Washington Township (part 20 of 21)

On the 6th of June, 1872, Mr. Ryder wedded Miss Mary Alice Sauer, a native of Twin township and a daughter of William and Sarah A. (Potterf) Sauer. Her father w'as a native of Germany and with his parents came to America when a young man, taking up his abode in Butler county, Ohio. Some years afterward he removed to Twin township, Preble county, where he spent his remaining days. His widow, however, still survives and is now living in West Alexandria. She was born in Lanier township, Preble county, a daughter of Joseph Potterf, one of the early settlers of this locality. After his marriage Mr. Ryder continued to operate, the home farm and after his father removed to Twin township, in the spring of 1876, he rented the place for a year. On the expiration of that period he purchased it and has since made it his place of abode. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ryder has been blessed with one child, Minerva, now the wife of Oris Brubaker. His father-in-law assists in the operation of the farm. Mr. Ryder exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy. He and his wife hold membership in the Reformed church and he contributes liberally to the support of all worthy charities and benevolent movements. His worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged and his circle of friends in Preble county is very extensive.

Levi M. Pontius

Levi M. Pontius is a prominent farmer of Preble county, who is successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in Twin township. Washington said that "agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable of all occupations," and this is as true to-day as when uttered. Upon the farmer depends the commercial activity of the country. The crops and stock which he raises give the world its food supply, and the purchase and sale of the farm products form the basis of all business. Mr. Pontius has long been - identified with farming interests in this locality, and is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Clay township, Montgomery county, on the 4th of February, 1846. He is a son of John and Nancy (Marsh) Pontius and their only child to reach years of maturity. The father was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1817, and was a sen of Frederick Pontius, a native of Germany, who came to America soon after his marriage, taking up his abode in Berks county, where he resided until 1825. He then came to Ohio, locating three miles east of Winchester, in Montgomery county, where he purchased eighty acres of land^ making his home thereon until his death, which occurred when he had reached an advanced

Upon the old homestead farm John Pontius was reared. In 1840 he married Miss Nancy Marsh, who was born four southeast of Germantown, in Montgomery county, on the 29th of January,. 1814. Her father was a substantial farmer of the community, owning a valuable tract of land of four hundred acres. Soon after his marriage Mr. Pontius purchased and located upon eighty acres of land in Clay township, Montgomery county, where he. made his home until 1850, when he sold that farm and purchased the place in Preble county upon which his son, Levi, now resides. There he passed bis remaining days, being called to the home beyond August 5, 1875. He served as a trustee of his township, was a school director for many years and was a public-spirited citizen, who gave his co-operation to every movement calculated to prove of public good. Socially he was. connected with the Masonic order and in politics in early life he was a Democrat. After the inauguration of the civil war he joined the ranks of the Republican party. In all business transactions he was straightforward and in every relation of life was honorable and upright. He commanded the confidence of his fellow men, and at his. death the community lost one of its valued citizens.

Levi M. Pontius was reared to manhood under the parental, roof and attended the common schools near his home, but his educational privileges were somewhat limited and his knowledge has been acquired largely through reading, observation and experience. On the 4th of July, 1869, he was united in marriage to Mary L. V. Westerfield, a native of Pyrmont, Montgomery county, Ohio, and a daughter of Isaac and Sarah E. (Pierson) Westerfield. Her father was a member of Company I, Seventyfirst Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the civil war, and died from the effects of exposure at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Plis wife, a native of New Jersey, was a daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Ayres) Pierson, who came to Ohio when Mrs. Westerfield was only two years of age, making the journey by team and wagon. They located in Twin township, Preble county, becoming valued pioneer settlers of the community.

For three years prior to his marriage Mr. Pontius had engaged in operating the home farm upon shares, and after his marriage, as he was the only child, the farm was deeded to him, his father making his home with the son until his death. In 1876 Mr. Pontius erected on his land a handsome brick residence, which is to-day one of the most substantial and desirable country homes in Preble county. In 1881 he built a large barn and has made many other improvements which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place. In recent years he has devoted much of his attention to the raising of cattle and in that branch of his business is very successful. Everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, the fields are well tilled, buildings kept in good repair and everything shows the careful supervision of a progressive owner.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Pontius has been blessed with five children : Clyde W., who married Miss Edna Ridenour, of Creene county, Ohio, and lives in Harrison township, Preble county; Clara M., now deceased; Lucy N. and John L., both at home; and Sarah E., who has also passed away. The parents and their living children are active members of the Lutheran church, and the family is one of the most highly esteemed in the county. For eleven years Mr. Pontius has served as a church officer, being either deacon or elder, and he does all in his power to promote the work of the church along its various lines. For many years he lias served as school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. In politics he is a stanch Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, yet has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests, in which he has met with creditable and richly merited success, being to-day regarded as one of the progressive, practical and well-to-do agriculturists of his community.

John Quill

John Quill is a representative of one of the old and highly respected families in Preble county. He is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Jefferson township, this county, on the 25th of June, 1859. Thomas Quill, his grandfather, was born on the Emerald Isle, and the father, John Quill, was born in county Kerry, Ireland, on the 1st of December, 1827. He spent his childhood and youth in the land of his nativity, but, thinking better opportunities were afforded young men in the new world, he made plans to take up his abode in America.

Bidding adieu to home and friends, he crossed the Atlantic, landing at New Orleans, Louisiana, on the 2d of February, 1852. Making his way northward he came to Ohio and entered the employ of Moses

Conger in Sugar Valley, Dixon township. For some time he continued to work by the month, after which he rented land belonging to David Sands. His industry and careful management at length enabled him to acquire some capital and in i860 he invested this in land, purchasing eighty acres in Jackson township, of Samuel Mitchell. Previous to this time he had resided upon this farm for three years, and after the purchase he made it his home for six years. In 1867 he purchased the farm upon which his son John now resides and made it his home until his death. He was at that time the owner of a valuable property of two hundred and sixty-five acres. All the improvements upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise, for his possessions were acquired entirely through his unaided efforts, save for the assistance of his estimable wife, who proved to him a capable helpmeet in life's journey. She managed the household affairs very economically and assisted him in other ways to get a good start in life. His political views were in harmony with the principles of Democracy and he was very active and prominent in the work of his party. In religious faith he was a zealous Catholic and contributed generously to the support of his church. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Gullivan and was a daughter of Jeremiah Gullivan, of the state of Iowa. She was reared about half a mile from the early home of Mr. Quill, but she became acquainted with him in this country while working for a family at West Florence. On the 24th of November, 1854, their marriage was celebrated, at which time the lady was only sixteen years of age. As before stated, she was very efficient &nd the assistance she rendered him was a very important factor in his prosperity. She superintended the affairs of the household, while he gave his energies to the work of the farm and the care ox his stock, having on his place a high grade of cattle, horses and hogs.

Mr. and Mrs. Quill were the parents of twelve children, of whom seven are now living, namely : Ella, the wife of Lafayette Spacht; Jeremiah M., a contractor and builder of Cincinnati; John, of this review; Thomas A., who is also a contractor and builder of Cincinnati ; Michael F., another member of the firm in Cincinnati ; Mary Ann, the wife of George Poos, a hardware merchant of Eaton, Illinois; and James W., who is with his brother Jeremiah in Cincinnati.

John Quill., whose name introduces this review, pursued his studies in the common schools, gaining a fair knowledge of the English branches of learning, whereby he was fitted for life's practical duties. He remained with his father until twenty-three years of age, when he went to Cincinnati and engaged in contracting for three years. On the expiration of that period he entered the service of the street railway company, with which he was connected for two and a half years. He conducted a coal office and feed store for some time and was at one time a dealer in horses, buying and selling fine stock. For three years he was on the police force of Cincinnati, but in 1898 he returned to Preble to take part of the old homestead, which he has since conducted in the interest of his mother and the other heirs. He keeps on hand the highest grades of cattle and is a successful and enterprising farmer who believes in advancement along all lines. His political support is given the Democracy. In the care and management of his property he displays much of the marked business ability which characterized his father.

Clem Cooper

Actively connected with the farming interests of Washington township, Mr. Cooper has spent his entire life in Preble county and now operates the old homestead property of eighty-two acres. He was born August 19, 1868, and is of Irish lineage. For many generations the family resided in county Louth, Ireland, and some of the representatives of the name became very prominent in public affairs. The great-grandfather of our subject was Michael Cooper, a native of county Louth, where also occurred the birth of the grandfather, Henry Cooper. The father, Michael Cooper, Jr., was born in that county, December 25, 1829, and spent his minority on the Emerald Isle and in early manhood determined to seek a home across the Atlantic, believing that he. might better his financial condition by emigrating to the new world. Accordingly he sailed, landing at Philadelphia on the 1st of Aprils 1851, after a voyage of twenty-eight days, made in a sailing vessel. He did not tarry long at Philadelphia, but went to Wilmington, Delaware, and in the vicinity of that city was employed upon a farm for sixty years. On the 1st of March, 1857, he removed to Ohio and began work for Guy Bloom in Jefferson township.

In the fall of 1862, however, he returned to Philadelphia in order to enlist in the ranks at President Lincoln's call for loyal men to aid in crushing out the rebellion. He had some friends in 'Philadelphia who were intending to join the army, and in order to" be with them at the front he joined Company C, of the One Hundred and Ninteeenth Pennsylvania Infantry, with which command he saw much hard service. He participated in the second battle of Bull. Run, in the engagements at Antietam and South Mountain and in many smaller battles. At length, becoming ill, he was sent to the hospital, but accommodations were there so poor that he had both feet frozen. In February, 1864, 011 account of his disability, he received an honorable discharge and returned to Ohio.

Here he began work by the day, but in 1866 rented a farm near the place on which our subject resides. In 1882 he purchased the property on which his son, Clem, is now living, and since that time he has added to his landed possessions. The comfortable competence which he has acquired now enables him to live retired. His has been a well spent, active and useful life, and by untiring energy he has worked his way steadily upward to a position of affluence. On the 8th of March, 1868, he wras married to Miss Elizabeth Pine, a daughter of Peter Pine, of Preble county.

Clem Cooper, their only child, was reared under the parental roof, pursued his education in the local schools and began work on the farm as soon as he wras old enough to handle the plow. Through the summer months he assisted in the cultivation of the fields, and when the golden grain was ready for the harvest he aided in gathering it into the barns. Upon his father's retirement to private life, in 1892, he took charge of the farm in Washington township, of eighty-two acres, and, in addition to the cultivation of grain best adapted to this climate, he successfully engaged in raising fine hogs, cattle and poultry. He owns some very fine short horn cattle with excellent pedigrees, and sells his cattle and poultry over a wide territory, farmers coming from long distances to make purchases. He has a very enviable reputation as a leading stockraiser and has done much to improve the grade of farm animals raised in this part of Ohio. His farming operations are carried on along progressive lines and the latest improved machinery and substantial buildings indicate that he is an active and enterprising agriculturist.

On the 30th of August, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Cooper and Miss Minnie Schwartzel. Their union has been blessed with two children, Claud and Fern. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Preble county vigilance committee, a progressive citizen who gives his aid and co-operation to every movement and measure which he believes will prove of public good. He is widely known as a farmer and stock raiser, and certainly deserves great credit for what he has done in behalf of the improvement of farm animals. He has studied quite closely their needs, understands the best methods of feeding and caring for his stock and at no time are his horses and cattle allowed to suffer any neglect. This intelligent supervision has given him a very desirable reputation and he is now accounted one of the leading business men of this township.

Jesse Kenworthy

Jesse Kenworthy is one of the oldest farmers of Gratis township, Preble county His life has been a long, useful and active one, and his later years are crowned with the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one well advanced in age whose career has been honorable and trustworthy. He was born February 14, 1817, on the farm where he yet resides, in his forty-eighth year. His father, Jesse Kenworthy, Sr., was a native of North Carolina, and in 1805 removed from that state to the Buckeye state with his wife and two children. His home was on the seashore, two hundred miles from Charleston, South Carolina, and there he lived for some time prior to his removal to the Buckeye state. He married Rachel Cook, of that state, whose father was a planter. The two families came to Preble county and the grandfather Cook settled near the Kenworthy homestead, upon an adjoining farm. Each family secured a quarter-section of land from the government, for which was paid two dollars per acre. They were not in very good circumstances financially, but had money enough to pay for their land and thus gained a good start. Mr. Kenworthy is one 01 five children and with one exception all are married and had families, namely : William; John; Mary; Sallie, who died at the age of six years ; and Jesse, who is the only survivor of the familv. The mother died in 1829 at the age of fifty-eight years, her birth having occurred in 1771. The father passed away in 1858, at the advanced age of ninety years. They were members of the Society of Friends and became prosperous people.

Mr. Ivenworthy, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof and was married April 26, 1838, to Mary Longston, who was born in Butler county, October 21, 1819, three miles from his home. Five children graced their marriage. John K. the eldest, is a real-estate dealer of Wichita, Kansas, and has a daughter and one son, and the daughter has a

-child which is the only great-grandchild of our subject now living. Mrs. Susan Stubbs, the second member of the Kenworthy family, is living in this neighborhood and has one daughter. Rachel C. is the wife of John F. Stubbs, and they have a daughter and a son, Zinai. He is one of the extensive landowners of Preble county, having seven hundred acres in this locality, together with two farms in Illinois, other property in Kansas and a section of land in Texas. He has thus become very wealthy.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenworthy have spent their entire married life upon the farm which is still their home. A portion of the house was built in 1849, an addition was made in 1852 and a second in 1859. The old barn on the place was erected in 1814, and is still standing, in a good state of preservation. It was built of hewed logs. In 1851, however, another barn was built. Mr. Kenworthy has carried on general farming, but has given the greater part of his time and attention to the raising of hogs, selling more than two hundred head annually, at an average weight of three hundred pounds. One year he sold two hundred and fifty-seven hogs in one drove. He makes a specialty of the breeding of black or Poland China, some of which attain to the weight of three hundred and seventy pounds. He has probably sold more hogs than any other man in the county, and his business has been a very profitable and extensive one, bringing to him a handsome income, which now supplies him with all the and many of the luxuries of life.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Kenworthy are active and consistent members of the Society of Friends. In the Preble county history .there is an account relating how Jesse Kenworthy, Sr., came to Ohio, in 1805, and settled on section 32, Gratis township. He traveled with a colony which came by land, driving their own teams, and after a long, tedious journey arrived here in the woods. Like many of the early settlers, they made the best arrangements possible until they could erect their first temporary home, a log or pole cabin. Mr. and Mrs. Kenworthy, of this review, began their domestic life on the old home farm, which his father willed to him, and this has been their residence for many years and here he has awaited that last summons to join the innumerable multitude in that mysterious realm, where each occupies his chamber in the silent halls of the dead; and, having suffered greatly, he will welcome the message, approaching his grave with an unfaltering trust,

Felix M. Marsh, Jr

In a profession where advancement is dependent on knowledge and subsequent success is achieved only through individual merit, it is a wise provision of nature that learning cannot be inherited, that all enter the world on an equal intellectual footing, except as to capacity, and thus are dependent upon their own labor and application for the knowledge which fits them for life's practical duties. Each individual must master the same rudiments of learning, and when this is done he has thus formed the ability to carry his investigations still farther along professional lines which fit them for a particular work. It is true that with only an elementary education some may enter certain lines of business and attain success, or by inheritance or influence they may secure control of an al- ready established business ; but in professional life prosperity and success depend solely upon the efforts of the individual and his close application, his mastery of scientific principles and his ability to apply these to the affairs of life. Greater credit is therefore due one w(ho owes his prosperity and enviable business standing to his own labors, as does Mr. Marsh. He now enjoys an enviable reputation at the Preble county bar, being recognized as a leading lawyer of Eaton. Born in this city on the 15th of May, 1843, he was educated in the common schools and in the Miami University, at Oxford. Throat trouble prevented him from enlisting in the war, although he was an ardent advocate of the Union cause.

In 1865 he went to Washington, where he was employed in the postoffice department until 1872. He studied law with his father as his preceptor and was admitted to practice at the capital city in 1871. The following year he returned to Eaton and opened an office here. In 1873 his father died and he and his brother became his successors. He has engaged in general law practice and has been very successful in criminal law, his reputation in that line extending throughout the state. He has tried cases in the United States courts in Cincinnati and is widely known for his ability in this direction. His arguments are logical and convincing and his deductions follow in natural sequence. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He has remarkable powers of concentration and application and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterizes his preparation of a case and have made him one of the most successful attorneys in Eaton.

On the 1st of December, 1865, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Marsh and Miss Emma Yost, a daughter of Samuel Yost, of Pennsylvania, and a representative of one of the early families of Preble county. They have had five children, namely : Fanny, William, May, Maud and Edgar. In fraternal circles Mr. Marsh is prominent. For two years he was at the head of the Knights of Honor of this state. He is also a valued member of the Masonic fraternity. Having spent almost his entire life in Eaton, he is well known here, and many of his best friends are those with whom he has been acquainted since boyhood, showing that in all ways his career has been worthy of regard.

Mrs. Catherine Myers

Mrs. Catherine Meyers is one of the venerable ladies of Preble county, being now in her eighty-seventh year. She has long resided in this section of the state and her many estimable qualities have gained her the warm regard of many friends. She is of Holland lineage and her parents were Philip and Anna (Bennett) Peters, farming people of Pennsylvania, who removed from the Keystone state to Ohio. They had eleven children, ten of whom reached adult age, but only three are now living, namely : Mrs. Myers, Cyrus, who is a farmer and makes his home in the village of Mazon; and William, an agriculturist, who also has other ex-

Mrs. Myers was born in 1814, and under the parental roof was reared, assisting in the household duties and other labors that well fitted her for the care of a home of her own. She was trained to habits of industry, economy and good management. On the 30th of June, 1837, she gave her hand in marriage to Jacob B. Myers, a native of Rising Sun, Ohio. When a young man he went to Cincinnati, and thirty-three years ago settled upon the farm in Somers township, upon which Mrs. Myers now resides. The tract comprises one hundred and twenty acres and to its cultivation and development Mr. Myers devoted his energies until his death, which occurred in 1886, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years. He was a man of marked industry, possessing resolute purpose and keen discrimination in business affairs. His dealings were characterized by unqualified integrity, and he therefore enjoyed the high regard and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. In his work he was ably assisted by his estimable wife, whose labors proved an excellent supplement to his own. Thus they acquired a handsome property, and thereby Mrs. Myers is now surrounded by many of the comforts of life.

This worthy couple had three children who yet survive, namely : Winfield, who lives with his mother; Amanda, the Wife of Joseph Walters, by whom she has seven children; and William, a farmer of Somers, township, who has three sons. Three members of the family are deceased : Lavina, who died at the age of forty-four years; Theodore, who died at the age of fifty-four years, leaving two sons; and Henry, who died at the age of thirty, leaving a son and daughter.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Myers had no capital, but the united efforts of husband and wife enabled them to yearly add to their possessions and they ultimately became the owner of what is known as the Robert Patterson farm. The old home upon the place is nearly a century old. The farm is operated by Winfield, who raises wheat, corn and oats, feeding the two latter crops to his stock. He also operates another tract of land, making altogether about two hundred acres. Mrs. Myers has lived a long and useful life, has brought up a family who are a credit to her name and has so lived as to win the esteem of all with whom she hasbeen brought in contact.

William H. Snyder

This honored and highly esteemed citizen of Lewisburg, Ohio, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, September 18, 1825^ and on both the paternal and maternal sides is of German descent. His father, Richard Snyder, was born, reared and educated in Baltimore and there followed the baker's trade throughout his active business life. In that city he married Melki Beck, who was born near Cumberland, Maryland, and was a daughter of Richard Beck, also a native of Maryland. The latter's father was born in Germany, as was also the paternal greatgrandfather of our subject. The grandfather, Peter Snyder, was a life-long resident of Baltimore. To Richard and Melki (Beck) Snyder were born three children, one of whom was William PI., our subject. Idis sister, Mary E.,is now the widow of William A. Reading and a resident of Baltimore. His brother, John, died in that city. The mother was again married, her second husband being

When fourteen years of age William H. Snyder came to Springfield, Ohio, with his mother and stepfather, and after residing there for about six months they located on a farm near that city, where our subject remained until nineteen years of age. He next made his home in Union, Montgomery county, until 1842, and while there learned the millwright's trade of John B. Watts, remaining with him one year. On coming to Lewisburg, in 1842, he secured work at his trade with W. R. DeRush, by whom he was employed twelve years, working at different places throughout the state. Later he spent a year or more with David Kumler, and then engaged in business for himself as a millwright for two or three years. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of Preble county, and so acceptably did he fill that office that he was re-elected in 1878, serving in all four years. Since then he has devoted his time and attention principally to farming and the tobacco business. In 1866 he removed to Neosho county, Kansas, but after spending about eighteen months there he returned to Preble county, and is now practically living a retired life in Lewisburg.

On the 2 1 st of June, 1845, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Moore, a native of Butler county, Ohio, who died April 12, 1896. By that union he had six children, namely: Winfield Scott, at home; Benjamin Pranklin, Charles M., Willard L. and Elmer E.t all residents of Lewisburg; and Martha, who died at the age of two years. The wife and mother, who was a most estimable lady, was a member of the United Brethren church for twenty years and took an active part in its work.

In the fall of 1861, Mr. Snyder enlisted as a musician in the band of a regiment and served as a member of Company I for a time, being mustered in as a member of the colonel's staff. After serving one year he was honorably discharged, and is now a prominent member of Parmelee Home Post, No. 622, G. A. R., of which he wa^ quartermaster two years, and was also elected surgeon. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and has taken quite a prominent and influential part in local politics, having served as the mayor of Lewisburg six years, and a member of the city council several years. The first office he held in the county w!as that of constable of Harrison township, and he has served as census enumerator in the southern part of that township, and justice of the peace six years. In all of the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and he merits and receives the respect and esteem of all who know him.

Jacob L. Stover

Jacob L. Stover, the subject of this sketch, was born January 23, 1820, near Hagerstown, Maryland. His ancestry can be traced back to Dr. George Stover, his grandfather, a physician of note in his day, who spent his entire life in the Old Dominion. He was at one time very wealthy, but met with heavy losses through the depreciation in the value of continental money. He was highly esteemed not only for his ability in his profession, his wealth and social position, but for his kindness and philanthropy. Daniel Stover, the father of our subject, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1773, resided for a time in

Maryland, and in 1826 came to Ohio. In 1830 he took up his abode in Enterprise, Lanier township, Preble county. He married Miss Susanna Funk, a daughter of Jacob Funk, and the Funks, like the Stovers, were of German descent. Daniel Stover died in Enterprise in the year 1869. His only son was Jacob F. Stover, our subject, but in the family were seven daughters, four older and three younger than he. There are three children living, namely : Elizabeth, the widow of Wilson Eby, living on their farm in Lanier township; Catherine, the widow of Isaac H. Ulrich; and Sarah, the wife of Joseph M. Shank. All but one sister had children and Mrs. Eby was the mother of nine.

Throughout his entire life Jacob F. Stover has been identified with the agricultural interests of Preble county and is one of its most leading and influential farmers. He is still actively identified with the grain and stock raising interests, although he leaves the management of his business largely to his son. His resolute purpose, indefatigable energy and reliable dealing have secured to him excellent success and made him one of the substantial residents of the community. On the 17th of February, 1853, Mr. Stover was united in marriage to Miss Catherine M. Chrisman, who w:as born March 17, 1829, in Gratis township, a daughter of John and Susanna (Fishbourn) Chrisman. Her mother's first husband was Richard D. Hall, who died in 1818, upon the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Stover now reside. There Mr. and Mrs. Hall located in 1809 and began the cultivation of their tract of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1820, having been left a widow, Mrs. Hall became the wife of John Chrisman. The children of this marriage were

Mrs. Stover, and Elizabeth, who was born December 10, 1822, and became the wife of Henry Riner. The mother died June 10, 1877, at the age of eighty-six years and four months, and the father passed away on the 26th of August, 1887. They were well known and well-to-do farming people and at their death left a good property.

Mr. and Mrs. Stover reside upon the old Chrisman homestead. One child was born to them, John C., whose birth occurred December 31, 1853. He was married October 11, 1883, to Miss Naomi E. Henkel, a native of Farmersville, Ohio, a daughter of Dr. G. C. and Catherine (Martin) Henkel, of Pennsylvania, now living in Farmersville, where the father is successfully practicing medicine. Mrs. J. C. Stover also has one sister living, Orpha, who is now the wife of W. U. Young, and one brother, Vernon Henkel, who is now living in Farmersville. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Stover lost a son, Charles, who died on his second birthday. He was a beautiful and precocious child and his death was a great blow to the family. The living children are : Harry J., born September 19, 1884, a bright youth and a dutiful son, and Susanna Catherine, born July 16, 1891.

John C. Stover remained at home until twenty-nine years of age and was early trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm. He early began work in the fields and more and more of the management of the property devolved upon him, for his father was in poor health. He devoted his entire time and energies to the operation of the land and made himself one of the active hands in the fields until it became necessary to devote all of his attention to the supervision and management of his business affairs, which in the meantime had grown quite large. On his splendid farm a barn 42x64 feet was built, about fortytwo years ago, and its substantial construction is shown by the fact that it is still one of the best in the county. A fine and pleasant brick residence was erected in 1884-5. These buildings and all outbuildings are kept well painted and in good repair and everything upon the place indicates his thrift, enterprise, thorough supervision and careful management.

Mr. Stover and his father are Republicans, as were both of his grandfathers. He and his wife are active members and liberal supporters of the Brethren church, of which Mr. Stover's father was one of the founders. They are people of the highest respectability in the community and enjoy the warm regard of many friends. During their active life in Preble county they have exerted their influence for good in many lines of public improvement.

Abram P. Johnson

For over four-score years this honored and venerable gentleman has been identified with the interests of Preble county, and for over seventy years has been a resident of New Paris. He was born on the 17th of P'ebruary, 1815, four miles south of Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, and is a son of Moses and Mary (Wagner) Johnson, the former a native of Trenton, New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. On the paternal side he is of Scotch descent. It was in 1805 that his father removed to Butler county, Ohio, and in 1817 came to Preble county. He purchased forty acres of land in Jefferson township, upon which he erected a log house, making his home there until his death, which occurred January 5, 1830, when he was about seventy-four years of age. By trade he was a carpenter. The mother of our subject, who was his second wife, died at about the age of sixty years. He was married three times and had seventeen children, of whom our subject is the youngest and only one now living, though fourteen of the number reached adult age.

Abram P. Johnson was only a year and a half old when the family came to Preble county, and he remained on his father's farm until February 1.7, 1830, when he removed to New Paris, which place has since been his home. For fifty-five years he followed the tailor's trade and at one time did an extensive business, but is now living a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest. He is the oldest resident of the town, his father having built the third house there, and has probably made his home in Preble county longer than any other of its citizens.

On the 22d of June, 1842, Mr. Johnson was united in mqrriage with Miss Sarah J. Davis, of Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, by whom he had one daughter, Mary C., now deceased. The wife and mother died in December, 1844, and for his second wife, Mr. Johnson married Anna Maria Payne. By that union he had three children: Sarah E., the wife of George Young, of New Paris; Charles H. L., who died at the age of two years; and Laura E., deceased. His third wife, who was Rebecca McKenney, is also deceased.

Politically Mr. Johnson has been a lifelong Democrat, and has never missed voting but at two elections since attaining his majority, and both of these were spring elections for township officers. His first presidential ballot was cast for Martin Van Buren. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has been hon- ored with several local offices, having served as school director, justice of the peace, postmaster of New Paris for ten years, and mayor of the town about two and a half years. He has been a very strong temperance man all his life, and organized the Sons of Temperance and the Washingtonians in New Paris, of which societies he was long an active and prominent member. Although he is not connected with any religious denomination, he is a believer in the doctrines of the Christian church, and has led an honorable, upright and useful life.

Henry K. Broadbury

Henry K. Broadbury is a farmer and dealer in butter and eggs in Israel township, Preble county, his home being on section 35, near the village of Morning Sun, Ohio. He was born in Millford township, Butler county, Ohio, in 1838, his home being near Daretown. His birthplace was the old family farmstead upon which his grandfather, James Broadbury, settled at a very early day. The Broadbury family is of English lineage and was founded in America by the greatgrandfather of our subject and his two brothers, who came to the new world prior to the Revolutionary war. They all participated in the struggle and one gave his life upon the altar of his country, thus being numbered among the heroes whose sacrifice brought independence to the nation. The great-grandfather of our subject died about 1853 and his remains were laid to rest in the old graveyard near Daretown. Joseph Broadbury, the father of our subject, was born December 4, 1805, on Four Mile creek, near Daretown, and died in Hanover township, Butler county, in 1850, his death resulting from the kick of a horse. Pie was married in 1837 to Miss Sarah Ann Waldon, a daughter of James Waldon, who still survives her husband. She has been a second time married and is now Mrs. Strowhuver, a widow of Butler county, where she lives with her daughter, Mrs. Pottinger, one of the children by her second marriage. By the first marriage she had five children : Henry K., of this sketch; James W., an agriculturist residing at College Corner ; Nancy, wife of John Simonson, of College Corner; Mary Elizabeth, widow of George Bartlow; and a son who died in infancy. The children of the second marriage are : William, a dealer in agricultural implements in Indiana, and Charlotte, wife of James Pottinger. The mother is still active in both body and mind, although eighty-four years of age, her birth having occurred October 25, 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Broadbury were farming people residing on the old homestead which the father located in the midst of the forest. He cleared that land, and in his farming met with success, so that he was enabled to give each of his children a fair start in life. In addition to his agricultural pursuits, he operated a saw and grist-mill and also carried on a distillery. When his country became engaged in the second war with England he enlisted, serving in the war of 1812.

Mr. Broadbury, whose name introduces this review, acquired a fair knowledge of the elementary branches of English learning in the district schools, pursuing his studies in a log school house of primitive construction, a portion of a log being removed to form a window. The text books were of various kinds. Mr. Broadbury worked at home, assisting in the cultivation and harvesting of the crops on his father's farm until he was twenty-eight years of age. lie then chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Mary Elizabeth Yeakle, who was born in Hanover township, Butler county, Ohio, December 27, 1843, a daughter of David and Mary (Henninger) Yeakle, the former a native of Butler county, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Her father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his business career. In their family were six children, four of whom reached mature years, namely : Julia Ann, wife of Marion Curry, a farmer of Kansas ; Michael, who was born in 1845, and is also living in Kansas; Polly Ann, wife of Jacob Henninger; and Mrs. Broadbury. The father of this family passed away at the age of fifty-five years and the mother was called to her final rest fourteen years later, her death occurring on the 4th of March, 1880, when she was sixty-eight years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Broadbury were married February 16, 1865, and located at two different places before coming to Preble county in 1867. Seven years ago, however, they took up their abode upon the present farm, comprising one hundred and eighty-three acres, and have since made it their home. For thirty-two years Mr. Broadbury has been engaged in raising vegetables and selling butter and eggs, driving his team and covered wagon throughout the county. He buys butter, eggs and poultry, and in handling these products has secured a comfortable competence. In 1866 ill health caused him to lose all that he had saved, but since that time he has acquired a good property, steadily working his way upward by determined purpose and unflagging industry. He built his new home on the hill and moved into it in 1897, while his son remains in the old farm house which was upon the place at the time the farm came into his possession. Other improvements on the place include two good barns and substantial outbuildings. The son there carries on general farming, raising good crops of grain and stock. He fattens about one hundred fine Chester White hogs anually and keeps a good herd of polled Durham cattle. He sells from five to six hundred bushels of wheat annually, but feeds his corn crop, consisting of about three thousand bushels. Mr. Broadbury and his son purchased their excellent farm at a bargain and it is now one of the most productive and highly improved farms in this section of the state, its present splendid condition being due to their energetic efforts, guided by intelligence and sound practical common sense.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Broadbury were born three children, but they lost an infant son. Their other son, David Joseph, who has been mentioned as operating and owning the homestead farm, was born April 19, 1867, and married Faura Riggs. Helena Maud, a daughter, is the wife of R. D. Marshall, of Sedalia, Missouri, and has a daughter, Mildred. Mr. and Mrs. Broadbury are members of the United Presbyterian church, take an active interest in its work and are people of the highest respectability, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

William W. Kinsey

William W. Kinsey, an ex-county clerk of Preble county, is well known in the county. He was born in Monroe township, May 1, 1834. His father, David Kinsey, was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and the grandfather, David Kinsey, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania. Three brothers of the name came from Germany to the new world and were the founders of the family in Amer- ica. In religious faith they were Dunkards. The grandfather of our subject removed to Ohio in pioneer days, taking up his abode in Montgomery county, where David Kinsey, Jr., was born, reared and educated. He became a very successful farmer, carrying on agricultural pursuits in Ohio until 1845, wihen he removed to Kansas. He resided in that state during the time of the border warfare and was a stanch Whig in his political views, advocating the admission of Kansas into the Union as a free state. He was twice married. For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary Garber, nee Petry, daughter of Henry Petry, one of the early settlers of Ohio. In his religious faith David Kinsey held the belief advocated by his ancestry and was a member of the Dunkard church. He and his wife are both deceased.

William W. Kinsey, their only child, was educated in the common schools and in the Lebanon Normal School, acquiring a broad general knowledge which ably fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. In early life he was a successful teacher, being thus connected with the educational interests of Darke, Montgomery and Preble counties. For five years he served as the principal of the village schools of West Manchester. He afterward engaged in selling books, until 1893, when he was elected county clerk, and on the expiration of his term of three years was re-elected in 1896. He first took charge of the office August 1, 1894, and held it until August 1, 1900. Upon the close of his services in the county clerk's office Mr. Kinsey removed back to West Manchester, his present place of residence. He had previously held the office of assessor in Monroe township for five years, and has filled other positions, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. In addition to his official cares lie also superintended the operation of a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which he owns in Harrison township.

On the 8th of December, 1884, Mr. Kinsey was united in marriage to Miss Elsa J. Huffman, a daughter of George Huffman, and Margaret (Hulser) Huffman, the father a native of Germany and the mother a native of Montgomery county, Ohio. Her father was a physician and lived and practiced in Darke county, where he died in 1862, when she was only a few months old. Her father was a graduate of the Eclectic Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, in 1856. Mrs. Kinsey was born in Darke county, August 30, 1861, but reared in Preble county. Her mother married a second time in life and for many years resided in Darke county, at Arcanum, where she died in 1893. Their union was blessed with three children, but only two are now living, - Edith and Margaret. The eldest, Ethel, died aged nearly one year, in 1886. Mr. Kinsey is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Foresters and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at present he is an officer of the high courts of the Independent Order of Foresters for Ohio. He is influential in Republican politics and is an unswerving advocate of the principles of the "grand old party." His many reliable qualities and his social characteristics have made him a popular citizen, and he enjoys the high regard of many friends throughout the community.

Source changes here: from History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, by R. E. Lowry, published 1915; 12,095 words in this source stream.

Washington Township

Washington township is the central township of the county, as well as the largest township, being composed of all of township 8, range 2 east, and the north two miles of township 7, range 2 east, and containing forty-eight sections.

It is drained by Seven Mile creek, and Banta's fork and their tributaries, except the southwestern part, which is drained by Paint creek, which has its headwaters in section 36 of Jackson township. The land is generally level or slightly rolling, except along the immediate lower courses of Seven Mile creek and Banta's fork, where the land becomes broken, though not rough and bluffy. Much of the land is so level that in an early day it was swampy. After being cleared, this land was drained with open ditches, which later were supplanted by tile drains, until now the whole township is well drained and the land that was swamp is the most fertile.

Garrison branch, and Periwinkle creek, from the west, and Rocky run, from the east, are the chief tributaries of Seven Mile creek, while Lowry's run and Goose creek, whose waters flow into Banta's fork, complete the drainage of the township.

Early Settlement

There had been entries of land made in 1804, but no settlement. The entryman seems to have located to suit himself; then filed his entry in the land office, returning east or south to his old home to bring his family and goods to the new home.

William Bruce is believed to have been the first settler to build a house in the township, he having built there in 1805. In the same year John Goldsmith came to the northwest quarter of section 4, township 7, range 2 east.

Joseph and Nathan Sellers, John Ward and Samuel Ward, later elected sheriff; John Aukerman, John J. Sherer, David Bloomfield, Benjamin Neal, Henry Young and others. Within the next two or three years others came so fast that it could be seen the township was becoming settled. It is claimed that some two dozen cabins were built in the township in 1806.

At the election of 1814, over one hundred years ago, there were but forty votes cast in the township. I have looked over the list and of the names now in the township I only recognize a few, Ramsay, Spacht, Mitchell, Harris, Stevens, White, Crous and Dooley, which would indicate that most of the pioneer males had emigrated, or that eighty per cent, of the descendants were females who had changed their names.

Schools And Churches

In the township at present there are twelve country school houses, so located that all the children of each sub-district may easily reach the school.

In the earlier days there were quite a number of country churches scattered over the county, of which but few survive. As the roads improved and methods of travel became speedier, the church, people gravitated to the village churches. Within Washington township there yet exist three country churches. Zion Evangelical Lutheran church, some four miles north of Eaton, on the North road, was founded in 1819, by Rev. Lewis Morgan, the first house of worship being a log cabin church, though the services often were held in private houses, and, when the weather permitted, were held in a barn.

A brick church was built about 1840, and about 1876-7, the old church not being large enough, the present brick church was built. John Kaylor and Henry Kesling were the first trustees. Among the pastors have been Jacob Gruber, George W. Busby, George Baughman and George Weber, the latter of whom is the present pastor. The Reverend Baughman was the pastor for more than thirty years. The church and Sunday school each number about eighty. Zion cemetery, immediately adjoining the church, is under the control and management of that church. This church, in the last fifty years, has had five pastors, who bore the Christian name of George. The pastor called in the spring of 1915 is named George Sixth, which name just fits his pastorate.

In 1868 the German Baptist church (Old Order) erected a church just east of the Richmond pike, in the southeast quarter of section 29, commonly called Beech Grove church, in which services are now held only occasionally.

Another branch of the German Baptists, now called the Church of the Brethren, about the year 1893 erected a church in the northeast quarter of the same section, which is now the chief place of worship for the people of that communion for some distance around it.

The Sherer cemetery, in section 7, and Bonebrake cemetery, in sections 17 and 20, are now township cemeteries, but are little used except by the descendants of some of the pioneers who are buried therein. The Halderman cemetery, in the south half of section 11, township 7, range 2 east, just east of the Eaton and Hamilton pike, was begun by the settlers at an early day, and in it are found some very fine works of the monument builder, but, being regarded as a family cemetery, it is now but little used.

Eaton, the county seat, is the only village within Washington township, and since, for a hundred years, nearly all the people of the township have gone to church, sold the produce of their farms, transacted most of their business and held their conventions and elections in Eaton, its history is, in reality, the history of the township.

William Bruce, early in 1805, was prospecting for a location for a home and visited this county. Discovering the natural dam in Seven Mile creek, near what is now the west end of Wadsworth street, he is said to have examined carefully the possibilities of the stream and the country around it, and so well pleased was he that he purchased three sections of land. Near a spring about a half mile south of where the court house now stands he built his cabin, the first in the township. His mind evidently had been busy trying to see into the future, for he at once set to work to make that future produce the mental picture he had drawn. During the winter of 1805-6 William Bruce had the town of Eaton surveyed and platted, and on February 20, 1806, recorded his plat in Dayton.

The town of Eaton, as originally laid out, consisted of that part of the town between Israel street on the south, Decatur street on the north, Maple street on the east and Seven Mile creek on the west. All lots were laid out fronting on the streets that ran east and west, and were all one hundred and ninety-eight feet deep by forty-nine and one-half feet wide, with one-rod alleys, east and west, midway between the east and west streets, with no alleys running north and south, except the lots west of South Beech street and west of Walnut street, which usually were not full lots, being limited by the slanting direction of Water street, which was laid out along the bank of Seven Mile creek. Barron and Main streets were each ninetynine feet wide, while all other streets were sixty-six feet wide. All east and west streets extended from Maple street to the bank of Seven Mile creek. The lots along Water street that are not full lots are called fractional. Many of the houses, as now built, front on the streets that run north and south, but they are situated on parts of two or more lots that faced north or south, and the original numbers, as laid out, are still retained.

Public Lots Provided

William Bruce, at the same time, laid out four lots, each twelve rods square, one at each of the four comers of the intersection of Main and Barron streets, and labeled them A, for a court house square, and ever since so used; B, at the northeast corner for an academy and school house; C, at the northwest corner, and D, at the southwest corner for churches, each to have one lot, but not to be used for burial purposes, and E, east of Maple street and about midway between Bruce street and the Lexington road, and twelve rods wide, east and west, to be used for six burial grounds, five for churches and one for those who belonged to no "regular congregation/' the latter to be the farthest north.

The lots B, C and D subsequently were divided into much their present shapes and sold by a committee of three, appointed by and acting under a statute of the Legislature, and the proceeds applied for the benefit of the schools of the town. The constitutionality of such a statute would probably be strongly contested now, but time has long since cured all defects.

The greater part of the town that has since been laid out and added has not been made comformable to the original plat, except that the streets running north have been continued as before, save Barron street, which, north of the railroad, is only sixtv-six feet wide.

The first house built in Eaton was erected by John Mills, who arrived on April 1, 1806, and built, at the northwest corner of Main and Beech streets, a small log cabin, and in that cabin, on May 1, 1806, Polly Mills was born, being the first baby born in Eaton, but Mills soon moved away and was forgotten.

The First Real Settler

David E. Hendrix reached the town from Camden on April 2, 1806, and built a cabin on what is now the brewery lot. Soon thereafter he built a substantial two-story log house at the southeast corner of Main and Beech streets, in which he conducted the first tavern in the town. He continued to be a resident and citizen until his death, in 1845, an(i ^ reaUy may be claimed that he was the original pioneer, the first real settler of the town. Some of his descendants reside in and near the town to this day. It is claimed that David E. Hendrix dug the first well in the town, and that the first religious meeting was held at his home, the services being conducted by a preacher of the New Christian church.

During 1806 David and Abram Eaton (Heaton), Samuel Hawkins and his five sons, Samuel Watts, Samuel Carr, Henry Whitesell, John Banfill and two sons, with a number of others, moved to the town, attracted by the probability that it would be the county seat of a new county, as well as by the fertility of the lands, so that during the year there were some fifteen or twenty cabins erected, chiefly along Main street. Alexander Mitchell and Alexander C. Lanier, whose names later were so prominent in the organization of the county government, arrived in 1807, and Mitchell continued to live there until his death, during the cholera epidemic of 1849. Cornelius Vanausdal, with his brother, Isaac, probably came to the town in the fall of 1807, but did not open and establish his store until 1808. Isaac Stephens and Isaac Banta came about the outbreak of the War of 1812, and many of their descendants are now residents of the city and county. After the war there were many accessions to the town, some of whom remained and some of whom, after a residence of a few years, moved on west, all emigration going in that direction.

The first marriage in the town is said to have been performed on December 1, 1807, solemnizing the union of John Harbison and Mary Brown, who set up housekeeping on the northeast corner of Barron and Israel streets.

For the first twenty-five years after the town was settled the buildings were constructed chiefly south of Main street, a very few scattering ones being located north of Somers street. In fact, it is claimed that in 1830 forest trees still stood on the lots west of the town hall on Somers street.

Early Industrial Enterprises

The first manufacturing establishment was the mill of William Bruce, built in 1806 and rebuilt in 1810. Bruce later added a woolen-mill for carding wool, which the good wives of the county spun into yarn and then wove it into cloth for family use. The next was a wagon-maker's shop, built by John Harbison in 1811, at the northwest corner of Main and Maple streets, which he continued to operate for a number of years.

Richard Leeson started a tannery soon after the War of 1812, which continued in operation under different owners until a few years ago, the last owner, Martin Rehfuss, closing it on account of his age and because the fierce competition of the large companies had so cheapened the output that it was no longer a paying proposition to tan by the old process.

A plow factory was started during the Civil War, and carriage making was carried on by two or three firms until about thirty years ago. A flaxmill was started in 1856 and continued for some years. Cigar-making began in 1845, and °ther cigar manufacturers followed, some operating on quite a large scale - J. S. Quinn, Ayres & Filbert, Coovert & Jones and others, until it is said that about 1880, there were some two hundred cigarmakers in Eaton, all of whom now are gone save F. P. Filbert, who still maintains a few hands.

The Excelsior School Seat Company was established by the Brooke Brothers about the year 1873, and for two or three years this company did the largest business ever done in the town, but it finally suspended and moved to Richmond, later to Indianapolis and thence to Cincinnati.

About the year 1901 a bedstead factory for the manufacture of brass and iron bedsteads was started by D. J. Miller. After a donation by a number of citizens of a bonus of some four thousand dollars, buildings were erected and the business seemed to be prosperous for some years. In 19°^ Miller concluded he could do better elsewhere and moved the business to McAllister, Oklahoma. I am informed that he has now suspended operations there.

The steam grist-mill at Eaton was built by Kinzie & Reynolds in 1870, after a donation by citizens, and later passed into the hands of J. R. McCleaf, then to W. H. Boner, and finally, a few years ago, to H. C. Robinson, who refitted it and installed electric motors, and it is yet turning out as good flour as it ever made.

for pumping water and grinding feed. This plant occupied the buildings just south of the railroad and west of Barron street, and for a time was prosperous, but after about six years it suspended.

L. Gable & Company, in 1870, erected and for a number of years operated a planing-mill and lumber-yard, but sold out and removed to the Pacific coast. The business then passed through a number of hands, until some years ago it fell into the hands of Hiestand & Company, and is now in successful operation.

In 1848 John P. Acton established the steam saw-mill on the Richmond turnpike, west of Eaton, and at his death it passed into the hands of his grandsons, who, under the name of Hiestand & Company, are yet keeping it going, although the available saw timber is getting scarce. There have been several other saw-mills started, in and around the town, but all now are silent, and some of the sites forgotten.

About 1898 the Fox Brothers started a glove factory for the manufacture of cheap gloves and mittens for workmen, and erected a substantial two-storv, brick building, adjoining the railroad, about one-half square west of Barron street, and it proved so successful that some years ago they sold it to the Indianapolis Glove Company, which is now operating it, employing from sixty to one hundred hands, mostly women.

The First Telephone

In 1897 a man named J. A. Brooke, from Attica, Indiana, secured a franchise from the council for a telephone company and built an exchange, installing many phones in business and private houses. In about two years a home company was formed, called the Eaton Telephone Company, which bought him out and proceeded to extend its lines, until now, by connections with local lines, all parts of the county may be reached, and, by connections with long-distance lines, our neighboring cities and states are within call. This company now has over sixteen hundred phones.

In 1886 John R. Cook, manager of an electric-light plant that had been in operation a year or more, contracted to light the streets of the town, and for some dozen years the town was lighted by arc-lamps, on two skeletoniron towers, one hundred and twenty-five feet high, one at the court house corner, and one near the depot, with some three or four arc-lamps, suspended in the streets. In T897, on account of the heavy shadows cast by the lamps, and the cost of operating enough arc-lamps to properly light the town, the council decided to install the present system of an incandescent lamp in the center of each street, at the street and alley intersections, which has thus far proved satisfactory. The electric company several times has changed hands, and for a while operated an artificial ice plant in connection with the lighting, but the latter proved unprofitable arid was abandoned. Finally, some four years ago, the whole plant was sold to the Eaton Lighting Company, which has been operating it since that time.

In 1913 the Ernest Nursery Company started a nursery plant at Eaton, with its office and rooms in the old bedstead factory. This company seems to be doing a good business and has many acres now in nursery stock.

In 1909 H. M. Young formed the Eaton Cement Tile Company, for the manufacture of cement tile, and buildings were erected on Garrison branch, about one-half mile southwest of Eaton. Improved machinery was installed and the company has succeeded in building up an extensive business, both at home and in shipping tile to neighboring counties.

There have been several large tobacco warehouses in Eaton, where the tobacco was stored, handled, sweated and sold, J. L. Quinn's warehouse, built in 1862, being the first. Then followed the Musselman, Glick, Kingbush and Christman warehouses, which for a time furnished considerable employment, but now all but one or two are used for other purposes, and {hese are simply shipping stations for the buyers, the tobacco generally being handled elsewhere. J. L. Quinn continued in the business until his death, after which his son. Nelson Quinn, continued the business for a number of years, and still buys some tobacco, lmt not as extensively as formerly. The tremendous extent and amount of the tobacco business of the county at the present time may be noted by turning to the agricultural statistics for the county.

In 1907 the Young Brothers, D. A. and Ed. Young, started a tobacco warehouse just south of the railroad on Cherry street, which they later turned largely into a plant for the manufacturing of "stogies," which business they are still operating successfully.

History Of Eaton Schools

About the first public institution installed in Eaton was the public school. About the year 1807 John Hollingsworth is said to have started a school in a log cabin on Wadsworth street, west of Barron street. Of course it was a subscription school, the school house probably being built in much the same fashion as was the primitive school house described elsewhere in these pages.

Eaton School Buildings

school uses by William Bruce, and in 1811 an act was passed by the Legislature appointing three commissioners to divide up and sell lots B, C and D, the proceeds of the sale to be used in carrying out the purposes for which the lots were dedicated. Lot B was divided into four lots, which were sold for four hundred nine dollars and sixty-six cents, and thirty dollars was paid for another lot, the balance being used to build a frame school house, which building was also used one year for holding court. There were, of course, schools, more or less each year, but no records of these pioneer seats of learning have been kept.

In 1826 Abner Haines came to town and taught subscription school for a term or two, the terms being of three months' duration. During the next four years the school was taught by George D. Hendrix, who said that at one time he enrolled one hundred and twenty pupils. He taught the "three Rs," and spelling and grammar, teaching eight to ten hours a day all grades from "A, B, C" up. The pens used in the school were made by the teacher from goose-quills, for all the writing pupils and copies were painstakingly set for a pattern.

In 1849 the Legislature passed an act authorizing villages to organize graded schools, giving the board entire power over the school, with the proviso that there should be eight months of school each year.

Eaton was organized into district No. 4, one and one-half miles square, the directors being given power to levy a tax on the entire district for money for the school, up to three mills on the dollar. George D. Hendrix and Felix Marsh were both in the Legislature, and by voice and vote helped pass the act. Of course a "howl" went up from a certain class, but the mass of the people were for the law.

A contract was let for the building of a new school house on the lot at the southeast corner of Barron and High streets. The old buildings were sold, and a building was erected at a cost of three thousand six hundred dollars, in which school was opened on December 2, 1850, with four teachers, David M. Morrow being the superintendent. In 1858 it was decided to build another school house, one not proving sufficient, and four acres of land were purchased of Hardin Bruce at the southwest corner of Israel street and Franklin road, and on this tract in 1864 a fine two-storv building was erected, which since has been locally known as the South school building. In 1870 the board set out many trees on the grounds, the same today generally being regarded as the finest school grounds in the county, many of the trees having grown to good size, making the campus an ideal play ground.

it was decided to erect a large central building on the old lot on Barron street. A three-story building, containing sixteen school rooms, basement, and other necessary rooms, was built, the same being finished and furnished in 1884, at a cost of something over fifty-five thousand dollars. This is called the North school building.

The organization of the Eaton schools into a graded system really began with the act of 1849, but it was nearly twenty-five years before the plan was completely worked out to success, the first class to be designated as high school graduates having been graduated in 1872, since which time there has been a graduating class each year.

Eaton S Water-Works System

Up to 1890 the water used in the city came from wells, but there had been an agitation going on for better potable water, and in that year the question of issuing bonds for building a municipally-owned water-works was submitted to the people, and it passed by a great majority. The plant was built in 1891 and 1892, with a pumping capacity great enough to supply the town for many years to come, the supply being obtained from driven wells in the valley of Seven-Mile creek, just northwest of town, driven to a depth ranging from eighty-five to one hundred and twenty feet in depth, from which is obtained an ample supply of the finest quality of water.

In order to complete the system another issue of bonds had been voted, the total first cost of the system being seventy-five thousand dollars, to which some twenty thousand dollars has since been added for extensions, machinery and improvements. The water-works plant soon became self-supporting and now for many years the income from the water rents, which are very reasonable, has been ample to keep the plant up-to-date. Since the plant's

The water-tower, at the northwest corner of the town, consists 04 fifty feet of stone foundation, surmounted by an iron water-tower, twenty feet in diameter by eighty-five feet in height.

Sanitary Sewer System

In 1907 a vote was taken to issue bonds for a complete sanitary-sewer system and a partial storm-sewer system, which propositions were carried by a majority so great that it may be set down as overwhelming. The systems were built in 1908-9, under A. L. Reid, civil engineer, who had prepared the plans. A sewage-disposal plant was erected in the valley, about two-thirds of a mile south of the town, to which all sewer pipes lead, while the storm sewers find an outlet in both Seven-Mile creek and Rocky run. Since the construction, repairs on the sewer system have amounted practically to nothing.

The total cost of the whole sewer system and disposal plant was about one hundred and thirty thousand dollars. So successfully have the waterworks and sewer plant been operated, both in points of efficiency and economy, that there is a growing demand that the town build and own and operate its own electric-lighting plant in connection with the waterworks plant, and thus control all its public utilities. The growth of the agitation probably will depend upon the continued success of the operation of those public utilities now owned by the city.

Streets And Roadways

From the earliest times down to about 1888, the making of the streets of the village was entirely with an inferior quality of gravel, because a good quality was not readily obtainable in that locality, but in the year named a movement was started for better streets, and the council decided on crushed limestone from the quarries in Seven-Mile creek, which, at various times, for several years was used, but the stone proved too soft. A change then was made to crushed boulders for a number of years. In 1912 the council paved Main street, east of the railroad crossing, with Me Adam and Tarvia. Then, after a petition thereto, the council, in 1914, paved Main street from the railroad crossing west to the Richmond pike, and North Cherry street to Mechanic street, with what is called cement asphalt, from curb tfo curb, except nine feet wide, in the center of Main street, which is of brick; this being the first paved street ever built in the county. Like all improvements, this measure was won only by the determined efforts of the public-spirited citizens, backed by their determination to have a better town.

There are ten county roads leading into the town from different directions, all of which are of good macadam or gravel for from seven to fifteen miles from Eaton.

In 1835 a fire engine and hose company was organized to fight fires. The council purchased a hand-engine, called "Water Witch/' and the company, composed of many of Eaton's best citizens, regularly drilled and practiced with the engine, being incited thereto for two reasons: the fear of fires in a village composed mostly of wood houses, and because, as members of such company, they were freed from militia duty and from working out their poll tax.

Several minor fires gave them practice. On the night of Saturday, June 4, 1859, a great fire started in the building immediately east of the Minor block and swept east to the fire wall of the Longnecker grocery and west to Barron street, thence north nearly to the alley, and the little engine did effective work in staying the fire. The loss incurred was estimated at about fifty thousand dollars and the fire generally has been attributed to safe robbers, who are supposed to have set the fire to hide their robbery, which probably was the work of local talent.

Just one month later, on the night of July 4, 1859, a fire started in a bakery about two doors east of the present court-house grounds. This fire burned two buildings east and worked west, destroying the town hall, a three-story building, situated on the east fifty feet of what is now the courthouse grounds and stopped because there was nothing else to burn. The Masonic fraternity owned the third story of the town hall, twenty-six by sixty feet, and saved its furniture and records. The buildings were all frame and their places were taken hy substantial brick buildings, the new block being styled Commercial Row.

After this latter fire the county commissioners took over the town hall lot and added it to the court house yard. As the Masonic lodge had no rebuilding clause in its title to the third story, it found itself the owner of a space twenty-six by sixty feet, twenty-four feet off the ground, and no foundation, literally "up in the air" and unavailable as a title.

In 1872 the council purchased an Ahrens steam fire engine, which has been kept in perfect working order ever since, as a safety measure, but since 1892 entire dependence has been placed on the hose wagon and fire plugs of the waterworks. The hose wagon is still drawn by horses, but the council already has taken action and, by the time this account is in print, the town will be equipped with one of the best auto fire trucks. Thus horseflesh will have lost another job.

There have been other fires since 1859, but, as compared to the destruction wrought by the two above described, they were of minor importance. The volunteer fire company is still maintained and holds regular meetings on the second Tuesday evening of each month.

Dread Visitation Of Cholera

The most fearful calamity that ever befell the town was in July and August, 1849, still styled in local annals the cholera year. The disease seemed to come into this county as an epidemic from Boston, Indiana, which was on the stage route from Cincinnati to Richmond. _ Eaton at that time had a population of about twelve hundred. On July 9 John Ulery, a fiveyear-old boy, died, and almost daily thereafter from one to nine died, until there was a reign of terror. Half of the people deserted the town and stores were closed until only the store of L. T. McCabe was kept open. The sextons could not provide graves rapidly enough and were helped by some of the town's most prominent citizens. Doctors and preachers remained on duty and some fifteen or twenty men banded themselves together and pledged each other to stay and do what they could. Of this plucky band only one, Andrew Mikesell, fell a victim to the terror that walketh in the night. When September came the disease abated. It then was found that about one hundred of the townspeople had fallen, besides many in the country, of all ages and conditions of life. In two months nearly every tenth person had died ; sadness was in every house, and the memory of that awful year is yet like a nightmare to our people. In 1854 cholera again appeared, but claimed but few victims.

I am indebted to "Uncle" James V. Acton for the above description of that cholera year. He lived in Eaton and stayed there during the plague, losing father and mother by the scourge.

In 1869 the council decided to erect a town hall at the southwest corner of Barron and Somers streets, on a lot there purchased. Bonds were issued for the purpose and in September of that year the project was started, the township of Washington, having no building or office for township purposes, uniting with the town, the township to have the southeast room on the first floor, fifteen by thirty feet. The building was completed in 1870, at a cost of twenty-one thousand five hundred dollars. About 1888 an addition was erected at the rear of the building for the use of the fire engine and to increase the capacity of the room on the^ second floor. The building is now too small for the purposes of the village, and a movement is being agitated for a new and larger building at some central location. m

Industrial And Commercial

The first coal for fuel purposes was probably shipped to the town by G. H. Eidson during or very soon after the Civil War, and he continued in the business as a coal dealer until his death, more than thirty years later. The business proved very remunerative and, wood becoming scarcer each year, others entered into competition, until today there are three or four coal yards, each seeming to have a good business, the old Eidson yard being yet in operation under Nelson Quinn and son, with the firm style of Quinn & Company. It is not my purpose to advertise the business of any one, hence I shall content myself with giving the number of the business houses in the town engaged in the various occupations. There are sixteen groceries, five dry-goods stores, three notion stores, two bakeries, five hardware stores, three drug stores, four butcher shops, one book store, one dairy, one creamery, three livery stables, four garages, one canning factory, one ice company, two grain elevators, two lumber yards, three monument shops, three plumbers, four or five blacksmiths, four barber shops, three places where furniture may be purchased, three jewelers, three milliners, three shoe stores, three clothing stores, two agricultural machinery stores, one candy store, one bowling alley, two poolrooms, one tailor shop, two harness shops, one florist, one gardener, two hotels, four restaurants, one express office and a number of small shops of various trades that supply a local demand, besides nine churches and two banks. These do the business of the town and surrounding community.

There has been a band organized at different times in Eaton for the last seventy-five years, but men died or moved or dissension arose and these several organizations disbanded, to be reorganized again. Just now the band seems to be in a state of innocuous desuetude. William H. H. Eson and Charles Churchill have pulled it together each time for forty years past, and the community is awaiting expectantly their further announcements.

Anti-Saloon Activities

The temperance movement in Eaton seems to have begun in 1846, in which year a lodge of the Sons of Temperance was started in that town, which lasted only about three years. This movement was followed in 1850 by a lodge of the Temple of Honor, which dwindled away. In 1867 a lodge of Good Templars was organized and continued actively to urge temperance for several years. In 1877 the Murphy movement began and many persons were induced to sign the pledge. For some three years the movement seemed to prosper and its eventual disbandment has always been attributed to dissension in the ranks over the many methods suggested for securing what they wanted, people losing interest in the discussions of theorists. Another long sleep ensued, until about the year 1903 or 1904, when the Anti-Saloon League began to attract attention by its successes, victories secured by ignoring all party lines and calling the public's attention to the character of men and measures, regardless of what party the league's advocacy helped or hurt. Under the referendum law, passed but a year or so before, the people, in November, 1908, filed a petition for a vote of the entire county. The election was held on December 14, 1908, resulting in the voting of the whole county "dry" by over one thousand majority, and on January 13, 1909, the saloons of the county closed their doors. There were saloons at that time only in West Manchester and Eaton, all the other villages having been voted "dry*' under the Beall law.

Since the above date no open saloons have existed in the county, but under the repeal of the county unit law, by vote of the state in 1914, saloons may be opened in the two villages that gave a "wet" majority, and before this is in print it is claimed there will be saloons opened in both towns. The agitation is still going on and the end is not yet in sight. On May 1, 1915, after being out six and one-fourth years, two saloons opened and by June 1 the "wets" promise to have four more.

Black Page In Eaton S Annals

There is one black page in the history of the town that all good citizens of Eaton regret. On the evening of December 7, 1886, a man named William Mussle, a ne'er-do-well, was given a night's lodging by Daniel Christman, a well-to-do farmer some two miles northwest of Eaton. Mussle slew the old man with an axe as he was returning from the barn, ransacked the house for money, securing twenty dollars in gold; then beat the old wife over the head with a club, and, leaving her for dead, fired the house to conceal his crime and fled. Mrs. Christman, aroused by the fire reaching her, succeeded in quenching the fire, gave the alarm and search was made for Mussle far and wide, but for ten days without success. At last, on account of a picture and description published in the Cincinnati Enquirer, the murderer was arrested while working for a farmer in central Illinois. He was later identified by the officers from this county, and brought to the Eaton jail on December 21, 1886. Great crowds filled the streets, excited by the atrocity of the crime, and attempted to take him from the sheriff, but without success. After dark, however, word was passed to those wanted and a meeting was held in the engine room, to which only those were admitted who passed inspection of the doorkeeper. Shortly after eight o'clock at night a crowd of some eighty or more men, unmasked, swept down the street in a solid body, overpowered the sheriff, beat ih the jail door with a sledge hammer, and took Mussle out and hanged him to one of the arms of the electric-light tower, at the corner of the court-house yard, and then dispersed.

An effort was made, half-hearted perhaps, to indict some of the members of the mob, but without success. This is the only time that mob law has been allowed to predominate in our county. The better citizens waked up. and, a time or two since, when excited men have tried to start another riot, the alarm went out and the rioters found there were plenty of determined men behind the walls, armed with Winchesters, and on each occasion the mob melted as silently as a snow bank before May sunshine.

The first physician to locate in Eaton was Dr. Walter Buel, who arrived in 1808 and who continued to practice there until about 1828, in which year he moved to Indiana, his death occurring there a few years later. During the first three or four years of his residence in Eaton he was the only doctor in the village and his professional travel, away from town, was along forest trails. l7or his gentle kindness he was loved by all and his services were in much demand.

In 1811 Doctor Henderson arrived from Kentucky and was regarded as an able doctor, but being of a domineering disposition and sometimes given to swearing at his patients, he accumulated few real friends, although people were willing to admit his skill as a doctor. He died in 1824.

About 1820 Jesse Paramore, who also came from Kentucky, moved to town, and soon became the foremost doctor of the community, having pronounced success in his treatment of fevers, which were then common. He was elected the first mayor of Eaton, in 1836, and served in such official capacity in addition to maintaining his large practice. He is said to have been very reasonable in his charges. He died in Eaton in 1857.

Dr. Pliny M. Crume moved from Butler county, Ohio, to Eaton in 1833 and practiced there for thirty years. He was regarded as one of the best-read and ablest physicians of the county, having been for a while a professor in a Cincinnati medical school. He moved to Wabash county, Indiana, where he had a son living, and died there some years ago.

Dr. William H. H. B. Minor arrived in Eaton in 1835 and practiced medicine successfully there until 1851, in which year he entered the dry goods business, but soon sold out and started a drug store, which, being more to his liking, he continued to operate until his death. He was a successful business man and built what has ever since been known as the Minor block.

Dr. James B. Welsh arrived in Eaton in 1858 and soon secured an extensive practice, being for many years regarded as one of the ablest physicians of the county in his treatment of certain ailments, especially old chronic cases and diseases of children. He held the confidence and esteem of our citizens until his death, some dozen years ago.

Dr. P. M. Small, born in 1834, began the practice of medicine in Eaton in 1859, and secured a wide practice. He was a light, active man, and for a number of years covered a wider territory with his practice than any doctor in the town. He was graduated from both the old school and the eclectic school of medicine and freely counselled with the local physicians of both schools. He died some fifteen years ago in Eaton.

Dr. A. H. Stephens, born in Eaton in 1818, began practice in Camden in 1848, with Doctor Dunham. When the Civil war began he enlisted as regimental surgeon in the Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and (21) served three years, then began practice in Eaton and there continued until his death, about twenty-five years ago. His practice in the army gave him a reputation as a surgeon which he well sustained. He was a large man with a genial wit, and seldom allowed himself to be ruffled.

Dr. James L. Quinn, born in this county in 1841, was graduated from Miami Medical College in 1869 and was for a year resident physician of the Cincinnati hospital. In 1872 he began practice in Eaton and was regarded as one of the best-read physicians in the town. He held the office of coroner several terms and died while in office, in 1913, universally respected by all for his fine scholarship and gentlemanly qualities.

There have been quite a number of other doctors who have for longer or shorter terms practiced medicine in the village and then moved to other territory, but who did not leave the impression upon the people that those named did.

Following is a list of Eaton's present doctors : Dr. A. A. Lovett, born in 1849, began practice in Eaton in 1878, and later married Nettie, daughter of Doctor Minor. Dr. F. M. Michael, born in 1849, began practice in 1879, and later married Minnie, daughter of J. H. Foos, attorney. These two are the oldest practitioners in the village. Then come L. R. Pryor, C. W. Conley, J. C. Ryder, George W. Flory, H. Z. Silver and E. E. Welsh. They are graduates of the various schools of medicine, some of them of two different schools. I can truthfully say of each and all that they are good doctors, and if occasion should require I should not hesitate to employ any one of them. All have good practices and it would be a useless task to try to single out any one as the superior. All are useful citizens.

An Interesting Comparison

In order that the reader may compare Eaton of today with Eaton in 1839, I submit an excerpt taken from the Ohio Gazetteer of that date, covering industrial and commercial conditions at that time : "There is one gristmill, one saw-mill, one fulling-mill, one carding machine and one machine for manufacturing gun barrels, all operated by the water of Seven-Mile creek. The town contains about one hundred and forty-five houses, thirty shops, three taverns, fifteen stores and groceries, two school houses, three churches, two tanneries, four pork houses, one printing office, three lawyers and three doctors, and about one thousand people, supplied by mail daily by stage from Dayton, Richmond and Hamilton, and one weekly mail by horseback from Lebanon." Those good old times would not satisfy us now.

In 1902 the United States postal authorities started rural free delivery from the Eaton postoffice, and there are now ten rural routes out of the town. In December, 1913, the postoffice started delivering mail twice daily in Eaton, free delivery.

The first church organized in Eaton was the church known there as the Christian church, which was organized at the house of Nathan Sellers, about a mile south of Eaton in 1807, in which organization Reuben Dooley, Barton W. Stone and David Purviance were the chief movers. Within a year or so a public church was built in the southwest part of the town and the church continued until about 1830, when, on account of much discussion by the church members of the proper method and necessity of baptism, it is said, the church suspended. In 1841 Nathan Sellers again got the members together, the church was reorganized, and has continued as a vital organization, until today it is one of the strongest churches in the county. In i860 a movement was started to build a new church building and a subscription was started for the purpose, but after earnest canvassing the committees reported that they could not raise sufficient funds and it seemed they must abandon the project. Cornelius Vanausdal, hearing of the probable failure, subscribed about one thousand four hundred dollars, the balance needed. A brick church was built, at a cost of about four thousand five hundred dollars, being completed in 1861.