600 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY he purchased the shop of Charles M. Gross, where he carried on his trade for many years, only retiring on account of an accident, in April, 1905. Mr. Maier was temporarily crippled by a fall that resulted in a broken leg. He then sold his shop to W. A. Reed. For many years Mr. Maier's wagon and carriage shop was a landmark and on many occasions important matters concerning the welfare of the town were discussed there by Mr. Maier and other old citizens. In 1858 Mr. Maier was married to Miss Agnes Maria Neth, who died January 19, 1897. She was a daughter of George Neth and was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came from there to America and to Ohio four weeks before Mr. Maier crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Seven children were born to this marriage, namely : George E.. Judge E. W., John, Michael F., Charles A., Anna and Catherine. The eldest son, George E. Maier, died in 1903, aged forty-eight years. He was twice married, first to Miss Mina Pearson, daughter of Ephraim Pearson. She left one child, Harley, who is engaged in the insurance business at Troy. Judge E. W. Maier, residing at Troy, married Anna Henne, of that city, and they have one son, William. John Maier left home at the age of sixteen years and made his first visit back to Ohio some eight years later, having taken up a land claim in Nebraska. When thirty-one years old he married and has the following children : Michael, Charles, Harley, Agnes, Robert and Anna. Michael F. Maier is a commercial traveler but retains his residence at Covington. He married Mollie Goehring and they have two children : Harman and Lula. Charles A. Maier, residing at Piqua, married Mary Reed and they have two children, Reva and Ruth. Anna Maier married Clark Reed of Piqua. Catherine, the youngest of the family, married Barney Smith, who came from Wurtemberg, Germany, when ten years of age. Mr. Maier has been identified with the Masonic fraternity for a great many years and for thirty-two years was treasurer of the Covington Lodge. DAVID C. SHAFFER, a prosperous general farmer of Bethel Township, where he lives on a farm of 132 acres of valuable land, of which he owns two-thirds and his sister one-third. He was born September 2, 1834, on his grandfather's farm, in Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio, his parents being John and Nancy (Reed) Shaffer. Simon Shaffer, the grandfather of David C.. was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and he came with his wife to Miami County in 1805, locating on a farm of 160 acres, in Bethel Township. He became a man of considerable prominence as well as substance, owning at one time some 400 acres of land (at the time of his death he had 1371 acres), building a log house and barn at first, later erecting a frame and still later a brick house, the latter of which still stands but is not tenantable. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was with General Wayne's forces when the Troy and Dayton Highway was cut through. He was one of the founders of the Lutheran Church in this section. His first wife was a Miss Miller, of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and his second wife was Catherine Grubb, of Baltimore, Maryland. His six children were born to his first marriage, as follows : George, Elizabeth, Peter, Nancy, John and Catherine. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 601 John Shaffer, father of David C., was born in Bethel Township, Miami County, September 11, 1810, and died December 27, 1888. He made his permanent home in Bethel Township, about the time of his marriage or a few years later, purchasing the home farm from his father, a tract of 1371!, acres. He did some clearing and draining and built the house and barn now in use. He acquired also a farm of 160 acres in Indiana and another farm of 115 acres in the vicinity of Phoneton. John Shaffer was one of Bethel Township's most reliable and respected men and on numerous occasions his fellow citizens elected him to township offices. His duties were faithfully performed on all occasions. He served usefully as township trustee and for a number of terms was road supervisor. He was a consistent member of the Reformed Church. In his later years he was affiliated politically with the Republican party. He married Nancy Reed, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Compton) Reed. She died in 1865 and was buried in Bethel Cemetery. They had eight children: Peter, David C., Isaac H., Mary, Henry, Martha and two that died in infancy. David C. Shaffer attended the district schools in Bethel Township in his boyhood and was given the advantage of one term at Heidelberg, after which he assumed farm duties and continued to help his father until his first marriage. He then settled on a farm near Phoneton and remained there until the death of his wife, when he returned to the homestead and has resided here ever since. During the Civil War he served out one term of enlistment as sergeant in Company B, 147th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but with that exception has not been away from his home for any prolonged period. He has not found it necessarv to do much improving beyond opening up some ditches and doing a little draining. His land produces well and he is numbered with the township's successful farmers. Mr. Shaffer was married (first) March 8, 1860, to Miss Susan Arnold, a daughter of David and Mary (Detrick) Arnold. Mrs. Shaffer died in April, 1862, and was interred in Bethel Cemetery. She was the mother of two children, William W. and Susan, the former of whom died in middle life and the latter in infancy. William W. married Sarah Houser and is survived by three children, Reynold, Anna Mary and William. Mr. Shaffer was married (second) October 17, 1877, to Miss Sally B. Swain, a daughter of Charles B. and Mary L. (Davis) Swain, and they have three children, namely : Lilla and Anna, twins, and Charles C. Lilla is the wife of W. A. Hatten and they have two children, Lester and Alice. Anna and Charles C. reside at home and the latter is a member of the graduating class of 1910, at the Bethel High School. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer are members of the Reformed Church, in which he is one of the trustees. Formerly he belonged to the Grange in Bethel Township but is no longer identified with that organization. He is a Republican in his political views but has never accepted any office save that of school director, in which he has served one term. SOLOMON A. RUDY, whose excellent farm of eighty-three acres is situated in Monroe Township, on the Gingham and Frederick Turnpike, is one of the prosperous farmers and tobacco growers of this 602 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY section and is also one of the reliable and respected citizens. He was born May 2, 1871, in Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph M. and Louisa (Young) Rudy. Joseph M. Rudy was born in Bethel Township, Miami County, not far from West Charleston, on the pioneer farm on which his father, Joseph Rudy had settled when he came into what was then a wilderness, from Pennsylvania. Joseph Rudy had five children—Emanuel, Solomon, Mahala, Elizabeth and Joseph M. The last mentioned grew to manhood on that farm and helped to clear it. Shortly after his marriage he engaged in the butcher business for a short time but subsequently returned to his farm and followed agricultural pursuits all the rest of his life. Throughout Ohio and possibly through other States, there is a certain prolific wheat much in favor with the farmers and known as the "Rudy wheat." Its origin is very interesting. One day, George W. Rudy, the eldest brother of Solomon A., noticed some heads of wheat waving in the wind which seemed to have far outstripped the rest of the grain, then ripening evenly. As a matter of curiosity, Mr. Rudy gathered these heads, four in all, and took them to his father. The latter decided to experiment with them and planted them, for trial, in the garden. The result was surprising, the yield being far beyond that of any other specimen and several years later, Mr. Rudy had a yield of 1,736 bushels, which he placed on the market and received for it $1.50 per bushel. It has since been called the Rudy wheat, and it was the means of adding largely to Mr. Rudy's income from his wheat lands. He died on that farm when aged sixty-eight years. His widow survives and lives at Tippecanoe City. She was formerly Miss Louisa Young and was born and reared in Bethel Township. They had ten children, namely: Montgomery M., George W., Anna, Lillian, Ella and Ida (twins), Joseph, Solomon A., and Flora L. and an infant, both of whom are deceased. Solomon A. Rudy spent hip boyhood days on the home farm and was educated in the district schools, spending one winter in the High School, and one term at college, at Ada, Ohio. He then took upon himself his share of the work at home and continued to live with his parents until his marriage, when he purchased his present farm from Mrs. John F. Idemiller. He found it necessary to do quite an amount of improving, and using good judgment in the matter, he now has a very comfortable home with substantial farm buildings of all kinds. He grows the usual grains that do well in this section and usually devotes about five acres to tobacco. Mr. Rudy was married January 2, 1893, to Miss Lilly M. Smith, a daughter of John and Mary (Idemiller) Smith, of Monroe Township, and they have six children : Mildred, Emerson, Joseph, Mary, Paul and Harold. Mr. Rudy and wife are members of the Dunkard Church. J. F. WILGUS. who owns and resides upon a valuable farm of seventy-two acres in Lost Creek Township. Miami County. Ohio, conies of an old and prominent family of the county. He was born in this township on November 7, 1860. and is a son of John H. and Dulcina (Frazee) Wilgus, a grandson of Thomas Wilgus, and great-grandson of William Wilgus. It is an old Quaker family which was estab- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 603 lished in this country by four brothers, who came from England during the colonial days. William Wilgus, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in New Jersey, and there followed the trade of a tailor. At an early date, accompanied by his wife and children, he went with a team and wagon to Cincinnati, Ohio. He was offered a quarter section of land in what now is the heart of the city for his team and wagon, but not liking the place, he decided to return to his old home in New Jersey. He got to a point near Lebanon, in Warren County, Ohio, where he lost a horse, and as a result was obliged to spend the winter there. He liked the community so well he determined to remain, and there purchased a farm of 120 acres. There he followed his trade a few years, and farmed until his death, at an advanced age. He and his wife reared a large family. Thomas Wilgus, the grandfather, was born in New Jersey, and was a mere child when the family moved to Warren County, Ohio. He began working on the home farm, and continued at home until his first marriage. In 1834 he moved with his wife and children to Miami County, Ohio, where he purchased a half section of land in Lost Creek Township, a part of which is now owned by William Wilgus. Mrs. Wilgus, who was in maiden life Anna Hunt, died three weeks after the arrival of the family in this county. They had two children: John; and Mary, who became the wife of John Babb, both now deceased. Thomas Wilgus was later married to Hannah Robinson, and they had the following children : William, of Lost Creek Township ; Michael, of Casstown; Thomas, of Fletcher, and Anna, deceased wife of H. Brecount. The mother of this family died in 1883, and her husband in March, 1885. John Hunt Wilgus was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 5, 1831, and was three years old when his parents moved to Lost Creek Township. in Miami County. His mother dying soon after, he was taken to raise by her people in Warren County, with whom he lived until he was fifteen years of age. Having arrived at the age where he could be of assistance, he went to live with his father on the farm. He received a very meagre education, attending the district schools about three months each winter. He remained with his father until his marriage, then purchased a farm of 100 acres in Lost Creek Township, on which they set up housekeeping. He later sold that property and purchased the present farm of our subject from the Frazee heirs. He followed farming throughout his entire life. He was united in marriage with Dulcina Frazee, who was reared on the farm now owned by her son, J. F. Wilgus, and was a daughter of Lewis Frazee. Her grandfather, David Frazee, a Baptist minister, located in Lost Creek Township at an early date and became the owner of a vast tract of land. John H. Wilgus survived his wife some years, dying May 15. 1908; her death occurred July 24, 1900. They were parents of the following chil- ifs J. ,Afthri Franklin ; G. Rousseau; Thomas, of West Milton; Ralph H., of West Milton; William W.; and three who died in infancy. John Franklin Wilgus was reared on the farm and attended the district schools in the vicinity, and the business college at Lebanon, Ohio. He has devoted his activity to farming throughout his career, and has been very successful. He has seventy- 604 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY two acres in the farm on which he lives, and also has an interest in the old estate. He purchased his farm of Mrs. Mary Blackford, and in 1892 erected a substantial residence, which was destroyed by fire in 1.908. He is a Republican in politics, and for sixteen years has served on the school board. December 9, 1888, Mr. Wilgus was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ellen Bright, a daughter of Adam Bright, of Addison, Ohio. Two children were born to them, namely : Ellwood M. and J. Adam. Mrs. Wilgus died on April 3, 1905. Mr. Wilgus has a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the country, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens to a marked degree. MARTIN VALENTINE HOUSER, residing on a farm of eighty acres in Staunton Township, Miami County, Ohio, is also the owner of several other tracts of land in that and Spring Creek Townships, having 331 acres in all. He was born on St. Valentine's Day, February 14, 1830, on the home farm in Spring Creek Township, Miami County, and is a son of John and Margaret (Booker) Houser, and a grandson of Martin and Barbara (Neff) Houser Martin Houser, the grandfather, was a farmer in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and some years after marriage moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, settling on the east side of the Miami River, about two and a half miles north of Dayton, which was then a village consisting of but a few small houses. He later entered one-half a section of land in Spring Creek Township, Miami County, but continued to live at his old home near Dayton, where he died at the age of eighty-one years. He and his wife were parents of the following children: Jacob, Daniel, Isaac. Henry. John, Martin, Barbara and Catherine. John Houser was born in the Shenandoah Valley, and was a small boy at the time the family moved from Virginia to the vicinity of Dayton, where he was reared to maturity. They lived in a rude log house, and he helped in clearing the timber from the farm. When a young man. during the War of 1812, he hauled grain to the soldiers in the army. He also in that period was one of a party which went to Indiana, it being a hard six weeks' trip at that time. They lost all of their horses but one on the journey, and upon their return sold the remaining horse for the munificent sum of $7.00, which was divided among the seven members of the party. After his marriage and the birth of two children, they moved to Miami County, locating upon the north half of the half section of land entered by his father, his brother Henry locating upon the south half. He lived in a small log house on the place for many years, and cleared it of timber. The country was in a comparatively wild and undeveloped state at that time, and he frequently supplied his table with wild game. He died at the age of eighty-one years, and Mrs. Houser died at the age of eighty-four. They were parents of the following: Samuel; John B.; Barbara, wife of Moses Denman ; Martin Valentine; Mary Ann, wife of Job Emmons; Bartholomew, who was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War and died at Washington, D. C.; and Jacob, who lost his life in the Battle of the Wilderness. The subject of this sketch is the only one of his parents' family now living. Martin V. Houser spent his boyhood AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 605 days on the home farm in Spring Creek township, which he aided in clearing. He first attended school in the old church in that vicinity, also the old log schoolhouse, and the brick school which replaced it. He received a fair education, being ambitious and a good student, and was tendered a position as teacher at different times. His educational training was restricted by illness, and in his youth he went on an extended hunting trip in Indiana for the benefit of his health. He covered 231 miles on horseback in six weeks, and returned home in a much improved condition. He has always followed farming, and what he owns he owes almost entirely to his individual efforts. His first purchase was the farm on which he now lives, and when the mortgage was finally removed from the place he felt himself the happiest and richest man in the community. He has always invested his earnings to good advantage, and now has 331 acres, in several tracts, in Spring Creek and Staunton Townships. In November, 1856, Mr. Houser was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Duncan, a daughter of Robert and Jane (McClintock) Duncan, and her death occurred March 2, 1886. They became parents of two children, Ida and Flora. Ida Houser was married to Willis Peterson, of Staunton Township, and has two children —Roy, who married Elsie Clark; and Ralph. Flora Houser married J. Todd Small, by whom she has two children, Ray and Birdie, and they make their home with her father. Politically, Mr. Houser is a strong Prohibitionist, and a staunch supporter of Bryan, being the only member of the family to vote the Democratic ticket. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and has filled various church offices. FRANK EDWARD LEFEVRE, owner of 105 acres of farm land in Staunton Township, Miami County, Ohio, is one of the substantial and progressive men of that community. He was born on his present farm March 15, 1862, and is a son of Cyrus Haywood and Caroline (Babb) Le-Fevre, and a grandson of Christian Le-Fevre. Christian LeFevre came to Miami County, Ohio, from Maryland, bringing his bride to this then new country in a wagon, and he helped to clear the road which the pioneers used in going to Cincinnati. He obtained a patent from the government for the LeFevre farm in Staunton Township, and there erected a log cabin in the woods. A box was used for a table and puncheons driven into the wall for use as a bed. They resided here the remainder of their lives, he dying February 26, 1871, and his wife about six months later. They were parents of the following children : Sarah, John, Elizabeth, Minor, Naomi, Amy, Reason, James, Alfred, Cyrus H., Christian, Solomon, and Mary. Cyrus H. LeFevre was born in the log cabin on the home farm, October 23, 1824, and spent all his life on this farm. In compliance with his father's wish, he purchased the interests of the other heirs to the 262 acres which composed the home farm. In addition to farming, he dealt extensively in live stock, and also was considerable of a capitalist. He died October 28, 1894, and his death was mourned as a loss to the community by his many lifelong friends and acquaintances. He was married to Caroline Babb, a daughter of 606 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY Daniel Babb, one of the pioneer settlers of Miami County, and they became parents of three children—Walter, of Troy, who owns part of the old home place; one who died in infancy, and Frank Edward. Mrs. Le-Fevre died January 7, 1875. Frank E. LeFevre spent his boyhood days on the farm and attended school in this vicinity. With the exception of a short time following his marriage, he has always resided on this farm, and is engaged in general agriculture. His house was badly damaged by the cyclone of June 25, 1902, but was immediately remodeled and improved. He has met with much success in tobacco growing. He has in his possession the sheepskin deed to this farm, granted to his grandfather by the government and bearing the signature of President Andrew Jackson. September 20, 1892, Mr. LeFevre was united in marriage with Miss Vina Schramm, a daughter of George and Rachel (Schultz) Schramm, both of whom came from Germany and are now living at advanced ages, in Newton township, Miami County. A daughter, Helen May, was born to bless this union. Politically Mr. LeFevre is a Republican, as have been the other members of the family since the organization of the party. They belong to the Presbyterian Church. HON. HARRY J. RITTER, Tippecanoe City, Ohio, serving in the seventy-seventh and seventy-eighth General Assemblies, for many years has been one of the foremost citizens and business men of Miami County. He is general manager, secretary, and treasurer of the Tippecanoe Building and Manufacturing Company, a large concern with extensive interests, and is also identified with various enterprises in different parts of the county. Mr. Ritter was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1848, and is a son of Israel Ritter, his ancestors being of German nationality. He was seven years old when his parents moved to the city of Reading, where he lived until he entered Pennsylvania State College at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He attended that institution until he was sixteen years old, when, in March, 1864, he entered the service of the Union army, joining the signal corps. He thus served until August 5, 1865, his duties calling him to Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. He was honorably discharged at Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and at once returned to Reading, where he pursued a course in the business college. After graduating therefrom in 1866, he accepted a clerkship in a hardware store and continued thus occupied for a year. At the end of that time he went to Carroll County, Missouri, and, in company with a brother-in-law, was engaged in the stock business there for a year and a half. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and with headquarters at Reading, dealt extensively in horses, making a specialty of fast trotting stock. In 1871 Mr. Bitter became identified with the development of oil fields near Titusville, and in the meantime continued dealing in horses. In 1874 he moved west to Miami County, Ohio, and took charge of Col. John R. Woodward's stock farm in Bethel Township, which he managed until the Colonel's death in 1876. He then conducted the farm himself, breeding and developing trotting horses until 1881. He then moved to Tippecanoe City, and in the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 607 following year went to Europe as purchasing agent for the prominent firm of Powell Brothers, of Shadeland, Pennsylvania. He continued in that capacity eight years, during which period he crossed the ocean sixteen times, traveling through England, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Shetland Islands, purchasing horses for export to the United States, about eight years of his life being thus spent in Europe. In the spring of 1890 Mr. Ritter returned to Tippecanoe City, and four years later purchased the business of C. Trupp & Co., which he reorganized under the name of the Tippecanoe Building and Manufacturing Company, becoming its principal stockholder, as well as general manager and treasurer. This company does a large business in contracting and building, also operating lumber yards, a planing-mill and sawmill, and manufacturing furniture. Employment is given to a large force of men, and for years the plant has been kept running at its full capacity, its products being sold in many parts of the country. Mr. Ritter has served many years as president and manager of the Tippecanoe City Interurban Telephone Company. He is also president of the Tippecanoe Business Men's Club. He served twelve years on the Board of Education, most of the time as clerk and president. He is a man of keen business perception and through his own industry has won his own way to the front rank among the business men of the county. Mr. Ritter was married October 14, 1879, to Miss Ada I,. Woodward. a daughter of Col. John R. and Marcella (Bell) Woodward. The Colonel was born in Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio, December 5, 1835, and was a son of William Woodward, who was a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and became a pioneer settler of Miami County. In September, 1861, Col. John R. Woodward enlisted in military service and was made captain of Company C, Seventy-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until August, 1862, participating in a number of engagements, among them the battle of Shiloh. In 1864 he aided in organizing and raising the 147th Ohio Regiment for 100 days' service, and was chosen lieutenant colonel. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1865, he returned to the farm in Bethel Township, where he subsequently resided until his death in 1876. He and his wife had two children —William B., of Washington Court House, and Ada L. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter have a son, Harry Woodward, who was born February 19, 1886, is a graduate of Yale College. admitted to the bar December, 1908. Religiously they are active members of the Lutheran Church. Politically Mr. Ritter has always taken an earnest interest in the success of the Republican party and the supremacy of its principles and as already partially intimated, has been frequently called upon to fill positions of honor and public trust. As representative in the State Legislature he has served his constituents in an intelligent and conscientious manner and has gained the friendship of his former political opponents. At the first session of the seventy-seventh General Assembly he was appointed a member of a joint committee to investigate penitentiaries with a view of remodeling the Ohio penitentiary. He was also a member of the standing committees on 608 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY Taxation, Insurance, Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, and Fish and Game. During the seventy-eighth General Assembly he was a member of the standing committees on Finance, Taxation, Public Works, and Soldiers' and Sailors' Or. phans' Home. He was chairman of the Finance Committee, the most important in the House. He succeeded in getting out the General Appropriation Bill carrying $7,607,927 with it, in less than three weeks, and introduced it one day and the House passed it the next day without a single change. He was appointed and made chairman of a special Advisory Committee to the Board of Managers of the Ohio penitentiary. Fraternally he is a member of Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 174, F. & A. M.; Franklin Chapter, R. A. M.; Coleman Commandery, K. T., of Troy ; and of the Royal Arcanum, of which he is a past regent. He is also a member of D. M. Rouzer Post, G. A. R., of Tippecanoe City ; Antioch Temple and Thirty-second Degree Scottish Rite. LEVI SWITZER, a prominent retired farmer residing in his comfortable home at No. 213 South May Street, Troy, Ohio, for many years was one of Miami County's leading agriculturists. He was born in October, 1837, in York County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Switzer. The parents of Mr. Switzer came to Ohio about 1852, settling at what is now Dial-ton, in Clark County, but not finding conditions to suit them there, soon came into Miami County, where the balance of their lives were spent. Of their family of children there are four survivors, namely : Levi ; Jacob, who also resides at Coving ton; Mary, who is the wife of Samuel Di yen, and lives near the old home at Pleasant Hill ; and Catherine, who is the widow of John Varner, and lives with her son George at Covington. Levi Switzer obtained his education in his native state and after accompanying his parents to Ohio, continued to follow agricultural pursuits almost continuously, until he retired to Troy. He served during a period of 100 days in the Civil War, a member of Company A, 147th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and while receiving no permanent injury during this time, he experienced enough hardship to understand what a soldier's life means. His service was faithfully performed, he being stationed near Arlington Heights. On January 29, 1869, Mr. Switzer was married in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, to Miss Sallie E. Zeigler, who was born there in 1840. She is a daughter of the late Jesse and Mary Ann (Peffer) Zeigler. Her father died in 1881 and her mother in 1895. Of their eight children six survive, namely : Sophia E., who resides in New Jersey ; Mrs. Switzer; John H., Jesse P. and William A., all three of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. P. C. Ratcliff, of Troy. To Mr. and Mrs. Switzer were born two sons, Jesse and Edward, the former of whom is one of the officials of the Cash Register Company of Dayton, the latter being a substantial farmer in Miami County. For many years Mr. Switzer was active in all that concerned the public affairs of his township, serving in local offices and lending his influence to all that advanced the community's best interests. He is one of the older members of the Lutheran Church at Troy, in which he has long AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 611 served as an elder. For over fifty years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity and is known well in that organization all through this section. Mr. Switzer has witnessed many changes since he came to Miami County and has done his full share in making these of practical importance. J. B. BARKER M. D., one of Piqua's reputable physicians and surgeons, was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, March 20, 1856, and when twelve years of age accompanied his parents to Clermont County, Ohio. Dr. Barker attended the schools of Moscow, Ohio, and after graduating from the high school, entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1881. He began practice at Blue Creek, in Adams County, where he remained for three and a half years. In September, 1885, he located at Fletcher, in Miami County, where, for twenty-two years, he carried on the active practice of his profession, with regret severing very many pleasant ties when his business interests led him to settle in Piqua in 1907. He is a medical man of superior qualifications and is a member of the Miami County Medical Society, the Union Clinical Society of Western Ohio, the Western Ohio Eclectic Medical Society, of which he is president, and the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association, and the National Eclectic Medical Association. Under the late ex-President Cleveland he served as a member of the United States Board of Pension Examiners. On March 27, 1884, Dr. Barker was married to Miss Jennie Christina Franz, of Adams County. Ohio, and they have three children, Mattie Estella, Ella Christina and Joseph Hamilton. Dr. Barker and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias. WALTER E. BOWYER, cashier of the Troy National Bank, with which financial institution he has been identified since August, 1894, was born at Foster, Warren County, Ohio, in March, 1873. Mr. Bowyer was educated in his native section and in the high school at Arcanum, Darke County, and for several years thereafter he taught school, and then entered the employ of Joseph Mayer & Sons, dealers in leaf tobacco, where he continued for two years. From there he entered the employ of the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company, at Arcanum, where he remained until he accepted the office of bookkeeper in the Troy National Bank, in August, 1894. Step by step he advanced until in June, 1902, he was made cashier of this bank, a position of responsibility he has held ever since. He is interested in other successful business enterprises of this city, being a stockholder and a member of the hoard of directors of the Hobart Electric Manufacturing Company, the Troy Buggy Works Company, the Troy Carriage Sunshade Company, and others. In February, 1896, Mr. Bowyer was married to Miss Charlotte Thompson, who is a daughter of Dr. W. R. Thompson, of Troy, and they have one daughter, Laura Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Bowyer are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is treasurer. Mr. Bowyer is an active and useful citizen and is serving as a member of the School Board at Troy. Socially he is identified 612 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY with the Troy Club; fraternally is a Knights Templar Mason, and Knight of Pythias, belonging also to the Junior Order of American Mechanics. AUGUSTUS C. HALL, D. D. S., one of Covington's best known and esteemed citizens, who for thirty years has been engaged in the practice of dental surgery at this place, is also an honored veteran of the great Civil War. Dr. Hall was born on a farm in Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, July 1, 1834, and is a son of James and Henrietta (Sidden) Hall. James Hall was born in South Carolina and was a son of William Hall, who was a Quaker in religious faith, and it is probable that he came to Ohio in 1808 in order to rear his family in a free State, the Quakers being notably opposed to slavery. He lived at first at Dayton, but later settled on a farm in Montgomery County, on which he resided until his death, when aged eighty-six years three months and twenty-one days. When the family came to Ohio James Hall was small. He was reared on the home farm and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. His death took place December 14, 1854. He married Henrietta Sidden, who was born in North Carolina and died in Ohio, April 24, 1850. A numerous family was born to James Hall and wife, and four of the sons adopted dentistry as their profession. These were: William P., who practiced at Piqua for many years and resides in that city, aged eighty-six years Horatio G., who died at Piqua, in May, 1901; Samuel T., a twin brother of Dr. Augustus C., who is still in active practice at Coffeyville, Kansas; and Augustus C., of Covington. The pro fession has claimed practitioners from the next generation. Dr. Ward Hall, son of Dr. W. P., died at Shanghai, China, of hydrophobia, September 29, 1908. Dr. Edward and Dr. Eugene Hall, sons of Dr. H. G. Hall, are practitioners in Columbus, Ohio. The two sons of Dr. Augustus C. Hall have both become prominent in the same profession. Dr. Augustus C. Hall began the study of dentistry with his eldest brother, in April, 1855, and after completing his course of study he opened and conducted an office at Piqua for four years. His prac tice was interrupted when he enlisted for service in the Civil War. On September 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, serving through his first period and re-enlisting at Prospect, Tennessee, as a veteran. Although he participated in all the dangers in which his company and regiment took part, including the march to the sea with General Sherman, the Atlanta campaign, the battle of Kenesaw Mountain and many others, and was so valiant a soldier as to gain promotion to the first lieutenancy of Company H, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he was never either wounded or taken prisoner. He was honorably discharged and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 8, 1865. He is a valued member of Langston Post, No. 299, Grand Army of the Republic. On November 11, 1879, Dr. Hall located at Covington, and this city has been his chosen home ever since. In 1880 he established a dental office at Pleasant Hill, and for twenty years it was his custom to receive patients at that point every Friday. About the same time, in order to accommo- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 613 date the people of Bradford, he established an office there which for twenty-four years he visited every Tuesday. His scientific skill is appreciated all through this section and, although he is no longer quite so active in professional work, having delegated a considerable portion of it to his capable partner, Dr. George Y. Hall, he still enjoys perfecting some of the delicate and important bits of dentistry which much scientific study and long experience have so thoroughly qualified him for and which place him in the front rank of his profession in Eastern Ohio. May 1, 1866, Dr. Hall was married to Miss Caroline Yount, a daughter of John and Nancy (Insco) Yount, natives of North Carolina. Two sons were born to this marriage, Ernest and George Y. Dr. Ernest Hall was graduated from the Ohio Dental College, after studying three years with his father. He remained with the latter for a short time, and then opened an office first at Wapokoneta and later at Hamilton, where he is well established in practice. He married Miss Jessie Sort-man. of Hamilton, and they have one son, Dwight Elvin. Dr. George Y. Hall, the second son, who is the present manager of the dental business both at Covington and Pleasant Hill, was born at Piqua, Ohio, September 2, 1877, and was a student in the Covington High School until in his senior year, when, on account of his older brother leaving home, he entered his father's office as student and assistant. After proper preparation. he entered the Ohio Dental College at Cincinnati, and was graduated in the class of 1901, receiving honors. He continues to reside with his parents, and is one of the city's most enterprising young profes sional men. He is a Mason, and belongs to Covington's Ancient and Honored Order of Gobblers. The Hall family is affili- ated with the Christian Church. HARRY LINCOLN SAYERS, a worthy representative of one of the oldest families in Miami County, is engaged in general farming on a tract of 125 acres belonging to his father, a part of the old Sayers farm, lying in Staunton, Elizabeth and Lost Creek Townships. He was born March 26, 1864, on his present farm, and in the house in which he resides. His parents are Ezekiel and Caroline (French) Sayers. The Sayers family may be credited with being one of the very first to penetrate into the great forests of Miami County, when all this smiling and productive country was a wilderness. William Sayers, the great-grandfather of Harry L., was a contemporary settler with the Knoops, coming about the same time from Pennsylvania, or a very short period later. He entered a large tract of land in Elizabeth Township, and this land has descended from father to son until the present time. These early settlers met many difficulties and faced innumerable dangers, and in overcoming them bred a race of hardy, courageous men and women, and these qualities are seen in the present generation. William Sayers often shared his meals with the wandering Indians, and thus gained their good will, and in the records of his family are found no indications of their ingratitude. Jefferson Sayers succeeded his father William, and took possession of the property when the latter passed away. He did a large amount of clearing, and made the 614 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY first roads, in boyhood blazing his path through the thick woods. He was a man of enterprise, and later engaged in teaming between Cincinnati and Toledo, carrying freight before there was any transportation line built between these important points. He lived to be seventy-four years of age, and died on the east half of the old farm. His wife, Margaret, survived him about ten years. They had seven children, namely : Ezekiel ; John, who is deceased ; Harrison ; Enos, who served in the Civil War from 1861 until 1864; Sallie, who married Christopher Class ; Judson, who served in the Civil War from 1861 until 1864 ; and Milton, now deceased, who also served three years in the Civil War. Ezekiel Sayers, father of Harry L., was born on the eastern portion of the old Sayers farm, in September, 1832, and, being the eldest of the family, he assumed the responsibilities of a farmer almost in boyhood. When his father died he inherited the western half of the homestead, and to that property he subsequently added other land. He spent the greater portion of his life prior to 1885 engaged in cultivating his farm and then retired, moving to Troy, where he occupies a pleasant and comfortable residence on Lincoln Avenue. He was married (first) to Caroline French, who died in 1878, when in middle age. She was born and reared in Indiana. There were five children born to this union, namely: Martha, who is the wife of R. Clyne Carry, -who is now deceased; Alta, who is the wife of T. L. Rogers ; Harry Lincoln ; and Maggie, who is the wife of Clinton Free. Mr. Sayers was married (second) to Catherine Knight, who survives. Harry Lincoln Sayers has spent almost the whole of his life in Staunton Township. During some years of his infancy the family lived in Miami City, but here he obtained his education and his training as a farmer. He remained assisting his father until he was twenty-four years of age, and then started out for himself, renting the land from his father. He carries on a general line of farming, and makes it pay. His crops are the usual ones of this section, and he grows stock for his own use. On October 14, 1886, Mr. Sayers was married to Miss Ida Scott, who is a daughter of James and Frances (Scott) Scott, and they have two children, a daughter and son : Nona, who was born March 9, 1892, and Scott, who was born June 3, 1898. Mr. Sayers is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Sayers belongs to the First Presbyterian Church of Troy. In his political views he is a Republican. R. N. BURWELL, county treasurer-elect of Miami County, Ohio, is a native of this State, and the son of the late William P. Burwell. Born in Buena Vista, Scioto County, Ohio, April 15, 1869. Mr. Burwell received his education in the public schools at Buena Vista, later locating in Troy. His first business experience was gained as a clerk in a hardware store, he resigning this position after eight years' service to take a commercial course in a business college. His interests broadened as he grew older and he began to be active in politics. His first official position in public life was being appointed deputy county auditor, he later accepting the position of deputy treasurer. Mr. Burwell's large acquaintance throughout the county and his experience in county affairs made him a formidable candidate for the nomination for county treasurer, which he received AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 615 May 23, 1908, and was elected county treasurer in November, 1908, the responsible duties of which office he will assume in September, 1909. Mr. Burwell takes a great interest in lodge affairs and is past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias and also belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechanics and is a member of the Troy Club. CLIFFORD D. McCOY, traveling representative of the Allen & Wheeler Company of Troy, Ohio, in the states of Ohio and Kentucky, has been a resident of Piqua for the past twenty years. He was born in Casstown, Ohio, in 1869, and is a son of William and Paulina (Frazier) McCoy. William McCoy was born in New Jersey, where he learned the trade of a carpenter. He moved to Indiana, and while there enlisted in Company I, Twenty-seventh Battalion Indiana Volunteers, and served until the close of the Civil War. He then moved to Miami County, Ohio, where he continued at his trade during his active career and resided until his death in 1905 Clifford D. McCoy was reared in Casstown and was educated in the public schools there and in Piqua High School Upon leaving school he was clerk in grocery some fifteen years, at the end of which time he accepted his present position as traveling salesman for the Aleen S Wheeler Company of Troy. He is a man o: wide acquaintance in Piqua and vicinity and has many personal friends. In 1893 Mr. McCoy married Miss Mat tie B. Alexander, a daughter of M. 117 Alexander, who is a highly esteemed re tired citizen of Piqua. Two children Frances Pauline and Clifford D. McCoy, Jr., were born of this union. Religiously, they are members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. McCoy is a member of the official church board. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has been quite prominent and has held all the offices and been master of exchequer for the past six years ; and to the Union Commercial Travelers. DAVID W. ORBISON, who with his brother, Ora D. Orbison, ins the owner of eighty-six acres of valuable land in Staunton Township, Miami County, Ohio, comes of one of the old and prominent families of the community. He was born October 29, 1856, about eight months after his father's death, and is a son of David, Sr., and Hannah D. (Jones) Orbison, and a grandson of Henry Orbison. Henry Orbison was born in Virginia and at an early age accompanied his parents to Miami County, Ohio, which was then it practically a wild and undeveloped state He first located at Piqua, the old fort stil standing at that time, and later settled one-half mile south of our subject's pres ent farm in Staunton Township. He also came into possession of the present farm which then consisted of 160 acres of tim Berland and was acquired from Genera Harrison. He continued to live on the south farm the most of his days, but died at the home of a son in Troy at a ripe old age He and his wife were parents of the fol lowing children : David ; William, who was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War ; Alexander ; Thomas James ; Martha ; Gilmore; Nancy any Julia. All are now deceased. David Orbison, Sr., was born on the old 616 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY home farm, now known as the Peterson farm, in Staunton Township, Miami County, Ohio, in 1818, and helped to clear the place. He was a man of superior education for those days, and as a young man held a position in the county court house. He died in the prime of life, in March, 1856. He was married to Hannah D. Jones, who survived him many years. She was a native of New Hampshire, and was among the first to make the trip over the new Miami Canal from Toledo to Troy. The village at the time of her arrival was very small ; but four houses could boast of having a lawn. She engaged in teaching in the village prior to her marriage. They set up housekeeping in a rented house on the Troy pike, while their new brick home was being erected on the eighty acres which David purchased from his father for three hundred dollars. The place was almost wholly uncleared at the time. Five children were born of this union, three of whom died young. Those living are Ora Danforth Orbison, who lives with his brother and is part owner of the home farm, and David Wilber, whose name heads this record. David W. Orbison attended the old Peterson school in his home district and has lived nearly all his life in this vicinity. He follows general farming and each year has about four acres in sugar cane, operating a sugar-mill on the farm. December 6, 1881, Mr. Orbison was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Stith, a daughter of William Stith of Miami County, and they have two children: Ray, who married Elizabeth Ralston and has a daughter, Helen; and Walter J., who lives at home. Politically, he is a stalwart Republican and his brother also is a supporter of the principles of that party. They are substantial men of the township and are well known. R. F. BENNETT, A. M., who has been prominently identified with the educational interests of Miami County for more than fifty years, and at present is superintendent of the public schools of Newberry Township, was born January 13, 1836, at Piqua, Ohio, and is a son of Enoch and Margaret (Withcott) Bennett. The parents of Professor Bennett moved to a farm in Washington Township, Miami County, when he was four years old, and there he grew to manhood. He secured his education in the country schools and in a select school at Piqua, which he attended for two years, and when twenty years of age taught his first term of school, that being in Newberry Township. He continued to teach, and after four years in Washington Township he took a course at the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware. In 1863 he came to Covington, and has been continuously connected with the educational affairs of this city and neighborhood ever since. For a period of thirty-two years he served as superintendent of the Covington schools and for the past ten years has been superintendent of the schools of Newberry Township. He owns a valuable farm of 240 acres, situated in Washington Township, a part of it being the Bennett homestead, formerly owned by his father. In 1867 Professor Bennett was married to Miss Frances Jordan, who died in 1900. One son was born to this marriage, Professor L. J. Bennett, who has been superintendent of the Covington schools for the past five years, filling the same office in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 617 which his father had made so honorable a record for so long a period. Professor L. J. Bennett was born February 28. 1878, at Covington, and from boyhood displayed evidences of a quick and receptive mind. With credit he graduated from the. Covington and the Piqua schools. and subsequently the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. Flattering offers were made to him from educational institutions upon his return, and he taught one year in the Bethel Township High School and one year in the Covington High School and then returned to Bethel Township for one year as superintendent. Although he was re-elected to the same office for the following year, he decided to accept the similar position at Covington, two other superintendents, in the meanwhile, separating his incumbency from that of his honored father. He is one of the board of three school examiners in Miami County. He married Miss Addie Harwood, and they have one daughter, Frances. Professor R. F. Bennett is a member and one of the trustees of the Covington Methodist Episcopal Church. His fraternal affiliation is with the Odd Fellows. He has been honored on many occasions by educational bodies, and positions of political importance have been offered him, but he has had no leaning toward public life. He is one of the trustees of the Miami County Children's Home. He has witnessed a wonderful change in the attitude of the people and in educational methods since he first entered the field, and it has been his pleasant task to contribute much to the high standard which is maintained in the schools of Miami County at the present day. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KEMP, owner of eighty acres of well improved farm land in Lost Creek Township, is one of the representative men of this section of Miami County. He was born July 1, 1847, on the old Kemp homestead farm situated just across the road from his own property, in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Hiram and Margaret (Moore) Kemp. Hiram Kemp was born near Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Ralph and Elizabeth (Probst) Kemp. Ralph Kemp was born near Hollis, New Hampshire, and went to Pennsylvania in early manhood and taught school at Allentown. He married in Lehigh County and later brought his family to Ohio and settled in Lost Creek Township on a farm west of the one owned by his grandson. It was then an undeveloped region and the family endured many pioneer privations, but nevertheless the parents lived into old age. In 1847 Ralph Kemp built the brick house still standing. His three children were : Hiram, Edwin and Hannah, the latter of whom married James Long; all are now deceased. Hiram Kemp came to Ohio in early manhood as his father had gone to Pennsylvania, and married Jane Margaret Moore, who was born near Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. Her parents were James and Agnes (Small) Moore and her maternal grandfather was Andrew Small, a Revolutionary hero, who was with General Montgomery when the Heights of Abraham were scaled at Quebec. Mrs. Kemp, in her girlhood, accompanied her parents on horseback to Spring Creek Township, where she subsequently married Hiram Kemp. The latter died in 1851, 618 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY when aged twenty-seven years. Five years later she married Jacob Youtsey and both died on the farm on which Mr. Kemp lives. There was no issue to the second union, but two sons were born to the first : Benjamin Franklin and Francis Marion, the latter of whom lives in Kansas. Benjamin F. Kemp attended the district schools in his youth and later enjoyed one term at Antioch College and one year in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. These educational advantages placed him far ahead of the larger number of his companions and he put his knowledge to the practical test of imparting it to others and for sixteen years taught school most acceptably through Miami County. He then purchased twenty acres of his present farm and when his mother died he inherited sixty acres, all of which he devotes to general farming and stock raising. The present comfortable residence was built during his mother's lifetime. On July 28, 1875, Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Wilmina Search, a daughter of Charles and Sarah J. Search, and they have one child, Warren B. The latter married Grace Buchanan and they have two children, Margaret B. and Carlton F. In his political sentiments, Mr. Kemp has always been identified with Democratic policies and he has frequently been elected to public office. He is a member of the present township School Board and has served with efficiency as trustee and as justice of the peace. Since July, 1871, Mr. Kemp has been a member of the order of Odd Fellows at Fletcher, in which he has held all the offices, including that of district deputy grand master and at present being past grand master. Ever since unit ing with this organization he has worked earnestly for the principles which it inculcates. WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, whose excellent farm of 105 acres lies in Lost Creek Township, one mile from the eastern line of Miami County, has been a quiet, general farmer for many years, but for a long period led a more active and adventurous life than falls to the lot of people generally. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, on the old Croft farm, October 11, 1848, and is a son of Enoch and Catherine (Rockey) Smith. Enoch Smith was born on a farm near Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1801. His father died when he was quite young and the mother moved first to Virginia, with her children, and then brought the family to Ohio and settled on a small place in Clark County, not far from Boston, where she died. Enoch had two brothers and two sisters, and as his mother's resources were small he started out for himself while still young, beginning to work as a teamster. Later he entered the employ of George Croft and shortly afterward was married to Catherine Rockey, a native of Lancaster, Ohio. Enoch Smith and wife remained with the Croft family for thirty years, giving faithful service and receiving just remuneration and high regard. In 1876 he bought a tract of sixty acres of land one mile north of the present farm of William H. Smith, and there he and wife passed the remaining years of their lives, respected and esteemed by all who knew them. The death of Enoch Smith took place when within sixteen days of his ninetieth year, and his widow died in 1893, two years later, at the home of her son, William AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 619 Henry, when aged eighty years. They had eight children, namely : Jonathan, who is deceased; Elizabeth, now deceased, who was the wife of Vincent Finks; Daniel, who is deceased ; Martha, deceased, who was the wife of Levi Kirby, also deceased; Catherine, who is the wife of Augustus Hagan, also deceased ; William Henry ; and Jacob and James, both of whom live in Clark County, Ohio. William Henry Smith is a very well informed man, but he secured but little school training in his youth, his services being required on the farm as soon as he was old enough to wield a hoe or hold a plough handle. He remembers the old log district schoolhouse where he was taught the rudiments by a young man who later became the distinguished soldier and statesman, Gen. 0. W. Keiffer. In 1868 he left home, being then a youth of about twenty years, and, in company with his cousin, Jesse Benson, started for that land of adventure—the West. The boys utilized the railroad as far as the iron rail would transport them, which was to Laramie, Wyoming. They then started teaming to Helena, Montana, which, at that time was an inconceivably rough mining town and to reach it they had to travel through wild sections beset by savage Indian warriors. They reached Montana safely, however, although parties just before and after, on the same trail, were cruelly massacred. The boys fell in with the ways of the people to some extent, built a cabin on the creek in which they washed out their gold, sometimes digging up $1,000 in a single day for a week at a time, and remained there, with varying luck, for four years. They then returned to Clark County, where they remained for nine months, and then went back to the same region, accompanied by Henry Croft, Jr., and stayed there for seven years. Mr. Smith then came back to the East and in 1883 he bought his present farm from George Sprinkle, after which he made his third trip to the gold fields, previously renting his farm, on which he had lived for seventeen years, and selling his stock. On this occasion he remained in the far West only two years. His second trip would have proved his most profitable one had it not been undertaken about the time of the Custer massacre, when the Indians were on the war path. At that time, to save themselves from a like fate, the miners had to lay down their tools and waste their time pursuing the savages, and right near the camp where Mr. Smith was interested several of the miners were killed and scalped. On one occasion, Just at that time, Mr. Smith says that the water had suddenly gone out of the ditch which supplied the camp, and the supposition was that the Indians had cut off the supply. Mr. Smith was given the doubtful honor of being appointed to go and find out and he took the precaution to carry his loaded gun with him when he started to investigate. Fortunately he met no Indians in his ride of ten miles, but discovered that the trouble had been caused by a bear stepping on a hand spike that controlled the flow of water and thus shut it off. Mr. Smith formally engaged in threshing after he settled on his farm, but when his outfit wore out he decided to follow that industry no longer. He has never married, but his long camping experience has made him more independent of a good cook's help than many who have not had 620 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY it, and there are those of his friends who have sampled his dinners and declare they could not be improved on. The original writer of this sketch, however, regrets that it was necessary to decline with thanks the kind invitation extended to him to participate in one of these repasts which was being served at the time of the interview. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics and has served as supervisor of the township. He belongs to the Odd Fellows' lodge at Addison. HARRY KINGSLEY KIRK, a general farmer and stock raiser in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, residing on his farm of forty acres, owns several other adjoining properties and is one of the substantial men of this section. He was born May 28, 1868, at Catawba, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Rev. Eli and Ruth Ann (Moore) Kirk. The Kirk family is of Scotch ancestry and possibly the grandfather, William Kirk, was born in Scotland. He was a resident of Brown County, Ohio, when his son Eli was born, and there the latter grew to manhood. He united early with the Methodist Episcopal Church and later became a minister in the Cincinnati Conference and preached at different points for a period covered by twelve years. He died when his son, Harry K., was a child a comparatively young man. He married Ruth Ann Moore, who was a daughter of Philip and Rebecca Moore, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1836 and settled in Lost Creek Township, Miami County. They had three children : Harry Kingsley ; Dora, who died in 1890 ; and Mary, who died in 1903. She was the wife of John Marshall of Addison, Ohio, and is survived by one child, Ralph K. Eli Kirk died in 1870, but his widow survived to be seventy years of age, dying in 1906. After his father died, Harry K. Kirk removed with his mother and two sisters to St. Paris, in Champaign County, where he attended school, taking a course of three years in the high school, after which he was employed for two years as a clerk by John Poorman in his dry goods store. Mr. Kirk then came to Miami County and bought the forty acres on which he has lived ever since, which is one-half of the old Moore farm, and to this he later added forty more acres, bought of the Fickes heirs, and fifty adjoining acres of the Weatherhead heirs. The Moore family came very early to Lost Creek Township, settling on the present farm when but five acres of the land had been partially cleared and when wild game still abounded in the forest. Philip Moore, the grandfather, was born and reared in Philadelphia County, Penna. His grandfather, Charles Moore, was killed at the battle of Germantown, in the Revolutionary War, being an old man at that time. Philip Moore brought his family to Ohio in 1836 and died in 1879 in Lost Creek Township. His wife's name was Rebecca Shutt and she died in 1885. They had eight children, namely : Joseph ; William ; Susan, who was the wife of James Mitchell ; Charles ; Ruth Ann, who was the mother of Mr. Kirk; George, who resides at St. Paris and served during the Civil War as a member of the 147th 0. Vol. Inf.; John H., who was born January 30, 1840, on the Moore farm in Lost Creek Township, where he still resides, having never married ; and Sarah, who also survives. On December 28, 1892, Harry K. Kirk AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 621 was married to Miss Emma Nesbett, a daughter of James and Margaret Nesbett, of Troy, Ohio, and they have had four children : Harry Leon, Mabel, Mary and George, the eldest of whom died when aged thirteen months. Both Mr. Kirk and Mr. Moore are stanch Republicans. JOSEPH A. CASSEL, residing on a well improved farm of 140 acres, which belongs jointly to himself and wife and is situated on the Covington-Polo turnpike road, and Piqua and Stillwater pike, two and one-half miles north of Covington, is one of the township's well known and respected citizens. He was born March 10, 1849, in Hancock County, Illinois, and is a son of John and Lydia (Hittle) Cassel. The father of Mr. Cassel was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Newton Township, Miami County, Ohio. About 1848 John Cassel bought a farm in Hancock County, Illinois, and died there, Joseph Cassel being then an infant. After this bereavement, the latter's mother returned to Ohio and settled near Greenville, in Darke County, where she lived until her death. Joseph Cassel had few educational opportunities in his boyhood. The death of his father left his mother with many cares and responsibilities and she was obliged to find homes for her children when she could no longer take care of them herself. Joseph was nine years old when he was taken into the family of his half-brother, Michael Cassel, with whom he remained until he was twelve years old, and being by that time able to be useful, found a home for some years with his other half-brothers. His boyhood and youth are recalled as seasons of much toil and few periods of recreation. After starting out independently, he worked for twenty-seven years as a farm hand and during this time he saved money and made many friends through the agricultural districts, friends he has kept to the present day. On October 21, 1876, Mr. Cassel was married to Miss Nancy Mohler, who was born and reared one and one-half miles south of Greenville Falls, in Newton Township. Her parents were Henry and Hannah (Deeter) Mohler. Mr. and Mrs. Cassel have four children, namely : Hannah May, who is the wife of Frank Ebberts, residing in Newberry Township, has three children—Leroy, Raymond and Frank Martha Ann, who is the wife of Theodore Drake, has one son, Robert and Mary Charlotte and John Henry, both of whom live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Cassel moved on their present farm, which was formerly owned by Henry Mohler, on December 19, 1876, and they lived here for two years and then moved on a farm near Painter Creek, on which they resided for four years, when they returned to the home farm for several more years and then moved to Covington, where they own a comfortable home. In a few years they again came back to the farm and now they occupy both homes as they feel inclined. They are valued members of the German Baptist Church. JOHN A. WIRRIG, owner of ninety-one and one-half acres of excellent land, situated two miles east of Piqua, was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 28, 1850, but has lived in Spring Creek Township, Miami County, almost all his life. Baltzer Wirrig, father of John A.. was born in France and was thirty-six years 622 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY of age when he came to America. For a time he worked as a wheelwright and carpenter in New York, coming then to Cincinnati, where he worked five years as miller and millwright for the Shakers, in Warren County, Ohio. He made a trip that covered two years to the mining regions of California, but in September, 1868, bought the farm now owned by his son, John A., and moved on it in March, 1869. He died on this farm June 12, 1872. He married Margaretha Graf, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who was living in Cincinnati at that time. They had nine children and the four survivors are : Mary, Mrs. Knopple, residing at Dayton ; John A.; Casper, residing at New Albany, Indiana ; and Anna, residing at Dayton. John A. Wirrig was just two years old when his parents came to Spring Creek Township, and here he attended school through his boyhood. For about four years he worked on the Northwestern Railroad near Chicago and then returned to Miami County and followed farming at different points until 1893. He purchased the homestead in 1898, and has been engaged in its cultivation and improvement ever since. He has greatly improved the place and has erected almost all of the substantial buildings now standing. Mr. Wirrig was married at Chicago, May 19, 1874, to Miss Agnes Heuring, a daughter of John Heuring, of German extraction. They have had the following children : Joseph, who married Minnie Weingart, has three children—Helen, Ralph and Hilda ; George C., who lives in Iowa ; Karl, who resides at home; Anna, who lives in a Western State ; Elward, who married Carlotta Hickey, lives in Pittsburg; Minnie and August, both reside at home; and William, who lives in Iowa. Mr. Wirrig and wife are members of the Catholic Church at Piqua. In his political views he is a Democrat. JACOB C. KATHERMAN, one of Newberry Township's best known citizens and the owner of one of its finest farms, is proprietor of the Pleasant Ridge Farm, which is situated on the turnpike road which separates Darke from Miami County, and one mile north of Bradford, in the latter county. He was born on a farm in Adams Township, Darke County, Ohio, three miles west of his present place, June 21, 1867, and is a son of Jeremiah and Anna (Christian) Katherman. Jacob C. Katherman was reared on his birthplace farm, on which his parents passed the whole period of their married life. In 1891 he moved to his farm in Newberry Township, making few improvements until 1903, when he started in to erect the substantial and appropriate farm buildings which do much to add to the value of this property and largely to its attractive appearance. His plans required the expenditure of a large amount of money, but Mr. Katherman had full confidence in himself and inspired it in others, so that he had no difficulty in borrowing the necessary $5,000 with which he made the improvements that he had in mind. This indebtedness is all paid and other improvements have been made, and Mr. Katherman is considered one of the substantial as well as one of the most reliable men of this section. In addition to carrying on a general agricultural line, since 1905 he has devoted a part of his eighty acres to pasturage, keeping twelve cows and carrying on dairying. He has