Washington Township (part 19 of 21)

Mr. Ramsey is regarded as one of the leading farmers of his section of the county. He believes in keeping the soil 'in good condition by frequent seeding to clover and by a generous use of fertilizers, such as are produced upon the farm and also those which are handled in commerce. He owns one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, a rich prairie tract upon which he raises between ten and fifteen hundred bushels of corn annually and five hundred bushels of wheat, together with some oats. He always has a large pasturage, which gives the land a rest. Of this farm eighty acres once belonged to his grandfather and the original deed or patent from the government is still in possession of the family. Ho also owned eighty acres near Hopewell church, but sold that to his brother and paid a liberal price for the old homestead, which to him is the dearest spot on earth. He uses four horses in the operation of his land, has some good cattle and a flock of fine and highbred Cotswold sheep. His swine, however, have been the source of the greatest profit to him and he annually sells many head of fine hogs, weighing between two and three hundred pounds each. He is especially proud of his flock of sheep and his good poultry, as he has every reason to be. He makes a specialty of the raising of Light Brahmas of pure blood, and upon bis place may be seen some of the best specimens of poultry to be found anywhere in the country. All of the improvements of the model farm are found upon the place, and in his business methods Mr. Ramsey is systematic, progressive and practical.

Lie holds to the Democratic faith, and though living in a strong Republican township, he has served for eighteen years as highway commissioner, and the good roads seen are an indication of his faithful performance of his duty. His entire life having been passed in Israel township, he is widely known in the community, and the fact that many of his friends are numbered among those who have been acquainted with him from boyhood is an indication that his career has ever been an honorable and upright one.

Alfred Johnson

Alfred Johnson is a retired farmer of Gratis township, and his life's labors have been crowned with a high degree of success, which is the merited reward of his earnest toil and resolute purpose. He was born August 31, 1837, on his father's farm, near the village of Winchester, a son of Jacob Johnson, one of the pioneer settlers of Preble county, who moved to this locality from Washington county, Indiana, in 1832. He was born there in 1809 and during his infancy he lost his father, after which he became a foster son of Samuel Cosh, a shoemaker, of whom ho learned his trade, living with him until he had attained his majority. He received a common school education and followed shoemaking in Winchester for two yc-ars, when there were but two houses in the village. He then purchased one hundred acres of wild land and later added another tract of one hundred acres. He cleared about one hundred and fifty acres of this, after which he bought ninety-nine acres, all of which he owned at the time of his death, which occurred on the 28th of June, 1891, when he was eighty-two years of age. He was married in his native state on the 6th of June, 1830, to Eliza Snively, and two sons were born to them ere they removed to Ohio, namely : William Henry, who died in the Buckeye state in early childhood ; and John Henry, who also died in early life. The other children were natives of this state and were as follows : Mary, who died in early girlhood; Alfred Hiram, a farmer of Gratis township; Levi, who is living on the old homestead of two hundred acres ; and David who made his home with Hiram. The mother was born July 24, 1809, and died December 7, 1880. The parents began their domestic life in limited circumstances but by well directed industry they accumulated a fine property, and their upright lives gained to them the respect of all with whom they came in contact.

Alfred Johnson, of this review, with his brothers and sisters, received the usual district-school privileges, and as he was the eldest son he early began work upon the home farm, and until two years ago was actively connected with agriculture. His life has indeed been an honorable and upright one and marked by untiring industry and perseverance. He was married June 6, 1861, to Miss Mary Jane Trout, whose birth occurred October 12, 1838, in Lanier township, Preble county, her parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Bowman) Trout. They were both natives of Rockingham county, Virginia, where their marriage was celebrated March 18, 1830. The father was born March 22, 1801, and the mother's birth occurred July 11, 1809. Mrs. Johnson is descended from two prominent and highly respected old Virginia families. At his death her father left to his widow five hundred and forty acres of choice land, contained in two fine farms, and much of this is still in the possession of the family. He was of German descent, and his parents, who were born in the fatherland, died in Virginia. He possessed many of the sterling characteristics of that nationality - the resolute purpose, unflagging industry and unfaltering perseverance. After making a prospecting tour to Ohio on horseback he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land in Lanier township and then returned to Virginia for his wife, and in October, 1830, started with her in a wagon drawn by two horses for the new home in the Buckeye state. They brought with them the necessary clothing and bedding and three good cows, and after a tedious journey of three weeks arrived at their destination on the 3d of November.

In the summer of 1830 Mr. Johnson's father came on a prospecting tour to Preble county, making the journey on horseback, and purchased two hundred acres of land in Lanier township, which is still owned by the subject of this sketch and occupied by the latter's son and daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have led very active and useful lives, being people of great industry and energy. In 1876 our subject purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres from Christian Eby, paying four thousand dollars down and giving his note for the remaining five thousand dollars. He offered also to give a mortgage, but Mr. Eby said that the note was good enough, a fact which indicated the confidence which was reposed in Mr. Johnson by those who knew him well. For three years our subject owned and operated a sawmill in Lanier township and for sixteen years he operated a threshing machine during the busy season, often working night and day. His life has been one of unusual activity and his labors have been crowned with a high degree of success, which is well merited. For two years past, however, he has largely rested from his labors and his retirement is surely deserved. He has upon his farm a fine dwelling, good barns and all modern improvements. One large barn is in dimensions one hundred by forty-eight feet, and he has placed many rods of tiling upon the farm, and he certainly has one of the best developed properties in this section of (the state.

July 1 6, 1862, and died at the age of twentyfour years, two months and twenty-four days; Lenora Elizabeth, who is the wife of Ira Flory and with their son Albert is residing upon the old homestead ; Minford, who is also following agricultural pursuits on the old home farm. He married Clara B. Glanders and they have one daughter, Meby, a child of five years.

In his political affiliations Mr. Johnson is a Democrat and does all in his power to promote the growth and to insure the success of his party. He has served as a member of the city council, was a member of the board of health for six years and in 1899 was elected a justice of the peace, but would not qualify. He has frequently been called upon to serve as appraiser, has been selected by the board as road commissioner to locate roads and bridges, has frequently served on juries in Eaton, and was the township trustee of Lanier township for fourten years. On the 23d of November, 1892, he took up his abode

Every trust reposed in him has been faithfully performed, his life has ever been upright and honorable and unqualified confidence is reposed in him by those who know him. He- well merits the respect and esteem of his fellow men and deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in business. His example should serve as a source of inspiration to all who are forced to begin life as he was, without capital or influential friends to aid him.

Winburn Jenkins

Winburn Jenkins is now living a retired life upon his farm of eighty-three and a half acres on section 6, Israel township. He is an octogenarian, welj preserved, and the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded old age are extended to him by all who know him. Poverty and many trials and difficulties have beset his path, but he has at length wrested fortune from the hands of an adverse fate and now in his declining years is enjoying the fruits afforded him by an ample competence which he has himself acquired.

Mr. Jenkins was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, February 9, 1817, and is now in his eighty-fourth year. His father, Peter Jenkins, was born in Hartford county. North Carolina, in 1789, and was married in 1810 to Sally Coleman, by whom he had eleven children, eight of whom reached years of maturity. Bessie died in childhood. John, who was married and had six children, died in Indiana, in 1865. Peter died unmarried, at the age of seventy-three years. Dempsey had nine children and died at the age of seventy years. Winbttrn, of this sketch, is now the only survivor. Charles died at the age of fifteen years. Sitha, who was married and had five children, died in 1848. Mary, who had four children, died in 1890, in the sixtieth year of her age. The father of those children passed away in 1832, but his widow survived him twenty years and died at the home of her son Winburn, in 1852. She was born about 1780 and was therefore seventy-two years of age at the time of her demise.

Winburn Jenkins was married shortly before his mother's death to Susan Lewiston, a widow, whose maiden name was Baker. She lived with his mother and aided in caring for her for a long time, and in her last illness the mother wished to see her son married, so that the wedding was celebrated before her death. Susan Baker was bereaved of her father at the early age of eleven years, and, like her husband, has borne much adversity. Mr. Jenkins has indeed had much to contend with. A low fever cut him off from all that makes life worth living for many months and it was believed by the doctors that he could never recover; but eventually he began to grow a little stronger and has reached the very advanced age of eighty-three years. He has suffered many hardships, trials and privations. When a lad he worked under a slave-driver, for twelve and a half cents per day, and at the age of nineteen he worked for one year for twenty-six dollars and a half. At one time in their dire penury he worked for four days in order to obtain a bushel of corn, which his mother carried to mill on her back, a distance of three miles, in order to have it ground into meal !

with this he purchased forty acres of land, - his first real estate - paying fifteen dollars per acre. He incurred some indebtedness in the transaction but in time this was cleared away and ultimately he added to his property until he became the owner of one hundred, twenty-three and a half acres, a part of which was in Preble county, the remainder being across the road in Indiana. His present farm comprises eighty-three and a half acres and is a valuable tract, yielding to him a good income. He came from the south in 1840, when twenty-three years of age, and his worldly possessions were only two suits of linen clothes ; but with determined purpose and unflagging labor he has steadily worked his way upward step by step and in his later years is enjoying all the necessaries and many of the comforts of life.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were born the following children : Sarah, the eldest, is the wife of Josiah Stewart, who is operating the home farm and living with Mr. Jenkins. They have five children : Chauncey A., now twenty-three years of age; John A., who is twenty-one years of age and is married and lives on his father's farm; and James W. G., Daisy L. and Martin Jacob, aged respectively nineteen, seventeen and fifteen years. 1 here is also a niece in the family, aged eight years. Hattie, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, died at the age of eighteen. Amanda, the third child, is the wife of Joseph Guard and has three children : America died at the age of twenty-two, leaving an infant son. George is a resident of Richmond, Indiana. Mary died at the age of two years and three months. Mrs. Lewiston also had one son by her first marriage, Martin C., who is living in Indiana and has five children. Mr. Jenkins is a member of the Baptist church and in his po- litical views is a Republican. His life has been well spent and at all times has been honorable and upright. He certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for many a man would have been utterly discouraged and disheartened under such unfavoring circumstances as have fallen to his lot.

George W. Keller

Upon one of the fine farms of Somers township Mr. Keller is carrying on stock raising and agricultural pursuits, and his well improved place indicates his careful supervision. He was born in Milford township, Preble county, Ohio, January 19, 1839, and represents one of the old Pennsylvania families. His grandfather was a native of Germany, who at an early day crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in the Keystone state, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred about 1812. He reared four sons, and our subject can remember all of his uncles riding on horseback from Pennslyvania to Ohio in order to see their brother in this state. Jacob Keller, the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, about 1791, and died in Somersville, Ohio, in 1866. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Spooner and was a native of Pennsylvania, where they were married about 1818. Mrs. Keller had a twin sister, and the two daughters looked very much alike, so that their friends were often confused in their endeavor to distinguish them. In the Keller family were ten children - seven sons and three daughters. The first born died in early childhood and one daughter was accidentally burned to death when a small child. Eight of the number, however, were married and reared families. The mother of these children died in 1847 and the father afterward married Mrs. Shier, who by a former marriage had three sons and a daughter. Jacob Keller, a brother of our subject, married his stepmother's daughter.

George W. Keller, who was the ninth child in his father's family, received but limited school privileges, and when onlynine years of age began work upon the home farm. At the age of sixteen he did a man's work, cradling flax and assisting in the labors of the harvest field. His life has been a busy and useful one, but in recent years he has been forced to put aside the more arduous duties of business, owing to failing health. For five years after beginning business on his own account he operated a rented farm in Butler county and in 1876 he came to Proble county, where he purchased his present farm of eighty acres, for forty-five hundred dollars. To do this he incurred an indebtedness of three thousand dollars. When the place came into his possession it was in a state of poor repair, but he cleared the land, planted crops and in the course of time secured abundant harvests. For a number of years he resided in the old brick house which was built by Dr. Brown nearly one hundred years ago, and a part of this dwelling is still standing near his new home. Mr. Keller has not only paid off his indebtedness but has spent over three thousand dollars in making improvements upon the farm. In 1880 ho erected his present commodious and substantial residence, at a cost of two thousand dollars, and removed from the old home into the new in the latter part of the year. He has good barns and all the necessary outbuildings and his improvements are modern and complete. He carries on mixed farming, raising corn, wheat and oats. The rotation of crops keeps the soil in good condition and he raises annually about twelve hundred bushels of corn, while his wheat fields yield about forty bushels per acre. He makes a specialty of the raising of registered Poland China hogs, sells from thirty to thirty-five head annually and has sold stock hogs for seventy to eighty dollars each. One sow, which ho sold for thirty-five dollars, was afterwards considered so valuable by the owner that he refused five hundred dollars for her. The cellar in his home is a natural curiosity, the floor being a level rock, which was struck at the pyoper depth to be used for this purpose. It forms .the entire floor of one cellar and nearly all of the other.

On the 1 2th of December, 1865, Mr. Keller was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Murray, who was born June 25, 1843, and resided in Oxford township, Preble county. Six children were born of this union, but the eldest, an infant daughter, lived but a few days. Sarah Selina died January 7, 1869, at the age of fifteen years. Thomas Andrew, born April 26, 1870, died September 15, 1897, leaving a widow. Bertha is the wife of William Wright, of Morning Sun, and they have lost one child, but have two living children. Benjamin Franklin is married and resides near Camden. George Murray, who was born May 8, 1886, is at home with his father. The mother of these children died January 14, 1893, and the children are now all away with the exception of the youngest son.

Mr. Keller has no party or society affiliations. He has, however, served for sixteen years as road commissioner and has proved a very competent and capable official. Plis activity in business affairs has brought him gratifying success and he is now classed among the substantial farmers of his community.

Martha A. Jones

Martha A. Jones resides at College Corner and is widely known in Israel township and Preble county. Her entire life has been passed in this township. She is a daughter of Thomas and Joanna (Duckett) Jones. The mother was born in Kentucky in 1810 and the father was born in Monroe county, Virginia, in 1797. Their marriage was celebrated in 1828 and soon afterward they located in Preble county on a small farm, close to. the one which their daughter Martha now owns. In their family were fifteen children - five sons and ten daughters, their eldest child being Martha, who was born December 16, 1828, in Israel township. Eliza Jane, the second, became the wife of Joseph Laughlin and died at the age of forty-four years, leaving six children. Sarah is the wife of Jacob Davis. Mary died at the age of twenty-two years. Harriet died at the age of twenty-one. William passed away when eight years of age. The seventh was a daughter who died in infancy. Caroline, the next of the family, is now the wife of Charles Fessenden, who is living near Morning Sun and has five children. Thomas departed this life when seven years of age. James died at the age of four months. Joanna died at the age of ten years. John died in infancy. Margaret is the wife of Riley Ivingley, of Dayton, Ohio. Ruth died at the age of seven years; and Charles Henry died at the age of five years. The father of these children was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit in order to provide for the wants of his children. He and his wife, together with their sons and daughters, were Methodists in their religious faith and were earnest Christian people whose lives were in harmony with their professions. A self-made man, whatever success he achieved was due entirely to his own efforts. When he- emigrated from Virginia to Ohio he had no capital and worked by the month as a farm hand for some time, but by industry, enterprise and sagacity, together with the assistance of his wife, he accumulated a good farm property upon which his widow resided until her death, when the estate was divided, Miss Martha Jones inheriting a part of the farm. The father died on the ioth of June, 1875, and the mother was called to her final rest on the 20th of February, 1895. The grandfather, William Jones, always remained in Virginia, where he followed the occupation of farming until life's labors were ended in death. His widow, however, spent her remaining days in College Corner, where she died in the '40s, at the age of seventy-seven.

Miss Jones, whose name introduces this record, took up her abode in her pleasant little cottage in 1896 and has since resided at College Corner. She has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist church for over forty years and her life has been one in which many acts of kindness have gained to her the esteem and friendship^ all who know her, and no one is held in higher regard than this lady, who is indeed a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of the county.

Joseph A. Kennel

Joseph A. Kennel is well known as a representative business man of Preble county. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and notably reliable, and to-day he is successfully engaged in dealing in agricultural implements, though his principal occupation is that of an auctioneer. His parents were

John and Anna (Augspurger) Kennel. His father was born on the Rhine in Bavaria and came to America when eighteen years of age. In Butler county, Ohio, he married Miss Augspurger, who was born in that county. Her father lived upon a arm which was owned by the first spy of Napoleon. Readers of history will remember that the spies were graded according to their efficiency. When the Russians appeared in force our subject's maternal grandfather took all his possessions inside the fortifications, and after peace was declared this spy endeavored to increase the rent of his farm to which our subject's grandfather had returned, and, refusing to pay the increased rent, sold his personal possessions at public sale, lasting three weeks, and then with his family came to America, finally locating on the Miami river, four miles northeast of Hamilton, where he operated a large distillery and owned many hundred acres of valuable land. He lived to a ripe old age and died very wealthy. Both the Kennel and Augspurger familes were noted for longevity, although the parents of our subject did not live to very advanced ages. The mother died in Butler county, at the age of forty-four years, and the father in the same county at the age of sixty-eight. He was the second time married, but his children, seven in number, were all born of the same union. Joseph A. had a twin sister, Josephine, who is now the widow of J. H. Scott, who was an architect of marked ability. Mrs. Scott resides in Chicago and is an expert stenographer, being now connected with the Northwestern Life Insurance Company. The eldest of the family was Frederick, who resides at Trenton, Ohio, near his birthplace, and is a dealer in agricultural implements. The second is Christian, who resides on a farm near Blooming- ton, Illinois. John is a wealthy farmer living near Delavan, Illinois. Edward is a farmer and an extensive manufacturer of tile and drainage material at Keota, Iowa; and Magdalena is the wife of Jacob Augspurger, a wealthy farmer and elevator owner who resides in Farmer City, Illinois.

Mr. Kennel, of this review, was born near Trenton, Butler county, Ohio, December 6, 1856. His mother died when he was less than a year old, but his father's second wife proved to him a faithful mother and he is not slow to acknowledge the fact that he owes much to her careful training. Ho remained upon the old homestead until twentythree years of age, when, in connection with his brothers, he cultivated the farm. Experience has made him familiar with the labor of following the plow and harvesting crops. During the winter months he attended college in Wadsworth, Ohio, for two terms, and during that time partly paid his tuition by teaching one branch of mathematics. His father, who was an earnest Christian gentleman, desired that he should enter the ministry, and accordingly he took up the study of theology, but he did not feel that he had been called to preach the gospel, and, believing that his labors would be better directed in other channels, at the end of one term he returned to the home farm and in 1875 he purchased a thrashing outfit, using oxen to draw the engine. He soon after purchased another threshing outfit and in 1880 he threshed over one hundred thousand bushels of grain. He purchased the grain elevator and hominy mill at Orapplis Station, on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, and in 1887 he began auctioneering. The following year he purchased an Advance thresher complete and for two years devoted his energies to threshing, auctioneering and farming, after which he accepted a position in the employ of the Advance Thresher Company, of Battle Creek, Michigan, selling their goods. That he gave excellent satisfaction is indicated by the increased salary which he received from time to time and he was given the privilege of attending to his auctioneering business during the months of February and March. He continued to represent the threshing company as a traveling salesman until 1893, when he was forced to leave the road on account of ill health. Since that time he has had to decline many good positions which have been offered him. He was engaged in the threshing business for fourteen years and during eight years of that time operated only two machines. He was in the grain and milling business from 1879 to 1886, and in 1880 and 1881 he conducted a grocery. He is recognized as one of the enterprising, wide-awake and progressive business men of Eaton and of Preble county and has been successful. All oi bis business ventures, however, have not proved profitable, but whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts.

Mr. Kennel was elected a township trustee of St. Clair township, Butler county, when in his twenty-third year, and after serving for two terms declined a third election. Later he was township clerk for three terms and declined to serve again. He was the postmaster of his place under President Hayes. In all public positions he discharged bis duty with marked promptness and fidelity. For six years he served as freight and ticket agent on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, and was also express agent at Overpeck's Station.

soon became well known in Preble county, and in 1895 was made the' Democratic candidate for county recorder, which nomination was given him unsolicited; and although the election gave five hundred Republican majority, he ran far ahead of his ticket. In 1896 his party nominated him for sheriff and he was defeated by only fifty-eight votes, and again in 1898 he was his party's candidate for sheriff, and again made a creditable race, though defeated.

On the 24th of November, 1892, Mr. Kennel was married, in Eaton, to Miss Laura A. Shideler, a native of Preble county and a daughter of Hon. Henry P. and Hannah A. Shideler, residents of this county. The father for three times represented his district in the state legislature and was a recognized leader in public thought and movement. He died in May, 1892, and his wife has also passed away. In their family were twelve children, eight of whom are yet living, namely: Sarah, Le-ander, Jacob, Mary,

Laura, Anna, Charles and Olive. Two died in infancy, while Flora died in her seventeenth year and Andrew. J. died at the age of twenty-seven years. Mr. Kennel is a member of the Bolivar Lodge, No. 82, F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Leslie H. Reid

Leslie H. Reid is an enterprising and wide-awake business man of College Corner, where, as a member of the firm of Reid & Bishop, he is engaged in handling hardware, tinware, stoves, bicycles, farm implements, feed-grinders, wind pumps and all kinds of of vehicles. The firm enjoy a large and constantly increasing trade, their straightforward business methods, energy and unfailing courtesy securing to them a liberal and well merited patronage. Mr. Reid is justly numbered among the representative business men of this section of the county and with pleasure we present the record of his life to our readers.

He is a native of New Paris, born on the 17th of February, 1871. His father, Andrew K. Reid, was born on the same farm in 1830, and the grandfather, James Reid, is a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He came to Ohio about 1816, thus being numbered among the pioneer settlers of the Buckeye state. He married a Miss Kirkpatrick and they reared three sons and four daughters, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Andrew K. Reid. They were all married and had families, one of the sons, John P. Reid, having eleven sons and two daughters who reached years of maturity. Upon the homestead farm Andrew K. Reid was reared to manhood and as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Elizabeth Frances Windsor, of Preble county, a daughter of Enos Windsor, whose wife was a member of the Starks family. They were farming people, as were the parents of our subject. For many years Andrew K. Reid carried on agricultural pursuits, but ultimately removed to New Paris, where he is still living at the home of his son James. His wife passed away on the 24th of April, 1898, when nearly sixty years of age. Their eldest child, P. A. Reid, is the secretary and treasurer of the Elliott & Reid Company, wire fence manufacturers at Richmond, Indiana. C. E. Reid, a very enterprising and capable business man, engaged in the sale of farm implements in Nebraska and died September 1, 1897, at the age of thirty-seven years. James F., who is living in New Paris, is the general agent of the Union Corn Planter Company, of Ohio. Leslie H. is the next of the family. Linnie E. is the wife of Alonzo Morrison. Emma M. is the wife of Sylvanus Lovin. Ida and Lyda, twin daughters, are married, the former the wife of Leroy Little and the latter of O. R. Jordan. All of the children reside in or near Richmond, Indiana.

Leslie H. Reid, like the other members of the family, received good educational privileges in the common schools and remained at home through the days of his boyhood and youth, assisting in the operation of his father's farm. He was married on the 17th of June, 1892, at the age of twenty-one years, to Miss Katie C. Myers, who was born near Morning Sun, a daughter of Jacob and Salina Myers. One child graced their union, Derkin, who was born in March, 1893.

Mr. Reid continued his farming operations until 1897, when he began business in College Corner. He bought out the firm of Kennedy & Garber and on the 3d of October, 1899, admitted J. F. Bishop to a partnership, under the firm name of Reid & Bishop. They own the leading store in their line in College Corner. They carry a large and complete stock, handling eight car-loads of wagons and buggies and farm implements annually. He also sells about one hundred bicycles per year. Their extensive store room is well filled with a well selected stock of shelf and heavy hardware. The firm are progressive and enterprising men who well merit the success which crowns their efforts.

Socially Mr. Reid is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lie has exercisedhis right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party since twenty-one years of age and has served as assessor for three years. He did not seek the office but his fitness for the position recommended him to his fellow townsmen, and he was elected by a large vote, overcoming the usual Republican majority. Honorable in all his business dealings, courteous in all life's relations, he commands the respect and confidence of his fellow men and is well known as an enterprising and reliable citizen of Preble county.

Henry Unger

Henry Unger, deceased, was one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to the new world. He made his home on section 22, Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, where his widow still resides, and was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, being a very industrious, enterprising and energetic man, of good business and executive ability.

Mr. Unger was born in Germany, March 29, 1837, and at the age of fourteen years started for America with his parents, but his father died on the voyage. He and his mother first located in Cincinnati, but after spending three months in that city came to Preble county, where he soon commenced work by the month. He first married Rebecca Glander, by whom he had one son, Frank, now a resident of Harrison township. After his marriage he engaged in farming for a short time upon a place south of West Alexandria, and then removed to the present homestead of the family in Harrison township, where he followed general farming, with good success until his death, which occurred January 31, 1894. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him.

wife, Mr. Unger was again married, April 7, 1874, his second union being with Miss Adeline Smith, and to them were born seven children who are still living, namely : Ida, the wife of Anda Albert, of Harrison township; and Emma, Benjamin, William, John, May and Roy, all at home. The two deceased were Mary and Carl.

Mrs. Unger was born near Bremen, Germany, November 20, 1851, and was eighteen years of age when she came, alone, to the United States. On landing in this country she proceeded at once to West Alexandria, Preble county, Ohio, where she made her home for two years or until her marriage. Since her husband's death she has successiully managed the farm, consisting of ninetyfive acres of rich and arable land under a high state of cultivation, and well improved. She is a woman of more than ordinary business ability, and deserves great credit for the success that she has achieved. She and her children are all members of the Lutheran church of Lewisburg, and the family is one of considerable social prominence in the community where they reside.

The name of Gilmore has long been associated with the history of the promotion of agricultural interests in Preble county, and the brothers are now actively engaged in farming on section 20, Israel township. They were born upon this farm, the former in June, 1821, the latter in September, 1830. Their father, Robert Gilmore, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1793, and was a son of James Gilmore, who was probably a native of the same state. There he followed farming and owned a large tract of land which he operated with the aid of negro slaves. He married a Miss Davidson and they became the parents of the following children: John; Robert; James, who was killed by accident when a young man; Samuel; Addison; Jane, the wife of Nash Pitcher; Sally, now Mrs. Page; and Polly, the wife of James Davidson. In 1816 the grandfather of our subject sold his property in Virginia and came to Ohio, locating at Columbus, where he died the following year. He was one of the patriots of the Revolutionary war and served under Generals Washington and Wayne in the struggle for independence. His wife died in the Old Dominion.

Robert Gilmore accompanied his father to Ohio. His wife, Martha Gilmore, was born in Rockingham county, in 1802, and was a distant cousin of her husband. She was married when very young, and their first child, Clara Jane, was born in 1819. She became the wife of John Buch and in early womanhood died in the home which is now occupied by James and William Gilmore. She was married and left an infant child who died soon afterward at Buck's farm in South Carolina. James Gilmore is the seventh of this family. Jonathan, who became a good Latin scholar, died in Preble county, in 1843. William M. was the next of the family. Nancy died in childhood. Robert is now at College Corners. Anna D. died at the age of fourteen years, and Samuel B. removed from Israel township, Preble county, to Newcastle, Indiana, in 1900. He is married and has a large number of children. The mother of the above named children died in 1852. Her father, Jonathan Paxton, died of typhoid fever, and his two daughters, Mrs. Gilmore and Mrs. Rachel McGrove, passed away about the same time. Martha, the next of the family, is the wife of Samuel Hockersmith, of New-

When the Gilmore family was established in Ohio, the grandfather secured a half section of good land near the home of James and William Gilmore, and in 1819 their father purchased sixty-four acres here. In 1854 he purchased four hundred acres and owned several other farms, which are still in possession of the family.

James and William Gilmore have been successful farmers, following agricultural pursuits through their entire lives. They began business on their own account on sixtyfour acres of land on Big Four Mile creek, and afterward purchased one hundred and sixty acres now owned by Robert Gilmore. They also owned eighty-four acres which had at one time been a part of their grandfather Paxton's farm, and they have one hundred acres on section 17, Israel township, that had belonged to James B. Gilmore. In Terry and Pecos counties, Texas, they had six hundred and forty acres. Thus their landed possessions have been extensive and the care and labor which they have bestowed upon their farms have brought to them good financial returns. They have made a specialty of the raising of hogs, selling as high asone hundred and tw<enty-five head per year. In 1856 they built their large residence, which is constructed in cottage style with a wide gable to the road and a large porch across the entire front, supported by pillars. The house is beautifully shaded by evergreen and cedar trees. The home is built after the style of the typical Virginia plantation homes and the wide verandah furnishes a most inviting retreat on a hot summer day. The Gilmore brothers are successful business men, whose resolute purpose and determination have enabled them to overcome many obstacles and work their way steadily upward to success, continually adding to their property as the result of their well directed labors and straightforward business methods.

Richard Francis

Richard Francis devotes his time and energies to agricultural pursuits in Somers township, Preble county, his home being conveniently located near the city of Camden. He is numbered among Ohio's native sons, for his birth occurred in Warren county on the 2d of May, 1841. He is descended from one of the old families of New Jersey. His grandfather, Richard Francis, was born in that state July 16, 1787, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Lydia Topscot and they reared three sons and one daughter. Those still living are Adonijah; Sallie, the widow of George Emery, and William, who is living in Carlisle. The great-grandfather of our subject bore the name of Adonijah Francis, and his grandson, the father of our subject, was named in his honor. The latter was born in Carlisle, Warren county, Ohio, April 4, 1814, and is now living retired upon his farm there. After reaching man's estate he married Deborah Barcelow, who died leaving a son and daughter. The son died when about fifty-eight years of age, leaving three children. The daughter, Lydia, is the widow of William Anderson, of Olathe, Kansas, and has one son and one daughter. After the death of his first wife, Adonijah Francis married Cynthia Burgin, who was born in Harrisburg, Kentucky, and died in July, 1889, at the age of sixty-seven years. They had seven children - three sons and four daughters - of whom one daughter, Deborah, died in infancy. Richard was the eldest of the children. Mary became the wife of David Vandervere and died in Grinned, Iowa, in 1890, leaving a son. Cornelia has been twice married, her second husband being Joseph Sommers, and she has four children - two sons and two daughters. Otto is a prominent practicing physician of Dayton, Ohio, and has two sons. George B. is a farmer of Carlisle and has three daughters and two sons. Sarah R. is the wite of Clinton Mitchell, of Carlisle, and they have two children.

Mr. Francis, of this review, was reared upon the old home farm and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He obtained a common school education, and on attaining his majority started out in life for himself by operating his father's farm. Subsequently he purchased the property upon which he now resides and took up his abode there March 18, 1874. He has here one hundred and fifty-seven acres of rich and arable land, which is improved with substantial barns, a good residence and other accessories of the model farm. In fact, the place is one of the finest in the township, and the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute in return for the care- and labor he bestows upon them. He fully recognizes the fact that a farm kept in good condition yields the best returns. The residence and barn are sot far back from the road, thus 'escaping the dust, and everything about the place indicates thrift, enterprise, comfort and refinement. He has given considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, including horses, cattle, hogs and Southdown sheep. He has on hand fifteen horses and also has from thirty-five to fifty head of hogs of the

Jersey breed. He breeds some fine coach horses, and he and his son have bred some very superior teams of matched horses,, worth one thousand dollars. He is a member of the Wayne County Farmers' Club and is accounted one of the most progressive and enterprising agriculturists of his community. He prosecutes his labors with diligence and energy and his efforts have not been without that reward which is the just return for a well-spent life. A large flock of poultry is under the supervision of Mrs. Francis, who is an excellent housekeeper, managing her home most systematically.

Mr. Francis was married to Miss Ann Chamberlin, who was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, February 24, 1844, and was a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Dey) Chamberlin, both natives of New Jersey. The father died in 1848, at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving a widow with two daughters and a son, namely : Mrs.

Francis, Elizabeth, the wife of John Prine, and Daniel, who died at the age of twentyeight years, leaving a son, Clifford, who is. now in Indiana. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Francis was again married, becoming the wife of David Johnes, by whom she had four children, two sons and two daughters - as follows : Addison, who is living in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and has two sons and two daughters; Ella, of Kansas City, Missouri, who is married and has seven sons and one daughter; Edmond, who is living in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and has two daughters; Catherine, the wife of William Taylor, of New Jersey, by whom she has three sons and three daughters.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Francis have been born three children : Lizzie, now the wife of Lurton Young, a farmer of Gasper township, by whom she has three children, two daugh-

Mr. Francis is a Republican in his political views and has filled the office of commissioner for eight years. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and are people whose well-spent lives have gained them the confidence and regard of many friends. They are worthy representatives of the agricultural interests of the county wThere they have so long resided and in this volume they well deserve mention.

James A. Campbell

James A. Campbell was one of the extensive and successful agriculturists of Israel township, his home being on section 6. It was here that he was born, in the old home built by James Penticost and which is now falling into decay. His father is Jacob Campbell, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1825. His grandfather, Andrew Campbell, born in 1789, was married in Ireland and lost his wife in that country. He afterward emigrated to the new world and died in Lair Haven, Ohio, in 1886, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. He reared five children, three sons and two daughters, the living being Mrs. Nancy Weis, of Eaton; Mrs. Rachel Lyons, of Indiana, and James Campbell, the father of our subject, and is now living in College Corner. Another brother, Andrew Campbell, was for many years a well-known farmer near Eaton, and his death occurred in Lebruary, 1900, at the age of seventy-two years. John Campbell, another brother, carried on agricultural pursuits near Fair Haven and died in 1896, when about eighty years of age.

and youth in the land of his nativity, and when twenty-two years of age came alone to America, crossing the Atlantic on a sailing vessel in 1847. After a voyage of four weeks he arrived at Now York city with a cash capital of only fifty cents. With characteristic energy, however, he began work and to-day stands among the most prominent and influential representatives of the agriculturists of Preble county. He married Miss Elizabeth Monteith, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1844, and came to this country in 1861. Their marriage occurred in College Corner, on the 18th of May, 1862, and by their union have been born five children : Robert A., a successful grain dealer at College Corner; Martha B., the wife of M. C. Orr ; John S., who is living on the home farm; Lillian, the wife of Thomas W. McMeans, of Richmond, Indiana, and James A., of this review.

The last named was reared upon the old home farm and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the public schools and also spent one year in Geneva College. In Beaver Lalls, Pennsylvania, he was married, September 30, 1896, to Miss Elizabeth E. D. Brown, of Israel township, a daughter of Barclay and Sarah Brown. They now have a bright and beautiful baby boy, Forest Raymond, who was born November 2, 1899. Mr. Campbell operates a valuable farm of three hundred and twelve acres on which his father settled in 1868, removing to Preble county from Union county, Indiana, where he had previously rented land. He owned four hundred and twelve acres here and also has a farm of one hundred acres adjoining. In 1877 he removed to his present farm residence, a large two-story-and-a-half dwelling, sup- plied with all modern conveniences. This farm is undoubtedly the best improved farm in the township. Upon it is a barn known throughout this section of the country, for it is ninety-four by fifty-two feet, and under it is a large basement used for stock. It was built in 1879. Mr. Campbell, of this review, and his father were at one time extensively engaged in breeding horses, but at the present time they have about twelve horses. They have also raised cattle- on a large scale, making a specialty of Durhams and Jerseys. A large number of hogs are annually sold from this farm in addition to the extensive crops of wheat, corn and clover which are raised. These crops are rotated in the- order mentioned and the fields are therefore always very productive. He secures from thirty to forty bushels per acre in wheat. In 1899 he had ninety acres planted to wheat, giving an average yield of thirty-two bushels per acre. He also planted from seventy-five to ninety acres of corn, which will yield on an average of sixty bushels per acre. His stock is now mostly hogs and Durham cattle and he yearly sells about one hundred and fifty head of Duroc Jersey hogs. His farm is undoubtedly one of the. best improved in the county, and under the careful management of Mr. Campbell it is continually improving its productiveness.

In his political views Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, but has never held office save that of school director. His parents are members of the United Presbyterian church, but he has never joined any religious organization. The family is one of prominence in the community, occupying an enviable position in social circles and enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Campbell belongs to that class of enterprising agriculturists

Robert P. Gilmore

Robert P. Gilmore is a retired farmer now living at West College Corner, Indiana, just across the Ohio line, but was so long and actively identified with the agricultural interests of Preble county that he well deserves mention on the pages of its history. He is also a member of one of its leading families, for the Gilmores have long been honorably known in western Ohio.

Robert P. Gilmore was born in Israel township, Preble county, on Four Mile creek, his birth occurring on the 14th of June, 1834. His father, Robert Gilmore, was a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, born near the close of the eighteenth century. His father was Samuel Gilmore, who reared several sons and daughters that came to Ohio, locating at Columbus. Robert Gilmore, like the others, sought a home in the Buckeye state, and, as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey, chose Miss Martha Paxton, of Rockbridge county, and they became the parents of six children who are still living and four who have passed away.

Robert P. Gilmore, whose name heads this review, was the seventh in order of birth. He acquired his education in the district school near his home, was reared upon his father's farm, and, on beginning business life for himself, he- continued in the occupation with which he had become familiar in the days of his boyhood and youth. He followed farming until 1894, raising all kinds of grain best adapted to this climate, also buying and selling stock. The sale of his crops annually brought him between two and three thousand dollars, and in one year alone he sold fifteen hundred bushels of wheat, at a dollar per bushel. He operated two hundred and forty acres of land and is still the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, the income from which supplies him with all the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life. In 1894, however, he put aside the arduous cares of the farm and in the following year took up his residence in the village of College Corner.

Mr. Gilmore was married January 1, 1857, to Miss R. C. Buck, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (McDill) Buck. They became the parents of six children, but four of the number died in infancy. Those still living are Samuel, who resides on the home farm, which was purchased by his father about 1850, and has two sons and a daughter, the latter being Martha M., the wife of John Woodruff, of Oxford, Butler county, Ohio. Mr. Gilmore and his wife are members of the old Hopewell United Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as an elder and in whose work they take an active interest. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, yet he has never sought office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs, in which he has mot with a creditable success.

Orlando M. Wilson

Orlando M. Wilson, a well known and enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Gasper township, was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the 16th day of May, 1837, and is a representative of one of the old families of New Jersey. His grandfather, William Wilson, was a farmer of that state, and emigrating westward took up his residence in Butler county, Ohio, when that section of the state was an almost unbroken forest. He had four sons and two daughters, all of whom were married and reared families of their own. They became farming people of Ohio, with the exception of one uncle, who removed to another state. They lived to an advanced age, but all have now passed away. William Wilson, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey, about 1800, and died in the house which is now the home of our subject, in February, 1876, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Cox and was a native of Butler county. They were married in 1836, and became the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter : Orlando

M., of this review; Ruth Ann, the wife of Wesley Neff, of Washington, D. C., by whom she has two sons; William, a carpenter of Eaton, who is married and has six children, and Scott, a farmer of Preble county, who is married and has one daughter. The father of these children was called to his final rest in 1876, and his wife passed away about six years later. He left a good property, including the home farm.

Orlando M. Wilson, the subject of this sketch, received but meager school privileges, pursuing his studies in an old log school house through the winter months. During the remainder of the year, however, he worked in the fields, assisting in planting the crops and in caring for them until harvests were garnered in the autumn. He continued his studies in the district school until eighteen years of age and continued to remain at home until, twenty-three, when he began operating the farm belonging to his grandfather Cox. He was thus engaged for a few years. He now owns two farms, one of eighty acres southwest of Camden and also a fifty-acre tract adjoining the old homestead farm of eighty acres, upon which his father settled on coming to Preble county, there spending his remaining days. That property now belongs to S. E. Shellenbarger. Mr. Wilson carries on general farming, raising corn, wheat and oats. He sells his wheat, but feeds his other crops to stock. He makes a specialty of the raising of hogs, selling from thirty-five to forty head annually, file also has a fine flock of sheep and has good horses and cattle upon his place. In fact, he is recognized as one of the most wide-awake and progressive farmers of the neighborhood, operating two hundred and ten acres of land.

On the 14th of February, 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wilson and Miss Amanda Neff, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, November 23, 1839, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Herr) Neff. Her father died in 1894, at the age of eightythree years, his birth having occurred in 1811. The mother, however, is still living in Camden, at the age of eighty-six years. In their family were ten children, of whom four sons and four daughters reached the age of maturity. The sons and two daughters arc still living. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of four children : George, who died at the age of four years ; Bertie, who became the wife of George E. Douglas, and died the day prior to the twenty-fifth anniversary of her birth, on which day her infant daughter also died; John, who is engaged in farming, in connection with his brother-in-law, Mr. Douglas, in Iowa, and Harry, a youth of sixteen, who is now a student in the high school of Camden.

the Republican party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, yet he has never sought office. His wife is a member of the Methodist church. They are people of the highest respectability, widely known in the community, and the esteem of a large circle of friends is accorded them.

Horace G. Bloom

Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries, Mr. Bloom is prominent. Banking institutions are the heart of a commercial body, indicating the healthiness of trade, and the bank that follows a safe, conservative business policy does more to establish confidence in times of wide-spread financial depression than anything else. Such a course is the Farmers' Bank of New Paris following, under the able management of its owner and president, the subject of this sketch. For many years he has been one of the most active business men in this portion of Preble county, and has contributed in a large measure to the development, progress and prosperity of his community. He resides three and a half miles southeast of New Paris, on a farm in Jefferson township, where his birth occurred October 13, 1853. He was the second son and fourth child in the family of Guy and Hannah F. (Jameson) Bloom. He spent the- days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof in the townsliip of his nativity and in the common schools of the neighborhood pursued his education, while during the summer months he assisted in the work of the farm. He continued agricultural pursuits until 1889, since which time he has been engaged in the banking business, having in that year established the

Farmers' Bank at New Paris. He has since conducted it with marked success, following a safe and conservative policy that has made the institution one of the most reliable in this section of the state. He also has a bank at Eldorado and another at New Madison, Darke county.. He still superintends the operation of his own farms, three in number, and also superintends four farms belonging to estates in Darke and Preble counties, Ohio, and in Indiana. He is also interested in a telephone line which connects all of his banks. He is a man of resourceful business ability, energetic, wide-awake and enterprising, and he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Mr. Bloom was married in New Paris to Miss Ella Kreider. Socially he is connected with Harmony Lodge, No. 396, K. of P. His courteous manner and genial disposition make him a social favorite. His life has been one of marked industry and enterprise, and through his own well-directed efforts he has accumulated a handsome competence. He is well known in southwestern Ohio and eastern Indiana and sustains an unassailable reputation for reliability.

Henry Beck

This worthy citizen of Lewisburg is now living a retired life after many years spent in active business, principally in this state. He was born January 14, 1818, about eight miles east , of Burlington, New Jersey, in Burlington county. His father, Joseph Beck, was a native of the same state and a hatter by trade, carrying on that business at Columbus, New Jersey, for many years. He died at the age of eighty-nine. His father is supposed to have been born in New Jersey and was of Holland descent. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Gibbs, was also a native of that state, and a daughter of Mahlon Gibbs, who spent his entire life there as a farmer. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His father, Richard Gibbs, was a native of England and the founder of the family in this country. Mrs. Beck died at the age of seventy-seven years. She was the mother of eight children, namely : Ann, who died in infancy; Sarah, who died at the age of eighty-five years; Elias G., who died at the age of seventy-five; Henry, our subject; Joseph, a physician of Eldorado, Ohio; Elizabeth, the wife of Eli Miller, of Iowa; Mary, the widow of Newton Carter, of Camden, New Jersey; and Ann, the wife of Frank Donaldson, of New Richmond, Clermont county, Ohio.

Henry Beck lived in his native county until October, 1831, when he came with his parents to Butler county, Ohio, where the following four years were passed. In 1835, when about eighteen years of age, he first came to Preble county and was engaged in farming in Harrison township until 1843. He also taught school in this county about 1840, and among his pupils were J. H. Foos, now an attorney of Eaton, and Mrs. Samuel Cooret. In 1843 he went to Cincinnati, where he followed draying for two years, and then worked in a distillery for a short time, where he was employed as a gauger. In 1854 he was appointed city gauger, and held that position until 1861, when he received a similar appointment from the government, filling the latter position for many years. He was engaged in the whisky business on his own account for one year, and was interested in the commission business for a time. For about fifty-one years he made his home in Cincinnati and across the river in Covington, Kentucky, spending twenty-seven years in the latter place. In 1894 he returned to Preble county, and has since lived a retired life in Lewisburg.

Mr. Beck was married in August, 1843, to Miss Lydia A. Gates, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Jacob Gates, who also was born in that state and came to Preble county, Ohio, at an early day. He was twice married, his second wife being the mother of Mrs. Beck. Of the three children born to our subject and wife, the eldest died in infancy. Charles A., a resident of Middletown, Ohio, wedded Mary E. Jacobey and they have two children; and Edwin O. married Mary Singer, and they have two children - Eva and Anna. The wife of our subject died February 24, 1897.

Originally Mr. Beck was a Democrat in politics, but since President Lincoln's second term he has affiliated with the Republican party. In religious belief he is a Spiritualist.

Clayton Borradaile

Clayton Borradaile, engaged in farming and stock breeding in Israel township, was born February 12, 1848, near his present home, his birth occurring on the old farmstead where his maternal grandfather, Clayton Brown, located about 1816. The latter was born October 3, 1781, in New Jersey, and after arriving at years of maturity he married Elizabeth Vanshiver, whose birth occurred October 23, 1794. Their marriage was celebrated in 1814 and from New Jersey they emigrated westward, making the journey by team. After six weeks spent upon the road they arrived at Waynesville, Ohio, and thence came to Israel township, Preble county.

the latter the widow ofjjoseph Borradaile. The ancestry of the Brown family can be traced back to Samuel Brown. His son, John Brown, was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. He died August 6, 1800, and his widow passed away on the 5th of January, 1832. He was born August 16, 1752, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Virginia Gatshill, was born May 15, 1751. They were married in January, 1774, and had seven sons and two daughters. William Brown, the great-grandfather of our subject, died December 7, 1873, and his widow passed away May 16, 1832. In their family were seven sons and two daughters. Their first child was Joseph Brown, who was born July 17, 1775. Their second and third children were twins, Abraham and John, who were born September 21, 1777. Their last child, William Brown, was born January 26, 1792. Clayton Brown, the grandfather of Mr. Borradaile, was born in New Jersey, October 3, 1781. Among his children is a daughter Priscilla, who was born on the old Brown homestead, February 11, 1821, and in 1845 s^ie g'ave her hand in marriage to William D. Borradaile. He was a native of Philadelphia, born about 1815, and in 1826 was brought to Preble county by his father, Arthur Borradaile. Amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared to manhood, early becoming familiar with the arduous task of developing a new farm. Throughout his active business life he carried on agricultural pursuits. In his family were eight children : Martha, who was

Anna is the wife of Frank N. Billman, a representative farmer living just across the line in Indiana; John is an agriculturist located south of Dayton; Sarah died at the age of three years; Edward M. is engaged in stock dealing, in company with S. E. Morton, and makes his home south of Liberty, Indiana; and Mary E. is the wife of William C. Billman, of Dixon township, Preble county.

Mr. Borradaile obtained an excellent common-school education and devoted his time and energies largely to the work of field and meadow through the years of his youth. He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred January io, 1872, Miss Elizabeth A. Morton becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Hezekiah and Hannah (Vanshiver) Morton. The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Dixon township, where they remained for two years and a half, when they took up their abode upon the old Morton homestead of eighty-one acres, which the grandfather, Benjamin Morton, had located in pioneer days, making a settlement in the midst of the forest. They now own this farm, also the old Brown farm of one hundred acres, and the subject of this review devotes his energies to the raising of grain and stock. His fields annually yield him about thirteen hundred bushels of wheat and two thousand bushels of corn. He also sells yearly about one hundred hogs and has upon the place some fine registered Duroc Jersey swine. His son has taken more premiums at the fairs in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan than any other man in the township. Mr. Borradaile keeps seven head of horses to do his farm work and has upon the place a herd of about twenty head of polled Durham cattle. The brick residence which he occupies is one of the landmarks of the township.

Unto our subject and wife have been born three children : Leona, a young lady of great energy, is at home; Herbert Leslie, the only son, assists in the operation of the farm, and Velma Ethel is a beautiful little girl of five summers. The parents are both birthright members of the Society of Friends. In his political views Mr. Borradaile is a Republican. He has served as the clerk of his township, as a school director and as a constable, and in all those offices has discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. He takes great delight and finds recreation from his arduous business cares in hunting and is a worthy follower of Nimrod. He has brought home from the forests fine deer which he killed with a repeating rifle. He now has an excellent specimen of a deer's head which was prepared by a taxidermist and now hangs on his wall, and the tanned hide makes a beautiful rug upon the floor. Mr. Borradaile is an excellent shot and his trips to the woods are a source of great pleasure to him. As a business man he is honorable and upright, and his carefully directed labors have gained him a place among the substantial farmers of his community.

Felix Marsh

Felix Marsh, who was one of the ablest lawyers that ever practiced at the bar of Preble county, was a strong advocate before the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. Flis wonderful oratorical clothing of sound logic and truth carried conviction to the minds of his hearers, and merit enabled him to mount the hill of fame. He was of Scotch lineage and possessed many of the sterling qualities of that sturdy and talented race. Born in Camden, New Jersey, July 21, 1806, he died in Eaton in 1872, respected by all who knew him. His father, 'Squire Marsh, was a tailor by trade. The son was given good educational privileges, pursuing his studies in Miami University at Oxford. He came with his parents to Ohio, the family locating in Camden, Preble county. In the pursuance of his studies he displayed marked aptitude and was especially proficient in the languages. He also early gave evidence of marked oratorical ability and was afterward celebrated for his learned addresses before public assemblages and in the court room. He was regarded as a most fluent and cultured speaker and one of the "best read men in the county.

Mr. Marsh began the study of law in Cincinnati and was admitted to the bar in 1834. To an understanding of uncommon acuteness and vigor he added a thorough and conscientious training, while he exemplified in his practice all the higher elements of the truly great lawyer. He was constantly inspired by an innate, inflexible love of justice and a delicate sense of personal honor, which controlled him in all his personal relations. His fidelity to the interests of his clients was proverbial, yet he never forgot that he owed a higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. His diligence and energy in the preparation of his cases, as well as the earnestness, tenacity and courage with which he defended the right, as he understood it, challenged the highest admiration of his associates. He invariably sought to present his argument in the strong, clear light of common reason and sound logical principle. He served his county as prosecuting attorney and enjoyed a very large and distinctively representative practice. His oratorical powers made him particularly strong as a trial lawyer and he won many notable forensic triumphs.

Mr. Marsh's thorough understanding of the political issues of the day and his fitness for leadership led to his selection for public honors, and he twice served as representative in the state legislature and was also state senator, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He gave careful and earnest thought and investigation to the questions affecting the public welfare and was ever able to support his position by intelligent arguments. He was a deep and logical thinker and his judgment was sound.

Mr. Marsh was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Bloomfield, a daughter of Nathaniel Bloomfield. She is still living, at the age of eighty-three years, and four of her six children yet survive, namely : Eleanora, widow of Theodore Hardy, of Washington, D. C. ; Frances, wife of Charles Tuttle, of Eaton; Felix; and William B., who is practicing at the Preble county bar. Mr. Marsh was a man of scholarly attainments and of cultivated literary tastes. He was familiar with the classics and was particularly well versed in ancient and modern history. Through their writings he made friends with the master minds of all ages, and many of his most pleasant hours were spent in his library. As a citizen he was deeply interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare. Strong in his individuality, he never lacked the courage of his convictions, but there were as dominating elements in that individuality a living human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, when taken in connection with the

Samuel Mitchell

Since early pioneer days Samuel Mitchell has resided in Preble county and through many decades has watched with interest the progress and advancement of this section of the state. He has ever borne his part in the work of improvement as a loyal citizen and as one whose public spirit has been manifest in his active co-operation with many measures that have contributed to the public good. He was born in Jefferson township, on the 29th of July, 1831, and belongs to an old Kentucky family. His father, John Mitchell, was born in Kentucky, March 16, 1787, and was there reared and married. About 1810 he came to Preble county, where he secured a tract of land from the government in Jefferson township, and began the development of a farm, upon which he made his home until his death, which occurred April 25, 1847. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Betsy Bilben. She, too, was a native of Kentucky, born January 1, 1790, and for eighty-two years she traveled life's journey. Her parents were natives of Ireland. John Mitchell had ten children: Sally, born February 4, 1809; Polly, born February 23, 1811; Robert M., born November 11, 1813; Berten, born August 17, 1816; Peter, born November 16, 1818; John B., born April 24, 1821 ; Lewis F., born June 18, 1824; Cornelius, born April 20, 1826; and Franklin, born April 8, 1829.

from the government. He bore his part in the work of the field and meadow and thus gained good, practical knowledge, which well fitted him for his own career as an agriculturist in later life. He was married December 9, 1855, to Margaret Simpson, who was born in Butler county, January I, 1838, a daughter of Jeremiah and Nancy (Bare) Simpson, also natives of this county. Mrs. Mitchell is the eldest of five daughters born of her father's first marriage. By his second union he had four daughters and a son. He was also a third time married, but had no children. Mrs. Mitchell was reared in Jefferson township. Her mother died when she was but five years of age and she made her home in the family of John Shurman until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Mitchell and wfent to a home of her own. The young couple began their domestic life upon the old Mitchell homestead and there remained until 1889, when he put aside business cares and removed to New Paris. Their home was. blessed with the presence of seven children : Francis, who was born December 29, 1856, and married Dora Woofter; Flora E., who was born August 29, 1858, and is the wife of W. H. Alford, of Brown county, Indiana; Laura V., who was born December 14, i860, and died June 14, 1861 ; Harry L., who was born April 14, 1863, and died October 24, 1865; Minnie, who was born October 3, 1866, and is the wife of C. M. Wilcox, a dentist of New Paris; Cora E., who was born October 29, 1870, and died on the 5th of March, 1871; and Merrill E., who was born November 23, 1876, and Was married June 2, 1897, to Ruth K. Carlton, their home being now in Jefferson township.

his political affiliations, having been identified with the party since its organization. He has served as a trustee of the township, has been a member of the agricultural board for several years and has taken a deep, active and commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its promotion along material, social, educational and religious lines. He is a consistent member of the Christian church, serving as one of its deacons, and for some time he filled the office of school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Odd Fellows lodge of New Paris. He is one of the oldest settlers of the county, having through sixty-nine years witnessed the growth, development and advancement of this section of the state. He is familiar with its history from an early day and through a long, active and useful life he has ever merited the confidence and regard of his fellow townsmen.

Henry M. Hoffman

This honored veteran of the civil war and well-known farmer, residing on section 2. Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, was born April 23, 1839, in Perry county, Pennsylvania, of which state his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Good) Hoffman, were also natives, the former horn in Perry county, the latter in Dauphin county. Both were of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. The paternal grandfather, John Hoffman, was also horn in Perry county, Pennsylvania, hut his last days were passed in Montgomery county, Ohio, where his death occurred. The father of our subject spent his entire life in his native county, dying there at the age of fifty-four years. The mother was about seventy years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom died young.

Of this family, Henry M. Hoffman is the fourth in order of birth. His early life was passed upon a farm in his native county, and he continued his residence there until after the civil war broke out. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-third Volunteer Infantry, with which he served eleven months, and was then discharged and returned home. In February, 1866, he came to Ohio, and first located in Montgomery county, where he followed farming until 1874, and then removed to Preble county, settling upon the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison township, where he now resides. He has made general farming his life work and has been fairly successful in his labors.

In Perry county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Hoffman was married, in 1861, to Miss Susanna Long, a native of the same county, and to them were born thirteen children, all of whom are still living with the exception of Calvin. They are Joseph, Kirk, Daniel, Minnie, Perry, Florence, Elizabeth, Samuel, Emma, Watson, Cora and Lester. At present all are married with the exception of Watson and Lester. Most of them reside in Preble county, but some are in Darke and Miami counties, this state, and one is in Nebraska. There are also about thirty grandchildren.

Mr. Hoffman is an honored member of Parmelee Horn Post, No. 622, G. A. R., of Lewisburg, and is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles. He has been school board clerk for many years, and takes a deep and commendable interest in educational affairs.

George H. Fowble

This gentleman is one of the leading business men of West Sonora, Preble county, Ohio, where, as a dealer in agricultural implements, machinery, buggies, etc., he has built up a large trade, and also conducts a hotel and livery stable. A young man of superior executive ability and of sound judgment, he already occupies an enviable position in business circles., and has a fine prospect of reaching the topmost round of the ladder of prosperity.

Mr. Fowble was born in Harrison township, Preble county, August 5, 1867, a son of Peter A. and Elizabeth (Lock) Fowble. His maternal grandfather, Jacob Lock, was one of the early settlers of his county. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to his great-grandfather, who came to this country from Germany and settled in Maryland. The grandfather, George Fowble, was born in that state, and died in Darke county, Ohio, when about ninety years of age. Our father was also a native of Maryland and as a boy came to Preble county, Ohio, with his parents, being reared in Harrison township, where he attended school conducted in a log school house. The family was one of the first to settle in that township, and he assisted in the arduous task of transforming a thickly wooded tract into a highly cultivated farm, through which the railroad subsequently passed. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and an active and prominent member of the United Brethren church, of which he was a trustee at the time of his death. He also served as a class leader and filled other church offices, lie died upon his farm, at the age of eightyeight years; the mother of our subject, who was probably born in this county, died at the age of sixty-two. To them were born five children, namely : Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Frazer, of Harrison township; Wesley, a resident of the same township; George H., our subject; Mollie, the wife of David Rookstool, of Harrison township; and Augusta, also a resident of Harrison township. The father was three times married, and by the first union had three children, by the second, one. The mother of our subject was his third wife.

George PI. Fowble was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, assisting in the labors of the farm and attending the district schools of the neighborhood when his services were not needed at home. On the 25th of December, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Flora Pyles, who was born in Montgomery county, this state, and reared in Preble, Montgomery and Darke counties. By this union have been born two sons, Archie and Glenn.

Mr. Fowble remained upon the home farm until 1893, when he removed to West Sonora and embarked in his present business. He handles all kinds of agricultural implements, wagons and buggies, and in 1899 sold sixty-three binders and mowers. Pie also deals in tobacco. He owns his hotel and livery stable, and to the latter he has added eight hundred dollars' worth of improvements in the last two years, making a fine barn. He keeps two men in his employ most of the time, and is to-day the leading business man of the village. Besides his property in West Sonora, he still owns one-half of the old homestead, his brother, John, having the remainder of the farm. He is enterprising, energetic and thoroughly reliable, and the success that he has achieved is certainly well merited. Ilis sympathies are with the Republican party.

but aside from voting he takes no active part in politics, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. He is a trustee of the United Brethren church, having succeeded his father in that office.

Elkanah C. Crider

The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, and who has reached a high position in the business world. This is a progressive age, and he who does not advance is soon left far behind. By the improvement of opportunities by which all are surrounded Mr. Crider has steadily and honorably worked his way upward and has attained a fair degree of prosperity.

A native of Preble county, he was born in Harrison township, September 20, 1854, and is a son of John and Catherine (Disher) Crider. His paternal grandfather was Samuel Crider, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Preble county at an early day, and was engaged in farming and milling, owning and operating a mill on Twin creek, near Lewisburg. He died at the age of fifty-four years. The father of our subject spent his entire life, in this county and followed the occupation of farming. He died May 11, 1888, at the age of fifty-nine years. In politics he was a Republican and in religious belief a Lutheran. The mother of our subject was born in Virginia, hut was only two years old when brought to Preble county by her parents, and was reared on a farm in Harrison township. Her father, Christian Disher, also a native of Virginia, purchased a tract of government land in Harrison township, for which he paid one dollar and a quarter per acre, and upon

Elkanah C. Crider is the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children and the only one now living. His boyhood was passed on a farm one mile east of Lewisburg, and he attended both the district and town schools, acquiring a good practical education, which enabled him to engage successfully in teaching for two years, having charge of the grammar school of Lewisburg one year. In early life he assisted in the operation of the home farm and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits for several years.

On the 1st of January, 1878, Mr. Crider married Miss Sarah Hahn, who was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1854, and came to Preble county, Ohio, with a brother in 1874. She is the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, whose parents were Andrew and Susan (Witmore) Hahn, also natives of the Keystone state, and of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. She lost her mother when six years old and was reared , by John and Rilla Rebert. Mr. and Mrs. Crider have three children: Katie, born April 4, 1880; Earl, born January 6, 1884; and Lazzie, born April 2, 1888.

After his marriage Mr. Crider engaged in general farming east of Lewisburg until 1895, when he removed to that town, and has since engaged in buying and shipping grain as a member of the firm of Adam Stupp & Company. They own a warehouse at that place, and Mr. Crider still ow!ns his farm of one hundred and eighty acres on sections 34 and 35, Harrison township. He is one of the stockholders and directors of the People's Banking Company, of Lewisburg, and in 1899 purchased a grist-mill.

Mr. Crider is a Republican in politics and his paternal grandfather was one of the first Abolitionists in his section of the county. Although he lived in a Democratic township, our subject was called upon to fill the office of trustee many terms, his fellow citizens appreciating his worth and ability. He is an active and prominent member of the Grange and also of the Lutheran church, having held some office in the church and Sunday school since nineteen years of age, and now serving as elder. As a citizen, friend and neighbor he is true to every duty and justly merits the esteem in which he is held.

George W. Gebhart

Prominent among the agriculturists of Harrison township is numbered this gentleman, whose home is on section 9. No one in the community is better known, for his entire life has been spent there, and all his interests from boyhood have been closely associated with those of that locality. In his chosen occupation he has met with success, and by the, energy and zeal which he has manifested he has won the confidence and esteem of the public.

Mr. Gebhart was born upon his present farm, January 29, 1840, a son of David and Margaret (Pence) Gebhart, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively. The father, who was of Pennsylvania-Dutch extraction, came to Preble county at an early day and took up his residence on the farm where our subject now resides. He died there when our subject was only a year old.

Of the six children born to this worthy couple, George W. Gebhart is the fourth in order of birth. He never left the old homestead, and has never been away from home for more than nine days at a time. He was married in Harrison township, in 1861, to Miss Amanda Wolf, who was born there, and they have become the parents of three children^ namely : Leonidas, deceased; Mary Jane, the wife of Joseph McCrate, of Darke county, Ohio; and Cranga, at home, who married Opal, a daughter of David Brown, and has one son, Oscar E.

Mr. Gebhart follows general farming and has a well improved place of eighty acres. He is a supporter of the Democratic party, and has efficiently served as school director in his district. He assisted in building the turnpikes and in clearing many acres of timber land in Preble county, thus materally aiding in its development and prosperity. He is eminently public-spirited and progressive, and always has the best interests of the community at heart.

Allen Garber

Allen Garber is a leading farmer and representative citizen of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, whose home is on section 16. He evidences by the manner in which he carries on his business that he thoroughly understands the vocation in which he is engaged, and success is attending his efforts toward acquiring a competency. Neatness and order prevail upon his place, which is managed, with regard to its culti-

Mr. Garber was born in Perry township, Montgomery county, Ohio, February 6, 1838, and is a son of Jonathan and Catharine (Rife) Garber, who was born, reared and married in Rockingham county, Virginia. At an early day they came to Montgomery county, this state and first located in Madison township, but subsequently spent some time in Perry township, and then returned to Madison township, where they continued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives. Both were faithful members of the Dunkard church, and the father was a Democrat in politics. He died at the age of seventy-six years, his wife at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of seventeen children, two of whom died in infancy, but the others, six sons and nine daughters, are still living. One resides in Indiana, two in Illinois, and the others in Montgomery, Preble and Darke counties, Ohio. All are married except two daughters. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of our subject, John Garber and Jacob Rife, were natives of Germany, and when young men came to the United States, locating in Virginia, where they married and reared families. In religious belief they were Dunkards. John Garber spent his last days in Madison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he died at about the age of seventy-seven years.

The subject of this sketch is the oldest of the living children in his father's family. He attended the public schools of Montgomery county during the winter months and assisted in the work of the home farm in early life, remaining under the parental roof until he was married, in 1867, to Miss Catharine Kimmel. Both children born of that union died in infancy. Mr. Garber was again married, March 21, 1876, his second union being with Miss Adaline Hapner, by whom he has five children: Lee R., now a typewriter operator in Indianapolis, Indiana; and Alpha, Virgil M., Nina I. and Vinia B., all at home.

In 1867 Mr. Garber came to Preble county and first located on section 29, Harrison township, where he made his home for two years. At the end of that time he removed' to the west part of section 16, but now resides on the east half of the same section. He has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. In connection with farming he was engaged in the farm-implement business in West Sonora from 1878 to 1884, but now gives his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he takes an active and prominent part in local politics, being three times elected township trustee, and serving as land appraiser in 1889 and 1890. He is well and favorably known and has a host of warm friends in the community where he has so long made his home.

Thomas F. Ryder

Thomas F. Ryder, who is engaged in farming in Lanier township, was born on the 10th of August, 1848, and is one of the ten children of John and Hannah (Gephart) Ryder. His grandfather, Jacob Ryder, was born in Pennsylvania and was of German lineage, his grandfather having come from Germany to the United States at an early period in the development of this country.

John Ryder was born In Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1812, and when sixteen years of age accompanied his father to Ohio. They took up their abode in Montgomery county, near Liberty, where John Ryder was married to Hannah Gephart. She was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1816, a daughter of Henry Gephart. With her parents she came to Ohio when a maiden of twelve years, the family locating in Montgomery county, near Liberty, where her parents lived and died.

Soon after his marriage John Ryder came with his young wife to Preble county and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Lanier township, upon which his son, James, is now living. In the spring of 1876 he purchased one hundred and twenty-seven acres of land in Twin township, a mile west of West Alexandria, and with his family removed to his r.ew home, leaving the subject of this sketch upon the old farmstead. There the father continued to reside until his death, which occurred March 30, 1887. He was a consistent member of the Reformed church, in which he served as deacon or elder during the greater part of his life. His political support was given the Democracy. His wife, too, was an active and earnest member of the Reformed church, and on the 6th of April, 1899, she was called to her final rest. Of the ten children born unto this worthy couple seven are yet living. In order of birth they are as follows : Mary, the wife of Henry Glander, of Lanier township; Sarah, deceased; Samuel, a farmer of Twin township; Catherine, the wife of Daniel Giddeon, of Montgomery county; Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Pundt, of Harrison township; John H. and Jacob, both deceased; Thomas F. ; Martha

Upon the home farm Thomas F. Ryder was reared and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He pursued his education in the common schools and at the age of twenty-two assumed the management of the home farm, his father retiring from active business life. He has been very successful in his farming" operations, also as a stock dealer, and is regarded as one of the substantial residents of his community. His methods are practical and progressive. In all his dealings he is strictly honorable, and through the careful conduct of his affairs he has gained a comfortable competence.