Preble County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 9 of 13)

William A. Goldsmith, a farmer living on "Maple Nook" dairy farm, consisting of twenty-two acres, situated one and one- fourth miles northeast of Eaton, Ohio, was born in Preble county, Ohio, June 5, 1864, the son of William E. and Emeline (Bowles) Goldsmith. William E. Goldsmith was born in this county, one and one-fourth miles west of Eaton, on the west road, a son of William and Mary (Null) Goldsmith. His wife died in 1874 and he married, secondly, Phoebe Whiteneck and both are' now residents of Eaton. By his first marriage Mr. Goldsmith was the father of three children, Minnie, the wife of Frank O. Dunlap, of Preble county; William A., the subject of this sketch; and Clara, the wife of Ed. Quinn, of Washington township.

William A. Goldsmith was reared on the farm west of Eaton and lived there until he was six years old, at which time the family moved to a farm near New Hope station. He attended the district school until he was past ten years of age and then moved back to Washington township. He attended school until he was eighteen years old and remained on the farm until he was twenty-five.

Mr. Goldsmith was married on October 1, 1889, to Mary J. Banta, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Christman) Banta, both of whom were natives of this county. They were the parents of Emma, the wife of Levi Hapner; Mary J., the wife of Mr. Goldsmith; Amy, the wife of Charles L. Greenfield; and Edith M., the wife of Elmer E. Pfontz, of Montgomery county, Ohio. Minnie is deceased. Mrs. Goldsmith was reared on a farm and was educated in the district schools. She was graduated from the Eaton high school in 1887.

To Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith two daughters have been born, Ruth E., born March 6, 1891, is a graduate of the Eaton high school and the wife of Homer Kramer; Marie, born January 16, 1893, also was graduated from the Eaton high school. She is unmarried and at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith are members of the First Christian church at Eaton, and Mrs. Goldsmith is a member of the Missionary society. Mr. Goldsmith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife are members of the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. Goldsmith is a Democrat, although not particularly active in political affairs.

Mr. Goldsmith has operated a dairy farm for ten years. He built a splendid home in 1905, which is modern in all respects. Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith are quiet, unassuming people, descended from pioneers of Preble county, John Goldsmith, the great-grandfather of William A., having entered three hundred and twenty acres of land west of Eaton, where he died. The family, therefore, has been identified with the history of Preble county almost from its beginning. Mr. and Mrs. William A. Goldsmith are rated among the most substantial citizens of Preble county. They are popular socially in the community where they live and are among leaders in every public movement.

One of the influential and well-known citizens of Campbellstown, Preble county, Ohio, is John W. O'Hara, a rural mail carrier on Route No. 1, out of Campbellstown.

John W. O'Hara was bom in Cincinnati, Ohio, a son of James and Catherine (Kelly) O'Hara. James O'Hara was bom in the village of Kilbennan, near Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, February 1, 1837, and died at New Hope, in this county, in 1912. He was reared in his native country and learning of the advantages offered to young men in America, he embarked in a vessel for the United States, eventually making his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, arriving there on June 24, 1863. This, of course, was during the Civil War and the vessel upon which James O'Hara came to this country was caught by the famous Confederate cruiser, "Alabama," and some of the men were taken off and forced into the Confederate navy. After arriving in Cincinnati, James O'Hara found employment.

James O'Hara was married to Catherine Kelly and to them were born seven sons and one daughter. The seven sons grew to manhood on a farm one and one-half miles north of New Hope in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio. The farm upon which these sons were reared was purchased from Peter Reynolds about 1876. The house was a two-room cabin, built by Stephen Preble. The seven sons attended the public schools of the community and there grew to manhood. All of them have arisen to more than ordinary prominence, some are physicians and some have chosen other professions. They are all living, John W., born on February 22, 1873; Peter* born on October 10, 1874; James P., born on February 1, 1876: William, born on October 25, 1877; Patrick H., born on June 7, 1879; Mary, born on February 19, 1881, and died on April 21, 1883; Harry, born on November 2, 1883, and Charles, born on July 2, 1885.

John W. O'Hara attended the public schools of Jackson township and received sufficient education to enable him to teach jn the public schools of the county, which he did for many years.

Mr. O'Hara was married to Virgie L. Flora, the daughter of Perry C. Flora, of Jackson township, who received her education in the common schools of the county. Her father is a prominent merchant at West Florence in Jackson township and is a descendant of an old and respected family of Preble county.

born, Heber, born on December 12, 1899, ls a graduate of the Jackson townslnp high school; Mable, born on January 5, 1904, and Ruth, born on May 19, 1907.

.besides taking the common-school branches Mr. O'Hara took a course in the art school at Columbus, Ohio. He was elected justice of the. peace in Jackson township in 1900 and served in that capacity until 1910, discharging the duties of this olhce in an entirely satisfactory manner. He has been prominently identified 111 local politics and was nominated, in 1912, on the Democratic ticket, for surveyor of Preble county, but withdrew his candidacy when appointed rural mail carrier out of Campbellstown, June 1, 1912, and still holds this position. He has been prosperous all his life and now owns eighty-four acres of splendid land in Jackson township. John W. O'Hara is not only a well-known citizen of Jackson township, but he is highly respected for his sterling traits of character and thoroughly deserves the confidence which has been reposed in him by the people of that township.

John Herbst

John Herbst, a representative citizen and progressive farmer of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, is known as one of the alert and successful farmers of his community. In his endeavors he has not permitted himself to follow in the rut in a blind, apathetic way, but has studied and experimented and has thus obtained the maximum returns from his efforts. He commands the confidence and regard of the people of the community in which he lives and is a man of honorable business methods, advocating whatever tends to promote the public welfare.

John Herbst was born on March 25, 1853, a son of Fred and Elizabeth (Straw) Herbst. Fred Herbst was a native-born citizen of Germany and Elizabeth Straw was born in Preble county, Ohio. She died in 1 854, when her son, John, was only eighteen months old. He was taken by an aunt, Margaret Otto, and was cared for by her until three years old. He was then taken into the home of his maternal grandfather, Peter Straw, and remained there until he was nineteen years of age. At this age Mr. Herbst began working for himself, by the month, on the farms in the neighborhood until he reached his majority, but had saved little in the meantime.

On October 28, 1878, John Herbst was married to Elizabeth Williams, who was born April 30, 1858, in Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of Jere- miah Williams and wife, and was reared on her father's farm, receiving her education in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. John Herbst lived on rented farms for a period of fifteen years, after which Mr. Herbst purchased his present farm of sixty-two and one-half acres, and on this farm he has placed many substantial improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Herbst are the parents of six children: Fred, lives at Cincinnati, Ohio; Nora, the wife of William Taylor, a farmer of Washington township; Bertha, unmarried, is employed in a glove factory at Eaton ; Everett E., unmarried, is a farmer; Marguerite, unmarried, lives at home, as does Herbert, the youngest of the family.

Mr. Herbst is a Republican, but he has never taken an active part in political affairs. He has never held office, nor has he ever aspired to public position. Mr. Herbst has made an especial success in raising high-grade stock, and has been particularly successful as a farm manager, being enterprising and progressive in all his efforts and methods employed on his farm. The Herbst family are highly respected citizens of Washington township, where they have lived for many years.

Prof. Clayton R. Coblentz

Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, is extremely proud of its centralized schools, and no man has had more to do with the consolidation of these schools and the erection of the present magnificent school building in Jackson township than Prof. Clayton R. Coblentz, the superintendent of schools at Campbellstown.

Professor Coblentz was born in Darke county, Ohio, four miles north of New Paris, November 12, 1876, a son of J. H. and Elizabeth (Eubank) Coblentz. J. H. Coblentz is a son of John and Mary J. (Robertson) Coblentz. John Coblentz was a son of George Coblentz, Sr., who was a native of Coblentz, Germany, on the Rhine. When a young man, George Coblentz emigrated to America and located in Frederick county, Maryland, where he married. Later he emigrated to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he followed farming and where he spent the remainder of his life. John Coblentz, the grandfather of Clayton R., was left an orphan at a tender age, and was taken by his sister and other relatives to be reared. He grew to tnanhood on a farm near Eldorado, Ohio, where he married Mary J. Robertson, whose father, Isaac Robertson, was a noted itinerant preacher in

Preble and Darke counties, and to this union were born five children, one of whom died in infancy. The others were : Rhoda, who became the wife of Joseph Alexander; John H., the father of Professor Coblentz, married Elizabeth Eubank; Malissa M., the wife of Henry H. Mikesell, and Elwood, who married Estella Alexander.

John H. Coblentz, after his marriage, settled in Jefferson township, in this county, and later moved to Darke county, Ohio, where he was the owner of two farms. Later he returned to Jefferson township, Preble county, where he lived until 1911, in which year he purchased a store at Coxs Mills, in Wayne county, Indiana. John H. Coblentz and wife were the parents of three children, the eldest, Edward I., dying at the age of nine years, the others being Clayton R., who is the immediate subject of this sketch, and Ola M., the wife of James V. Hughes, a Jefferson township farmer.

Prof. Clayton R. Coblentz spent his boyhood days on a farm, where he was reared to maturity. He attended the district schools during his early years and was graduated from the high school at New Paris in 1894. He received his professional training at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and in 1895 engaged in teaching. He was principal of the New Paris high school one and one-half years and was superintendent of the same school three and one-half years. He was placed at the head of the Jackson township high school in 1900, and has been superintendent of this school since that time. The new school building was erected in 1910 and is the pride of Jackson township. Professor Coblentz was the promoter and supporter of the plan for the centralization of schools in Jackson township.

Professor Coblentz was married on June 11, 1899, to Daisy Barnet, who was born near Camden, Ohio, September 29, 1875, the daughter of James M. and Mary E. (Kelley) Barnet. She went with her parents to New Paris, Ohio, when seven years old, attended the schools of that village, and was graduated from the New Paris high school with the class of 1892. After her graduation she became a teacher in the public schools of Preble county, and taught at Eldorado and New Paris, as well as in the Jackson township district schools. Five children have been bom to Professor Coblentz and wife, two dying in infancy. Those living are: Lawrence E., born on December 15, 1905; Mary E., born on October 8, I9°9» and Ruth A., born on May 19, 1911.

Professor Coblentz and wife are earnest members of the Christian church, in which he is church clerk. He is also a teacher of the young peo- pie's class and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. He is a man of quiet and unassuming disposition and enjoys the good will of all the people of the township, whom he has served for a period of fifteen years. He is a learned, efficient and capable educator and an eminent private citizen, a leader in all movements having for their object the betterment of his community, and devoted to the best interests of the township which he has long served so faithfully and so well.

Josiah M. Crowel

Josiah M. Crowel is recognized as one of the energetic farmers of Preble county, Ohio, who, by his enterprise and progressive methods, has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the locality in which he lives. During the course of a long and honorable career, he has been especially successful in farming and enjoys the prestige of being a reputable and representative man of his township. It is eminently proper, therefore, that attention be called to his achievements and due credit be accorded to his worth as a citizen.

Josiah M. Crowel was born in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, September 23, i860, a son of Jacob and Amy E. (Feasel) Crowel. Jacob Crowel was also a native of Jackson township, his birth having occurred October 19, 1818, and he was a son of Michael and Hannah (Wells) Crowel. Michael Crowel came to Ohio from Virginia, where he was born in 1806, and located in Jackson township in this county, and there he spent the remainder of his life. His wife was a native of North Carolina, and came to Ohio early in life with her parents and located in Jackson township, where she was married. Later Michael Crowel entered land one mile east of the state line, on the farm now owned by Charles Cox. He cleared away a spot and there built a cabin in the wilderness, and there he and his wife lived and worked with true pioneer spirit, clearing and improving their farm. They were the parents of nine children : Henry, David, Jacob, John, Michael, James, Mary, Sarah and Hiram, all of whom are now deceased.

Jacob Crowel grew to manhood in Jackson township, attending the district schools of that day, and married Amy E. Feasel, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, March 18, 1832, and died February 14, 1915. Shortly after his marriage Jacob Crowel purchased the old home farm, and there he lived and worked and was prospered as the years went on and eventually became the owner of two hundred and sixty-five acres. He was a quiet, honorable man, devoted to the interests of his family and the welfare of the community in which he lived. He died in 1901, in his eightythird year. He and his wife were the parents of three children: William, a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Josiah, the immediate subject of this review, and Edgar F., a candy maker in Richmond, Indiana.

Josiah M. Crowel was reared on the farm in Jackson township, and received his education in the public schools of his home neighborhood. He remained at home assisting his father until he reached his majority, when he bought one hundred and one acres, a part of the old homestead. Mr. Crowel is now a general farmer and stock raiser.

On February 17, 1891, Josiah M. Crowel was married to Margaret Short, who is . a daughter of John M. and Adelia Short. She was born in Wavne county, Indiana. Her father died February 17, 1895, and her mother died April 1, 1915. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crowel settled down on the farm where they now reside. They have one daughter, Hazel L:, who was born on November 30, 1891. She is a graduate of the Jackson township high school, and is living at home with her parents.

Mr. CroweFis a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. He has always voted at elections, but has preferred to leave the active management of politics to others. No man is more highly respected and esteemed in Jackson township than Josiah M. Crowel.

John C. Barr

It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action one decides upon. Success was never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and never courts the inert man. Only men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessing. The success which John C. Barrr of Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, enjoys has been won by the qualities which always win success. His splendid personal worth has won for him the high esteem of a large circle of friends.

John C. Barr, a farmer living in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, was born in Jefferson township, in the same county, September 27, 1864, the son of Alexander and Achasia (Curry) Barr. Alexander Barr was born in Preble county, the son of Christopher Barr, whose father and two brothers came to the United States from Scotland. Christopher Barr's father settled near New Paris, in Jefferson township, this county, where he spent the rest of his life. His son, Christopher Barr, lived and died in the same township.

Both Alexander Barr and his wife, the latter of whom was the daughter of Capt. John Curry, grew up in Preble county, and both lived here all their lives. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living: Alice, the wife of William D. Benner, of Jackson township; John C., the subject of this sketch; Clarence O., a farmer of Jefferson township; Frank, a graduate of the Richmond Business College, who is assistant superintendent in the office of the Adams Express Company at Chicago, Illinois; Myrtle, the wife of William Irwin, of Eldorado, Ohio; William A., a graduate of the Richmond Business College, who is a traveling salesman for Seigle Brothers, of Chicago; Marv, the wife of Herbert Harshman, of Washington township; Pearl, the wife of John Wearley, of Manchester, Ohio; and Bruce O., a graduate of the Richmond Business College, who is a farmer in Jefferson township. John C. Barr was reared on the paternal farm in this county, receiving his education in the common schools, and lived at home until he was married.

John C. Barr was married on June 17, 1896, to Mattie M. Tobey, who was born in Jackson township, June 2, 1876, the daughter of David and Mary (Kepler) Tobey. To this union have been born two sons: Byrl T.,

David Tobey was a son of Henry and Magdalene C. (Rohrer) Tobey, the former of whom was born on October 14, 1817, and the latter born on March 20, 1818, who were married December 24, 1835. Mrs. Henry Tobey was a daughter of Elizabeth Rohrer, who died July 14, 1884. Henry Tobey was a minister in the United Brethren church. He and his wife migrated from Baltimore, Maryland, to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1836. He began preaching at the age of forty-one at Lewisburg. Ohio, and was ordained an elder in 1845. He died on September 15, 1889, and his wife died on January 31, 1900.

John C. Barr is a member of the Presbyterian church at Gettysburg, Ohio, and Mrs. Barr is a member of the United Brethren church at New Hope. Mr. Barr is a Democrat and has been active in the councils of his party and is now one of the trustees of the township. He owns forty acres of land on the Richmond and Eaton pike, six miles from Eaton and ten miles from Richmond. The Barr family is widely known in the community in which they live and are popular in that community.

The Deem Family

One of the most prominent of the Preble county families, and one which has been connected with the history of this section from the very earliest times, is that of the Deems. The family in Preble county was founded by Joseph Deem, who was a well-known pioneer, and a man of true worth. He was born September 20, 1801, in Campbell county, Virginia, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1810, locating in Butler county, Ohio, where he resided until 1836, when he came to Preble county. He was married December 18, 1823, to Frances Tarr, who was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, November 1, 1800. Upon coming to Preble county, Joseph Deem and wife located two miles northwest of Eaton, where they lived the remainder of their lives, his death occurring February 14, 1873, his widow survived him about one year, dying on January 14, 1874. Both were devout and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Joseph Deem was converted August 4, 1821, at a camp meeting in Butler county, Ohio. He became a member of the church and was a devoted and faithful worker in the church for more than half a century, as well as a valued citizen of his community throughout his life.

James K. Deem was reared on a farm and was educated in the district schools. He spent his entire life on the old home farm two miles northwest of Eaton. He was married December 24, 1868, to Mary E. Bruce, a granddaughter of William Bruce, who was born on the old Bruce homestead just south of the Eaton corporation line, November 25, 1849, and was educated in the public schools of Eaton, Ohio. To this union there was bom one son, Charles Hardin Deem, born February 14, 1870. Mr. Deem was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a member of the official board of the congregation to which he was attached, and throughout his whole life was a liberal supporter of the church.

Charles Hardin Deem was educated in the district schools, which he attended during the winter seasons. In the summers he worked on a farm. On December 22, 1897, he married Elma Cooper, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Cooper. Mr. Deem is ex-treasurer of Preble county, Ohio.

brother, George W. Deem, December 29, 1897. George W. Deem had been married to Fanny J. Bruce, a sister of his second wife, and by this marriage was the father of one daughter, Susan, who is the wife of Charles A. Kelley, and lives at Searcy, Arkansas.

George W. Deem was one of the organizers of the Eaton National Bank, and served as one of the directors until his death. He was prominent in financial circles. He built the home where his widow now lives on North Baron street, and moved into it in 1882. It is constructed of pressed brick and is one of the best dwellings in Eaton. George W. Deem was engaged in the lumber business in Eaton from 1872 until his death in 1902. He was a successful business man in every respect.

George W. Deem was a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Boliver Lodge No. 82, of Eaton. He was an eminently respected citizen of the county during his life and contributed much to the financial prestige of Preble county.

* Mrs. Deem now lives in her splendid home on Baron street in Eaton, and is a clever, refined and entertaining woman, a descendant of one of the oldest families of Preble county, and enjoys in the widest degree the respect and esteem of her large circle of acquaintances.

Jonas H. Tkeffinger

Few residents of Preble county are so well and favorably known as the enterprising farmer and representative citizen whose life story is here briefly set out, and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community in which he resides.

Jonas H. Treffinger, the proprietor of "Sunny Nook Farm," consisting of sixty acres, situated six miles northwest of Eaton, in Jackson township, was born in Washington township, this county, October 21, 1855, the son of William G. and Regina (Ressler) Treffinger, both natives of Germany.

William G. Treffinger and Regina Ressler grew up in Germany, were married there and came to the United States in the forties, locating in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio. They never possessed much of this world's goods, but did manage, however, to acquire a small farm, where they both died. They were members of the Dunkard church and were the parents of seven children, two of whom are living, William E., who married Kate Stemple and lives in Washington township, and Jonas H.

Jonas H. Treffinger was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He worked for his father until he was sixteen years old, at which time he began working for himself. He worked by the month until twenty-three years old, and was then, on September 28, 1878, married to Emma Longfellow, a daughter of John J. and Julia A. (Dillman) Longfellow, the former a native of Cass county, Indiana, and the latter of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio. Jacob Longfellow, father of John J., owned a large tract of land where the city of Logansport, Indiana, now stands. John J. Longfellow settled in Butler county, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life. His daughter, Emma Longfellow, who is Mr. Treffinger's wife, was born in St. Clair township, Butler county, February 20, 1857. She was educated in the common schools of Preble county, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Jonas H. Treffinger have three daughters, Maude E., Bessie J. and Juna E. Maude E. married J. T. Hilderbrand and lives in Chicago, Illinois. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Bessie J. is a graduate of the Campbellstown high school and the wife of John Mummert, of Dixon township. They have two daughters. Juna E. is single and at home.

Mr. Treffinger is a member of Eaton Lodge No. 30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat, but has never cared to hold office. Mr. Treffinger has made a success of his vocation and is popular in the community where he lives.

Elijah V. Stamback

Among those who are eminently entitled to a place in a work of this character is Elijah V. Stamback, a farmer living on Rural Route 3, out of New Paris, Ohio. Mr. Stamback has performed well his part in the drama of civilization and has led a life that is exemplary in every respect. He has set an example to the younger generation, for he has been a leader in his locality in all matters pertaining to its advancement. In a conservative manner he has done what he could for the advancement of the community's interests.

Elijah V. Stamback was born in Jackson township, this county, one and one-half miles south of where he now lives, April 11, 1862, the son of William and Nancy A. (McElhaney) Stamback, the latter of whom was a native of Virginia, who were the parents of eight children, four of whom are still living: Maggie, the wife of James Wert; Miriam, the wife of

Elijah V. Stamback was left at the age of two years without a father, and his mother died a few years later. For six years he worked for different people for his board and clothes, and for seven years he worked by the month. The first year of this latter form of service he received nine dollars a month and the next four years fifteen dollars a month, and the last two years eighteen dollars a month. At the end of seven years he had saved two hundred dollars. Mr. Stamback then began life on his own account. He rented land in . Jackson township at three dollars an acre for two years and in 1888 purchased the place where he now lives, consisting of one hundred and forty-four acres. Mr. Stamback now owns two hundred and thirty acres in Jefferson township and four hundred acres in Jackson township, in all, six hundred and thirty acres. He has acquired every acre of this land by his own labor and careful management. One-half of Mr. Stamback's total wealth has come from the raising of tobacco and corn.

One might canvass Preble county thoroughly, but it is doubtful if he would be able to find a man who has accomplished more than Elijah V. Stamback, considering the handicaps under which he labored early in life. There are not many farmers in Preble county who own more land than Mr. Stamback, and there are very few who have a competence equal to that which he has accumulated. Mr. Stamback has toiled hard and has always been a good manager; but coupled with these two qualities, is his reputation for honesty and square dealing, a no small factor in his great personal success.

Mr. Stamback was married on October 24, 1886, to Cora L. McKee, who was born in Jefferson township, this county, but who lived in the West a short time.

Mr. Stamback is a Democrat, but his life has been too busily occupied with his own private affairs to permit much attention to political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Stamback are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Gettysburg and Mr. Stamback is a member of the official board and active in the work of the church and the Sunday school.

Elijah V. Stambach has reached that enviable position in life from which he can look back upon his career and know that he has been a success, realizing that the verdict of his neighbors, his friends and his fellow citizens must ever continue to be: "Well done, thou good and faithful

Clem Ext L. Jones

It is the farmer who makes it possible for men in other occupations to live. Farming was the original vocation of man and it is the only occupation which could exist independently of the others. Indeed, every other occupation is dependent upon farming. The products of the farm have made our railroads what they are today. The great bulk of manufacturing is made necessary because of the farmer's needs. The people of the city could not live a week without the farmer's products. This is especially true of the fruit and truck grower. The farmer holds not only the pursestrings of the nation, but he even holds the very life of the people in his hand. Eor this reason, the farmer has in reality the most important vocation of all. Preble county has many fine farms and many good farmers, and among the best and most successful is Clement L. Jones, a farmer living on Rural Route 3, out of Richmond, Indiana, and the proprietor of "Linden Ranch, Fruit, Dairy and Poultry Farm," consisting of sixty-two acres five miles east of Richmond, in Jefferson township.

Mr. Jones was born in Randolph county, Indiana, May 4, 1872, the son of John H. and Ellen F. (Helton) Jones. John H. Jones was born in Owen county, Indiana, the son of Warren M. Jones, who was the son of Edmund Jones, the latter of whom emigrated from Virginia to Indiana, where he entered land in Wayne county and where he spent the remainder of his life.

Warren M. Jones married Sarah Stauffer, who was born in Pennsylvania, but who was reared in Wayne county, Indiana, to which union were born eleven children, Levi, John, Granville, Jacob, Edward, Harold, Melvina, Elizabeth, Ruth, Hannah and Sarah, all of whom are living except Melvina.

John H. Jones was reared on a farm in Randolph county, Indiana, and was educated in the district schools of that county, following which he taught school for some time. He married Ellen Helton, the daughter of John and Melissa (Edwards) Helton, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana. Three children were born to this union: Clement L., the subject of this sketch: John E., who married Ethel Totten and lives in Eureka, California: Elza F., who married Addie Hinshaw and lives in Reno, Nevada. Mrs. Ellen Jones died in 1877 and Mr. Jones married, secondly, Mary C. Shank, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana. To this second union ten children were born, all of whom live in Randolph county, Indiana, except Herbert, who lives in Lafayette, same state. The other children are

Clement L. Jones was reared on a farm in Randolph county, Indiana, and was educated in the district schools of that county. He was graduated from the common schools and for a period of five years taught school in Indiana, Illinois, Oregon and Washington.

Mr. Jones was married to Jennie A. Baker, who was born in Buffalo, Dallas county, Missouri, September 6, 1871, the daughter of Marcus A. and Harriett E. (Wilson) Baker. Marcus A. Baker was a soldier in Company F, Sixty-ninth Regiment Indiana Infantry, and served one year during the Civil War, being discharged for disability at the end of that time. He and his wife were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living, Maggie, Winona, Harry, Marcus, Jr., Arthur, David, Robert, Mary and Jennie A. Four children are deceased, Howard, Curtis, McKinley and Curtis. Mrs. Jones' mother died in Missouri and Mrs. Jones was reared by her maternal grandparents, being educated in the public schools of Richmond, Indiana.

the New Paris high school and is now in the government service, connected with the weather bureau at Boise, Idaho, and Hubert F., born on November 13, 1896, who also is a graduate of the New Paris high school.

Mr. Jones is an extensive grower of fruit and truck. He owns ten acres of orchard land and has three acres in berries. He also raises other small fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are extensive breeders of White Wyandotte chickens and have some excellent fowls. Mr. Jones makes a specialty of thoroughbred Duroc-Jersey hogs and has other good grades of live stock.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at New Paris, Ohio. Mr. Jones is a member of the official board and one of the trustees and treasurer of the church, and for several years served as superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally, he is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor of this lodge. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Pythian Sisters, in which order she is a past chief. Mr. Jones also is a member of Richmond Camp No. 3815, Modern Woodmen of America. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the White Water Valley Grange at New Paris. Mr. Jones is past master and past representative and was first master of the grange. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are charter members and the latter has been a lecturer for the grange for many years. Mr. Jones is a Democrat and has served his community efficiently as a member of the local school board. He is a member of the Preble county board of agriculture, having been appointed to this position. Mr. Jones is entitled to rank as one of the representative citizens of Preble county and one of the substantial farmers and business men of his vicinity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are leaders in all public movements and both are capable and faithful leaders in their community.

Otto B. Cooper

Among the worthy citizens of Preble county, Ohio, whose residence here has contributed in no small degree to the prestige of the locality where he lives, is Otto B. Cooper, a general merchant of Campbellstown. While laboring for his individual advancement he has not forgotten his obligations to the public and his support of such measures and movements as have been made for the general good, has always been depended upon. Although his life has always been a busy one, his private affairs making heavy demand upon his time, he has never allowed it to interfere with his obligations as a citizen and neighbor. Through the long years of his residence in this locality, he has ever been true to the trust reposed in him, whether of a general or specific nature. His reputation in a business way is unassailable and he is honored by all who know him, being very properly numbered among the representative citizens of Jackson township.

Otto B. Cooper was born in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, June 20, 1874, the son of Daniel and Sarah (Aydelotte) Cooper. Daniel Cooper was a native of Butler county, Ohio, a son of Jacob and Harriett (Patton) Cooper. Jacob Cooper was a native of Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, after which he emigrated to Butler county, Ohio, and from there to Preble county, locating in Jackson township, where he spent the remainder of his life. Daniel Cooper was one of the representative citizens of Jackson township and a Republican in politics. He was elected treasurer of Preble county and served in that capacity from 1880 to 1884. During this time he lived in Eaton and after his term had expired he continued to reside in Eaton until 1906, in which year he took up his residence with his son, Otto B., at Campbellstown, where he died. His widow is still living in Campbellstown. Daniel Cooper was a prosperous farmer, active in the party with which he was identified and performed good service for that party. He served in Company C, Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer

Infantry, during the Civil War, enlisting in 1861. He was disabled by wounds and honorably discharged in 1864. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being affiliated with the post at Eaton, and took a prominent part in the proceedings of that organization. He and his wife were the parents of three children: Elma, the wife of Charles H. Deem,

Otto B. Cooper was reared on a farm in Jackson township, where he remained until five years old, when the family moved to Eaton. He attended the public schools there and was graduated from the Eaton high school. He moved to a farm in Jackson township, when he began life for himself, starting at the bottom. In 1894 he began farming for himself and continued this form of endeavor for twelve years. He was successful as a farmer, and in 1906 moved to Campbellstown, where he purchased a general store and has been in business in that town since that date.

Mr. Cooper was married on July. 8, 1914, to Kate Miller, who was born in central Kentucky and was educated in the public schools of that state. She was graduated from the Richrqond (Kentucky) schools and was a teacher for eleven years.

Mr. Cooper is a member of Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons; of Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and of the Council of Royal and Select Masters at Hamilton. - Mr. Cooper is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in the councils of that party. He is a quiet, unassuming man and an honorable citizen in every respect, well known and highly regarded throughout Preble county.

John F. Duggins

A career marked by earnest and indefatigable application has been that of John F. Duggins, a substantial and honored citizen of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, where he has maintained a residence for many years, during all of which time his life has been an open book to be read by his neighbors and friends. He was a valiant soldier of the Civil War. where his fidelity was of the same type as that which has characterized his actions in all the public and private relations of life. This conduct has gained for him the confidence and esteem of the public, and the unbounded respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

John F. Duggins was born in Eaton, Ohio, July 28, 1842, the son of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Monforth) Duggins. Cornelius Duggins was bom in Preble county, Ohio, March 17, 1812, a son of Henry Duggins, who was born in Virginia, on the river Dam, in 1788. Henry Duggins was a son of Alexander Duggins, who also was a native of Virginia, and who lived in that state all his life.

Henry Duggins emigrated from Kentucky to Ohio in 1806, and located in Gasper township, this county, where he was married to Jane Sellers, to which union six children were born: Cornelius, born in 1812; John, born in 1814; Nathan, born in 1816; William, born in 1818; Washington, born in 1820, and Caroline, born in 1824. Jane Sellers was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, August 6, 1782, a daughter of Nathan Sellers, and was one of eleven children, ten daughters and one son: Mary, Elizabeth, Jane,

Cornelius Duggins was born on March 17, 1812, on the farm in Gasper township, two miles south of Eaton, where John F. lived so many years, and grew up there and married. Later he went to Newcastle, Indiana, where his death occurred on November 17, 1849. His widow survived him many years, her death not occurring until November 4, 1895. They were the parents of five children: Catherine, unmarried, who lives in Eaton;

Celia, the widow of William Barnet, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; Nathan, deceased, who was born in 1840; John F., with whom this narrative deals, and Elizabeth (deceased), who was born in 1842 and died in 1873. Elizabeth (Montfort) Duggins, the mother of these children, was born in Warren county, Ohio, April 7, 1814, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Montfort) Montfort, who were cousins, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Warren county, this state, who came to Preble county in the year 1815, locating at Eaton, where Henry Montfort conducted a hotel for many years. Henry Montfort was twice married. His first wife, dying in 1821, he married, secondly, a Miss Kervines. Both he and his wife died in 1849, victims of the cholera scourge of that year.

John F. Duggins, the fourth child born to his parents, was reared on the paternal farm near Eaton and received his education in the little old log school house which served his neighborhood in the days of his youth. He enlisted for service in the Union army on October 30, 1861, in Company C, Seventy-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Harris, and served three years and three months, receiving his discharge on January 13, 1865. Mr. Duggins took part in the battles of McDowell, Chancellorsville, Bull Run and Cross Keys. He was taken a prisoner at

Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, and was held for six weeks before being exchanged. He was captured again near Lake George, Florida, and was in prison from May 19 to November 26, 1864. He returned to Preble county after the close of the war, and resumed his work on the farm.

On November 18, 1888, at Eaton, Mr. Duggins was married to Anna Greer, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, a daughter of James Greer. Mr. and Mrs. Duggins have no children.

Mr. Duggins is an adherent of the Republican party, but has not been active in political affairs, preferring rather to devote his attention to his agricultural interests. He is the owner of one hundred and thirty-four acres of fertile land, on which he carries on a diversified system of farming, with a very gratifying degree of success. Mr. Duggins is a man of wonderful memory and acquainted with much of the early history of Eaton and Preble county, and is highly respected and honored in the community in which he lives, very properly ranking as one of the most substantial citizens of the county.

Estie W. Kayler

Estie W. Kayler, a farmer living on Rural Route 2, out of Eaton, Ohio, is a native-born Buckeye and justly deserves the title of self-made man, having worked his way unaided from the humble ranks of the toilers, through the vicissitudes and adversities of life, to an admirable and influential position among the farmers of Jackson township, this county. His success has been due to his steady persistence, stanch integrity and excellent judgment. At the same time he has won and now retains the confidence and esteem of the people with whom he has been associated.

Estie W. Kayler was born on "Lowery Hill Stock Farm," in Preble county, Ohio, October 25, 1881, the son of John J. and Sarah V. (Dalrymple) Kayler, and the third child of the family. He attended the public schools in Washington township in the winters, working on the farm in the summers, and remained at home until he was twenty-four years old.

Mr. Kayler was married, on April 6, 1906, to Theresa Morse, the daughter of John and Anna (Griffith) Morse, the former of whom was born in Jackson township, the son of Austin Morse, who came to Preble county with his father and settled in Jackson township. Mrs. Kayler was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Jackson township high school.

Mrs. Kayler's father was born in Jackson township, this county, in 1853. Her grandfather came to Jackson township when he was four years old, and died there in 1910. His wife was Jane Clingingpeel, who died in 1896. Mrs. Kayler was one of four children, the others being Oliver M. and Walter, both of whom are unmarried, and Everett T., who married Lulu M. Reed and lives in Jackson township, this county.

In 1908 Mr. Kayler rented the Melling farm in Jackson township and has been engaged in general farming and stock raising on this farm since that date.

The Kayler family are members of the New Hope United Brethren church, Mr. Kayler being one of the stewards in this church and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is an ardent Democrat, but he has never held office. Fraternally, he is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, at Eaton. Mr. Kayler is well known and deserves to rank as a representative citizen-of-Jackson township.

A career marked by earnest and indefatigable application has been that of this substantial and honored citizen of Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, where he has lived all his life, except the time he spent in defense of his country during the dark days of the Civil War. He was a valiant soldier, serving faithfully and well, and his fidelity was of the type which has characterized his actions in all their relations and gained for him the confidence and esteem of the public and unbounded respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

Samuel L. McCoy, a prominent farmer living on Rural Route No. 3, out of New Paris, Ohio, was born in Monroe township, Preble- county, June 7, 1844, a son of Charles S. and Maria (Lugar) McCoy. Charles S. McCoy was a native of Maine, his birth having occurred in that state on March 5, 1812. At the age of five years he moved to Miami county, Ohio, with his parents, where he remained until 1824, in which year his father died, after which Charles, at the age of twelve years, came to Preble county, where he became a member of the family of Leander Roberts, with whom he remained until his marriage.

ginia in 1822, and to this union the following children were born : Samuel L., with whom this narrative deals; George W., of Eldorado, Ohio; Huldah, the wife of Luther Coovert, a resident of Monroe township, this county; Emily, unmarried, who makes her home with her brother, Samuel L. ; Caroline, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Bunger; William, deceased; Mary, wife of Charles Brazier, both of whom are now deceased; two who died in infancy; Charles, who died at the age of four; Clara, who married Rev. Lowery A. McGrew, a missionary in Africa, and who, with her husband, was killed in that country.

Samuel L. McCoy was reared on a farm and early learned the principles of agriculture. He received his education in the district schools of the county, and at the outbreak of the Civil War responded to the call for volunteers. He first enlisted in the home guards in 1862, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving four months with this regiment in Kentucky. He was then discharged and re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, after which he returned to Preble county and engaged in farm work by the month until his marriage, in 1875, since which time he has been engaged in farming for himself, and has met with a degree of success commensurate with his efforts.

On March 11, 1875, Mr-. McCoy was married to Martha A. Pence, a native of this county, her birth having occurred in Monroe township in 1852. To this union three children were born, Leroy, Meda and Maude. Leroy, who was born on January 9, 1876, is unmarried and lives at home, assisting his father in the management of the home farm. Meda is the wife of Bolton Hinerman, who is a graduate of Otterbein College, now living in Jefferson township. Maude is unmarried and lives at home with her father. The mother of these children died on April 12, 1903.

Mr. McCoy is an adherent of the Republican party, but has never taken a very active part in political matters, although he is much interested in local affairs and an ardent supporter of every measure having for its object the betterment of his home community. He has been instrumental in the building of many of the good roads of his township and vicinity. The family are all loyal and earnest members of the Presbyterian church at Gettysburg, and Mr. McCoy is serving as treasurer of that church at the present time, while his son, Leroy, is one of the trustees of the church. Mr. Mc- Coy is a devoted member of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes an active interest in the welfare of his old comrades in this organization.

James F. Richards

The unostentatious routine of private life is of vast importance to the welfare of a community. It is the average man in this country who is most worth while, because it is to him that falls the duty of performing a great deal of necessary work. The examples which men of this character furnish to the communities in which they live are well worthy of consideration. One of the farmers of Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, who enjoys the respect and confidence of his neighbors is James F. Richards.

James F. Richards was born in Monroe township, Preble county, Ohio, August 29, 1868, a son of Benjamin and Mary E. (Fudge) Richards, the former a native of Gettysburg, Jefferson township, born on March 16, 1840, a son of Sampson and Mary A. (Coleman) Richards, and the latter a sister of David L. Fudge, in a biographical sketch of whom, elsewhere in this volume, is presented the genealogy of the Fudge family. Sampson Richards and wife were early residents of Monroe township, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. In his later years he moved to a farm in Washington township, south of Eaton, where his wife's death occurred. He died at the home of his son in Jefferson township. He and his wife were the parents of seven children: John, deceased; Benjamin, a farmer of Monroe township; William, also a resident of Monroe township; Henry, of Richmond, Indiana; Andrew, of Dunkirk, Indiana; Catherine, deceased, and Rachel, the wife of Levi Petry, of Monroe township, in this county.

Benjamin Richards was reared in Monroe township, receiving his education in the common schools of his home neighborhood. His wife was Mary E. Fudge, who died November 22, 1909. They were the parents of five children, all but one of whom are now living. Alice is the wife of Ervin Brown, a farmer of Monroe township; James F. is the subject of this sketch; Rosa is the wife of James Howell, of Monroe township; Charles is a farmer of Monroe township.

James F. Richards, the immediate subject of this review, spent his boyhood days on a farm in Monroe township, receiving his education in school district No. 8. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years old, farming, however, only one year after he had reached his majority, after which he became a general contractor in wood cutting and ditching.

Mr. Richards was married, February 28, 1897, to Flora D. Imes, who was born in Twin township, this county, February 28, 1877, a daughter of Francis and Clara (Witterman) Imes. Mrs. Richards was educated in the common schools. Her father was born in Gratis township, and her mother

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Richards settled on a farm in Monroe township, where they lived for one year, at the end of which time they moved to another farm in the same township, where they lived four years. They then moved to Jefferson township, and have lived on the same farm for eleven years. They are the parents of two children : Benjamin F., born on June 5, 1899, who was graduated from the common schools and attended the New Paris high school, and Elsie M., born on July 17, 1901.

Politically, Mr. Richards is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, while, fraternally, he is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pvthias, of New Paris, Ohio. The Richards family are eminently deserving the respect and good will bestowed upon them by all their neighbors and friends.

John D. Bright

It matters much less where a man comes into the world than how he comes into its life as a living force, or what he does and becomes in it. Heredity and environment have much to do in conditioning his character and power, and fortunate, indeed, is the individual who has been well born and whose surroundings have made for his best development. The well-known subject of this review has been peculiarly blessed in both these respects. He comes from highly esteemed ancestors and was reared under excellent home influences, the result being the fine specimen of manhood and citizenship which he today represents.

John D. Bright, the son of John and Mary J. (Browder) Bright, was born in East Tennessee, June 10, 1867. His father and mother were both natives of Virginia, where they grew up and were married, after which they moved to the eastern part of Tennessee, where they spent the remainder of their lives. John Bright and wife were the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living: William A., of Sullivan county, Tennessee;

Sarah, the wife of William McMurray, of Scott county, Virginia; James F-, of Liberty, Indiana; John D., the immediate subject of this sketch; Thomas F., of Dickerson county, Virginia, and Joseph, of Peadman, Virginia.

John D. Bright was reared on his fathers farm in eastern Tennessee, receiving his education in the common schools of his home county. He as- sisted his father with the farm work until he was twenty years old, and in 1888 went to Wayne county, Indiana, where he worked at farm labor until 1890, when he went to Darke county, Ohio, where he remained four years, at the end of which time he came to Preble county, since which time he has lived in this county. He is the owner of a little more than eighty-three acres of fine farming land in the northeast quarter of section 25, of Jefferson township, on which he carries on a general system of diversified farming with a very gratifying degree of success.

On December 8, 1895, Mr. Bright was married to Ella Swerer, the daughter of Peter and Rebecca Swerer, of Jefferson township. Mrs. Bright was born on March 29, 1873, in this county, and was reared in Jefferson township, attending the public schools of her home township. *Mr. and Mrs. Bright are faithful and loyal members of the Presbyterian church at New Paris, and take an active part in the work of the congregation of that church.

Mr. Bright is a Republican and takes an active interest in local public affairs and is now serving as one of the trustees of Jefferson township. He belongs to Eldorado Lodge No. 389, Knights of Pythias, and takes an active interest in the welfare of that fraternal organization. Mr. Bright is a quiet, unassuming man and is held in the highest respect and esteem by his fellow citizens.

Samuel Miller

The farmer is the bulwark of the nation. Investigation has shown that a majority of our best business men in the cities were reared on the farm. George Washington was a farmer and was proud of the fact. Abraham Lincoln was reared on a farm in Spencer county, Indiana. Probably the most democratic governor Indiana ever had was "Blue Jeans" Williams, who prided himself on being nothing but a farmer. James A. Mount, another governor of the Hoosier state, was a farmer. Ohio has had several governors who either were active farmers, or heavy owners of farm property, among whom is former Governor Harris, of Preble county. Verily the fanner is the bulwark of the nation and the salt of the earth. Among the farmers of Preble county, few are more progressive than Samuel Miller. Careful and conservative in his business methods and affairs, he is nevertheless sufficiently progressive to keep apace with twentieth-century

Samuel Miller was born in Monroe township, Preble county, Ohio, on January 8, 1847, a son °f Levi and Susannah (Wehrly) Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Preble county, Ohio. Levi Miller came to Preble county at the age of thirteen and lived in Monroe township until his death in December, 1911, at the age of ninety-one years.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom are still living, while two died in infancy: Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Amanda, the wife of S. D. Hensel; Andrew, a farmer of Monroe township; Jane, the wife of Lewis Richards; Catherine, the wife of Norman Caylor; Isaac, a resident of Eldorado; Lydia, the wife of C. A. Baker; Mary, the wife of Solomon Emrick; George, a farmer of Monroe township; Mina, the wife of William Guenther, and Cena, the wife of J. C. Ayers, of this county. Samuel Miller was reared on the home farm in Monroe township, and attended the public schools, remaining at home until he had reached his majority.

On January 13, 1870, Samuel Miller was married to Lydia A. Stiver, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, October 21, 1844, a daughter of Henry Stiver, a native of Pennsylvania. Four children born to this union are now living: Henry, a graduate of the common schools, married

Lillie M. Fudge, and is a successful farmer; Nettie, also a graduate of the common schools, is the wife of Holly Spitler; Martin O., a graduate of the common schools, married Grace Wurt, and Clara, a graduate of the common schools, is the wife of Warren F. Petry.

The Miller family are all members of the Evangelical Association church, and Samuel Miller has long been prominent in the affairs of this church. Mr. Miller is a Democrat, and has taken an active part in local political affairs, having served as a member of the school board for thirtyfive years, and as township trustee for three terms. He served as a member of the board of directors of the county infirmary for three years. He is a member of the Preble County Agricultural Association, and for the past eighteen years has served as president of that association, and is now serving as vice-president of the same. Mr. Miller is one' of the directors of the Farmers Banking Company, of Eldorado.

Mr. Miller is the owner of two hundred and forty-seven acres of splendid farming land in Preble county, and is a successful breeder of Chester White hogs. Mr. Miller is not only a representative farmer, but, more than that, he is a representative citizen of Preble county, where he is well known, and never permits any movement for the promotion of the interests of the vocation with which he is identified, to pass without his active support and assistance. He is much respected by the rising generation of farmers, to whom he has ever been willing to extend a helping hand.

There is no earthly station higher than the ministry of the gospel, no life can be more uplifting or grander than that which is devoted to the teaching of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. No man makes greater sacrifices than the one who is willing to cast aside earthly crowns and laurels of fame to follow in the footsteps of the lowly Xazarene. The height, depth and breadth of the influence of such a life cannot be estimated. Eaton, Ohio, has many worthy ministers of the gospel, but none is more prudent, or more forcefully illustrates what energy, integrity and fixed purpose can accomplish than the pastor of the First Christian church, the Rev. McDaniel Howsare. He enjoys the highest esteem and confidence of the people with whom he labors and his career is a compelling lesson to the young man who stands at the parting of the ways.

Rev. McDaniel Howsare was bom at Chaneysville, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1869, the son of Joshua and Sarah Elizabeth (Ash) Howsare. natives of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of three children, Rev. McDaniel, Mary Agnes, deceased, who was the wife of J. B. Cooper: and Cora Belle, who died in infancy.

Joshua Howsare was reared in Bedford county. Pennsylvania, and almost all his life he was a farmer. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres a mile and one-half from Chaneysville, where he reared his family and where he lived until about ten years ago. when he retired to Chaneysville, where he since has been conducting a boarding house.

The paternal grandparents of Rev. McDaniel Howsare were Asa and Catharine (Nycum) Howsare, natives of Pennsylvania. Asa Howsare was a fanner in Bedford county. He died at the age of sixty-nine and his wife at the age of ninety. They had three sons, Wesley, Jesse and Joshua. The maternal grandparents of Rev. Howsare were Owen and Sarah Ann (Robinson) Ash, the former of whom was a farmer in Bedford county and died there at an advanced age. They had a large family, Edmund, Dennis, Top G.. Emma, Sarah Elizal>eth and several other children who died in infancy.

Rev. McDaniel Howsare was reared on his father's farm in the hills of Pennsylvania. He attended the township schools and began teaching at the age of sixteen. Besides the county normal school, he attended the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio. In the meantime he studied for the ministry and began preaching when about twenty years old. His first regular charge after leaving school was with the First Christian church at Versailles, Ohio, which he served for five years, after which he served nearly two years as general secretary of the Ohio State Christian Association. He then was pastor five years at the Christian church at Maple Rapids, Michigan, at the end of which term of service he returned to the Versailles church, upon the unanimous call of the congregation, and remained there three years. From Versailles he was called to the Memorial Christian Temple at Norfolk, Virginia, where he remained two years. In November, 1911, he was called to Eaton, Ohio, and has been pastor of the First Christian church since that time.

The membership of the First Christian church is about six hundred, and it has the largest Sunday school in the city, having an enrollment of six hundred and fifty-five.

In 1904 Rev. McDaniel Howsare made a trip to the Holy Land, going as a delegate to the fourth world's Sunday school convention at Jerusalem. In 1910 he attended the sixth world's convention at Washington, D. C. At the present time he is a member of the board of the American Sunday school convention.

Rev. McDaniel Howsare was married. April 27, 1895, to Athella Mc- Kinney, the daughter of James L. and Elizabeth J. (Lowry) McKinney. Three children have been born to this union, George Douglas, Evelyn Elizabeth and James M.

Mrs. Howsare was born at Donnelsville, Clark county, Ohio. She was reared there and was a graduate of Antioch College. She taught in the Olive Branch township high school and other township schools. She is the only woman member at the present time of the general mission board of the American Christian convention, which is composed of nine members.

James L. and Elizabeth McKinney were natives of Clark county, Ohio. The former owned a farm, but was a merchant in Yellow Spring for some years and at one time was manager of the dining hall of Antioch College. He was captain of a company in the One Hundred and Firty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, formerly having belonged to the Sixteenth Ohio Artillery. Mrs. McKinney's mother died in Yellow Springs in 1912 and Captain Mc- Kinney died at Eaton in 1913. They were the parents of three children,

Carena, Athella and Herschel. Carena was a high school teacher and also a music teacher in Antioch College. She was a splendid singer and possessed an exceptional soprano voice. The son, Herschel, died when a small boy. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Howsare were Cyrus B. and Melinda Elizabeth (Lamme) McKinney, who were the parents of the following children: William, Frank, James L. and Mrs. Mattie (McKinney) Wise. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Howsare were David W. and Eliza (Layton) Lovvrv, natives of Clark county, Ohio. Their children were William and Elizabeth J.

Captain James L. McKinney, Mrs. Howsare's father, was descended from two pioneer families of Clark county, Ohio, the McKinneys and the Lammes. The patriotism and musical talent of himself and children wefe inherited from the paternal side. The father of Captain James L. McKinney was Cyrus B. McKinney, and his mother was Melinda E. Lamme, who was born in Clark county. The father of Cyrus B. McKinney was Samuel McKinney, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. Captain James L. Mc- Kinney was born in Clark county, Ohio, April 29, 1839' He was land appraiser of Miami township, Greene county, and held other minor offices. In 1861 he enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Artillery, engaging in the battles of Pea Ridge, Thompson's Mills, Round Hill, Cash River, Duvall's Bluff, the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, and Champion's Hill. He was discharged and returned home, but in May, 1864, he prepared again for the service and became captain of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which company he organized. The command was attached to Grant's army and saw some severe service. He was a highly educated man and served on the educational board of Antioch College. He always took an active interest in politics, adhering to the principles of the Republican party.

Rev. McDaniel Howsare and wife own a farm of eighty acres in Clark county and residence property in Yellow Springs, Ohio. At the formation of the Progressive party, Rev. Howsare became identified with that party and has been active in support of its principles and candidates. He is a member of the Versailles lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the Scottish Rite, belonging to the Dayton consistory. He and his wife are members of the Eastern Star chapter at Versailles.

Reverend Howsare is president of the Eaton Ministerial Association and chairman of the executive committee of the Preble County Anti-Saloon League. He is vice-president of the County Humane Society and president of the board of directors of the Eaton Commercial Club. He is also a member of the Preble County Poultry Association, a member of the executive

Rev. McDaniel Howsare has enjoyed an extremely active career in enterprises which reflect his interest in worthy causes. He is a true minister in every sense of the word and obviously is destined to perform greater services as a fulfillment of his great mission in life.

John V. Curry

No profession has made greater advancement during the last half century than has the agricultural profession. Practically all of the disadvantages which formerly surrounded the farmer have been done away with because of the multitude of modern inventions which tend to lighten the farmer's labors. .It takes less labor now to operate a farm of fifty acres than it did to operate a farm of ten acres fifty years ago, and inventions constantly are coming into use which are helping the farmer to increase his sphere of usefulness. Ohio is recognized as one of the best farming states of the Union, and no county in this state has better or more prosperous and progressive farmers than has Preble county. Among the hundreds of farmers who have made this county famous as an agricultural section, there is no one more worthy of a place in a historical and biographical work of this character than James V. Curry, of this review, who has been a life-long resident of the county.

John V. Curry, the son of James H. and Elvira J. (Hawley) Curry, was born on the farm where he is now living, April 9, 1869. James H. Curry was a son of Capt. John Curry, and also was born on the farm where his son now lives in Jefferson township. Elvira J. Hawley, the mother of Mr. Curry, was born in Butler county, Ohio. James H. Curry and wife were the parents of two children, the younger of whom is John V. The elder son, Elmer A., is a graduate of the Medical College of Cincinnati, and is now a successful practicing physician of that city. He married Fannie McKee, and to this union one child was born, who is now deceased.

John V. Currv was reared on the farm in Jefferson township, attending the district schools of his home neighborhood until he was about seventeen years old, at which time he started farming for himself, and is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of high-grade stock, and has been more than ordinarily successful in this latter line.

In 1890 Mr. Curry was married to Clara Creager, who also is a native of Preble county, the daughter of Joseph Creager and wife. To this union two children have been bom, Erma and Lois M. Erma is a graduate of the New Paris high school, and is now the wife of Russell Rider, a farmer of Jefferson township. Lois M. is unmarried and lives at home with her parents. The mother of these children died on July 6, 1903, and later Mr. Curry married Viola M. Imes, the daughter of Frank and Clara J. (Whitteman) Imes, who was born in Twin township, this county, August 8, 1885. To this second union two children have been born : Dorothy, born on July 26, 1909, and Ruth E., born on June 9, 1913.

Mr. Curry is an adherent of the Democratic party, but has never been actively interested in political affairs, preferring rather to give his entire attention to his agricultural interests. Mr. Curry and his family are loyal and earnest members of the Presbyterian church at Gettysburg and are liberal contributors to the support of the same. Mr. and Mrs. Curry are highly esteemed in the community in which they have lived so many years, and popular among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

Dr. Logan Robert Pryor

Dr. Logan R. Pryor, physician and surgeon at Eaton, Ohio, was born in Eaton, June 24. 1873, the son of William B. and Mary (Straw) Pryor, natives of Maysville, Kentucky, and Preble county, respectively. They had four children: Dr. William Edward, of Camden, Ohio; Hattie, the wife of William Wooster, of Wellsville, Ohio; Dr. Logan R., of Eaton, and Jennie, who died at the age of five years.

William B. Pryor lived in Maysville, Kentucky, until he was fourteen years of age, when he came to Eaton, and here he lived the remainder of his life. He was a painter by trade. He was a soldier in the Civil War, and belonged to Company C, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, later reenlisting in Company F, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served four years and five months and was in many of the hard fought battles of the war. After the war he returned to Eaton and followed his trade of painting. He died in 1893, at the age of fifty-six, his wife dying in 1897, also at the age of fifty-six. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic.

(Ball) Pryor. He was a native of county Cork, Ireland, and she of England. They came from Maysville, Kentucky, to Eaton, Ohio, where he conducted a shoe store for several years. They died in Eaton. They had four sons: John, Joseph, Robert E. and William B. The maternal grandparents of Doctor Pryor were Peter and Maria (Hoffman) Straw, both natives of Germany. They came to America, settling first in Pennsylvania, from which place they came to Preble county, Ohio, where they bought a farm two miles north of Eaton. They died in Eaton at advanced ages. He was killed in an accident while moving a house. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph, William, George, Sallie, Emma and Mary.

Logan R. Pryor was reared in Eaton and attended the public schools. When seventeen he began working in a drug store and later in a drug store in Hamilton. He studied medicine during this time and was graduated from the Pulte Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1896, being among those who secured honorable mention in his class. He began practicing in Eaton and has practiced here ever since.

Doctor Pryor was married, July 29, 1896, to Dora Belle Blackford, the daughter of Henry C. and Mary (Wright) Blackford. One son has been born to this union, William Bryon, born August 11, 1897.

Mrs. Pryor is a member of the Universalist church. She was born near Camden, Preble county, November 11, 1876, her parents also being natives of Preble county. Her father was a produce and coal dealer and followed various other pursuits. He now lives at Van Wert and is a traveling merchant tailor. Her mother died in 1885 at the age of thirty-four. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Pryor were Ephriam and Mary (Enos) Blackford, natives of Ohio and early settlers in Preble county. They died here at an old age. They had the following children: William, Henry,

Sarah Skiles and Laura Hamlyn. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Pryor were Samuel and Margaret Wright, natives of Ohio and early settlers in Preble county, where they died well advanced in years. They reared a large family of children: Edward, William, James, Benjamin, Mary, Sallie Wilkinson, Anna Girton and Jane Brubaker.

Politically, Doctor Pryor is a Democrat, Fraternally, he is a member of Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons, and Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons. He also belongs to the Ohio Homeopathic State Medical Society and to the Miami Homeopathic Medical Society at Dayton, Ohio. Doctor Pryor enjoys a large practice and is sincerely devoted to the school of medicine in which he was trained. He is deeply interested in all civic enterprises and is a highly respected citizen, aside from his professional standing.

George E. Beard

Many men have contributed to the agricultural prosperity of Preble county and of Monroe township. This garden spot is one of the best-known agricultural sections in Preble county, and George E. Beard, a retired farmer of Eldorado, of rather large business interests, has contributed largely to this prosperity. He is a well-known and respected citizen of Monroe township and has a record of honorable and upright dealings throughout a long life, in consequence of which he is eminently deserving of the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and friends in Monroe township and Preble county.

George E. Beard was born November 13, 1863, in Monroe township, a son of Jacob and Mary E. (Byers) Beard, both of whom were bom near Williamsport, Maryland. They were married in their native state and came to Preble county in 1853, locating in Manchester, where they rented land for a short time. Later Mr. Beard purchased a farm in Monroe township, where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Beard were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are living. One died in infancy and David died in 1914. The others are: J. Q., who is a retired farmer of Eldorado; Nelson, of Dayton, Ohio; William H., of Dayton, Ohio; J. D., also a resident of Dayton; Martha, the wife of Isaac Miller; Mollie, a resident of Westerville, Ohio; Emma, the wife of Walter A. Eby, of Eldorado; George E., the subject of this sketch; Frank, a farmer of Monroe township; and M. L., the city editor of the News, at Dayton, Ohio.

George E. Beard was reared on the old home farm, which he now owns. He received his education in the common schools, principally at district No. 2, in Monroe township, which he attended until about twenty years of age, and remained at home until he was twenty-eight years old.

In 1892 Mr. Beard was married to Lottie Gilfillam, to which union three children were born, only one of whom is now living, Hazel, who is a student in the Westerville (Ohio) schools. Mrs. Beard died on September 30. 1906, and in 1909 Mr. Beard married, secondly, Etta Brockford, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Guid) Brockford, of West Manchester, both of whom were natives of Preble county and both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Beard was educated in the West Manchester high school.

ty, and eighty acres in Darke county. He is one of the directors of the Farmers Banking Company of Eldorado and owns ten acres of land and a beautiful residence in Eldorado, seven acres being outside the corporation and three inside.

Mrs. Beard is a member of the Christian church at West Manchester. Mr. Beard is a member of Eldorado Lodge No. 389, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Beard is a member of the Crescent Lodge No. 353, Daughters of Rebekah, and is a past grand of that lodge. Mr. Beard is a past chancellor in the Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat and has taken a more or less active interest in local politics, having served as a councilman in Eldorado. Mr. and Mrs. Beard are well known and regarded as excellent citizens, not only in Eldorado and Monroe township, but also throughout Preble county.

Thomas Rule

Those who faced every danger, and death itself, upon the battlefields of the Civil War and bore sufferings and made sacrifices for their country's sake, are especially deserving of mention in these annals. The younger generation should never forget that to the men who upheld the nation's standards in the dark days of the sixties is due a debt of gratitude which can never be paid, as the prosperity, liberty and happiness which we now enjoy are the direct outcome of their labors and loyalty. Among the honored veterans who answered the roll call of 1861 is Thomas Rule, a retired fanner and respected citizen of Eldorado, Ohio. Mr. Rule was not only in many desperate battles of this memorable war, but suffered the horrors of the southern prisons as well as almost mortal injury.

Thomas Rule was born in Darke county, Ohio, December 19, 1840, the son of Lewis and Mary (Marshall) Rule, both of whom were born in Maryland. They grew up and married there, coming to Ohio at a very early day, settling in Darke county at a time when that region was practically a wilderness, and there they spent the remainder of their lives. Lewis Rule was a successful farmer. He attended the Universalist church and was identified with the Democratic party. He and his wife were the parents of six children: Susan, who married John Alber and is now deceased; William, George, Mary and Catherine, all deceased, and Thomas.

Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, being connected with the Third Corps. After the battle of Gettysburg, he was transferred to the Sixth Army Corps, where he remained until the close of the war. Mr. Rule was wounded at Stephens Depot, June 15, 1863, being shot through the lung, and was* taken prisoner to Belle Isle, Richmond, Virginia, where he was fifty days without any medical aid, except that which was given by his comradesiv Mr. Rule was then exchanged and returned to the ranks of the army before his wounds were healed.

After the war he returned to Darke county, Ohio, but in 1867 moved to Preble county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres in Monroe township. He farmed this place for many years and eventually was able to pay off the heavy debt which he had incurred when the farm was purchased.

On December 27, 1866, Thomas Rule married Susan M. Somsel, who was born and reared in this county. To this union was born one child, Hattie R., the widow of Charles Biddle, who lives in Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Rule died on February 5, 1895, and Mr. Rule married, secondly, August 28, 1901, Mary Strickler, who was born at Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Rule is a devoted member of the Universalist church. Until recently he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and had served as senior vice-commander. He is a member of the Protective Association and in politics is an ardent Democrat. Mr. Rule moved to Eldorado in February, 1910, and is now living retired. He is a man who is well known in Monroe township, and besides his splendid war record, has an honorable record as a private citizen.

John F. Ervin

Among the worthy citizens of Eldorado. Ohio, whose residence has contributed in no small degree to the well-being and happiness of the people of that town is John F. Ervin, a retired contractor and a justice of the peace. Mr. Ervin would be the last man to become the subject of fancy sketches, nevertheless, his life presents incidents that are interesting and valuable and which may be studied with profit by the young men whose careers are yet to be made. In every way Mr. Ervin is deserving of the confidence which has been placed in him by his neighbors, and is worthy of the high esteem in which they hold him.

John F. Ervin was born on December 17, 1842,, in Highland county, Ohio, the son of Peyton and Margaret (Young) Ervin. Peyton Ervin was born in Augusta county, Virginia, and migrated with his parents to Highland county, Ohio. His wife also was a native of Virginia, who moved with her parents to Wayne county, Indiana, where Mr. and Mrs. Ervin were married, immediately after which they came to Preble county, locating one and one-half miles northeast of New Paris on a farm which Harry W. Bragg now owns. Peyton Ervin lived there until i860, in which year he moved to Jefferson township, where he spent the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of four children: John F., the subject of this sketch; Thomas N., who served one hundred days in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and is now deceased; James H., of Jefferson township, and Harriett J., the wife of Raper Christman* of Washington township, this county.

John F. Ervin spent his boyhood days on the farm in Jefferson township, where he attended school. He enlisted in Company C, Fiftieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, and was assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps. He was wounded at Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864, and this wound disabled him until December 15, 1864. On that date he re-entered the service and served until the close of the war. He was at the famous battle of Nashville. After the war Mr. Ervin returned to the old homestead.

John F. Ervin was married to Sarah F. Murray, the daughter of Mitchell A. and Lydia (Brasier) Murray, to which union two sons and a daughter were born: William A., who is a resident of Eldorado, married

Myrtle Barr; Minnie M., who is the wife of William. A. McClure, and Plennie F., who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. The mother of these children died in 1906, and Mr. Ervin married, secondly, Mrs. Sarah M. Jones, who was born in West Virginia, October 19. 1855. Her first husband, Henry Jones, died in 1904. She had two children by her first marriage, one of whom is living, Maude, the wife of Isaac Hanes, of Dayton, Ohio.

Mr. Ervin is a Republican and has served his community efficiently for some time as justice of the peace. He also is a notary public and has served as township clerk. He served six years on the county soldiers' relief commission. In all of these positions Mr. Ervin has proved eminently able to discharge the duties imposed upon him. He is a member of Judy Shewmon Post No. 747, Grand Army of the Republic, and is a past commander of the same. He also is a member of Fort Black Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of New Madison.

Mrs. Ervin is a devoted member of the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin are both highly respected in the community in which they live and eminently deserve the high regard in which they are held by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Jacob Q. Beard

It is an axiom demonstrated by human experience that industry is the key to prosperity. Success comes not to him who idly waits for fortune's favors, but to the faithful toiler who, with cheerful celerity and patient vigilance, takes advantage of every circumstance that will promote his interests. Such a man is Jacob Q. Beard, a retired farmer and a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Eldorado, Ohio. Mr. Beard always has been a man of strictly honest business principles, patient industry and pleasant, agreeable disposition.

Jacob Q. Beard was born in Washington county, Maryland, December 30, 1845, the son of Jacob and Mary E. (Byers) Beard, both natives of Washington county, Maryland, who were reared in that county and married there. Some time after their marriage they came to Preble county, Ohio, arriving here on April 1, 1855. Jacob Beard rented land until 1861, when he purchased eighty acres in Monroe township, about fifteen acres of which was cleared. Mr. Beard erected buildings on this farm and here spent the rest of his life. He died on August 29, 1889, and his wife died in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Beard were members of the Lutheran church. They had six children when they came to Preble county, and six children were born after their arrival here. The living children are: Jacob Q., the subject of this sketch; Nelson, of Dayton, Ohio; W. H., of Dayton, Ohio; J. D., also of Dayton, Ohio; M. L., the city editor of the Dayton News; Martha, the wife of Isaac Miller; Catherine, the wife of W. C. Coblentz, and Emma, the wife of Warren Eby. Two of the deceased children are David, who died on April 10, 1914, and Alvin V., who died at the age of two years.

Jacob Q. Beard was ten years old when he was brought to Preble county. He had attended school in Maryland and continued his schooling in Preble county. He quit school at the age of sixteen and then began to help clear and improve the old farm. He remained at home until he had almost reached his majority and then began working for himself. He

On December 25, 1873, Mr Beard was married to Mrs. Jennie (Fudge) Hoover, the daughter of George and Mary (Disher) Fudge, and then went to farming in Monroe township, where he bought ten acres. He gradually added to this farm until he now owns one hundred and forty-one and onethird acres, all in Monroe township. Mrs. Beard received twenty-seven hundred dollars by inheritance, and, with this exception, Mr. and Mrs. Beard together have made the remainder of their present fortune.

To Jacob Q. and Jennie (Fudge) Beard were born two children: Oma, the wife of W. B. Rautsaw, who lives in Monroe township and has one daughter, Dorothy, who was born April 15, 1907, and Tebe, born in 1884, who married Pearl Boadstock and lives in Monroe township. By her first marriage, Mrs. Beard had one son, David Hoover, who now resides in Monroe township.

Politically, Mr. Beard is a Democrat, although he has never been especially active in-political affairs. Mrs. Beard is a member of the Universalist church. They are quiet, unassuming people and popular in Eldorado, where they have a comfortable home.

Joseph E. Conger

Among the citizens of Preble county who are constantly working for the county's advancement along social and financial lines is Joseph E. Conger, a prominent agriculturist and vice-president of the Dixon township board of education. Mr. Conger is the type of man who, fully aware of the advantages accruing to the progressive and enlightened community, does all in his power to further those agencies which make for progress.

The great-grandfather of Mr. Conger was Josiah Conger, who was bom in North Carolina on July 28, 1780, and who married Catharine Runyon, of Barren county, Kentucky, in 1808, coming to Preble county in 1810. They were the parents of eleven children : Nancy, Aaron R., Moses, Anna, Sarah, John N., Mary R., Eli, Elizabeth M., William A. and Evaline. Of these children, Aaron R. married Ruth Marshall, and the children born to the union were Marshall A.. Thomas M., John N., Wheeler M., Francis R. and Anna. Of these, John N. married Louisa Kenney, their children being Mary L. and Albert R., both deceased. Carrie L. married E. G. Harris and lives in Eaton, Ohio. Joseph E. is the subject of this sketch. Herbert A. married Lucy Parker, and, some time after her death, he married Marianda Smith. Catherine A. married E. M. Shaffer, and, after his death, was married to Waller L. Reed. One child died in infancy. Bertie A. is the wife of Claude Kennedy.

Joseph E. Conger was reared on the farm in Dixon township, and obtained a practical education in the district school. He lived on the home place to the age of thirty, and, immediately after marriage, began housekeeping on the farm where he now lives.

On March 28, 1900, Mr. Conger married Margaret C. Bussard, who was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on March 6, 1868, the daughter of Samuel M. and Hannah (Toms) Bussard, both of whom died when Margaret was twelve years old. Margaret was reared in Maryland, where she lived until she was twenty. To the union of Mr. Conger and Margaret Bussard was born one child, Edna L., on December 25, 1905.

The Methodist Evangelical church at Sugar Valley counts Mrs. Conger as one of its most valuable members. In politics, Mr. Conger is a Republican, and he is a member of the Farmers' Protective Association. Mr. Conger is a successful farmer, as he does his work intelligently and is ever open to suggestion or information as to better methods. Firm in his integrity and sincerely striving for the betterment of those around him, he is highly esteemed by those who know him, while he is universally respected.

Christopher Wair

Christopher Wair is one of those strong, self-reliant and determined characters who are occasionally met with and who are such a distinct type as to be the free-born leaders of their fellow men. Not that Mr. Wair courts that distinction, for he is entirely unassuming, but his great force of character, his zeal and his energy in whatever he undertakes, naturally place him at the head of the crowd. He has been a potent factor in the development of Preble county, Ohio, where he has lived all of his life and where he is known to all classes of people for his honorable and industrious life, both private and public.

Christopher Wair, a former commissioner of Preble county, Ohio, living on route No. 8, out of Kitchel, Indiana, was born in Dixon township. Preble county, Ohio, February 5, 1859, and is a son of James and Hannah

(Somers) Wair. James Wair was born in Ireland in 1832, and came to the United States, landing at New Orleans, from which place he came to Preble county. He lived in this county the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1906. His wife, Anna Somers, was also a native of Ireland, and came to the United States early in life, locating in Preble county, Ohio. She died in August, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. James Wair were the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living: Julia, the wife of John Mullin, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Christopher, the immediate subject of this sketch; Arthur, who lives in the west; John, who died in 1899, at Elkhart, Indiana; James, ex-superintendent of the Preble county infirmary, lives in Eaton; Thomas, of Cincinnati; Martha, wife of Elmer Smith, of Eaton, Ohio; Richard, of Cincinnati ; Raymond, of Eaton, and William, of Eaton.

Christopher Wair was reared on his father's farm in Dixon township and was educated in the public schools of his home neighborhood. He began working for himself on a farm by the month at an early age. When he was married he was a poor man, renting land for seven years, and then bought sixty-seven acres, where he now lives. Mr. Wair later bought one hundred and sixty acres across the road from where he resides and is now the owner of two hundred and twenty-seven acres of good farming land, all of which he has made by his own unaided efforts. He always keeps a good grade of live stock and has made a specialty of hog raising. He has been a bridge contractor, in addition to farming, for the past twenty-four years, and for a time was engaged in manufacturing hard lumber. He was engaged in this business for seven years and was very successful.