350 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY was also born in New Jersey, and they had the following children: Thomas, who served as a soldier in the Civil War, later moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and subsequently met death at the hands of an unknown robber; Samuel. who resides at Nickerson, Reno County. Kansas. married (first) to Katherine Blue. of New Jersey, who left three children—Melvinia, Calvin and Charles—and ( second) to a lady from Illinois, who left no issue. and (third) to a lady from Kansas. who left one child, Wannetto ; Charles. subject of this sketch; and William, who married Maria Wallace, both now deceased. survived by Ocia Belle and Frank. Charles Chaffee spent his earlier life near Princeton. New Jersey, and then came to Ohio with his brother, locating on the A. R. Barnes farm in Elizabeth Township. He made his home there and secured work by the month on neighboring farms, later worked for John Dve. of Elizabeth Town- ship, after which he went to White County, Indiana, for a season. He later returned to Elizabeth Township and continued to work by the day or month, on different farms up to the time of his marriage. in 1858. after which he settled on a rented farm, the same on which the Knoop home now stands. From there he moved to Shelby County and operated a farm for his wife's uncle for four years, after which he returned to Elizabeth Township and bought his present farm of twelve acres. There were some buildings on the place at that time, but Mr. Chaffee later remodeled the house and erected other 'buildings and made the improvements which have added much to the value of the place. Here Mr. Chaffee lived for three years and then moved to the Cecil farm and rented it for three years, after which he went back to his own farm for the same length of time, and then moved to a farm near Troy, which is now owned by Frank Muck. Mr. Chaffee then rented his wife's uncle's farm of 200 acres, which he managed for seven years, and moved back then to his own place, which he had increased to forty-seven acres, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Chaffee carries on general farming and raises stock for his own use. Mr. Chaffee was married July 28. 1858, to Miss Sarah Hale, a daughter of Samuel and Frances (Kissinger) Hale, of West Virginia, and they have had the following children : Roverda Belle, who married S. R. Cashner, of West Milton, and has one daughter ; Mayme, who married Lester Miller and has one son, Marvin Hewitt, and a son (of Roverda Belle), Herbert Eugene; Andrew, who married Mattie Johnson, daughter of John and Belle (Long) Johnson, and has had five children —Wilbur, Harold, Sadie Belle. deceased, Bernice and Robert E.; Alice Lovelia, deceased, who was the wife of Harry Knoop; Charles Ellis, now deceased ; and Carl C., who lives at Troy, Ohio. Mr. Chaffee is a member of the Baptist Church at Casstown. He is a Democrat in politics but ht. has never been willing to accept office. At one time he was a member of the Grange, at Casstown, and took an active part in its proceedings. R. M. O'FERRALL, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Piqua, comes of a medical family, inheriting his professional inclinations from an eminent father and grandfather. He was born in December, 1855, at Piqua. Ohio, and is a son of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 351 Dr. John and a grandson of Dr. John O'Ferrall. The late Dr. John O'Ferrall, father of Dr. R. M., was born at Piqua, Ohio. in 1824. a son of Dr. John O'Ferrall, who was a pioneer physician who settled here in 1819. In 1843, Dr. John O'Ferrall was graduated from Louisville Medical College and located at Piqua, but resided in California from 1848 until 1850, when he returned to Ohio, called to Piqua by the death of his father. He engaged in practice until the second year of the Civil War, when lie entered the army, becoming major of the Eleventh Regiment O. Vol. Cav., and served two years. He resumed practice after his return and also took a public spirited interest in the development of this section. In 1869 he built a woolen mill and in 1872 was one of the leading organizers of the Lock flouring mill. He was also instrumental in the rebuilding of the car and agricultural works at Piqua, about the same time. His eminence as a physician was recognized, but lie was a man of so active a brain and so possessed of foresight that enterprises outside his profession continually appealed to him, with consequent beneficial results to the community. Dr. R. M. O'Ferrall was graduated from Kenyon College in 1875, then spent a year in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. In 1880 he was graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, and was interne in the Cincinnati Hospital for one year. After a short season of relaxation in the West, lie located permanently at Piqua, and here be has sustained the medical reputation the name of O'Ferrall has so long enjoyed. He has always shown enthusiasm for his profession and is a valued member of the Miami County, the Ohio State, and American Medical Associations and belongs also to the Association of Surgeons of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He is a surgeon for the Pennsylvania & C. H. & D. Railroad. In 1886 Dr. O'Ferrall was married to Miss Pauline Bassett, who was born in the State of New York, and they have two sons: Kirk Bassett, who is a student at Kenyon College and John Dwight, who is a student in the Piqua High School. Dr. O'Ferrall is junior warden of St. James' Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Piqua Club and of the Loyal Legion military order. OSCAR VAN HORN, a resident of Covington for almost half a century, is a well known citizen and is clerk in charge of the railway mail service on what is known as the Pittsburg-St. Louis Railway Postoffice, being first appointed by President Garfield, in 1882. He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, January 27, 1857, and is a son of William and Rebecca Ann (Mathews) Van Horn. The father of Mr. Van Horn resided on a farm at the time of the latter's birth, but lie was a stone-cutter by trade and mainly worked as such, and as early as 1838 he assisted in building the old court house at Dayton. In 1860 Mr. Van Horn's parents started for Missouri and on their way reached Covington just at the time that Fort Sumter was fired on by the Confederates. William Van Horn decided, on account of the disturbed condition of the country, to move no farther west and then settled on the lot of ground in this city on which their son Oscar now lives. The eldest son, Robert E.. although only four- 352 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY teen years of age, ran away from home to enter the army, and enlisted in the Sixty-first O. Vol. Inf., and served through the Civil War, being injured in the last battle, that of Bentonville, North Carolina. Although he still survives and is a resident of the State of Indiana, he suffered for a long time in a hospital from his wound, having been shot entirely through his body. William Van Horn started up in the stone business at Covington, where he acquired a stone quarry, and he continued to work as a stone-cutter up to the time of his death, in 1895, when he had the record of being the oldest worker in that industry in the State of Ohio. His death was unexpected, taking place while lie was on a visit to his son, Warren S., at Detroit, Michigan. He married Rebecca Ann Mathews, who died in 1893. They had five children, namely : Robert E.; Margaret A., who is the wife of Andrew Cruzen, living in Michigan; Oscar; Edward, a twin brother of Oscar, residing at Piqua; and Warren, who is a railway clerk on the Michigan Central Railroad between Detroit and Chicago. Oscar Van Horn was reared and educated at Covington. Under his father he learned the stone-cutting trade, at which he worked until he entered the railway mail service. He is one of the oldest railway mail clerks in the United States, iii point of years of service, and lie has seen this branch developed to its present perfection. During the first administration of the late President Cleveland, he was out for three years. but was returned under President Harrison and was promoted to be clerk in charge under the second Cleveland administration, this being on account of his proficiency and not for political reasons. The position is one of great responsibility, requiring the utmost accuracy and careful attention. Of the fourteen men in Clerk Van Horn's crew, three are from Covington. Mr. Van Horn was married to Miss Ella E. Medford, a native of Kentucky, and they have one daughter, Ada C. The latter married Dr. L. A. Ruhl, of Covington, and they have one son, Joseph AV. Mr. Van Horn is a member of the leading fraternal organizations and an official in a number of them. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason and is past master of Covington Lodge, No. 168. He is a past grand of Covington Lodge, No. 383, Odd Fellows, and is past chancellor of Stillwater Lodge, No. 233, Knights of Pythias. C. W. MONTGOMERY, head of the Montgomery Printing Company, has been a resident of Troy, Ohio, for nearly twenty years and is one of the most active of the younger generation of business men. He was born at West Milton, in Miami County, Ohio, in May, 1865, and is a son of Stephen and Sarah (Randall) Montgomery. C. W. Montgomery was reared in his native village, and attended school there and one year in Dayton. When about fifteen years of age lie began learning the printing business in West Milton, where he continued for three years and then moved to Indianapolis. He was employed by the job printing establishment of Carlon & Hollenbeck for a number of years. In 1890 lie located at Troy and for some years was foreman of the printing plant of the Buckeye Company ; he was part owner of that concern nine years, after AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 353 which he sold out, and in November, 1903, he established the Montgomery Printing Company. He does general job printing and has built up a large and well paying patronage. In 1894 C. AV. Montgomery was united in marriage with Miss Martha Landrey, who was born and reared in Troy. He has taken a more or less active interest in politics, and has served on the Democratic County Central Committee and the executive committee, being secretary of the latter for four or five years. Fraternally lie is affiliated with the Masons. HARRY JAMES HARSHBARGER, a representative business man of Tippecanoe City, assistant manager of the Tipp-Whip Company, was born in this city, January 17, 1870, and is a son of Isaac and Anna (Kahle) Harshbarger. Isaac Harshbarger was born in Miami County, Ohio, and was a son of Henry Harshbarger, who came to this section from Virginia. About 1867 Isaac Harshbarger moved to Illinois, but returned to Tippecanoe City, where lie died when aged about thirty-eight years. He married Anna Kable, a daughter of James Kable, who also moved to Illinois, but died at Tippecanoe City. Mrs. Harshbarger still survives. The family consisted of two sons and three daughters, namely : A. L., who is a member of the Tipp Whip Company, and married Kittie Staley ; Mary, who is the wife of F. G. Davis, of Tippecanoe City; Bertha, who is the wife of Prof. H. Hutchins, principal of the public schools of Toledo ; Harry James; and Mabel, who is the wife of Rev. H. J. Collins. Harry J. Harshbarger attended the public schools of his native city and took a commercial course in the Wilt Business College, at Dayton, and for two years officiated as bookkeeper and stenographer for the Dayton Dry Goods Company, and for nine years more was with the Ware Coffee Company, of that city. Since 1900 he has been identified with the Tipp Whip Company. In June, 1895, Mr. Harshbarger was married to Miss Mary Hogendobler, a daughter of Frederick Hogendobler. She was reared at Springfield. They have three children, Frederick, Mary and Benjamin. Mr. Harshbarger is a member of Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 174, F. & A. M., and Chapter and Council at Troy, and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen and Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a Republican. JOAN H. PECKER, superintendent of the plant of The Favorite Stove and Range Company, at Piqua, and identified with other business enterprises, has been a resident of this city for some twenty years. He was born at Covington, Kentucky, where he completed his school attendance in boyhood. Mr. Fecker began work for the Favorite Stove people many years ago, first operating a drill and later learning stove plate moulding in their foundries. Through his own industry and enterprise lie has worked his way up to his present position, one of great responsibility, which he has filled since January 1, 1907. Not only is he a thorough master of detail and skilled in all the branches of the work which he must, in a manner, oversee, but he possesses the qualities of a good executive officer and finds little trouble in managing the large force of employes. Mr. Fecker is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, be- 354 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY longing to the Eagles, the Red Men, the American Mechanics and the Iron Moulders' Union, at the present time being an honorary member of the latter. He served one term as a member of the city council, 1906-07. HENRY DAVIS, general farmer and owner of eighty acres of valuable land situated in Section 4, Elizabeth Township, was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 16, 1864, and is a son of Casper and Rachel (Plummer) Davis. The parents of Mr. Davis were farming people and he lived at home until his marriage, and then came to his present farm on which he has lived ever since. He has two sisters: Sarah, who is the wife of McClain Kennedy ; and Nancv, who is the widow of William Lestley. Mr. Davis helped to build all the farm structures. He has a fine orchard and raises the usual crops of this section, but has given but little attention to growing tobacco. All his surroundings indicate a large amount of comfort. Mr. Davis married Miss Effie May Warner, who is a daughter of John and Minerva Warner, and they have three children, all making good progress at school —Bertha, Earl and Edith. Mr. Davis and family attend the Christian Church at. Addison. JOHN H. BAKER, M. D., who is recognized as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Piqua, has been a resident of this city for the past fourteen years and is identified with all that is best in its life. He was born in Perry County. Ohio, in 1870, and there grew to manhood. From the public schools of Perry Coun ty, Dr. Baker entered the Ohio State University and later Starling Medical College and was graduated with his degree from the latter institution in the class of 1895. He located at Piqua, choosing this city for both business and social reasons, and has become a valued citizen and a prominent professional man here. He is a member of the Miami County and Ohio State Medical Societies and of the American Medical Association. His well equipped office is located at No. 215 West Ash Street. In 1900 Dr. Baker was married to Miss Helen Constance Castle, a lady of much literary talent, whose contributions regularly appear in the leading magazines of the day. She was born at Leavenworth, Kansas, and is a granddaughter of Capt. William Downs. who came to Miami County in 1837. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Capt. William J. Downs was a prominent civil engineer. and with his father-in-law, laid out the Miami and Erie Canal. and also constructed the St. Mary's Reservoir. CHARLES A. HARTLEY., M. D., one of Troy's best established physicians and surgeons, was born in 1847, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and secured the larger part of his literary education at Columbus Grove. In early manhood, Dr. Hartley made his choice of profession. After proper preparation fie attended medical lectures at Western Reserve College, at Cleveland, Ohio, and later the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in February, 1871. For a short time he practiced in Kansas and then returned to Ohio, locating for six months in Warren County and then settling at Casstown. in Miami County, where he con- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 357 tinued for twenty years, when, in April, 1892, he came to Troy. He is identified with all the leading medical bodies of his school of practice, including the State and National Eclectic Associations, the Central Ohio Eclectic Medical Association, the Miami County Medical Association, and the Ohio State Medical Association. In 1875, Dr. Hartley was married to Miss Sarah M. Allen, who formerly was a popular teacher in the public schools of Troy, and the wife of M. T. Rossiter, of this city. Dr. Hartley is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs also to the Odd Fellows. In his character as a citizen, lie is they have one daughter, Clara E., who is broad minded and public spirited. DAVIS MARION HONEYMAN, whose finely improved farm of eighty acres is situated in Concord Township, on the western township line, about four and one-half miles west of Troy, is one of the self-made men of this section who has gradually built up his fortune from a small beginning and takes a justifiable pride in the fact.: He was born in the old log house on the home farm near Troy, Ohio, January 18, 1856, and is a son of Michael and Lucinda (Hoover) Honeyman. Mr. Honeyman belongs to a pioneer family of Miami County, his grandfather, Benjamin Honeyman, coming here when the whole country was a forest and swamp land. He established himself near Nashville, Miami County, and to his first acquisition of land kept adding until he owned 400 acres, and gave each of his children forty acres. He lived to be eighty-two years of age and he was buried on his own farm, where many of the family rest. His children bore these names : William, Charles, Michael, Andrew, Benjamin, Serena, Anna, John and Susan. The two survivors are John and Benjamin. Serena was married to George Idemiller, who is also deceased; and Anna was the wife of Samuel Curtis, also deceased. Michael Honeyman, father of Davis M., was probably born in Pennsylvania, but he was quite young when the family came west, making the long journey through a wild region, in wagons. He grew to manhood near Nashville and helped his father to clear up the land and often told of the valuable timber that was burned by the pioneers ; much of it, if now standing, would mean a fortune to its owners. He lived at home until he was married and then bought eighty acres of the old .Jenkins farm, three miles west of Tippecanoe Citv and went to housekeeping in the old log house that still is tenanted. He acquired other land until he owned 300 acres, this being his estate at the time of his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was aged seventy-five years. Michael Honeyman married Lucinda Hoover, who was born across the river from Milton. Her father was John Hoover, of German descent, who was one of the very early settlers in Miami county. The following children were born to Michael Honeyman and wife: Webster, who died young; Sarah Jane, deceased—was the wife of William Frantz, also deceased ; Benjamin, residing in Montgomery County, Ohio ; Almeda, deceased—was the wife of David Jones, also deceased; John, deceased ; George, residing at Tippecanoe City : Davis M.; Hanford, residing in Parke County, Ohio ; Harvey, residing in Miami County, Ohio : Emeline, wife of Ira 358 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY Grisso, of Miami County: Cora, widow of Frank Fritz, of Miami County ; and Enos, who lives on the south end of the old home farm near Troy. Davis M. Honeyman remained at home helping his father until his own marriage. He found but little time to attend school, but went through the winter months sometimes, but the greater part of his boyhood and youth was put in in very hard work. For three years after his marriage lie lived on a farm belonging to his father, and in 1884 bought his present farm from Fred Fowler, and here he has engaged very successfully in general farming ever since. All the substantial buildings on the place were put up by Mr. Honeyman. When lie started out for himself lie received the gift of a horse from his father and with that went to work, exercising the prudence which has resulted in his now owning one of the very good farms and comfortable homes in the township. The handsome ten-room frame residence, setting back from the highway, he put up in 1903, having built the commodious barn in the previous year. Mr. Honeyman was married December 7, 1881, to Miss Anna Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of John and Mary (Idemiller) Smith. Mrs. Honeyman was born in Miami County, but her father came from Pennsylvania and her mother from Germany. Two children were born to this marriage: Minnie, who is the wife of Hubert Frantz, has one child and they live at Pleasant Hill; and Elnora, who lives at home. In politics Mr. Honeyman is a Democrat. He is an active citizen in his township and has served two terms, of three years each, on the School Board. WILLIAM A. VANDEGRIFT, a member of the firm of Bashor & Vandegrift, extensive dealers in farm implements at Covington, Ohio, is also one of the best known auctioneers and land criers in this section of the State. his services being constantly in demand and his successful sales amounting to very large sums annually. Mr. Vandegrift was born May 11, 1873, on a farm in Newberry Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Vandegrift. The father of Mr. Vandegrift resides on his farm in Darke County, Ohio, to which lie moved from Miami Countv. The mother died in Darke County. William A. Vandegrift was reared on the John Rhoades farm and was an apt pupil in the public schools. Until 1895 he devoted himself mainly to farming. In that year he established a grain business at Rangeville, on the C., H. & D. Railroad, and in November, 1897, a postoffice was established there, named Abe by the efforts of Mr. Vandegrift, and lie became its first postmaster. He continued in the grain business for five years and then gave himself the benefit of a vacation, spending seven months in an extended trip through the western States. In the latter part of 1906 he went into partnership in the farm implement business with S. B. Bashor, who had conducted a business of this kind at Covington for three years. The firm of Bashor & Vandegrift do a very large business. They have commodious ware and exhibit rooms and if their daily crowded condition is any indication of sales, they must provide for residents of a large territory. They handle only the most reliable machinery and implements and keep fully abreast of the times. Their AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 359 high commercial rating and trade standing enable them to make reasonable prices and conditions. Mr. Vandegrift married Miss Alice Smith and they have three children —Ray Ernest, Velma May and Luther Omer. S. B. Bashor, senior member of the firm of Bashor & Vandegrift, like his partner, was born on a farm in Newton Township, Miami County, Ohio, December 13, 1863, and is a son of Benjamin S. and Susanna (Martin) Bashor, the former of whom was a very prominent farmer and the latter a member of the old Martin kin, some of the best stock in the county. Both are now deceased. S. B. Bashor was appointed by Governor Bushnell, in June, 1896, supervisor of the State Deaf and Dumb Asylum, at Columbus, and he served in that capacity for four years, giving entire satisfaction. After the close of his official life he established himself, in 1901, in the implement business at Columbus, where he remained until he came to Covington, in 1903. He married Miss Carrie B. Hartle, a daughter of A. J. Hartle, and they have three children—Glenna, Io and J. Lee. Mr. Bashor is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is a Thirty-second degree Mason. C. E. HETHERINGTON, M. D., one of Piqua's well established professional men, has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery here for the past eight years and is the leading exponent of homeopathy. He was born at Piqua, in January, 1875, and is a son of William Hetherington and a grandson of William Hetherington. It was the elder William Hetherington who established the family in Miami Coun ty, and in 1838 he built the old lime kiln in Piqua and for many years was engaged in business as a contractor. The second William Hetherington was born at Piqua in 1852 and for a long period was identified with the manufacturing interests of this city. He is now president of the Ohio Handle Company, which plant is located at Jonesboro, Arkansas. Dr. Hetherington was reared in his native city, and after graduating with credit from the Piqua High School entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was graduated in 1896, with the degree of A. B., and later was granted the degree of A. M. He graduated in 1901 from the Chicago Homeopathic College, of Chicago. He immediately settled at Piqua, and has never had reason to regret his "choice of business field. He is a member of the Miami and Shelby County Homeopathic and the Ohio State Homeopathic Societies and of the National Homeopathic Society, through them keeping in close touch with the remarkable scientific discoveries of the times in his profession. Mrs. Hetherington is a daughter of Elias Kerns, an old resident of Miami County. Dr. Hetherington is a member of the Green Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, and various other secret orders and to the Piqua Club. PETER BOHLENDER, one of Tippecanoe City's most respected citizens, an old and experienced man in the nursery business, to which he has devoted twenty-seven years in Miami County, was born in the walled village of Arlembaugh, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, February 1, 1838. His parents were George and Mary Bohlender. 360 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY In the spring of 1847, when Peter was scarcely ten years old, his parents decided to emigrate to America. They secured passage on a sailing vessel and after forty-seven days of voyaging, the ship safely reached the harbor of New York, where another long trip awaited them before they could join their relatives living at Dayton, Ohio. This included a voyage by boat up the Hudson River to Albany, then by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, from there by steamer to Erie, and thence to Beaver, Pennsylvania, thence to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, from there to Cincinnati, and then on to Dayton. In a short time the father purchased a little home, some three miles from Dayton, between the Covington and Salem Turnpikes, and there both parents of Mr. Bohlender lived during the remainder of their lives, the father dying when aged fifty-four years and the mother when aged seventy-three years. Their family consisted of two daughters and three sons, namely : John, Frederick, Peter, Adaline and Catherine. Peter Bohlender, who is the only survivor of the above family, was early put to work, beginning with George Heiks, a nurseryman, with whom he continued for a number of years, and later he was with George Muma and for several years in the employ of John Wampler, receiving a salary-of $1,000 a year. Mr. Bohlender developed a natural taste for the nursery business and has devoted to it the whole of his industrial period, covering some sixty years. His present enterprise is one of importance. He erected his present buildings in 1908 and handles all kinds of shrubs and evergreens and all varieties of fruit trees and ships his stock all over the country and even to Mexico. In 1863 Mr. Bohlender was married to Miss Annie Belle Elmore, who resided near Covington, Miami County, and they have had the following children : Thomas, who has full charge of the field work of the Gen. Bidwell ranch in California, and is there engaged in the cattle business; Edmond, who is a graduate of the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and engaged in medical practice at Dayton; Howard, a graduate jeweler, who is prospering in the jewelry business at Dayton; Fletcher, who is associated with his father in the nursery business at Tippecanoe City; Lou V., who is the wife of Harry Kyle, who is connected with the Spring Hill nursery, and has three children—Mary Belle, Elizabeth and Thomas Barton; and Ivy, who is assistant teacher at Steel High School, Dayton. Mr. Bohlen-der has given all his children good educations and has the satisfaction of seeing them all well established in life. He has never taken any active part in politics, but has so lived that his fellow citizens fully understand where he stands when just laws are to be upheld, desirable public measures are to be furthered, or contributions to charity are being collected. L. A. RUHL, M. D., is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Covington, Miami County, Ohio, and maintains his office and residence on East Wright Street, adjoining the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Buhl was born in Covington, September 7, 1877, and is a son of Josiah W. and Zipporah (De Vault) Ruhl. His father is president of the Citizens National Bank, of Covington, and one of the leading business men of the place. The subject of this sketch was reared and edu- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 361 cated in his native village, graduating from the Covington High School in 1896. He pursued a scientific course in Wittenberg College, at Springfield, and after his graduation from that institution matriculated at Jefferson Medical College. of Philadelphia. After a full course of four years, he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1905, and immediately thereafter opened his office for practice in Covington. He is a member of the Miami Medical Society. of which he is at the present time vice-president, the Ohio State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is also a member of the Masonic order. Dr. Ruhl was united in marriage with Miss Ada C. Van Horn, a daughter of Oscar Van Horn, of Covington, and they have a son, Joseph W. Ruhl. Religiously they are members of the Presbyterian Church. REV. GEORGE P. STEINLAGE, rector of St. Boniface Catholic Church. of Piqua, Ohio, was born in Osnabruck, Germany. in 1840. His literary education was acquired in the schools and colleges of his native land, including the college of Me--pen. in Hanover, where he was graduated in 1859. He came to America in the following year, sailing from Hamburg to New York. On his arrival here he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, entering St. Mary's Seminary, where in 1863 he completed the course in philosophy and theology. He was ordained in the same year by Archbishop John B. Purcell, and received his first assignment, which was as assistant to the Very Rev. Joseph Ferneding. of St. Paul's Church, Cincinnati. He was subsequently transferred to St. Philomena's Church, in that city, for two years being assistant to Father Tobbe. He was then appointed pastor of St. Joseph's Church at Hamilton, Ohio, and during the seven years which he spent there, labored with zeal and efficiency, building a church and schoolhouse. lie was next assigned to a charge at Taylor's Creek, where he remained for over five years, going thence to Rending. Ohio, for a two years' pastorate. On February 14, 1881, Father Steinlage came to Piqua as rector of St. Boniface Church. Since coming here, besides carrying on the ordinary work of the parish. he has made some important improvements, remodeling the church and parsonage. the former of which was built in 1865 at a cost of thirty thousand dollars, the latter being erected in 1879. He also paid oft the indebtedness of thirteen thousand dollars which he found against the church property on his arrival here. This property includes a good school of four large rooms, which is under the care of eight sisters of Christian Charity, and is attended by 200 pupils. Both the school building and the residence of the Sisters were built by Father Steinlage. The parish now numbers three hundred families residing in the city and surrounding country. to which Father Steinlage is both a spiritual guide and a friend and counselor in the various troubles and perplexities of life. His field of labor is wide and arduous. but he conscientiously performs his duties, content to deserve as his final reward the words of his Divine Master, —Well done, thou good and faithful servant." SAMUEL N. NEAL, who carries on general farming on an estate of 109 acres, which is situated on the Brandt and Ad- 362 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY dison Turnpike Road, in Section 2, Elizabeth Township, is one of the representative men of his section of Miami County. He was born January 22, 1882, in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of .James K. and Martha (Saylor) Neal. James K. Neal was born in Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of .James Neal, who had a large family of children and was an early settler in the vicinity of Miami City. There James K. Neal went to school in his boyhood and then worked around on farms until he married, after which he settled first on a rented farm in Bethel Township, and later in Elizabeth Township. He is now retired and resides very comfortably on a small place of one acre, which he can manage for himself now married Martha Saylor, a daughter of Philip and Jane (Ramsey) Saylor, and they had eight children, namely : William, Frank, Oscar, Effie, Samuel N., Clarence, Harry and Rena. Samuel N. Neal enjoyed excellent public school advantages in Oak Grove and continued to attend school until he reached the legal limit, after which he was elected assessor of Elizabeth Township and served one term. He then turned his attention to teaching school, and during vacation time followed the carpenter's trade. After teaching for three years and three months, he settled on his present farm, renting it from George Crawmer, and has carried on farming very successfully ever since. Mr. Neal finds no time hanging heavily on his hands, for when opportunity does not offer in one direction, he is able to employ himself to advantage in another. In politics he is a Democrat and takes an active interest in township affairs of a public nature. Mr. Neal was married November 29, 1905, to Miss Lizzie Crawmer, a daughter of George and Minerva (Thompson) Crawmer. He belongs to Lodge No. 406, K. O. T. M., at Tippecanoe City. Mr. Neal is recognized as one of the rising young men of his township, well educated, progressive and enterprising. CYRUS T. BROWN, secretary and treasurer of the Troy Wagon Works Company and a director and vice-president of the First National Bank of Troy, Ohio, is one of the substantial and influential men of Miami County, and makes his home on the old Brown homestead in Staunton Township. He comes of an old and respected family of the county and was born on the farm on which he uow lives, June 13, 1844. He is a son of Daniel and Eliza (Telford) Brown, and a grandson of Arnold and Elizabeth (Owens) Brown. Arnold Brown was a native of Rhode Island, where he was engaged in blacksmithing until 1832, in which year he moved west with his family to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he turned his attention to farming and cheese making. In 1836 he moved to Miami County, Ohio, purchasing 160 acres of land in Staunton Township, which formed the nucleus of the present magnificent farm belonging to his heirs. He added to his holdings from time to time and was a man of considerable affluence at his death. He married Elizabeth Owens, and they reared six children as follows : Daniel, .John, Elizabeth, who became the wife of Louis Morse; Mary, who married C. W. Singer ; Joseph, and Almira. Mr. Brown AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 363 died in 1869 at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Daniel Brown was born at Chepachet, Rhode Island, May 9, 1809. When a boy he found employment straightening spindles in a cotton factory at Providence, that state, for which he received the munificent sum of two cents a day and his board, continuing this work for one year, and walking home thirteen miles from the factory every week to spend his Sundays at home. Later he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and resided on the home farm from the time it was purchased in 1836 until his death in 1878. He always farmed and accumulated a handsome property, having some 500 acres in the home place. June 13, 1843, he was united in marriage with Eliza Telford, who was born on the old Telford farm in Concord Township, Miami County, near the present site of the county fair grounds ; she was a daughter of Andrew and Jane (McKaig) Telford ; her death occurred November 27, 1899. The following were the issue of their union : Cyrus T.; Cornelia, who is now deceased ; Dr. Mary B., who has been a practicing physician in New York since 1880 and has met with remarkable success in her profession : Arnold 0., who resides in Troy, Ohio ; Harry W.; and Rebecca, who died at the age of two years. Daniel Brown gave liberally of his means to the Troy Presbyterian Church, which he attended, although not a member. He was a generous-hearted, fair-minded man, and had the good will of all with whom he -was brought into contact. Cyrus T. Brown was educated in the district schools of Staunton Township and the public schools of Troy and spent his boyhood days in work upon the farm. When twenty-four years old he was placed in charge of the 500-acre farm by his father, and since the latter's death he has had the management of it. His labors, however, were not confined to the farm, as he became interested in some of the foremost enterprises of the city of Troy. He was one of the organizers of the Troy Wagon Works Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and he contributed materially to the success of the flourishing plant operated by that company. He also was one of the organizers of the Miami Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, of which he has been treasurer for more than thirty years. His position as vice president and one of the directors of the First National Bank has been already referred to, and he was also clerk of Staunton Township for more than twenty years. Politically he is a Republican but has never been active in political affairs. He is a man of wide acquaintance in the county and has many friends. HENRY WARE ALLEN, president of the First National Bank of Troy, Miami County, Ohio, was born in Pembroke, Mass., April 6, 1822. a son of the Rev. Morrill Allen. The family to which he belongs on the paternal side came from England in the first quarter of the seventeenth century. Rev. Morrill Allen was a man of superior education and a minister of the Unitarian church. Beginning his pastoral services at the early age of twenty-two, he labored as a faithful shepherd for nearly four-score years, preaching a sermon on his ninetieth birthday. He was for the most part of his time engaged in agriculture, being the owner of a good farm in the vicinity of Pembroke. Henry Ware Allen, after laying the 364 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY foundation of his education in the common schools of his home neighborhood, pursued further literary studies in the academy at Hanover, Mass., and the normal school at Bidewater, that state. In 1848, when twenty-six years of age, he came to Ohio and settled in Troy, with the interests of which city he has since been so closely and prominently identified. His first investment was in a mill property, with which business he was connected for many years. meeting with a very satisfactory degree of success. His operations brought him into touch with the leading business men of the city and county and led to his becoming one of the prime movers in the organization of the First National Bank, of which he has ever since been the efficient president. He has kept in close touch with the various interests of the county ever since his early manufacturing days, and perhaps no man is better informed as to general business conditions. In 1S55, taking advantage of a favorable opportunity, he erected a fine block, and he has since" atdifferent times added to his real estate holdings until at the present time he is a large property holder. The financial institution of which he is the head was founded in 1847 and has a capital and surplus of over $270,000. It is numbered among the safe and conservative institutions of the state. 1). W. Smith is the cashier. As a far-seeing, capable and energetic business man, Mr. Allen easily stands in the very first rank among the citizens of this part of the state. His ability is reflected in the management of the bank, and its prosperity and sound commercial standing is the result in large measure of his guiding. hand. Mr. Allen's first marriage was with Mrs. Marv D. Hastings Smith, in January. 1851. the died in July of the same year and Mr. Allen subsequently married for his second wife, Pamela Hale, a daughter of Dr. Asa Coleman. Of this union there were ten children, seven of whom are now living. Mr. Allen has a commodious and tasteful residence at the corner of Simpson and Market Streets. WARREN N. WINTERS, dealer in wire fence and representative of the American Steel Wire Fence Company of Chicago, ha, his residence and place of business in Staunton Township, on the Urbana Pike. about three-quarters of a mile from the public square in Troy. He has been located at his present residence for ten years, and has been in the fence business for some twelve years, putting up many fences throughout the country surrounding Troy. He is a capable business man and has met with a high degree of success. Mr. Winters was born in Elizabeth Township. Miami County, Ohio, July 23, 1868. and comes of an old and respected family of that township, where both of his parents were born and died. He is a son of Obadiah and Mary (Stevenson) Winters. Warren N. Winters was born and lived until eight years old on the old home farm in Elizabeth Township, then with his parents came to Staunton Township for nine years, afterwards returning to Elizabeth Township. He received his education in the public schools. He followed farming until he engaged in his present business and about 1898 moved to Staunton Township. He owns the home in which he lives, and a good residence property adjoining. Mr. Winters was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Hagen, who was born and reared in Champaign County, Ohio, and is AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 365 a daughter of Augustus and Catherine (Smith) Hagen, her father a native of Germany and her mother of Darke County, Ohio. She was quite young when her parents moved to Miami County, Ohio. Fraternally, Mr. Winters is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Troy. He is a mail of wide acquaintance in this vicinity and is held in high esteem. JOHN W. BROWN, vice-president of The Miami Light, Heat and Power Company. vice-president of The French Oil Mill Machinery Company and identified with numerous other successful enterprises of Miami County, is one of the most prominent business men of Piqua and is owner and proprietor of the largest general store between Dayton and Toledo, which has been recently completed at Piqua. For the building of his immense business house. Mr. Brown secured the best site in Piqua and has given the city the finest structure of its kind in this section of Ohio. Its dimensions are 40 by 156 feet, with four stories and basement and fine stone front. The entire basement is devoted to household goods and the stock is complete. The first floor is devoted to the display and sale of dress goods, silks, trimmings, laces, embroidery. linens. ginghams, underwear and hosiery. fine goods collected from the best mills in the country. The second floor's display includes millinery, muslin underwear, ladies' waists, silk and mercerized petticoats and ladies', children's and misses' cloaks and suits. On the third floor are found carpets, draperies and floor coverings, while the fourth floor is devoted to mattings, oil cloths, linoleums, trunks and suit-cases. The business is to be incorporated under the style of The John Brown Company, a close corporation, with a capital stock of $100,000. Mr. Brown is a director in the Piqua National Bank, the Piqua Savings Bank, the French Oil Mill Machinery Company, the Piqua Handle Company, the Piqua Furniture Company and the Miami Light, Heat and Power Company. In the developing of large enterprises, Mr. Brown has shown remarkable business acumen, and his influence is very largely felt in the concentration of capital and the encouragement to trade, throughout city and county. In 1888 Mr. Brown was married to Miss Nettie E. Brooks. of Piqua. They are members of St. James Episcopal Church, in which he is a vestryman. He belongs to the Piqua Business Men's Association and to the Piqua Club. LEWIS D. VINNEDGE, superintendent of the Riverside Cemetery, which is owned by the city of Troy and is situated in Staunton Township, was born January 9, 1863, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, and is a son of Clinton and Sarah (Bitler) Vinnedge and a grandson of George Vinnedge. George Vinnedge was born November 30, 1809. and was a son of John and Rosanna (Moore) Vinnedge, and a grandson of early settlers in Pennsylvania, who, on the paternal side, came from Germany and on the maternal side from Ireland. John Vinnedge came to Ohio as a soldier under Gen. Anthony Wayne and not only helped to send the Indians still farther from the frontier but later did a brave man's part in the War of 1812. When he came to Ohio and saw the rich land awaiting settlement, he secured 100 acres of the Symmes Purchase, which was located three miles 366 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY east of Hamilton, on the present Middletown Turnpike, and later purchased thirty acres more. While serving under General Wayne he held the office of pack-horse master. Both he and wife were great adherents of Methodism and their dwelling was often a place of worship and their table and fireside were hospitably offered to the pioneer circuit-rider. John Yinnedge lived to the age of ninety-five years, dying at the home of his son George Yin-fledge, in August, 1868. He married Rosanna Moore, who was born in Ireland and was brought to America by her father, Patrick Moore, who came to Ohio in 1779 and was known as a gentleman farmer. George Vinnedge was one of a family of nine children and his rearing was that of the pioneer youth of his time. When about twenty-six years of age he bought a farm in Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, which he later sold and purchased one of 200 acres in -Union Township and later added other properties until he owned 337 acres. He was married December 23, 1831, to Malinda Robbins, and they had five children, two sons and three daughters. Clinton Vinnedge, father of Lewis D., was born in Butler County, Ohio, where he was reared, educated and spent his life, his death taking place in 1865. In 1860 he married Miss Sarah Bitler, who died April 28, 1896. She was a daughter of Rev. Michael Bitler, a minister of the Methodist Church. One child was born to that union, Lewis D. Mrs. Vinnedge contracted a second marriage, with H. D. Delap, who died in 1906. All their six children survive, namely : Harry ; Delia, who is the wife of J. F. Ingle ; Daisy, who is the wife of J. G. Slemmons ; Maude, who is the wife of Harry Rocks ; George; and Queenie, who is the wife of John Ainsworth. Lewis D. Vinnedge spent his boyhood on the home farm and completed his education in the High School at Hamilton, Ohio. When eighteen years of age he came to Troy and entered the business house of Weatherhead, Norris & Howland, as a clerk, continuing there for fourteen years. Following that long term he was in the employ of Gross Bros. for eight years. Mr. Vinnedge then bought a small farm adjoining the cemetery part of the old Henry Kephart farm and there engaged in growing tobacco. On June 1, 1907, he was appointed superintendent of the Riverside cemetery, a position he has efficiently filled ever since. Mr. Vinnedge was married February 18, 1885, to Miss Edith Weatherhead, daughter of J. D. and Jane (Howland) Weatherhead. He is a Republican in his political views, and he is a member of Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M., at Troy. WILL J. PRINCE, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Piqua and one of the city's most active and public-spirited citizens, was born in 1861, at New Bremen, Auglaize County, Ohio, and is a son of the late Dr. William Prince. In 1864 Dr. William Prince moved with his family, to Piqua, and he continued from then until his death in 1877, in the active practice of his profession. He was a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. Dr. W. J. Prince attended the Piqua schools and Chickering Institute, and after completing special courses at Wittenberg College, entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, in 1883, and was graduated there with his degree in 1887. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 367 He came back to Piqua and here has found a satisfactory field of work, and congenial surroundings for his life outside his profession. In addition to a large general practice, he is retained by a number of the local manufacturing plants as surgeon. He is a member of the Miami County and the Ohio State Medical Societies, the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association and the Eclectic State Medical Society. From early manhood he has taken an interest in public affairs and in the welfare of the city and has given much professional service to aid in establishing its sanitary condition and for four years was most useful in the position of health officer. For nineteen years he has been a member of the School Board, has been president of the Board of Public Safety and served one term as president of the Ohio Board of Education. Dr. Prince was the first to encourage athletics in the public schools in Piqua, and their cultivation in the schools has spread throughout the state and given rise to -an organized body known as the Ohio State School Athletic Association, divided into four districts. During one administration of the late ex-President Cleveland, he was pension examiner. In 1887, Dr. Prince was married to Miss Jeanette Snyder, of Washington City, D. C., and they have one son, Will J. Jr., who is a member of the graduating class of 1909 at the Piqua High School. Dr. Prince is a Royal Arch Mason, has filled the office of exalted ruler in the Elks, and has several times been sent as a representative to the Grand Council of the Red Men, and is also examining physician for several beneficiary orders. His life has been one of more than ordinary activity and usefulness. FREDERICK STEIL, late a leading merchant of Troy, and for years one of the foremost business citizens of Miami County, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 15, 1850. His father was John Steil, a teacher for many years in the public schools of Bavaria, carrying on his professional duties in one schoolroom for thirty-seven years—from 1860 to 1897. He died in the year last mentioned, honored and respected by all in the community in which he had labored so long and faith-fully. He was a successful and typical product of the thorough educational system which prevails in Germany, having advanced from one grade and from one school to another until he was graduated from the University of Kaisers Lautern, the normal school for the training of teachers in Bavaria. Frederick Steil began his education in the public schools of his native town, graduating to the Latin school at the age of fourteen years, where, besides Latin, French and English were taught. He had in America an uncle, Adam Steil, who was then a prosperous merchant of Troy, this county, having founded in 1859 the dry goods business that is now carried on by the subject of this sketch. In 1865, at his uncle's invitation, young Steil, then only fifteen years old, came to the United States and entered his uncle's store as a clerk. He thus continued until Adam Steil's death, which took place in December, 1876, when he succeeded to the ownership of the business. While in his uncle's employ he gave close attention to all the details of the business until he thoroughly under- 368 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY stood every part of it, and also spent his spare time in the earlier years in careful study of the English language, which he soon mastered. After succeeding to the business he developed it into one of large proportions and it is now one of the most substantial, complete and prosperous enterprises of the kind in Miami County, or indeed, throughout this section of the state. In the line of dry goods, carpets and cloaks it is the largest establishment of its kind in Troy and the stock handled by the firm is of the best and finest quality. Mr. Steil's son, William, was admitted as a partner in the business, which has been subsequently carried on under the style of Fred Steil & Son. The firm obtained an enviable reputation for fair and honest dealing and this policy had its natural results, as none occupied more enviable position than .Mr. Steil among the prosperous merchants of the citv. His death occurred October S. 1908, and caused great regret among the business citizens of Troy generally. While maintaining his old love for the Fatherland, Mr. Steil closely identified himself with American ideas and institutions, both moral and political. A member of the Republican party, he claimed, however, the right to do his own thinking, and no politician or set of politicians could deliver his vote for him. Like most of his fellow countrymen he was a good citizen of the American republic, and in local affairs was always found on the side of progress and good government. He was married, October 28, 1875, to Miss Christina Ziegenfelder, a daughter of George Ziegenfelder, of Troy. Of this union there is the son, William, already mentioned. who was graduated from the Troy High School in 1899. He is a young man of good business ability and his prospects are bright for a successful career. Mr. Steil was an active member of the German Lutheran church, which he served for twenty-five years as treasurer, being also a member of the official board. He belonged to the _Masonic fraternity, in which he had advanced as far as the com- mandery. His home—in a fine and tasteful residence—was on fitting occasions the scene of a warm and bounteous hospitality. Mrs. Steil is also a member of the German Lutheran Church. JAMES McCLARY, deceased. formerly one of Newberry Township's most respected citizens and prominent and useful men, was a worthy representative of one of the sturdy old pioneer families of Miami County. He was born on the old McClary homestead farm, about two miles north of Covington, Miami County, Ohio, February 18, 1821, and died at Covington. April 15, 1906. His parents were John and Eliza (Brandon) McClary. The father of the late James McClary was born in Kentucky and came to Miami County, Ohio, in 1812. He brought with him his wife, Eliza Brandon, who was born in South Carolina, a daughter of Benjamin Brandon, a Revolutionary soldier, who settled in Miami County about the same time, locating near Piqua. Shortly after marriage, John and Eliza McClary established the home ever since known as the McClary homestead, not far from Covington, Miami County. On the above farm James McClary grew from childhood to manhood. Pioneer conditions prevailed, great expanses of uncleared land and forest stretching between AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 371 the different civilized points, a trip to the mill, in his boyhood, involving as much preparation and loss of time as now is required to cover hundreds of miles by train or automobile, and the performance of many errands, except the one of carrying the grist and waiting for it to be ground by means of the old-time water wheel, and the returning home with the bag of flour on the back of his pony in front of him. He was quite small when he first began to be entrusted with this very important mission and when he was permitted to spend the first night, when part way home, at Grandfather Brandon's, he thoroughly enjoyed the unusual relaxation. In his boyhood, work instead of play, came first, not a great deal of time being given, either, to the acquiring of knowledge. He was wont to tell his children of his first primer, which was made out of a paddle, on which his alphabet was printed and which served the purpose very well. Many ingenious and thrifty methods were made use of in the early days, when books were scarce and money was little in circulation. Life had many hardships for both youth and age, in those days. but, on the other hand, more simple pleasures pleased than satisfy the present generation, and there are few of the old remaining pioneers who will not fondly recall the early times. Work, outdoor life. sufficient recreation, all contributed to .Tames McClary growing into strong and sturdy manhood, while a naturally quick understanding and generous disposition. brought him the confidence and esteem of those with whom he was associated. In 1842 James McClary was married to Nancy Buchanan, who was a daughter of Col. George Buchanan. The latter was a native of Rockingham County, Virginia, where he married Nancy Cassiday, and together they came to Ohio, in 1803, locating first at Deerfield, Warren County. Probably in the spring of 1808 the Buchanans moved to what is now West Milton, Miami County, where the father engaged in farming until the opening of the War of 1812. He then became captain of an organization known as the Frontier Guards and was placed in charge of the supply depot at the junction of Greenville Creek and the Stillwater, the names designating these points at that time being Fort Buchanan and Fort Rowdy—now Covington, a quiet little city far removed from any indication of military disturbance. At the beginning of the war, Colonel Buchanan removed his family to the east side of the Stillwater, in Montgomery County, just over the county line, and there the Buchanans lived until 1830, when Colonel Buchanan settled on a farm in Section 6, Newberry Township, Miami County, which remained the permanent home. By trade he was a carpenter and cabinetmaker but he never lost interest in military affairs and following the close of the War of 1812, remained active in the militia. Both he and wife were members of the Christian Church. He lived to the age of eight-three years, dying in 1862, and was survived for nine years by his widow. Following his marriage, the late James McClary built a house on a small tract of land which his father had given him off the old homestead, in recognition of his cheerful assistance given all through his youth, and on that place he lived until his parents died, a few years later. He then sold out and went to Piqua and during the eighteen months of his residence there he 372 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY began to acquire shares in the old homestead and subsequently purchased the interests of all the heirs and became sole owner of the property. During the years of subsequent residence. on the farm, he assumed all the duties of a citizen of his township and frequently was tendered public office and at times served as assessor and as a member of the Board of Trustees. Later, when he retired to Covington, he was elected a justice of the peace, serving most acceptably in that position for a number of terms, and for years was occupied in settling up estates and administering upon them. He was a man of such undoubted and unimpeachable integrity, that his fellow citizens entrusted to his judgment their most important business concerns. Mr. McClary was married (first) to Nancy Buchanan. who died in 1888, and several years later he was married (second) to Susan Trout. His four children were born to his first union, namely Eliza Evaline, deceased, who was the -wife of John West ; George D.. who lives in West Covington ; Winfield Wesley, who lives at Butler, Pennsylvania ; and Laura, who resides on North High Street, Covington. Miss MeClary is one of Covington's best known and most highly esteemed ladies and probably one of the most substantial, owning various residence and business properties in this city. She takes a natural pride in her ancestry and justly cherishes and reveres the memory of her father. W. J. SMITH, proprietor of the Enterprise Foundry Company of Troy, Ohio, with plant situated on West Main Street and the city limits, is an enterprising and representative business man of Troy. Mr. Smith was born in the great city of London, England, in 1866, and he came to America when a youth of seventeen years. During a residence of some five years at Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Smith learned the foundry business in every detail and went from there to Chicago, Illinois, where he was engaged in the business for one and a half years. He then returned to Detroit and went from there to Toronto, Canada. He then visited his native land but his years of absence had changed his views in many ways and he decided to again make the United States his home. He again worked at Detroit, then at Chicago and from there went to Moline, Illinois. After spending a considerable period of time there, he went back to Detroit and then visited Piqua, Ohio. For three years he was with the Favorite Stove and Range Company, after which he organized the Ideal Stove and Foundry Company, and after buying out the Girard Stove and Foundry Company at Youngstown, Ohio, located at Daleville, Indiana. He only remained at that point for seven months, finding better business opportunities as superintendent of the Chicago Stove Company, a position he filled for four years, after which he returned to Piqua and then organized the Enterprise Foundry Company, as sole proprietor. He continued there six years when, on February 1, 1900, he leased the Troy Foundry & Machine Company and he now operates his entire business under the style of the Enterprise Foundry Company. He is interested in other enterprises and is a man of ample fortune, all of which he has made for himself in legitimate business. In 1893 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ida M. Tietje, whose father, Henry A. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 373 Tietje, is a prominent contractor at Dayton, and whose grandfather was a pioneer manufacturer there. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son, James Henry. Mr. Smith is a member of the Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge Chapter, and Council. He is also an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk, and a member of the Order of Foresters, and is an honorary member also of the Iron Moulder's Union of North America, and of the Past Chancellor's Association of Miami County. He is more or less active in politics and served as central committeeman of his ward in Piqua. OSCAR SHROYER, a representative general farmer and well known citizen, resides on his valuable farm of ninety-five acres, which is situated five miles east of Tippecanoe City, in Section 10, Bethel Township. He was born March 8, 1848, in Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and a grandson of Thomas and Elizabeth (Fry) Shroyer. The grandparents of Mr. Shroyer came from Maryland and settled in Bethel Township, Miami County, where the grandfather acquired a quarter section of land, which he cleared up and made into a fine farm. He was one of the founders of the German Reformed Church in this section. Jacob Shroyer, father of Oscar, was born in Maryland in 1807. He died in Bethel Township, February 19, 1889, and was laid to rest by the side of his second wife in the New Carlisle Cemetery. He was a farmer all his life and at the time of death owned a large body of land in Bethel Township and a farm of 134 acres in Clark County. He was a member of the German Reformed Church. For many years he was a prominent factor in politics and held responsible local offices for a protracted period, performing the duties of the same honestly and efficiently. He was thrice married, his first wife being Margaret Black, who at death left the following children : Thomas, Matilda, Catherine, Anna, Harriet and Henry. His second wife was Susan Stockstill, a daughter of Thomas Stockstill. She died in 1864 and was buried at New Carlisle. The children born to this union were as follows : John, Oscar, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel C. and Jacob. His third marriage was to Priscilla Mann Mendenhall, to which no children were born. Oscar Shroyer was reared in Bethel Township and attended the district schools and afterward assisted his father on the home farm until the time of his own marriage, in 1875, when he settled on a farm in Section 10, which he rented from his father. Later he moved to Clark County and lived on his father's farm of 134 acres until it was deeded to his sister, when he returned to the old homestead, and when his father died he received his present farm of ninety-five acres. All the buildings were standing and he has had to do little improving, the land being well drained and in fine workable condition. Here he raises the bounteous crops which Bethel Township soil gives to the careful and intelligent farmer, and here has reared a large and interesting family. Mr. Shroyer was married in 1875 to Miss Viola Mouk, a daughter of Andrew and Susan Mouk, of Clark County, and they have had the following children : Harry Walter, who married Stella Snyder, daughter of Thomas and Ruberta Snyder, 374 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY and has one child, Rubella Viola ; Guy T., who is in the employ of the Sidney Steel-scraper Company, of Sidney, Ohio; Dorothy C., who resides at home; Grover C., who married Maude Bousman, daughter of Elmer and Myrtle Bousman ; Earl, who resides at home; Susan, who is a member of the class of 1909 in the Bethel High School ; Lloyd, who is a student in the class of 1912, in the Bethel High School; and Robert, who has not yet reached the High School, but, like the older members of the family, shows a quick intelligence and love of learning. Mr. Shroyer and family attend the Lutheran Church at Brandt. In politics he is a Democrat and has frequently been tendered township offices, all of which he has refused except that of township trustee, in which he has acceptably served a number of terms. MAURICE E. STANFIELD, chief engineer of the City Water Works at Troy, Ohio, is one of those quiet. efficient, reliable men, on whose shoulders rest so much of the comfort and health, business prosperity and even social pleasures of a community. The chief engineer directing the utilities of a city is often one of its most necessary men. Mr. Stanfield was born September 10, 1856, at Fredericksburg, Ohio, and was one year old when his parents removed to Miami County. Until he was about twenty-five years of age, Mr. Stanfield remained on the home farm and then went into railroad work, first as fireman on the Big Four Railroad between Indianapolis and Springfield. From there he was transferred to the Ohio Southern, and after a year there was just on the point of receiving well earned promotion, when the illness of his wife caused him to give up that position and accept one that would enable him to have a stationary home. This he found with the Troy Wagon Works and for twenty years he operated their engines and became known as so thoroughly responsible, that the city fathers offered him the position of chief engineer of the city works. He accepted the offer and severed the pleasant relations which had existed so long with the proprietors of the wagon works, the parting being one of respect and esteem on both sides. Mr. Stanfield has occupied his present position since 1902. In 1878 Mr. Stanfield was married to Miss Clara McDonald, who died in 1893. He was married (second), in 1894, to Miss Laura Lewis, who was born near Covington, Ohio. Her father was born in Marion, Ohio, and came to Miami when a boy and became a substantial farmer. He was also a prominent Democrat and held county offices. Mr. and Mrs. Stanfield are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Masons and Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are members of the Order of Rebekah. He was a charter member also of the Order of the Golden Eagles. JOHN WILLIAM SHROYER, who owns one of the finest farms in Bethel Township. consisting of 212 acres, situated on the Tippecanoe and Carlisle Turnpike Road. in Sections 17 and 18, was born in Bethel Township. Miami County, Ohio, November 3, 1845. His father was Jacob and his grandfather was Thomas Shroyer. Thomas Shroyer was born in Maryland and was a carpenter by trade. He married Elizabeth Fry and when they came to Miami County they had a family of three