450 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY was born January 5, 1863, and is a son of Jacob and Ellen (Jackson) See. Samuel See, the grandfather of William E., came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and settled at Tippecanoe City. He was a brickmason by trade and was always identified with the brick business. In his youth he had the reputation of being able to lay more brick in a given time than any other workman in the county. He had four children—Jacob, Sarah, Katherine, and Henry. Jacob See married Ellen Jackson, who is a daughter of William and Mary Jackson, and they had two children—William E. and Amanda. The latter is the wife of Charles Martin, of Elizabeth Township. For many years Jacob See was a respected citizen and representative farmer of Elizabeth Township, where he died June 7, 1906. His widow now resides in Troy and enjoys good health and has a wide acquaintance. William E. See obtained his education in the Kyle school, near his home, and at Walnut Grove, afterward taking up farm duties with his father. He continued to reside at home both before and following his marriage, and when his father died he inherited the farm. He has it all under cultivation with the exception of sixteen acres still in timber, and through his excellent methods makes every acre yield to its utmost. His buildings are of a substantial character and he assisted to construct them all. Mr. See was married January 10, 1888, to Miss Clara Hoover, who is a daughter of Shannon and Margaret Hoover, of Staunton Township. They have two children : Verna, who is a High School student at Troy and Lauren, who goes to school in Elizabeth Township. Mr. See is affording his children all the advantages in his power, being a great friend to the public schools and believing in popular education. For some six years he has been a member of the School Board of Elizabeth Township. The mother of Mr. See has witnessed many changes since she came first to Elizabeth Township. The little settlement around Grayson Station is on a part of the old homestead farm, the land having been bought by the Big Four Railroad. JAMES T. BARTMESS, deceased, formerly county auditor of Miami County, Ohio, was a man whose death, on account of his superior qualities of mind and character, brought a distinct loss to the community in which his useful life had been passed.- He was born at Covington, Ohio, October 8, 1845, and was a son of Hamilton and Jane (Barbour) Bartmess. James T. Bartmess was taught the saddler's trade by his practical father, but neither necessity nor inclination led to his following it. His education was secured in the Covington schools, at Waynesburg College, at Waynesburg, Pa., and the Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tennessee, and he was graduated from that institution in June, 1874. After he came home he became a teacher in the Covington schools. In 1875 he became superintendent of the schools of Tippecanoe City and filled that position for twenty-one years, only giving up his educational work in order to assume the duties of county auditor, to which he was first elected in November, 1895. He served through two terms, a period of six years, and then retired to private life, having no political AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 451 ambitions. For fifteen years he was a member of the Miami County Board of School Examiners, and all that time was clerk of this body. Mr. Bartmess then became cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Covington, a position he continued to fill until his death, May 2, 1905. In his political views he was a Republican. From boyhood he had entertained a patriotic love of country and when Civil War was first declared, he endeavored to overcome opposition and become a soldier, but he was not accepted until 1862, and then only in the capacity of drummer boy. He continued until the close of the war a member of Company G, 110th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and twice suffered imprisonment, once at Libby Prison and second at Andersonville. For a number of years he was active in the Grand Army of the Republic Post, first at Tippecanoe City, later at Troy, which he served as commander and in other offices. On December 23, 1875, Mr. Bartmess was married to Miss Mary Belle Routson, a daughter of A. Routson, of Covington, and they had three children : Blanche ; Ruth, who died when aged five years ; and James William. Mr. Bartmess was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. He was a Knights Templar Mason and an Odd Fellow and belonged to the Royal Arcanum. In private life he was a man of genial disposition, kindly and companionable. M. K. BROWN, who resides at No. 607 West High Street, is a well known citizen of Piqua and is now retired from business activity. He was born in that city in November, 1846, and is a son of John and Mary (Knox) Brown, his father being one of the pioneer manufacturers of Piqua. John Brown was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, and was among the early settlers of Miami County, coming as early as 1805. He was a hatter by trade and engaged in the manufacture of hats in Piqua for many years. He took an active part in the affairs of that period and for years served on the school board. His death occurred September 15, 1846. He married Mary Knox, who was born in Lebanon, Tennessee, and they reared a family of four children : James Harvey Brown, who is deceased; Mary T. Brown ; Henry C. Brown ; and M. K. Brown. Mary (Knox) Brown, the mother of this family, first came to Miami County, Ohio, in 1816, from Tennessee, where she was born. Mrs. Brown died July 14, 1888. M. K. Brown received a good public school training, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He farmed in Washington Township for a period of thirty-five years, then retired to Piqua to enjoy the fruits of his early toil. He and his brother, Henry C., own a valuable farm of 260 acres in that township, which they now rent out. Henry C. Brown is a prominent Mason, belonging to both Blue Lodge and Chapter. Miss Mary T. Brown is a member of the Baptist Church of Piqua. HON. ROBERT N. EYLER, mayor of Tippecanoe City, elected on the Citizens' ticket, has filled this important office since January 1, 1908, and has given the city a vigorous but clean economical administration. Mayor Eyler was born April 4, 1870, in Frederick County, Maryland, and is a son of Benjamin and Martha Eyler, both 452 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY members of old Maryland families. The grandfathers on both sides were farmers and Mr. Eyler's father combined farming and work as a carpenter. He died in 1886, when aged sixty-six years and was survived by his widow until January 10, 1900, she dying aged seventy-three years. Robert N. Eyler attended the public schools in his native State and worked on the home farm and after coming to Miami County worked two years longer at farming. In March, 1899, he came to Tippecanoe City, where for one year he was engaged in the cigar business, and for three and one-half years afterward he was shipping clerk for the Davis Whip Company, and for two and one-half years was ticket agent for the D. & T. Electric Railway. He returned to the Whip Company for one more year and in the spring of 1900 was elected township assessor. He served two years in that office, being very active in politics in the meanwhile and serving for six years as a member of the Republican County Central Committee. In 1907 he was nominated for mayor and was elected on the Citizens' ticket. In 1900 Mayor Eyler was married to Mrs. Anna B. Clark, a daughter of George Wyant, of Bowerston, Harrison County, Ohio, and they have one son, Alva G. Mayor Eyler is a member of Lodge No. 174, F. & A. M., Tippecanoe City, of which he was worshipful master for two years and also was both junior and senior warden, and is also a member of Troy Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America of Tippecanoe City and for eight years was clerk of Camp No. 6713, and from March 1, 1907 to March 1, 1908, he was district deputy, having eight counties under his supervision. He was reared in the United Brethren Church but now holds membership in the English Lutheran. G. W. LORIMER, president and general manager of The Auto Sand Mixer Company, and secretary and treasurer of The American Machine Telephone Company, Limited, is one of Piqua's representative men. He was born in County Brant, Ontario, Dominion of Canada, in 1874, and there was educated and later learned telegraphing, which he followed until 1892. About that year Mr. Lorimer became interested in the automatic telephone exchanges and accepted the position of secretary treasurer of The American Machine Telephone Company, Limited, for the manufacture of machine telephone exchanges, which is known as the Lorimer system, he and his brother being the patentees. They have these exchanges established in Canada, France and Italy and in the interests of his business he has visited those countries. The Auto Sand Mixer Company, of Piqua, manufacturing, was organized and incorporated in 1906, with a capital stock of $40,000, with G. W. Lorimer as president and general manager; V. E. Minnich, vice-president ; G. A. Vaugier, treasurer ; and Dr. P. L. Snorf, secretary, for the manufacturing of sand mixing machinery for foundry use. Mr. Lorimer is the patentee of this invention. In addition to the patents he has already secured on his two notable inventions, he has fourteen more pending relative to the same. In 1897 Mr. Lorimer was married to Miss Jennie Hunter, of Ontario, Canada, and they have three children : A. Hoyt, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 455 Genevieve and Harry Townsend. Mr. and Mrs. Lorimer are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, is past master of Warren Lodge, of Piqua ; belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Piqua ; the Council and commandery at Troy and the Con, sistory at Dayton. Mr. Lorimer has many beautiful souvenirs of travel in his handsome home and he has also perhaps the finest collection of archeological specimens and old firearms belonging to any private person in the State of Ohio. He has been interested in making this collection for many years, having at present 200 of these antique firearms. The collection would adorn any museum. ELVA A. JACKSON, postmaster of Troy, Ohio, is one of a family of two children born to Dennison H. and Phoebe (Parker) Jackson. His father, who Was a railroad man, died in 1863. The subject of this sketch was born in Dayton, Ohio, February 1, 1850, and was educated in the common schools. In 1871 he located in Tippecanoe, Ohio, and was in the employ of Ford & Co. as assistant engineer and superintendent until July 11, 1898. He was then elected to the office of county clerk of Miami County, in which he served two terms. Afterwards he was engaged in business in Troy until February 10, 1908, when, having been appointed postmaster, he assumed the duties of that office, which he has since held. Mr. Jackson married Miss Anna M. Wynonhagen, who was a daughter of David Wynonhagen. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church. In politics Mr. Jackson is a Republican. He is well advanced in Free Masonry, belonging to all the divisions of the Order. He has a pleasant residence at the corner of Simpson and Cherry Streets. W. F. MILLER, proprietor of the leading livery, feed and sales stables at Troy, Ohio, has been identified with the interests of this city for the past seventeen years and has investments in different concerns. He was born at West Milton, Miami County, Ohio, in 1856, and is a son of George W. Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1907. The latter was brought to Ohio in childhood, spent many years as a teacher and farmer in Miami County, and lived retired for some fifteen years or more previous to his death. After completing his public school course Mr. Miller left the farm and operated a flour and feed store, to which he later added a grocery and bakery. He then visited in California for two years, and when he came back to Ohio he engaged in clerking in Miami County for D. W. McCullough & Co. for five years, later was in a retail coal business, and then entered the employ of the Troy Bending Works. Still later he became an employee of the Pioneer Pole and Shaft Company, for which concern he worked for six years, spending a part of the time buying and manufacturing lumber in the South for their use. He then purchased his present business, which he has established on North Cherry Street. He has the largest and best equipment in Troy and handles a large amount of trade. He keeps on an average thirty-five head of horses and has all kinds of conveyances for hire. He owns lumber tracts in the South and is also interested in the firm of Miller & Flowers, gents' furnishers, at 456 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY Piqua. His business standing is high and his worthy citizenship is unquestioned. Mr. Miller was married (first) in 1881, to Miss Lilly B. Tucker, who died in 1892, leaving two children—C. E., who is his father's bookkeeper and for five years was a traveling salesman through the South; and Essie, who is the wife of F. O. Flowers, a leading business man of Piqua. Mr. Miller was married (second) to Miss Frances Dollinger, who was born and reared in Newberry Township, Miami County. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church. JAMES W. BRANDON, who is employed in the railroad postal service, has been a resident of Piqua for twelve years and here are centered his main interests. He was born March 2, 1871, at Covington, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas Brandon. Thomas Brandon was born in 1844, in Darke County, Ohio, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits through a long life. He now lives retired at Covington. During the Civil War he served for 100 days as a member of the 147th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. James W. Brandon was reared and educated at Covington and after graduating from the High School, engaged in teaching for about six years. He then entered into the railway mail service and for the past thirteen years has been connected with the C. H. & D. Railroad, between Detroit and Cincinnati. On September 29, 1897, Mr. Brandon was married to Miss Grace Purdy, of Covington, Ohio. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Piqua. He is identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. LE ROY HAGER, a prominent business citizen of Piqua, Ohio, has been identified with the Piqua Ice Company during the most of his business career. He was born on North Main Street, in Piqua, July 23, 1879, and is a son of George and ,Dora (Roeser) Hager. George Hager was born in Germany and in the early fifties took up his residence in Piqua, Ohio. During the Civil War he ran a boat on the Canal, but during the last twenty-five years of his life was engaged in the ice business. He died in July, 1908, after a long and useful life. He was married to Dora Roeser, who also was born in Germany and is still living at the old home on North Main Street. Le Roy Hager was the only child born to his parents and was reared in Piqua. After graduating from Piqua High School he pursued a four years' course in civil engineering in Ohio State University. He engaged in professional work in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for one and a half years, at the end of which time he began his connection with the Piqua Ice Company. He has been with that concern continuously since and enjoys high standing among the business men of the city. Mr. Hager was married April 29, 1903, to Miss Sally Ingham, of Columbus, Ohio, and they have one son, Robert Ingham Hager. Religiously, they are members of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, Mr. Hager is affiliated with Greek letter societies at Ohio State University. JOHN M. BASHORE, who is serving his twelfth year as a member of the Miami County Fair Board, is a substantial citizen of Covington and is the owner of a AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 457 farm of 118 acres in Newton Township, which he has farmed since early manhood. He was born on a farm in Newton Township, September 17, 1849, and is a son of Benjamin S. Susanna (Martin) Bashore, who were early residents of the county. The subject of this record was reared on his father's farm two miles south of Greenville Falls, in Newton Township, and received his schooling in the district schools. After marriage he and his wife set up housekeeping on the farm he now owns, living there from November, 1871, until February, 1903, when he moved to Covington. There he purchased of his sister the fine frame house now occupied by them. He made most of the improvements on the farm and always engaged in general farming, following modern and approved methods in his work. He always has taken an interest in the affairs of the community in which he has lived, and is progressive and enterprising. He served twelve or fourteen years as pike superintendent of Newton Township, and was also first elected to the fair board from that township. May 18, 1871, Mr. Bashore was married to Miss Sarah Jane Moist, who was born near Dayton, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Henry Moist. Her mother died at her birth and she was reared in the family of an uncle, Abraham Moist, who lived southwest of Covington. To them was born four children—Charles, Susanna, Frederick, and one that died at birth. Susanna is the only one living. She first married James Shoe, and their daughter, Martha Shoe, makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Bashore. Susanna formed a second union with Michael Bash-ore and they live in Missoula, Montana. Politically, the subject of this record is a Republican. In fraternal affiliation he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. WILLIAM HARRY GILBERT, Troy, Ohio, is one of Miami County's most prominent and successful lawyers, occupying an enviable position at the bar of the county. He was born on a farm near Gettysburg, in Darke County, Ohio, December 28, 1863, and is a son of Henry and Mary E. (Harry) Gilbert. Henry Gilbert was born on a farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents in 1837 on their removal to Miami County, locating on a farm near Croft's mill, two miles west of Covington. He was joined in marriage January 4, 1863, with Miss Mary E. Harry, who located in Miami County with her parents when she was a young girl. They set up housekeeping near Gettysburg, in Darke County, and now reside in retirement at Pleasant Hill, Miami County. William H. Gilbert is the eldest of seven children born to his parents, of whom all but the youngest grew to maturity and are still living. He was reared on the home farm and received a preliminary education in the district schools, supplemented by a short course in the normal school at Portland, Indiana, in 1884, and in the Normal School at Ada, Ohio, in 1885. After leaving school he continued a systematic course of study in literature, history and the sciences, and is a man of intellectual attainments. He began teaching school at seventeen years of age, and taught four winter terms in district schools of Darke County. In the spring of 1886 he began prepara- 458 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY tions for the profession of law in the offices and under the direction of Meeker, Bowman, in Greenville. In November of that year he left the office of that firm but continued study under the preceptorship of its members until October 4, 1888, when he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio. In the meanwhile he was appointed librarian of the Greenville Law Library and special court bailiff and served as such while reading law until he opened an office for practice. He continued at Greenville until October, 1892, when he removed to Troy and embarked in practice. In April, 1899, he formed a partnership with Mr. L. H. Shipman, who had been a student in his office, and the firm of Gilbert & Shipman continued for ten years, enjoying throughout this section of the State a large and successful practice. This firm was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Gilbert is now engaged in the practice alone. His offices are located in the new Masonic Temple in Troy, where he occupies two suites of offices, consisting of five well appointed rooms. His office is modern in every respect, and is equipped with a large and practicable working library. Mr. Gilbert employs all the help necessary to enable him to dispose of a large practice with facility and dispatch. He has had a large and lucrative practice from the time he opened an office in Troy. During the seventeen years of his practice here, he has tried more cases than any other lawyer at the bar. He has been employed on one side of practically every important civil case tried in the Courts of Miami County during that period. He has been also employed in the more important criminal cases. He does not accept employment in minor criminal cases. He has been employed in all first degree murder eases in both Miami and Darke counties, since his admission, except one. He has always appeared for the defense in the homicide cases, except in the recent case in Miami Common Pleas Court, of Forde White, charged with the murder of his father. In this case, the court appointed Mr. Gilbert to assist in the prosecution. His efforts were successful and White was convicted of murder in first degree. His services in this case were highly satisfactory to the public and to the court. The case rested entirely on circumstantial evidence, and the public generally believed White's conviction was due to Mr. Gilbert's closing argument in the case. Mr. Gilbert has devoted himself exclusively to the practice of the law. He allows nothing to divert his attention from the practice. He has been well rewarded for his services, and has accumulated a comfortable fortune from the practice alone. Mr. Gilbert is a careful, capable and conscientious lawyer, with a profound knowledge of the law and the ability to present his case to court or jury in a clear, concise, and convincing manner. He has met with more than ordinary success and enjoys the confidence and good will of the people. November 19, 1890, William H. Gilbert was joined in marriage with Miss Virginia G. Meeker, a lady of refinement and many accomplishments. She is a daughter of Hon. D. L. Meeker, of Greenville. One child, Virginia Gilbert, was born to this union on July 16, 1907. He owns and lives in one of the most substantial homes in Troy. Mr. Gilbert is domestic in taste and de- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 459 voted to his family. His time, outside of business hours, is spent in his own home, in the companionship of his family. Mr. Gilbert has never sought political preferment. He declined a nomination for Congress when twenty-eight years of age. He also declined numerous offers of political advancement since. He believes a lawyer who wishes to succeed in the practice should not permit politics to break in on his time. He believes his clients are entitled to his time and services. Mr. Gilbert is now in middle life, and in good health. The best years of his professional life still lie before him. REV. WILLIAM H. ALLISON, rector of St. James Episcopal Church at Piqua, is one of the most earnest and scholarly clergymen of the diocese to which he belongs. He was born in July, 1873, in the city of New York, and was reared there and at Yonkers, New York. After graduating with honors from Columbia University, in the class of 1897, Dr. Allison entered the Berkley Divinity School at Middletown, Connecticut, where he was graduated in 1900. Following this he was ordained and for one year served as assistant rector of St. Andrew's Church at Ann Arbor, Michigan, when he became pastor of St. Mary's Church, at Detroit. where he remained for five years. He then served St. John's Church of Covington, Kentucky, for one year, when he accepted the call to St. James' Church at Piqua, where he has a congregation of 250 communicants. His work is appreciated and the closest ties bind him and his people. In 1901 Rev. Allison was married to Miss Ethel L. Tillotson, of New Haven, Connecticut. He is very prominent in Masonry, being a member of Blue Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., of Detroit; Peninsula Chapter, of Detroit ; Detroit Commandery No. 1, of Detroit ; and the Mystic Shrine, of the same city. He also retains membership in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, of college days, and he belongs to the Piqua Club. WARREN HARTLE, who has been in the railway mail service for about three years, is a well known resident of Covington, Miami County, Ohio, and is the owner of 110 acres of valuable land in Newberry Township, seventy acres of which is locat- ed in Section 13, and forty acres in Section 14. He was born on this farm January 17, 1873, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Gilbert) Hartle, a grandson of Frederick Hartle, and great-grandson of John Johannes Hartle. John Hartle, the great-grandfather, was a native of Zweibrücken, Pfaltz, Germany, and was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He lived at Albany, New York, at the time of the war but afterward went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he married. He later moved to Blair County, Pennsylvania, when an old man and there passed away. Frederick Hartle, grandfather of Warren, moved from Blair County, Pennsylvania, some time after his marriage, to Miami County, Ohio, where he entered 160 acres of land, of which the forty-acre tract in Section 14, owned by our subject, formed a part. All of this quarter section continues in the family name. Frederick bought additional land and became a large landowner. He died and was buried on the old farm in Newberry Township. 460 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY Peter Hartle was born in Blair County, Pennsylvania, and was but a small boy when his parents moved to Miami County, Ohio. Here he grew to maturity and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed many years. He enjoyed a wide reputation as a carpenter, being unexcelled as a workman, and he erected many buildings, among them being the old county house and barn at Troy. He later took up farming in Newberry Township, putting up all the buildings on the farm, even to making of the doors and sashes. He died there in 1902, at the age of seventy-eight years, after a long and useful life. His wife survived him some two years. She was in maiden life Mary Gilbert, and was born and raised in Newberry Township, a part of Covington being situated on what was the old Gilbert homestead. Her father, Thomas Gilbert, was a native of South Carolina, and from there enlisted for service in the War of 1812. He came north with his regiment and was finally discharged at Greeneville, Ohio. Being a poor boy, he decided to remain in the north and invest the pay he received for military service, in land ; time proved the wisdom of his investments and he died leaving an estate estimated at $80,000. He was a very public-spirited man and was the founder of the Greenville Creek Christian Church, and always liberal in its support. Warren Hartle was reared on the home farm and continued to live there some ten years after his marriage. In 1906 they moved to Covington, renting his farm property, and they have a fine home on Wall Street. Among his cherished possession is a thirty-five dollar note issued by the Continental Congress to his great- grandfather, John Hartle, in payment for military service during the Revolution. In 1896 Mr. Hartle was married to Miss Margaret Young, a daughter of S. F. Young, of Darke County, Ohio, and they have two children—Grace W. and Guy D. Religiously, they are members of the Christian Church. I. B. PATTERSON, who lives retired from active business life, occupying his pleasant and comfortable home at No. 607 West Ash Street, Piqua, is a native of Miami County, Ohio, and was born in Spring Creek Township in 1846. William Patterson, father of I. B., was a pioneer in Spring Creek Township, settling about 1820 in the woods and subsequently clearing up a farm on which he lived until 1864. He then moved into Shelby County and died there in 1869. I. B. Patterson was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools through boyhood. He continued to follow agricultural pursuits until he was about forty-five years of age. He then went into the coal business, which he carried on for a few years, after which he became interested in the manufacturing of staves and hoops, which he carried on for ten years, in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. He then returned to Piqua and here has found congenial friends and surroundings and has made it his permanent home. He is financially interested in the Fairbanks Steam Shovel Company, of Marion, Ohio. In 1875 Mr. Patterson was married (first) to Miss Anna Meeker, who died in 1890, leaving one son, Carl, who is a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1893 Mr. Patterson was married (second) to Miss Nancy Pruden, and they have three AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 461 children—Arthur, Helen, and Ruth. Mr. Patterson and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church. He is identified with the Masons, belonging to the organization at La Rue, Ohio. As a good citizen he has made his presence felt at Piqua, giving encouragment to the movements for bettering conditions of all kinds and contributing to charities and benevolent objects. GIDEON G. UPDIKE, located on a well improved farm of forty acres in Section 34, Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, is engaged in general farming and tobacco raising. He is a native of New Jersey, having been born near the city of Princeton, December 25, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Johanna (Mount) Updike. John Updike, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1790, and was married to Mary Updike, who was born in 1786, and, although bearing the same name, was of no blood relationship. They were parents of the following children: Eliza, born in 1810 ; Johnston, horn in 1811; Jacob, born in 1813; Sarah, born in 1816 ; Lydia, born in 1818; Priscilla, born in 1821; Theodore L., born in 1823; John S., born in 1825 ; Gideon, born in 1828; Philomen, born in 1830 ; and one who died in infancy. Jacob Updike was joined in marriage with Johannah Mount, a daughter of Hezekiah Mount, and their children were : Gideon G., whose name heads this sketch ; Matthew G., deceased; and Adeline, wife of Frank Vandeveer of Warren County, Ohio. Gideon G. Updike first attended school at Cedar Grove, New Jersey, the school building being a small structure, eight- cornered and built of niggerhead stone. Upon leaving school he worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old, and then came west to Carlisle, Warren County, Ohio, where he followed carpentering several years, working in the construction of many houses and barns in that vicinity. In 1870 he returned east and was married, but again took his trade and residence at Carlisle, Ohio. He afterward rented a farm in that vicinity, but after some six years moved to Miami County. He farmed near Troy for six years, then rented the Kline farm near Casstown, from which he moved to the vicinity of Raper Church, where he farmed for ten years. At the end of that time he moved to the Husler farm near Troy, on which he was located nine years, and from there moved to what was known as the A. P. Barnes farm of forty acres, which he purchased of George Ralston. It is located on the Casstown Pike, three and a half miles east of Troy, in Section 34, Elizabeth Township. He follows general farming and tobacco growing, having about five acres planted to that commodity. He is a Republican in politics, and has always taken a progressive interest in the affairs of the community in which he has resided. He was on the school board of Staunton Township ten years, and is at the present time serving as pike supervisor. February 16, 1870, Mr. Updike was united in marriage with Louisa Carson, a daughter of Isaac H. and Lydia Ann Carson, and they became parents of three children, as follows : Walter G., who died in infancy ; Wilber D., who married Ora DeWeese, daughter of Alexander and Esterline DeWeese, and has a son, Rob- 462 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY ert F. ; and Ada C., deceased wife of Larkin Hole of Piqua, by whom she had a son, Harry. Fraternally, our subject is a member of Franklin City Lodge, K. P., in Warren County. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Raper Chapel, and is a director of the cemetery. CHARLES E. MARTIN, one of Piqua's representative and reliable business men, who is engaged at Piqua as a general cement contractor, was born June 19, 1852, at Piqua, Ohio, and is a son of Frederick and Louisa (Roempler) Martin. Both parents of Mr. Martin were born in Germany, October 10, 1821, and April 10, 1822, respectively. In 1835 Frederick Martin came to Piqua, where he learned the carpenter's trade and later entered into general contracting. He married Miss Roempler, who came to America at the age of thirteen years, and they had four children, the three survivors being: George F., who resides at Peoria, Illinois; Henrietta, who is the wife of J. M. Hibben, who is the oldest merchant at Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio ; and Charles E. Charles E. Martin was reared and educated at Piqua, working in early manhood with his father, later engaging in general contracting and since 1884 has been confining himself to cement contracting, being the pioneer in the cement business in this section. He put up his own fine residence at No. 629 West Ash Street. Mr. Martin built the first concrete bridge ever erected in Miami County, the first structure of the kind he had ever built. The bridge stands across the Washington Pike about two miles south of Piqua. July 25, 1901, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Marietta Knight, who was born near Casstown, Ohio, a daughter of Stephen and Delilah Knight, her father being a member of a pioneer family. They have one son, Frederick. Mr. Martin and family are identified with the Green Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and attends the lodge at Troy. ISRAEL H. ROSENBERGER, a highly respected citizen and substantial retired farmer residing at Covington, has a large enterprise in hand in the colonization of the farmers of the Miami Valley in Colfax, New Mexico. Mr. Rosenberger was born on a farm near Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, on what was then known as the David Troxell farm, April 8, 1844, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hartsough) Rosenberger, a family of considerable prominence. Mr. Rosenberger grew to manhood on the home farm, attending the country schools at first and later the High School at Findlay, after which he taught school, teaching four terms before he was married and two terms afterward. He had accompanied his parents when they moved from Seneca to Hancock County, establishing the home in Washington Township, seven miles southwest of Fostoria, and was living there when he entered the army during the Civil War. He enlisted at Toledo. however, from Sandusky County, in the spring of 1864, in Company G, Eighty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. His regiment was visited with a scourge of measles and fourteen members died of the disease, while Mr. Rosenberger was confined to a AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 463 hospital, at Huntsville, Alabama, for two and one-half months, suffering from the epidemic, and barely escaping with his life. Mr. Rosenberger was married in October, 1867, to Miss Margaret Ebersole, a daughter of Abraham Ebersole, a farmer of Hancock County, Ohio, and they have three children—Frank, Elizabeth and Ella. Frank is cashier of the Leipsic, Ohio, bank. Elizabeth married Morris M. Mikesell, who is vice-president and general manager of the Farmers' Development Company, of New Mexico, where they reside. They have two children, Margaret and Frank. Ella is a teacher of Domestic Science, at the W. C. A. Home at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Rosenberger resided on his farm in Hancock County until 1906, when he sold out and moved to Covington, where he has erected a handsome brick residence of modern construction which is equipped with furnace heat, baths and electric light. He is one of the Board of Directors of the Farmers' Development Company, owns valuable town property at Los Angeles, California, where he and wife spent two winters. He also owns one-third section near Medicine Hat, Canada. He is a member of the Brethren Church and is treasurer of the local body. THE MAGEE BROS. COMPANY, printers, binders and engravers, at Piqua, is one of the representative business enterprises of this city and was established in 1896 by Charles W. and Edwin R. Magee, under the style of Magee Bros., and was incorporated April 1, 1909, under the present style, with a capital stock of $50,000. Like many other of the successful concerns at Piqua, this business was started in a small way, the equipment consisting of one job press operated in one room of 12 by 14 feet in dimensions. The contrast is afforded by the building now utilized, with dimensions of 110 by 64 feet, which was built especially for them as the partners struggled to keep abreast of their increasing trade. This building has been thoroughly equipped with all the modern machines and devices that now must be included in a thoroughly up-to-date printing plant, nine presses being kept constantly at work. Among the improved machinery may be noticed the type-setting and casting machines, which appear almost human in the mechanical work they perform. Charles W. Magee was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, and was educated in Piqua. His life work has been the founding and developing of the business of which he now is president. He married Miss Edith Simon, of Piqua, and they have one son, Charles Edwin. Mr. Magee is a member of the Green Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been interested in all that pertains to public matters at Piqua and served four years as a member of the City Council. Fraternally he is identified with the Elks and Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the Elks Club, and the Piqua Club. Edwin R. Magee, vice-president and secretary of the Magee Bros. Company, was, like his brother, born in Trumbull County and educated in Piqua, supplementing the public school course by one in a business college. He married Miss Hattie L. Tyson, of Fletcher, and they have two children, Vesta Verne and Wal- 464 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY ter Hart. Mr. Magee is a member of the Elks, the Red Men, the Maccabees and the Elks Club. He belongs to the Green Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Otto Simon, treasurer of the Magee Bros. Company, is a native of Piqua, where he was reared and educated. Prior to entering into his present business connection, he was in the transfer business in this city. He married Miss Sena Phillips, also a native of Piqua, and they have one daughter, Helen. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason. He has been a very active and public-spirited citizen. His public services include membership in the board of review of the city of Piqua and valuable service in the city council. JOSEPH WARREN BOWMAN, who has long been classed among the foremost citizens and business men of Tippecanoe City, is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Dye Fruit Company, a thriving and successful concern which operates on an extensive scale. He has been a promoter of and closely identified with many interests which have had an important bearing on the material welfare and advancement of the community. Mr. Bowman was born in Fredericktown, Miami County, Ohio, March 6, 1845, and comes of one of the pioneer families of the county. Joseph Bowman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1801, and was about nine years of age, when, in 1810, his father, Jacob Bowman, moved with his family to near Springfield, Ohio. Jacob died soon after his removal to Ohio, and Joseph went to live with an uncle, Thomas Newman, in Montgomery County, Ohio. At the age of sixteen years he borrowed $2.50, with which he purchased a basket and a small stock of goods, and by peddling through the country was able to make and accumulate a little money. Then for several years he engaged in the Indian trade. It was his custom to purchase goods in Cincinnati and have them hauled to the headwaters of the Mississinewa River; there he would unload on the bank of the river, cut down a tree and dig out a canoe, into which he placed his goods. He floated down that stream to the Wabash, thence to the Ohio River, there being many Indian villages and but one white man along his route. He traded with the Indians for furs and arriving at the Ohio River, made his way up that stream to Cincinnati. There disposed of his furs and laid in a stock of goods for another trip. Thus he traded with the Miami and Pottawatomie tribes for four or five years, and some time between 1820 and 1822 he started a small store in Fredericktown, Miami County. He was in business there continuously for nearly half a century and became a man of prominence and affluence, owning at one time seven or eight farms besides having varied business interests. He was possessed of a pleasing personality and was immensely popular with his many acquaintances throughout the county. His death occurred in 1871, at the age of seventy years. He was united in marriage with Mary Sheets, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1808, and died in Fredericktown at the age of seventy-six years. The following children were born to them : Caroline, who was the wife of Aaron Furnace, and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 465 died in Monroe Township, Miami County, at the age of forty years; Ann, who was the wife of Robert Furnace and also died in Monroe Township, at the age of forty years; Eliza Jane, who was the wife of Henry Neal and died in Monroe Township, aged sixty-nine years ; Oliver Perry, who died in Toledo, Ohio, at the age of sixty-five years ; Mary Ellen, widow of A. B. Carey of Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio; Joseph Warren, subject of this sketch; Daniel Webster, who died in Toledo, Ohio, at the age of fifty-nine years; Ellwood, who died at three years ; and Reed, who was seven years old at the time of his death. Oliver Perry Bowman, who for more than twenty years was engaged in the real estate business at Toledo, was married to Martha Jane Gray of Warren County, Ohio. Daniel Webster Bowman was for many years in partnership with his father at Fredericktown, but later was a manufacturer in the city of Toledo. He was married to Miss Isabella Turner. Joseph Warren Bowman attended the public schools of Fredericktown, and later commercial school at Toledo. He then sold hardware for his father and brother until 1866 when he became a member of the firm of Bowman, Wells and Company at Tippecanoe City, dealing in dry goods and boots and shoes. At the end of a year he purchased the interest of Mr. Wells and the firm became J. W. & 0. P. Bowman, continuing as such for two years, when J. W. Bowman purchased his brother's interest. It was then conducted under the name of J. W. Bowman, and later, for three years under the name of Bowman and Lindley. Mr. Bowman purchased the interest of his partner and it was suc cessively operated under the name of J. W. Bowman and Bowman & Davis until 1898, when the subject of this record sold out to Samuel Smith. He has since that time been identified with the Dye Fruit Company, of which he is now secretary, treasurer and general manager. They have 160 acres devoted to the growing of fruits, having about 28,000 trees, principally cherries, peaches and plums. Mr. Bowman also owns, individually, a farm of 130 acres in Monroe Township. He is president and stockholder of the Tipp Whip Company; was formerly interested in the glucose plant and was one of the organizers of the Strawboard Works. He also was one of the organizers of the Tippecanoe City National Bank, of which he has been a director since its inception. He has a fine home which he built in Tippecanoe City, located on West Main Street. In 1866 Mr. Bowman was united in marriage with Miss Maggie M. Perry, a daughter of Nathan and Isabella Perry of Darke County, Ohio, and the following were the issue of their union : Frank Perry, who died at the age of fourteen years ; Howard E., an insurance man, who died in March, 1907, at the age of thirty-four years Stella W., wife of E. L. Crane, who is vice-president and assistant cashier of the Tippecanoe City National Bank ; and Bessie M., who is living at home. Howard E. Bowman was married to Miss Eva Munger of Piqua, and is survived by his wife and one child, Enona Gene, the latter being four years old. Joseph W. Bowman is an enthusiastic Republican, and has always been active in the support of the principles of that 466 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY party. Fraternally, he is a member of Blue Lodge No. 74, F. & A. M., at Tippecanoe City. A. MORRISON ORR, vice-president of the Orr Felt and Blanket Company, one of Piqua's successful business enterprises and one of Miami County's largest manufacturing plants, was born September 7, 1856, in Darke County, Ohio, and is a son of Gen. W. P. Orr. Mr. Orr was reared in Darke County and secured his education there and at Piqua, and when he went into business it was as a dealer in grain and linseed oil, with Orr and Leonard, under the style of Orr & Leonard. This name later was changed to the W. P. Orr Linseed Oil Company, which subsequently sold out to the American Linseed Oil Company. When this change came about, Mr. Orr remained with the new company, in charge of the sales department at Cincinnati, until February, 1907, when he severed this connection. In the meanwhile, Mr. Orr had become financially interested in a paper mill and stove works in Miami County and also looked into other investments which resulted, in 1900, in his buying out the F. Gray Felt and Blanket Manufacturing Company, and the establishment of his own large enterprise. Increasing business has shown the absolute necessity of an extension of quarters and facilities and a new plant located on South Main Street is in course of construction, which, when finished will give the plant 190,000 square feet of floor space. The old quarters at No. 129 East Water Street were formerly considered adequate, but the new ones will be vastly superior, being equipped with all modern appliances, a compound condensing engine being used and electricity transmitted to every point. This will be the largest felt and blanket mill in the country. Employment is given to some 400 work people and the pay roll amounts to a very large sum. Mr. Orr is a director in the Citizens National Bank. the Piqua Savings Bank and the Piqua Home Telephone Company. Mr. Orr was married to Miss Eliza Van Bibber Boal, who was born in Kentucky. He has four children : W. P., Jr., who is engaged in the wool business in Australia ; Margaret, who is the wife of R. D. Hopkins, Jr., of Baltimore, Maryland; Martha Louise, and Morrison Boal. Mr. Orr is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is identified with the Elks and with the Piqua Business Men's Club. REV. JAMES J. CROWLEY, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, at Piqua. was born in England but was reared at Bardstown, Kentucky. After completing the long course of ecclesiastical training which is required for the priesthood, Father Crowley was ordained and was stationed in Kentucky, from whence he came to Ohio in 1883. Father Crowley had charge of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Franklin. Ohio, for nineteen years, going from there to St. Mary's Church at Oxford, Ohio, and fifteen months later, in January, 1904, came to his present pastorate at Piqua. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Piqua was established in December, 1843, and is the first Catholic Church built in this city. Father James Halloran was the first pastor, and Rev. James P. Cahill succeeded him, and was later followed by Rev. H. Henry. Rev. E. P. Hickey took AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 469 charge in 1887 and remained in charge for fourteen years. The present church edifice and school building were erected during that time. Father Crowley has greatly improved conditions since he took charge, both in a material and spiritual way. The parish now includes 220 families and the pupils in the church school number 230, five rooms being utilized. The prosperous condition of the affairs of the parish reflect credit upon the Christian zeal as well as the executive ability of Rev. Father Crowley. JOHN H. BRANSON, clerk of the Newberry Township School Board and one of the most progressive citizens of that township, resides on his farm of fifty-nine acres located in Section 6, about three and a half miles north of Covington. He was born on the quarter-section of which this farm was a part, September 18, 1857, and is a son of DeWitt Clinton and Charlotte D. (Suber) Branson, his father being in his day one of the most prominent men of the county. The first of the Bransons to come to Miami County, Ohio, was Moses Nutt Branson, grandfather of John H. He was born in Burlington (now Ocean) County, New Jersey, December 28, 1801, and as he was very young when his parents died, he was bound out. In 1817, at the age of fifteen and a half years, he came west to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he remained several years after his marriage, and then settled in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, and lived there until his death. He was married July 8, 1821, to Harriet Nutt, a daughter of Levi and Sarah Nutt. DeWitt Clinton Branson was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, May 1, 1828, and was there reared to manhood. After completing his schooling he began to teach, being eighteen years old at the time, and he continued at that vocation after his marriage and removal to Newberry Township. He served about eighteen years as justice of the peace, and later one term as county commissioner, and was widely known over the county. He owned a farm of 100 acres in Newberry Township, and another of eighty-three acres in Shelby County, Ohio. His death occurred August 24, 1906, and he is survived by his widow. She was in maiden life Charlotte D. Suber, and is a daughter of George Suber. Mr. and Mrs. Branson became parents of the following children: Harriet (Hildebrand) ; Caroline E. (Johnston) ; Willis, who is president of the Newberry Township School Board; John H.; Frank ; Sarah (Hartzell) ; Lydia Ann (McMaken) ; and Angie (Routson). John H. Branson was reared on his present farm and has always followed farming. He has from an early age taken a deep interest in public affairs, especially those relating to the welfare of his own township. He was elected township trustee and served until his removal to Newton Township disqualified him from filling out his term. He lived in that township for six years and farmed for Colonel Tillery when the latter was serving as county treasurer. During the Spanish-American War Mr. Branson served as corporal in Company A, Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed with his regiment, first at Tampa, Florida, then at Fernandina, Florida, then at Huntsville, Alabama. He is a member of the Spanish-American War Veterans. His farm ad- 470 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY joins the old Union Church, which was built in 1852 and is the oldest church building in the township. In 1900 he erected a magnificent brick residence of nine rooms, and the entire farm presents a neat and attractive appearance. He is serving his seventh year as a. member of the School Board. Mr. Branson was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Jane Lawrence, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Shafer) Lawrence. They have had four children : Albert W.; Elmer ; Ruth, who died at the age of three years ; and Benjamin Arthur. WESLEY D. WEAVER, of Miami City, Miami County, Ohio, is a retired farmer and respected citizen of that community. He was born on the old home place in Brown Township, Miami County, January 31, 1858, and is a son of John and Libby (Deviney) Weaver. Peter Weaver, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was married to Winnie Ross, and their offspring were as follows : Peter, Jane, Polly, Nancy, Hannah and John. John Weaver married Libby Deviney and had the following children : Mary Lavina, who is the wife of Joplin Arnold and lives near Fletcher, in Brown Township ; Ella, who married John Crawmer ; Josie, who married Eli Madaris ; Lucy, who is the wife of Edward Crumbaugh ; and Wesley D. Wesley D. Weaver attended school at New Hope, Brown Township, and assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage in 1882. He then rented the farm of his father-in-law for a period of eleven years, afterward returning to the home place to look after the affairs of his father who had become an invalid. Upon the latter's death, Wesley remained for a time on the home place and then went to Champaign County, where he rented and farmed a place. He next purchased a house and three acres of land in Section 10, Elizabeth Township, where he has since lived. He has made many improvements on this place, which is located on the Springfield Pike. He also purchased forty acres in the southeastern corner of Section 9, in Elizabeth Township, two and a half acres of it being timberland. In addition to this land, he owns a lot on Star Avenue in Toledo, and a one-fifth interest in other property in that. city. June 8, 1882, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage with Miss Mary Crawmer, a daughter of Michael Crawmer of Miami County. He is a Democrat in politics, and served one term as road supervisor. Fraternally, . he is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and also belongs to the Temple. In religious attachment, his wife is a consistent member of the Christion Church. AARON B. COURTER was born in Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio, February 27, 1849, and is a general farmer, owning fifty-one acres in Bethel Township, three miles northwest of New Carlisle. His parents were William and Abigail (Moore) Courter. William Courter was a native of Ohio, where his life was spent, mainly as a farmer in Bethel Township. He died in 1863 and was interred at New Carlisle. He married Abigail Moore and they had nine children—Nancy Jane, Henry F., John, Sarah M., Aaron B., Elizabeth. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 471 William, Mary and Rachel. The mother of this family died in 1889. Aaron B. Courter attended school for a short time in his boyhood, at New Carlisle, but as he was the fifth in an increasing family and his father had little means, he had, while still young, to provide more or less for his own support. He engaged in farm work and about 1868 entered the employ of a Mr. Bare, with whom. he remained for twenty-six years. Mr. Bare came to Bethel Township from Cumberland County, Penna., and settled on the present farm, where he died. Having no children, the farm came to Mr. Courter who had so faithfully remained with him for so many years. After Mr. Courter took charge he repaired the buildings and did a large amount of improving. He raises excellent crops and is numbered with the successful farmers of the township. On December 28, 1893, Mr. Courter was married to Miss Harriet Hale, a daughter of John and Mary Ann Hale, and they have two children—Mabel May and William Lawrence, both of whom are attentive pupils of Fairview School, District No. 3, Bethel Township. In his political views, Mr. Courter is a Republican. GEORGE S. LONG, private secretary to Governor Harmon, has for a quarter of a century enjoyed an enviable position at the bar of Miami County, Ohio, and has been identified, as stockholder and director, with numerous business enterprises of Troy, of which city he is a resident. He was born in Troy, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob F. Long, who was a carpenter by trade and first located in that city in 1854. Mr. Long was reared in Miami County where he attended the public schools, being a graduate of Troy High School. After teaching one year in the schools of Troy he entered Dartmouth College and graduated therefrom with the degree of A. B., in 1879, after which he taught in the Portsmouth (Ohio) High School for a period of three years. He then returned to Troy and prepared himself for the legal profession in the office and under the direction of Hon. Theodore Sullivan. He was admitted to practice in 1884, and immediately thereafter opened an office in Troy. He practices before all State and Federal courts, and has been connected with much of the important litigation in Miami County. He has taken a more or less active interest in political affairs, and has at times been called upon to fill offices of public trust. He served as mayor of Troy, a member of the City Board of Education, as State senator from his district in 1898 and 1900, and in 1908 was appointed private secretary to Governor Harmon, upon the duties of which place he entered in January, 1909, at Columbus, Ohio. George S. Long was united in marriage with Miss Lina Weller, a daughter of Capt. J. B. Weller of Troy, and they have one son, Frederick, who is a student in Dartmouth College. Fraternally, Mr. Long is a Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Elks. In religious attachment, he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. ROBERT S. SPROUL, an esteemed citizen and retired farmer, residing in one of the pleasant homes of Troy, situated 472 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY at No. 403 South Mulberry Street, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of Miami County. He was born July 2, 1846, in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel Sproul, who was a native of North Carolina. Mr. Sproul was reared on a farm three miles south of Casstown, Miami County, and there engaged in farming and stock-raising for many years. In 1893 he re- tired to Troy and Y this city has been his home ever since. He takes a good citizen's interest in public matters and does his full share in charitable and benevolent work. He attends the Presbyterian Church. In 1872 Mr. Sproul was married to Miss Clara Shidaker, who is a daughter of the late Henry C. Shidaker. He was born February 20, 1825, in Miami County, Ohio, and was a son of Valentine and Emily (Harter) Shidaker, the former of whom was a native of Maryland and the latter of Kentucky. The Shidaker family originated in Germany. The pioneer of the family in Miami County was Michael Shidaker, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Sproul, who came to Elizabeth Township in 1805 and entered Section 14, being one of the very earliest settlers. He was succeeded by his son Valentine, who died in 1846, leaving eight children : Mitchell, Lucy, Catherine, Henry C.. Andrew, Jonathan, Sarah and Robert. In the course of time the property came to Henry C. Shidaker, who had remained on the old homestead during the lifetime of his parents. On October 8. 1847, he married Elizabeth Edmunds. of Virginia ancestry, and they had three children, namely : Lucy Matilda, Laura E., and Clara F. The Sproul family entered land about 1812 and to such families as the Sproul and Shidaker may be attributed the progress and development of Miami County, their thrift, enterprise and industry contributing to its material prosperity, and their sterling virtues to its excellent citizenship. ALBERT NUTT, one of Bethel Township's excellent farmers, who cultivates his own fifty-four acres which is situated four and one-half miles east of Tippecanoe City, on the Studebaker and Pisgah Turnpike Road, and rents an additional twenty acres which adjoins his own land, was born in England, September 6, 1857, and is a son of James and Hannah (Whitehead) Nutt. Albert Nutt is one of a family of eleven children, four of whom came to America. In 1884. Mr. Nutt came to the United States and when he reached Tippecanoe City, Ohio, he first worked as a nurseryman, this having been his business in his native land. Later he bought his present farm of William Ashworth. He has made all the improvements here, putting up the substantial buildings and making the place a valuable property. In 1880 Mr. Nutt was married to Miss Alice Heaton, a daughter of Stephen Heaton, and they have three children : Annie, who resides at home; Emma, who married Edwin Weldy, and has one son; and May, who resides with her parents. Mr. Nutt and family attend the English Lutheran Church. Mr. Nutt does not give much attention to politics, but he has identified himself with the Republican party. W. R. THOMPSON, M. D., who, for some thirty years has been in the active practice of medicine and surgery at Troy AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 473 and enjoys a well earned reputation for professional skill, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was reared. After completing the common school course in his native county, Dr. Thompson attended the Ohio Wesleyan College, going from there to the University of Michigan, where he was graduated from the medical department in 1869. He first took up practice in Tennessee, but after a year and a half he returned to Montgomery County and located at Vandalia, where he remained until 1879, when he came to Troy. Dr. Thompson is an active and valued member of the Miami County, the Ohio State, and the American Medical Associations. He is surgeon of the C. IL D. Railroad and of the larger number of corporations of Troy and numbers patients from all this section of the State. In 1871 Dr. Thompson was married to Miss Laura A. Stouder, of Tippecanoe City. Miami County, and they have three children, namely Charlotte, who is the wife of W. E. Boyer, cashier of the Troy National Bank ; Fannie E., who is the wife of Walter Coles ; and Wilbur R., who is a student, in his sophomore year, in the University of Michigan. In addition to being eminent in his profession, Dr. Thompson is au active citizen, recognizing his responsibilities as such and lending his influence to everything of which his judgment approves as being beneficial to the community. JAMES E. SIMES, of Covington, Miami County, Ohio, is clerk in charge in the railway mail service, running from Richmond, Indiana, to St. Louis, Missouri. and has been in the service since April 27, 1889. He was born at Sugar Grove, in Newton Township, Miami County, Ohio, October 1, 1868, and is a son of Thomas J. and Mary E. (Berlin) Simes. Thomas J. Simes was born in Thompsontown, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1842, and died in Covington, March 18, 1906. He was a miller by trade and at one time conducted what is now known as the Kindell Mills. He subsequently operated a grain elevator in Covington, and still later entered the fruit tree business at which he continued until his death. He was in 1867 married to Mary E. Berlin, who survives him, and they became parents of two sons and two daughters. In 1883 he united with the Christian Church, of which he was thereafter a liberal supporter. From early manhood he was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. During the Civil War he served as a member of the Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and later was a member of the G. A. R. He was a man prominent in business, church and fraternal circles, and was well known over the county. For some years he served as a member of the Covington School Board. James E. Sillies was reared at Sugar Grove and attended the public schools at Covington, after which he completed a course in the Miami Commercial College at Dayton, Ohio. He was not yet of age when he entered the railway postal service during the administration of President Harrison and he has continued without interruption since. Mr. Simes was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Kriegbaum, a daughter of Conrad and Susan (Smith) Kriegbaum, and they have a daughter, Miriam Erla. Fraternally, he 474 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY is past master of Covington, Lodge, F. & A. M. HARRY SHILLING, M. D., physician and surgeon at Troy, and junior member of the medical firm of Coleman & was born at Troy, Ohio, in 1876, and is a son of Charles R. Shilling, of this city. After completing the High School course at Troy, where he was graduated in 1895, he was in the employ of a life insurance company for a time and then entered the department of medicine in the University of Cincinnati, where he was graduated with his degree, in 1903. During a term of eighteen months he gained practical experience as an interne in the Cincinnati Hospital, coming directly to Troy when he was prepared to enter into practice. He formed a partnership with Dr. Warren Coleman and the medical firm of Coleman & Shilling stands very high in the profession. He is a member of the Miami County and State Medical Societies and keeps fully informed concerning every development in modern medical science. In 1906 Dr. Shilling was married to Miss Clara Prugh, of Piqua, and they have one daughter, Katherine. Dr. Shilling is a member of the Baptist Church. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. He is a mem- ber of one of the old pioneer families of Miami County. H. S. THOMPSON, one of the leading citizens and business men of Troy, Ohio, is identified with the Allen and Wheeler Company, and is engaged in farming on a large scale, owning three good farm properties in the county. He has been a resident of this city eight years. Mr. Thompson was born in Saginaw, Michigan. in 1879, and received a pre liminary education in the public schools of that place. He later completed a course at Williams College, in Massachusetts, and after leaving that institution went to Florida where he engaged in the lumbering business for two years. At the end of that time he came to Troy and became actively associated with the Allen & Wheeler Company. At the end of five years he turned his attention to farming, in addition, and he and his wife are the owners of the Stillwell farm in the outskirts of Troy, Mrs. Thompson owning also two other farms in Miami County. He is also largely interested in Florida lands, and is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, the Troy Club and the Island Outing Club. Mr. Thompson was in 1904 united in marriage with Miss Bessie Coleman, a daughter of Horace Coleman, and they make their residence at No. 503 South Market Street, in Troy. Religiously, they are members of the Epis-. copal Church. THOMAS L. PURDY. whose accidental death, at Lima, Ohio. February 21, 1907, brought grief to a devoted family and sadness to a wide circle of friends all through Ohio, where he was very well known, was a native of Covington and .a member of one of the old and representative families of Miami County. He was born at Covington, Ohio, December 22, 1850, and was a son of James L. Purdy. Thomas L. Purdy was reared at Covington, Ohio, and obtained his education in her schools. He entered into business as a traveling salesman for a commercial house of Piqua, but after his marriage he resided for seven years on his father-in-law's farm in Newberry Township, Miami