Dayton City (part 40 of 50)

The first marriage of George Pease took place August 23, 1831, with Miss Ellen Wheatley, daughter of Richard and Hannah (Dunbar) Wheatley, of Washington township, to which union were born four children, viz: Mary and Mindwell, both now deceased; Gamaliel, and Ellen W. , now Mrs. H. B. Ulm. Mrs. Pease died November 16, 1839, and the second marriage of Mr. Pease occurred April 6, 1841, with Miss Mary A. Lamme, daughter of David Lamme, one of the pioneers of the Miami valley. To this marriage were born three children - Horace L. , David W. and Harriet (Mrs. George W. Hayes). Mr. Pease died February 23, 1880. He was made a Mason, in 1822, in Apollo lodge, at Suffield, Conn., and at the time of his death was an honored member of Minerva lodge, No. 98, at Miamisburg. He was also one of the organizers of the Presbyterian church at Carrollton. In politics he was first a whig and later a republican, and although active as a party man never sought political preference. In business he was a man of the most scrupulous integrity, and his death was sincerely mourned by the entire community in which he had passed so large a portion of his useful life.

Gamaliel Pease, the subject of this memoir, was educated in the common schools of Miami township and in the Miami Valley institute. In 1850 he went from Carrollton to Dayton and learned the molder's trade in the Buckeye foundry, and worked at this trade until 1857. In 1859 he returned to Carrollton, farmed for one year, and was then employed for a year in the distillery of his uncle, Perry Pease. December 14, 1861, he enlisted in company G, Sixty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and took part in the battles of Gallatin, Murfreesboro (or Stone River), Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. February 14, 1864, he was transferred from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed in the recruiting service until honorably discharged, February 20, 1865. After the war, he was engaged for five years in bridge building.

Mr. Pease was united in marriage, March 18, 1869, with Miss Mary Leisz, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wagner) Leisz, of Carrollton, and to this union have been born five children, viz: Oscar M. , Jennie Gertrude

(Mrs. Harry C. Weaver), George, Calvin and Myrtle. Since about the time of his marriage Mr. Pease has been engaged in general farming and tobacco raising, in which he has been eminently successful. Mr. Pease is a member of A1 Mason post, No. 598, G. A. R. , and is a republican. He and his family are among the foremost in the community, and he is a man who has faithfully filled all the stations of life, either as civilian or soldier.

OHN B. PIATT, an ex-soldier of the Civil war, and an old resident of Trotwood, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a native of the county and was born September 17, 1836, a son of James and Barbara (Olinger) Piatt. The father of James, who was a native of Rockingham county, Va. , was of French-Huguenot descent, and the father of the following named children: Isaac, Jacob,

James Piatt, the father of John B., was born in 1806, in Rockingham county, Va., and when a boy came to Montgomery county, Ohio, and here married Barbara Olinger, a daughter of Jacob Olinger, who came from Pennsylvania and was a pioneer of this county. To James and Barbara Piatt were born the following children: Rebecca, Jacob and John B.

The death of Mrs. Barbara Piatt took place in 1838, and for his second wife, Mr. Piatt married Eliza McWhiney, of Scotch-Irish extraction, and to this union were born William, David, James and Eliza. The five sons of James Piatt all served as soldiers in the Civil war. Their father died in 1857.

The mother of John B. Piatt died when he was but two years old and he was reared by Maj. Elijah Culbert, who sent him to school and taught him blacksmithing at Post Town, where the major owned a shop and foundry. April 29, 1861, Mr. Piatt married Miss Rosanna Steckly, a native of Wittenberg, Germany, born November 16, 1843, a daughter of Matthew and Margaret Steckly, whose children were named Regina, Rosanna, and Catherine. Mrs, Steckly having died about the year 1847, Mr. Steckly embarked for America and landed in New York, where he remained three months and then came to Ohio, locating first at Dayton, and then upon a farm purchased by him in Madison township, Montgomery county, where he passed the remainder of his life, a member of the Lutheran church.

Leaving his young wife and babes at Poast Town, Mr. Piatt enlisted, in March, 1864, at Dayton, in company E, Seventy-first Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. Samuel Mc- Connell, to serve three years unless earlier discharged because of the close of the war. He was in the battle of Jonesboro, Ga. , fought Hood's troops in a skirmish at Franklin, and was in the two-day fight at Nashville, December 15 and 16, but was wounded the first day, a rifle ball striking his left side. The ball, however, was flattened by striking his cartridge box, belt and haversack, before reaching his body, otherwise he would have been shot through. As it was, he was partly paralyzed in the left side, which caused his confinement in hospital until honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, through general orders, in 1865, after a service of about sixteen months. On his return to Post Town he resumed his trade as soon as possible, although his physical disability compelled him to emplo}' an assistant in his work.

In 1867, Mr. Piatt opened a shop in Trotwood, has prospered, and has erected a comfortable residence. His children were eight in number, and were named Lizzie A. (who died at the age of twenty-five years), Ella G., Reuben S., Laura B. (who died aged fifteen), Clyde, Glenn, Pearl (who died at eleven months), and another son who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Piatt are members of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Piatt is a republican. He is a member of the Old Guard post, No. 23, G. A. R., of Dayton; of Trotwood lodge, No. 754, I. O. O. F., which was organized in 1886, during which time Mr. Piatt has missed but few meetings, in which he has passed all the chairs, and was formerly noble grand of the lodge at New Lebanon. He has given his children excellent school advantages, his daughter, Ella G. , having been a teacher for seven years, and he and his family are held in the highest esteem not only by the residents of Madison and adjacent townships, but throughout the entire county.

OHN PLOCHER, the well-known contracting carpenter and builder of Miamisburg, Ohio, is a native of Germany and was born at Muehlheim, Wurtemberg, October 27, 1847, a son of John and

Mary (Zeller) Plocher. His paternal grandparents were Andrew and Katrina (Schlatterbach) Plocher, the former being a farmer of Muehlheim; the maternal grandfather, Michael Zeller, was also a farmer of the same district, and served as a soldier in the German-Russian war of 1809. John Plocher, the father of our subject, was a grain dealer, and died at Muehlheim in 1866, at the age of forty-nine years.

John Plocher, the subject of this biography, lived in his native town until about twenty years old. He was educated in the common schools of Muehlheim, and there also served an apprenticeship of two years at the carpenter's trade, and worked one year as a journeyman. In 1867 he came to America, passed seven weeks in Cincinnati, Ohio, working at his trade, and July 26, of the same year, settled in Miamisburg. Here he followed his trade as a journeyman until 1880, when he engaged in contracting on his own account, in which he has made a thorough success, having constructed many of the residences of the city and done the woodwork on a number of business houses. Since 1886 he has been favored with contracts for the erection of most of the factories built in Miamisburg, including three twine factories and the Enterprise Carriage works, and has, beside, built several of the finest homes erected in the city since that date.

Mr. Plocher was united in marriage June 7, 1870, with Miss Mary Voegele, daughter of Martin and Barbara (Smith) Voegele, of Miamisburg, and this happy marriage has been followed by the birth of two children - Robert A. and Anna B. The family are members of the Lutheran church, on the board of trustees of which Mr. Plocher has served sixteen years. In his fraternal affiliations he is a member of the D. O. H. and of the A. O. U. W. ; in 1883 he served as grosse barde of the state lodge of the D. O. H., and has been treasurer of his local lodge for seven years. In politics Mr.

Plocher is a member of the democratic party, and under its auspices has served as a member of the city council of Miamisburg. He has proven himself worthy of all the trusts that have been reposed in him, having filled his responsible duties in every position with faithfulness and with strict integrity, and has won for himself the esteem of the entire community.

HOMAS LUTHER PRUGH, of Van Buren township, Montgomery county, was born on the farm upon which he now resides November 27, 1835. He is a son of John and Catherine (Haynes) Prugh, both of whom were natives of Maryland. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and four of them are still living, as follows: Rev. Dr.

P. C. Prugh, of Butler, Pa., born September 13, 1822; Jacob V., born August 3, 1831, now a farmer of Van Buren township: Mrs. Catherine A. Fauver, born January 22, 1834, now the widow of Samuel Fauver; and Thomas L. , with whom this sketch deals. The other children, now deceased, were as follows: Jessie,

John Prugh, the father, was by occupation a farmer. He came to Ohio in 1813, locating fn Van Buren township and purchasing 160 acres of land, paying therefor $13 per acre. In the spring of 1820 he moved upon the farm where Thomas L. now lives. He was always a hard-working, industrious man, honest in his dealings with others and successful in his own affairs. He was the youngest son in a family of sixteen children; was born November 25,

1794, near Westminster, Frederick county, Md., and lost his father when he was but ten years of age. His wife, Catherine Haynes, to whom he was married November 26, 1816, was born May 27, 1791, also in Frederick county, Md. She died in 1876, and he died on his farm two years later, at the age of eighty-five. Originally they were both members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, but later they identified themselves with the Reformed church, and were unusually zealous Christian people. When the British made an attempt to invade the city of Baltimore during the war 1812, John Prugh was called out as a soldier in her defense. He always took an active interest in politics, being early in life a whig, and afterward a republican until his death.

John Prugh's father, Conrad Prugh, was of German descent, and, as stated above, was the father of sixteen children, one of whom, Abner Prugh, died in 1891, at the age of 100 years and some months. Conrad Prugh was a farmer during his entire life, and died in Maryland. The father of Catherine Haynes was also a native of Maryland, and died there at an advanced age.

Thomas L. Prugh received his education in the district school, and after his marriage continued to live on the farm on which he was born. Until his parents became too old to take care of themselves, he and his father carried on the farm work together, the other children having all been well started in life. Still later Mr. Prugh purchased the farm, and owns it at the present time. On December 15, 1857, he married Miss Catherine Mason, daughter of Philip and Melinda (Conover) Mason. To this marriage there have been born three children: J. Mason, Nettie and Frances Pearl. J. Mason married Anne Kemp, of Germantown, and has two children - Thomas K., and Catherine. Nettie married James P.

Mr. and Mrs. Prugh are members of the United Presbyterian church, and are people in excellent standing, both in church and in society. Mr. Prugh and his son own about 285 acres of land, all of which is finely improved. His life has been marked by untiring industry and habits of thrift, and his property has been accumulated by his own good management.

Mr. Prugh is a republican, and while he has never aspired to office, yet he was recently elected to the office of township trustee, and holds the position at the present time. During the late Civil war he belonged to the 100 days' service, but owing to the old age of his parents he sent a substitute to the front, remaining at home to care for them. He has taken an active interest in educational matters, and has been a member of the township school board for fifteen years. All who know him place in him the most implicit confidence, and all highly esteem him for his great worth as a citizen and neighbor.

ON. WILLIAM A. REITER, attorney at law, was born in Miamisburg, Ohio, January 6, i860. He is a son of Rev. Dr. Isaac H. and Margaret J. (Heilman) Reiter, fuller mention of his father being made in the memoir which follows this brief biographical notice.

William A. Reiter was educated in the public schools of Miamisburg and at Heidelberg university, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1880. For two years afterward he studied law in the office of Capt. Adam Clay, of Miamisburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1882, since which time he has been devoted to the earnest practice of his profession. Though never actively engaged in politics, he has several times been honored by his democratic fellow-citizens with political preferment. In the spring of 1888 he was elected mayor of Miamisburg, and while holding that office was, in 1889, elected to represent Montgomery county in the state legislature, serving his constituency with such ability and credit that he was re-elected to that office in 1891. In 1893 he was elected to the board of education of Miamisburg, and is now president of that body.

Mr. Reiter is a member of the Reformed church, a knight templar Mason, and a Knight of Pythias. He is a public-spirited citizen, and enjoys the respect of all, without distinction of party or creed, while, as a lawyer, few men of Mr. Reiter's years have attained a more enviable position at the bar of this county.

EV. DR. ISAAC H. REITER, for many years a distinguished citizen and minister of the gospel, of Miamisburg, was born in Berks county, Pa., February 4, 1819, and in 1831 removed with his parents to Wooster, Ohio. His earlier years were spent under religious influences and training, and he united with the Reformed church in 1842. Being well educated in his youth, he taught school for several terms, and while engaged in Bible distribution and railroad clerking he privately prosecuted his studies. From 1851 to 1854 he was a student in the theological seminary at Heidelberg university, graduating from the seminary in June of the latter year. In November following he was ordained a minister of the gospel, and was pastor of the Miamisburg Reformed church from 1854 to 1.874, a period of twenty years. From 1874 to 1895 Dr. Reiter was engaged in general church work, preaching only occasionally. From 1873 to 1882 he was editor of the literary department of the Heidelberg Teacher & Instructor, and from 1880 to 1882 was editor of the Christian World. He also supplied considerable matter for the Lives of the Fathers, published in six volumes, and at the same time performed other literary and statistical work.

Dr. Reiter served as stated clerk of the general synod of the Reformed church for thirty-five years, and of the Ohio synod for twenty-five years. He was long officially identified with the educational institutions of the Reformed church at Tiffin, Ohio, and for thirtyfive years was an active member of cbe board of regents of Heidelburg university. For twenty-seven years he was a member of the board of trustees of Heidelberg Theological seminary, and received the honorary degree of master of arts from Heidelberg university in June, 1866, and from Ursinus college the degree of doctor of divinity in June, 1874.

He was a member of the board of education of Miamisburg twenty-four years and of the board of examiners six years. He wrote a history of the public schools of Miamisburg, which was published in the Miamisburg Bulletin, beginning January 5, 1883, and continuing through nine numbers. No one was ever more closely identified with the moral, educational and religious interests of Miamisburg than was Dr. Reiter, and at his death, which occurred November 8, 1895, the entire community felt that it had suffered a loss that could not be repaired.

BLEMING RICE, a retired farmer, living in Van Buren township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Frederick county, Md., September 26, 1822. He is a son of James and Rebecca (Drill) Rice, both natives of the last named county and state. They were parents of six children, five sons and one daughter, five of the six still surviving, as follows: Fleming,

James Rice, the father of these children, was a miller in his early manhood. About 1826, he came to Ohio and located in Lancaster, removing thence to Chillicothe in a few years. He then moved to a point about four miles north of Dayton, and about five years afterward removed south of Dayton to Dayton township, now Van Bur en township. The family was then too poor to purchase land, so rented a farm. There James Rice died in September, 1842, at the age of fifty-five years, his wife having died about five years before. Both were members of the Protestant Episcopal church, and though poor, were upright, honest and reliable people.

The paternal grandfather of Fleming Rice lived in Maryland until his death, which occurred in middle age. He and his wife reared a family of two sons and five daughters. The maternal grandfather also died in Maryland.

Fleming Rice was ten years old when brought by his parents to Montgomery county. Here he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district schools. When his parents died he and his next younger brother took care of the other members of the family, giving them the best education the country then afforded. In 1843 Fleming married Miss Catherine Fenstmacher, by whom he had four children, as follows: Hester Jane, John W. ,

Mary and Franklin. Hester Jane married Daniel Peters, of Preble county; John W. , married Clara Bellman, and has three children. Mary married Jacob Sheets, and has one child. She and her husband live two miles south of the soldiers' home, on the Germantown pike. Franklin, who married Victoria Dryden, has three children, and resides in Dayion.

Mr. Rice married, in 1867, Miss Mary E. Miller, daughter of John and Mary E. Miller, To this marriage there were born three children: Annie E., Charles D., and Olive

Leora. Annie E. married Sherebiah Bradford, and has one child. Charles D. married Elsie Gebhart, and Olive Leora lives at home. Mrs. Rice is a member of the German Reformed church. Politically Mr. Rice is a democrat, and as such has held several township offices. He has been quite successful in the accumulation of property, having four fine farms, one containing 160 acres; another 105 acres; one north of Dayton, 122 acres, and the home farm, 103 acres. His home farm lies between three and four miles south of Dayton. Having lived in Montgomery county sixty-four years he has seen much of the wonderful development of this rich valley. He is well known throughout the county as one of its most substantial, reliable and progressive farmers. He has always worked hard, and, beginning with nothing but his hands and a determination to accomplish something, has become independent, and now enjoys the respect of all both for what he has done and for what he is still capable of doing. Kindhearted, hospitable and generous, Mr. Rice has many friends among all classes of people. He is one of the public-spirited men of the county, always ready to aid worthy enterprises, modest in his bearing, and genial in disposition.

ILSON RICE, a well-known educator of Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Van Buren township, May 24, 1 86 r , a son of James A. and Hannah ( Opdyke ) Rice. His paternal grandparents were natives of Maryland, but settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1835, and his maternal grandparents, Albert and Rebecca

Wilson Rice was reared in Jefferson township, was educated in the common schools, spent two years at the Northwestern Ohio Normal school, Ada, Ohio, and later took a commercial course at A. D. Wilt's college, Dayton, Ohio. In 1882 he began his career as a teacher in the common schools, in which vocation he has successfully continued, and since 1889 has been a resident of Germantown.

Mr. Rice has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Amanda E., daughter of W. S. and Elizabeth ( Shroyer ) O'Neill, of Van Buren township ; his second wife was Miss Rilla, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Spring) Huber, of Germantown, by whom he has two children - David L. and Olive M. Mr. Rice is a member of the Reformed church, of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., K. of P., and of the Foresters. He is a democrat and served as postmaster of Whitfield, Montgomery county, from September, 1890, to January, 1895. 1° 1895 he was elected trustee of German township and has served his- constituents faithfully in both capacities. As an educator he has won golden opinions from the people of Germantown, and as a citizen he stands high in the esteem of the community.

OHN RISON, bridge builder and contractor of Miamisburg, was born in Perry county, Ohio, July 25, 1832. He is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Wood) Rison, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, Peter Rison, was a farmer of the state of Virginia. Peter Rison, father of John, settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1838, locating near Dayton, and later removed to Butler township, and engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until country as a soldier during the late Civil war; John; Peter, now deceased; Henry, deceased; Emanuel, deceased; and David C., of Van Wert, Ohio.

John Rison was reared in Montgomery county, from the time he was six years of age, and was educated in the common schools. At the age of eleven he was thrown upon his own resources, and for the first six years thereafter worked on a farm. Arriving at the age of seventeen he engaged in bridge building on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, and this line of work he followed for six years. Afterward he became superintendent of bridge building for other parties, continuing thus engaged for several years, and about 1870 embarked for himself in the same business, that of bridge building and contracting, which he has continuously and successfully followed ever since. He has been a resident of Miamisburg since 1852.

During the late Civil war he was a member of company D, One Hundred and Thirtyfirst Ohio volunteer infantry, beginning his service as captain of his company, and retaining that position throughout. He was appointed judge advocate at Annapolis, Md., but declined the office, and was honorably discharged with his company at the expiration of his term of service. He was married January 10, 1857, to Elizabeth Dininger, of Germantown, Montgomery county, by whom he has four children, of whom only one survives, Annetta. Capt. Rison is a royal arch Mason, a Knight Templar, an Odd Fellow, belonging both to the encampment and canton, is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He served as a member of the city council of Miamisburg for fourteen years as a republican, having belonged to that party ever since attaining his majority. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an excellent member of both church and general society. Mrs. Rison died April 2, 1893. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and her estimable character and excellent qualities endeared her to all who knew her.

ESSE J. ROGERS, of Randolph township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Clinton county, August 8, 1846, and is a son of Reuben and Deborah (Jeffery) Rogers. He was but fourteen years of age when he came to Montgomery county, and resided here about two years, receiving his education in the common schools, and then went to Moscow, Clermont county. There he enlisted, August 15, 1862, and was mustered into the three years' service, at Cincinnati, in the First independent Ohio battery, under Capt. George P. Kirtland. He was soon promoted to be corporal, served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged June 26, 1865. He took an active part in the battles of South Mountain, Fisher's Hill, several severe engagements in West Virginia, Fayettsville, Stevenson Depot, Lynchburg, New River and Bunker Hill, Va. The young soldier endured many hardships beside through severe and continued marching, and was seized with rheumatism, for which he was treated in camp, as he declined going to hospital. He was tenacious in the performance of his duty, and was in all the marches, skirmishes and engagements in which his regiment took any active part.

After the close of the war Mr. Rogers returned to Montgomery county, and here married, October 20, 1866, Miss Sarah D. Landis, who was born in Randolph township, November 28, 1847, a daughter of John and Sarah

(Dougherty) Landis. To this union there have been sent nine children: William, Edward, Sarah, Charles, Bertha, Herbert, Webster, May and Harley - all born within the limits of Montgomery county.

Mr. Rogers first located, after marriage, in Salem, where he was employed in the stillhouse of H. M. Turner for two years; lived in Baltimore, Montgomery county, for about three years, and in 1 874 bought a farm in Randolph township, which then comprised but forty-eight acres, but which he has, through his diligence and economy, increased to fiftyfour acres, improving it with substantial buildings, orchard, etc., and lived upon it until March 1, 1897, when he moved to Perry township. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the Christian church, in which he is a classleader and superintendent of the Sundayschool. In politics Mr. Rogers is a republican, with a strong leaning toward the prohibition party, and is a member of Marshall post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Brookville.

Reuben Rogers, father of Jesse J. Rogers, was born in New Jersey, of English descent. He was a sailor in early life, and after his marriage with Miss Jeffery came to Ohio and bought a farm of 160 acres in Clinton county, but shortly afterward sold this farm, moving to Highland county, where he purchased another farm, and there passed away in the Methodist faith at the age of eighty-four years. His children were, in order of birth, William H., Elizabeth, Alice, Lydia, Jesse J. and Sarah. Of these, William H. was a soldier for three years in the Fifty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry.

The Jeffery family were of old colonial descent, and tradition has it that they were related to the historical John Rolfe, who married the Indian princess, Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan.

aHRISTIAN ROHRER, deceased, for many years a prominent citizen of German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., December 2, 1804, a son of Christian and Anna Maria (Forrer) Rohrer, both natives of the Keystone state. His father and grandfather, the latter also named Christian, as well as himself, were born on the same farm in Lancaster county, Pa. This land was deeded by one of William Penn's agents to a member of one of the earlier Rohrer families, and was in their possession over 1 50 years - this ownership ending in 1878, at the death of the last surviving brother, in Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-six years.

Christian Rohrer, our subject, was reared to manhood in his native state, receiving a good education, and on attaining his majority inherited from his father's estate a farm and sawmill property. About 1828 he came to Ohio and Indiana on a prospecting tour, and on returning to Pennsylvania disposed of his property, and in 1831 settled in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio. Here he purchased a flouring-mill one mile west of Germantown, which he operated until 1847. He then purchased the Risinger mill property, including seventy-five acres of land, rebuilt the distillery which was on the farm, and which he had operated since 1835, and embarked in the manufacture of high wines and liquors, making the

November 29, 1832, Christian Rohrer married Margaret, daughter of Christopher and Catherine (Kern) Emerick, who had settled in German township in 1804; she bore him five children, viz: Anna M. (Mrs. Thomas Grubb), David, Elizabeth (Mrs. Samuel Kaucher), Josephine (Mrs. Henry H. Byers), and John H. Mr. Rohrer was one of the solid and successful business men of the Miami valley, was one of the charter members of the First National bank of Germantown, one of the original stockholders of the C., H. & D. Railroad Co., and always took a deep interest in worthy public enterprises, as well as in the progress, growth and development of the valley. He died July 30, 1883, and his wife, who was born March 8, 1813, departed this life August 16, 1889.

John H. Rohrer, a business man of Germantown, was born in German township, July 2 1 , 1 858, a son of Christian and Margaret (Emerick) Rohrer, mentioned above. He passed his youth in his native township, was educated in the public schools, and in 1879 began his business career by purchasing a half interest in the Diamond Flour mills at Gratis, Ohio, with which he was connected for one year, after which he spent four years in Kansas and the Indian territory, looking after real estate and cattle interests. In 1886 he embarked in the tobacco business at Germantown, Ohio, with J. C. Schaeffer, and, in 1890, also engaged with Mr. Schaeffer in the grain, coal and lumber business, which, as J. H. Rohrer & Co., has successfully continued since. He married, December 16, 1886, Julia A., daughter of George C. and Mary (Bachman) Banker, of Germantown, and has had born to him four children: Margaret E., Mary, Robert (deceased) and Eugene. Mr. Rohrer is a thirtysecond degree Mason, and a member of the I.

AVID ROHRER, a prominent citizen and well known distiller of Germantown, was born in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, November 10, 1835, a son °f Christian and Margaret (Emerick) Rohrer, whose biography appears above. He was reared in his native township and educated in the public schools, and at the age of twenty-two years entered his father's distillery. In 1857 he became a partner, and, as C. Rohrer & Son, the business continued up to 1 86 r. Christian Rohrer retiring, David then continued the business alone up to 1868. During this period, in 1863, he erected a new distillery, with a capacity of ten barrels of Bourbon whisky per day. In 1868 Charles Hofer, of Cincinnati, was admitted as a partner, the firm becoming D. Rohrer & Co., and the partnership existing until 1883, when Mr. Rohrer purchased Mr. Hofer's interest. He has since successfully conducted the business alone and has added to the capacity of his distillery, the output being now forty barrels per day. Mr. Rohrer was married, February 1, 1865, to Ada V., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Schultz) Rohrer, natives of Maryland, who settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1826. To this union were born five children: Josie (Mrs. F. N. Emerick), Albert, Ada V., Eugenia and Frank C.

Mr. Rohrer is one of the progressive business men of Montgomery county, whose success has been achieved by upright dealing in all the affairs of life. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in religious belief is an advocate of the Universalist doctrine. In politics he is a republican.

OHN S. ROBERTSON, M. D., a prominent physician of Germantown, was born m Hanover, Columbiana county, Ohio, July 25, 1 843, and is a son of John and Margaret E. (Vallandigham) Robertson, natives of Prince Edward's Island and Columbiana county, Ohio, respectively.

Rev. James Robertson, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Perth, Scotland, a graduate of the university of Glasgow, and a Presbyterian clergyman. He was a member of the Scotch colony which first emigrated to Prince Edward's Island, and thence to the Scotch settlement in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he resided until his death, having had charge of the Presbyterian congregation in Hanover for several years. His wife was Janet Stuart. The maternal grandfather of John S. Robertson was the Rev. Clement Vallandigham, a native of Washington county, Pa., of Scotch-Irish descent, also a Presbyterian minister; and he and Rev. James Robertson above mentioned, were the first two Presbyterian clergymen in Columbiana county, Ohio, and formed nearly all the churches of that denomination in that county. His wife was Rebecca Laird.

John Robertson, father of John S., was for many years engaged in the drug and dry-goods business at New Lisbon, Ohio, was the first postmaster of New Lisbon under Abraham Lincoln, and died there in 1871.

John S. Robertson was educated at the New Lisbon high school, and subsequently taught school several years, at the same time giving his attention and spare moments to the study of medicine. He attended medical lectures at the university of Ann Arbor, Mich., and was graduated at the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1883. He had begun the practice of his profession in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1868, and in April, 1869, located at Germantown, Montgomery county, where, with the exception of six years, during which he was clerk of the courts, he has since been in the active practice of his profession. Dr. Robertson was married June 19, 1872, to Elizabeth M. , daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Gunckel) Rowe, of Germantown, and has three children living: Fredonia, Robert L.

and Jessie E. Dr. Robertson was a member of the Germantown school board for nine years, during which period he was instrumental in placing the Germantown public library on its present permanent and substantial basis, it having now a collection of 3,000 volumes. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , K. of P. , A. O. U. W. , and the G. A. R. During the late Civil war he was a member of company K, One Hundred and Forty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of service. He served two terms, 1876-82, as clerk of the courts of Montgomery county, being politically a democrat. In 1893 he was appointed pension examiner upon the home board. In his profession Dr. Robertson is experienced and reliable, and has the full confidence of the residents of Germantown and vicinity, while as a citizen he holds a firm place in the esteem of the community at large.

OSES B. SCHAEFFER, dealer in agricultural implements at Miamisburg, was born in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, December n, 1855, a son of John H. and Maggie (Baum) Schaeffer, both natives of this county.

His paternal grandfather, John Schaeffer, a native of Frederick, Md., settled in German township at an early day, and cleared and improved the farm now owned by his grandson, Moses B. , where he died in 1864. His wife, Eva Kemp, also a native of Maryland, died in

A. (Mrs. George Kemp), Maria, John H. and! Jacob. The great-grandfather of Moses B. Schaeffer also became a resident of this county, where he died many years ago.

John H., father of Moses B. Schaeffer, was born on the old homestead in 1829, and there always resided, with' the exception of the last year of his life, which was spent in Miamisburg, where he died September 13, 1894. His wife was a daughter of Jacob Baum, a pioneer of Miami township. She bore him one son, Moses

B. , who was also reared on the homestead, was educated at Oberlin college, and spent one year at the Cincinnati Law school. From early manhood he was engaged in farming, which he followed until 1 893, when he removed to Miamisburg, where he has since resided. He was employed for one year as engineer of the Miamisburg Electric Light plant, and was for two years associated with M. T. Apple, as foreman of his planing-mill. January 1, 1896, he embarked in business as a dealer in farm implements and farm machinery of every description, in which he is still engaged.

The marriage of Mr. Schaeffer took place October 9, 1879, with Ella W. , daughter of James C. and Mary (Wheeler) Anderson, of Carlisle, Ohio; they have five children, named Mary A., May, Bertha P., Fannie and Pearl. Mr. Schaeffer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of the I. O. O. F., in which he is a past grand, and past patriarch of Miamisburg encampment, No. 82. Politically he is a republican. Mr. Schaeffer's success through life may be attributed solely to his own industry and the skillful manipulation of the means he had under his control when he started in his business career, and he well deserves the high esteem in which he is held by the residents of Miamisburg and of Montgomery county.

OHN C. SCHAEFFER, a prosperous business man of Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in that town January 27, i860 - a son of William H. and Catherine (Negley) Schaeffer. His paternal grandfather, George C. Schaeffer, formerly of Center county, Pa., came to Germantown, Ohio, about 1820. John C. Negley, maternal grandfather of John C. Schaeffer, was born near Carlisle, Pa., and in 1808 settled in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio. In 1 81 1 he married Mary Shuey, daughter of Martin Shuey, a native of Lebanon county, Pa., who settled in German township in 1805. In 1812 Mr. Negley entered the service of the U. S. government as second lieutenant in the regiment commanded by Col. Pierce, and at the close of the war was chosen captain of a company of militia, and from this time until his death went by the name of Capt. Negley. He died March 16, 1863, in his eightyfifth year.

William H. Schaeffer, father of John C., was born in Germantown, Ohio, February 11, 1837, a son of George C. and Frances A. (Mc- Clure) Schaeffer, both natives of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, Michael Schaeffer, was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. George C. Schaeffer came, as above stated, from Center county, Pa., to Germantown, Ohio, about 1820, where he followed his trade of cabinetmaker for some years, and from 1833 to 1858 was proprietor of the Schaeffer House, which, during that period, was the leading hotel of the place. He reared a family of six children: Maria (Mrs. Capt.

George Wightman), George, William H., Catherine (Mrs. Josiah Catrow), Ariadne (Mrs. Capt. W. H. Buzzard) and Josephine (Mrs. William Pauley). Mr. Schaeffer died in 1858, at the age of fifty-one years. William H. Schaeffer was reared and educated in Germantown and began life for himself in the distillery business, operating a distillery from 1855 to 1859. He later engaged in farming in German township and also spent two years in Toledo in the livery business. In 1867 he returned to Germantown, and embarked in business as a buyer and packer of leaf tobacco, in which he is still engaged. In 1858, he married Catherine, daughter of Capt. John and Mary (Shuey) Negley, pioneers of Germantown, and has four children: John C., William N., Mary F. and George C.

John C. Schaeffer was reared and educated in Germantown, and in 1878 located at Dayton, Ohio, where he spent four years as clerk in the office of the Pan Handle railroad company and two years as entry clerk in a large wholesale grocery. In 1884 he returned to Germantown, where he embarked in the leaf tobacco business, in which he still continues, having been associated since 1886 with J. H. Rohrer, and since 1890 as a member of the firm of J. H. Rohrer & Co., grain, coal and lumber dealers. On April 6, 1889, he married Laura B., daughter of George C. and Mary (Bachman) Banker, of Germantown, and has three children, George, Catherine and Negley.

George C. Banker, father of Mrs. John C. Schaeffer, was born in Poast Town, Butler county, Ohio, January 12, 1830, a son of Solomon and Mary A. (Coon) Banker, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively.

Solomon Banker was born in 1797, and came to Ohio in 1817, settling in Butler county, where for several years he engaged in milling at Poast Town. Later he engaged in farming, and in 1836 removed to Warren county, where he died in 1861. His wife was a daughter of John and Susannah Coon, who settled in Warren county, Ohio, in 1801. George C. Banker was reared in Butler and Warren counties, was educated in the common schools, and began life as a farmer in Warren county, where he resided until 1866, when he removed to Germantown, where he has since followed the same vocation. He was married in 1857 to Miss Mary A., daughter of Nathan and Julia A. (Bruner) Bachman, of Germantown, and has five children - Julia (Mrs. John H. Rohrer), John, Laura B. (Mrs. John C. Schaeffer), G. Edward and Harry E. In politics Mr. Banker is a republican.

In 1887 Mr. Schaeffer organized the Germantown Building & Savings association, of which he has since been secretary, and has made it one of the successful institutions of the town. Mr. Schaeffer is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Foresters. He has been clerk of the corporation of Germantown since 1886, and served on the school board three years. In politics he is a republican.

HNDREW CASS SCHELL, an accountant of Miamisburg, Ohio, is a native of this city, born November 22, 1847, and is a son of John and Catherine (Gebhart) Schell, natives of Berks county, Pa.

Henry and Margaret (Leasher) Schell, his paternal grandparents, came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1820, and settled in Miamisburg, where the grandfather followed his calling of cooper, although he devoted much time to farming, and later in life became a manufacturer of plow points. The children born to Henry and Margaret Schell were named John, David, Catherine (Mrs. Andrew Emert), Jonathan, Molly (Mrs. Frederick Yaukey), and Martha (Mrs. Joseph Kutz). The paternal great-grandfather of Andrew C. Schell was a native of Germany, who came to America before the Revolution, in which heroic struggle he served with the rank of captain, and was also a farmer of Berks county, Pa. The other paternal great-grandfather, John Leasher, a native of Germany and a farmer of Berks county, Pa., likewise served as a captain in the Revolutionary war, and participated in the battles of the Brandywine, of Bunker Hill, and in several others of less note. Jacob Gebhart, the maternal grandfather of Andrew C. Schell, was also a Pennsylvanian, and lost his life by accident while crossing the mountains on his way to Ohio in pioneer days.

John Schell, father of Andrew C., was a shoemaker and the pioneer in that business in Miamisburg, and continued the leading dealer until he retired from the business, in 1861. His first wife was a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Gebhart) Kercher, of Miamisburg, and bore him two children: Matilda (Mrs. Samuel Witmyer), and Harriet (Mrs. Eli Rumberger). His second marriage was with Miss Catherine Gebhart, and this union was blessed with four children, viz: John H., Emma

(Mrs. Dr. Henry Schoenfeld), Margaret E. (deceased), and Andrew C., the subject of this biography. John Schell was recognized as an honorable and industrious citizen, and passed away in 1866.

Andrew Cass Schell was educated in the public schools of Miamisburg and began his business life as a painter, a trade which he followed for twenty years. In 1872 he took a course of instruction at the Miami Commercial college, of Dayton, and for two years was employed as bookkeeper by the Miami Valley Paper company. April 13, 1873, he married Miss Phebe, daughter of Louis and Louisa (Best) Machenheimer, of Miamisburg, to which union have been born three children - Carl, Louisa, and Emma. Since 1892 Mr. Schell has been employed as bookkeeper by the Kauffman Buggy company, and is universally acknowledged to be an adept in his profession. He is a member of the Lutheran church. In his societary affiliations Mr. Schell is a Freemason, and has been secretary in both lodge and chapter since 1880; he is also a Knight of Pythias, and since 1876 has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In his politics he is a democrat, has filled the position of village clerk for twelve years, and has just completed his sixth year as a member of the Miamisburg school board, of which for five years he served as clerk. He is honored in ali the walks of life and is, indeed, a good and useful citizen.

ON. HENRY SCHOENFELD, M. D., was born in the city of Gelnhausen, in the province of Hesse- Nassau, Germany, November 26, 1829. He is a son of Dr. Henry and Margaret (Kohler) Schoenfeld, who, in 1844, came to the United States, and located in Lancaster, Pa. Receiving his early education in the province of Hesse-Nassau, after coming to this country he spent some time in the study of medicine with his father at Lancaster, and also under a private tutor, Dr. Jacob Cooper, a graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical college of New York city, and under the instruction of Dr. Ignatz Hoefle, a graduate of a medical college in Paris.

Dr. Schoenfeld has always been of a venturesome disposition. In 1846 he spent a year in Cincinnati, as a prescription clerk in a drug store, and during the Mexican war he enlisted in Cincinnati, and went to Mexico, but on account of being under age was sent home on a requisition, much against his will.

In 1848, during the excitement throughout the country caused by the discovery of gold in the west, he went to California, going round Cape Horn in a sailing vessel. In California and in travel down the Pacific coast as far south as Chile, he spent three years. While in California he was engaged in prospecting for gold, working in the mines, fighting Indians as a member of a volunteer company, and had many adventures in the unsettled country as one of the historic " forty-niners," or modern Argonauts. Returning in 1851 to Pennsylvania, via the isthmus of Panama, he entered the medical department of the university of Pennsylvania, and afterward spent one year in practice at Penningtonville, Pa. , locating in 1853 at Miamisburg, Ohio, where he has ever since been engaged in the active pursuit of his profession. Since 1877 he has done an exclusively office practice.

During the Civil war Dr. Schoenfeld was colonel of the First regiment of Home Guards of Montgomery county, the guards being held as a reserve force, ready to be called on at any time. In 1865 he visited Germany and was there forcibly detained for military duty. Spending the first two weeks in a military prison, he was then detailed as a member of the king's body guard. Refusing to take the oath of allegiance, he was unable to secure relief or assistance from the United States minister, and after six months' litigation was released on an order of the supreme court, which acknowledged that Germany had no claim upon him. Dr. Schoenfeld is a democrat, and in 1859 was elected to represent Montgomery county in the state legislature, and was re-elected in 1871. During the administration of Gov. Bishop he was a trustee of the Dayton asylum for the insane. He served fourteen years in the Miamisburg city council, at last declining to accept another term. He also served as president of the Miamisburg board of health. Dr. Schoenfeld has been a member of the order of Odd Fellows and of the Harugari for nearly forty years, and was a charter member of the A. O. U. W. lodge and the Knights of Pythias lodge in Miamisburg. In the Harugari lodge he has been the ober grosse barde, chief officer of

September 7, 1857, Dr. Schoenfeld married Emma Schell, daughter of John and Catherine (Gebhart) Schell, of Miamisburg. To this marriage there have been born three sons, viz: Henry, M. D. ; John and Charles.

Dr. Schoenfeld is a true patriot, a good neighbor and a warm-hearted friend, worthy of all honor as a man and a citizen, and stands deservedly high in his profession, as also in social circles.

OUIS SCHELLHAAS, baker and confectioner of Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Rhinefalz, Germany, November 11, 1859, a son of John and Catherine (Kurtz) Schellhaas. He received his education in the public schools of his native city, and there also learned his trade. At the age of twenty years he entered the German army in which he served three years; he next worked at his calling as a journeyman in his native land until 1884, when he came to the United States and located in Miamisburg, where he worked at his trade for nearly a year, and afterward in Dayton for six months. In November, 1885, he returned to Miamisburg and embarked in his present business, in which he has since met with uninterrupted success.

November 26, 1885, Mr. Schellhaas was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Leicht, of Miamisburg, and they have two children - Harry and Elsie.

Mr. Schellhaas is a member of the Lutheran church, and is active in the secret brotherhoods of the Harugari and the Ancient Order of United Workmen; in politics he is a democrat, and his social relations are of a most pleasant nature, as he is highly esteemed both as a business man and as a citizen.

ETER SCHREIBER, baker, of Miamisburg, Ohio, was born in Alsace- Lorraine, September 15, 1857, a son of Peter and Catherine ( Eberle ) Schreiber. The father was for fifteen years a captain in the French army, and for twentythree years city sealer of Strasbourg, where his death took place in 1894.

Peter Schreiber, the subject of this biography, at the age of fifteen years graduated from the Strasbourg high school, and in 1872 came to America, first locating in Cincinnati, where he learned the baker's trade, which he followed for six years in that city. He then served as street-car conductor for five years, after which he again worked at his trade in the city and vicinity until 1888, when he located permanently in Miamisburg. In October, 1893, he embarked in business on his own account, became very popular and successful, and November 1, 1895, he founded a branch establishment at West Carrollton, where he is enjoying a flourishing trade.

February 28, 1877, Mr. Schreiber married Miss Mary C. Kluever, daughter of William Kluever, of Cincinnati, which marriage has been blessed by the the birth of six children, viz : Catherine, William, Peter, Dora, Fred and Carl. In his religion he worships at the Lutheran church, and his political connection is with the republican party ; fraternally, he is a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, as well as of the Harugari, and is highly respected by the members of all of these fraternities, as well as by the public in general.

ACOB SCHNEIDER, proprietor of Star City Arcade, Miamisburg, Ohio, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 6, 1854, a son of Jacob and Anna (Wenzler) Schneider. His father came to

America in January, 1854, and stopped one year in Cincinnati; then for two years in Franklin, where he was employed in various capacities, and in 1857 located at Miamisburg, where he lived until 1859, and then went back to Germany. In March, 1861, he returned to Miamisburg, where he raised tobacco during the summers and worked about a hotel during the winters for several years, when he visited his home again, and on the death of his wife, in 1871, he brought his family of two sons - Joseph and Jacob - to Miamisburg. He visited Germany again in 1876, remaining six months, and, returning, died in Miamisburg in August, 1879.

Jacob Schneider, the subject, was reared in his native country until seventeen years of age, where he received a common-school education. In 1871 he came to Miamisburg, where he learned the cabinetmaker's trade with Benjamin Brough, and was in his employ for thirteen years. March 17, 1884, he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, in which he continued eight years, and in the meantime, April 1, 1891, purchased the Star City Arcade cafe and billiard parlors, which he has since successfully conducted. He married, October 31, 1876, Catherine, daughter of Joseph and Frances Gates, of Miamisburg, and has five children - -Anna, Robert, Nora, Edward and Lawrence. Mr. Schneider is a member of the Catholic church, and of D. O. H., No., 38, of Miamisburg. He is a democrat in politics, and is a respected citizen of the community.

Enry Christian Schuberth

ENRY CHRISTIAN SCHUBERTH, tobacco dealer of Miamisburg, was born at Wandsbek, near Hamburg, Germany, June7, 1848. He is a son of William and Christina (Kahler) Schuberth, who emigrated to the United States in 1852, and in Pennsylvania the former followed his trade, that of a carpenter, for two years, removing to Cincinnati in 1854, and there established himeslf in business at the corner of Fifth and Elm streets. There he remained in business until 1870, when he returned to Pennsylvania, locating at Unionville, near Pittsburg, where he now resides. His children grew to maturity, and were six in number, as follows: William;

Henry C. Schuberth came to the United States with his parents in 1852. He here received a common-school education, and after clerking four years in Allegheny City, Pa., and in Cincinnati, Ohio, removed to Miamisburg in 1865, and had since resided in this city. In 1865, upon arriving in Miamisburg, he entered the employ of C. H. Spitzner, who was engaged in the tobacco business, and in 1873 succeeded Mr. Spitzner in that industry, and at the same time acting as the representative of Bunzel & Dormitzer, of New York. Mr. Schuberth is the oldest tobacco dealer in the Miami valley, when continuous and actual service are taken into account.

Mary A. and Harry C. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, and in politics, a republican, in all of which relations, fraternal and political, he maintains a high and correct standing. In religious faith, he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, and are active in the performance of their religious duties. Few people, if any, in Miamisburg or Montgomery county, stand higher in the public esteem for honorable character,

OSEPH W. SHANK, president of the First National bank, of Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a native of Maryland and he first saw the light October 8, 1816.

Adam Shank, his father, was also a native of Maryland, born in 1778, was a blacksmith by trade, and shortly after reaching his majority married Miss Catherine Doup, by whom he became the father of a family of children, numbering twelve, of which family the following named grew to maturity: Samuel, Joseph W., Joshua, Lydia (wife of Ezra Kemp), John, Elias and Mary (Mrs. Noah Myers). While Adam Shank was a blacksmith by trade, he drifted into farming, and for a few years followed that vocation in his native state. In 1836 he came to Ohio and settled in Madison township, Montgomery county, where he purchased a farm of 240 acres, on which he resided, prospering year by year, until he was enabled, in 1850, to retire to Germantown, where he ended his days in 1856, honored by all who knew him.

Joseph W. Shank was reared and educated in his native state until twenty years of age, when he came witn his parents to Ohio. His start in life, on his individual account, was at the age of twenty years, when he began work as a carpenter, and traveled through the country, working at this trade and finding employment in various other lines of business, twice visiting California. From 1841 to 1871 he engaged in farming in German township, where he owned at one time a farm of 400 acres. But in the meantime, being a man of natural executive ability, and ripened by travel and experience, he assisted in organizing the First

National bank, of Germantown, in 1863, and is now the only survivor of the original stockholders in that financial enterprise, and has been its president since 1881.

The marriage of Joseph W. Shank took place, in 1841, with Maria Brunner, daughter of John and Catherine (Harp) Brunner, of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, to which union ten children have been born, of whom seven are still living, viz: John A., Seabury F., Mary (Mrs. George Bechtold), Ida (Mrs. Charles Cosier), Emma (Mrs. George Francis), Jabez and Maria. The family are members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Shank has himself, for the past forty-five years, been a communicant. In politics he is a republican, but he has never had a desire for public office. His long life has been one of probity and industry, and is well worthy of emulation.

John A. Shank, son of Joseph W. and Maria (Brunner) Shank, was born in Madison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, September 26, 1846. He was, however, reared in German township and educated in its common schools. Brought up a farmer, he now owns and occupies the old Shank homestead, and is one of the well-to-do and prosperous farmers of the neighborhood. He was married, February 2, 1871, to Miss Martha J. Eby, a daughter of Adam S. and Elizabeth (Bertels) Eby, of Madison township, and is now the happy father of three sons, viz: Orion L. , Arthur M. and Herbert A. Mr. Shank and his family are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics he is a republican.

ENRY SHANK, of Perry township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is one of the most prosperous and substantial farmers of the county. Jacob Shank, his father, was born in 1782 or 1784 and lived for some years in Fauquier county, Ya. When twenty-four years of age he emigrated to Montgomery county, Ohio, together with his father, Henry, and his father's family. Here he married Elizabeth Noffsinger, who was a native of Pennsylvania and of Dutch ancestry. Jacob and Elizabeth Shank were the parents of the following children: Daniel, Mary, John, Samuel, Susannah, George, Jacob, Henry, Julia A., who died at the age of four years, Eliza, Catherine and Elizabeth. Mr. Shank settled on the farm now owned by his son, Henry, then containing eighty-four acres. This farm he cleared of its timber and added thereto by purchase eighty acres more in Perry township. By his industry and good management he became one of the most substantial farmers of his day. Both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church, the first edifice for which body they assisted to build. Politically, hewas a republican. He died in 1882.

Henry Shank was born January 15, 1827, in Perry township, on his father's farm. Reared a farmer's boy he received the education of the times in which he lived, attending school in the primitive log school-house. At the age of thirty-five, in the year 1862, he married Susan Mundhenk, a daughter of Augustus and Susan (Knipe) Mundhenk, and a native of Perry township. Her father was the son of the old pioneer Mundhenk, of Perry township, whom every one well remembers. The children of Augustus Mendhenk, beside Mrs. Susan Shank, were as follows: Daniel,

August, Henry, William, Sarah and Mary. Augustus Mundhenk lived to be seventy-six years of age, and was a miller by trade and occupation, as well as a farmer.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shank settled on the old homestead, which they have since greatly improved, and which now contains 108 acres of land. Mr. Shank is one of the best farmers of his county, an excellent citizen, a member of the United Brethren church, and a republican. He is a trustee of his church and has served as trustee of his township. He and his wife are the parents of the following-named children: Ardella, Lizzie and Charles.

OAH SHANK, of Perry township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is of Virginia and Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. Henry Shank, his grandfather, was born in Virginia, and married in that state, Catherine Rasor, by whom he had the following children: Jacob, who lived to be nearly if not quite 100 years old; Henry, John, Philip, George, Michael, who lived to be 108 years of age; Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth and two that died in infancy. Mr. Shank came to Ohio in 1819, settled in Perry township, cleared up a farm of 160 acres from the woods and made a good pioneer home. He was an excellent citizen, a member of the United Brethren church and died on his farm in Perry township.

John Shank, his son and the father of Noah, was born in 1812 in Virginia, and came with his father to Ohio in 1819. Being reared among the pioneers and brought up to the life of a farmer, he himself naturally adopted that calling. He married Catherine Heiter, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Sebastian and Catherine Heiter, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in Montgomery county at an early day.

Mr. and Mrs. Shank located first in Madison township, where they lived for some time, then moved into Perry township, and lived on Beaver creek. Mr. Shank at first had ninetyone acres of land, most of which he cleared from the woods. To this he added 150 acres, all of which he converted into an excellent farm, and became a most substantial farmer. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Shank were:

Elizabeth, Noah, John, Daniel, Ephraim, Catherine, Joseph, Mary and Martha. Their father was a member of the United Brethren church, and the mother of the Lutheran church. Mr. Shank lived to be seventy-six years old, while Mrs. Shank lived to the age of eighty-four. Mr. Shank was a hard-working and industrious pioneer and an honored citizen.

Noah Shank was born January 24, 1829, in Perry township. Receiving only the usual common-school education of that period, he was early inured to the laborious life of the farm. One of his duties, when a boy, was to ride the horse at threshing wheat on the barn floor. When he could, he went to school, attending an old log school-house which had slabs for seats, and boasted of the puncheon floor. When twenty-one years of age, on February 29, 1850, he married, in Madison township, Jemima Weaver, who was born in 1828, in that township, and who is a daughter of Martin and Susan (Jordan) Weaver. Martin Weaver was of German ancestry and came early from Virginia to Ohio, settling in Madison township, and making an excellent farm of 160 acres of land. His children were as follows: George, Mary A., Eliza, William,

David, Martin, John, Susan, Adeline, Sarah and Kate. There were several other children who died young. Mr. Weaver was one of the early blacksmiths of Madison township, a member of the German Reformed church, and one of the prominent citizens of his day.

Mr. and Mrs. Shank, after their marriage, settled on the Shank homestead, where they lived one year, and then rented a farm in Perry township, upon which they lived for three years. Mr. Shank then bought a farm of 137 acres, partly cleared, upon which he erected a fine residence and added other improvements, such as are needed on a well-ordered and regulated farm. Mr. Shank is a member of the Lutheran church and has held the office of deacon for many years. In fact, he was one of those who established the Lutheran church and erected its first church edifice in Perry township. As a democrat he served as health officer of the township for eight years, and as township trustee for seven years. He is a man well known for his strong convictions, and is well-informed and influential in his community.

BRANK SHUEY, a successful machinist of Miamisburg, Ohio, was born in Dayton, February 8, 1855, and is a son of Jacob and Phebe Jane (Mc- Cann) Shuey, natives of Montgomery county, and of the sixth generation from Daniel Shuey, a French Huguenot, who landed in Philadelphia, in 1732, and soon afterward settled in Lebanon county, Pa., where he engaged in farming until his death, in 1777.

Lewis Shuey, paternal grandfather of Frank, was born in Bethel township, Lancaster county, Pa., November 17, 1785, and in 1796 was taken by his parents to Augusta county, Va., where he was reared to manhood on a farm. In 1806 he came to Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, and January 1, 1808, married Catherine, daughter of Judge Philip and Catherine (Schaeffer) Gunckel, natives of Berks county, Pa., but who settled in Germantown, Ohio, in 1803. To this marriage were born four sons - Philip, Lewis, Jacob and Michael. After his marriage, Lewis Shuey secured the milling property of his father-inlav/, rebuilt and remodeled the mill, became a man of wealth and extended influence, and, at his death, which occurred February 16, 1872, left a large estate to his children. Lewis Shuey was a nephew of Martin Shuey, who settled in German township in 1805, and who was the progenitor of the Dayton family of that name. Aside from the respect paid him on account of

Jacob Shuey, father of Frank Shuey, and third son of Lewis and Catherine (Gunckel) Shuey, was born in Germantown, Ohio, Januuary 6, 1814, and first married, December 31, 1835, Sarah Ann Ayers, who bore him four children, viz: William H., Harrison M.,

George E., and Ellen (wife of William Beringer). Mrs. Shuey was called away February 19, 1847, at the early age of twenty-seven years, and for his second helpmate he chose Phebe J. McCann, a daughter of William Mc- Cann, a pioneer farmer and wood turner of Germantown, and this lady he married March 12, 1848. This union was blessed with three children, viz: Dona O., Philip and Frank. Mr. Shuey was engaged in the dry-goods business in Germantown from 1834 to 1850, when he moved to Dayton, where he continued in the dry-goods trade until 1859. He then moved to Miamisburg, where he successfully carried on milling until his death, which took place March 4, 1870 - leaving a spotless name and an unsullied reputation as priceless heirlooms to his descendants.

Frank Shuey, the subject proper of this memoir, was reared in Dayton and Miamisburg, was educated in the public schools and served an apprenticeship of five years as a general machinist in Miamisburg and Cincinnati. He afterward worked as a journeyman in various parts of the country until 1886, when he opened a machine shop on his own account in Miamisburg ; here he does all kinds of work pertaining to the trade, including the manufacture of gas engines and trip hammers of his own invention, and is doing an altogether thriving business. Mr. Shuey was united in marriage, in 1878, with Miss Alice Studybaker, daughter of Wesley Studybaker, of Brookville, Montgomery county. Mr. Shuey and wife are members of the Reformed church, and live fully in accord with its teachings. Fraternally, Mr. Shuey is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, and in politics is a republican. Socially, Mr. and Mrs. Shuey enjoy* the sincere esteem of the entire community in which they live, and Mr. Shuey's walk through life has been such as to preserve the good name left to him by his progenitors.

ON. WILLIAM SHULER, M. D., a prominent practicing physician of Miamisburg, was born at Sumneytown, Montgomery county, Pa., January 7, 1843. He is a son of Henry and Maria (Miller) Shuler, and, as the name indicates, is of German extraction. He was first educated in the public schools of his native state, then in the classical department of Ursinus college, and, in 1867, was graduated from the medical department of the university of Pennsylvania, that commencement being the 100th anniversity of its establishment, the university itself, however, having been established in 1753, fourteen years before the medical department.

On October 7, 1861, Mr. Shuler enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Seventh regiment, P. V. I., and re-enlisted, or veteranized, in 1864, in the same company. After serving four years, and enduring all the trials and hardships of the soldier's life, and having been advanced from the ranks for gallant service, he was mustered out, in 1865, as captain of company C, of his regiment. During these four years, beside marching and fighting, and performing all the duties of a patriotic soldier faithfully and cheerfully, he experienced the hardships of prison life in Libby prison, at Danville and at Salisbury, for seven months.

and in August, 1868, located in Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he has since resided, and where he has continued in the practice of his profession with a success which is very gratifying. Politically Dr. Shuler is a republican, has served his town as councilman for six years, and as a member of the board of education for the same period. For four years he was president of the board of examining surgeons at the soldiers' home, near Dayton, and, in 1893, he was elected to represent his county in the legislature of the state, where he served his constituents so faithfully and well that he was re-elected in 1895 by a largely increased majority.

On October 30, 1871, Dr. Shuler was married to Nora Weaver, of Miamisburg, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Fanny (Swar) Weaver, and to this marriage have been born five children, as follows : Grace, Carl, Fannie, Clara and William. All have been or are now being well educated in the public schools and in private institutions. Dr. Shuler and his wife are pleasant, hospitable and generous, and most popular and influential in both social and religious circles.

ON. EMANUEL SHULTZ, retired manufacturer and an ex-congressman from Ohio, was born in Berks county, Pa., July 25, 1819. He is a son of George and Mary (Vinyard) Shultz, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, Frederick Shultz, was a native of Hesse-Cassel, in the Prussian duchy of Nassau, and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war. He became a soldier in the American army during that great struggle for independence, and served his adopted country well.

until his eleventh year, in the common schools, and then, owing to the death of his father, he was compelled to depend on private study and self-teaching. Learning the shoemaker's trade through an apprenticeship of seven years, in Philadelphia, he was well prepared for selfsupport, and in 1838 he removed to Ohio, locating in Miamisburg, where he established himself in the boot and shoe business, employing from five to fifteen journeymen. This business he continued until 1846, when he changed his occupation to that of a general commission and mercantile trade. Soon becoming one of the largest and most successful operators in his branch of commerce in the Miami valley, he took a leading part in the establishment, organization and development of all the prominent enterprises of Miamisburg. One of these was the private bank of H. Groby & Co., established in 1865, in which Mr. Shultz was interested from the time of its establishment until 1888. He was the principal projector of the Miami Valley Paper company, which, in connection with Dr. William H. Manning, he organized in 1871. With this latter enterprise he was connected until 1889. From 1853 to 1 870 he was engaged extensively in dealing in leaf tobacco, and did much to encourage the growth of this important staple product of the state of Ohio. The Miami valley is one of the noted tobacco growing regions of the state, comprising about 7,500 square miles, and the average yield of its best soils reaching as high as 1,800 pounds per acre.

Mr. Shultz was married July 23, 1840, to Sarah Beck, daughter of Conrad and Mary (Anspaugh) Beck, of Miamisburg, and to this marriage there were born three children, as follows: Mary A. (Mrs. Dr. William H. Manning), Amanda M. (Mrs. A. T. Whittich), and Sarah Aletta (Mrs. H. C. Schuberth). In religion Mr. Schultz is of the Lutheran faith, and fraternally he belongs to the Masons, Odd

Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is a royal arch Mason and a Knight Templar, and was a charter member of Marion lodge, No. 1 8, I. O. O. F., of Miamisburg, which was organized in 1843. As a republican Mr. Shultz has held every office but one, that of township clerk, in the gift of Miami township and Miamisburg. Previous to the organization of the republican party he was a whig, but since that time has always been a republican. In 1875 he was elected to the legislature, but was not a candidate for re-election. In 1873 he was a member of the convention that revised the state constitution, which, upon being submitted to the people, was rejected. In October, 1880, he was elected to congress from the Fourth district, which position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction to his constituents. Elected commissioner of Montgomery county in 1859, he served three years. In 1881 he was one of the organizers of the Lima Car works, was a stockholder and served as vice-president until he sold his interest.

Mr. Shultz is a gentleman of sound and shrewd business judgment, and few are possessed of a more genial disposition or endowed with so happy a faculty of winning friends. Of quick perception, he reads at a glance the character and disposition of those with whom he comes in contact; a ready conversationalist, he is thoroughly at home in any discussion. Free, unaffected and courteous in manner, he is still dignified and earnest and is a representative man of the better class. He is fully alive to the practical every-day affairs of life, and is now' enjoying the fruits of his own industry, which he has accumulated through half a century's exercise of good business tact and discerning and comprehensive survey of the tendencies of commercial movements and the necessities of his fellow-men. In 1889 he was appointed by President Harrison postmaster at Miamisburg, and filled the office in a

On. Charles A. Simonton

ON. CHARLES A. SIMONTON, ex-mayor of Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, and a successful business man of this thriving place, was born in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio February 5, 1857. He is a son of Theophilus and Mary (Willis) Simonton, both of whom are still living. Theophilus Simonton is the son of Adam Simonton, who was born in what is now Warren county, Ohio, in 1789. Adam Simonton's father was a native of Ireland, an early emigrant from that country to America, and was a soldier of the Revolutionary army, thus aiding in the establishment of the American republic. Adam Simonton was by occupation a farmer, was captain of a company in the war of 1812, and late in life removed from Warren county, Ohio, to Lincoln, Logan county, 111., and there died. Theophilus Simonton was born in Warren county, Ohio, is a carriagemaker by trade, and settled in Miamisburg in 1864. From that time until 1876 he was in the employ of the Kauffman company, and in the year last mentioned he established himself in business and has since continued to follow his trade. His wife was a daughter of George and Anna (Gorman) Willis, of Warren county, and he has two sons, George and Charles A.

Charles A. Simonton came to Montgomery county with his parents in 1864, and here he has since resided. He was educated in the Miamisburg public schools, graduating from the high school May 22, 1874. In 1894 he was honored by the high school alumni by being elected president of the alumni association. On leaving school he served an apprenticeship of three years at general blacksmithing with the Kauffman company, and after the expiration of that period worked as a journeyman until" 1891, when he embarked in business for himself as a member of the firm of Simonton & Ebling, which firm owns and operates a general blacksmithing and repair shop, and is meeting with ample success.

Mr. Simonton was married, February 17, 1881, to Ada M. Smith, daughter of John and Anna Smith, of Lincoln, 111., people of excellent character and standing in the community in which they live. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and both he and his wife are untiring in their devotion to religious and educational work. Fraternally he is a member of Marion lodge, of the encampment and of canton Groby (patriarchs militant), I. O. O. F.; of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Of Marion lodge he is past noble grand. In politics he is a democrat.

April 1, 1894, Mr. Simonton was elected mayor of Miamisburg, and in his official capacity proved himself to be a man of force and ability, as well as of tact and discretion. Being one of the most active and public spirited of the young business men of Miamisburg, he is always on the alert for the promotion of the public good, and his official administration has been a credit to his patriotism and judgment, and satisfactory to the people at large.

EV. JOHN SMITH, a minister of the German Baptist church, Madison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a native of the county and was born on his father's farm, November 30, 1827.

Jacob Smith, his grandfather, was born in Maryland, near Hagerstown, of Pennsylvania- Dutch descent, and there married Mary Clopper, who came from Germany when ten years of age, the result of the union being several children, of whom the names of the following are remembered: John, Jacob, Henry, Abraham, David, Mary, and one who became Mrs. Zook. Jacob Smith was a farmer, and in his latter years moved to Pennsylvania, the home of his forefathers, and passed the remainder of his life in Bedford county.

Abraham Smith, son of Jacob and father of the Rev. John Smith, was born in Bedford county, Pa., in 1784. His father having died, his mother married Philip Knee, and in 1809 the family came to Ohio, Abraham being then fifteen years of age. Mr. Knee first located at Germantown, Montgomery county, remained a year or so, then passed one year on Wolf creek, west of Dayton, and in 1810 came to Madison township and purchased a tract of 160 acres on the Salem road in the northeast corner of the township, and all in the deep woods. This land Abraham Smith assisted in clearing, and indeed did very nearly the entire work unaided. At the age of twenty-eight years he married Miss Catherine Bowman, daughter of John and Mary Bowman; he then bought the homestead from Philip Knee, and here lived all his active life. To the marriage of Abraham Smith were born two children - John, the subject of this biography, and one child that died unnamed. Mrs. Smith died in 1830, a pious member of the German Baptist church, her only child, John, being then but three years of age. Abraham attained the age of eighty-seven years and six months, was also a devout member of the German Baptist church, and died in 1871 at the residence of his son, Rev. John Smith, leaving behind him many old friends to mourn his departure.

Rev. John Smith was reared to farming, receiving at the same time a very good common-school education. October 14, 1847, at the age of twenty, he married, in Madison county, Miss Susan Wolf, a native of Montgomery county, born August 25, 1828, and a daughter of Jacob B. and Catherine (Miller)

Wolf. The young couple lived for several years on the old Smith homestead. In 1869 they moved to an eighty-acre tract which Mr. Smith had purchased, and which he cleared up and increased to 158 acres. Here Mrs. Smith died August 29, 1890 - a woman of many womanly virtues and a devout member of the German Baptist church. Following are the names of the children born to Rev. John Smith and his lamented wife: Sarah J., born August

1856; Harriet E., March 2, 1859; Oliver J., September 23, 1861; Emma, September 14, 1863, and Mary E., January 24, 1865. Mr. Smith continued to reside on his farm until 1892, when he bought a pleasant residence in Trotwood, where he has since been living retired from the active labor of life. He became a member of the German Baptist church in 1851 and was elected a deacon in 1857; in i860 he was licensed preacher, and has since been active in expounding the gospel to his people, and in all respects exerting a large influence for good. Providence has blessed his labors in this respect, and, so aided, also, he has by his industry and thrift increased his \yorldly store. He at one time owned 568 acres of land, which he has distributed among his children, reserving for himself a tract of thirty acres from the home farm, in addition to his pleasant town residence.

HNDREW SNELLER, of the wellknown firm of Theobald & Sneller, the leading barbers of Miamisburg, Ohio, was born in Cincinnati April 29, 1862, and is a son of Louis and Philopena (Bollinger) Sneller, the former of whom was a tailor by trade and died July 5, 1863, from the

Andrew Sneller was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati, and on May 1, 1876, apprenticed himself to the barber's trade, at which he served two and a half years, and then worked at the business as a journeyman for eight years. In 1882 he located in Miamisburg, and in 1884 formed a partnership with Adam Theobald, under the firm name of Theobald & Sneller, for the purpose of conducting a first-class tonsorial establishment, and, both partners being competent workmen, the concern enjoys an excellent business.

Andrew Sneller was united in the bonds of matrimony October 25, 1891, with Miss Jennie E. Schuster, daughter of Charles O. and Mary E. (Loesch) Schuster, of Miamisburg, and to this union has been born one daughter - Margaret May. Mrs. Sneller is a consistent member of the Reformed church, while Mr. Sneller affiliates with the Lutherans. Mr. Sneller is a royal arch Freemason and in politics is a republican. His social relations are of a most pleasant character, as he and wife are highly esteemed by a large circle of sincere friends.

AVID JULIUS SNEPP, farmer, contractor, and president of the Farmers' Mutual Fire association, of Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Miami township, May 20, 1842, a son of John and Catherine (Neible) Snepp. His paternal grandparents, Leonard and Catherine (Isley) Snepp, were natives of Pennsylvania and were among the pioneers of Miami township, as was also his maternal grandfather, John Neible, who was by birth a Virginian.

children were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Hugh A. Hoskins), William, Maria (Mrs. Jacob Runchey), Joseph, David J. , and Mary J. (Mrs. Mannington Fickle).

David J. Snepp was reared in Indiana from three years of age, and was educated in the common schools and in Purdy's Business college, at Indianapolis. Farming has been his principal occupation, though for three years he was engaged as a buyer and shipper of grain at Boggstown and Fairland. In 1883 he removed to Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he has since been engaged in farming and contracting. In November, 18 66, he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of Joseph H. and Nancy L. (Hamma) Dryden, of Miami township, and has four children - John D., Harry D., Nancy G. , and Catherine C. Mr. Snepp has been president of the Montgomery County Mutual Fire association since 1890, and served one term as justice of the peace of Miami township, having been elected as a democrat; he was also president of the centennial celebration for the south half of Montgomery county, at Alexandersville, August 26, 1896. He and his family command the respect of the entire community in which they live, and deservedly enjoy the esteem of their neighbors. Still in the prime of life, Mr. Snepp is engaged in the vigorous prosecution of the various lines of business which have occupied his attention for some years past.

OHN T. SNEPP, a retired farmer living at Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Jefferson township, this county, December 2, 1841. He is a son of John and Catherine (Rodeheffer) Snepp. His grandfather was also named John, was a native of Pennsylvania, married a Miss

Gebhart, located in Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1804, and took up a tract of land on what is now the Farmersville & Carrollton pike, which he partially cleared and improved. This he finally sold and purchased another farm in the same township, most of which he cleared, and upon which he died. He and his wife were the parents of four children, as follows: Leonard; Eva, wife

Of these four children John was born in Jefferson township in 1808, engaged in farming, and resided in the township all his life, dying in October, 1890, at the age of eightytwo. His wife, Catherine, was a daughter of Samuel Rodeheffer, of Jefferson township, Montgomery county. She bore him four children: Barbara, wife of John Getter; Mary M.,

John T. Snepp was reared in his native township, was educated in the public schools and at Wittenberg college, and remained at home until 1869. He then purchased a farm, which he still owns, and on which he resided until 1889, when he removed to Miamisburg. On January 8, 1868, he was married to Martha Snider, daughter of Adam and Mary (Hammaker) Snider of Miamisburg. She bore him four sons, viz: Samuel E., a graduate of

Heidelberg university, and at present a student in the McCormick Theological seminary at Chicago, preparing for the ministry in the Reformed church; Hugh Allen, also a graduate of Heidelberg university, and now at Clark's university, Worcester, Mass., taking a postgraduate course preparatory to teaching school; Arthur E. and Lorin H.,both students at Heidelberg university.

of Jefferson township. Though a strong partisan he is not in any sense a seeker after public honors, remaining content to perform his duty as a private citizen.

October 17, 1829, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Lumber) Zeller. His great-grandfather, Andrew Zeller, came from Berks county, Pa., with his wife and five children, settled in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1806, and cleared a farm near Germantown, on which he passed the remaining years of his life. His children were named John, Michael, Andrew, Mary (Mrs. Dr. Jacob Antrim), and Christine (Mrs. Henry Lumber).

John Zeller, son of Andrew and grandfather of William S. Zeller, cleared the farm in German township now owned by Ezra Lemp. On this farm Mr. Zeller made his home until his retirement to Germantown, where his life ended in i860. His wife, Christiana, was a daughter of Martin Shuey, a pioneer of German township, and to their marriage were born Andrew, Henry, Sarah (Mrs. James Gilbert), George, John, Christiana (Mrs. Rev. John L. Hoffman), David, Mary (Mrs. Jacob Zehring), and Eliza (Mrs. Rev. Peter B. Baker).

Andrew Zeller, the eldest of the above family and father of William S., was born in Berks county, Pa., January 29, 1804, was brought to German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, by his parents and grandparents in 1806, as has already been mentioned, and here was reared to manhood. In 1830 he removed to Butler county, Ohio, where he was injured in a runaway accident in July, 1845, and died from the effect of the injury thus sustained in the following October. He was an able, intelligent and industrious man, whose untimely death was a loss to the entire community. His wife was a daughter of Bishop Henry Lumber, and their children were Joseph L. , William S., John H., David A., and Mary E., the wife of Dr. Samuel McClellan.

William S. Zeller, whose name opens this sketch, was reared chiefly in Butler county, Ohio, throughout his boyhood and younger manhood and there received his elementary education, which was supplemented by an attendance at the Miami university of Oxford, Ohio. In April, 1849, he returned to Germantown, where he conducted a drug store until January, 1878, since which date he has practically been living in retirement, although he has given some attention to the farm.

The marriage of William S. Zeller was solemnized February 4, 1857, with Miss Lovina Schaeffer, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Catrow) Schaeffer, and granddaughter of Jacob and Susannah Schaeffer, who came from Center county, Pa., in 1806, and settled in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Zeller have been born six children, two of whom are living, William E. and Maud, the latter now the wife of Dr. Loren Wilkie.

Mr. Zeller, during the late Civil war, was a member of company E, Twelfth Ohio volunteer infantry, in which he served two and one-half years, and, after an honorable discharge from that service, re-enlisted and served one hundred days in company E, of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio infantry, from which, at the end of his service, he was also honorably discharged. In his religious faith, Mr. Zeller is firmly united to the Brethren in Christ, and in politics is a republican. Fraternally, he is a Freemason, also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, as well as of the Grand Army of the Republic.

OAH E. SPITLER, a descendant of one of the oldest pioneer families of Montgomery county, and a regular minister of the old German Baptist church, was born in Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 22, 1848. Fora fuller account of the Spitler family than here presented the reader is referred to the biography of Dr. E. W. Spitler, printed elsewhere in this volume.

Samuel Spitler, the grandfather of Noah E., was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and married Catherine Mishler, by whom he had the following children: Joseph, John, Jacob,

Samuel, Henry, Daniel, David and Mary. Samuel Spitler moved to Ohio about 1815, settling in Stark county, and living there about ten years. In 1825 he came to Montgomery county, settling on 765 acres of land, most of which he cleared up from the woods. In 1853 he removed to Miami county, Ohio, passing the remainder of his life with his son-in-law, Joseph Gnodle. For many years he was a deacon in the German Baptist church, a man of influence in his neighborhood, and reached the age of seventy-two years, having been well-known for many miles around as a sturdy, hardworking, thrifty pioneer farmer.

Jacob M. Spitler, his son, and father of Noah E., was born in Stark county, Ohio, January 8, 1820. He received a commonschool education, became a farmer, and in due course of time married Ellen Earhart, who was born in 1831. She was a daughter of Jacob Earhart. Mr. and Mrs. Spitler settled on land in Clay township, purchasing eighty acres, which he greatly improved and made into a good farm and home. When he settled on it this tract was partly cleared, and by the untiring labor of his own hands he cleared away the surplus timber, added fertilizing material to the soil wherever necessary, and vation. He and his wife reared the following children: Levi, Harriet, Noah, and Mary Allen. Mrs. Spitler died in 1856, Mr. Spitler remaining on the home farm four years a widower. In 1861, he married Mrs. Mary Sharp, a widow, whose maiden name was Stutsman, Mr. Spitler then bought land in Miami county, Ohio, where he lived until 1869, when he removed to Douglas county, Kans. , there settling on 120 acres of land, upon which he is still living. His well-earned reputation for integrity and honorable dealing has followed him from Ohio to the west, where he is prosperous and successful.

Noah E. Spitler received an excellent education in the district school, and afterward attended the high school at Piqua. For some years he was successfully engaged in teaching school in Montgomery county, and also in Miami county. On August 9, 1870, he married Miss Anna Binkley, in Montgomery county, she having been born in Lancaster county, Pa., June 25, 1847. She is a daughter of Jacob M. and Mattie K. (Weller) Binkley. For a fuller mention of Mrs. Spitler, the reader is referred to the history of the Binkley family, elsewhere published in this volume.

Mr. Spitler removed, in 1877, to Miami county, remaining there until 1893, where, with the exception of a few years, he was engaged in teaching school. He has been one of the most successful of teachers, having taught thirteen years in three districts, twentyseven months constantly in one district. In 1876 he taught a graded school in district No. 12, Miami county. His ability as a teacher is fully recognized and his labors in this capacity have always been highly appreciated by the people of Montgomery and Miami counties. Many people of prominence, both men and women, have been pupils of Mr. Spitler, and have their names on his roll of honor.

farm of thirty-eight acres. He and his wife are the parents of the following children: Harriet E. and Jacob F. Mr. Spitler became a member of the German Baptist church in 1875, and in 1882 began preaching the gospel to his people, and has since continued to preach. He has always led a life of great usefulness, his object being to live for the benefit of others. In the fields of education and religion his work has been that of one who loved his fellow-men.