100 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY are members of the Baptist church. He is widely and popularly known in fraternal circles, belonging to the Masons, Elks, Eagles, Woodmen of the World and Knights of Pythias. George W. Hartzell. It has been said that the recent World war was the most epochal period of world's history. It is undoubtedly true that never before in the history of the world have men and women risen to such great heights of attainment and sacrifice as they did in the great conflict just closed. The impress on future generations remains to be seen, and for the benefit of future generations, the historians should include, without reservation, the story of the men and women who unselfishly dedicated their services to the many essential tasks at home, while our boys enforced our rights on the firing line abroad. When the colossal work of marshaling the industrial forces of this Nation became the paramount task of the hour, there was a spontaneous response from every industrial center of this country, if not from every industry of the country, great and small. The giant colossus of our industrial life moved into action, and this mighty force proclaimed to all the world that America's resources stood ready to serve the country's needs, first, last, and above all else. Whatever may be said in the final summary of our industrial contribution--and their part in the World war—it is undoubtedly true that practically every manufacturer called on stood ready and willing to sacrifice everything to the great cause. They approached their tasks in a self-sacrificial spirit, and to their everlasting credit, let it be said, that, despite sundry intimation many of our industrial plants throughout the country have not, at this time, been able to resume their normal channels of trade and many have had to practically begin all over again. In this instance, it is the province of this work to recount the part played by the great industrial leaders of the great Miami valley. Nowhere in the nation was there a more generous or more efficient co-ordination of all forces to the general welfare. In volume and in diversity, the Miami valley industries sent their products in a constant stream to the end of the conflict. Miami county achieved much distinction of the many counties of the Miami valley. The industries of Miami county—always noted in times of peace—became quickly converted to war production and contributed much to the sum total of the achievements of Miami valley. One of the notable industries which were early called upon was the Hartzell Manufacturing Company, of Piqua, Ohio. The complete war record of this concern will be found in the industrial section of this work and we will here divert to a short sketch of George W. Hartzell, the head of this concern. George W. Hartzell literally grew up in his business, his father before him having been widely known as a successful manufacturer of hard wood products. George W. Hartzell was born April 16, 1869, the son of John T. Hartzell, in Union City, Ind. The elder Hartzell had established a hardwood lumber concern at this place and had developed a thriving business. A fully equipped plant was maintained here, and their products were handled from the forests to the finished MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 101 products. The elder Hartzell was a master of his business and his thorough knowledge was imparted to the son in a most practical manner. At an early age George W. Hartzell quit school and became associated with his father. He served in every capacity—going into the forests controlled by his father—where he learned the business from its very beginning. He supplemented this knowledge with many trips to Europe and other places. He was entrusted with many important missions, his trips to Europe bringing him in contact with international factors in this business. The Hartzell Company numbered among their customers, many of the foremost manufacturers of Europe, and the younger Hartzell was entrusted with many important missions in the transaction of business with European clients. In the early eighties the concern was removed to Greenville, Ohio, and a short time subsequent to this, became known as the J. T. Hartzell & Son Company, the younger Hartzell becoming at that time a full fledged partner in the concern. About 1890 the elder Hartzell retired from active business life, and from that time on, the destiny of this concern was guided by the son, George W. Hartzell. In 1900 the plant was removed to Piqua, where it expanded to greater proportions and is today one of the leading industries of its kind in the country. When the call came for industrial mobilization and industrial specialists were being sought, it was natural to turn to George W. Hartzell on matters pertaining to wood. The instantaneous demand for walnut gun-stocks found a ready response from the Hartzell concern as well as other items of great moment, including the very difficult task of manufacturing finished aeroplane propellers, to which we again respectfully refer the reader to the industrial section of this work. Mr. Hartzell married Miss Deborah Norris, of Darke county, daughter of the Rev. Robert and Clarisa Norris. The Hartzell family resides in Oakwood, Dayton. To Mr. and Mrs.. Hartzell have been born Ruth, now deceased ; Robert and Rose. Robert is associated with his father in the business. Mr. Hartzell is a public spirited citizen, and is keenly alive to all measures for general welfare and advancement. He is a splendid optimist and a keen judge of men and events. His foreign travels have given him a broad vision of life, and he possesses a fund of general information and a knowledge of international life, possessed by but few. L. E. Harvey, one of the leaders among the younger members of the Miami county bar, has been engaged in practice at Bradford since 1913. He was born at Savannah, Ohio, in 1883, a son of John and Martha (Shire) Harvey, farming people of that vicinity, who were well known and highly respected in their community. One of a family of two sons and two daughters, L. E. Harvey received his early education in the public schools of his native place, following which he attended Baldwin University and Wooster University summer school. He next pursued a law course at the Ohio State University, from which he was duly graduated and was admitted to practice in 1912. Like many who have met with success at the bar, Mr. Harvey was compelled to educate himself for the most part, 102 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY and in order that he might obtain the necessary preparatory training was obliged for a time to follow the vocation of school teaching. He was principal of the school at Savannah for a time, later became superintendent of the centralized schools of Ruggles township, Ashland county, for three years, and for one year was assistant principal of the high school at Ashland. He began his law practice at Columbus, but in February, 1913, came to Bradford, where he has since centered his activities, and at this time has a large, prominent and growing clientele, having represented many important interests. Mr. Harvey belongs to the various organizations of his profession, and his abilities are held in high esteem by his fellow-practitioners and by his clients. During the period of the World war, he acted as an associate member of the local draft board, and took part in the activities of the Red Cross, Young Men's Christian Association, etc., also being chairman of the local war stamp campaign. Mr. Harvey married Edna, daughter of Abdel Dunham, of Bradford. G. B. Hatfield, senior member of the sheet metal and plumbing firm of Hatfield & Scott, is one of the substantial business men of Troy, where he has been identified with commercial ventures of a successful nature for forty-six years. He was born at Troy, July 16, 1857, a son of Elias and Sarah (Lathan) Hatfield, being one of a family of nine children. The education of Mr. Hatfield was confined to attendance at the public schools of Troy, and after he had laid aside his school books he secured his first business experience in connection with a hardware enterprise. April 6, 1874, he entered the McKnight & Hatfield establishment, where he learned the plumbing business, until 1892, when he and his brother formed a partnership. In 1903 he formed a new connection with John G. Scott, the firm of Hatfield & Scott coming into existence at that time. In 1913 the hardware department of the business was sold and since then the partners have devoted themselves exclusively to the sheet metal and plumbing business. At the present time the firm is greatly enlarging its quarters by the addition of a commodious show room and two upper stories of their building, which will make this establishment a leader of its kind in this section. Mr. Hatfield is a practical business man of sound judgment and acumen. He is a constructive worker in movements making for civic progress and betterment, and during the war period joined other patriotic and public-spirited citizens in making a success of the administration's movements. As a fraternalist, he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the Methodist church. Ora Hauenstine, proprietor of the Standard Tire Repair Company, is one of the younger business generation who has won his way to a satisfying share of prosperity solely through the medium of his own ability and good management. He was born at Troy, where his present business is located, in 1891, one of the two sons of Rudolph and Laura Belle (Harrod) Hauenstine, his brother, MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 103 Will, being also a resident of this city. Ora Hauenstine was given the advantages of a public school education, after which he secured employment with the McKinnon-Dash Company, at Troy. Upon leaving their service, he went to Detroit and took a position with the Morgan & Wright Tire Company, and while employed there secured practical experience for the planning and successful promotion of his personal business affairs. Returning to Troy in 1915, he established himself as the proprietor of a tire repair store, where he does a general vulcanizing business, and where he has met with well-merited success. Mr. Hauenstine has found little time from his business to devote to other matters, but is a popular member of the local lodge of Elks. He married Myrtle, daughter of William and Minerva (Mosberger) Gilbert, of Hesperia, Mich., whose other children were : Fred, Charles, Larkin, Jacob, Ida and Emma. Charles W. Herman, whose long and honorable connection with the agricultural interests of Miami county has made him a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Elizabeth township, is a modern exponent of his calling, in which he has achieved success largely through the homely traits of industry and integrity. He is a native of this township, and was born May 7, 1879, a son of James and Maria (Mumford) Herman. His parents, farming people of Miami county, were residents of Elizabeth township for many years, and were held in high esteem by their neighbors because of their many excellencies of mind and heart. Charles W. Herman received his education in the public schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he engaged on his own account soon after attaining his majority. His property is one of the fertile and productive tracts of Elizabeth township, made so by Mr. Herman's intelligent treatment of the soil and his practical use of modern methods. His buildings are substantial and up-to-date and his reputation is that of a hard-working and reliable farmer and a citizen who stanchly supports all worthy movements. He is a member of the Masonic order, and also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family attends the Methodist church. Mr. Herman married February 24, 1904, Fern, daughter of Calvin and Mary (trick) Stafford, of Miami county, and to this union there has been born one son, Eugene, who is attending school. Alex Hemmert. An interesting instance of enterprise and progressiveness is found in the electrical establishment of Alex Hemmert, one of the energetic young business citizens of Piqua. He was born at Bodkins, Shelby county, Ohio, June 19, 1883, a son of John and Catherine (Stelzer) Hemmert, the former of whom was a tile manufacturer at Bodkins until the time of his death, after which his widow and children moved to Piqua. Alex Hemmert is one of a family of seven children : Fred, engaged in the plumbing business at Piqua ; Alex ; Urban, also a plumber of Piqua ; Ida, the wife of John Gerstmeyer, of this city ; Anna ; Frieda, the wife of James Welch, of Akron ; and Martha. Alex Hemmert was educated in the public schools of Bodkins, and for a time after completing his education had no settled occupation. Eventually he decided 104 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY upon the vocation of electrician and received his introduction to this line of work as an employe of the American Electric Company. In 1913 he embarked in business in partnership with his brothers Fred and Urban, the concern being known as Hemmert Brothers, and this association continued until March 29, 1919, when the partnership was mutually dissolved, Alex Hemmert taking over the electrical business, and Fred and Urban continuing in the plumbing business as Hemmert Brothers. At his up-to-date electrical establishment at No. 113 South Main street, Hemmertmert carries a large and attractive stock of electrical goods and fixtures of all kinds, his line of chandeliers in particular being one of the largest in this part of the state. He is a business man of progressive tendencies and one who has won public confidence and patronage through his good workmanship and capability. He belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose and the Knights of St. John, and he and Mrs. Hemmert are members of St. Boniface Catholic Church. They were active in various patriotic movements during the period of the great war. Mrs. Hemmert was formerly Miss Anna Reckers, being a daughter of Henry Reckers, of Piqua, and they have one child, Marion Frederick. Henry Flesh. In the contemplation of such a character as was the late Henry Flesh realization comes as to the great loss sustained in his death. His was a .life of signal usefulness and its influence was potent and beneficial. Fidelity to trust and conscientious discharge of every duty was part and parcel of his very nature. Highly gifted, he exercised his talents nobly. A natural leader, of high character, he possessed also that genuine kind of courtesy that is not the mere child of the tongue, but came from a warm nature that wished the world well. Mr. Flesh was born in the little town of Ellingen, Bavaria, June 29, 1837. At the .age of fifteen years awakening ambition caused him to cross the seas to America. Almost immediately he came to Ohio, and after four years' residence at Dayton and two years' stay at Tray finally located at Piqua in 1858. Caroline Friedlich was born December 7, 1842, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, a daughter. of Moses and Emma (Abel) Friedlich. Shortly after her birth her father brought his family to Piqua, where he was engaged in business, was for many years actively identified with the growth of the city, and became one of its most substantial .and influential citizens. His daughter, Caroline, in her sixteenth year, met Henry Flesh, and after a courtship of three years they were married, November 19, 1862, and for a span of fifty-seven years resided together at Piqua. This long period of activity in the maintenance of an ideal home and in the proper recognition of their obligations to the community at large, filled their lives with countless blessings. Mr. Flesh was inseparably connected with the growth and development of the town of his adoption. At first engaged in mercantile pursuits, he afterward, because of his peculiar equipment for the work, became identified With financial affairs. For more than a third of a century he was connected with the Citizens National Bank and MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 105 at the time of his demise was its honored president. He was actively identified with the Piqua Electric Company and it was largely through his progressive spirit that electric lighting was first in stalled at Piqua. He was president of the Cron-Kilns Company and the Border City Building & Loan Association, and a director of the Piqua Savings Bank and of the Piqua & Troy branch of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway Company. He organized and was for several years president of the Citizens 'National Bank of Covington, Ohio. But with all his important business and financial activities, Mr. Flesh found time to serve his city and his state. He was at various times president of the Ohio Bankers Association, president of the Miami and Erie Canal Association and a member of the Ohio Centennial Commission. For more than a quarter of a century he was a member of the city council of Piqua, serving for many years as its president. At the time of his death he was a life trustee of the Piqua Memorial Hospital and treasurer of the board. Sound in judgment and keen in perception, his services in an advisory capacity, freely given, were invaluable not only to his business associates but to numberless others who for years looked to him for counsel and advice. As a fraternalist, he was a past master of Warren Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. Loyal in his friendships, he had a wide acquaintance and enjoyed the sincere regard of his associates, whose companionship he cherished. Yet his social nature did not cause him to be other than a man who loved his home, and when he passed away, May 29, 1919, in his eighty-second year, his family lost a devoted husband, father and counselor. Fred L. Adams. A prosperous and growing business venture of Piqua, and one that has been built up through good management and industry, is the sign works conducted by Fred L. Adams. Mr. Adams was born at Fletcher, Miami county, Ohio, in 1877, a son of John and Mary Jane (Morgan) Adams. John Adams was a blacksmith by trade and this was the occupation which he first followed when coming to Piqua. Later he was appointed a member of the police force here, and rose until he was chief of the department, later serving in the capacity of justice of the peace. He and his worthy wife were the parents of three children : Nellie, the wife of Charles Miller, of Ottawa ; Emmet R., of Piqua ; and Fred L. Fred L. Adams was educated in the public schools of Piqua, and when still a young man embarked in a retail business on his own account. This he followed for several years with some degree of success, but disposed of his interests and became manager of the Favorite Theater, subsequently taking over the management of the Strand Theater. As a young man he had learned sign painting, and when he severed his connection with theatrical matters established a small sign works of his own, into the work of building up which he threw his entire activities. At this time he has an excellent business, largely confined to doing the higher grade of work in this line. His patronage is not confined to Piqua, but 106 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY extends all over the surrounding territory and much of his business comes from Sidney and other points, where the excellence of his workmanship and his promptness in fulfilling contracts have made his name well and favorably known. While he still maintains an interest in matters of a theatrical character, it is only as an onlooker, for his holdings in that line ceased when he sold the Strand Theater, which he had founded, to the Piqua Amusement Company. Mr. Adams married Estella G., daughter of Henry and Caroline May, and they are the parents of one daughter, Lucile. Mr. Adams belongs to the local lodge of Masons, the Knights of Pythias and to the Rotary Club. He was prominent and active in all local war activities. John W. Alexander, the proprietor of a merchant tailoring establishment at Piqua, is one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of this city. He was born at this place, June 1, 1875, a son of M. W. and Frances Elizabeth (Aspinwall) Alexander, of Piqua; whose other children were : E. E., who is engaged in the grocery business at Piqua; Walter W., and Mattie Belle, the wife of C. D. McCoy. John W. Alexander secured his educational training in the public schools of Piqua, after leaving which he entered the grocery business as a clerk, at the age of sixteen years. He continued in that line for four years, then turning his attention to the clothing business, with which he was identified the next two years, and in 1917 became proprietor of his present business. He has built up an excellent patronage at Piqua, where he is recognized as one thoroughly capable in his line and possessed of honorable business principles. Mr. Alexander married L. Kye Cox, of Piqua, and they have three children : Ralph W., who is identified with the Hobart Manufacturing Company, at Troy ; Ida Isabel, who is attending school, and Hazel Louise. The family was prominent in movements assisting the winning of the great war. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander applied themselves to energetic work in the various big bond drives, and otherwise ; Hazel Louise assisted in the way of selling war savings stamps ; Ida Isabel was an untiring worker in knitting sweaters, etc., for the boys overseas ; and Ralph was a member of the American Expeditionary Forces, serving for ten months in France and seeing active fighting in the last great victory drive as a member of the Third corps, Light Artillery. Mr. Alexander is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Yeomen of America and has numerous friends in fraternal and business circles. Edward Harrison Allen, who has practiced his profession at Piqua actively and ably for a long period of years, is a native of Miami county, born at Conover, Ohio, June 15, 1874, a son of Andrew J. and Sarah Leonora (Brecount) Allen. After attending the public school at Conover, Mr. Allen pursued a course at the Ohio Wesleyan University where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and later took post-graduate work at Harvard University. He received his degree in law at the Ohio State University and immediately began to practice here, having since built MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 107 up a large and lucrative professional business. Mr. Allen has been entrusted with the management of a variety of important cases. His practice has always been marked by earnest preparation, keen analysis of testimony and forcible promulgation of principles, evincing an extensive knowledge of legal principles and their wise and ready application. During the war period, Mr. Allen did publicity work of a valuable character in connection with the war loan drives and was captain of his precinct. He married Luella, daughter of Stockton and Elizabeth (McCann) Frazier, and a sister of Judge A. A. Frazier, of Muskingum county court. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen : Elizabeth Leonora, who is a student at Dennison University ; Edward H. and Mary Rose. Mr. Allen is a member of the Masons and Knights of Pythias; is a director of the chamber of commerce, and holds membership in the Piqua Club. With Mrs. Allen, he belongs to the Presbyterian church. His business connections are numerous and important and include directorships in the Meteor Motor Company and the Metal & Wood Products Company. Charles E. Barker. As one of the proprietors of the largest clothing establishments at Piqua, Charles E. Barker occupies an acknowledged position of prestige among the business men of Miami county. He is a native of Oswego, N. Y., born in 1866, a son of A. S. and Charlotte (Newman) Barker. His education was acquired in the public schools of Oswego, where he became identified with the old and reliable clothing firm of Klock & Tiffany, subsequently moving to Buffalo to take up his duties with J. N. Adams & Company. While there he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Waltho. About 1910 Mr. Barker came to Piqua and bought the old and well-known business of Flesh & Louis, founding the present firm of C. E. Barker & Company, his partner in the ownership thereof being H. T. Vars. Mr. Barker has succeeded in making this the largest clothing establishment at Piqua. He is progressive and energetic in his methods and his stock is one of the largest and most modern to be found in the state, outside of the larger cities. His standing in business circles is an excellent one, and he has numerous commercial, financial and social connections. He is a leading Mason and an active Rotarian, and during the war period was generous in his support of all patriotic movements and measures. William T. Busser, confectioner of Piqua, Ohio, was born October 31, 1863, a son of 'Wesley and Sarah (Gardner) Busser, of Urbana, Ohio. Wesley Busser was a cigar maker and two of his brothers saw service in the Civil war, one, who was called in the 100-day service, giving his life for the Union cause. Three children were born to Wesley Busser and his wife : Starling, Mary, and William T. Starling Busser is in the advertising business in New York City, and Mary and her mother live with William T., in Piqua. William T. Busser was educated in the public and high school of Urbana, and after completing the prescribed course of instruction he taught instrumental music for some time. He then 108 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY was employed by a broom factory, but he finally entered the confectioner's trade at Piqua where he has been for the past twenty-eight years. He manufacturers his own candy, and such is the excellence of his wares that his business has become wide--spread and prosperous. Honorable methods combined with courtesy to his patrons have been the key-note to his success. Mr. Busser married Jennie, daughter of Squire Jones, of Urbana, Ohio, and to this union has been born one daughter, Celia, who is now the wife of Robert Howell, of Hamilton, Ohio. Fraternally Mr. Busser is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is popular among his fellow members. He was a generous contributor to all government war loans, and did his full duty in various civilian war movements. Warren R. Hudson. A man of versatile abilities, marked mechanical ingenuity, sound business ideas and fertility of commercial resource, Warren R. Hudson, president of the Melodia Company, of Troy, has been identified with a number of important industries, and while his career, as compared with those of some of the men mentioned in this work, has been comparatively short, it has been crowded with accomplishments of a high order. Mr: Hudson was born at Middlefield, N. Y., in 1876, a son of Charles and Eva (Chapman) Hudson. Educated in his native State, he specialized in technology, but at the same time supplemented this training by gaining knowledge concerning a great number of other subjects. As a young man he became identified with the General Electric Company, of Schenectady, N. Y., where he held a position in the engineering department until he resigned to go to the American Locomotive Works, at Providence, R. I., an industry with which he was associated for seven years. He subsequently became chief engineer of the Columbus Buggy Company, of Columbus, Ohio, and while there was appointed consulting engineer for the Ohio Board of Administration. In this latter capacity he installed the machine shop in the Ohio State penitentiary, where he designed and directed the building of the first truck built by convicts. All trucks now used by State institutions are manufactured at this institution, where Mr. Hudson shaped the manufacturing policy. In 1914 Mr. Hudson came to Troy as research engineer for the Troy Wagon Works Company, subsequently becoming factory manager and finally associate manager. While with this concern he became the patentee of devices used on the trailers made by this concern, including the draw-bar steering devices now used on Troy trailers. During the war period, the Troy Wagon Works Company secured a contract from the French Government for the manufacture of trailers. The brake that was used proved a complete failure in actual tests and was rejected by the representatives of the French Government. Mr. Hudson then put his ingenuity and inventive genius to work and soon perfected a brake that met with the complete approval of the French inspectors, meeting every test with splendid success, with the result that the contract was com- MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 109 pleted satisfactorily and on time. It may be thus seen that Mr. Hudson, personally, was the main factor in the splendid record made by the company in its war contract work. January 1, 1920, Mr. Hudson purchased the Melodia Company, manufacturers of phonographs, which was established in 1914. Under his capable and energetic management the company is doing a thriving busiress and its product is meeting with an excellent market throughout the country. Mr. Hudson was also one of the incorporators and is a stockholder of the Lorimer Manufacturing Company, of Troy. He has a number of social and civic connections and is an Elk, a York Rite Mason and a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He married Alice Jenkins, of New York City, and they are the parents of one child, Frank W. Mr. Hudson is also a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Angus Cameron Campbell. In bold, legible characters the late Angus Cameron Campbell inscribed his name upon the history of Miami county, and however much ill fortune may have swept away mere financial results of his achievement, dramatized his character through his processes of labor and showed himself master of the opportunities of his life. Mr. Campbell was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1842, a son of John and Jane (Fairweather) Campbell, natives of Scotland, the former a son of Robert Campbell. The parents, on coming to the United States, settled at Piqua, and Angus C. Campbell received his education in the public schools of Miami county. He was still attending school when, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted for service in the Union Army during the war between the states, and fought bravely with an Ohio Volunteer Infantry regiment until wounded at the battle of Chickamaugua, which disabled him for further military service. Following the war, he was variously engaged for a time and then established himself in the dry goods business at Piqua, an enterprise with which he continued to be identified during the remainder of his active life. His death, occurring June 16, 1906, removed from his community a man who had the respect and confidence of all with whom he had been associated during his journey through life. Mr. Campbell was married twice. His second wife was Sarah, daughter of Francis and Mary (Johnston) Jarvis, the former born at Downpatrick, County Down, Ireland. Mr. Jarvis Was but eighteen years of age when he came to the United States and here engaged in the soap, manufacturing and candle making business. He first had spent a short time in Canada, but finally came to the United States and settled in Miami county, where he became a prominent and influential citizen and was president of the Piqua National Bank for seventeen years. A man of splendid business and financial ability, he was one of his community's substantial men, .and was highly respected for his traits of integrity, honesty and good citizenship. His death occurred when he was seventy-eight years of age. In Miami county he married Mary Jane, daughter of James and Sarah Johnston, natives of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. 110 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY Jarvis there were born six children : James J., deceased ; Mary, deceased ; Frank, deceased ; Sarah, who is Mrs. Campbell ; Elizabeth J., deceased, and William G. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell became the parents of one son, James Malcolm. He was educated at Piqua, and during the great World war entered the United States Army and trained at Camp Sherman. He was overseas six months and rose to the rank of first sergeant, Searchlight section, fifty-sixth United States Engineers. Mr. Campbell married Florence, daughter of J. M. Postlewaith, of Joliet, and they have one son, James Angus. Mrs. Campbell, who survives her husband and resides at Piqua, is a woman of many accomplishments. She is a devout member of St. James Episcopal Church, and during the war period was actively engaged in Red Cross Work and in assisting various other war-time measures. F. E. Campbell, president of the Campbell Furniture Company, and a man widely and favorably known in business circles of Piqua Ohio, was born in Shelby county, this state, in 1859, a son of Robert B. and Sarah Jane (Millinger) Campbell. His maternal grandfather, William Mellinger, familiarly known as "Squire" Mellinger, was an early pioneer and Indian trader of Shelby county. The education of F. E. Campbell was secured in the public schools of Piqua, after leaving which, he learned the business of making furniture, a vocation which he learned in all its branches from the ground principles upward. As an independent operator he engaged in business as a retail merchant in 1888, at Piqua, and, being successful in this venture, developed a splendid business in his community, his store being gradually enlarged from time to time until he had one of the handsomest and most spacious establishments in this region. Not being satisfied with the limitation of his field, he extended his business outside the boundaries of Piqua, and at this time controls a chain of furniture stores which include one at Troy, Greenville and Sidney, Ohio. His merchandise, which includes all manlier of house furnishings, carpets, rugs and high-grade furniture, is of a superior quality, and public confidence has been gained by a strict adherence to principles of integrity and fair dealing. Mr. Campbell married Lida Gearhart; and to this union there was born one son, Clinton A. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Campbell married Miss Mary Kerns. In addition to his furniture business, Mr. Campbell has had other important business connections. Becoming interested in the Imperial Underwear Company, he developed into a leading factor in the success of this firm and was elected vice-president thereof. It has become one of Piqua's leading enterprises, owing its own building and finding a ready -market for its output working at full capacity. C. Campbell is now (1920) president of this concern, an account of which will be found in the industrial section of this work. Thus it will be noted that Clinton Campbell has also been identified with the success of this enterprise and his association with it has not only aided in its development but in his own. He has had a thorough business training and is ac- MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 111 counted one of the energetic younger business men of Piqua. He married Carrie Palding, of Piqua, and they are the parents of four children : Virginia R., Mary A., Robert P., and Philip A. The Campbells are prominent socially and have taken a leading part in all worthy movements, particularly those which pertained to war activities. F. E. Campbell has taken the Scottish and York Rite degrees in Masonry, and also the Shrine, while Clinton A. has taken the Master Mason degree. They are members of the Presbyterian church. W. H. Chronerberry. During the past thirty years, W. H. Chronerberry has been the proprietor of a thriving clothing business at Piqua, which has grown from small proportions to an enterprise of marked pretensions under his capable management. Mr. Chronerberry was born in Miami county, Ohio, January 11, 1870, a son of John and Bridget (Maher) Chronerberry, natives of Ireland, and received his education at St. Mary's School, Piqua. He became identified with the clothing business about 1890, and from that time to the present has conducted a clothing and tailoring business at Piqua, where his patrons include some of the leading people of the city. His workmanship, general ability, promptness and courtesy have won him, many friends, and in business circles his rating is that of a man of integrity and. sound business principles. Mr. Chronerberry married Anna, daughter of Daniel and Bridget Murphy, and to this union there have been born : Joe who is associated with his father in business ; Raymond, who is employed at the plant of the Favorite Stove & Range Company, Piqua ; Richard, who is still attending school ; Mary, who is employed at the factory of the Piqua Handle Company, and Margaret, who is attending school. Both Richard and Joe saw active service in the great World war. The latter was over seas for twenty months with the first division and took part in the heavy fighting around Chateau-Thierry, and the former was in France for eighteen months and also participated in engagements at the front. J. Harry Clark, treasurer of the Third Loan & Savings Association, of. Piqua, is a citizen who has found time from his numerous important business and financial connections to render valued service to his community, being at present president of the Piqua city council. He was born at Piqua, October 16, 1852, a son of Harvey and Mary J. (Kitchen) Clark, the latter a native of Piqua and the former of Westfield, N. J., from whence he came to Piqua about 184o and engaged in the grocery business. Harvey Clark subsequently became a manufacturer of engines, threshing machinery and tile machinery, as a member of the firm of Rouzer, Evans & Clark. Likewise he was a stockholder of the Citizens Bank and a director of the Third National Bank, and was prominent in civic affairs, at one time serving as mayor. He and his wife were the parents of seven children. J. Harry Clark was educated in the schools of Piqua and engaged in business with his father, with whom he was identified for twenty years in the production of building stone, the firm style being H. Clark & Son. 112 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY When this business was sold, in 1889, J. Harry Clark entered the lumber business, with the Piqua Lumber Company, and later was with the Piqua Hosiery Company. When he disposed of his interests in the latter concern, Mr. Clark engaged in the real estate business, in Piqua, where he is now treasurer of the Third Savings & Loan Association. For more than ten years he was also connected with the Piqua National Bank, and has served as director of the old Third National Bank which was taken over by the Piqua National Bank. During 1918, he served as secretary of the Third Savings & Loan Company. During the war period he was an active member of the war chest committee. For a number of years he has served as president of the council, his other public service including efficient work as a tax commissioner, to which executive office of Miami county he was appointed by Governor Willis. He was for a number of years, a director of the Young Men's Christian Association and a trustee of the Green Street Methodist Episcopal Church. As a fraternalist he belongs to the Masons and the Junior Order of United Mechanics. Judge Nate Iddings. The historic spirit, faithful to the record, the discerning judgment, unmoved by prejudice, and uncolored by undue enthusiasm, are as essential in giving the life of the individual person as in writing the history of a nation. Each one of us is "the heir of all the ages, in the foremost files of time." We build upon the solid foundation laid by the strenuous efforts of the fathers who have gone before us. Nothing is more fitting, and, indeed, more important, than that we should familiarize ourselves with their work and personality ; for it is they who have lifted us up to the lofty positions from which we are working out our own separate careers. "Lest we forget," it is important that we gather up the fleeting memories of the past and give them permanent record in well-chosen biography. The State of Ohio has been the scene of events of vast importance, and the home of some of the most illustrious men of the nation. Her sons have shed luster upon her name in every profession and calling, and especially is this true of the members of the bench and bar. Wherever they have dispersed they have been a power for ideal citizenship and good government. Their achievements constitute an inheritance, upon which the present generation has entered and the advantages secured from so very great a bequest depends largely upon the fidelity with which is conducted the study of the lives of those who have transmitted so precious a legacy. Typical of these men who collectively have written this magnificent record for their State and incidentally inscribed their own names on the pages of fame is that dean of the Miami county bar, Judge Nate Iddings. The judicial labors. of Judge Iddings have not only won for him the fullest recognition by the bar and public, but for forty-five years his reputation as a court reporter has extended far beyond the confines of his own state, in fact it may be said that he was the first to learn and make practical use of short-hand, in the State of Ohio. Judge Iddings was born at Pleasant Hill, in Miami county, Ohio, MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 113 on the 17th day of March, 1841, on a tract of land with a trail leading through it that lead to Dayton, in a log house that his father built. Game and song birds abounded in the woods and wolves prowled around the house at night. He attended the country schools and later the Quaker College, from which he graduated with the class of 1856, he being the only survivor of that class at present. At the age of sixteen he entered upon life's duties as a school teacher at which he made a signal success, by reason of the fact that he banished flogging from the school. He then attended the school at College Hill and from there went into Henry Snow's office at Cincinnati as a student, and from there to the office of Alexander Long, who was a member of Congress at that time. On the twenty-first day of April, 1862, he attended the supreme court at the examination of the law class, and passed with the class and was admitted to the bar as an attorney at law, the examination being oral. While studying law at Cincinnati, Judge Iddings met Benjamin Pittman, who had located at Cincinnati to introduce short-hand to this country, a system which had been invented by his brother, Isaac Pittman, a young Englishman who came to America to introduce the Pittman system of short-hand writing. Mr. Pittman and Judge Iddings became fast friends, and Mr. Pittman induced Judge Iddings to take up short-hand and to adopt it as a profession, which he did and after several months' hard work, became very proficient, and was able to write 200 words a minute. His first experience as a court reporter was at the Mitchell murder trial at Troy, Ohio, with Judge Williams on the bench. The trial lasted two weeks and Mitchell was found guilty of murder in the firt degree, and sentenced to be hanged. Later his attorneys made an effort to have the sentence commuted to life imprisonment. The governor sent for Judge Iddings to bring his notes to Columbus to him, which he did. There being no typewriters in use at that time, it was necessary for Judge Iddings to read the report of the entire trial from his short-hand manuscript, which took about one week. However, after hearing the evidence the governor refused to interfere and Mitchell was hanged. This was the first trial ever reported by short-hand in Miami county and one of the first in the Middle West. This lead him to adopt the vocation of court reporter which he followed during the next forty-five years in many of the states of the Middle West. Judge Iddings' first political speech to be reported was that of Senator Allen G. Thurman. He also annotated the speeches of such famous men as Stephen A. Douglas, Judge West, Major Blackburn, C. W. Anderson, Governor Foster, and he was reporter at the convention at Chicago that nominated William Jennings Bryan as the candidate for President on the Democratic ticket, and Judge Iddings reported his famous "Crown of Gold" speech. In 1884 he also reported the famous liquor speech of Governor Hoadly. In November, 189o, he reported the speech of Senator W. C. P. Brenkenridge, of Kentucky, at a banquet given by the Thurman Club on the retirement of Senator Thurman from active life. He likewise reported other III-8 114 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY speeches and. toasts at the banquet, including that of President Cleveland.. There were 1,044 guests at the tables, each of the guests paying $10 a plate. Among the notable men present were many of State and National reputation. In 1895 at the International Association of Reporters held at Cincinnati he reached the top of the ladder in his profession by writing 25o words a minute, for a period of five minutes, this being the best record that had ever been made at that time. He also won first prize for neatness of manuscript. He was later chosen to report the proceedings of the annual conference at Dayton, of the German Reform Church. These later proceedings were compiled in a small book, of which 125,000 were sold at the conference at twenty-five cents each. In 1881 he reported the conference of the United Brethren church in Iowa. Many events and speeches which have been reported by Judge Iddings have been preserved as valuable records for future generations. Judge Iddings has been present and gave addresses at every convention of the National Association of Stenographers since its organization. Judge Iddings also reported the speeches of President Harding when he was campaigning for senator. In 1869 Mr. Iddings took up his residence in Bradford where in later years he devoted himself to the practice of law and the handling of his large realty interests, for success has come to him not only in his profession as a court reporter and as a lawyer but in his business dealings and real estate investments. For many years he has been attorney for the Pennsylvania railroad and has rendered signal service to Miami county in a number of ways, more especially in securing the railroad yards, division round house, Young Men's Christian Association railroad building and headquarters of this division of the Pennsylvania for Bradford. Not only has Judge Iddings prominent clients as an attorney, but he has a number of important business relations as well as a number of a civic character, and he is secretary of the Bradford Building and Loan Association. During the World war period he was a most liberal contributor to all war movements, and was associate member of the draft board for his locality. In 1886 at Covington,' Ohio, Judge Iddings was made a Mason. Later he helped organize the lodge at Pleasant Hill and is a charter member of the Bradford, Ohio, lodge. In 1913 he erected the building now known as the Masonic Temple, in Bradford, Ohio, the rooms of this building being occupied by the lodge free of rent. Not only can it be said of Judge Iddings that he is the dean of court reporters of the state of Ohio, and dean of the bench and bar in Miami county, and a prominent pioneer citizen, but he is a descendant of an old pioneer family who trace their genealogy back to Joseph Iddings, who came to America in 1796. Judge Iddings is the son of Davis and Sarah (Hill) Iddings, the latter a daughter of the first white settler of Newton township,. Miami county, and the former a lifelong pioneer farmer of this locality. In this family were four children : Dr. A. H., who is deceased ; J. D., a veteran of the Civil war ; Maria, the wife of John J. Jay, and Judge Nate. While Judge Iddings still retains his law MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 115 office in Bradford and continues his practice in Miami county he built one of the most beautiful homes in Dayton, Ohio, where he now resides. On the thirteenth day of May, 1868, at Covington, Ohio, Judge Iddings was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Patty, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Hill) Patty, well known residents of Miami county, Ohio. To this union was born one son, Frank, who resides in Dayton, Ohio, and who married Miss Lillian Miles, of Pleasant Hill. They are the parents of two children : Mildred and Sarah Nancy. In conclusion we may add that by a force of unusual circumstances and the illness of Judge Wright, who was unable to occupy the bench, that Judge Iddings filled the position as judge of the court of common pleas of Miami county. But it has been as an attorney and a counselor that he has endeared himself to the hearts of the people. Many have been the cases which, through his good advice and counsel, have been settled out of court. He has always been frank and generous ; his sympathies are quick and warm, and he possesses a lively sense of humor, and delights in its innocent and kindly exercise. His charities have been extensive and unostentatious, his affections deep and true. In the midst of all the many tasks with which his broad and willing shoulders have been burdened, Judge Iddings' feelings and affections have taken him to his home and the intercourse of his own family for rest and relaxation. Here he experiences more real happiness than he could extract out of any other form of occupation and every hour of which he has felt free to dispose to his own pleasure has thus been spent among those he loves best. Thus he is rounding out his life, and to his splendid record of public service, good citizenship and business success, he is adding the highest. praise of a true and worthy manhood. Comer & Dabus. One of the concerns of Piqua which has gained public recognition and patronage, as well as business confidence, is the meat and delicatessen business of Corner & Dabus, the firm consisting of Charles A. Corner and Charles W. Dabus. Charles A. Corner was born at New Lebanon, Montgomery county, Ohio, a son of Benjamin and Lou A.manda (Reigel) Corner. Edu cated in the public schools of his native place, as a youth he worked on farms in that neighborhood and also learned the trade of butcher, Which he first followed at New Lebanon, and subsequently at Troy. Later, coming to Piqua, he became associated with Mr. Dabus and they opened their first store on Main street. In 1919 they came to their present place of business, at 409 North Wayne street, where they have an up-to-date store in every particular, with a large and complete stock of meats and delicatessen products. Mr. Corner married Bessie, daughter of John Deubner, of Miami county, and they are the parents of four children : Claude H., Maud J., Catherine and Robert. During the period of the great war, Mr. Cotner was a generous and substantial sup- porter of all war-time measures and projects, and he has likewise done his share in contributing to the success of civic enterprises. He has an excellent reputation in business circles and numerous 116 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY friends in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Foresters, of which he is a member. Charles W. Dabus, junior member of the firm, was born near Fletcher, Ohio, in November, 1871, a son of John and Martha (Wagner) Dabus. His father, a blacksmith by trade, followed that vocation at Fletcher and later at Piqua, and was a man of industry and substantial worth of character. Charles W. Dabus acquired his education in the public schools of Piqua after leaving which he became a clerk in the store of D. Louis & Son, grocery, of Piqua, a concern With which he remained for some years. His first enterprise on his own account was that in partnership with Mr. Cotner, and he has done much to contribute to the prosperity which has attended this venture. Like his partner he is possessed of business capacity and of the confidence of the public. He is a single man. As a public spirited and loyal citizen, his name has been found on the list of supporters of worthy and beneficial movements, both in times of war and peace. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. George F. Cron, auditor of the city of Piqua and one of that municipality's best known and highly esteemed citizens, was born on a farm near Piqua, Miami county, April II, 1854, a son of Washington and Lovina (Wolf) Cron. The country schools of his native locality furnished Mr. Cron with his educational training and as a young man he applied himself to teaching school in Spring Creek township, where he remained for four terms. When he gave up the profession of educator he turned his attention, to mercantile pursuits, and for a number of years was connected with various lines of endeavor. During this period he was interested in public affairs and became well known to the people, before whom he eventually appeared as candidate for the office of city auditor. Elected to this responsible post, he displayed such fitness for its duties that he has subsequently been re-elected several times, and is now entering upon his fifth term in that position. Mr. Cron married Margaret, daughter of the Rev. Andrew Jackson Johnson, a well-known Baptist preacher, and to this union there have been born the following children : Arthur B., Lyle C., Raymond J., Gale W., Edgar, Howard and Cora May. Of these children, Edgar served in the United States Army during the recent World war, being attached to the signal corps. Mr. Cron the elder was active in all war activities, having always been public-spirited and patriotic in his citizenship. It is a significant commentary upon the quality of his service that he should have been elected to the city auditorship at different times when Republicans, Democrats and Socialists, respectively, have elected their tickets. J. C. Cron, the proprietor of a modern undertaking establishment at Piqua, has been identified with business matters here for many years during which he has always maintained a high reputation for integrity and honorable dealing. He was born at Piqua, a son of L. C. and Margaret (Ginn) Cron, and on the maternal side is related to one of the very earliest pioneer families of this MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 117 section of the county, while on the paternal side he is a grandson of the founder of the business that eventually became the L. C. & W. L. Cron Company, one of Piqua's largest furniture industries. L. C. Cron was for many years interested in the manufacture of furniture, as well as being identified with the retail end of the business as a merchant, and was a than of sound business principles and excellent reputation. He and his wife were the parents of three children : Ella, who married Henry May ; Charles, of Columbus, and J. C. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Cron married Marcella Brown, and they became the parents of two children : Florence, who is the wife of Doctor Kunkle, of Piqua, and Clarence. L. C. Cron. who still survives, has been a prominent man in his community, and has been interested in local political affairs for many years, having at one time served as mayor of Huntersville, and also of Piqua for one term. J. C. Cron was educated in the public schools of Piqua after which he entered the furniture and undertaking business in partnership with F. E. Campbell. This continued for two years, at the end of which time Mr. Cron formed an association with his father under the style of J. C. Cron & Company, under which a retail furniture store was conducted for two years. Mr. Cron and his father later bought the W. L. Cron & Sons retail furniture store, and S. I. Zemer became a member of the company, but this partnership was eventually dissolved and J. C. Cron formed a partnership with W. Walker, under the firm style of Cron-Walker Company. In 1919 Mr. Walker, retired from the company, taking with him the furniture business, while Mr. Cron remained in the undertaking line. In August of the same year Mr. Cron removed to parlors at the northwest corner of Ash and Wayne streets, where he now has modern rooms, with the most up-to-date equipment. His patronage comes from the most representative people of the city, and he has established himself firmly in public confidence as a reliable business man, as well as one of infinite tact and sympathy. Mr. Cron married Stella, daughter of John Denman, and to them there have been born four children : Irene, Who died at the age of six years ; Kenneth, who is attending the Ohio State University, and John and Robert, who are attending the public schools. Mr. Cron took a prominent and generous part in all the local war activities during the period of the great struggle overseas. He is affiliated fraternally with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees, and is also a member of the Piqua and Cosmopolitan clubs. With his family, he belongs to the United Presbyterian church. Val Decker. For half a century, lacking but three years, Val Decker has been identified with the meat business at Piqua, for it was in 1873 that he first embarked in this line, at that time being a retail dealer. Having made a success in his initial experience in this field, he later embarked in packing and dealing in products as a wholesaler, and at this time has a large business conducted in a modern plant, where he kills and packs about 600 head 118 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY of livestock per week. His brand, "Our Pride," is favorably known throughout the Miami valley, having a large demand at Middletown, Springfield, Dayton, and other large centers. A more detailed account of this business will he found in the industrial section of this work. Mr. Decker was born in Baden, Germany, in April, 1847, and came to 'America in 1868. He first worked in a butcher shop in Troy, later moving to Union City, Ind. In 1872, he came to Piqua, where he engaged in the retail meat business until 1898, when he embarked in the packing business. Mr. Decker married Hannah Schaefer, and they have the following children : Louis, George H., Carl Jacob, deceased ; Walter J., William, Mrs. Hannah Jenne, and Mrs. Callie Schwaible. Mr. Decker, who is assisted in business by his sons, is widely and favorably known as a business man of the highest integrity, and is a director of the Citizens Bank of Piqua. He has various civic and social connections, and during the war period, was an active worker in the various movements which contributed to the success of. American arms. Alvah W. DeWeese, a well-known member of the profession of law at Piqua, Ohio, was born March 13, 1873, at Piqua, a son of Henry G. and Lucy A. (Esty) DeWeese. The father was a farmer and conducted a stone quarry, being one of the substantial and highly esteemed citizens of his community. Alvah W. DeWeese attended the public, graded, and high schools of Troy, following which he was sent to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Later he pursued his legal studies at the Cincinnati Law School, and in 1895 began to practice his profession at Troy, in partnership with Capt. Elihu Williams. Subsequently he formed an association with A. R. Byrkrett, and maintained two offices, one at Troy and one at Piqua. When he discontinued these associations, he retained his office at Piqua, where he carries on a general practice. He has risen to a high place in his profession and is accounted one of the thorough, competent and learned lawyers of the county, where he has been identified with a number of important cases. While a resident of Troy Mr. DeWeese acted as associate of the Buckeye, a noted sheet of its time, the prominence of which was greatly enhanced by his editorial work. In addition to being prominent in professional circles, Mr. DeWeese is one of the leading fraternalists of Piqua and past exalted ruler of the Elks, of which lodge he has also been secretary for five years. He is a well-known Odd Fellow and Mason, also, and has numerous friends in these orders throughout the country. His religious affiliation is with the Episcopal church. Mr. DeWeese married Grace, daughter of Frank and Dell (DeWeese) Doren, of Pekin, Ill. DeWeese Doren, a brother of Mrs. DeWeese, served with the United States Artillery during the great war, in France, and was wounded the night before the signing of the Armistice. Robert Doren, another brother, was likewise with the American Expeditionary Forces. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DeWeese : Alvah, Jr., James, Robert and Richard. Alvah, Jr., MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 119 early became interested in the matter of war saving stamps, of which he sold $13,000 worth up to December 15, 1919, thereby winning a medal. Lincoln M. Flowers, manager of the Piqua branch of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, who has also achieved distinction as a maker of fine violins, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, June 4, 1870, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Thornberry) Flowers. William Moore, the paternal grandfather of the paternal grandmother of Mr. Flowers, was born in England, and after coming to America fought as a patriot soldier throughout the War of the Revolution. His son, also named William Moore, was a soldier of the War of 1812. Benjamin Flowers, a man of industry and progressiveness in his day, brought the first portable sawmill into Monroe county and operated a sawmill and planing mill there for a number of years. Elizabeth Thornberry came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, where her family was well known. There were four children in the family : Webster, Clinton, Lincoln M. and May. May married Lieutenant George Imson, United States Army, stationed at Porto Rico. Lincoln M. Flowers was educated in the public schools of Monroe county and early displayed an aptitude for wood carving, the rudiments of which he learned while mastering the trade of a practical wood worker. Going to New Castle, Pa., he there first became identified with the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which concern later made him manager of the branch at Beaver Falls, Pa. From there he went to Mansfield, where he managed the local office, later going to Chillicothe in the same capacity. From the latter place he came to Piqua, in June, 1914, to assume the duties of manager of the Piqua branch of this company, in which capacity he has continued to the present time, winning success for his concern and establishing a personal reputation for business soundness and integrity. During the war period, Mr. Flowers took an energetic part in assisting the movements promulgated by the administration at Washington, and furnished gratis sewing machines for the use of the Red Cross workers. Of recent years Mr. Flowers has achieved something more than local distinction as a maker of fine violins. His early training in wood working and wood carving gave him the requisite skill to follow a line of endeavor that appealed to his inclinations. and in 1916 he made his first violin, this having been followed by seven others, all instruments of exceptional excellence. None of those sold has been disposed of for less than $200 and all are models of splendid workmanship and wonderful tonal qualities. A number of connoisseurs of fine violins have pronounced his instruments as being of rare quality, comparing favorably with famous makes that sell for thousands of dollars. Mr. Flowers married Carrie A., daughter of William E. and Angie (Flannigan) Reynard, and to this union there have been born four children : Lester, who married Blanche Dillon ; Eloda, a reporter on the staff of the Piqua Daily Call, and Clinton and Edward, who reside with .their parents in the comfortable family home. 120 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY Adolphus B. Frame, M. D. The year 1918 was the golden anniversary of Dr. Adolphus B. Frame's entrance upon the practice of medicine. For fifty-two years he has been a member of the Ohio medical fraternity, and for thirty-three years of this time has had his home and office at Piqua. The venerable physician was born January 4, 1840, in Athens county, Ohio, a son of John and Mary (Nesmith) Frame, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maine. In the family there were ten sons and one daughter. The boyhood and youth of Doctor Frame Were passed in Athens county, where he was engaged in agricultural work until the outbreak of hostilities between the forces of the North and South. He became active in raising Company I, of the One Hundred and Sixteenth regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which entered the Union service in 1862, Doctor Frame at first being lieutenant and later advanced to the rank of captain. He saw three years of fighting and received his honorable discharge after having established an excellent record. As a lad he had attended the public schools and later Marietta College, and when he resumed the activities of civil life turned his attention to the study of medicine as a student of the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, where he was graduated with his degree, March 1868. Beginning practice at Athens, he remained there for about twenty years, his advent at Piqua occurring in 1887. During the long period that he has followed his profession here, he has gained a splendid reputation as a physician and surgeon, establishing himself strongly in the confidence of the. public and fairly earning the respect and esteem of his fellow-practitioners. Despite his advanced age, when the United States entered the great World war, Doctor Frame volunteered his services as a member of the volunteer medical service corps. He belongs to the various organizations of his profession, holds membership in the Masonic lodge and is a popular comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic. Doctor Frame married Miss Mary Elizabeth Morris, of Athens, Ohio, and they have one child, Mary Lydia, who is the wife of James D. Kennedy, of Detroit, Mich. Alfred Willard French. One of the prominent business concerns of Piqua is that operating under the name of the French Oil Machine Company, the president of which, Alfred Willard French, occupies a leading position in business circles of the city. Mr. French was born in 1862, at Hartford, Conn., a son of Henry and Mary (Willard) French. After attending the public schools of Hartford, Mr. French took a course in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in civil engineering. He became instructor in that subject in that institution, and after resigning this position became associated with Edward A. Buss, of Boston, as mill engineer. Later, he engaged in work for the United States Government for three years, then becoming general superintendent of the National Linseed Oil Company, of Chicago. In Brooklyn, N. Y., he was identified with the National Lead Company for one year, following which he came to Piqua and founded the French MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 121 Oil Machine Company for the manufacture of oil machinery invented by him. At first the company occupied modest quarters, but its growth has been steady and consistent and today this concern is one of the largest of its kind in the country, its product being shipped all over the world and meeting with a steady demand in India, Japan, Java, the Philippines, Egypt, South America, France, Holland and other countries. A complete history of this concern will be found in the industrial section of this work. Mr. French married Mrs. Grace Albers, of Los Angeles, Calif., and to this union there have been born two children : Alfred Willard, Jr.,. who is attending Exeter College, New Hampshire, and Catharine M., a student at Wellesley College. Mr. French is a director of the Piqua Handle & Manufacturing Company and widely and favorably known in business circles as a man of sound ability and high principles. He is likewise a director of the Piqua National Bank. His religious connection is with St. James Episcopal Church, in which he is at present serving as vestryman. J. Funderburg, M. D. With the exception of a short period spent in Shelby county, Dr. J. Funderburg has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Miami county for thirty-four years, at present being one of the leading physicians of Piqua. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1862, a son of John and Keren (Rodefer) Funderburg, and a grandson of Jacob Funderburg. The Rodefer family came from Virginia, the maternal grandfather of Doctor Funderburg being Philip Rodefer. John Funderburg was born in Maryland and saw military service during the war between the states. By his first marriage he had five sons and two daughters, and two of his sons, George and Simon, served in the Civil war. The only child of his second marriage was Dr. J. Funderburg. He received his early education at Yellow Springs, Ohio, and pursued his medical studies at Columbia Medical College, from which he was graduated March 4, 1886. He began practice at Fletcher, Ohio, later spent a short time at Houston, then returned to Fletcher and finally settled permanently at Piqua, where he has advanced to a leading place among the physicians of Miami county. He has served as coroner of the county and as examining surgeon for the board of pension examiners, and has the confidence of his patients and the general public, and the esteem of his fellow-practitioners. Dr. Funderburg married Ella, daughter of W. H. Doup, and they had two children : William Roscoe, and Cloyd Doup. The former is general manager of the Overland Sales Company, at Portsmouth, Ohio. Cloyd volunteered for service in the United States Army, shortly after the country's entrance into the great World war. He enlisted at Dayton, Ohio, and was at once sent to Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, where he remained about three Weeks, and was then transferred to Camp Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he was made sergeant of his company, in the Three Hundred and Seventh United States ambulance company, of the Three Hun ,red and Second sanitary train. After about six months in this c mp, he was transferred to Camp Upton, Long Island, New York. He 122 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY was the only one of his company selected while at Camp Upton to take training for lieutenancy of infantry. He went overseas with the Three Hundred and Second as sergeant, and served as such in France from the middle of April, until July 11, 1918, at which time he was transferred to Company I, Thirty-ninth infantry, Fourth division, with the rank of second lieutenant. While leading his company in battle at the front, on August 4, 1918, he was wounded, and met death two days later, by a shell bursting near him. His death was the first one reported of the boys who went out from Piqua. After the death of his first wife, Doctor Funderburg married Lillie, daughter of William Tyson, of Fletcher. William M. Freshour, an attorney of Piqua, who is prominently identified with business affairs as an official of the Piqua Paper Cap Company, was born at Covington, Ohio, June 2, 1878, a son of Hon. William and Emma (Shellenbarger) Freshour. His father, who was captain of a company of Ohio infantry during the Civil war, is one of the most distinguished attorneys of Miami county and has served as a member of the probate bench. Judge Freshour is highly esteemed in the community and is the father of Captain James Freshour, who commanded a company from Piqua during the late war and was later transferred to Company D, recruited at Urbana. His services were of a distinguished character and he today bears the scar of a wound received on the battlefield in Flanders. William M. Freshour attended the graded and high schools, after which he enrolled as a student at Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, and was graduated therefrom in 1899. Subsequently he attended the Ohio State University, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1903, receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Laws. Following his graduation from university, he engaged in practice at Piqua, was for a time engaged in the real estate business at Los Angeles, Calif., and finally returned to Piqua, where he is now importantly engaged in business affairs, among his interests being large holdings in the Piqua Paper Cap Company, in which he holds a position on the official board. He is a capable, virile and progressive man and one who has done much to contribute to the prosperity and development of his concern. In 1904 Mr. Freshour married Evelyn Ann, daughter of John McKee, of Piqua, and to this union there have been born three children : Martha L., William McKee and Marion. Mr. Freshour is a popular member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. With his family, he belongs to the Presbyterian church. L. W. Genslinger, outside state representative for the Magee Printing Company, of Piqua, Ohio, has had a somewhat varied career, including experience in several kinds of enterprises. In his present capacity he is following the same line of business as that which appealed to his interest during his youth, and there are few better known figures in the printing trade in Ohio. Mr. Genslinger was born at Piqua, a son of Stephen and Caroline (McNeely) Genslinger, the father having been interested in the MIAMI COUNTY—BIOGRAPHICAL - 123 grocery business for some years at Piqua. There were nine children in the family : Charles H., William, Addie, Harry, L. W., Nellie, Carrie, Stephen and Kittie. Of these children, Charles H. Genslinger is widely known because of his connection with athletic affairs: He was one of the organizers of the Illinois Athletic Club, of Chicago, and the Missouri Athletic Club, of St. Louis, Mo., and a reorganizer of the old Manhattan Club, of New York City, now the Knickerbocker Club. His acquaintance is extensive in baseball circles, and at one time he was president of the Southern League Baseball Association. L. W. Genslinger was educated at Piqua, and after his graduation from the high school engaged in the printing business. He went south as a salesman for the Hunter & Genslinger Company, of which firm his brother Charles was a member, and subsequently became owner of this concern by purchase, the name at that time being changed to Genslinger & Aikens. Mr. Genslinger continued to be identified with this business for two-and-one-half years, and during this period was married at New Orleans, to Miss Lula Peyton, who died in that city eleven months later, leaving a son, Lon S. Lon S. Genslinger is a graduate of Tulane University, of New Orleans and is a mechanical engineer. In January, 1914, he enlisted in the state infantry, and was appointed as professor of military tactics in the University of Washington, at Seattle, Wash. At the present time he is following the profession of mechanical engineer in the service of the United States Government. After leaving New Orleans, L. W. Genslinger went to New York City, where he joined his brother, Charles, in athletic club work. With him he went to Ottawa, Canada, where they engaged in the hotel business as proprietors of the Hotel Cecil, but later L. W. Genslinger disposed of his Canadian interests and holdings and came to Piqua, where he found congenial employment with Magee Brothers. He left this concern to become a traveling salesman for the Favorite Stove & Range Company, of Piqua, with which he continued to be identified for a period of thirteen years. When he left that company it was to return to the Magee Printing Company, of which he has since been outside representative for Ohio. Mr. Genslinger has a wide acquaintance and many friends in business circles of Ohio, and is considered an expert and an authority in his line. He is a member of the Piqua Lodge of Elks, and his religious affiliation is with St. James Episcopal church, of this city. Hugh Henry Gravett, D. O., is one of the most widely known members of his profession in Ohio, and the success which he has attained in his calling may be directly attributed to a conscientious adherence to principle coupled with a native ability that has preeminently fitted him for his life work and he has practiced in Ohio longer than any man of his profession. Having chosen a profession which requires unceasing study, Doctor Gravett has always been in the forefront among osteopathic practitioners, and by constant research and reading has kept abreast of the progress and developments perpetually being made in the science. Dr. Gravett is a 124 - MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY native of Illinois, having been born in White county, November 14, 1862, a son of William and Ellen (Johnson) Gravett, the former of whom was born and raised in England. He followed the lumber business throughout his active career, locating in Illinois where he reared his family. Nine children were born to him and his wife, of whom Dr. W. A. Gravett is a prominent practicing osteopath of Dayton, Ohio ; J. P. Gravett lives in California, and three daughters are living in Illinois. Dr. Hugh H. Gravett received his preliminary education in Grayville, Ill., and subsequently went to Kirksville, Mo., for his professional training. Having been graduated from the American School of Osteopathy with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy, Doctor Gravett came to Piqua in 1897 to commence the practice of his profession, and so favorably were the citizens of the community impressed with the young doctor's ability and earnestness of purpose, that soon his clientele was extensive, and during the years that have elapsed since that time, no one has ever had cause to regret the confidence he placed in the doctor's skill. Doctor Gravett married Annie May Harpster, a daughter of David Harpster, a druggist of Toledo, Ohio, who at the time of his death was the oldest druggist in Lucas county. To their union one son has been born, Warren Shoup Gravett, who is prominent among the younger business element of Piqua as assistant cashier of the Citizens National Bank. Doctor Gravett's religious beliefs incline him toward the tenets of the Church of Christ, of which he is a member. Politically he has never aspired to political office, having devoted his entire time to his profession, the various societies of which claim his ardent support. During the recent war Doctor Gravett did a good citizen's part in all civilian war work, and could always be counted upon to do his full share toward supporting the different government drives, such as war loans, Red Cross, war savings stamps, and kindred movements. L. R. Hager, secretary and treasurer of the Piqua Ice Company of Piqua is a citizen of business worth and standing in his community whose success is self-acquired. He was born at Piqua, July 23, 1879, a son of George and Dora (Roeser) Hager. During the early days his father owned and operated a boat on the Miami canal, and later for a number of years was identified with an ice business in partnership with M. Jarvis. L. R. Hager was primarily educated in the public schools of Piqua, and after his graduation from Piqua High School pursued a course in civil engineering at the Ohio State University. For a time he was engaged in civil engineering in connection with railroad construction and repairing but finally turned his attention to the ice business and with Will Roeser and Thomas Guin founded the Piqua Ice Company, handling natural ice. In 1911 the Peckham Coal & Ice Company was purchased by the Piqua Ice Company, which thereby came into possession of a fully equipped plant for the making of ice, the capacity at this time being fifty-five tons per day. In addition this company controls a large coal business, and its industry has en-