MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL -175 with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He married Mary, daughter of Andrew Karch, of Troy, who died without issue in 1914. John E. Laufer, senior member of the leading grocery concern of Laufer Brothers, at Troy, Ohio, and one of the self-made men of this community who has risen through his own efforts to a substantial position, was born at Piqua, Ohio, January 8, 1877, a son of Fred and Bertha (Eckerle) Laufer, who came to Miami county in 1873. One of a family of five children, Mr. Laufer attended the public and parochial schools of Troy, after leaving which he was employed in Peters' Tree Nursery for three years, his brother Frederick working there for six months. John E. Laufer was only sixteen years of age when he began his connection with the grocery business, and for a long period of years he worked for others, in the meantime thoroughly familiarizing himself with all details of the industry. Eventually, in 1906, he and his brother, Frederick, formed a partnership and founded the business of Laufer Brothers, which has since developed into one of the leading grocery establishments of Troy, with a large, representative and constantly-growing patronage. Mr. Laufer stands justly high in the esteem and confidence of his associates in the business world and in the confidence of his patrons. He has capably discharged the duties of citizenship and during the war period was a generous contributor to the various measures. As a fraternalist he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He married Ella, daughter of William Hennessy, of Troy, and they have six children : Loretta, born in 1909; William, born in 1911 ; John, born in 1913 ; Robert, born in 1915 ; Paul, born in 1916, and Eleanor, born in 1918. Thomas C. Leonard, president of the Tippecanoe National Bank of Tippecanoe City, and formerly for forty-two years identified with the manufacturing interests of this city, was born in 185o, at Covington, Ohio; a son of Joseph and Margaret (Lindsay) Leonard, and a brother of Serepta Leonard. Mr. Leonard attended the public schools of Covington, where he received his introduction to commercial affairs in connection with a dry goods enterprise, and in 1876 came to Tippecanoe City, where he took the management of a wheel works. Under his management this grew steadily, developing into one of the leading manufacturing concerns of the city, and in 1918, after forty-two years of continuous business activity, Mr. Leonard disposed of his interests to the Northern Manufacturing Company. During this period Mr. Leonard's business and financial connections had been numerous and important, and on January 1, 1920, he was re-elected president of the Tippecanoe National Bank, a position which he has retained for many years. He is widely known in banking and. business circles as a man of sound conservatism and proved ability. As a fraternalist he is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Leonard married Mary, daughter of Jacob Rohrer, and to this union there have been born three children : J. E., who married Mildred Smith and has five children, Betty Ann, 176 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY Thomas, Mary E., Jean and J. E., Jr. ; Louis C., who served on the front in France during the World war as a member of an ammunition train company in the Thirty-seventh division, American Expeditionary Forces, and is a member of the various Masonic bodies, including the Scottish Rite and Shrine ; and Margery, who married Herman Schultz and has one child, Leonard. Mr. Schultz is a Mason. William K. Leonard, president of the Piqua Hosiery Company, is one of the leading business citizens of Piqua. He was born at Covington, Ohio, September 16, 1865, a son of Lewis and Charity. E. (Kendall) Leonard, the father being entitled to the title of captain by reason of his service in that rank during the Civil war. Captain Leonard was born in, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and in early life was a saddler by trade. Leaving Pennsylvania he came to Covington, Ohio, and worked at his trade until the outbreak of the Civil war interrupted his career and demanded four years of his life. Upon his return he engaged in the general store business, as well as the grain business, and in 1869 came to Piqua and entered into partnership with William Orr and William N. Kendall in the manufacture of linseed oil, in 187o. Subsequently, he also engaged in the manufacture of strawboard and was one of the founders of the Union Underwear Company, a concern that later was moved to Greenville. He passed away at Piqua, greatly esteemed and honored, in 1900. Mr. Leonard married Charity E., daughter of William and Barbara (Billingsley) Kendall, the Billingsleys being pioneers of Miami county. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard were the parents of seven children : John H. ; Mrs. Amelia L. Daniels, whose son Thomas L. was a captain of artillery during the recent war ; Mrs. Grace L. Bredin, whose son Lewis L. was a captain in the aviation branch of the service during the late war and won much fame as an ace pilot in France ; Forrest K., who was drowned in 1884 ; Lee I., who died in 1889 ; Lewis L., who died in Two, and William K. William K. Leonard was educated in the public schools of Piqua and at the University of Pennsylvania, and after leaving the latter engaged in the linseed oil business with his father. He became secretary-treasurer of the Piqua Hosiery Company, of which concern he is now president. This has become one of the leading enterprises of its kind in the State and adds much to Piqua's commercial importance and prestige. The position which Mr. Leonard occupies in the esteem and confidence of his associates is evidenced by the fact that he is president of the Ohio Manufacturers' Association. He belongs to the Piqua Club, the Golf Club, the Dayton Club and the Athletic Club of Columbus, and is a Scottish Rite and Knight Templar Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He was prominent in all war activities and acted as chief of the American Protective League, Miami county division. Mr. Leonard is likewise vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Piqua. He was married in 1888 to Nannie C., daughter of William W. Wood, and to this union there were born two sons : Kenneth, who attended the University of Virginia and was with the Piqua Hosiery Com- MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 177 pany until he entered the aviation service during the great war and was commissioned a second lieutenant, and William W., a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, who enlisted in the University of Pennsylvania Medical unit and drove an ambulance in France until the signing of the Armistice. For distinguished service he was decorated with the Croix de Guerre. The mother of these sons died in 1903 and in 1910 Mr. Leonard married Mrs. Edith (Albers) Merchant, who is a daughter of Henry and Susan R. Albers, of Los Angeles, Calif. Amos W. Light, a leading druggist of Piqua, has been identified with this line of commercial industry since 1891. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 7, 1873, a son of John Louis and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Light, also of Cincinnati. He has one sister, Edith, and one brother, Arthur, the latter a physician at Cincinnati. After graduating from Woodward High School at Cincinnati, Amos W. Light attended the Cincinnati Medical School for two years, after which he turned his attention to the study of pharmacy and after a course of two years was graduated from the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy in 1891. At that time he entered the drug business in his native city, where he remained until September, 1918, at that time coming to Piqua and establishing himself in business at Broadway and High streets, where he has since built up a large and lucrative patronage. Mr. Light is a thoroughly capable business man and one whose sound integrity in business transactions has Won him respect and standing in commercial circles. He is a valued and popular member of the local lodge of Elks and has other connections of a social and civic character. Mr. Light married Leah, daughter of William and Mary (Lyford) Burdsal, of Cincinnati, and they have two children : Amos and Virginia Leah. L. N. Lindenberger, M. D., a well-known physician of Troy, although he has been engaged in practice here for only a short period, is a veteran of the great World war. He was born at Troy, September 10, 1886, a son of Dr. L. M. and Mary E. (Norton) Lindenberger, of Farmington, Me. Dr. L. M. Lindenberger was born at Delaware, Ohio, educated at Oberlin College, and graduated in medicine at Bellevue. For a time he taught school in Miami county, his medical work being commenced at Casstown, where he resided two years, then coming to Troy, where he assumed a prominent place in his profession and retained it until his death, July 23, 1919. He was a prominent and influential citizen of his community and for some years a member of the board of education. The Norton family is of old original Yankee stock, having located on Martha's Vineyard Island, off the coast of Maine, as early as 163o. One of the ancestors, Maj. Peter Norton, was a distinguished soldier of the War of the Revolution, and in the early days the Nortons were noted seafaring men, Ichabod Norton having been a master whaler of New Bedford, Mass. Madame Nordica, the famous operatic star, was a Norton by descent and a full cousin of Mrs. Dr. L. M. Lindenberger. One of two children born to his parents, his brother John being deceased, L. N. Lindenberger secured his early educa- III—12 178 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY tion in the graded and high schools of Troy and then entered Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated in 1908, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For two years he taught in the high school at Sidney, Ohio, and then took part of his freshman course in medicine at the Harvard School of Medicine but finished his medical studies in the medical department of the University of Cincinnati. He became an interne in the Cincinnati Hospital, and after competitive examination was made chief receiving physician of the hospital. His career at this time was interrupted by the entrance of the United States into the -World war, and, called for military service August II, 1917, Doctor Lindenberger enlisted in the Medical Reserve corps. He was assigned to the Medical Officers Training corps, at Fort Benjamin Harrison, and in November, 1917, was sent to Camp Taylor, where he was placed in complete charge in handling the epidemic of cerebro-spinal meningitis. Doctor Lindenberger was next commissioned first lieutenant and ordered to the Cincinnati General Hospital, where he mobilized the enlisted personnel for Base Hospital No. 25. He was then promoted to captain of the United States Medical corps and ordered to the base hospital at Camp Sherman, from there going to Camp Mills, and June 23, 1918, being ordered to sail for France. On his arrival on foreign soil, Doctor Lindenberger was attached to Base-Hospital No. 25, near the village of Allery-Saone-et-Loire, and remained there until April 23, 1919. During this time he acted as commanding officer of enlisted men in the medical department and later was advanced to the rank of adjutant. Returning to the United States, he was mustered out of the service May 8, 1919, and resumed his post as chief receiving physician at the Cincinnati General Hospital, a position which he retained until September, 1919, when he returned to Troy to succeed to his father's practice. He has already made much progress in his profession and is rapidly becoming accepted as one of the leaders among the younger physicians and surgeons of the city. Doctor Lindenberger is a member of the board of health, of the county, state and national medical bodies and of the Sigma Chi and Alpha Kappa Kappa fraternities. He is likewise a Mason, and belongs to Clifford Thompson Post of the American Legion. Walter Le Fevre. In presenting, in these volumes, the lives of such men of Miami county, who have deserved well of their fellow-citizens, the biographer should not forget those. who, although unobtrusive in their everyday life, yet by their individuality and force of character assisted in advancing in every way the interests of the community in which they live. In an extended search it would be difficult to find one who better than Walter Le Fevre gave substantial proof of the wisdom of Lincoln, when he said, "There is something better than making a living, making a life." Seemingly with a realization of this great truth he labored persistently and energetically, not only to win success but to make his life a source of benefit to his fellow men. By his own honorable exertions and moral attributes, he carved out for himself a place MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 179 among the most prominent and substantial citizens of his county. Kind-hearted, generous, always sympathetic for the frailties of others, possessed of a never failing fount of good humor, no man in this community could claim more friends or fewer enemies than he whose name is the caption of this review. Le Fevre has been a distinguished name in American history from the earliest settlement of the country and no generation since then has been without its leading citizens of this cognomen. In the past the name has had various spellings, but "Le Fevre" is now of general usage in America as well as France and England. The coat of arms is thus described : The body of the shield in black, a trefoil slipper is in gold in the upper right and left corners ; the chevron across the center is in silver beneath which is a maltese cross in gold. Then we have below this a bazant in gold representing a gold coin. The motto is "Sans Changes," meaning "without change." The crest is exquisite in design, the trunk of a tree couped and eradicated in fess ; between the branches, growing from the trunk, is the flower of France, the Fleur de Lis. The first of the name of Le Fevre, of which our subject is a descendant, to reach America's shores was Isaac Le Fevre, who landed in New York State in 1708. The Le Fevres of France numbered among them, the Duke of Dantzia, Francois Joseph Le Fevre, who was one of Napoleon's greatest gen- erals, and Shaw Le Fevre, of England, who was a member of theHouse of Lords. Among those of American history, was Hipolyte Le Fevre, of Salem, N. J., who was in 1676 a member of the Famous Council of John Fenwick. Andres and Simon Le Fevre signed the Treaty of May 26, 1677, with the Indian Sachems of New York. Among the others was George Le Fevre, of Revolutionary renown ; Col. Daniel Le Fevre of the War of 1812; Major John F. Reynolds killed in the battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863 ; Admiral W. S. Schley, and many others of the Le Fevres have filled prominent places in civil life. (I) Isaac Le Fevre, the emigrant who died in 1736, had married Catherine Fierre, and to them were born six children : Abraham, Philip, Daniel, Mary, Esther and Samuel. (II) Daniel, to whom our subject traced his ancestry, was born on his father's farm, in the Pequea valley, March 29, 1713, and married in 1738, Mary Cathean. To them were born eight children : Christian, Mary, Catherine, Elias, David, Esther and Daniel, and a boy who died in infancy. (III) Christian, who was born near Frederick, Md., June 12, 1786, and married in 1808 Jessie Maloy. To this union were born thirteen children : Sarah, John, Elizabeth, Minor, Naomi, Amy, Reason, James, Alfred, Cyrus, Christian, Solomon and Mary. (IV) Cyrus was born in 1824 and died in 1894. He married Caroline Babb, after whose death he married her sister, Minerva Babb. To the first union were born three children : our subject, Walter Le Fevre and his brother Frank, whose biography appears on other pages in these volumes, and one died in infancy (a son who was the second in order of birth). (V) 'Walter Le Fevre was born on the same farm as his father July 23, 1857, a son of Cyrus and Caroline (Babb) Le Fevre, previously referred to. He was educated in the 180 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY Staunton township district school. After laying aside his text books, Mr. Le Fevre assisted his father on the home farm until the latter's death. The farm then came into his possession and Mr. Le Fevre engaged here in general farming until March, 1900. On the seventeenth day of September, 1884, Walter Le Fevre was united in marriage with Miss Eva Campbell, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Wellinger) Campbell, and they remained on the farm until March, 1900, when they moved to Troy, and here Mr. Le Fevre passed away March 20, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Le Fevre were the parents of a son, Vernon, who is connected with The Troy National Bank and whose biography succeeds this. In concluding this review of the life of Mr. Le Fevre it may be said that he lived a fine life and lived it well, and he was happiest when busiest. In any relation and in any emergency he was prompt and dependable. He had confidence and courage and he was always ready to meet any obligations. He had a clear conception of things and the right regard for what was best in the exercise of human activities. With all the elements of a strong character in all his relations of life, business, public and personal, he measured up to the highest standard of a loving husband, a noble father and a splendid citizen. Vernon Campbell Le Fevre was born on the farm that has been in possession of his family for 115 years, July 12, 1886, the son of Walter L. Le Fevre. He attended the district school and Troy High School, graduating with the class of 1904. He entered the business world in the Troy National Bank in 1903, as an accountant, and was promoted to the position of teller in 1913, which work he is still continuing. Mr. Le Fevre is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery, and is a past officer in the Franklin lodge No. 14 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is active in other Masonic organizations. He was married June 23, 1907, to Edna Harr, daughter of Juel and Louisa Phillipi Harr. Juel Harr was a former clothing merchant of Troy, now deceased. Two sons were born to Vernon and Edna LeFevre : Richard K., and Frederick C. Mr. Le Fevre is a Republican and takes an active interest in politics. He is a member of the first Presbyterian church. Frank Le Fevre. Of few of the farms of Miami county can it be said that they have remained under one family name for 115 years, but this is the case with the Le Fevre farm, now owned by Frank Le Fevre in Staunton township. The Le Fevre family originated in France and was founded in America at the time of the expulsion of the Huguenots, when the original emigrant fled to this country to escape persecution because of his religious faith, and settled in Maryland. Christian Le Fevre, the grandfather of Frank Le Fevre, was born in 1786, and when still a young man migrated to Miami county, Ohio, from Maryland, bringing with him his bride, who was born in 1789, and to whom he was married March 17, 1808. He had secured a buckskin deed to 262 acres of land, signed by President Monroe, this property being located near the present site of Troy, although at that early date there were no indi- MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 181 cations of the flourishing city that was to arise here. Building his little log cabin in the timber, this sturdy pioneer took tip the work of clearing and cultivatiOn, assisted in building the road through to Cincinnati, and rounded out a worthy and honorable career in the pursuits of farming and stock raising. He and his wife were the parents of eight sons and five daughters. His death occurred December 6, 1871. Cyrus H. Le Fevre was born in Miami county in 1824, was educated in the early district schools and reared to the pursuits of farming. In 1856 he married Caroline Babb, a member of another early family of this county, and they became the parents of three children : one child who died in infancy ; -Walter, who farmed a part of the home tract until his death in March, 1918, when he left one son, Vernon, born in 1885, a banker of Troy, and Frank. Cyrus H. Le Fevre was a farmer throughout his life in Miami county and added many improvements to the home farm. He was a man of sterling integrity Who had the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens and who contributed in marked degree to the welfare of his locality. His death occurred October 26, 1894, and he was survived only one year by his widow. Frank Le Fevre was born on the home place which has always been his residence and secured his education in the district schools of Staunton township. During the entire period of his active career he applied himself to general farming, in addition to which he carried on some thoroughbred stock raising, and his labors were attended by uniform success. In 1902 a cyclone visited this region and demolished the barns and outhouses, in addition to practically destroying the house, and these buildings were all replaced by Mr. Le Fevre, who also added new equipment. At this time he is living retired from active pursuits, but interests himself in the supervision of the home farm. He has always been a helpful participant in local affairs, and during the war period acted as a member of the draft registration board and the Liberty Loan committees and subscribed generously to all movements, while Mrs. Le Fevre worked energetically in behalf of the Red Cross. September 20, 1892, Mr. Le Fevre was united in marriage with Miss Clara Lovina Schram, of Pleasant Hill, Ohio, of German parentage, and an agricultural family. One child was born .to this union, Helen May, who married in October, 1919, Alfred Fish, connected with the Hobart Manufacturing Company, of Troy, Ohio, who enlisted in May, 1917, in the Quartermaster's corps at Camp Sherman, and received his honorable discharge in May, 1919. Adam H. Long. For many years the name of Long has been identified with a successful and honorable grocery and market business at Troy, where two generations of the name have catered to the wants of a large and exclusive patronage. At this time the business is conducted by Adam H. Long, who was born at Troy, October 26, 1880, a son of M. H. and Mary (Strubel) Long. There were two children in the family : Cora, the wife of Dr. Frank Hyde, a practicing dental physician of Detroit, Mich., and Adam H. Adam H. Long received a public school education and on complet- 182 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY ing his studies began his business training in the grocery and market of his father, a native of Troy, who had founded the business a number of years before. At the time of the elder man's retirement the son assumed the management of the business, of which he has been proprietor since 1913. The Long market and grocery has an excellent custom, built up through years of honorable dealing and fostered by the courtesy, energy and progressive ideas of the present owner. Mr. Long takes a good citizen's interest in public matters, and during the war period contributed his share to the various drives. He married Miss Eva Hawley, a. native of Canada, and they are the parents of one child, Wilmot, who is attending school. Kenneth Little. Among the professional men of Troy of acknowledged standing, one who has won his way to prominence in law is Kenneth Little. Mr. Little was born at Bradford, Ohio, August 1, 1887, a son of A. F. and Rebecca (Haley) Little, the former of whom is the publisher of the Bradford (Ohio) Sentinel and the Tribune-Gazette of Covington, Ohio. There were five children in the family : Faith, who is the wife of H. B. Eller, of Bradford ; Kenneth ; Carrol, an educator of Emporia, Kans. ; Russell, and Edna, wife of Harold E. Fross. Kenneth Little was educated at the graded and high schools of Bradford, Ohio, and the Ohio State University, from which he was duly graduated with the degree of Doctor of Laws. He began the practice of his profession at Columbus, Ohio, in 1908, but subsequently changed his field of activity to Troy, where in 1913 he was made chief deputy of the probate court, a capacity in which he acted capably until 1915. He joined the Ohio National Guard in 1905 and at the time that his regiment was called to the Mexican border, held the rank of second lieutenant. He went to the border as second lieutenant of Company A, of Covington, Ohio, and some time thereafter was made first lieutenant, January 22, 1917. Later he was transferred to Company D, of the same regiment, with which he went to France and Belgium, where he saw active service at the front. In the Ypres-Lys offensive he was the only officer of his company who survived death or injury, and after Lieutenant Hess had been killed and Captain Freshour wounded, Lieutenant Little took command of the company, which he reorganized. In spite of the fact that the company was exposed to a murderous flanking fire, Lieutenant Little succeeded in its successful organization, and for three days it continued its steady advance. Later, Lieutenant Little was transferred to Company A and was made assistant division judge advocate at Alancon, France, and this was followed by his transfer to division headquarters and his promotion to the rank of captain, a capacity in Which he served until demobilization. Returning to his native land one month later than the rest of his regiment and division, he resumed the practice of law at Troy, where he has since built up a large, lucrative and important practice. Mr. Little married Cora, daughter of A. W. McCune, of Troy, in June, 1905, and they are the parents of three children : Delmas, Bernard and Don. As a fraternalist, Mr. Little is affiliated with the Masons, the MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 183 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Loyal Order of Moose. Mr. Little is an enthusiastic member of the American Legion, in which he is at present acting as county chairman for Miami county. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Little served as city solicitor of Bradford, Ohio, for three and one-half years, and acted in a like capacity at Troy until his military duties caused him to go elsewhere at which time he resigned. Mr. Little was elected prosecuting attorney for Miami county on November second, by the largest majority ever received by a candidate in this county. Lee B. Looney. In the fertile and productive agricultural community of Spring Creek township, a name that is recognized as belonging to a progressive farmer and substantial citizen is that of Lee B. Looney. Mr. Looney was born in Miami county, a son of George W. Looney, who was a farmer in this locality for many years and was a man of standing and general worth. After following the usual custom of farmers' sons of his day and locality, in attending the district schools during the winter terms and assisting his father during the summer months, Lee B. Looney began agricultural operations on his own account in young manhood, and has continued to follow the pursuits of the soil to the present time, with constantly increasing success. His industry and intelligent treatment of the soil have combined to make his ventures prosperous, while his policy of straightforward dealing has served to make his name honored among his associates. He did a good citizen's duty during the World war period in the way of supporting the enterprises of the Government, and his actions in civic matters have also been commendable. Mr. Looney married Miss Lindeam Long, and to this union there has been born one son, Lee B., Jr. George W. Lorimer, president of the Lorimer Manufacturing Company of Troy, can lay claim to distinction in several widely divergent fields of activity, having been the inventor of the automatic telephone,. a large and successful manufacturer of phonograph motors and an amateur marksman with the championship of the Grand American Handicap to his credit. He was born at Brantford, Ontario, Can., in 1874, a son of James and Harrie A. (Smith) Lorimer, and inherits his ingenuity, or a part thereof, from his father, who was a well-known inventor and manufacturer. Educated in the public schools of Brantford, Mr. Lorimer devoted much of his youth to electrical experimental and laboratory work, and eighteen years were consumed in the perfection of an automatic telephone, in the invention of which he was aided by his brothers, Hoyt and Egbert. When this was found to be successful, it was adopted by many cities in this and other countries, and the patents were finally purchased by the American Bell Telephone Company, which concern controls them at this time. In 1897 Mr. Lorimer located at Piqua, and while there was engaged in telephone experimentation, but also interested himself in other matters, business and public, and in 1914 was elected mayor of that city. In 1915 he 184 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI, VALLEY came to Troy, where he founded the Lorimer-Hicks Company, manufacturers of phonograph motors, which has since been succeeded by the Lorimer Manufacturing Company, with Mr. Lorimer as president. This company is doing a thriving business under the guidance of Mr. Lorimer and its product is meeting with an excellent reception in the various large cities. He is likewise the inventor of several other devices, the most important of which is a sand-mixing machine, which is in general use. Aside from his business connections, Mr. Lorimer is widely known throughout the country as an expert marksman. From boyhood he has been familiar with the skilled use of firearms, and in August, 1919, won the national trapshooting championship, in the Grand American Handicap at Chicago, in a field of 86o entrants from all over the United States and Canada. The prize was a handsome and valuable silver trophy. This was the twentieth annual event of this kind, and was held at the South Shore Country Club, from August I1 to 15. The contestants shot at inanimate targets, and a triple tie resulted among Mr. Lorimer, W. E. Gordon, of Mobile, Ala., and Edward Hellyer, of Alexandria, Pa., each having a score of ninety-eight. In the shootoff, Mr. Lorimer, who shot from eighteen yards and used a Smith gun, broke eighteen targets ; Gordon, shooting from nineteen yards, broke seventeen, and Hellyer, who shot from twenty-one yards, broke sixteen. Mr. Lorimer is a member of the Masons and the Elks. During the war, he enlisted in the ordnance department and was given a commission as captain. With his family he belongs to the Episcopal church.. Mr. Lorimer married Miss Jennie A. Hunter, of Brantford, Can., and they are the parents of three children : Hoyt, a student at St. John's Military Academy, Delafield, Wis.; Genevieve, who is attending the National Cathedral Episcopal School, at Washington, D. C., and Harry, a pupil in the Troy public schools. Leo Louis, one of the progressive and enterprising merchants of Piqua, where he is proprietor of the Piggly-Wiggly store, was born at Piqua, in 1867, a son of David and Regina (Lebensburger) Louis. David Louis was prominent in business circles of Piqua, where he owned and operated a grocery business for many years. He and his wife were the parents of five children : Ralph, Meyer, Abe, Leo and Rose. Leo Louis was educated in the public schools of Piqua and received his business training under the preceptor-ship of his father, with whom he became associated immediately upon leaving school. He succeeded the elder man in the management of the business, and of recent years became interested in the so-called "Piggly-Wiggly" system of selling groceries, establishing stores of this kind at both Piqua and Sidney. Under his progressive and honorable method of management both of these stores have flourished and prospered and Mr. Louis has become one of the successful as well as the highly honored business men of his native city. Mr. Louis married Miss Blanche Wallbrunn, of Chillicothe, Mo., and to them there have been born three children: Clara R., Leo, Jr., and Margery. During the war period Mr. Louis was MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 185 extremely active in assisting the various drives, and is the proud possessor of a certificate presented him in acknowledgment of his accomplishments in the way of selling war bonds. He is still a member of and active worker in the Red Cross. Mr. Louis is a member also of the Jewish Synagogue, the Piqua Club, the Rotary Club, the Masons and the Knights of Pythias and a charter member of the Elks. He has numerous dependable friends who have watched his successful rise with interest. John H. Ireland, the leading optician at West Milton, and an instrumental musician of something more than local reputation, was born in 1889, at West Milton, a son of G. F. and Anna (Applegate) Ireland. During the War of 1812, Henry Ireland, the great-grandfather of John H., was a member of the band at Fort McHenry, which played inspiring music for the little garrison during the heavy bombardment by the British warships, September 14, 1814. It was at this time that Francis Scott Key, who was detained on one of the warships, wrote "The Star Spangled Banner." The grandfather of Mr. Ireland organized a militia company for service in the Union Army during the Civil war, was made its captain, and lost his life in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. G. F. Ireland has been for many years the leading jeweler of West Milton, where he is greatly esteemed and respected, and has served as postmaster. He and his wife have two children : John H. and Mrs. Dr. E. Furnas, of Englewood, Ohio. John H. Ireland received his education in the public schools of West Milton, following which he pursued a course at the Northern Illinois College of Optometry. Graduating therefrom in 1912, he at once entered upon the practice of his calling at West Milton, where he has since built up a large and representative patronage. Mr. Ireland is also an accomplished instrumental musician, and in 1911 enlisted in the Ohio National Guard, being made assistant band leader thereof. When his contingent began training for service in the World war, he was made band leader at Camp Lee, Va., and later went to France, where he served in a like capacity. He has been connected with several musical organizations at West Milton and is an acknowledged artist on several instruments. He takes an active interest in all that affects the welfare of his community, where he is known as a substantial and public spirited citizen and is possessed of numerous friends. Mr. Ireland married Alberta, daughter of Henry Seaman, of Cincinnati. Mason Hooker Lytle, superintendent for the Piqua district of the Dayton Power and Light Company, was born at Dayton, Ohio, March 2, 1887, a son of Harry Voorhees and Hettie Mason (Hooker) Lytle. Mrs. Lytle's mother, who came from Virginia, belonged to the prominent Mason family of that state. The Hookers came from New York, and Gen. Joseph Hooker, of Civil war fame, was a close relative of Mr. Hooker's mother. On the paternal side, also, Mr. Lytle is related to the Voorhees family, of which the renowned Senator Voorhees, of Indiana, was a member. Harry V. Lytle was a shoe manufacturer, of Cincinnati, who later moved 186 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY to Dayton and engaged in business and there is living in comfortable and honorable retirement. Mrs. Lytle died at Dayton, April 18, 1896, the mother of three sons : Mason H., Horace and Harry V., Jr. Mason Hooker Lytle was educated at Dayton and upon leaving the public schools secured a position with the Dayton Power and Light Company. His first position was a humble one, but as he gradually mastered the technical phases of the business and showed his worth and reliability he won advancement until December, 1912, when he was made superintendent of -the Piqua district, a post which he has still retained. Mr. Lytle is a member of the Piqua Club, the Piqua Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club and has been identified with a number of civic, social and business movements which have advanced the city's interest and welfare. He is a member of the board of directors of the Rotary Club. With his family, he holds membership in the Episcopal church. Mr. Lytle married Marion C. daughter of George C. Towle, of Dayton, formerly of Boston, C., and to this union there have been born two children : Mason Hooker, Jr., and George Towle. W. E. Lytle, a leading and reliable member of the Miami county bar, who has been engaged in practice at Troy for some years, was born near Lancaster, Ohio, on a farm July 15, 1871, a son of William and Margaret (Bretz) Lytle. John Lytle, grandfather of W. E., was a Perry county farmer who enlisted in the Union Army during the war between the States, and met a soldier's death. William Lytle was born in Perry county, Ohio, and during the Civil war enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. While still in camp he met with an accident that not only incapacitated him for further service but crippled him for life. He was engaged in farming throughout his career and was one of the highly respected citizens of Darke county. The Bretz family came originally from Pennsylvania and settled in Pickaway county as early as 1803. There were eleven children in the family of William and Margaret Lytle : W. E., Mary, Frank, Charles, Milton, Elmer, Rachael, Emma, Julia, Isabel and Carrie. Of these, Mary and Emma are deceased. W. E. Lytle was educated in the public schools and the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and began his career, like many other attorneys, as a teacher in the country schools. During ten years he instructed the youthful mind of the country districts of Darke county, spending his leisure hours in the study of law. Admitted to the State bar, he practiced in Tippecanoe City for seven and one-half years, and in 1908 was elected prosecuting attorney of Miami county on the Republican ticket. In 1911 he established himself in practice at Troy, but when the United States entered the great World war, he was appointed first as a Red Cross worker for overseas service, being appointed a first lieutenant. While awaiting his summons for duty, he closed his office and patriotically devoted his time and energies to farming on his tract of 103 acres of land near Troy. In October, 1918, he suffered the loss of two fingers, which incapacitated him for service in the Red Cross and was discharged. Since MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 187 the signing of the Armistice Mr. Lytle has resumed his activities as an attorney in Troy, Ohio, where his standing is excellent and his reputation among his fellow-practitioners is that of a member of the profession who observes its highest ethics. He still maintains his beautiful country home, one mile north of Troy which is one of the most modernly equipped farms in this part of the State. He is fraternally affiliated with the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. With his family, he belongs to the Methodist church, where he holds membership on the board of trustees. Mr. Lytle married Zella, daughter of Frank N. and Catherine Rank, of Greenville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lytle have had no children, but have an adopted son and daughter, Pearl and Paul Swank, twins, who came into their home when three years of age and are now nine years old, attending the public schools of Troy. Hugh C. McClellan, D. D. S., whose recognized skill as a dental practitioner has commended him to the unwavering confidence not only of his patients but of the entire community of Piqua, has been engaged in practice at this place since 1914. He was born at Goshen, Ohio, March 2, 1881, a son of William and Elizabeth (Applegate) McClellan. On the maternal side he comes of Revolutionary stock, and his mother's uncle, John Applegate, fought as a Union soldier during the war between the States and rose to the rank of colonel. William and Elizabeth McClellan had three sons J. P, a postoffice inspector in the United States Government service ; Dr. H. E., a dental practitioner at Wyoming, Ohio, and Dr. Hugh C. Hugh C. McClellan received his primary education at Goshen, and after his graduation from the high school there began the pursuit of his dental studies in a college at Cincinnati. When he was graduated therefrom with his degree, he commenced practice at Cincinnati, but in 1914 came to Piqua, where he has since carried on his practice with much success, having well-appointed offices and laboratory at 312 1/2 North Main street. His patronage is liberal and representative, and he stands high in his profession as a close student, capable practitioner and a strict observer of the best professional ethics. During the period of the war, Doctor McClellan was not only active, in his support of all wartime measures and movements, but also joined the Dental Preparedness League and gave free service to many men enlisted in the army and navy. He is a member of St. Paul's church, as is also Mrs. McClellan, who was formerly Miss Louise Zorn, of Sidney, Ohio. John McClain. For thirty-one years John McClain has been known as one of the sound and reliable business citizens of Troy, where he has also rendered valuable service to the community as mayor and in other public positions. He was born at Alliance, Stark county, Ohio, in 1859, a son of John and Anna (Doyle) McClain. There were six children in the family : Daniel, James, Thomas, John, Michael and Mrs. Maggie McPherson. John McClain obtained his education through attendance at the Alliance public schools, after leaving which he secured a position as sales- 188 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY man in a retail business of his native city. With ten years of experience behind him and the small capital which he had laboriously accumulated, he established himself in business as the proprietor of a small dry goods store at Alliance, which he carefully built up to a paying proposition before selling out and coming to Troy about 1889. Here he embarked in the dry goods and general merchandise business and at the present time has an up-to-date establishment with a full line of goods, which enjoys an excellent patronage among the representative people of the city. Mr. McClain is a capable business man and courteous merchant, and has various other connections, being a director in the First National Bank and treasurer of the Troy Telephone Company. He was a member of the board of public service for four years and after serving as city councilman for two years was elected mayor of Troy, a capacity in which he acted very capably for four years, during which time he was instrumental in the promulgation and successful carrying through of a number of constructive movements. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. McClain married Louise, daughter of James and Elizabeth Lydell, of Cleveland, Ohio, and to this union there have been born seven children : John, William, Harold, Frank, Carroll, Howard and Helen. Harold McClain served with the Three Hundred and Ninth Engineers during the great World war and saw twelve months of overseas service. Col. William L. Marlin. One of the families which traces its ancestry back to the pioneer settlers of the vicinity of Covington is that bearing the name of Marlin, members of which have been prominent in professional and public life, in agriculture and merchandise, in military and civic affairs. A worthy representative of this family is found in Col. William L. Marlin, of Covington, a veteran of the World war in which he established a record for distinguished service that brought him praise and commendation from all sides. Colonel Marlin was born at Covington October 17, 1882, a son of A. L. and Emma F. (Bowdle) Marlin. The family is of Scotch-Irish origin and was founded early in the State of Pennsylvania, whence came Joseph Marlin, the grandfather of Colonel Marlin, to become a pioneer resident in the vicinity of Covington. The Bowdle family also furnished pioneers to the State of Ohio, who settled near Lima and Chillicothe. A. L. Marlin was a school teacher throughout his life and a man who was held in respect and esteem. There were only two children in his family : Harley, a theatrical man, and William L. The latter received his education in the public schools of Eureka, Kans., to which community his parents had removed when he was a child, but in 1898 returned to Ohio, where he completed his schooling. As a young man he learned the trade of printer and subsequently became editor and owner of the Covington Tribune-Gazette. After joining the National Guard, Colonel Marlin went to California for a time, but later returned to Ohio and in 1911 was made captain. In 1917 he was promoted to major of the Third Battalion, Third Ohio Infan- MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 189 try, and became a deep student of military tactics. When the Mexican trouble presented itself as a serious problem, Major Marlin's command was hastened to the border, where he saw some active service, and this prepared him in part for the work that lay in front of his contingent overseas. When he went to France it was with the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Infantry, in the Thirty-seventh division. For distinguished service he was appointed lieutenant-colonel, November 1, 1918. He commanded troops at St. Mihiel, Oisne, in the Belgium campaign, and during the LysEscaut campaign his conduct elicited the praise of foreign high officers directing the drive across the Escaut river. He was chosen to command the American troops escorting the king and queen of Belgium on their official re-entry into Brussels. A complete record of the military history of Colonel Marlin will be found in the history of Miami county, elsewhere in this work. Colonel Marlin married Ella, daughter of James Franklin and Lettie Ellen (Beatty) Stevens, and to this union there have been born three children, of whom two are living: Leona Marie and Robert F. Lincoln, and one son, Loyd Richard, died, age eighteen, March 23, 1919. Colonel Marlin helped organize the American Legion and was an officer in the organization. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Red Men, and attends the Presbyterian church. Samuel G. McKnight, who is justly entitled to be classed with the progressive and substantial agricultural element of Spring Creek township, was born on a farm in Shelby county, Ohio, a son of Joseph McKnight. His father, who was a farmer in Shelby county for some years, immigrated to Miami county in 1867 and spent the rest of an industrious and useful life in the pursuits of the soil here. He was highly respected for his straightforwardness in business matters and his good citizenship. Samuel G. McKnight was a child when brought by his parents to Miami county and his education was acquired in the public schools which he attended during the winter terms, while the summer months were passed in assisting his father on the home place. On reaching his majority, he embarked in operations on his own account, and his life has been devoted uninterruptedly to farming. Mr. McKnight has a wellcultivated and splendidly improved property of eighty acres, on which he grows all the standard crops of the locality and raises a good grade of cattle. His citizenship has been of a high order, and during the World war period he demonstrated his loyalty by his support of all war movements. Mr. McKnight is unmarried. James W. McClure, a well-known plumber and dealer in electrical fixtures at Tippecanoe City, is one of the substantial business men of his community. He was born at Iola, Kans., September 17, 1870, a son of William H. and Charlotte (Neff) McClure. His father, a native of Ohio, was a soldier during the Civil war, who served fifty-eight months as a member of Company A, Seventy-first regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he went to Kansas, where he rounded out an honorable career. James 190 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY W. McClure, one of a family of five children, secured his education in the public schools of Iola, Kans., and in 1889 came to Tippecanoe City and began learning the trade of plumber and steamfitter with an uncle, Fred Hogendorfer. He remained with him as his employe, assistant and associate until about 1910, when he assumed full control of the business, and in addition to conducting a well-established plumbing and tinning business, installed a complete line of electrical fixtures. January 1, 1919, Mr. McClure took two partners, the Schultz brothers. Mr. McClure has taken an active and helpful part in civic affairs, and during the past twenty years has been chief of the Tippecanoe City fire department. He was a liberal contributor. to all war movements and has played the role of a public-spirited citizen when progressive enterprises have been launched. As a fraternalist he belongs to the Masons, in which he has advanced to membership in the commandery ; the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World, in all of which he is popular and has numerous friends. Mr. McClure married Gusta, daughter of Henry Eickmeyer, of Tippecanoe City, and to this union there has been born one son, Clyde, who is now attending the Ohio State University and specializes in chemical engineering. Rev. A. J. Mentink, priest of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Troy, Ohio, was born in Cincinnati, December 11, 1877, a son of Anthony and Rosalia (Weitershager) Mentink. There were ten children in the family. Those living are : Mary, now a sister of the order of St. Francis ; A. J. ; Rosalia, at home ; Hugo A. ; Anna B., and Ray. A. J. Mentink attended St. Gregory's preparatory seminary and Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West, Cincinnati, and after his ordination, was assigned to St. Anthony's Church, Cincinnati. He came to Troy Marc?). 30, 1906, to accept his present charge, and since he began his pastorate, many notable improvements have been made, including the handsome new church which was erected at an approximate cost of $6o,000, and for which Father Mentink personally designed in plaster of Paris an exact miniature model ; also the new parochial residence. He is now considering plans for a fine modern school building. Father Mentink's clerical jurisdiction is of no small extent, and the learned and pious pastor has gained for himself an enviable popularity, and the well-merited love and esteem of his parishioners. He is a fourth degree member of the Piqua Council, Knghts of Columbus. William Michael. Representing the third generation of his family to engage in agricultural pursuits in Miami county, William Michael is numbered among the progressive and prosperous farmers and public-spirited citizens of Monroe township. He has passed his entire life in this community, having been born on the farm which he now owns and operates, November 26, 1859, a son of Harvey and Mary (Honeyman) Michael. His parents had five children : Warren ; Arizona, who is the wife of Joseph Austin, of Michigan ; Renie Belle, who died when twenty-one years of age, and Orrie, who died in infancy. William Michael secured his edu- MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 191 cation in the public schools of Monroe township, and was reared on the home farm, which he has never left. He assisted his father until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he began working for the elder man, at whose death he secured a part of the home place. He now owns forty acres, all in a good state of development, and has modern improvements and commodious buildings. His operations are being carried on according to practical and progressive plans and his careful management and intelligent use of modern equipment are combining to make his land pay him well for the labor which he expends upon it. Mr. Michael married, May 26, 1881, Emma, daughter of Rev. Philip and Mary (Whaley) Clark, Rev. Clark being an ordained minister of the Christian church and a well-known agriculturist of Monroe township, and to this union there has been born one daughter, Minnie, now the wife of Ollis Welbaum, of Bethel township, Miami county. Mr. Michael has always been noted for his public spirit and for his unwavering support of movements and enterprises which promise to be of benefit to his community and its people. In business circles his name is synonymous with integrity and the friendships which he established in his youth have stood the test of years. D. M. Miller. A resident of this county for a period of twenty-two years, D. M. Miller has unfailingly sustained the most intelli-gent and practical interests of the community, and has contributed to its development through his labors in the cultivation of a highly improved farm in Bethel township. Mr. Miller was born in Darke county, Ohio, January 9, 1871, a son of Michael and Abigail (Martin) Miller, farming people who passed their entire lives in Darke county, where they were numbered among the successful and progressive people of their locality. He acquired his education through attendance at the rural district schools during the winter terms, in the summer months assisting- his father in the work of the home place, and when he reached manhood left the parental roof to engage in -ventures of his own. After a short time he was attracted to Miami county by the opportunities presented here for success to young men of ambition and industry and settled in Bethel township, where he has since worked out a well-merited and substantial success. He now has a fertile property of 156 acres, and another farm in the same township of 106 acres, both with numerous modern improvements, including a comfortable and commodious home on Tippecanoe City R. F. ID. No. 1, and in the gaining of his success has so conducted himself as to win and hold the confidence of his fellow-citizens. His actions during- the period of the World war were those of a loyal and public-spirited citizen, and in civic affairs he has always been found on the side of progress. Mr. Miller married, April 14., 1895, Henrietta Rench, who belongs to an agricultural. family of Miami county, a daughter of P. B. and Catherine (Bashore) Rench, natives of Ohio, the latter of whom died in 1875. Mr. Rench now resides with his son-in-law, Mr. Miller, and wife. To the latter have been born five children: Maude, the wfe of Ray Barnhart, who trained for service in the World war at 192 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY Columbus barracks and other camps, and is now engaged in farming in Miami county. They have two children : Thelma Eileen and Leila May ; Russell, attending the North Manchester College ; Ruby and Ralph, who are residing with their parents and attending school. The family attends the Church of the Brethren. Edward Miller, who is well and prominently known in business circles as a contractor in electrical wiring, etc., was born at Troy, in 1883, and has passed his entire life in this city, which has been the scene of his training, educational and otherwise, and of his success in business matters. His father, Floyd Miller, was an agriculturist throughout his life and a man of practical ideas and sound industry, as well as a citizen who commanded respect because of his integrity. He married Caroline Siegel, who also came of an agricultural family of this region, and they became the parents of two sons : Edward and W. J. The latter served in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-eighth regiment, Thirty-seventh division, during the recent World war, and won promotion from second to first lieutenant. He went overseas with his command and was at the front for an extended period, until he was wounded during the fighting in the Argonne district. Edward Miller received his educational training in the graded and high schools of Troy, and learned the electrician's trade in the plant of the Hobart Manufacturing Company. May 17, 1919, he embarked in the electrical contracting business on his own account, and when his brother, W. J., returned from overseas, he formed a partnership with him in August, 1919. Among the many large contracts which this firm has undertaken and which it has carried through to a successful conclusion may be mentioned the Troy Carriage Sunshade Company, Braun Brothers Packing House, New Gerkins Oil Station, Electric Oven Outfit and power installation for the Troy Carriage Sunshade Company. The concern carries on a general electrical business in addition to accepting large contracts and its work has been so successful and superior in workmanship that the brothers have firmly established themselves in business and public confidence. Edward Miller married Ethel, daughter of Michael and Margaret Bayes, and to their union there have been born four children : Wilbur, James, Robert and Helen. Mr. Miller is fraternally affiliated with the local lodges of the Masons and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was prominent in all movements promoted by the administration during the recent great war period. Preston H. Miller, who has been identified with business affairs at Tippecanoe City since 1883, and since 1912 has been the proprietor of a paint, wall paper and music house, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, July 13, 1852, a son of Richard and Mary Ann (Weaver) Miller. The Miller family is one which has an excellent military record. Mr. Miller's grandfather was a soldier during the War of 1812, and five of his sons fought in the Civil war. Richard Miller was a volunteer in the Thirty-fifth regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years during the MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 193 struggle between the North and the South. At the close of the war he returned to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he passed the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits. One. of a family of eight children, Preston H. Miller secured his education in the public schools of Butler township, Montgomery county, and at Bethel, and worked on the home farm with his father until he was twenty-five years of age. In 1883 he came to Tippecanoe City and began working as a painter and decorator, a line which he followed without cessation for more than a quarter of a century. In 1912 Mr. Miller opened his present business establishment, where he deals in paints, oils, wall paper and music, and has built up a large and profitable business. Mr. Miller's first marriage was to Laura, daughter of Samuel Sullivan, of Tippecanoe City, and to this union there was born one son, Lawrence, now an electrician at Seattle, Wash. During the World war, Lawrence Miller was engaged in Government work as an .electrician at the Washington navy yard. Mr. Miller's present wife was formerly Sarah Jane, daughter of Lewis Franch, of Montgomery county, and to this union there were born four children : Lewis, Robert, Everett, and Edna, the wife of Waldo Weaver, of Franklin, Ohio. 'Lewis Miller volunteered in the Third Ohio regiment during the World war, as a mechanic in the air service, and saw overseas service in France. Robert Miller was also with the Third Ohio regiment, Thirty-seventh division, went overseas to, France, where he remained nine months, and was one of the first to enter Belgium with the victorious American forces. During the bloody fighting on the Argonne front he volunteered for the highly dangerous and important duty of courier, and while thus engaged was shell-shocked and gassed. Lewis and Robert Miller are now associated with their father in business at Tippecanoe City. Everett Miller volunteered in the regular army and served on the Mexican border for six months, after which he obtained his discharge from that branch of the service and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During the remainder of the war period he was stationed at San Domingo. Since receiving his honorable discharge he has been in charge of a store at Lansing, Mich. The sons of Mr. Miller have thus maintained the splendid military record of the family, and are all young men who are energetic and progressive, and who are highly popular in their several communities. Mr. Miller. is a citizen who has always contributed his share to the betterment and advancement of his community, and whose integrity in business affairs has won him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.. S. S. Miller, one of the substantial citizens of Covington and former secretary of the German Baptist Mutual Insurance Association, was born in Darke county, Ohio, December 23, 1867, a son of Noah and Jane (Ullery) Miller. The Miller family originated in Pennsylvania, whence came the paternal grandfather of S. S. Miller, John C. Miller, who settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, and cleared the land upon which the town of Salem now stands. He was a lifelong farmer, as was also his son, Noah, and both were III - 13 194 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY held in the greatest esteem in their several communities. The Ullery family belonged to the pioneer residents of the vicinity of Covington and among its members was the distinguished Colonel Ullery. S. S. Miller was reared as a farmer's son and attended school in Adams township, Darke county. Subsequently, he taught school in the country districts for three years and then became identified with the German Baptist Mutual Insurance Association, which is now known as the Buckeye State Mutual InsuraAssociationtion. In 1897 he became secretary of this company, in which capacity he served seven years, a full history of the growth and development of which will be found in the Covington section of the general history of Miami county, elsewhere in this work. Mr. Miller has been a director of the First National Bank of Bradford since the inception of that institution and has a number of important civic and social connections. He married Mariah, daughter of Devault and Catherine (Zerbe) Crowell, of Darke county, and to this union there have been born three children : B. Claire, who married Cora Hazlett, and has two children, Faith Eileen and Dorothy ; Miriam, who resides with her parents, and a daughter, Lela Fern, who died at the age of seven years. J. Alverton Crowell, a brother of Mrs. Miller, was formerly superintendent of the public schools of Bradford, and first cashier of the First National Bank of that place. Later he organized the junior high school of Cleveland, of which he is now principal. W. C. Mong, at the head of the plumbing business at Piqua conducted as Mong & Son, is a practical heating engineer and authorized agent for all American Radiator Company products, and an Ohioan by birth. When he was a child his parents removed to Salina, Ohio, where his father, David Mong, a native of Butler county, conducted a plumbing business and where the youth gained his first knowledge of the trade. W. C. Mong studied the technical phases of heating and plumbing engineering and subsequently became an engineer for the Quapaw Company, of. Bartlesville, Okla. In the meantime, in 1906, his father had come to Piqua and established himself in business, and when he died, November 6, 1917, W. C. Mong took up his residence at this city, succeeding his father as the head of the firm of Mong & Son, plumbers and heaters,601 6o1 North Main street. Mr. Mong has installed a number of heating systems in centralized schools, including schools in Miami county, one of which is the modern Bethel township school, also at Urbana and in the county of Montgomery. He is known as one of the most efficient men in his line in his part of the State and his business has grown to large and important proportions. Mr. Mong is an Elk, Pythian and Odd Fellow. He belongs to the Christian church. Frank Corr Montross. The lumber interests of Miami county are well and worthily represented at Troy by Frank Corr Montross, junior member of the Francis-Montross Lumber Company. Mr. Montross was born at Sloan, Woodbury county, Iowa, a son of G. D. and Ida May (Corr) Montross, the former a well-known MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 195 pharmacist of Sloan, and the latter a niece of Judge Edwin Corr, of the Supreme Court of Indiana. There were five children in the family : Lila, George Lloyd, Marie, who was formerly a high school teacher ; Grace, and Frank Corr. Frank C. Montross was given good educational advantages, for after he had attended the graded and high schools at Sloan, Iowa, he went to college at Grinnell, Iowa, for two years, and completed his educational training at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He received his introduction to the lumber business in Nebraska, from where he went to Sioux City, Iowa, and there applied himself to the business until coming to Troy, in 1914. At that time he formed a partnership with W. H. Francis, who has been well known as a lumberman and financier of this community for many years. The FrancisMontross Lumber Company has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth and is at this time accounted one of the thriving and prosperous business institutions of this enterprising community. Mr. Montross has impressed himself upon his associates as a man of marked business capacity, who is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the lumber trade. He married Sarah Lorene, daughter of Joseph E. Robbins, of Sac City, Iowa, whose other four children were : Eva, Joseph, Clementine and Clarence. To Mr. and Mrs. Montross there has been born one daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. Mr. Montross is a Mason and has numerous business, social and civic connections. Anson Mote, senior member of the grocery firm of Mote & Son, of Piqua, is a man of wide experience and marked versatility who has grown into prominence with the development of his community, where he has been a leading citizen for many years. He was born on a farm in Union township, Miami county, Ohio, October 28, 1861, a son of Ezekiel and Mary (Rhodehamel) Mote, his parents being worthy and highly respected people, the father by trade a wagon maker. Anson Mote was educated in Union township and after leaving school took up the work of farming for several years. Being commercially inclined, he moved to Piqua, where he established himself in the grocery business at the corner of Park and Washington avenues, remaining there until 1914, when he occupied his present place of business at No. 126 West Ash street. This is now one of the largest and finest stores in Miami county, carrying a full and up-to-date line of staple and fancy groceries, meats, delicatessen products, pastries, etc., and is operated under the name of Mote & Son, Mr. Mote's son, Lescar, now being a member of the firm. Mr. Mote is a highly respected business man whose associations are important and who has fairly won a reputation for conservatism and fair dealing. He is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. In the period of the great war his was a prominent part in the support of local measures, and he also has been careful and efficient in the discharge of the duties of citizenship during days of peace and has served one term in the city council. He is fond of travel, when his business responsibilities 196 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY are not too pressing, and for one year was a resident of California. He belongs to the Green Street Methodist Episcopal Church to which also belongs Mrs. Mote, who is active in social affairs and who was prominent in Red Cross work during the war. She was Eveline, daughter of William Pierson, and they have had six children : Lescar, of the firm of Mote & Son Sharon, who was commissioned lieutenant at Fort Benjamin Harrison and saw two years of service in the army during the war ; Raymond, who is a teacher at the Piqua High School ; Hilda, at home ; Neva, a graduate of the General Hospital at Cincinnati, and Lela, who died aged fifteen years. W. J. Miller, junior partner of the electrical contracting firm of Edward Miller Electric Company, at Troy, is a veteran of the great World war and one of those who bear upon their bodies the scars of wounds received in the fierce fighting of the bloody Argonne district. Mr. Miller was born at Troy, Ohio, a son of Floyd and Caroline (Siegel) Miller, the latter of whom belonged to a family of farming people well known at Troy. Floyd Miller, who was an agriculturist, passed his life in Miami county, where he won respect and esteem by his industry, integrity and good citizenship. He and his estimable wife were the parents of two sons: Edward, who founded the present electrical contracting business, and W. J. W. J. Miller received his primary educational training in the graded and high schools of Troy, and after his graduation from the latter became a student at Miami University. There he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts as a member of the graduating class of 1914, and at that time adopted the educator's profession. After teaching school for a short time he was made principal of the high school at Marseilles and Casstown, and also, from 1915 to 1916, served as city editor of the Troy Daily Record. May 29, 1917, he enlisted in Miami county Company A, of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth regiment, Thirty-seventh division, American Expeditionary Forces. He was trained at Camp Sheridan, where he was commissioned second lieutenant December 27, 1917, and was promoted to first lieutenant at Camp Lee. He went overseas with the Thirty-seventh division and fought with that command until he fell seriously wounded during the fighting in the Argonne district, when he was wounded in five places by the bursting of a shell. After three days of treatment at a field hospital he was removed to a base hospital, where he lay until recovered, and July 25, 1919, was honorably discharged, arriving home some time later. August 1919, he entered partnership with his brother in the electrical contracting business at Troy, and this concern has been very successful and now controls a large amount of valuable business. Mr. Miller was first post adjutant of Clifford Thompson Post, American Legion. He married Frances Wright, of Oxford. Ohio, who had taught school at Troy for four years, and who had likewise been a student at Miami University, her husband's Alma Mater. Mr. Miller is a member of Franklin Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 197 Charles F. Moyer, a well-known citizen and prominent and prosperous farmer of Newberry township, where his entire life has been passed, was born on his father's farm in this township, in 1879, a son of Paul and Mary (Linton) Moyer. The parents of Mr. Moyer, who were sound and substantial people of their community, passed their lives in the pursuits of the soil in this community and, dying in advanced years, left behind many to mourn them, many who had realized and appreciated their many sterling qualities of heart and mind. Mr. Moyer was eldest in a family of four children, the others being: Perry ; Emma, now the wife of Thomas Sowders, and Lula. Charles F. Moyer is indebted to the public schools of Newberry township for his educational training. His boyhood and youth, when he was not engaged in his studies, were pased in assisting his father in the work of the home place, and thus he grew to manhood with a fairly good education and a thorough training in the arts and sciences of husbandry. After he had attained his majority he engaged in farming on his own account, and thus he has continued to be occupied ever since, with constantly-growing success. At this time he is the owner of a productive and valuable farm, with good improvements, and is considered one of the representative agriculturists of his locality. During the war period he performed a good citizen's duty in supporting war enterprises. He takes an earnest interest in the cause of education, is a strong supporter of all measures for the public welfare, and is regarded as one of the useful and constructive members of the community. Mr. Moyer married Minnie, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Rhodes) Fessler, whose father was one of the well-known and highly respected farmers of Newberry township for a period of forty-five years. In the Fessler family there were four children : Charles, Louis, Cora and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are the parents of one daughter, Margaret Viola, who makes her home with them on the farm. Charles Clason Neal. Of the men who have long lent dignity and progressiveness to the vocation of agriculture in Miami county, none are held in higher esteem than C. C. Neal, of Monroe township, whose entire life has been spent in this county and whose industrious labors have resulted in the accumulation of a satisfying competency and the obtaining of a recognized position among the substantial men of his community. Mr. Neal was born in Union township, Miami county, October 25, 1866, a son of Henry and Eliza J. (Bowman) Neal. His father, who followed agricultural pursuits throughout a long and honorable career, was well known in this county as a man of worth and substance and as one of those who offered themselves during the Civil war and who fought bravely in that struggle for the maintenance of the Union. He was captain of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-seventh regiment, Ohio National Guard. C. C. Neal acquired a public school education in the rural districts, the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Antioch College at Yellow Springs, and the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and was reared as a farmer's son. He 198 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY took up agriculture as his vocation at the time of the attainment of his majority, which was at his father's death, and at this time he has a well-cultivated property in Monroe township, with a comfortable and attractive home located on Tippecanoe City R. F. D. No. 3, inherited from his grandfather who acquired it during the '40s. His implements and general improvements have been profit by the experience of others, rather than one who recklessly bows down to the novelty of invention. In his citizenship Mr. Neal evidences his belief in forward movements, and during the World war his support was not lacking when appeals were made in behalf of the various drives. Mr. Neal married, July 12, 1897, Rose K., daughter of Robert and Regina (Steckley) Pearson, and to this union have come three children : Mildred, Regina and Clason. Mr. Neal's married life has been a particularly happy one, and the rare friendship begun between himself and wife in their youth has but strengthened with the trials and successes of the years. John M. Neher. For a number of years Bethel township has profited by the energy and good judgment of John M. Neher, who operates a farm on Tippecanoe City R. F. D. No. 4. During his occupancy Mr. Neher has added to the improvements of the former owner and has conducted his general farming and stock-raising operations along practical and modern lines. He was born in Miami county, a son of A. S. and Fannie (Holinger) Neher, natives of Ohio, who passed their lives in agricultural operations. Mr. Neher was given the advantages of a public school education in the rural districts and his entire training in boyhood and youth was along the lines of agriculture. When he reached man's estate it was but natural that he should adopt farming as his vocation and this he has followed uninterruptedly, his industry and intelligent use of modern methods resulting gratifyingly in the development of a good property in Bethel township. He has a pleasant home and substantial barns and outbuildings and his equipment suggests his appreciation of labor-saving machinery. He has public-spiritedly supported movements calculated to be of civic benefit, and during the World war period was captain of his district in the war chest and Liberty Loan drives. Mr. Neher was united in marriage, December 16, 1909, with Daisy, daughter of Peter H. and Anna (Dear) Uhrig, and a granddaughter of a Union soldier of the Civil war, and to this union there have been born three children : Lorin, Richard and Anna Louise. Louis C. Neth, senior member of the firm of Neth & Stelzer, tailors, haberdashers and hatters of Piqua, is numbered among the substantial men of the city. He was born at Piqua, September 17, 1875, a son of Louis and Margaret (Brehm) Neth, his father being a minister of the Methodist church who filled pulpits at Piqua, Greenville, Richmond and Sidney. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, and two of their grandsons, John Lloyd, son of John A. Neth, and Walter E., son of Wm. G. Neth, served as soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force during the recent great war. Louis C. Neth attended the schools at Piqua and before MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 199 finishing his high school education began to secure business experience as an employe of a mercantile concern. He continued to work in the interests of others until 1910, when, with Louis J. Stelzer, he formed the firm of Neth & Stelzer, a partnership. This concern deals in gentlemen's high-class furnishings, hats, haberdashery and made-to-order clothing; and an excellent business has been built up. Mr. Neth is thoroughly conversant with every department of his line of business, and is a man of ability, judgment and good taste. He married Mamie C., daughter of Byron Crampton, of Covington, Ohio, and they are the parents of two children : Frank A. and Robert G. Mr. and Mrs. Neth took a helpful part in various war activities and are consistent members of the Wayne and Greene Street Methodist churches, respectively. Mr. Neth is interested in fraternal work, and belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. J. W. Norris & Son. Among the well-known grocery firms of Troy, one which traces its inception here back to 1889 is that of J. W. Norris & Son. This business was founded thirty-two years ago by the senior member of the firm, J. W. Norris, whose long career has been characterized by honorable dealings and the achievement of a satisfying success. Mr. Norris married Nannie E. Curtis, and they became the parents of two sons : Carl Alvin and Robert, the latter a high school student at Troy. Carl Alvin Norris was born at Troy, November 14, 1892, and entered upon his career at the end of his school days as his father's assistant. He likewise pursued a course at the Cincinnati College of Embalming, but preferred the grocery business as the medium through which to work out his success, and has become one of the thoroughly informed grocers of his city. At the time of his admission to the firm, in 1913, the present business style was adopted, and this house has built up a substantial reputation for honest representation and fair transactions. During the war period the firm of J. W. Norris & Son was a substantial contributor to all movements, both local and national. Carl A. Norris is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, thirty-second and Shrine. George M. O'Donnell, a substantial business man of Covington, where he is agent for the Ohio Fuel Supply Company, was born at Mount Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, August 9, 1872, a son of James and Mary (Williams) O'Donnell. James O'Donnell was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in young manhood, adopting the vocation of monument engraver. This he followed with success at various places, including Washington Court House, where he lived for one year, and then went to Mount Gilead, where he worked at his trade until one year before his death, when he moved to Washington Court House and there died, December 22, 1878. He and his worthy wife were the parents of three children : James Guy, city attorney of Covington ; Carrie, the wife of William Kienle, of Dayton, and George M. The mother of these