PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 475 of Hoopeston, Illinois; Bertha, the wife of C. R. Chappel, of Whittier, California; and Edna, who died at the age of seventeen years. Meredith Cox was reared in Preble county and operated a saw-mill, living most of the time in Jackson township. His wife died in 1881 at the age of forty-four. She was a Universalist. After moving to Carthage, Missouri, Mr. Cox married again and died there in 1894, at the age of sixty- two. The paternal grandparents of Charles E. Cox were natives of Virginia and early settlers in Preble county, where the grandfather died, the death of the grandmother occurring later in Missouri. Meredith was the only child born to this union. The maternal grandparents of Charles E. Cox were George and Mary (Disher) Fudge, pioneer farmers of Monroe township, Preble county, where they died well advanced in years. They had nine children, George, Joseph, Jane, Elizabeth, Susan, Wilson and three who died young. Charles Elmer Cox was reared in Preble county, received his elementary education in the country schools and was graduated from the New Paris high school in 1888, after which he taught school in Jackson township for thirteen years, at the end of which time he took charge of the Eaton telephone plant of the Eaton Telephone Company and has been its manager for fourteen years. On July 19, 1890, Charles E. Cox was married to Linnie Zeek, the daughter of John and Jane (Bosworth) Zeek. She died May 30, 1903, at the age of thirty-seven. There was but one daughter born to this union, Mary Opal. Mr. Cox married, secondly, January 29, 1906, Mrs. Zula May, the widow of William May and daughter of John and Jerusha Stewart. Three children were born to this second union, Everett Franklin, Elizabeth Jerusha and Marjorie Maxine. Mr. Cox's first wife, Mrs. Linnie (Zeek) Cox, was born in Indiana, where her parents lived, both of whom are now dead. They had two children, Linnie and James, the latter dying in infancy. Her paternal grandfather was Isaac Zeek, among whose children were John, Newton, Rosa and Mrs. Deacon. Her maternal grandparents were the parents of Cornelius, Richard, Austin, Ann, Mary and Jane. Mrs. Zula (Stewart) Cox was born near Camden, Ohio, December 5, 1875. Her parents were natives of Ohio, her mother dying in 1904 while her father is still living. They had three children, Cinna, George. and Zula. Mrs. Zula Cox had one daughter, Gladys 'May, by her former marriage, who married Raymond Harris and has one child; Martha. 476 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Cox are active and devoted members of the Christian church at Eaton, of which he is clerk and chorister. Mr. Cox is a member of Waverley Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and is past chancellor and present deputy chancellor of that lodge. Mr. Cox is independent in his politics, preferring to support particular men rather than particular parties. Mr. Cox is the patentee of the Cox multiple lightning arrester for the protection of telephone equipments from excessive currents. In every sense he is a representative citizen of Preble county, honored by the people who know him, respected in business and popular in social life. ARCHIBALD MONROE CAMPBELL. One of Preble county's best known and most representative citizens, one who belongs to two very old families of the county and one who has performed public duties with conscientious purpose and personal efficiency, is Archibald M. Campbell, deputy sheriff of Preble county. Archibald Monroe Campbell was born in Jackson township, Preble county, August 29, 1842, the son of Archibald and Indiana (Larsh) Campbell, natives of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Kentucky, respectively. They were the parents of Cornelius, deceased ; Eldred R., of Emporia, Kansas ; Benjamin F., deceased; George Washington and Thomas Jefferson (twins), the first being deceased and the latter now living at Frankton, Indiana ; J. Vance, deceased ; Minerva J., the wife of Thomas Bulla, of Campbellstown, Preble county ; Archibald M., of Eaton ; Mary Ann, the wife of James Shafer, of Campbellstown ; and two who died young. Archibald Campbell, Sr., who was born on January 5, 1803, was a boy of twelve or fourteen when he came with his parents from Tennessee to Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio. His wife came when she was about twelve and they were married in Preble county and settled in the woods, which they cleared and improved. They owned two farms, one of one hundred and seven acres and the other of one hundred and sixty acres. They built the third house on the first of these farms. Mr. Campbell died at the age of seventy and his wife at the age of ninety-seven. The paternal grandparents of Archibald M. Campbell were John and Sarah (Vance) Campbell, pioneers of Preble county. John Campbell was of Scotch origin, his paternal ancestors having emigrated to the English PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 477 colonies on this side of the Atlantic at an early date. The family settled in Pennsylvania, where they remained for many years, and where John Campbell grew to manhood, and where he married Sarah Vance, soon after which event he moved to Tennessee, settling near Knoxville, where he was engaged in farming until 1817, in which year he removed to Ohio, settling in the wilds of Preble county with his wife and ten children. He located in Jackson township, about eight miles northwest of the county seat, where he resided the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1847, he then being eighty-seven years of age. His widow survived him eleven years, she being eighty-six years of age at the time of her death. John and Sarah (Vance) Campbell were the parents of eleven children, Samuel, Jane, Elizabeth, Archibald, Mary, James, Andrew, Robert, William, Alexander P. and Nancy. The elder Archibald Campbell grew to manhood on the parental farm and at the age of twenty-two married Indiana Larsh, daughter and only child of Lewis and Anna (Bibby) Larsh, natives of Kentucky and pioneers of Preble county, they having been early settlers in Dixon township, where, on a farm six miles west of Eaton, they spent their last days. Lewis Larsh was a soldier in the War of 1812 and in the early days built flatboats on which goods were transported down the river to New Orleans, the custom then being to float the freight down the river, the barges necessarily being left at the terminal port, the owner of the same, after disposing of his cargo, being compelled to make the return trip on foot, a not uncommon experience for Lewis Larsh. Archibald Monroe Campbell was born and reared in Preble county and has always considered this county his home. He grew up on his father's farm and remained there until he was twenty-eight years old. After his marriage he bought a farm but on account of the panic of 1876 he was compelled to sell it. He then rented land for several years in Jackson township. In 1890 he moved to Boston, Indiana, and lived there seven years. He then spent twelve years in Richmond, Indiana, doing carpenter work in the shops there. Finally he returned to Jackson township, this county, and lived there nearly three years, at the end of which time he was appointed deputy sheriff and moved to Eaton, the county seat, where he now resides. On November 9, 1869, Mr. Campbell was married to Isabel Smith, the daughter of Stephen A. and Pierrie (Gregg) Smith, to which union six children were born, Linetta, Clara, Ora, Archibald, Sadie and one who died in infancy. Linetta married Rev. Fred Stovenour, of Portland, Indiana, and they have one child, Frederick. Clara married Elmer Warner, of Portland, 478 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Indiana, and they have one daughter, Dorothy ; Ora, who married Bessie Sayman, lives at Belmont, a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, and has one daughter, Mary Isabel. Archibald, who married Cora Hershberger, lives in Richmond, Indiana, and has one daughter, Margaret Belle. Sadie married Everett Cox, of Portland, Indiana, and has adopted two children twins. Mrs. Campbell died on March 10, 1884, at the age of thirty-five. She belonged to the Christian (Newlight) church. Her parents were natives of Ohio and had eight children, Sarah, Joseph Marion, Isabel, Watson, Jeanette, Charles, Eliza and J. Warren. Stephen A. Smith had been previously married, his first wife having been a Miss Lockwood, who died leaving one daughter, Marietta. Mr. Campbell married, secondly, May 16, 1907, Mrs. Sarah E. Phillips, the widow of David Phillips, who had two children by her first marriage, Carrie and one who died young. Carrie married Ernest Poinier, of Richmond, Indiana, and has four children, Doris, Helen, Kenneth and Sarah Millison. Mrs. Sarah Campbell is a native of Ohio. Mr. Campbell is an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which order he became connected on March 16, 1869, through the lodge at New Paris. He is a Democrat and for many years has been active in the local councils of his party. He was assessor of Jackson township in 1884 and again in 1912, resigning to take the office of deputy sheriff. Mr. Campbell has proved to be efficient and conscientious in the discharge of his duties in his various relations with the public service and is honored by the citizens of the township and county he has been, and is, serving. DR. ALBERT STANLEY SCHLINGMAN. Science has taken hold, not only of business but all of the professions as well and veterinary surgery is no exception. The practice of this profession is regulated by law in most states and elaborate courses of instruction must be followed before the practice is permitted. Dr. Albert S. Schlingman, a veterinary surgeon, of. Eaton, Ohio, entered his profession well equipped in every, respect. Not only are his professional: attainments superior, but he is personally popular throughout Preble county. Dr. Albert Stanley Schlingman was born in West Alexandria, Ohio, April 28, 1889, the son of Adolph Edward and Emma (Deckwitz) Schling- PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 479 man, natives of Ohio, who werwere therents of four children, Clarence, deceased ; Carl, deceased ; Dr. Albert S., of Eaton ; and Martha, of Eaton. Adolph Edward Schlingman was born and reared in West Alexandria,. Ohio, and was engaged with his father in the manufacture of washing machines until 1890, when he moved to Eaton and engaged ub the mercantile business with O. B. Eikenberry, operating a department store there until 1911, in which year the store was sold to Spring Brothers, and Mr. Schlingman is now engaged in the shoe department of the store. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. The paternal grandparents of Dr. Albert S. Schlingman were Adolph Ana Alvina (Schreel) Schlingman, natives of Germany and early settlers in West Alexander, this county, where Adolph Schlingman followed his trade of cabinet making and the manufacture of washing machines. He died there in March, 1904, at the age of seventy-nine. His wife died in middle age. They had three children, Adolph Eward, Caroline and Anna. The maternal grandparents of Dr. Albert S; Schlingman were August and Theresa (Weber) Deckwitz, natives of Germany. They came to America and settled first in Cincinnati and then came to Preble county, settling at New Lexington, where August Deckwitz engaged in the grocery and produce business. Later he moved to West Alexandria, where he died at the age of seventy-five. His wife still survives him and lives at Eaton. They had four children, Emma,. Robert, Amelia and Louisa. Dr. Albert S. Schlingman was one year old when he was brought to Eaton by his parents. He grew to manhood in Eaton and was graduated from the high school at that place in 1907. He then spent one year in the Capital University at Columbus, taking up the study of veterinary surgery at Ohio State University, from which institution he was graduated.in 1911, after which he took up the practice of veterinary surgery at Eaton and has since made his home in that city. On July 3, 1912, Doctor Schlingmans married to Susan Edna Royer, the daughter of Wilson and Mable. (Homan) Royer, and to this union one son has been born Royer James. Mrs. Schlingman was born in Preble county, near West Manchester, her parents also being natives of this county. Her father died in April, 1910, at the age of sixty, while her mother is still living. They were the parents of nine children, Homan, Charles W., Vinnie,. Fannie, Grace, Edia, Ruth, Robert and James. Doctor Schlingman is a member of the Lutheran church, but Mrs. Schlingman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Doctor Schling- 480 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. man is a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon, a college fraternity, and is a Democrat. He has made remarkable progress in his profession and enjoys a large practice throughout Preble county as a consequence of his diligent and careful preparation. Doctor Schlingman is interested in all public enterprises and is eminently respected in Eaton and Preble county. STANLEY S. HART. The prosperity and welfare of an agricultural community are, in a large measure, due to the enterprise and foresight of its more progressive farmers. It is the progressive, wide-awake farmer that makes the real history of a community. His influence in keeping and directing its various interests is difficult to estimate. Stanley S. Hart, a well-known farmer of Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, has long- ranked among the leading farmers and business men of .Preble county. It is to such enterprising spirits as his that the locality is indebted for its substantial growth and the high position it occupies as a center of agricultural activity and progress. Stanley S. Hart was born in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, March 15, 1883, the son of Samuel and Emma (Craig) Hart. Samuel Hart was born in Twin township in 1838, the son of Samuel and Eri (Saylor) Hart. Samuel Hart, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to  Preble county when a boy. He married Eri Saylor in Preble county and lived here the rest of his life. He was a Democrat and took .an active part in local politics. Samuel Hart, Sr., and his wife were the parents of ten children, Caroline, Isabelle, William, Barbara, Nathan, Catherine, Samuel, Milton, Martha and Hannah. Caroline married Allen Resinger. Isabelle became the wife of Judge Henry B. Saylor and they located at Huntington, Indiana, where he served a term in Congress. He also was judge of the court of Huntington and Wells counties, Indiana, and was a prominent citizen of this section of Indiana. He served as a major in the Union army during the Civil War. William married a Miss Bower and settled in Fayette county, Indiana. Barbara became the wife of Joseph Markey, of Twin township, this county. Catherine became the wife of a Mr. McNutt, of this county. Samuel, Jr., married Emma Craig and died at the age of forty, she dying 1883. Milton married and moved to Huntington county, Indiana, where PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 481 he now lives. Martha married Joseph Trunk and lives in Eaton, Ohio. Hannah died in early life.. Samuel Hart, Jr., was the father of three children, James, who is unmarried and lives in New Jersey; Weltha, who is unmarried and lives at Dayton, Ohio, and Stanley S., the subject of this sketch. Stanley S. Hart was left without a father at the age of five years, and was reared by an uncle, Joseph Markey, on a farm. He was educated in the public schools, from which he was graduated, after which he took a course at the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, and taught school one year, at the end of which time he entered the Ohio State University at Columbus, from which he was graduated in 1909 with the degree of Bachelor of Science and Agriculture. In June, 1909, Stanley S. Hart was married to Nelle Paddack, who was born in June, 1890, the daughter of Harvey and Frances (Paddack) Paddack. Harvey Paddack was born on the farm where Stanley S. Hart now lives and was the son of Ebenezer Paddack, who was the son of Henry Paddack. Henry Paddack came from Kentucky and entered from the government the land which is now held by the Paddack family. Harvey Paddack was reared on a farm and was graduated from the commercial school at Dayton, Ohio. He became a farmer and was prominent in Democrtic politics in Preble county, having served as county commissioner. He accumulated twelve hundred acres of land and was one of the founders of the Eaton National Bank, serving as one of the director's of this bank for a long time. His family were members of the Baptist church and he and his wife were the parents of three children, as follow: Ruth, who Was graduated from the common schools and a Baptist school in Maryland, is the wife of Dr. E. R. Churchill, a physician and surgeon, who came from Nevada, Missouri, and located at Richmond, Indiana; Attie, who was graduated from the same schools, is the wife of William L. Gaar, of Richmond, Indiana, and Nelle, who is the wife of Mr. Hart. She was graduated from the Jackson township high school and attended Ohio Wesleyan University two years. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are the parents of two children, Marjorie N., who was born May 2, 1910, and Gordon P., who was born September 11, 1912. Mr. Hart is a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternities.' He is a Democrat and has been active in politics throughout his life. He has served as one of the trustees of his township and is a member of the Preble County Agriculture Society. He also is president (31) 482 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. of the Jackson township farmers' institute and is frequently called upon to deliver addresses on agricultural and educational subjects in different parts of the country. He is especially interested in good roads. He has combined farming and stock raising and has made an eminent success of this combination. The Hart family has been well known for several generations in Preble county and very properly is regarded as among the most highly respected and honored families of the county. DALLAS A. YOUNG. The best history of a community or state is one which deals. most largely with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who, by their efforts and indomitable energy, have forged to the front and placed themselves in the ranks of progressive citizens. Dallas A. Young, a well-known cigar manufacturer located at the county seat, is a citizen of Preble who has outstripped the plodders on the highway of life, and among his contemporaries has achieved marked success in the business world. Dallas A. Young was born near Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 18, 1868, the son of Isaac and Amanda (Hillman) Young, natives of Ohio, who were the parents of three children : Dallas A., of Eaton; J. Edwin, of Eaton; and Lola, the wife of R. M. Conover, of Eaton. Isaac Young was reared in Preble county, Ohio, and was a farmer most of his life. In his later years he was in the fire and tornado insurance 'business. For years he lived near Gratis and afterwards moved to Eaton, where he died in 1908 at the age of sixty-five. His wife survives him and is now sixty-six years old. Mr. Young was a member of the Dunkard church, and his wife still maintains her connection with that communion. The parental grandparents of Dallas A. Young were Joel and Maria (Swihart) Young, natives of Ohio, who had twelve children : Henry, Joshua, Ebuliah, Reuben, Sarah, Jane, Uriah, Isaac, Daniel, Amos, Josiah and Elizabeth. Mr. Young's maternal grandparents were Abraham and Sarah (Loree) Billman, natives of Montgomery county, Ohio, whose parents were pioneers of Preble county. Abraham Billman and his wife died in Montgomery county at advanced. ages. They were farmers, and had seven children: Laura, Nathan, Amanda, Nettie, Francis, Charles and Nora. Dallas A. Young was reared in Lanier township on his father's farm. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 483 He attended the district schools and later the high school, from which he was graduated in 1888. Mr. Young taught for fourteen years, a part of which period he spent at Ohio State University at Columbus. When he quit teaching he formed a partnership with his brother, J. Edwin Young, and they engaged in the leaf tobacco and cigar manufacturing business, which they have followed since 1900. They employ about twenty-five people. Mr. Young was married September 5, 1900, to Pearl Bear, the daughter of Ira and Emily (Harris) Bear, and to this union one son, Emerson, has been born. Mrs. Young was born near Germantown, Ohio, her parents being natives of Ohio. Her father died in 1903 at the age of forty-seven, meeting his death in an accident, leaving four children, Pearl, Harris, Firman and Herbert. His widow married again, her present husband being Amos Young, and they reside in Eaton. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Young was Henry Bear. He and his wife had five children, Albert, Ira, Paul, Myrtle and Florence. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Young were Samuel and Hannah (Pugh) Harris, who had three children, Mary, Emily and Hattie. Mr. Young is a stanch Republican and served as deputy supervisor of elections for a number of years, discharging his duties in a most satisfactory manner. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Brethren (Progressive Dunkard) church. Mr. Young has prospered well in his business and is enterprising, alert and open-minded on all public questions, highly respected in the community in which he lives, popular with his employees, a true Christian, upright, worthy gentleman. GRANT L. HOOVER. Among the worthy citizens of Eaton, Ohio, whose residence here has contributed in no small degree to the solid business foundation of the community, is Grant L. Hoover. While laboring for individual success, he has not forgotten his obligations to the public, and has given his support to all measures and movements having for their object the general good. His reputation in a business way is unassailable, he is possessed in a large degree of those sterling traits which have commanded uniform confidence and regard and is numbered among the representative men of Preble county. 484 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Grant L. Hoover, druggist and registered pharmacist of Eaton, Ohio, was born in Gratis, Preble county, Ohio, February 10, 1869, the son of James and Eliza Ann (Edwards) Hoover, natives of Ohio, who were the parents of nine children, as follows : Quintella, the wife of C. C. Mikesell, of Wabash, Indiana; Martha, the wife of Samuel Brown, of Dayton, Ohio; Zachary Taylor, of Dayton; Milton, a resident of Columbus, Ohio ; Emery C., deceased; Lincoln, deceased; Nona, the wife of Charles Spessard, of West Alexandria; Grant L., of Eaton, and Edward, who died at the age of two years. James Hoover, the father of Grant L., was reared on a farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, and came to Preble county as a young man. He was first engaged in farming pursuits and later conducted a dry goods store at Lewisburg, in this county. He also operated a flour-mill there and a furniture factory for a time, later engaging in the drug business. In 1865 he moved from Lewisburg to Gratis, where he purchased a drug store, in which business he was engaged until his death, September I, 1889, at the age of seventy-two. His wife died in West Alexandria, January I, 191o, at the age of eighty-six. She was a member of the United Brethren church. The paternal grandparents of Grant L. Hoover were natives of Ohio, and lived at Union in Montgomery county. Grandfather Hoover was a farmer all his life and died in Montgomery county, well advanced in years. The maternal grandfather of Grant L. Hoover was a native of Pennsylvania, while his maternal grandmother was born in Ohio. They were for many years residents of Lewisburg, where their last days were spent. They were the parents of Mrs. Sophia Young, Elizabeth, John, Eliza Ann and Mrs. Jane Belston. Grant L. Hoover was reared at Gratis, attending the public schools of that place. After leaving school he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where e was employed as a paper hanger. In the spring of 1887 he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he clerked in .a drug store. In the spring of the next year he moved to Cambridge, Nebraska, where he worked in a drug store for a year and a half. Owing to his father's illness he returned to Preble county, and has been engaged in the drug business almost continuously since. In 1894 he succeeded his brother in the drug business in Gratis, remaining there ten years. He then went to Dayton, where he remained ten months, after which he moved to Eaton and purchased the Clarence Waters drug store at 106 North Barton street, which he still owns. He has a well-equipped, up-to-date store, well stocked with an excellent line of drugs and druggists' sundries, and commands a liberal share of the patronage of Eaton and vicinity. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 485 On April 26, 1908, Mr. Hoover was married to Zelma Clawson, the daughter of William R. and Clara (Bonaker) Clawson, both of whom were natives of Preble county, and are now living in Eaton. Mr. and Mrs. Clawson are the parents of three children, Zelma, Fern and Frederick. Mrs. Hoover is a member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active and interested part in the work of that congregation. Mr. Hoover belongs to Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons, and Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons. He also is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and Eaton Lodge No. 3o, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is identified with the Democratic party and served three terms as mayor of Gratis, Ohio. Not only has Mr. Hoover made a success in business, but he has devoted himself to public enterprises, having contributed materially to the civic life of the communities where he has lived, and certainly deserves to rank as a representative citizen of Eaton and Preble county. ANDREW COFFMAN. Few young men of Preble county, Ohio, are more favorably known or more enterprising in business than Andrew Coffman, funeral director and embalmer, of Eaton. Andrew Coffman is a wide-awake, enterprising young business man, and his undertaking establishment is a model of neatness, arranged after the most modern ideas. His stock of goods is of the very best and latest in design. Mr. Coffman is a man of splendid habits and enjoys the respect and good will of the entire community, where he has lived his whole life. Rarely does so young a man attain so remarkable a success in business as has attended his efforts since locating in Eaton. Andrew Coffman was born in Eaton, Ohio, December 25, 1890, and is a son of Joseph W. and Carrie (Matthews) Coffman, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. Mr. Coffman is one of two children born to his parents, having one brother, Edward. Joseph W. Coffman was born and reared in Preble county, and was a merchant in Eaton for more than forty years. He now lives retired in Eaton. His wife died in September, 191o. Mr. Coffman is a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife. The paternal grandfather of Andrew Coffman was Andrew Coffman, Sr., one of the early settlers of Eaton, where he conducted a dry-goods store for forty-five years. Both he and his wife died in Eaton, well advanced in 486 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. years. They were the parents of three daughters and one son, Mollie, Maria, Ella, and Joseph W. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Coffman was Benjamin Wilson Matthews, who was a cooper at Winchester, this county, in the early forties, going thence, about the year 1846, to Peru, Indiana, where for a time he followed the same business, after which he engaged in the hardware business which he continued to the time of his retirement a few years before his death at a ripe old age. His wife died in middle life. They were the parents of ten children, Elizabeth, Carrie, Benjamin, John, Samuel, William, Frank, Edward, Harvey and one daughter who died in infancy. Andrew Coffman, Jr. was born and reared in Eaton, attending the public schools of that city. When fourteen years of age he began learning the undertaking business with his cousin, Frank Coffman, but after leaving school was with his mother who was an invalid at Peru, Indiana, for nearly three years, and during part of that time was employed in the department store of Seuger & Company. He then returned to Eaton and has been connected with the undertaking business since that time. He was associated with Harry Silver, on Barron street for about three years, until they sold out to F. O. Girton. In November, 1914, Mr. Coffman started in business for himself on the east side of Barron street, where he has fitted up a beautiful office in solid mahogany furniture. He carries a large stock of up-to-date undertakers' merchandise. He owns a fine hearse, ambulance, teams and cabs, and also a motor hearse, and is well equipped to take care of his constantly increasing business. In 1913 Mr. Coffman was graduated from the Worsham Training School, of Chicago, Illinois, a school of anatomy, sanitary science and embalming, and one month after receiving his diploma passed the state examination at Columbus, Ohio. Andrew Coffman is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Eaton and of Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and is master of finance in the latter lodge. Politically, Mr. Coffman is a Republican. Mr. Coffman lives at home with his father and his aunt Mollie. He is a young man and has a bright and promising future before him. He has.ahas ae circle of friends and acquaintances in Eaton and vicinity, having spent nearly all his life here. Above everything else success in life requires initiative, and if past performances are to be taken as a criterion, Andrew Coffman is certain to achieve a very much larger measure of success than he has yet attained. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 487 SOLOMON S. LANDER. While success cannot be achieved without unflagging industry, the futility of effort is often noticeable in the business world and results from the fact that it is not combined with sound judgment. Many a man who gives his entire life to hard, earnest, unremitting toil never acquires a competence, but when labor is well directed, prosperity always follows. Solomon S. Lander is one whose work has been supplemented by careful management and he is consequently numbered among the successful business men of Eaton, Ohio. Lander is an English name and the supposition is that the founder of the family settled in the Rheinfeltz, in Bavaria. Some of the descendants of this original Lander are now living at Altoona, Pennsylvania, one being Washington Lander. Solomon S. Lander is the proprietor of a store in Eaton and deals in groceries, cigars, tobacco, sporting goods, fishing tackle and baseball goods. Solomon S. Lander was born May 5, 1861, in Somers township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of John and Caroline (Krauth) Lander, natives of Germany, who had three children : Mary A., of Eaton; William O., deceased, and Solomon S., of Eaton. John Lander came to America when a young man and settled, first, in Butler county, Ohio, where he followed farming. Later, in the sixties, he moved to Preble county and settled. in Twin township. Later, in the fall of 1867, he moved to Eaton, and started a provision store in the basement of the Charles Thum store. In 1869 he moved to the Kline building, in which location he conducted a grocery and bakery until 1872. In 1870 he bought a building in the Commercial Block and opened a grocery where his youngest son now does business. In 1876 there was a fire, which burned out the buildings adjoining him on the east, and he then bought the lots and erected a new building, in which he conducted his business until May, 1890. At that time his sons, William O. and Solomon, bought him out, and they continued together until March, 1909, under the firm name of Lander Brothers. William Landers died on March 26, 1909, from a stroke of apoplexy. John Landers died July 23, 1892, at the age of seventy-one, and his wife lived until February 13, 1910, dying at the age of eighty-seven years and five months. She -was a member of. the Presbyterian church. The paternal grandparents of Solomon- S. Lander were born, reared and died in Germany. They had five children, John, Jacob, William, Philip and Gertrude. Mr. Lander's maternal grandparents were William Krauth and who died in Butler County and Mon 488 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. They were the parents of eight children, Caroline, Agnes, William, Gottlieb, Elizabeth, Johanna, Joseph and Catharine. Solomon S. Lander is descended from Huguenot stock on his paternal side. Solomon S. Lander was born and reared in Preble county, and has lived. in Eaton since 1867, in which year, when he was six years old, his parents moved to that city. He attended the public schools and began helping his father in the store in the winter of 1879, continuing with him until he and his brother bought their father out. Since his brother William's death he has continued the business alone. Mr. Lander was married November 25, 1890, to Catharine Deekin, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Deekin, of Cincinnati. Mrs. Lander is a member of the Catholic church. Her father died before she was born and her mother died in 1906, at the age of eighty-four. Mr. Lander is a member of the Democratic party and takes a keen interest in political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Lander are well known and highly respected citizens of Eaton and Preble county. ERNEST R. SHAVER. Ernest R. Shaver is recognized as one of the energetic, well known. business men of Eaton, Ohio, who, by his enterprise and progressive methods, has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the locality where he lives. He has been successful in the many lines ta whictohis efforts have been directed, and enjoys a distinctive prestige among-the representative men of his community. Ernest R. Shaver, who operates an automobile garage and repair shop. in Eaton, Ohio, was born July 4,. 1874, in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of Madison and Nancy (Whitesell) Shaver, natives. of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, who were the parents of two children, the other of whom also was a son, George. Madison Shaver was reared on a farm in Roanoke county, Virginia,. and, during the Civil War, enlisted for service in the Confederate army for three years. He served four years as a private and after the close of the war came to Ohio and settled in Preble county, where he married and where he engaged in farming. For the last twenty-five years he has lived in Eaton, where he has been engaged in various pursuits. The paternal grandfather of Ernest R. Shaver was Adam Shaver, who. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 489 came to Preble county from Virginia some years after the close of the Civil War, but moved to Indiana later, where he lived in Wayne county, near Richmond. His death occurred there, he being well advanced in years at the time of his demise. He was the father of Madison, James, Jacob, Barbara, Lucy and Margaret. The maternal grandparents of Ernest R. Shaver were George and Esther (McCulloch) Whitesell, natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana, respectively. They died in Preble county well advanced in years, having reared a family of six children : John, David, Rhodes, Samuel, Frank and Nancy. Ernest R. Shaver was reared on a farm in Preble county, Ohio. He attended the district schools of his home neighborhood and was also a student in the Eaton public schools. After leaving school he followed various. pursuits, finally learning the machinist's trade, which he has followed ever since. He operated a bicycle repair shop for eleven years, but for the past six years has been engaged in the automobile repair business on East Main street in Eaton. Mr. Shaver was married March 23, 1908; to Adaline Ehrhardt; who was born in Eaton, Ohio, the daughter of Fred and Catherine (Schabell) Ehrhardt. Her parents have been residents of Eaton for thirty years, and reared two children, the other of whom also is a daughter, Gertrude. Mr. Shaver is a member of Waverley Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias. He is an adherent of the Democratic party, although he has never been especially active in political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Shaver are popular in Eaton, where they have a large circle of friends, who admire them for their many good qualities of head and heart. WILLIAM R. HINES The record of the subject of this sketch is that of a man who, by his own unaided efforts, has worked his way from a moderate beginning to a place of influence in his community. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Preble county, whose interests he has ever had at heart and which he has always labored to promote. William R. Hines, one of the best known farmers of Dixon township, was born in Somers township on what is known as Backbone hill, one mile. 490 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. north of Camden, December 11, 1852. He is a son of Christopher and Margaret (O'Brien) Hines. Christopher Hines was born in County Dublin, Ireland, and after his marriage came to. the United States, in 1849, landing at New Orleans on the 17th day of March. He and his wife were without material means and their lives, after reaching this country, for a few years were characterized by much self-denial and strenuous efforts, he accepting any honest employment. that offered itself. Eventually, he and his wife, made their way to Cincinnati; Ohio, and later to Camden, Preble county, where he found work and was employed there until some time afterwards, when he located on a farm in Somers township, where he remained until his death in April, 1858. His' widow survived him many years, dying June 23, 1891. They were the parents of but two children, the subject of this sketch and one who died during the voyage across the Atlantic. William R. Hines was reared in the neighborhood of Camden and attended the common schools of that locality until about fifteen' years of age. As soon as old enough, he applied his energies to farming, remaining with his widowed mother, and at the age of twenty-three years, he was married. His career as an agriculturist has been characterized by hard work and his' efforts have been crowned with a due measure of success. Mr. Hines gives attention to every phase of farming and is a close reader of agricultural literature, being numbered among the intelligent and successful farmers of Dixon township. ' On January 24, 1876, Mr. Hines married Claretta B. Welch, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, May 5, 1856; the daughter of Michael and Mary Welch. The latter were originally from Illinois whence they moved to Indiana, later to Kentucky and finally located in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hines have been born seven children, of whom five are living, Cora, a graduate of the Fairhaven high school and the wife of Thomas Markey; Mabel, the wife of William McKilligate Mary E.; the deceased wife of Lawrence Weadick ; Margaret, the wife of David Groves, of Dayton, Ohio ; Florence, who is unmarried and lives at Dayton; W. F., who is unmarried and lives at home; and Sylvester, who is a graduate of the local high school .and lives in Dayton, Ohio. Politically, William R.. Hines is identified with the Democratic party. and for eighteen years rendered efficient service to his community as a member of the board of education and has also served as a ditch commissioner and a member of the board of health: Fraternally, he is a member of Eaton Lodge No. 3o, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs and has been a member of the grand lodge. Mr. Hines is a splen- PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 491 did type of the intelligent, up-to-date, self-made American in the fullest sense of the term and is regarded as one of the best citizens of his community. As a citizen he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns the common weal and merits the respect and confidence of all. IRVIN ORLANDO BAKER. One of the influential citizens of Eaton, Ohio, is Irvin Orlando Baker, a man who ranks with the city's leading business men and representative citizens. Br. Baker is a man of excellent endowment and upright character. He has been a valuable factor in local affairs and has always had the confidence and esteem of the people where he is known. He has been loyal to the, larger interests of the community and vigilant in his efforts to promote the civic welfare. Irvin Orlando Baker was born January 3, 1861, near Manchester, Preble county, Ohio, the son of James L. and Lydia M., (Creager.) Baker, natives of Ohio, whose only other child died in infancy. James L. Baker was reared near Eldorado, in Preble county, and all his life was a farmer. He died in 186i at the age of twenty-eight, his wife dying in 1902 at the age of sixty-six. She was a member of the Lutheran church. The paternal grandparents of Irvin 0. Baker were George and Martha Baker, natives of Maryland and early settlers in Preble county, Ohio, where they farmed. Both lived to ripe old age. Mr. Baker was killed by a train. They were the patents of James, Andrew, Daniel, Albert, Mary Jane and several children who died in infancy. Mr. Baker's maternal grandparents were Ezra and Delilah Creager, natives of Ohio, the' former of whom was a farmer and active in the civic life of his township, having held several township offices. He died at the age of seventy-three and his ,wife at the age of seventy-five. They had nine children, Lydia, Betty, Angeline, Catherine, Mary, Jennie, John, Levi and Joseph. Irvin O. Baker was reared in Washington township on his grandfather Creager's farm and attended the district schools of that township. He lived with his grandfather until grown and then worked for himself a short time before his marriage: He first rented a farm in Washington township for two years and then bought eighty acres in Jay county, Indiana, and was there a few years. He sold out and returned to Preble county, farming there 492 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. until 1908. He then went to Lewisburg and went into the meat business: In 1910 he moved to Eaton and until recently operated two meat markets. His present location is at the northeast corner of Main and Barron streets: where he owns a first-class market and does a large business. Mr Baker was married November 27, 1882; to Sadie Eddius, the daughter of Ivan Eddius and wife. Five children have been born to this union, Hallie, Bertie, Harry, Charles and Stanley. Hallie married Charles Marker, a farmer of Washington township, and has one son, Ralph. Bertie, deceased, was the wife of John Lanthrop and had one son, Glenn. Harry, who works for his father, married Ethel Floyd. Charles and Stanley also work for their father. Mrs. Baker was born at Eldorado, Ohio, her parents being natives of this state. Her mother died when she was a small child and her father is still living at the age of eighty-six. They had two children, Sadie and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Christian church and Mr. Baker belongs to the Lewisburg lodge of Knights of Pythias. Politically, Mr. Baker is a Democrat. The Baker family are highly respected and valuable citizens of Eaton and Preble county. CHARLES R COKEFAIR Few residents of Preble county, Ohio, are more favorably known or more enterprising in business than Charles B. Cokefair, a druggist of Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Cokefair is in every sense a representative citizen and none stand's higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community. Very few men are more devoted to matters of public interest than Mr. Cokefair.: Charles B. Coke fair was born in Cambridge City, Indiana, May 18, 1857, the son of James Monroe, and Catherine (Cokefair) Cokefair; natives of New. Jersey and Union county, Indiana, respectively, who were the parents of four children, Carrie, the wife of Dr. H. E. Jones, of Anderson, Indiana; Etta C., the widow of Dr. George Miller, of Anderson, Indiana; Lafayette, deceased; and Charles B., of Eaton. James Monroe Cokefair was reared in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and was a cabinet maker by trade. He migrated west to Indiana in 1846 and located in Union county, where he started a furniture factory, but disposed of it in order to take service as a soldier during the Mexican War, after which he located in Cambridge City, Indiana, where he again engaged in PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 493 the manufacture of furniture, disposing. of this business, in turn, to enlist as a soldier in the Civil War. He served throughout the entire four years of the war as captain of the Third Indiana Battery. After the war he became one of the .publishers of the Indianapolis Sentinel and died in Indianapolis, February 16, 1867, at the age of forty-seven, his wife dying in .Anderson, Indiana, at the age of seventy-seven. They were members of the Presbyterian church. James M. Cokefair was a prominent man in his day. He was well known throughout the state of Indiana and was deeply interested in its political and business life. The paternal grandfather of Charles B. Cokefair was Michael Cokefair, who was a hatter in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and who died in Cambridge City, Indiana, in 1864, at an advanced age. He and his wife had a large family, including Isaac, Burton, Emmons and James Monroe. The maternal grandparents of Charles B. Cokefair were Elisha and Francis (Miller) Cokefair, natives of New Jersey, who were the parents of Lewis, John, Catherine and Caroline (twins), Sylvanus, Frances and Elisha. Elisha Cokefair, Sr., was a pioneer in Union county, Indiana, in which county he located in 182o. He operated the first woolen factory in the state of Indiana. 4 He and his wife died in Union county at advanced ages. Charles B. Cokefair was reared in Cambridge City, Indiana, and attended the public schools at that place. He entered a drug store at the age of fourteen and has followed the drug business ever since. He is a registered pharmacist. Mr. Cokefair located in College Corners, Ohio, in 1879 and remained there until 1888, in which year he. came to Eaton and established a drug store which he has conducted since that time, a period of twenty-six years. On November 16, 1887, Charles B. Cokefair was married to Della V. Silver, the daughter of James R. and Amanda (Gregg) Silver. Mr. and Mrs. Cokefair are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Cokefair is a member of Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons; Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons; Reese Council, Royal and Select Masters, Dayton, Ohio; Reed Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar, of Dayton; Antioch Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and Miami Valley Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons. He also is a member of Waverley Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Cokefair is a stanch Democrat and has served as county coroner one term and in that position discharged his duties faithfully and well. He is vice-president of the Eaton Lighting Company, and also vice-president of the Eaton Telephone Company, a director in the Camden Telephone Company, a director in the New Paris Telephone Com- 494 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. pany, and also associated with the telephone companies at West Manchester, Eldorado and Lewisburg. Mrs. Cokefair was born in Pendleton, Indiana. Her mother was born at Franklin, Ohio, and her father at Newcastle, Indiana. Her father died in 1912 at the age of eighty-five years and, ten months. Her mother died on February 23, 1915. They had seven children, four of whom lived to maturity, William G., Harry, Della and Arthur. Mrs. Cokefair's father was a dry g000ds merchant in young manhood, but he later looked after his farms in Madison county. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Cokefair were William and Ann (Robinson) Silver, early settlers of Madison county, Indiana. Mrs. Silver was a native of Kentucky and died at the age of forty-four, her husband surviving her many years, his death not occurring until he was eighty-five years., old. They had five children, Josephine, Quincy, Araminta, Louisa and James. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Cokefair were William and Susanne (Millard) Gregg, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom was a farmer near Springboro, Ohio, who died there at the age of seventy-eight, his wife dying at the age of seventy-seven. They were the parents of Mordecai, Hiram, Jonah, James, George, Amanda and Catherine. Charles B. Cokefair, in his personal and business life, has proved a worthy son of a prominent father and enjoys the unlimited confidence of the people of the community in which he has lived for so many years. WILLIAM H. STRAW. Preble county has been fortunate in the number and character of its farmers, and very much of the prosperity of the county can be attributed to the fact that its farmers have kept abreast of the times. It can hardly be questioned that the farmer is an index to the civilization of the community. If the farmers are progressive and up to date, it follows naturally that the standard of living in that community will be high. Thousands of banks have been organized within the last few years in order to supply the needs of the farmer. The farmer and his stock furnishes most of the money for most of the smaller banks throughout the United States. The wholesome living, which is the good fortune, of the farmers, is a big factor in maintaining the general tone of a county. Preble county has long been known as one of the best farming counties of Ohio, and among the excellent farmers PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 495 of this county William H. Straw, now living retired at 114 South Maple street, Eaton, Ohio, deserved a place in .the foremost ranks. William H. Straw was born April 6, 1840, in Preble county, Ohio, the son of Peter and Mariah (Huffman) Straw, both natives of Germany, who were married in Preble county and were extremely successful as farmers. Peter Straw was quite well-to-do, having, with the aid of his good wife, made the entire competence which he possessed at the time of his death in 1874. His wife died in 1880. Peter Straw and wife were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living: William H.; Joseph; George W., and Sarah, who is the wife of Robert Appleby. William H. Straw was reared on a farm in Preble county, Ohio. His education was somewhat neglected. Early in life he worked in a slaughter house, but quit this work for farming after his marriage, at the age of twenty-one. When he married he had absolutely nothing but a strong body and a willing mind, dominated by a determination to do well those things which his hand found to do. He began life as a renter of a small farm, and, with the constant and encouraging aid of his good wife, prospered from the very beginning of his farming venture. He presently was able to buy an excellent farm of one hundred and one acres, to which he later added one hundred and six. acres and later a strip of forty-seven acres, having had, at the time he sold his place and retired from the active life of the farm, an admirable farm of two hundred and, fifty-four acres, all of ,which he had brought to an excellent state of cultivation and which he had improved according to the most approved methods of modern agriculture. Mr. and Mrs. Straw attribute their success in life to their habits of thrift and frugality, in which they became so well grounded during the days of their early struggles for a foothold, and it is highly fitting that the lesson of their lives should be set out here in the history of the county in which this success was achieved. Mr. Straw was married October 10, 1861, to Melvina Stetler, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Marona) Stetler, the former a native of Penn-Sylvania and the latter a native of Delaware, who came to Preble county, Ohio, from their native states, their daughter, Melvina, being born in Washington township, January 23, 1840. She was reared on the farm and educated in the common. schools. To William H. and Melvina (Stetler) Straw were born two children, Alice and Florence, the latter of whom married John W. Horine and had one daughter, Pauline, and died at the age of thirty-seven. Alice, the wife of Leonard Spacht, lives in Washington township. 496 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Mrs. Straw is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Straw is a member of Eaton Lodge No. 30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politi.cally, he is a Republican. Few men living in Eaton are more highly respected than William H. Straw, and very few have contributed more to the substantial wellbeing of the community in which he lives.  JOSEPH FLEISCH. The true measure 6f individual success is determined by what one has accomplished. An enumeration of those men who have succeeded in their special vocations in Preble county and at the same time are impressing their personalities on the community, men who are conferring honor upon the locality in which they reside, would be incomplete were there a failure to make specific mention of Joseph Fleisch, a farmer of Dixon township. His success has been the direct result of his industry, optimism and good business management. Joseph Fleisch was born in the southern part of Preble county, Ohio, October 26, 1841, the son of Michael and Catherine (Megley) Fleisch. Michael Fleisch was born in Bavaria, Germany, and his wife was also a native of Germany. She was first married to a man by the name of Vanier. Michael Fleisch came to the United States at an early age and finally located in Butler county, Ohio, where he was married. His wife lived at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, before coming to Ohio. Michael Fleisch worked in a distillery in Butler county. He came to Preble county, Ohio, in 1842, where he bought a farm and lived upon it until his death in 1891. He was the father of ten children, only two of whom are living, Joseph and Jacob, the latter of whom lives in Kansas. Joseph Fleisch has been a resident of Preble county, Ohio, since 1841. Be worked on a farm during his younger days and after he had reached his majority he was employed by his father for five hundred dollars .a year, working for him until he was twenty-four years old. On November 2, . 1865, Mr. Fleisch was married to Lucinda Laflin, Who was born and reared in Union county, Indiana, July 2, 1845, the daughter of William and Mary (Maddox) Laflin. To this union were born eight children, seven of whom are living.: Lottie, the wife of L. C. Reaver; Jacob, who is married and lives in Dixon township; Lawrence, who is married and lives in Wayne county, Indiana; Ida, the widow of Waldo Powell; PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 497 Viola, the wife of Frank Brandley ; William, who married Ethel Duffield and lives on the farm with his father, and Warner, who married Minnie Parker and lives in Wayne county, Indiana. Mr. Fleisch now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, but at different times in his life has owned much more than this. He is a Democrat, although he has never taken an especially active part in political affairs and has never held office. He is a man highly respected in his community, not only for his enterprising habits, but for his genial temperament and native friendliness. Few men have a larger claim to the gracious regard of his neighbors and friends than Joseph Fleisch. JAMES SWIHART. The present generation derives great pleasure in contemplating the careers and works of those of the generation whose active lives are finished. In the hurly-burly of active life there is little time to measure accurately one's own successes and triumphs, defeats and rebuffs. Moreover, self-analysis is difficult for one of a proper perspective. With a passed generation, whose works are finished, a focus is obtainable and deeds appear in their proper proportion. It is not difficult, for example, to measure the many good deeds of the venerable James Swihart, of Eaton, Ohio, whose live has been devoted unceasingly to noble thoughts and unselfish service. James Swihart, now living retired in Eaton, Ohio, was born January 8, 1825, in Montgomery county, Ohio, the son of Jonathan and Sophia (Cloyd) Swihart, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1802 and the latter in Virginia in 18o5, who were the parents of eight children, James, Stephen, Henry, Jonathan, Harvey, Catharine, Eliza and Anna. Jonathan Swihart and wife, came west to Ohio in 181.0 and settled in Montgomery county,. where they engaged in farming. They died there, he at the age of seventy-four and she at the age of ninety-six years, three months and six days. Throughout their lives they were devout members of the German Baptist church. The paternal grandparents of James Swihart were Adam Swihart and wife, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 181o, where they died. Adam Swihart was a farmer and was descended from good German stock. Among his children were Jonathan, Henry, (32) 498 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Daniel and Levi. The maternal grandparents of James Swihart were James and Sophia Cloyd, natives of Virginia and of Irish descent, Mrs. Cloyd's father having come from Ireland to America. Their children were Edward, Joshua, Stephen, Sophia and Hannah. James Swihart was reared in Montgomery county, Ohio, and came to Preble county in 1850, settling one-half mile south of New Hope in Jackson township, where he bought a farm of seventy-six acres for fifteen hundred dollars. He' improved this farm and added fifty-two acres to it and there lived more than sixty years, at the end of which time he sold the farm and moved to Eaton, April 19, 1914. The barn on this farm was built in 1854 and the house in 1866. On September 15, 1847, James Swihart was married to Mary Miller, the daughter of Rev. Daniel and Sarah (Harris) Miller, the former of whom was a German Baptist minister, born in 1799. To James and Mary (Miller) Swihart four children were born, as follows : John Henry, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, who married Melissa Surface and has two children, Charles and Mary; Sarah Ann, the wife of Martin Saylor, of Eaton, Ohio, to whom have been born five children, Hugh, Dora, Mary, George and Abraham, the latter of whom died in infancy; Daniel M., of Eaton, who has one (laughter, Dessie, and Sophia, who died at the age of twenty-two months. Mrs. Swihart died in 1870, at the age of forty-two. She had two sisters, Anna and Sarah, and one brother, Samuel. Mr. Swihart married, secondly, May 15, 1872, Mrs. Catherine Wysong, the widow of Columbus Wysong, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Eikenbary) Wysong, who had two children by her former marriage, Alice and one who died in infancy. Alice married John Markey, of Preble county and they had five children, two of whom are now living, Clarence and Esther. Mrs. Catherine Swihart was born in Preble county, November 22, 1848. Her parents were natives of Preble county and her father died here about 1894 at the age of sixty-eight. Her mother, who was born January 7, 1828, is still living at the age of eighty-six. years. John and Elizabeth (Eikenbary) Wysong were the parents of ten children, Catharine, Isaac B., Adam, Reuben, Simon, Eli, Sarah Ann, Delilah, Mary and Harriett. Mr. and Mrs. James Swihart are members of the German Baptist church in which Mr. Swihart is a deacon. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. Although past eighty-nine years of age Mr. Swihart is well preserved, has a keen intellect and a remarkably good memory. He has been a resident of Preble county sixty-four years and has seen a won- PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 499 derful development in that time. He has always been an industrious man, a hard worker, feeling that it is better to wear out by industrious habits than to rust out. His strength of body and active mind have, no doubt, been so well preserved as a consequence of his energetic physical and mental exercise. He and his good wife are now enjoying a well-earned respite from their long years of toil. They have a substantial competency for their old age, are loved by everybody and enjoy the reflections and commendations which come to those whose lives have been well spent. Daniel M. Swihart was reared on his father's farm in Jackson township and attended the district schools. He lived at home until twenty-three years of age and then began farming for himself. In 1891 he moved to Eaton and worked in a hardware store for seventeen years. For the past six years he has been in the insurance business, in partnership with George H. Kelly and Daisy Kline, the firm being Kelly, Kline and Swihart. Daniel M. Swihart was married April 17, 1881, to Elizabeth Scheid, the daughter of George and Catherine (Miller) Scheid. One daughter, Dessie, as has been before mentioned, was born to this union. Mrs. Daniel Swihart's parents were natives of Germany and came to America, settling in Butler county, Ohio, where they were married. Her father is deceased but her mother is still living. They were the parents of ten children, Mary, Elizabeth, Ella, Ottilla, Nora, Anna, Emma, Frank, Reuben and Edward. The Swihart family are eminently respected citizens of Preble county and enjoy the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. DR. HORATIO Z. SILVER. The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, September 22, 1872, a son of Oscar W. and Helena (Button) Silver, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. Oscar W. Silver and wife were the parents of three children, Dr. Horatio Z., of Eaton; William B., of Dixon township, this county, and one who died in infancy. Oscar W. Silver was reared on a farm and has always followed this vocation. He lived on the same farm in Dixon township for about fifty years, and he now owns one hundred and sixty acres. He was a soldier in the Civil War, being a member of Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he was a private. He is of Quaker faith, while Mrs. Silver is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.