis Finney was a son of Patrick and Margaret (Nolder) Finney, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Ohio. Lewis Finney was a shoemaker by trade, having learned this trade prior to 1875. He was reared in the town of Morrow, Ohio, his father having been a boot and shoe maker, who learned his trade in Philadelphia after coming from Ireland. In 1861 Lewis Finney came to this county, locating at Lewisburg, where he started a boot and shoe store. He began on a small scale but built the business up gradually and acquired an extensive trade in shoes and boots. At the time of his death, he owned several business blocks in Lewisburg and farm land in Harrison township, this county.

Mr. Finney at one time belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. At the time of his death he was president of the Preble County Horse Thief Detective Association. He was a prosperous, enterprising citizen and upright in all of his business dealings.

Mrs. Finney now owns three hundred and forty-six acres of highly productive and fertile land in Preble county. Besides this extensive interest in farm property, Mrs. Finney also owns many city lots in Dayton and Lewisburg, Ohio. She is a heavy stockholder in the Lewisburg Electric Light Company and gives to all of her business interests her personal attention.

thinker and freely recognizes the good done by all religious denominations. In this respect she is nobly carrying on the work of her departed husband.

Mr. and Mrs. Finney were the parents of one daughter, Mrs. Josephine Markey, who was graduated from the Lewisburg high school and who also attended the music school at Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. Mrs. Markey is a talented musician and popular in a wide circle.

It is a pleasure to the biographer of this volume to present the life story of a woman who is so prominently identified with all of the public movements in Harrison township, a woman who is known far and wide for her unselfish character and her many good works. Mrs. Finney is one of those women who are eminently entitled to representation in a volume which contains the life stories of the leading men and women of Preble county.

Allen Garber

In the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competency and a substantial career on the part of the average farmer, fighting the everyday battles of life, there is little to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter. There are noble and moral lessons in the lives of the man, who without other means than a clear mind, a strong arm and a true heart, wins fortune and gains not only a temporary reward for his toil but also that which is better and higher, the respect and confidence of those with whom his sphere of active life has placed him in contact. Such a man is Allen Garber, a retired farmer of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio.

Allen Garber was born on February 6, 1838, in Montgomery county, Ohio, the son of Jonathan and Katherine (Rife) Garber, who were the parents of seventeen children, Calvin B., born on December 18, 1836, died in infancy; Allen, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah Comer, born on October 19, 1839, deceased; Mrs. Nancy Miller, born on December 10, 1840, deceased; Mrs. Hannah Kimmel, born on April 4, 1842, deceased; Daniel B., born on May 1 2, 1843, now living in Darke county, Ohio; Jacob B., bom on June 23, 1844, living in Auburn, Illinois; Mrs. Mary Bowman, born on March 28, 1846, deceased; Elizabeth B., born on January 1, 1848, now living on the home place; Catherine, born on April 30, 1849, also living on the home place; Mrs. Hetty Miller, born on July 14, 1850, now living in Jefferson township; Mrs. Barbara Miller, born on September 27, 1851, now living in Monroe township; Mrs. Rachel Kuhns, born on April 30, 1854, now living in

Montgomery county; Jonathan, born on February 17, 1856, now living in Montgomery county; Samuel, born on April 25, 1858, now living in Montgomery county; George, born on January 6, i860, also living in Montgomery county, and Ruth, born on November 24, 1861, deceased. George, Elizabeth and Catherine own the home farm where the three live together.

Jonathan Garber was born in 1814 in Rockingham county, Virginia. He was a shoemaker by trade, having learned this trade in Virginia. He came to Ohio in an early day, locating in Montgomery county, where he engaged in farming, and where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1890. His wife was born in 1815 in Rockingham county, Virginia and died in 1874.

Allen Garber was devoted to the farm from the time he was old enough to do odd chores. He attended the district schools of Montgomery county but was compelled to work most of the time and it was not possible for him to obtain a very liberal education. He came to Preble county, Ohio, October 27, 1867, and began farming his father's land. He rented for a time and then purchased one hundred and five acres. Mr. Garber now owns two hundred and ten acres in Harrison township, comprising a well-improved farm. During the period of his active career he was an extensive breeder of Holstein cattle and made many exhibits at Darke and Preble county fairs. At one time he was engaged in the implement business at West Sonora and sold the first wheat binder that came into Preble county. Mr. Garber has lately moved to his modem home situated on ten acres of land in section 22 of Harrison township and here he will spend the remaining days of his life, surrounded by all of the comforts which his early toil has won.

Allen Garber has been married twice, the first time, in 1867, to Katherine Kimmel, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and who died in 1871. Two children were born to this union, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Garber married, secondly, in 1876, Adeline I. Hapner, who was born on March 1, 1845, m Warren county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Morgan M. and Minerva (Snorf) Hapner, the former of whom was born, November 12, 1818, in Preble county, and died on August 15, 1851, and the latter of whom was born on May 9, 1823, in Warren county and died on January 22, 1906.

To Allen and Adeline (Hapner) Garber, five children have been born, as follows: Lee R., of Indianapolis, Indiana; Alpharati, who lives at home; Virgil, of Harrison township; Mrs. Nina Hecathorne, of Eaton, Ohio, and Mrs. Vina Rider, who lives on the home place.

ship, a position which he filled with credit to himself and to the people who elected him to this position. He is an active member of the agricultural board and is recognized as a man familiar with all the "ins and outs" of farming, his advice frequently being sought by young farmers of the present generation. He is highly respected and honored by nil the citizens of the locality wherein he resides.

Harry H. Flory

Splendid achievements always excite admiration. Men of large deeds are the men the world delights to honor. Ours is an age representing the greatest progress in all lines of material activity. The man of initiative is the one who forges to the front. Among the well known citizens of Preble county, Ohio, and among those who have been prominent in many lines of activity, a place of priority must be accorded to Harry H. Flory, of Harrison township. He is, in the fullest sense of the term, a lpi*ogfe9sive, self-made American, thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the advanced age in which he lives, conducting his fanning and business matters as carefully and as systematically, as do those at the head of great industrial enterprises in the city. In all of his career he has displayed an aptitude for successful management. He has not permitted the accumulation of a competence to affect in any way his actions toward those less fortunate than himself and is a most sympathetic and broad-minded man, in consequence of which he has a host of warm and admiring friends.

Harry H. Flory. the son of James A. and the grandson of Henry Flory, was born, February 15, 1877, in Lewisburg, Ohio. In March, 1877, his father moved out along the county line, three and one-half miles northeast of Lewisburg, to a place known as the Adam House estate. At this time the country was mostly wooded. James A. F'lory cleared his farm and for many years afterwards was engaged in the nursery business, making a specialty of small fruits. There he reared his family of five children, Harry, Pearl, John, Charles and May.

In 1872 James A. Flory married Margaret Brock, a member of one of the pioneer families of Darke county. Margaret Brock had been put into the hands of strangers near Middletown when a little girl on account of the death of her mother, who left a family of eleven children. When she had reached maturity she came to Preble county, locating at Lewisburg, where she worked for John Snyder, a hotel keeper, until her marriage. The entire Brock family became well known for their family reunions and the longevity of the members of the family. The youngest of the family of eleven children was fifty-five before there was a break in the family. Daniel, who was the first to die, passed away in January, 1915.

James A. Flory served four years as a Union soldier in the Civil War and wrote a history of Sherman's march to the sea. He and his wife are now retired from the farm and live in Dayton, where they will spend their declining days. The sons are know* for miles around for their gigantic size and the part they have taken in building up the community. They are well scattered in this country. Pearl is engaged in business in Cleveland ; Charles lives in Chicago; John in Dayton and Harry on the old home farm. These sons and the daughter have made it possible for their father and mother to see some of the wonders of the world, in fact, the entire family has traveled widely, seeing the best things the world has to offer.

Harry H. Flory married Jennie Furry, the daughter of Martin Furry, who lives near Johnsville, Ohio. To this union there was born one child, Isabella, who died on August 11, 1903.

Harry H. Flory has been popular for many years as a public speaker and campaign orator and debater. He is a temperance speaker of rare force and eloquence and has become famous throughout eastern Ohio as one who speaks straight from the shoulder and tells plain truths in a forceful way. He possesses an extensive library and has been a student from the time he was seven years old. He still puts in a great deal of time in his library. He is an extensive contributor to magazines and farm papers and is the author of "Little Brown's Pioneer History."

, Mr. Flory has been a farmer since leaving the law office of Charles W. Finch in Dayton in 1902. He is a man who follows strictly scientific principles on the farm and has been engaged in the general stock raising business for the past twelve years. During this period he has raised and sold more hogs than any other man in Harrison township. Mr. Flory is rated as one of the foremost citizens of Preble county. He is a power in Preble county and a booster in all things. He and his good wife believe in following in the footsteps of the Master and are devoutly religious in all of their thoughts and actions. They believe in the efficacy of prayer and that there is a Supreme Being who will answer the supplication of His faithful servants on this earth.

William A. Corwin

Among the representative farmers of Preble county is the subject of this sketch, who owns a splendid farm in Harrison township. Mr. Corwin is carrying on various phases of farm industry with discretion and energy and is sure to find definite success. He has always been a hard worker, a good manager and a man of economical habits. Being fortunately situated in a thriving farming community, it is no wonder that he stands today in the front ranks of the agriculturists of this favored locality.

William A. Corwin, a tobacco grower and farmer, was born, March i, 1849, on the farm he now owns. He is the son of James and Malinda (Grisson) Corwin, to whom four children were born, as follows: Cortland, who lived many years at Eaton and died at Dayton, Ohio, in 1909, was exsheriff and a farmer, merchant and hotel keeper ; Mrs. Elizabeth Arnold, who lives in Monroe township; William A., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Margaret Housman, of Harrison township.

James Corwin was born on October 10, 1816, in Warren county, Ohio, and in 1826, came with his parents to Preble county, where he farmed until his death, which occurred in 1888. He was the son of Mathias and* Margaret (Snorf) Corwin, who were of English descent and who came to Ohio from Kentucky. James Corwin's wife, who was Malinda Grisson before her marriage, was born December 19, 1814, in Virginia and died in Harrison township, this county, in 1889.

William A. Corwin was reared on the farm where he now lives and. remained with his father until he had reached his majority. He then rented land and began farming for himself. After renting for several years, he purchased the old homeplace and has made improvements costing in the neighborhood of twelve thousand dollars. He has a large, modern home and other buildings to correspond, located close to the Pennsylvania railroad line. He has eighty-five acres of well-improved land, eight acres of which is in natural timber. Mr. Corwin for years has grown tobacco and has invariably received the top price for his product. He keeps good grades of cattle, horses and hogs and they have proved very profitable to him.

On October 8, 1874, William A. Corwin was married to Amanda Fetters, who was born on December 22, 1851, in Montgomery county, Ohio, the daughter of Solomon and Katherine (Williams) Fetters, both of whom were natives of Ohio. To this union four children were bom, Wade, who is a farmer in Harrison township ; Mrs. Mazy Siler, who lives in Monroe town-

Mr. Corwin has always been interested in the educational affairs of his township and has been a conspicuous member of the school board. He also has been interested in good roads and lately has been a supervisor of a road district in Harrison township. Mr. Corwin is an ardent Republican and he and his family are members of the Christian church, in the affairs of which denomination they take an active interest. Fraternally, Mr. Corwin is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

John Whipp

Self-assertion is believed by many people to be absolutely necessary to success in life. There are good reasons for the entertainment of such belief. The honest man very rarely gets what is due him, the selfish and restive man elbows his way to the front, taking all that is in sight, until it sometimes seems that modesty is a sin, with self-denial the penalty. There are, however, exceptions to all rules and it is a matter greatly to be regretted that the exceptions to the rule are not more numerous. One notable exception is John Whipp, a prominent auctioneer of Preble county, Ohio, who lives at Lewisburg. John Whipp is a man who is possessed of sufficient modesty to be a gentleman at all times and yet sufficient persistency to win in the business world. As a result of these happily-blended qualities, Mr. Whipp has won a host of friends in Preble and adjoining counties where he is well known to all classes as a man of influence, integrity and business judgment. He is particularly well known because of his vocation.

John Whipp was born on July 29, 1849, m Warren county, Ohio, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Brels ford) Whipp, to whom fourteen children were born, four girls and ten boys. Four of the family are deceased.

. Daniel Whipp was born in Pennsylvania, in 1822. He came with his parents to Ohio, locating in Warren county, where he remained and farmed until 1858, in which year he moved to Montgomery county, where he farmed for six years and then retired, moving to Covington, Ohio, where he died in 1877. Mrs. Daniel Whipp, the mother of John Whipp, was born about 1823 in Warren county, Ohio, and died in 1895.

education. He was married when he was about twenty-one years old and for a time thereafter rented land in different localities. Finally he purchased thirty-one acres in Twin township, this county, which he farmed until 1909, in which year he moved to Lewisburg, where he had property and in 1895 began crying farm sales. He is now well known throughout Darke, Montgomery and Preble counties, Ohio, as a successful auctioneer. Mr. Whipp has cried from sixty-five to eighty sales in a single season.

In 1873, John Whipp was married to Mary Ellen Snyder, who was born on February 23, 1851, in Montgomery county, Ohio, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Shank) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. To this union four children have been born, Jesse, who lives at Lewisburg, Ohio; Mrs. Gertrude Wigger, of Harrison township; Mrs. Katherine Bierly, also of Harrison township; and Edward, deceased, who was the second child born to his parents.

Politically, Mr. Whipp is a Republican. He is a member of the Reformed church and he and his wife are prominent in the local affairs of this church. No history of Preble county would be complete that did not contain the life story of John Whipp, the well-known auctioneer.

William Toney

Men who have been fortunate in their struggle for wealth and affluence and who are the pride of the community made notable for their success are always the leaders of agriculture and business. Among the retired farmers of Preble county few have attained a larger measure of success than William Toney, of Eaton. In this century, when every modern device for farming is obtainable and when success depends for a large part on the wise management of the farmer, it is hard for us to realize the handicaps of the farmers of the last century, when farming implements were so crude and so much depended on manual labor. Despite all handicaps, privations and hardships, some farmers made a wonderful success and one of these farmers is William Toney.

William Toney was born in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, July 15, 1838, the son of Herman and Fannie (Kingery) Toney, natives of Virginia and Indiana, respectively, who were the parents of six children: William; Carey, of Dixon township; Jonathan, deceased; James, of Dixon township, and two who died young. The father of William Toney was a small boy when he was brought by his parents from Virginia to Preble county, and he grew to manhood in the latter county. He was always a farmer in Dixon township.

Herman Toney started in for himself in early manhood on one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he improved and where he reared his family. He added to this farm until he at one time owned seven hundred and twenty acres. He lived to the age of eighty-seven, and his wife died at the age of forty years. They both belonged to the German Baptist church.

The paternal grandparents of William Toney were Carey and Elizabeth Toney, natives of Virginia and pioneer settlers of Preble county, Ohio, where they were farmers. They died in Preble county, he at the remarkable age of one hundred and four and she at the age of one hundred and three. To them were born eight children: William, Archibald, Jesse, Squire, Harmon, James, Jonathan and Fannie. Carey Toney was a soldier in the War of 1812.

The maternal grandparents of William Toney were Jacob and Barbara Kingery, early settlers in Union county, Indiana, where they died. Their children were Balsar, Samuel and Fannie.

William Toney was reared on his father's farm in Preble county and attended the district schools. He lived at home until grown and then began farming one of his father's farms of one hundred and sixty acres, which his father afterward deeded to him. He lived on this farm until he moved to Eaton in 1910. He bought another tract of one hundred and sixty acres, another of one hundred and twenty and one of eighty. He gave one hundred and twenty acres to his son, Andrew H., who now resides in Eaton, Ohio.

On December 29, 1859, William Toney was married to Elizabeth Witt, the daughter of Andrew and Eleanor (Swafford) Witt, to which union three children were bom, Andrew H., Orla L. and Minta Alice. Andrew H. is a farmer in Dixon township. He married Ida Flora and they have six children : Grace, Ellen, Ambrose, Ansel, Earl and Ezra. Of these children, Grace married Richard Parker and has two children, Dearl and Andrew. Ellen married Emmett Druley and has three children, Olive, Elbert and Verl. Ambrose married Allie Hart and they have one son, Kendrick, and one daughter, Louise. Ansel married Stella Dunlap and has two children, Ivan Dunlap and Elvin Owen. Earl married Ethel Dunlap and has one daughter, Janet. Orla L., the second child of William Toney, died at the age of twenty-one, nine days after his marriage to Cora Parks. Minta Alice died at the age of one year eleven months and two days.

Indiana, July 3, 1842. Her father, Andrew Witt, came from Virginia and her mother was born in Indiana. They lived nearly all of their married life in Union county, Indiana. Her father died in 1867 at the age of fifty-six years and seven months. Her mother died November 13, 1910, at the age of ninety-six years and seven months. Mr. and Mrs. Witt were the parents of ten children, the first three dying in infancy and the others being Isaac, Elizabeth, John, Malinda, Andrew* Lewis and Ross. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. William Toney were John and Elizabeth Witt. They were the parents of eight children : Sarah, Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary, Andrew,

John, George and Daniel. Her maternal grandparents were Isaac and Sarah (Armstrong) Swafford. They also reared a large family, including Eleanor, Rebecca, Sarah, Elizabeth, Archibald, James and William.

Throughout his life William Toney has been active in the political affairs of Preble county. He is a Republican and has served as township treasurer, trustee and as school director, all of which positions he has discharged conscientiously and efficiently, and in such a manner as to earn the commendation and approval of the constituents to whom -he 'was responsible. Mr. and Mrs. Toney are active and devoted members of the Christian (New Light) church and contribute loyally to the support of this church.

Anderson Lyons

One of the most enterprising of the present generation of farmers in Preble county, Ohio, who has believed from the outset of his career that the wisdom of yesterday is sometimes the folly of today and that, while the methods of our grandfathers in tilling the soil were all right in their day, yet in the twentieth century were compelled to adopt new methods, along different lines. In view of the fact that conditions of climate, soil, etc., have changed since the days of the pioneers, Anderson Lyons has been a close observer of modern methods and is a student at all times of whatever pertains to his chosen life work. He has, therefore, met with encouraging success all along the line. Judging from his past record, he will yet achieve wider and larger success in this favored section, noted for its fine farms and skillful farmers.

Anderson Lyons, a well known farmer and stockman of Harrison township, was born on April 26, 1863, in this county, the son of Frederick and' Susannah (Link) Lyons, to whom seven children were born. Frederick Lyons was born on October 3, 1821, in Preble county, and died on September

12, 1903. He was a great potato raiser, having at one time the largest crop ever grown in Preble county. He was also noted for his large herd of Poland-China hogs. His wife, who, before her marriage, was Susannah Link, was born on November 15, 1836, in Preble county, and died on September 5, 1910.

Anderson Lyons has always lived on the farm. When a young man he attended the district schools of his locality and when twenty-two years of age, he rented land from his father in Darke county. Two years later, when he was twenty-four years of age, his father gave him one hundred and ten acres of land in Noble county, Indiana, and Mr. Lyons bought thirty acres more and farmed this for nine years. At the end of this period, he sold out and returned to Preble county, where he since has purchased one hundred and eighty-five acres of land in Harrison township. At the very first, he began making improvements on the farm by replacing the old buildings with new ones. Among other things, he has erected a thoroughly modern house and barn, which are a credit to any Preble county farm or any Preble county farmer. Mr. Lyons' house is equipped with steam heat and running water throughout, both hot and cold, and he uses an acetylene lighting system. He also has running water in the barn. All of these things Mr. Lyons planned himself and they are a distinct evidence of his genius as a successful farmer because everything is designed to fulfill two ends, comfort and utility. Mr. Lyons has twenty acres of natural timber and has set out a large orchard. He has always kept a good grade of stock on his farm. One of the unique features which may be seen on his farm is a mammoth bull, which Mr. Lyons uses in the harness along with his horses for plowing and other work. There is nothing like this to be found in all Preble county.

On November 2, 1884, Anderson Lyons was married to Jane Gantz, who was born May 31, 1856, not far from Enterprise, in Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Stiver) Gantz, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Montgomery county, Ohio. They were farmers in Preble county and both are now deceased.

To Anderson and Jane (Gantz) Lyons eight children have been born, Mrs. Clara Miles, of New Hope. Ohio; Oscar F., of Dennison, Texas; Forrest F., who is at home; Mrs. Theresa Bowers, who lives in Washington township, Preble county: Leroy I., Harry W., Grace and Mary, who are at home.

Mr. Lyons is an independent voter and he and his family are members of the United Brethren church at West Sonora and are active in the affairs of that church. Anderson Lyons is well known as an enterprising farmer, a successful business man and a good neighbor.

Casper F. Porman

In the history of Preble county, Ohio, Casper F. Portnan occupies a conspicuous place as a farmer. For many years he has been one of the representative farmers of Harrison township, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities always win success sooner or later, and to Mr. Porman they have brought a satisfactory reward for his well-directed efforts. While he has benefited himself and the community in a material way, he has also been an influential factor in the educational, political and moral uplift of the community favored by his residence.

Casper F. Porman was born in Germany, February 18, 1865, the son of John F. and Margaret Porman, to whom eight children were born, five in Germany and three in Preble county, Ohio, as follow : John H., who was bom in Germany, is deceased ; Casper F., with whom this narrative deals, is the second child ; Mrs. Mary Etzler, who was born in Germany, is now living in Harrison township, in this county; Detrich F., a farmer in Harrison township, Preble county; Mrs. Hannah Huechting, a widow now living in Euphemia, Ohio; one who died in infancy; John D., of Euphemia, Ohio, and another who died in infancy.

John H. Porman was born in 1836 in Germany and came to this country in the spring of 1874, settling in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, where he worked by the day, raising tobacco for different people. In 1881 he purchased a small farm in Twin township, and farmed there until his death in February, 1889. Mrs. John H. Porman, who, before her marriage, was Margaret Unger, was born on February 5, 1838, in Germany, and died at her home in this county, July 12, 1900.

Casper F. Porman attended the district schools of Preble county after coming here with his parents in 1874, receiving most of his education in the school at Enterprise. He started to work early in life, working as a farm hand when only thirteen years of age, giving his money to his parents until he was seventeen years old. Following this he began working for himself, and upon the death of his father took charge of the home place. He farmed this place for four years, and then moved to Twin township, where he rented land for two years. In 1895 Mr. Porman purchased the old Simmie House farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and in 1902 he sold a portion of this farm and purchased twenty-four acres in section 25. of Harrison township, and there he has made extensive improvements. This farm is located on the old National road, and Mr. Porman has built an all-modem house on this place, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, and in 1901 erected a large and commodious barn, forty by sixty feet. In 1913 he erected another residence and barn and outbuildings about as fine and substantial as the one he lives in as a home for his tenant. In addition to this, Mr. Porman has kept all his farm buildings, fencing, etc., in a thorough state of repair, and his farm presents an attractive appearance and reflects credit upon its owner. Mr. Porman now owns one hundred and nine acres of land that has been built up by him to a high state of fertility, although when he got it it was so badly run down as to be of little value. Throughout his career as a farmer he has kept high-grade live stock at all times, and makes a specialty of small grain.

In 1901 Casper F. Porman was married to Anna Glander, who was born, May 28, 1871, in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of Detrich and Martha J. (Ryder) Glander, natives of Germany and Ohio, respectively. No children have been born to this union.

Mr. Porman is a Democrat, but with the exception of serving a term as land assessor of Harrison township, which office he held in 1900, he has never been particularly active in political affairs. Mr. Porman is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and his good wife belongs to the Reformed church and both have been active in the church and Sunday school. Fraternally, Mr. Porman is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Casper Porman is a representative farmer, influential and respected citizen, who possesses, in a large degree, the confidence and esteem of his neighbors.

Henry Hinea

Self-assertion is believed by many people to be absolutely necessary to success in life. There are good reasons for entertaining this belief. The modest man very rarely gets what is due him. The selfish, aggressive man elbows his way to the front, takes all that is in sight and it sometimes seems that modesty is a sin and self-denial is the penalty. Henry Hinea, a wellknown farmer and stock man of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, is a worthy exception to this rule. Mr. Hinea is a modest man in every respect but he has possessed sufficient self-assertion to win the battles of life and he also has a host of friends in Lewisburg and vicinity, where he is well known to all classes as a man of influence, integrity and business ability. Mr. Hinea is a native of the township in which he lives and the confidence of

Hetiry Hinea was born on February 15, 1868, in Harrison township, the son of Calvin and Barbara (Studebaker) Hinea, who were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living save one, as follow: Mrs. Emma Colvill, of Dayton, Ohio; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Charles, of Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. Lula Arnold and Mrs. Mollie Hoffman, both of Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. Mamie Hoffman, of Harrison township; Mrs. Jennie Cassel, of Columbus, Ohio; Harvey (deceased), and Vernie, of Duluth, Minnesota.

Calvin Hinea, the father of Henry Hinea, was born on July 29, 1843, in Maryland, and was reared on a farm there. In 1851 he came to Preble county, and purchased a farm in Harrison township. After farming in Harrison township for a few years, he returned to Maryland to his old home and continued to live there until 1882, when he returned to Preble county and farmed until his retirement in 1890, his death occurring two years later. His wife, who was Barbara Studebaker before her marriage, was born on May 27, 1845, ,n Harrison township, Preble county, the daughter of David and Rachel (Mills) Studebaker, both natives of Pennsylvania. She died on November 4, 1914.

Henry Hinea, the subject of this sketch, has been a farmer almost all his life. His education was confined to the district schools of his neighborhood and upon leaving school, he began working as a farm hand, in which capacity, from 1887 until 1890, he worked for different persons. In the latter year, he rented land and began farming for himself. He farmed until 1906 when he moved to Dayton, Ohio, and there was employed as an electric motorman and conductor for one year. In the meantime, however, he had purchased sixty acres of land, the farm which he now owns in Harrison township. He remained in Dayton until 1908 when he moved to the farm he now owns. He has a well-improved place in Harrison township and is an extensive breeder of Duroc-Jersey hogs. He raises about one hundred and twenty-five head every year for the market, and has found hogs to be a very profitable investment.

In 1901, Mr. Hinea was married to Ida Brown, who was born on May 6, 1865, in Harrison township, Preble county, the daughter of Michael and Elmira (Dinwiddie) Brown, a sketch of whose life history and ancestry is presented elsewhere in this volume. To this union three children have been born, Grace. Frieda and Ozro, all of whom are living at home.

of his time to political affairs, in which he is naturally interested. In 1913 he was elected township trustee which office he still holds and in which he is proving to be a very efficient and successful public official. Fraternally Mr. Hinea is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Order of Moose. In every way, Mr. Hinea merits the respect and confidence which have been bestowed upon him by his fellow citizens.

David Gebhart

With rare satisfaction the biographer refers here to the life of David Gebhart, who has attained success as a farmer and stockman in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio. In such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishment, must be found valuable lessons, an incentive and a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. David Gebhart is distinctively one of the representative farmers of Preble county. For a number of years he has directed his efforts toward a successful career. By patience and well-doing he has overcome many obstacles with which his pathway was beset and today is considered one of the foremost farmers of the county.

David Gebhart was born on December 12, 1841, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of David and Margaret (Pence) Gebhart, who were the parents of five children, Mrs. Mary Ann McGriff, deceased; William, deceased; Mrs. Maria Wilson, of Darke county, Ohio; George, a retired farmer of West Sonora, Ohio; and David, who is the youngest.

David Gebhart, Sr., was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, but the date of his birth is unknown. He died in 1841 a short time before David, Jr., was born. Mrs. David Gebhart, Sr., who, before her marriage, was Margaret Pence, was born in Virginia and died in Harrison township, this county, in 1868.

David Gebhart, Jr., was reared on the farm and received a very meager education in the district schools of Harrison township. He remained on the home place until his mother's death in 1868, after which the land was divided among the children. David Gebhart, Jr., now owns one hundred and eighteen acres of well-improved land which includes about six acres of natural timber. He always has kept a high grade of stock and has been a very hard worker. In 1887 Mr. Gebhart purchased his present farm, which

Mr. Gebhart was married in 1877, to Jennie Wolf, who was born on September 11, 1857, in Preble, county, the daughter of Jacob and Christina (Paullus) Wolf, natives of the same county. Jacob Wolf was born in 1830 and was a carpenter and farmer of Preble county. He died in 1889. His wife was born on August 11, 1829, and is now living at Union City, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. David Gebhart, five children have been bom: Earl, a well-known fanner of Preble county; John, a telegrapher who lives in Idaho; Mrs. Opal Corwin, of Darke county, Ohio; Margaret, born September 5, 1893, w^° IS now living with her parents on the home place; and Otto, the second child, who died at the age of nine years.

Mr. Gebhart is a Democrat, but has never been particularly active in the councils of his party. He is well known as a frugal, industrious farmer with splendid personal habits and a man who enjoys the esteem and confidence of his neighbors.

Daniel Studebaker

Farming, to which the life of Daniel Studebaker, a well known farmer and stock man of Harrison township, has been devoted, is the oldest pursuit in the livelihood of mankind and the one in which man will ever be the most independent. Mr. Studebaker and his family have long been connected with the general growth of Preble county. While primarily attending to his own various personal interests, his life has been largely devoted to the service of his fellowmen and he has been untiring in his efforts to inspire a proper respect for law and order and has been ready at all times to uplift humanity along civic and social lines.

Daniel Studebaker was born on September 5, 1849, *n Montgomery county, Ohio, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Lock) Studebaker, to whom fifteen children were born, whose progeny, in the third generation, now number two hundred and thirty-five, fifteen children, eighty grandchildren and one hundred and forty great-grandchildren, as follow: Mrs. Amanda

Loeke (deceased), who was born on February 20, 1831, had three children and two grandchildren; David B., who was bom on February 20, 1833, and died, Mav 31, 1893, had eleven children and eight grandchildren; Mrs. Charlotte Via, born on December 15, 1835, who is now living in this county, ten children and twenty-one grandchildren; Jeremiah, born on December 15*

1836, now living in Illinois, three children and five grandchildren; Jesse, born on November 7, 1838, died March 4, 1913, twelve children and twentytwo grandchildren; Mrs. Elizabeth Rumbaugh, bom on April 21, 1840, now living at Euphemia, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Shidebaker (deceased), bom on May 28, 1842; Henry, born on October 21, 1843, who now lives at Streator, Illinois, five children and twenty-two grandchildren; Joseph A., bom on December 19, 1845, who now lives at Anderson, Indiana, one child and two grandchildren; William, born on November 10, 1847, who now lives at Logan, Iowa, two children and two grandchildren; Daniel, the subject of this sketch, two children and ten grandchildren; Jacob, bom on November 16, 1851, who now lives in La Salle county, Illinois, six children and twenty grandchildren; Benjamin F., born on July 21, 1854, who also lives in La Salle county, Illinois, eight children and sixteen grandchildren; Monroe, born on February 23, 1856, who now lives in Darke county, Ohio, nine children and one grandchild, and Mrs. Sarah Miller, born on July 11, 1859, who now lives in Euphemia, Ohio, eight children and nine grandchildren.

Jacob Studebaker, the father of these children, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1808, the son of Peter and Barbara Studebaker, the former of whom died on January 13, 1841, at the age of sixtysix years, seven months and two days, and the latter of whom died on December 8, 1840, at the age of fifty-seven years, two months and two days. Jacob Studebaker married Catherine Lock, who was born in Frederick county, Maryland, October 16, 1816, the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Wolf) Lock, the former of whom was born on December 26, 1791, and died on December 19, 1829. Following his marriage Jacob Studebaker came to Preble county and engaged in farming and carpenter work, spending the rest of his life in this county, becoming one of the most influential men in his community. His death occurred on November 1, 1872, his widow surviving him more than ten years, her death occurring on October 11, 1885.

Daniel Studebaker was reared on his father s farm and attended the district schools of Harrison township. He remained on the home place all of his life and farmed for his mother after his father's death. At the death of his mother, he purchased from the estate eighty acres of land and now owns ninety-five acres of well-improved land. Mr. Studebaker has built three dwellings upon the farm for his children who are married. He has made many other improvements. He has always kept a high grade of live stock and has specialized in Poland-China hogs. He owns four acres of natural timber and has a young orchard, comprising three acres.

was born on October 19, 1844, in Virginia, the daughter of John and Katherine (Leprad) Sink, both natives of Virginia and both now deceased. To this union two sons were born, Wilbert, who is farming the home place; and Jasper A., who is a farmer in Harrison township.

Politically, Mr. Studebaker is a Democrat but has never been especially active in political affairs, although he has served the people of his township as road supervisor. He and his family are members of the Christian church.

John Gangwer

Among the prosperous farmers of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, who have a comfortable home and who are surrounded by all the comforts of life, few have attained a higher degree of success than John Gangwer. Mr. Gangwer is a man of tireless energy and rare courage. He is an able and conscientious worker and in his life has overcome many difficulties. As a citizen he is public-spirited and enterprising to an unwonted degree. As a friend and neighbor he has combined those qualities of head and heart which have won confidence and commanded respect. His life is a splendid example of what an American youth, endowed with common sense, energy and determination, can accomplish when accompanied with good moral principles. From any point of view John Gangwer must be considered a successful man.

John Gangwer was bom on June 19, 1844, in Harrison township, this county, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lyons) Gangwer, who were the parents of three children: Mrs. Susan Ott, deceased; John Gangwer, the

Samuel Gangwer was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on May 8, 1807, and died on October 3, 1887. He was a cooper by trade and in 1837 came to Preble county, working at his trade here for two years. He then conducted a saw mill on Price's creek for a few years, after which he engaged in farming until 1867, in which year he retired. Samuel Gangwer owned at one time the farm now owned by his son. It was purchased from the government on October 25, 1813, by Frederick Black, the maternal great-grandfather of John Gangwer, and has been handed down from generation to generation. Mrs. Elizabeth (Lyons) Gangwer was born on May 20, 1827, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and came to Preble county, Ohio,

John Gangwer attended the district schools of Twin township, and when thirteen years of age, removed with his parents to the farm where he now resides. During the Civil War Mr. Gangwer performed service in the volunteer organization called out by Governor Todd, which familiarly was known throughout the state as "Squirrel Hunters/' the members of which armed themselves, many with squirrel guns, and reported for duty at Cincinnati, from which point they were sent in pursuit of Morgan and his raiders.

Mr Gangwer purchased the farm on which he resides in 1881, and has made many improvements the aggregate cost of which has been in the neighborhood of twelve thousand dollars. He now owns one hundred and eightythree acres of land, fifty acres of which is in natural timber. Mr. Gangwer always has kept a high grade of live stock, and has been a hard worker and successful farmer. Though living retired, and has been for the past eight years, he still takes an active interest in the welfare of the county and is a heavy stockholder in the Savings & Loan Company, of Richmond, Indiana.

On August 2, 1888, John Gangwer was married to Matilda Ott, who was born on February 3, 1851, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Barbara (Link) Ott, natives of this county. To this union nine children were born, but none of them are now living, all but Mary, Elenora, Sarah J. and William, dying in infancy.

Mr. Gangwer is an ardent Democrat, and for many years has taken an active interest in the affairs of his party in his community. He served as township trustee for one term, discharging the duties of this office in a highly creditable manner. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

Francis Van Ausdal

There is no occupation which gives a man the same degree of independence, or which brings him closer to nature than farming. In pioneer times farming was very much of a drudgery, but with all the modern improvements and inventions the farmer is relieved of much of the hard work which was the portion of his forefathers. Moreover, farming has risen in dignity until now it is often referred to as a profession. Fifty years ago the science of agriculture was in its infancy, and it was not then thought necessary for the farmer to take a college course. Today our colleges are teaching agriculture as a science, and are turning out thousands of young men well trained in scientific methods. Good roads are threading every portion of our state, and the interurban railway and the automobile keep the farmer in close touch, not only with his neighbors, but with life in the city as well. The farmers of Preble county are equal in every respect to the farmers in any other county in the state, and among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Preble county, there is none who stand higher in the esteem of his neighbors than does Francis Van Ausdal, of Harrison township.

Francis Van Ausdal was born on May 17, 1882, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, a son of Francis X. and Adeline (Long) Van Ausdal, who were the parents of five children: Mrs. Ida Call, of Preble county;

Francis Van Ausdal was born in 1848 in Twin township, in this qounty. He is now a retired farmer of the county. His parents were James and Martha (Kitson) Van Ausdal, natives of Pennsylvania and England, respectively. The Van Ausdals were early settlers of Preble county. Mrs. Van Ausdal was bom in Germany in 1853, coming to this country at the age of seventeen, and is now living at Lewisburg.

Francis Van Ausdal was reared on his father's farm in this county, attending the district schools of his home township, and afterwards was a student for a time of the Eaton Normal School. When he was eighteen years of age he started to teach school and taught in the district schools of Twin and Gasper townships for six years. He then took up farming, renting land of different persons until 1912, in which year he purchased one hundred and five acres in section 16, Harrison township. Mr. Van Ausdal has twelve acres of natural timber on his farm. He is an extensive breeder of thoroughbred Percheron horses, and has met with marked success in his efforts, being enterprising and prosperous, and unless all signs go wrong, will shortly be one of the most extensive farmers of Preble county, Ohio.

Francis Van Ausdal was married in 1906, to Cora Singer, who was born on September 19, 1885, in Harrison township, a daughter of Frank and Mellie (Brown) Singer, both of whom also are natives of this county, and are now living on their farm in Harrison township. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Ausdal three children have been bom, Kenneth, Loran and Gerald.

never held office, and has never aspired to public office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his own personal affairs. He and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are active in the work of the church and Sunday school. Mr. Van Ausdal has made a splendid start in life, being respected by his neighbors, and has a legion of friends in Harrison township, who are keenly interested in his welfare.

Edwin T. Paul

It is interesting to note from the beginning the growth and development of a community, to note the lines along which progress has been made, and to take cognizance of those whose industry and leadership in the work of advancement has rendered possible the present prosperity of the locality under consideration. Edwin T. Paul is one of the strong and sturdy individuals who have contributed largely to the material welfare of Lewisburg and Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio. He is an up-to-date business man, a public-spirited citizen and progressive in all that the name implies.

Edwin T. Paul, the president and manager of the stone quarries, located at Lewisburg, Ohio, was born December 10, 1876, at Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio. He is a son of Alva L. and Gertrude (Paul) Paul, to whom two children were bom, of whom Edwin T. is the elder. The other child is Gertrude, who married Frank Wilson and resides in Ottawa, Ohio.

Alva L. Paul was born at Royalton, Ohio, September 6, 1848, and died in Ottawa in 1911. He attended Long Island Medical College at Brooklyn, New York, from which institution he was graduated in 1874. He then came to Ottawa, Ohio, and began the practice of his profession in partnership with his father-in-law, Truman E. Paul. Three years later he began the practice of medicine on his own account, continuing in the active practice at Ottawa until his death. Dr. Alva Paul was a son of Dr. Alva and Abbigal (Bigelow) Paul, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch having also been a physician. He was bom in 1808 and died in 1875. His wife was born in 1817, and died during the sixties. Mrs. Gertrude (Paul) Paul, the mother of Edwin T., was bom at Gilboa, Putnam county, Ohio, September 18, 1849, and she now makes her home alternately with her son, Edwin T., and with her daughter at Ottawa, Ohio. Her parents were Truman and Mary Jane (Britton) Paul, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, bom in the old Indian fort, Fort Milan, in 1822. Truman Paul was a physician at Gilboa, Ohio, till 1874, when he removed to Ottawa, where he remained until his death in 1901. His wife was born at Xenia, Ohio, in 1824, and died at Gilboa in 1874. Dr. Truman E. Paul will long be held in grateful remembrance at Gilboa for his heroic services there during the cholera scourge in 185^.

Edwin T. Paul attended the public schools of Ottawa, Ohio, and later took a scientific and musical course at Findlay College, Findlay, Ohio. When he had reached his majority he started a clothing store at Ottawa, Ohio, and remained in this business for one year, at the end of which time he sold out and speculated in various enterprises for a time, traveling a good deal in the south and southwestern states. He had extensive business interests in these sections. In 1905 Mr. Paul organized a stone crushing plant at Bluffton, Ohio. Four years later he came to this county, locating at Lewisburg, where he purchased, in partnership with three other men, the two quarries at that place. He is now president, manager and a heavy stockholder in these enterprises. Mr, Paul is heavily interested in other quarries located at various places, and is also the owner of farm real estate and other property in different parts of the state. He has built a beautiful modem home at a cost of something over five thousand dollars in the northeast part of Lewisburg.

In 1907, Edwin T. Paul was married to Mary Althaus, who was born April 17, 1880, at Bluff ton, Ohio, a daughter of Peter and Christina (Steiner) Althaus. Her father was a manufacturer of sashes and doors and died in 1905. Her mother is now living at Bluffton, Ohio. Both were natives of Wayne county, Ohio. To Edwin T. and Mary (Althaus) Paul five children have been born, Christine, Virginia, LeRoy, Eugene and Justin.

Mr. Paul is a Republican and is president of the board of public affairs, a position of considerable responsibility, and one which Mr. Paul is filling with the same efficiency that has marked his career in private business enterprises. Mr. and Mrs. Paul are active members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, Mr. Paul is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Paul is one of the hustling, wide-awake business men of Lewisburg and Harrison township, but he is more than this. He is a man who, since his arrival at Lewisburg, has been a leader in all public enterprises and who has never hesitated to contribute his time and his money to the support of worthy movements.

Ira O. Flory

Among the farmers of Preble county, Ohio, who believe in following twentieth century methods is Ira O. Flory, a prominent farmer and stock man of Lanier township. , He comes from a splendid family, one ' that hasalways been foremost for right living and industrious habits, for education, for morality, and for all that .contributes to the welfare of the great commonwealth of Ohio. Such are welcome in apy community, for they are the people who work their way upward to positions of power and responsibility in the communities where they live. Ira O. Flory is a man who belongs to this class of people.

Ira O. Flory was born on March 20, 1871, at Dayton, Ohio, a son of Henry and Susan (Miller) Flory. Ira O. Flory is one of four children born to his parents, the others being Josiah, a retired farmer living in Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Schoup, of West Alexandria, Ohio, and Daniel, who died in infancy.

Henry Flory was born on September 4, 1827, in Montgomery county,. Ohio. He was a successful farmer in that county for many years, and died in 1908. His parents were Abraham and Mary (Vaniman) Flory, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Henry Flory was born, March 27, 1833, near Dayton, Ohio, and her death occurred in 1881.

Ira O. Flory was reared on his father's farm, attending the district schools of his home county, where he made a creditable record and obtained a good education. Early in life he manifested a mechanical bent, but since he was the youngest of his father's family, his parents were adverse to his taking a course in mechanical engineering, which he wished to do. For this reason he turned his attention to farming, and in 1901 came to Preble county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming for himself, renting land in Lanier township from his father-in-law, remaining there for ten years. Subsequently Mr. Flory purchased one hundred and fifty-five acres of land in sections 33 and 34 of Lanier township. He has been especially successful in raising high-grade live stock, and has always commanded the best prices for his products. His large profits have enabled him to make substantial improvements to the farm he now owns, and it is considerede one of the very best farms in Preble county. In fact, Ira Flory is a man who must not only be considered as a successful farmer, but as a representative citizen of Preble county. While he has been successful in his life's vocation, he has not neglected matters relating to the commonwealth and has taken a worthy interest in all public enterprises.

Mr. Flory was married in 1891 to Norah E. Johnson, the accomplished daughter of Alfred and Mary J. (Trout) Johnson, who was born on May 29, i860, a native of Preble county. To this union two children have been born. The elder child, Warren, died in infancy. Albert B., the second child, lives at home. Mrs. Flory's mother makes her home with the Florys.

Ira O. Flory has always been an influential factor in the educational circles of Lanier township, and is now one of the efficient members of the county school board. He is identified with the Democratic party, and is an ardent believer of the principles of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. He and his family are earnest and faithful members of the Progressive Brethren church, and are active and influential supporters of this denomination.

Martin Hoover

There is nothing that stimulates a man to deeds of worth and a life of uprightness and rectitude more than the recollection of the strength of character and the example of right living shown by one's father. In this respect Martin Hoover is fortunate beyond the majority of men in being the son of a man who did his duty well, whether in the peaceful pursuits of ordinary life or in matters involving the larger welfare of the community as a whole. In the agricultural affairs of Washington township, where Mr. Hoover lives, he occupies a position of importance among those who are conserving the agricultural prosperity of the community and none occupies a higher standing among his neighbors.

Martin Hoover was born on the farm where he now lives in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, August 7, 1844, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Peters) Hoover, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Jacob Hoover and Catherine Peters grew up in the Old Dominion and married there, coming to Preble county in 1835, in which year they settled on the farm where their son, Martin, now lives. At that time the land was covered with a dense woods. Jacob Hoover cleared the land, improved the farm and lived there the rest of his life, his death occurring January 23, 1857. His widow survived many years, her death not occurring until March 5, 1899. They were the parents of five children, of whom Martin is the only survivor. Abraham and John, both of whom served as Union soldiers in the Civil War, died in the service. The brothers were members of Company F, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. David died during the war and Rebecca, who married P. M. Pence, is also now deceased.

Mr. And Mrs. Martin Hoover

Martin Hoover was reared on the farm where he lives and was educated in the common schools. He attended school until he was nineteen years old and remained with his mother until he was twnty-one, his father having died when he was only fourteen.

On September 26, 1866, Martin Hoover was married to Matilda Ozias, who was bom in Washington township, this county, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Black) Ozias, and who died February 5, 1899. To this union four children were bom, John C., Thomas M., Flora A. and Jacob H. John C, bom June 9, 1867, married Elizabeth Fleming on October 15, 1914, and is a farmer. Thomas M. married Mary O. Pence, of Monroe township. Flora A. is single and at home. Jacob H. married Bessie E. Duffield and is a farmer in Monroe township.

After Mr. Hoover was married he rented farms for several years and finally purchased the farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres seven miles north of Eaton, on which he since has lived and where he keeps a splendid grade of live stock.

Mr. Hoover is a Democrat, but is not particularly active in politics. He is a quiet, unassuming man and has led an honorable and upright life. In all his life he has never drunk intoxicating liquors nor used tobacco, and is strictly temperate in all things. He is a man much admired and respected in the community in which he lives.

Frederick Schreel

Among the successful, self-made men of Preble county, whose efforts and influence have contributed to the advancement of this county, Frederick Schreel, a farmer and dairyman of Harrison township, occupies a promi- . nent place. Although ambitious from the first, he was surrounded by none too favorable an environment. Resolutely facing the future, however, he has gradually mounted the difficulties in his way and in the course of time has risen to a prominent position in the agricultural circles of Harrison township. For many years he has stood as one of the representative citizens of the locality honored by his citizenship. His life and labors are worthy because they have contributed to a proper understanding of life and its problems. For many years Mr. Schreel has been a successful dairyman and finds a ready market for his entire product in the town of Lewisburg and vicinity.

Frederick Schreel was born on September 27, 1862, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio. He is the son of Charles and Anna (Bolman) Schreel, who were the parents of eleven children, Henry and Minnie are deceased; Caroline and Katie live in Twin township; Margaret, wife of Ed Drayer, lives in Dayton, Ohio; Mary, Lewis, Harmon, Samuel and Christopher are all at home. Frederick, of Harrison township, is the subject of this sketch.

Charles Schreel, the father of Frederick, was born in 1822, in Germany, and left there with his parents when eighteen years old. He settled in section 12 in Twin township and farmed until his death, in 1884. His wife was born in 1828, in Germany, and left there with her sister, Margaret Voge, when eleven years old. They settled in Preble county. Mrs. Schreel died in 1912.

Frederick Schreel was reared on the farm and attended the district schools of Twin township. In 1887 he began farming for himself in Montgomery county, Ohio. He rented land in Montgomery county and in Preble county until 1899, in which year he came to Preble county and purchased the old Samuel Bunger farm of seventy-eight acres located in section 27, in Harrison township, at the east edge of the corporation of Lewisburg. Mr. Schreel has made extensive improvements upon this place. He remodeled his house and installed a complete equipment of modern conveniences. He has also built a barn forty by sixty-eight feet. Mr. Schreel had the first Sharpies milking machine in Preble county. He has been in the dairy business for the past six years and sells his products locally in Lewisburg.

In 1888 Frederick Schreel was married to Josephine Foster, who was born, June 3, 1867, in Darke county, Ohio, the daughter of Josiah A. and Elizabeth (Riley) Foster. The Foster genealogy is kept of record as far back as the landing of the "Mayflower," in 1620, when Lemuel Foster came, either on the first or the second trip of that historic vessel, to Plymouth Colony. Tracing from Lemuel, whom we will call the first generation, follow, in order: Two, Ezekiel: three, Jeremiah; four, Ezekiel; five, Jeremiah; six, Isaac Preston, and seven, Josiah A., father of, eight, Joanna Foster, wife of Frederick Schreel. Josiah A. Foster's mother was Rebecca Ware, daughter of John and Mary (Albertson) Ware, the former of whom was a son of John Ware, Sr., and the latter of whom was a daughter of Josiah and Nancy Albertson.

To Frederick and Josephine (Foster) Schreel three children have been born, Charles, now living in Euphemia. Ohio; Irene, at home, and Mrs. Freda Lutz, who lives at Phillipsburg, Ohio.

bers of the Evangelical Lutheran church and active in the work of that church. Mr. SchreePs life has been such as to elicit much praise from those who know him best. He has been loyal and faithful to every trust imposed upon him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellowmen.

James N. Shumate

Hard and laborious effort was the lot of James N. Shumate during his youth and early manhood, but his fidelity to duty won him the respect and confidence of those with whom he was thrown into contact and by patient persistence and well doing he gradually rose from a humble station to his present high standing among the people of Preble county and particularly among those in the neighborhood of his home at Campbellstown, in Jackson township.

James N. Shumate, the treasurer of Jackson township, and a resident of Campbellstown, Ohio, was born in Claborn county, Tennessee, a son of Samuel and Mahila (Hodges) Shumate, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former the son of Daniel Shumate, a native Pennsylvanian, and the latter a daughter of Squire Hodges. Both Samuel Shumate and his wife grewe up in Pennsylvania, where they married. Later they emigrated to Tennessee where they lived a short time and where they were engaged in farming. In 1862 they moved to Indiana, locating on a farm in Wayne county, near Centerville, where Samuel Shumate died in 1880, his wife dying in the fall of 1908. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living, Martha, the wife of Madison Sulser, of Jasper county, Iowa; Low, the wife of John Railsback, of Newton, Iowa; Nora, the wife of Thomas Turner, of Richmond, Indiana; Alice, the wife of Taylor Neil, of New York state; Ida, the wife of Guy Bilingly, and William, who is retired and lives in Denver, Miami county, Indiana.

James N. Shumate was reared on a farm in Wayne county, Indiana, and was educated in the district schools of that county, which he attended until he was nineteen years of age. He received a good education and then took up farming, to which he devoted his attention until he was thirtyfive years old, eventually owning sixty acres of land in Wayne county, Indiana. After leaving the farm, Mr. Shumate operated a merchandise bus at Greensfork, Indiana, for three years. He was then employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a laborer and in twenty months became foreman of a section and served in that capacity until 1913, in which year he was promoted to extra foreman. He came to this county on November 21, 1897, and in 1899 bought his present home in Campbellstown. Mr. Shumate owns one acre north of town.

In 1882 James N. Shumate was married to Sally Wilson, who was born "in Wayne county, Indiana, and to this union three children were bom, Nellie, who is the wife of C. C. Gard, a stock buyer; Edna, the wife C. M. John, a railroad agent, and Corine, who is unmarried and at home.

Mr. Shumate is a member of Greenfork Lodge No. 184, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat and is now serving his third term as treasurer of Jackson township. He is a quiet, unassuming man, but an upright and honorable citizen in every respect, and is held in the highest regard in the community in which he lives.

Absalom Barton

It is a pleasure to present the life history of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to the individual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and by the master stroke of his own vitality succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellowmen. Such is the record of that popular citizen of Preble county, Absalom Barton, whose life story is here briefly set forth.

Absalom Barton, a farmer living on Rural Route 3, out of New Paris, Ohio, was born in Darke county, Ohio, October 5, 1858. the son of John and Rachel ( Penland) Barton. John Barton was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1831, the son of Andrew Barton, who was born at Baltimore, Maryland. Andrew Barton married Celia Boswell, who was born June 22, 1800, in North Carolina, and who migrated with her parents, Barnabas and Jane Boswell, to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1812, locating three miles north of Richmond with a daughter, Mrs. Thomas Stafford. Barnabas Boswell entered a tract of land two and one-half miles north of Middletown, Indiana, built a one-room log house in the wilderness, where the Indians still were quite numerous, and there cleared up a farm.

Barnabas and Jane Boswell were the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, born in 1785: Benjamin, born in 1787; William, bom in 1789;

Jane, born in 1794; Delilah, born in 1797; Sarah and Celia (twins), born June 22, 1800; Eli, born in 1803; Hiram, born in 1805, and Susanna, bom in 1808. The Boswells were compelled to make their own clothes out of the rude material furnished by the wilderness, and in other ways faced the privations common to the pioneers of that day.

John Barton was reared on the farm in Wayne county and married Rachel Penland, who was born and reared in Preble county, Ohio. They settled in Wayne county, Indiana, but later moved to Iowa, remaining there but a short time, however, shortly returning to Wayne county, Indiana. The Bartons were descendants of an early Quaker family of this name. John Barton and wife were the parents of six children, Hannah, the wife of Jesse Flatter, of Darke county, Ohio; Sylvester, who married Lydia Mendenhall and lives in Whittier, Colorado; Absalom, the subject of this sketch; Charles, who married Lizzie Wheeler and lives at Frankfort, Indiana; Theodore, who married Minnie Spencer and lives in New Paris, this county, and Lila, the wife of S. B. Mikesell, of Darke county, Ohio.

Absalom Barton spent his boyhood days on the farm. He was educated in the district schools of Indiana and at an early age he was thrown upon his own resources. He worked upon a farm by the month until he was twenty-four years old, at which time he had saved a very little money, his wages having been used by his father until Absalom was twenty years old.

Mr. Barton was married on December 4, 1881, to Martha E. Newbern, who was born. May 13, 1858, in Wayne county, Indiana, who was reared in the same' neighborhood as her husband, they attending the same school. She was the daughter of William and Susanna (Townsend) Newbern, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of eight other children, John W.. George, Mary J., Addie. Clara E., Judith A., and two deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Barton have had three children, two now living, Walter E. and Clarence H. Walter E., born on June 6. 1886, who was graduated from the New Paris high school and from the Richmond Business College, is connected with the Central Life Insurance Company, at New York city, of which he is assistant general manager. He married Marion H. Knight in April, 1914. Clarence H., born on August 27, 1891, was graduated from the New Paris high school and is unmarried and at home.

Mr. Barton is a Republican, although he has never been especially active in political affairs, preferring to devote his time and energy to his farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres one mile west of New Paris, Ohio. Mrs. Barton is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Barton is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor. Mrs. Barton is a member of the Pythian Sisters No. 215, and is a past chief of the lodge. She is the protector in this lodge at this time.

Charles W. Bloom

It is a well-recognized fact that the most powerful influence in shaping and controlling public life is the press. It reaches a greater number of people than any other agency and thus always has been and always will be the most important factor in moulding public opinion and shaping the destiny of the nation. Charles W. Bloom was prominently identified with the journalism of eastern Ohio for many years. He was connected with several papers, but during his most active newspaper career, was the editor and proprietor of the New Paris Mirror. Mr. Bloom sold a half interest in this paper in 1902, and in 1906 disposed of the other interest. Throughout the greater part of his life, Mr. Bloom has been a successful farmer and is so today. He also was connected with another profession which is perhaps second only to that of the press in moulding and shaping public opinion. For many years, Mr. Bloom was a successful teacher in Preble county, and today, therefore, he may be considered as a representative farmer, a forceful journalist and a capable teacher.

Charles W. Bloom was born in Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, September 4, 1846, the son of Guy and Hannah (Jameson) Bloom, the former a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, born in 1816. About 1825 Guy Bloom accompanied his parents to Darke county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He came to Preble county when a young man and married Hannah Jameson, a native of Kentucky, born in 1826, who came to New Paris, this county, with her parents in 1836. Her father was Wesley Jameson, a native of Kentucky, who left that state in 1836, lived in New Paris until the early fifties when he removed first to Rushville, Indiana, and then to Noblesville, Indiana, where he died.

The paternal grandfather of Charles W. Bloom was Joseph Bloom, a native of Pennsylvania and a descendant of an old-time German family of that state. He died in Darke county, Ohio, in October, 1868. Guy Bloom, the father of Charles W., was a farmer and at one time owned seven hun- dred acres of land. He was a progressive citizen in every respect and was usually the first man in his neighborhood to purchase all of the improved implements to be used on a farm. He was a man of indomitable energy and great executive ability. Any man who came to his farm hunting work could find it. In this he was prompted by humane impulses and the duty which one man, however successful, owes to the other, however unfortunate. He was for many years an active member of the Masonic lodge. He died in September, 1883, and his wife died in 1899.

Charles W. Bloom was the eldest of ten children, all of whom were bom in Preble county, Ohio. Those now living, besides Charles W., are Mary, the wife of William B.-Reid, and Homer. Charles W. Bloom received his early education in the common schools of Preble county, Ohio, and at the academy at Richmond, Indiana. He went to Richmond at the age of nineteen and there engaged with his father for a time in the furniture business. Later he became an engineer and, on his return to New Paris, located on the farm, which he operated in the summer. During the winter months, for a period of six years, he taught school.

On January 6, 1870, Mr. Bloom was married to Anna Pence, a native of Preble county, Ohio, and the daughter of Nimrod and Elizabeth Pence. To this union, one daughter, Grace, has been born. She learned the printing business with her father and is now the wife of W. L. Hahn, a merchant of New Paris, Ohio.

After his marriage, Mr. Bloom continued teaching for four years and then devoted all of his spare time to his farm until 1884. He now owns a splendid farm of one hundred and ninety-eight acres in Jefferson township. In 1884 Mr. Bloom moved to New Paris and was engaged in the newspaper business until 1906, in which year he disposed of his paper. This paper was established in 1887 and was published under the name of The Business Mirror for some time. Mr. Bloom first established, however, The Amateur .

Charles W. Bloom became a member of the national guard in 1864. the guard was called out and Mr. Bloom served one hundred days in the Civil War.

Mr. Bloom is an independent voter, but he is a prominent and influential Prohibitionist and a particularly strong temperance man. He was a delegate of the Prohibition party to the national convention in Pittsburgh in 1896 and for many years took an active part in the councils of his party. Fraternally, Mr. Bloom is a member of New Paris Lodge No. 303, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a past grand. He also has served as secretary of the lodge, a position which he has held for twenty-seven years. Mr.

Bloom has always identified himself with the Universalist church. He is a prominent member of this church and for several years was clerk of the local parish. Mr. Bloom takes an active interest in everything pertaining to New Paris and the surrounding country. He is a director in the First National Bank of New Paris and helped to organize this bank. Mr. and Mrs. Bloom are comfortably situated in their beautiful home and are enjoying the fruits of their early labors. No more highly respected citizens are to be found anywhere than Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Bloom, and they very properly stand high in the estimation of the people of New Paris and vicinity.

George W. Pickett

Among the farmers of Preble county who have to their credit many long years of industrious . and intelligent farm management, George W. Pickett, of Jefferson township, is worthy of special note here. Mr. Pickett comes of a good family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for morality and all that contributes to the welfare of the great commonwealth of Ohio. Such people are welcome in any community, for they are empire builders and as such they push the frontier of civilization westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness of the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields. They constitute the sterling horde which moved the great Bishop Whipple to write "Westward the course of empire takes its way."

George W. Pickett, a farmer living on Rural Route No. 1, out of New Paris, Ohio, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, April 8, 1868, the son of Milton L. and Mary E. (Smithson) Pickett. Milton L. Pickett was born in Wayne county, Indiana, the son of' Benjamin and Deborah (Clark) Pickett. Benjamin Pickett was a native of North Carolina and was reared on a farm. When a young man, he moved to Wayne county, Indiana, where he located on a farm on what is now the present site of the city of Richmond. He located there in 1808 and lived in that county until his death. Deborah Clark was a native of Maryland and moved to Wayne county with her parents at a very early day. Benjamin Pickett and Deborah Clark were married in Wayne county, Indiana, and were the parents of Eli* William, John, Eber, Milton L., Albert, Mary and Hannah.

Milton L. Pickett was reared on a farm in Wayne county, Indiana, and attended the schools of his day and generation. He was married to Mary E. Smithson, a native of Highland county, Ohio, and after their marriage, they settled in Wayne county, Indiana, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were the parents of4 nine -children, seven of whom are living, Elwood S., of Wayne county, Indiana; Ella, the wife of I. W. Gregg, of Elwood, Indiana; Oliver B., who lives in California; Lizzie, the wife of I. S. Van Anstal, of Preble county; T. Henry, who lives in Preble county; Cynthia A., who is single and lives in Preble county, Ohio, and George W.

George W. Pickett spent his boyhood days on the farm in Wayne county, Indiana. He was educated in the public schools and in the Richmond Normal School. Upon completing his education, Mr. Pickett received a certificate to teach school, but did not follow this vocation.

Mr. Pickett was married in 1905 to Emma Griffis, who was born in Jackson township, this county, July 29, 1874, the daughter of Samuel M. and Rebecca (Blinn) Griffis, the former a native of this county and the latter a native of Warren county, Ohio. Samuel M. Griffis was reared on a farm in Washington township, this county, and was educated in the schools of his home neighborhood. Upon arriving at manhood's estate he took up the vocation of farming and followed this all his life, the most of which time was spent on a farm in Jackson township, he being one of the best-known and most influential farmers of that township. He died in October, 1910, at the age of seventy-two years, his wife having preceded him to the grave on January 16, 1899, at the age of fifty-four. Samuel M. Griffis was a Democrat and was influential in the local councils of his party for many years. At one time he was a member of the Masonic order and he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church, in the affairs of which they ever took an active interest. To Samuel and Rebecca (Blinn) Griffis were born seven children: Anna, who married Thomas Bowen, of New Paris, this county; George F., who lives at Eaton, this county; Roscoe, also living at Eaton; Ida, who married Ora Oler, a resident of Darke county, Ohio; Emma, who married Mr. Pickett; Mary, who married Edward Jacks, of Jackson township, this county, and John, who also lives in Jackson township.

Mr. Pickett is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Pickett are members of the Friends church, he having a birthright in that church. George W. Pickett is the owner of one hundred and eighty and ninety one-hundredths acres of splendid farming land in Preble county and is a prosperous, progressive and up-to-date citizen in every respect. He has been a successful breeder of hogs and Jersey cattle. Mr. Pickett has not only been a successful farmer, but is what might be called a successful citizen, because he has performed faithfully those duties that have devolved upon him in his relations with his fellow men.

Charles P. Jones

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages. As a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free, outdoor life of the farmer has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood. No truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, invigorating labor of the fields. It has always been the soil from which has sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country. The majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm, and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they gained. Among the enterprising farmers of Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, is Charles P. Jones, who lives on Rural Route No. 2, out of New Paris, Ohio.

Charles P. Jones was born in Jefferson township. Preble county, Ohio, November ir, 1866, a son of William D. and Matilda (Mikesell) Jones, both of whom were natives of this county, the latter having been born in Jefferson township, where she died on December 24, 1897, having always made her home in that township. William D. and Matilda (Mikesell) Jones were the parents of ten children, four of whom are living: Ira E., a farmer of Lake county, Michigan, married Ella Burkett: Charles P., the immediate subject of this review: Elsie J., the wife of Ed. O. O'Toole, a resident of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and Harry J., of Bradford, Ohio, who married Dora Petry.

Charles P. Jones spent his boyhood days on a farm in Jefferson township. When old enough he attended the district schools during the winter seasons, and worked on the farm in the summers. Mr. Jones has lived on the same farm, which he now owns and occupies, for more than forty years, with the exception of ten months. He owns thirty-two acres of land in Jefferson township, and is an extensive breeder of a good grade of live stock of all kinds.

On December 2, 1891, Charles P. Jones was married to Nora McMahon, who was born at Eldorado, Ohio, July 7, 1865, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Nagle) McMahon, who were both natives of Ireland. Mrs. Jones was educated in the public schools of Preble county. To this union one daughter, Minnie, was born, September 21, 1892. She was graduated .from the common schools and is the wife of Cletus C. Kuth. They live with Mr. and Mrs. Jones.

Mr. Jones is a Republican, but has not taken an active interest in political affairs. Fraternally, he belongs to Fellowship Lodge No. 106, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of New Paris Lodge No. 303, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Jones is a devout member of the Presbyterian church at New Paris, Ohio, and takes an active interest in the affairs of this church.

The Jones family is one of the oldest families now living in western Ohio and eastern Indiana, and Charles P. Jones is a worthy representative of this old and highly respected family. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are worthy citizens of Jefferson township, where they are well known and in every respect entitled to representation in a work of this character. The esteem in which Mr. Jones is held by his neighbors was demonstrated on twro occassions of an official character, he having twice been elected to the responsible office of township trustee, in the discharge of the duties of which office he brought to bear a sound business judgment and a degree of care for the details of his office, which earned for his administration the commendation of all in any way related to public affairs in that community. His terms of service covered the period comprised in the years 1909-1913.

Samuel W. Roberts

The old song which carries a refrain containing the line: 'The farmer feeds them all," states a very fundamental and economic truth. Without the farmer the rest of the country would starve within a week, despite the large amount of food in storage. Every other occupation might be done away with, and people could live, but a total cessation of farming, in a very short time, actually would depopulate the earth. A man can live without banks all his life, but deprive him of his bread and his career is soon ended. Farming is becoming an honored profession. District schools are teaching it as a science, and colleges are granting degrees for agricultural training. Without the farmer, the banker would close his doors, the manufacturer would shut down his factory and railroads would suspend operations. Among the honored farmers of Preble county, who helps to keep the banker, the manufacturer and the railroads going, is Samuel W. Roberts, a farmer living on Rural Route No. i,.out of New Paris, Ohio.

Samuel W. Roberts was born in Darke county, Ohio, January 4, 1874, the son of Samuel E. and Jane (Barton) Roberts, the former of whom was born in Darke county, Ohio, and the latter in Wayne county, Indiana. For a time after they were married the Robertses lived in Darke county, but in 1878 they moved to Wayne county, Indiana, where they lived the rest of their lives. Samuel E. Roberts died May 23, 1906, and his widow is still living, now residing in Darke county, Ohio. They were the parents of five children, Jennie, the wife of A. L. Reid, of Richmond, Indiana; W. E., a retired farmer of New Paris; Samuel W., the subject of this sketch; Mary E., the wife of Norlie Hunt, of Darke county, Ohio, and Lurene, the wife of Delbert Funk, of Richmond, Indiana.

Samuel W. Roberts was four years old when his parents moved to Wayne county, Indiana. He spent his boyhood days on the farm in Wayne county and was educated in the schools of that county.

On September 14, 1890, Mr. Roberts was married to Lillie C. Noggle, who was born at New Madison, in Darke county, Ohio, and who was educated in the district schools of that county. To this union there are three living children, Roy W., born on May 30, 1894, who is a graduate of the common schools and a farmer at home; Fave, born on May 23, 1896, who was graduated from the common schools and attended the high school at New Madison for one year, and Opal, who was born on March 31, 1898. Ralph, who was born on May 9, 1905, died in 1910.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts went to housekeeping in Wayne county, Indiana, where they remained for one year, at the end of which time they removed to Mr. Roberts's father's farm in Darke county, where they lived until 1900. in which year Mr. Roberts purchased the farm of one hundred and ninety-one and two-hundredths acres in section 5, Jefferson township, this county.

Samuel W. Roberts not only has been a successful farmer, but he has been an extensive raiser of stock. He keeps a high grade of stock and uses only the most improved and modem methods in farming. Mr. Roberts has splendid buildings on his farm and everything is kept in a splendid state of repair. From every point, the farm shows the thrift of its owner and proprietor.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the United Brethren church at Pleasant Hill. Mrs. Roberts and her daughters are members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and of the Home Missionary Society and are active in both of these organizations. The Roberts family are representative citizens of Preble county and as such, are entitled to representation in a volume which undertakes to set out the historical and biographical points of interest in Preble county.

Harry W. Bragg

There are several hundred different occupations, but there is only one of all this number that is absolutely necessary to man's existence. The three things without which man cannot live are food, clothing and shelter, and it is the farmer who not only controls the food supply, but also holds the clothing products of the world in his hands. His is the only occupation which can exist independently of all others. An increasing number of our best farming men are taking agricultural courses in colleges, thereby fitting themselves the better for scientific farming. The profession has taken on increased dignity within the past few years and more and more of our young men are applying themselves to scientific farming. The farmer of today has the immense advantage of working with machinery which renders his work free from many of its former disadvantages. Preble county has hundreds of splendid farmers and among them Harry W. Bragg holds a worthy place.