850 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Mr. Hance is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and is affiliated with B. P. 0. Elks No. 51, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Eerie No. 397, and Loyal Order of Moose No. 536. Remer Leroy Haines, M. D.—Outstanding among the highly successful members of the medical profession in Greene County is Doctor R. L. Haines, of Jamestown. He was born in Cedarville Township, Greene County, March 2, 1889, the son of William G. and Ida (Mahala) Haines. William G. Haines was a native of Phillippi, Virginia. He died at Xenia in April, 1931, and his wife, a native of Shady Bower, Maryland, resides there. As a young man Mr. Haines came to Ohio and settled at Jamestown, where he spent many years as a log hauler and lumber dealer. In later years he was a farmer. He was a Democrat. His father was James Haines, who died of typhoid fever while serving in the Civil War. The great-great-grandfather of R. L. Haines was John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and at one time owner of the present Lindbergh estate in New Jersey. To William G. and Ida (Mahala) Haines were born two sons: 1. Remer Leroy, the subject of this sketch. 2. Otis Frederick, lives at the homestead on Bellbrook Pike. He is paymaster for the Hooven & Allison Company of Xenia. Remer Leroy Haines was reared and educated in Greene County, and following his graduation from Xenia High School in 1909 he entered Starling Medical College, Columbus, being a member of the first graduating class under the Ohio State University ruling, which made the Medical College a unit of the University in 1913. He took graduate work in medicine at the Society Lying In Hospital, New York City, and began his professional work at Paintersville, Caesar Creek Township, Greene County, in 1913. After 11 years in that location Doctor Haines came to Jamestown in 1924, and has since been widely known in HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 851 this section of the State as a throat specialist. He is also an obstetrician and is owner of Haines Hospital, at Jamestown. He is a prominent member of the Greene County, Ohio State, and American Medical Associations. Doctor Haines served as coroner of Greene County for ten years, being elected in 1916, and at the present time he again holds that responsible office. On May 5, 1915, Doctor Haines was united in marriage with Miss Anna Elizabeth Wilson, of Caesar Creek Township, Greene County, the daughter of Robert and Hattie B. (Faulkner) Wilson, natives of Greene County. They reside at New Jasper, Ohio. Doctor and Mrs. Haines are the parents of five children: 1. Robert William, born in 1916, died in infancy. 2. Russell Leon, born in July, 1918. 3. Margaret Ellen, born in August, 1920. 4. Wilma Jean, born April 14, 1924. 5. Martha Joan, born April 12, 1929. Doctor Haines is a Republican, and is affiliated with Xenia Lodge F. & A. M. Chapter and Council; Wilmington Cornmandery; Antioch Temple; and Dayton Consistory. Doctor Haines is part owner of two fine farms, one being located northwest of Jamestown. It contains 175 acres and in 1930 Doctor Haines built a public swimming pool there. The land is artistically landscaped, and boasts of one of the finest rock gardens in this section of the state. The second farm of 366 acres has been developed into a aboretum by Doctor Haines and contains hundreds of fine trees. Doctor Haines has lectured extensively on birds and trees. A third development is a muskrat and fish preserve at the outskirts of Jamestown. Ralph Fulton.—One of the progressive and highly successful business men of Greene County is Ralph Fulton, authorized Ford Motor Car Company agent at Osborn, and a partner in the Fulton & Alexander Oil Company. He was born in Bath Township, Greene County, June 19, 1887, the son of Frank and Emma (Shellabarger) Fulton. 852 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Frank Fulton died in 1907. He was a native of Bath Township, Greene County, as was his wife. She died in 1893, and they are buried at Enon, Ohio. Throughout his life Mr. Fulton followed general farming and lived on the same farm in Bath Township. He was a graduate of Antioch College. Politically, he was a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Fulton were born the following children : 1. Charles, lives in Colorado. 2. William, who died in 1927. 3. Edgar, lives in Colorado. 4. Clifford, who died in 1915. 5. Frank, lives in Clark County, Ohio. 6. Ralph, the subject of this sketch. 7. Mary Elizabeth, lives at Xenia. 8. Nellie, who died in infancy. 9. George, lives on a farm in Clark County. Ralph Fulton grew up on his father's farm in Bath Township, and attended the district schools. He followed farming for a time and as a young man became a sales representative for a Ford automobile company at Yellow Springs, where he remained for nine years. He came to Osborn in 1923 and was the first automobile dealer in the community. Two years later he established the Fulton & Alexander Oil Company, wholesale and retail dealers in Mobil oil, and has since been also identified with that enterprise. Their oil tanks have a storage capacity of 100,000 gallons, and during the year 1932 their sales totalled 500,000 gallons. On November 24, 1908, Mr. Fulton was united in marriage with Miss Estella Funderburgh, of Bath Township, Clark County, the daughter of Lincoln and Sarah (Paxton) Funderburgh. They are' natives of Miami and Beaver Creek Townships, Greene County, and reside at Xenia. Mr. and Mrs. Fulton have two children : 1. Harold K., born September 13, 1909, a graduate of Osborn High School, attended Cedarville College, now associated in business with his father. 2. Marjorie Elizabeth, born October 5, 1913, a graduate of Osborn High School and Miami Jacobs Business College, Dayton. She is a bookkeeper in her father's office. Mr. Fulton is a Democrat and has been a member of the school board for six years. He and his family are active members of the Byron Reformed Church. HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 853 W. R. Hackett has been for many years successfully engaged in business at Springfield, where he operates the W. R. Hackett Wholesale Fruit, Produce, and Cold Storage Company, of 118 West Washington Street. He was born in this city, September 1, 1875, the son of Peter and Ann (Maron) Hackett. Peter Hackett was a native of Ireland and died at Springfield in 1900. In 1853 he emigrated to the United States and settled at Springfield, where he spent the remainder of his life. By trade he was a custom shoemaker. Mr. Hackett was a Democrat and held membership in Saint Raphael's Catholic Church and the Sons of Saint Patrick. His wife was born at Sandusky, Ohio, and died in 1895. Their children were: 1. Mrs. Mary Walsh. 2. Joseph, who died in 1925. 3. Charles, who died in 1913. 4. Mrs. Catherine Smith. 5. W. R., the subject of this sketch. 6. Mrs. Margaret O'Neill. All live in Springfield. After his graduation from Saint Raphael's parochial school, W. R. Hackett attended Nelson's Business College. He began his business career with the Springfield Breweries, and in 1894 became a bookkeeper for Charles J. Bowlus, wholesale fruit dealer, of Springfield. After ten years he became a member of the firm which continued as the Bowlus & Hackett Fruit Company until March, 1924, at which time Mr. Hackett purchased his partner's interest. The company ships within a radius of fifty miles of Springfield, and has a modern cold storage plant located on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Its cold storage plant has a capacity of 60 carloads. In 1904 Mr. Hackett married Miss Emma Schaefer, of Dayton, the daughter of Alexander and Mary (Ritzier) Schaefer, natives of Germany and Dayton, respectively. Mr. Schaefer died in 1902 and his wife died in 1897. They are buried in Dayton. To Mr. and Mrs. Hackett were born six children: 1. Anna L., born in 1906, a graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, and for several years a teacher in the public schools of Cincinnati. She lives at home. 2. W. R., Jr., born in 1908, a graduate of Dayton Uni- 854 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO versity, now associated in business with his father. He married Miss Ethel. Craver and they have two children, W. R. III and Marlene. 3. Bernadine, born in 1910, a graduate of Springfield Business College, and now secretary to her father. 4. Frank K., born in 1912, associated in business with his father. 5. Catherine, born in 1915, attends Mount Saint Joseph's Academy. 6. Thomas E., born in 1918, attends Saint Raphael's parochial school. Mr. Hackett has always been a Democrat. He and his family, are prominent members of St. Raphael's Catholic Church, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 624; B. P. O. Elks No. 51; Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 397; VanDyke Club; Champion City Council No. 23, United Commercial Travelers and the Cincinnati Club. William E. Tuttle, who died July 29, 1933, was numbered among the most prominent and representative citizens of Springfield, where he was identified with W. E. Tuttle & Company, grain dealers. He was born in Springfield Township, Clark County, in 1856, the son of George Tuttle, who was born within the corporation limits of Springfield in 1821, and who died there in 1891. William E. Tuttle spent his early life on his father's farm in Springfield Township and received his education in the public schools of the township. He then engaged in farming and stock raising with much success for a number of years, and in 1882 began shipping clover seed. This enterprise expanded to such an extent that he was finally shipping more clover seed than any other man in the county. This resulted in his gradually drifting into the general grain business. In 1883 William E. and W. F. Tuttle bought out Brooks & Green, grain dealers, of Springfield, and operated under the firm name of Tuttle & Tuttle. Two years HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 855 later in 1885 they built a grain elevator which was the first in operation in this city. In one year Mr. Tuttle handled 24 cars of clover seed, shipping 16,000 bushels direct to Germany. In 1899 W. F. Tuttle retired from the firm and William E. continued alone in the business for about a year and a half. In September, 1900, Thomas A. Paine became a member of the firm, which later became known as W. E. Tuttle & Company. Mr. Tuttle was also interested in other business enterprises of Springfield, having been vice president of the Reed Brothers Manufacturing Company, and a member of the firm of F. O. Jones & Company. He also was a director of the Farmers National Bank from the time of its organization until its merger with the First National Bank, and he continued on the latter board for some time. Mr. Tuttle married (first) Miss Clara Otstot, a native of Clark County, who died in April, 1900. She is buried at Springfield. Their children were : 1. Florence, lives at Granville, Ohio. 2. Grace, lives at Springfield. 3. George, twin brother of Grace, died in childhood. 4. Olive, died in infancy. 5. Mrs. Amy Humphreys. 6. Louis Pearl, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. 7. Pansy, twin sister of Louis Pearl, died in 1906. 8. Roger E., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. Mr. Tuttle married (second) Miss Anna Mason. Their children were : 1. Mary Virginia, attends the University of Tennessee. 2. James Mason, born in 1915, attends the University of Tennessee. 3. Julia. 4. Eugenia. Both live at Biloxi, Mississippi. For many years Mr. Tuttle and his family have maintained a winter residence at Biloxi, Mississippi, where Mr. Tuttle died in 1933. He is buried in Springfield. Throughout his life Mr. Tuttle was a Republican, and for many years served as a member of the Republican Central Committee in Clark County. He was president of the board of trustees of the First Baptist. Church, Springfield. He was a member of Clark Lodge No. 101, F. & A. M. 856 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Louis Pearl Tuttle.—Associated with the firm of W. E. Tuttle & Company, of Springfield, Louis Pearl Tuttle is well known in the business and social life of the city, and is a veteran of the World War. He was born here, January 7, 1891, the son of William E. and Clara (Otstot) Tuttle. A complete sketch of William E. Tuttle, deceased, appears elsewhere in this history. Following his graduation from Springfield High School, Louis Pearl Tuttle became associated with his father's business interests. He served throughout the World War and was in the army for a period of 17 months, participating in three major engagements in France. He also was with the Army of Occupation in Germany, serving in Co. K, 58th Infantry, 4th Division. Since 1921 he has been a partner in the business of W. E. Tuttle & Company, of Springfield. Mr. Tuttle married Miss Verna Belle Lacy, of Wilmington, Ohio, the daughter of Clinton and Rose (Woods) Lacy. The former is deceased and the latter resides at Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have no children. Mr. Tuttle holds membership in the American Legion, George Cultice Post No. 6. Roger E. Tuttle.—Outstanding among Springfield's influential citizens and highly successful business men is Roger E. Tuttle, of W. E. Tuttle & Company, grain dealers. He was born in this city, May 10, 1892, the son of William E. and Clara (Otstot) Tuttle. William E. Tuttle, deceased, was prominent in the business affairs of the city of Springfield for many years. His complete biography appears elsewhere in this history. Roger E. Tuttle is a graduate of the Springfield public schools, and in 1914 received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Denison University, Granville, Ohio. He then went to HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 857 Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, where he was identified with Canadian Explosives, Ltd., for a period of six years. During the last two years of that time Mr. Tuttle was chief chemist. He also spent five months in the service of the United States Army during the World War and was stationed at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. In January, 1921, he returned to Springfield from Canada and at that time became associated with his father's grain interests. It is now carried on by Mr. Tuttle and his brother, Louis Pearl Tuttle, and they are owners of the most extensive grain and elevator business in this section of the state. In 1917 Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. Wallington, of Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. Her parents are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle were born two children : 1. Jack, born in 1919, died as the result of an accident in 1928, buried in Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield. 2. Alice Jean, born July 12, 1921. James Wallington, nationally known radio announcer, is a nephew of Mrs. Tuttle. Mr. Tuttle is a Republican, and is present treasurer of the First Baptist Church. He is affiliated with St. Andrews Lodge No. 619, F. & A. M. Hon. Wilver Thurman Naragon, Sr., who is mayor of Osborn, is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Greene County. He was born at Millers Station, Harrison County, Ohio, in 1871, the son of Irvin and Elizabeth (Barnhouse) Naragon. Irvin Naragon was a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and died in April, 1931, at the age of 94 years. He is buried at New Jefferson. His wife was born in Jefferson County and died in 1921. Mr. Naragon was a farmer throughout his life and lived in the vicinity of Millers Station. He was active in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Stephen Arnold Douglas. He and his wife held membership in the German Reformed Church 858 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO at New Jefferson and he belonged to the Masonic Lodge. There were 12 children in the Naragon family, all of whom are living: 1. Mrs. Anna Arnold, lives at Cadiz Junction, Ohio. 2. Rev. E. E., pastor of the Reformed Church at Kenton, Ohio. 3. Mrs. Ida L. Miller, lives at New Jefferson. 4. W. T., the subject of this sketch. 5. Ellis F., lives at Salem, Ohio. 6. Jesse M., lives at Steubenville. 7. Mrs. Vinnie L. Manbeck, lives at New Rumley, Ohio. 8. Mrs. 011ie B. Hoobler, lives at New Jefferson. 9. Mrs. Zula B. Ferrell, lives at Jewett, Ohio. 10. Mrs. Lena E. Mills, lives at Scio, Ohio. 11. Grover C., lives at Columbus, Ohio. 12. Mrs. Grace Mills, lives at Malvern, Ohio. W. T. Naragon grew up on his father's farm and attended the public schools of Millers Station, Ohio. He taught school in Harrison County for five years and then entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as an accountant. He was stationed at Coshocton for 18 months and was then transferred to Millers Station as agent, in which capacity he served for five years. His next position was as night ticket agent at Steubenville, Ohio, for two years, and then as rate clerk, chief manifest clerk, cash clerk, and finally as chief clerk in the company's offices at Newark, Ohio. Mr. Naragon resigned in 1913 and at that time moved his family to West LaFayette, where he spent three years as a hardware merchant. He then was general manager of the West LaFayette Manufacturing Company for eight years, and when the business was disposed of in 1926, Mr. Naragon located at Osborn, where he conducted a grocery and meat business for three years. He disposed of his interests to E. W. Fulmer of Springfield in June, 1929, and in November of that year was elected mayor of Osborn, being reelected to office without opposition in 1932. In 1897 Mr. Naragon was united in marriage with Miss Eva A. Copeland, of East Springfield, the daughter of Alexander and Anna Eliza (Shoemaker) Copeland. The former died in 1904 and the latter in 1877. They are buried in Leas Cemetery, Salem Township, Jefferson County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Naragon HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 859 were born eight children : 1. Blanche, born in 1898, a graduate of Kent Normal School and Miami Business College, Dayton, Ohio, married Harry Kaericher, and they have a daughter, Shirley Ann. They live at Dayton, Ohio. 2. Earl K., born in 1899, a graduate of West LaFayette High School and Ohio University He enlisted for service in the United States Navy during the World War, being the first to enlist from West Lafayette. He contracted influenza and died in 1924. 3. Paul C., born in 1902, attended Ohio State University, enlisted in the United States Navy in 1923, now stationed with the Hospital Corps, at San Diego, California. 4. Dale D., born in 1903, a graduate of West LaFayette High School, lives at Crystal Lake, Ohio. He married Miss Mary Daugherty, and they have two sons, Donald and Richard. 5. Orlon B., born in 1905, a graduate of West LaFayette High School and Muskingum College. She is a teacher. 6. Gladys, born in 1906, a graduate of West LaFayette High School and Miami Business College, lives at home. 7. Wilver T., Jr., born in 1907, a graduate of West LaFayette High School, married Wilma Hammond. They live at West LaFayette. 8. Lloyd A., born in 1910, a graduate of Osborn High School, lives at home. Mr. Naragon is a Democrat, a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an Elder and Sunday School superintendent, and he is affiliated with Newark Lodge, No. 97, F. & A. M.; Warren Chapter, No. 6, R. A. M.; Newark Council, R. & S. M.; St. Luke's Commandery, No. 34, K. T.; Scioto Consistory, 32nd degree, A. A. S. R., and Aladdin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also eligible to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. Oliver H. Anderson.—A pioneer in the insurance field, Oliver H. Anderson ranks among the best known and most substantial citizens of Springfield, where he has engaged in business for almost half a century. He was born in this city, May 28, 1859, the son of James and Jane (Anderson) Anderson. 860 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO James Anderson was born in Springfield, as was his wife. Both are deceased and are buried in Ferncliff Cemetery. She lived to the age of 92 years. James Anderson was a carpenter and builder and spent his entire life in this city. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a director of the Rover Volunteer Fire Department. There were seven children in the Anderson family, as follows: 1. Mrs. Mary H. Boyd, deceased. 2. Mrs. Elizabeth Flago, deceased. 3. Mrs. Nora King, deceased. 4. Anna, deceased. 5. Mrs. Emma Mecklin, lives at Springfield. 6. Oliver H., the subject of this sketch. 7. Alice, died in infancy. Oliver H. Anderson grew up in Springfield and attended the public schools. He then was employed in the hardware store of Brown & McCord, at 15 East Main Street, and later worked in the hardware store of Philip Wiseman for several years. He next became associated with the Whitely Malleable Iron Company, of Springfield, and remained in their employ until the plant was moved to Muncie, Indiana. Mr. Anderson then became an insurance agent with the J. S. Elliott Company, and after a short time became a partner of Mr. Trout, the firm of Trout & Anderson, insurance writers, continuing for almost 30 years. In 1931 Mr. Barnett purchased the interests of Mr. Trout in the firm and it has since been known as Barnett & Anderson, general insurance and real estate, with offices in the F. & T. Building at Fountain and Main streets. Mr. Anderson has served as president of the Springfield Real Estate Board, president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the Springfield Building & Loan Association, and president of the Springfield Fire Underwriters Association. In 1883 Mr. Anderson married Miss Mary W. Wood, of Springfield, the daughter of Samuel and Margaret (McIntyre) Wood, natives of Clark County. Both are deceased and are buried in Ferncliff Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have a daughter, Norah S. Anderson, born in 1900. She is a graduate of Springfield High School, attended Wittenberg College and Holland Col- HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 861 lege, at Roanoke, Virginia. She spent two years in service as a nurse during the World War, and was located at Walter Reed Hospital, in Washington, D. C. She then traveled in Europe for seven months and at the present time resides with her parents in Springfield. She is a member of the Young Women's Mission, and takes a prominent part in the social and civic life of the community. She has been women's golf champion in Clark County. Mr. Anderson has always been a Republican. He is a prominent member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Kiwanis Club. As a member of Anthony Lodge F. & A. M., No. 455, he is the oldest living Past Master of the lodge, and has held all chairs in Springfield Chapter No. 48, R. A. M. except High Priest. He has also been secretary for 40 years, recorder of the council for 40 years, Past Eminent Commander of Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T., and a member of Antioch Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and Dayton Consistory, 32nd degree, A. A. S. R. His wife is active in the affairs of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Charles L. Netts.—One of the progressive and well known business men of Springfield is Charles L. Netts, of the Netts Floral Company, 1013 Pine Street. He was born in this city, September 12, 1875, the son of George W. and Elizabeth (Wood) Netts. George W. Netts spent his entire life in the city of Springfield and died there August 26, 1933, at the age of 86 years. He is buried in Ferncliff Cemetery. His wife was born at Fort Madison, Iowa, and is deceased. Her father, Charles W. Wood, served throughout the Civil War. Mr. Netts spent 25 years as foreman for Mast-Foos & Company, and was superintendent of Springfield City Hospital during 1906-7-8. He was a member of the board of directors of the Merchants & Mechanics Association from 1892 until 1930, and also was a member of the Springfield 862 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO police and fire commission. He served on the school board in 1880 and was a member of the Springfield city council for 18 years. He also was a member of the Snyder Park Commission. Mr. Netts was a Democrat and belonged to the Masonic Lodge and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. There were seven children in the Netts family: 1. Charles L., the subject of this sketch. 2. Robert, who died October 6, 1932, was a Spanish-American war veteran. He is buried in Springfield. 3. Benjamin L., druggist, lives at Cleveland. 4. Lillian, who died in 1889. 5. Rosa, who died in 1889. 6. James C., lives at Del Rio, Texas, served during the World War with the rank of captain. 7. Stanley G., lives at Bogota, New Jersey, also served during the World War as a captain. Charles L. Netts has always lived at Springfield. He learned the trade of patternmaker after his graduation from Springfield High School, and was thus engaged until 1919, at which time he became interested in the florist business in partnership with his wife. The business had been established by her father, Benjamin F. Howell. Mr. Netts served throughout the Spanish American War as a sergeant in the Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He is a retired captain in Company E, Third Ohio Infantry, National Guard. He also holds membership in the Spanish-American War Veterans, and is past commander of Kiefer Camp. In 1900 Mr. Netts was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Howell, of Springfield, the daughter of Benjamin F. and Eliza (Stewart) Howell. He was born on the Isle of Wight, and died in Springfield in 1912. His wife, a native of Liverpool, England, died in 1912. They are buried in Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield. Mr. Howell was superintendent of the Malleable Foundry, owned by William N. Whitley, for a number of years, and in 1892 located at Muncie, Indiana, when the plant was moved there. Two years later he returned to Springfield and soon after established a florist business in this city. It was continued by his daughter, Carrie, HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 863 following his death in 1912. She died in 1917, and Mr. Netts became a partner in the business in 1918. To Charles L. and Mabel (Howell) Netts were born three children: 1. Benjamin C., born in 1901, attended Wittenberg College. He married Miss Mildred Hoover of Springfield, and they have two daughters, Norma Lee and Jacqueline. 2. Walter S., born in 1904. He married Miss Dorothy Morris of Bellefountaine, and they reside at Springfield. 3. Margaret E., born in 1908, married Clark Ballentine, and they have two children, Donald and Sylvia. All are associated with their parents in the florist business at Springfield. Mr. Netts is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and Fraternal Order of Eagles. J. T. Riley.—One of the leading members of the Warren County bar is J. T. Riley, who is serving as mayor of Franklin. He was born at Dayton, Ohio, October 8, 1900, the son of Cornelius and Dora (Weaver) Riley. Cornelius Riley is a highly esteemed citizen of Franklin, where he resides. He was educated here and in early life was a professional boxer. Later, he was successful as a trainer and was in charge of such well known fighters as Kid McCoy and Carl Morris. He lived at Franklin until 1898 and then moved to Dayton. However, after the flood there in 1913, the Riley family returned to Franklin. Mrs. Riley died December 11, 1912, and is buried at Franklin. Mr. Riley has always been a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Riley were born two children: 1. Norma C., lives at home. 2. J. T., the subject of this sketch. The early education of J. T. Riley was received in the public schools of Dayton and Franklin, and in 1923 he was graduated from the Law School of Notre Dame University. He began his professional career in the legal offices of P. H. Rue, at Franklin. He died in 1924, and since that time Mr. Riley has practiced law 864 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO alone. He was elected as mayor of Franklin in November, 1925, and after one term, resumed his professional work until 1929, when he was again elected to office, and re-elected in 1931 and 1933. On June 20, 1930, Mr. Riley was united in marriage with Miss Pauline Waters, of Miamisburg, Ohio, the daughter of S. E. and Luella (Engelman) Waters, both natives of Miamisburg, where they reside. He is identified with the Peerless Mills. Mrs. Riley is a graduate of Western College for Women at Oxford. Politically, Mr. Riley is a Democrat. He holds membership in the Notre Dame Alumni Association. Mr. Riley is a member of, the Warren County Bar Association. James Richard Clarke.—A distinguished educator and prominent citizen of Ohio is James Richard Clarke, who is serving as State Librarian at Columbus. He has been identified with the public schools of Ohio as superintendent and teacher for forty-one years. Mr. Clarke was born at Covington, Miami County, January 18, 1862, the son of John and Elizabeth (Routledge) Clarke. John Clarke was a native of England, born at Market Harborough. His wife was born at Manchester, England. He was a farm hand and at the age of nineteen years came to this country and settled on a farm near Dayton. He later lived at Piqua. After his marriage in 1861 Mr. Clarke removed to Covington, Miami County, where he purchased a small farm. For six years the family also lived in Ford County, Illinois. At the time of his death, September 3, 1883, Mr. Clarke lived in Covington. His wife died October 15, 1927. Both are buried at Covington. James Richard Clarke grew up on his father's farm near Covington and in 1884 was graduated from Covington High School. As a boy he worked his way through school, on farms, and in stores, until his graduation from high school. His teach- HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 865 ing career follows: Miami County schools, 1883-89; Woodland (Michigan) High School, during 1889-91; Northampton (Ohio), during 1891-97; Lawrenceville (Ohio), during 1897-1903; and Enon (Ohio), during 1903-09. His connection with the State department of Education follows: Examination secretary, during 1909-11; first supervisor of agricultural education, during 1911-15; director of junior contests during 1915-17; district superintendent of schools in Perry township during 1917; supervisor of agricultural education and principal of the high school at Fremont, Ohio, during 1917-27; senior assistant in the Ohio State Library, 1928-32; and State Librarian since 1933. On September 3, 1896, Mr. Clarke was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Ann Goddard, born at Saint Paris, Ohio, the daughter of John and Teressa (Paden) Goddard, natives of Clark County. Mr. Goddard died in 1899 and his wife died in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have no children. They reside at Springfield. Their official address in Columbus is 487 East Webber Road. Politically Mr. Clarke is a Republican. He was reared a Presbyterian, and has the following lodge affiliations: Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias; Masonic Lodge; York Blue Lodge, Scioto Scottish Rite and Aladdin Shrine; Grange and Farm Bureau. Thomas Clarke, uncle of J. R. Clarke, served as a private in Company G. 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. The military career of James R. Clarke includes seven years as a member of the Third Regiment, Ohio National Guard, being a member of Company A, Third Regiment, Ohio National Guard. For four years he held the commission of lieutenant, and was in the service during the Cincinnati riots—a speck of bloody war—horrible! Concerning his career in the educational life of Ohio, Mr. Clarke writes as follows: "My whole career from boyhood through my professional days until now has been filled with work 866 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO —hard work. The retrospect reveals that my intentions were sincere at all times, and my best was always given. All people with whom my contacts have held as their servant have been more than faithful to me. My gratitude to all is continual. Through all these years of service I have never suffered a single loss of a day's work or a dollar in salary. My greatest honor has come when some board of education was led to take a splendid new step for the benefit of the schools. It has been my pleasure and honor to have been employed in several "Firsts" in Ohio. Pike township elected me as the first township superintendent of schools so employed in the state having no high school. The graded course of study now adopted was its first one. I started the first high school at North Hampton, and graduated the first class of two girls on April 22, 1892. In German township it was my honor to have been elected for the first time in a rural school system in Ohio for more than one year at a time, and there I was elected for two and three years. At Lawrenceville, we had the first transportation of high school pupils exclusively in Ohio, and there we had the first woman driver of a school bus in Ohio. The building in which this high school is housed is the oldest rural high school standing in Ohio. Although this school was founded in 1874, it never had a full course of study adopted and carried through to a completion. It was our honor then to have the first graduating class hold its first Commencement on April 11, 1899, with a class of seven, who set the pace for classes in this fine commencement which was applauded and appreciated very greatly by the patrons. After Northampton for six years, then came Lawrenceville for another six years, and on to Enon for the same length of time. More honors came to me at Enon. I was elected for two and three years, consolidated two low grade high schools into one first grade school that the state school commissioner often mentioned as a model high school supported by a model people. We held the first commencement here on May 2, 1905. The program aroused wonderful interest among patrons and a splendid spirit among pupils in both elementary and high school classes. HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 867 From Enon I was elected to the County Fair Board and served several years. It was an eye-opening experience as to the management of a public institution in general. There is no good reason why this old fair should have not gone on forever if honestly managed without any special favors. In all the years covering my experience as a teacher and superintendent of rural schools, it has been my happy privilege to have worked with that sub-district plan of three members of the local board up to the Board of Education elected at large for the township. What a change ! Just a long, good step from the little selfish district unit to the larger field of a township district with supervision and a high school for all. It has been a gracious work for me that in connection with every school—large and small—to have started a school library therein. This community service has been of invaluable aid to me in my work in the State Library; made my aims and labors here come naturally and in good spirit. While serving the above boards of education, the honor of being county school examiner also came to me—largely through their appreciation of my work. I was county school examiner for twelve years. This was a fine part in the educational field of Clark County. My work here undoubtedly had a great influence in my being offered the appointment as examination clerk of School Commissioner-elect, Hon. John W. Zeller. It was really a sad parting for me when I left Enon and Clark County to go to Columbus for this place in the commissioner's cabinet. This occurred in 1909. Eighteen happy years of hard, very hard work were now left behind me to venture into a new one of wider but not more important field of labor. Here in this administration another member and myself were sent into the counties of the so-called poor schools to investigate conditions, reports and the general reputation of these schools. We found questionable management, deplorable conditions, and in many cases the school houses were as poor as they could be. It was my pleasure and duty to take the first official photographs of these buildings, surroundings, and of some pupils and teachers. They 868 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO were amazing to us. These photos were supplemented by many more taken within the next four years in my work as Supervisor of Agricultural Education. These pictures of actual conditions were used quite freely in the newspapers and officially by our governor and the department of education to create sentiment in favor of the radical changes in our school laws in 1913-14. After serving two years as examination clerk and as compiler of the Arbor Day Annual, it was my good luck to be appointed by the incoming school commissioner, Mr. Miller, as the first supervisor of agricultural education in Ohio, if not in the United States. My work as supervisor of agriculture took most of my time in the district of twenty counties assigned me in the hills of Ohio. There are a fine people here but educational aspirations were low in some communities. Then, too, Farmers' Institutes took much of my time; I was busy day and night all these six years in this work. Then came the boys' and girls' corn trips to Washington, Philadelphia and New York. What work that was. It touched every farm in Ohio. It excited the wonder of the cities when they saw our big crowds marching through their streets. These cities honored us by banquets, special favors of all kinds, and by page write-ups in their newspapers. For two years I was state director of these contests and for the six years was one of the "Colonels" in command of my district of twenty counties. I must not forget that Wittenberg College, of my old county, conferred upon me a signal honor about this time, by bestowing the degree of Master of Arts. I shall thank this fine old school all my life for this, aiming always to repay it with a good word and a kindly act. Following my work here in the state capital I was filled with joy at going back to active school room work. Hence went to Perry County as district superintendent of schools for one year, to be followed by eight more years in Fremont, Ohio, as supervisor of agricultural education and principal of the high school. HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 869 Here we had one more "First" honor in creating a "90" Club among high school pupils who averaged ninety or more for a semester or for a whole year's work. It was the first of such clubs organized in any school up to that time, so far as we knew. It had a fine influence and gave great impetus to class work; many honored names are found in this list. My work in agricultural classes took me out among the farmers of Sandusky County. Finer farmers of better spirit are not to be found anywhere. They were and are indeed my personal friends and friends of the school work done in agriculture. But again as ever so, all good days have their ends. So the day came for me again to leave the school room and I came back to Columbus again as assistant librarian, which I filled until this year (1933) when I was appointed state librarian. This has also been a wonderful part of my life supplementing my sincere work in the schools of our state. Few men have had a wider field for service and few have had my experience. It has been my pleasure to serve the state under eight governors and under six superintendents of public instruction. In every case I have received my appointments upon their merits. For all of my opportunities, as a boy needing work and its compensation so badly, as a man and as a public servant, I am humbly most grateful. My experiences have been most happy. Every working day and night have been most pleasant. All awakens my warmest gratitude to and for the people that I have served all over the state so intimately. May these people always be right,—even when leaders are wrong—is my patriotic prayer. It is my pleasure to go about my work with a smile, no matter what wind be blowing. The past is a pleasant dream to me. My profession has been sacred to me, with a full comprehension of its responsibilities. My opportunities have been all any man could wish. I am proud of my state; she has been a producer of good men and women; her schools with her homes have been chief factors in all those productions. Ohio went the limit in her school 870 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO survey of 1909 to 1914. It was one of the outstanding labors of my life to have had the part in it that I did. That poor part of Ohio and Ohio schools lay in the district of the state in which my work as supervisor of agricultural education was done. The details of reports, of investigations, making of photographs and drawings as well as my regular work covering these years was a part of the survey that occupied most pages; it presented the complex and needed school problems to solve that every boy and girl in those counties have equal school privileges with those in Clark and Miami counties. Then many, many hours and nights that we spent with committees from the Legislature during the formative hours in making the laws that were to bring such drastic changes to Ohio schools. But whatever virtues and wholesome progress these changes brought to the state, let us recall that Clark County had all of them before this survey was made. Let us hope that our old county always leads in the education taught in schools, in the spirit of the Great Teacher. May her teachers know their subjects and their pupils. May they always live in the communities in which they teach as brave, thinking leaders. To Miami County, home of my birthplace, to hilly old Perry County patriots, to Sandusky County, with her great men and women friends of mine, and to all other counties in which I have worked, I am proud of your histories—of you all. J. Fuller Trump, of Springfield, Ohio, holds a prominent place in the business and civic life of that community. Mr. Trump is the president of the firm of Trump-Littleton, Inc., insurance counselors, with offices in the Fahien-Tehan Building. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, January 17, 1883, the son of Fuller and Lottie M. (Woodbury) Trump. His father was born at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in 1843, and died in Springfield in 1916. He is buried in Ferncliff Cem- HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 871 etery. His widow, a native of Yellow Springs, Ohio, resides in this city. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, but moved to Ohio in 1852, locating at Yellow Springs, where her father was engaged as one of the contractors in the building of Antioch College. Mr. Trump's father came to Ohio as a young man, first locating at Warren. Later he became associated with the late John W. Bookwalter, managing that gentleman's personal enterprises in Springfield, among which was the building and operation of the James Leffel Company, of which he was general manager. Another of these enterprises was the building and operation of the Grand Opera House (now the Regent Theatre) . He also designed and built the Bookwalter Steel Works, a pioneer experimental development in high carbon steel—this after a personal study of the steel industry in France. In the early 90's Mr. Trump severed his connections with the Bookwalter enterprises and engaged in the organization of the Trump Water Wheel Company, manufacturers and builders of hydraulic turbines used in the development of water power, Trump turbines being so employed in practically every civilized country in the world. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and was a charter member of the old Lagonda Club. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Trump was J. Fuller, the subject of this sketch. Following his leaving the grade schools J. Fuller Trump attended Wittenberg Academy, following this with a special mathematical course at Wittenberg College. Upon leaving school he became associated with his father in the operation and management of the Trump Manufacturing Company. Upon the death of his father in 1916 he served as general manager of the company until 1920, at which time he disposed of the family interests in the manufacturing company and entered into a general insurance agency partnership with Mr. 872 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO H. K. Littleton, which partnership was incorporated in January, 1933. On June 25, 1907, Mr. Trump married Miss Nelle Urmston, a resident of Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of Benton Enyeart Urmston and Martha (Emerick) Urmston. Mrs. Trump's parents died in 1924 and 1929, respectively, and are buried at Hamilton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Trump have no children. Politically Mr. Trump has always been a Democrat, being a member of the Executive Committee of the Clark County Democratic Organization and served as alternate delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1932. Also served as a member of the Springfield City Council from 1909 to 1911. He was one of the founders of the Springfield Civic Theatre, Inc., serving as its president for two terms. He was chairman of the Springfield Boxing Commission for a period of eight years. He is a member of the Springfield Country Club, and an active sportsman and a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Harry P. Thomas, who is associated with the firm of H. P. Thomas & Company, dealers in lumber, coal, and implements, at Jeffersonville, is one of the most substantial business men and representative citizens of Fayette County. He was born at South Charleston, Clark County, January 8, 1869, the son of James and Sarah (Perkins) Thomas. James Thomas was a native of Madison Township, Clark County. He was born in 1816 and died in 1887. Throughout his life he was a farmer and spent his entire career in the same community. He was a Democrat and held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was born in Washington County, Ohio, and died in 1912. They are buried in Kirkwood Cemetery, near London. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born three children: 1. Harry P., the subject of this sketch. 2. Mrs. HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 873 Addie Lilly, widow, lives at Columbus. 3. Mrs. Nettie Morris, lives at Lilly Chapel, Madison County. Harry P. Thomas grew up in Madison Township and attended the district schools of Clark County. He also was a student at Wittenberg College and spent 13 years as a teacher in Madison and Clark counties. He began his business career with the mercantile establishment of Houston & Company at South Charleston, and was identified with that concern for 18 years. In 1914 he became interested in the lumber and coal business at Jeffersonville as a member of the firm of French & Thomas, although he did not sever his relationship with Houston & Company until two years later. From 1916 until 1919 he was proprietor of the Sedalia Grain & Lumber Company, and in 1920 Mr. Thomas purchased the Tarbox Lumber Company at Cedarville, Ohio, which was organized as the Cedarville Lumber Company. It is still one of his numerous business interests. Since 1918 Mr. Thomas has resided at Jeffersonville, and in that year organized a lumber, coal and implement business, having been identified with his son as a partner since 1920. They also have the reputation for being the leading buyers and sellers of wool in West Central Ohio, buying from growers in eight counties, and shipping their wool to the Boston market exclusively. In 1895 Mr. Thomas was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Seifert, of Harmony Township, Clark County, the daughter of Michael and Melcha (Delahunt) Seifert, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Clark County. Mr. Seifert died in 1930 and his wife is also deceased. They are buried in Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born three children : 1. Cela P., born in 1896, a graduate of South Charleston High School, and Western Female College at Oxford. She also attended Boston University. She married Dr. James Harsha, and lives at Washington C. H. They have two daughters, Elizabeth Rose and Laura Ann. 2. Dorothy O., born in 1898, a graduate of South Charleston High School, and attended 874 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Illinois College for Women. She married Ansel V. Wright, who is manager of the Cedarville Lumber Company. They live at Cedarville. 3. Samuel Max, born December 31, 1900, a graduate of South Charleston High School and Tennessee Military Institute. He also is a graduate of Miami Jacobs Business College at Dayton, and since 1920 has been associated with his father's business at Jeffersonville. He married Miss Noami Moore of Muncie, Ind., and they have a son, Melcha Thomas, born in 1930. Mr. Thomas is a Democrat, a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with Fielding Lodge, No. 192, F. & A. M.; London Chapter, R. A. M.; Washington C. H. Council, R. & S. M.; Palestine Commandery No. 33, K. T.; Antioch Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and Scioto Consistory, 32nd degree, A. A. S. R. Willard G. Cale.—Associated with the Springfield Laundry Company, of 562-66 East Columbia Street, Willard G. Cale is recognized as one of the capable and dependable young business men of Springfield, and he is also a veteran of the World War. Mr. Cale was born in Madison County, Indiana, February 11, 1894, the son of H. J. and Anna (Savage) Cale. H. J. Cale is a native of Franklin County, Indiana, and a well known resident of Muncie. He was actively engaged in general farming in Franklin County until 1914 and has since lived at Muncie. Although now 75 years of age, Mr. Cale is still interested in the management of his farm of 1,000 acres. He is a Democrat. His wife was born at Elwood, Indiana. Their children are: 1. Willard G., the subject of this sketch. 2. Howard L., operates one of his father's farms near Dunkirk, Indiana. 3. Mrs. Leonora Taylor, lives at Yorktown, Indiana. Willard G. Cale attended the public schools and spent his boyhood on his father's farms. He is a graduate of Woodward High School, Cincinnati, and in 1917 received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at the University of Cincinnati. He then managed a 600 HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 875 acre farm, which was located thirty miles south of Richmond, Virginia, on the James River. In 1918 he enlisted for service in the United States Army and was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky. On August 3, 1918, he was commissioned a lieutenant of field artillery, and transferred to San Antonio, Texas, where he remained until the time of his discharge in December, 1918. He then farmed in Indiana until September, 1919, at which time he went to Cincinnati with the Fifth-Third Union Trust Company as a clerk in the loan and discount department. In May, 1922, Mr. Cale came to Springfield with the Farmers Mortgage & Finance Company. Shortly afterward he became associated with the Springfield Laundry Company as vice president. He is now secretary-treasurer and general manager of the concern, and is also identified with the Home Service Laundry, Inc., at Lima, Ohio. On August 21, 1921, Mr. Cale was united in marriage with Miss Dorothy Goehner, of Laurel, Indiana, the daughter of August and Sarah Goehner, both natives of Indiana. Mr. Goehner died in 1928 and his widow resides at Springfield. Mrs. Cale is a graduate of Indiana State Normal School, at Terre Haute, Indiana, and also attended Indiana University. She was a teacher before her marriage. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cale : 1. Charles W., born February 12, 1922. 2. Beatrice, born in 1924. Mr. Cale is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Christian Church. They live on a farm of 375 acres in Pretty Prairie, in Champaign County, Ohio. Frank Croll.—Among the responsible and dependable young business men of West Central Ohio is Frank Croll, who is identified with the funeral establishment of Croll & Eaton, at Franklin. He was born there, March 10, 1902, the son of George L. and Catherine A. (Berger) Croll. 876 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO George L. Croll is a widely known dairy farmer of Warren County. He was born at Franklin, and received his early education in the district schools. After his graduation from Franklin High School he completed a course of study at Miami Jacobs Business College, at Dayton. His father, Levi Croll, owned one of the finest dairy farms in the county and was one of the most prominent pioneers of this section. He was president and one of the founders of a bank in Franklin. His son, George L. Croll, is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. His wife is a native of Centerville, Montgomery County. Their children are: 1. Carl, who assists his father in the management of Miami View Dairy Farm, at Franklin. 2. Mary C., owner of Croll Flower Shoppe, at 254 S. Center Street, Franklin. 3. Frank, the subject of this sketch. Frank Croll received his early education at Franklin and in 1920 was graduated from high school. He took short courses at Ohio State University and then attended Miami Jacobs Business College at Dayton. He was identified with the undertaking establishment of C. W. Unglesby at Franklin before entering the Cincinnati College of Embalming, from which he was graduated in 1927. He then was employed for two years in the Mack Johnson Funeral Home in Cincinnati, and in December, 1929, opened the Croll Funeral Home at Franklin. He maintains ambulance service and has an attractive chapel with a seating capacity of 200. In 1933 Mr. Croll's brother-in-law, Robert T. Eaton, became a member of the firm of Croll & Eaton. Mr. Croll is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and vice president of the Southern Ohio District. On November 10, 1927, Mr. Croll was united in marriage with Miss Dorothy Harriet Eaton, of Franklin, the daughter of Charles E. and Elfeleta (Templin) Eaton. Mr. Eaton, who died in 1919, was prominent in the business affairs of Franklin and Warren County. He was born at Cambria City, Ind., and died at Franklin in 1919. In 1905 he established a real estate agency in HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 877 Franklin, which became one of the most successful businesses of its kind between Cincinnati and Dayton, and the slogan "Eaton's Bargains in Real Estate," became familiar throughout the community. He also became a successful insurance writer and represented many well known companies. A branch office was maintained at Middletown, where his son was in charge. Mr. Eaton was a member of the Franklin City Council for 14 years and many movements toward civic advancement were traced directly to his work and influence. He was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Knights of Pythias. Politically he was a Republican and held membership in the Methodist Church. His widow was born at Franklin and still resides there. Their children were: Lillian Irene, Harry U., Bertha, Dorothy, and Robert. Mr. Croll is a Republican and is chairman of the Franklin Welfare Association and the Franklin Chapter American Red Cross. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Sunday School superintendent, and he is affiliated with Franklin Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M.; Order of Red Men; Grange; Rotary Club; and Franklin Business Men's Club. He also belongs to the Franklin Golf Club. Everett C. Dabe, who is superintendent of Jefferson Township schools, is one of the most dependable and best known citizens of Jeffersonville and Fayette County. He was born at Wilmington, Ohio, May 6, 1900, the son of James and Sarah J. (Wheeler) Dabe. James Dabe was a native of Wayne Township, Clinton County. He was a farmer throughout his life and after his retirement resided at Wilmington, where he died in 1918. His wife was also born in Wayne Township and died in 1932. They are buried at New Antioch. Mr. Dabe was a Republican and for a number of years served as a school director in Wayne Township. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dabe: 1. Edward, deceased. 2. Frank, lives on the Dabe homestead. 878 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO 3. Oliver, farmer, lives in Wayne Township. 4. Charles, lives at Sabina. 5. Jesse R., deceased. 6. Mrs. Loretta Waldron, lives in Greene Township. 7. Everett C., the subject of this sketch. 8. Mrs. Alice West, lives at Martinsville. 9. Russell, lives at Wilmington. Two children by a former marriage, 1. John, lives at Melvin, Ohio, and 2. Will, lives at Xenia, Ohio. The boyhood of Everett C. Dabe was spent on his father's farm in Wayne Township, and he is a graduate of Lee's Creek Centralized High School, which is the third oldest school of its kind in the United States and the first in Ohio. He was an honor student at Wilmington College, being a member of the class of 1925, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and he then began his teaching career at Madison Mills in Fayette County. He was principal there during 1925-26 and superintendent during the following three years, and during the summers he also served as field secretary for Wilmington College. In 1929 Mr. Dabe was appointed superintendent of Jefferson Township schools and has since resided at Jeffersonville. He received the degree of Master of Arts in school administration at Columbia University in 1931. In the summer of 1932 he was field secretary for Bliss Business College at Columbus. In June, 1931, Mr. Dabe was married at Columbus to Miss Annetta E. Cook, of Madison Mills, Ohio, the daughter of B. F. and Laura (Terry) Cook. Both were born at Madison Mills, where Mr. Cook is manager of the Madison Mills Grain Company. Mrs. Dabe is a graduate of the nursing school of White Cross Hospital, Columbus, and before her marriage was supervising nurse at the Childrens Hospital in Columbus. Mr. Dabe is affiliated with Bloomingberg Lodge, F. & A. M.; and belongs to Kappa Delta Pi; Sigma Zeta; and Alpha Phi Gamma fraternities. During 1931-32 he was president of the Fayette County Schoolmasters Club. Mr. Dabe is especially interested in social welfare work and has made a complete study of conditions in many of the large HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 879 cities of the United States. He has given numerous lectures concerning this subject, and in the near future will make available to the general public a printed resume of his survey. Frank S. Jackson.—As secretary, treasurer, and general manager of the Jackson Glove Manufacturing Company, at Washington C. H., Frank S. Jackson is numbered among the capable and progressive business men of Fayette County. He was born at Washington Court House, February 19, 1886, the son of George and Ida (Fullerton) Jackson. George Jackson is a native of Pennsylvania born in 1846. His wife was born at Washington C. H. and died there in 1924. As a young man Mr. Jackson came to Ohio with his parents, who settled at Wooster. He is a graduate of Wooster High School and Wooster College, and shortly after his marriage Mr. Jackson located at Washington C. H. He was identified with Simpson Brothers, wholesale grocers, and later with White & Ballard, hardware merchants. He subsequently was interested in the grocery business there, being identified with S. W. Cissna & Company. He also was interested in the wholesale grocery firm of Dahl-Milliken Company, which was later reorganized as the Midland Wholesale Grocery Company. In later life Mr. Jackson became associated with his son, George F. Jackson, in the retail grocery business, and the firm of George Jackson & Son continued until the son's death in 1918. Since that time Mr. Jackson has lived practically retired, although he is still interested in the personal management of his farms in Madison and Fayette counties. He had numerous business interests in this section of Ohio, being president of the Washington Savings Bank from the date of its organization, and an officer of the Inskeep Manufacturing Company, later reorganized as the Indianapolis Glove Company, the Coshocton Glove Company, and the United States Glove Company. At the present time he is president of the Jackson Glove 880 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Manufacturing Company at Washington C. H. Mr. Jackson is a Republican and has served as a member of the city council. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born three children: 1. George F., who died in 1918. 2. Emma B. Jackson, who lives at Washington C. H. 3. Frank S., the subject of this sketch. Following his graduation from Washington C. H. High School, Frank S. Jackson attended Western Reserve University, Cleveland, from which he was graduated in 1908 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then became identified with his father's business interests at Washington C. H. as manager of the Ins-keep Manufacturing Company, which was later merged with the Indianapolis Glove Company. Since March, 1932, in partnership with his father and sister, Mr. Jackson has been sole owner of the Jackson Glove Manufacturing Company. They are manufacturers of work gloves and mittens and ship their products throughout the United States. Approximately 135 people are employed in the plant. Mr. Jackson is also a director of the Morton Show Case Company. The Jackson Glove Manufacturing Company, formerly the Dunn and Petticord Company, was organized in 1885 by R. C. Petticord and J. C. Dunn, being the first plant of its particular type in the United States. In 1908 Mr. Jackson married Miss Ethel Craig, the daughter of Will and Anna (Snyder) Craig. The former is deceased and the latter resides at Washington C. H. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are the parents of two daughters: 1. Helen Louise, born November 17, 1910, a graduate of Washington C. H. High School, attended Western College for Women, and is a graduate of Dennison University with the Bachelor of Arts degree. 2. Judith Ann, born January 7, 1914, a graduate of Washington C. H. High School, attends Western College for Women, class of 1935. Mr. Jackson is a Republican and served as president of the city council. He is now a member of the council. He is a director HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 881 of the Rotary Club, former director of the Y. M. C. A., president of the Washington C. H. Country Club, president of the Fayette County Automobile Club, and has the following lodge affiliations: Washington C. H. Lodge F. & A. M., Chapter, Council, and Commandery; Alladin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; and Scioto Consistory; 32nd degree A. A. S. R. He is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to Sigma Chi fraternity. Robert M. Humphreys.—Prominent among the pioneer families of West Central Ohio is the Humphreys family, of Urbana, who are the founders of one of the leading funeral homes in this section of the State, Humphreys & Son Company, 318 North Main Street. Robert M. Humphreys was born in this city, July 24, 1907, and is recognized as one of the able young business men of the community. He is the son of Robert Earl and Rovilla (Mum-per) Humphreys. Robert Earl Humphreys, who died at Urbana, September 18, 1932, was a native of Clark County. He was born on a farm in the vicinity of Enon, May 11, 1872, the son of George H. and Ida L. (Miller) Humphreys, both of whom were born in the same county. Robert Earl Humphreys was but an infant when his parents moved from the farm to Urbana, and he was reared in that city, being made familiar with the details of his father's business from the days of his boyhood. After his graduation from Urbana High School, he entered Wittenberg College, at Springfield, and after three years of study there he took a course of one year at Cincinnati Business College, at the end of which he became actively connected with his father in the undertaking business, it being the oldest undertaking establishment in Champaign County. George H. Humphreys, founder of the business, was born in Clark County. After four years of active service in the Civil War he moved to Urbana, and in 1872 established a business, at 882 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO that time purchasing the undertaking business of William Scorch, and the following year, the business was reorganized under his own name. It was carried on in the building at the southeast corner of North Main and Church streets from that time until 1917. In the early seventies preservation was accomplished by means of ice, since chemical embalming was then in the experimental state. Later, Mr. Humphreys introduced the new method of chemical embalming in this community. In 1892 George H. Humphreys gave his son, Robert Earl Humphreys, an interest in the business, the firm thereafter being known as George H. Humphreys & Son. This partnership continued until the death of the former in 1916. Following this, the firm name was changed to Humphreys & Son, and owned by R. E. Humphreys. After 44 years in the same building the organization was transferred to the present location in 1917. Sensing the need of the public for a modern funeral home, R. E. Humphreys purchased a residence at 318 North Main Street, and converted it into an up-to-date funeral establishment. In 1929 Robert M. Humphreys, subject of this sketch, was admitted to the firm. It was then incorporated, and assumed the name of Humphreys & Son Company, and since the death of Robert Earl Humphreys in 1932, the subject has assumed full management of the business under the same firm name. Robert Earl Humphreys was a Republican. He was a member of all Masonic bodies, including the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and Consistory, of Dayton, and was a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Antioch Temple, Dayton. He was active in the affairs of all these organizations in which he took a warm interest. On November 24, 1894, Mr. Humphreys was married to Miss Rovilla Edna Mumper, the daughter of John J. and Augusta (Gest) Mumper. To them only one son was born, Robert M., the subject of this sketch. Rovilla Edna (Mumper) Humphreys died September 18, 1921, and with her husband is buried at Urbana. HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 883 George H. Humphreys, grandfather of Robert M. Humphreys, was born November 27, 1842, the son of James and Catherine (Kiefer) Humphreys, substantial farming people of Clark County. James Humphreys was born in Geneva County, Va., September 12, 1791, and his wife, Catherine Kiefer, was born in Washington County, Maryland, March 2, 1804. They were married April 15, 1824, and settled on a farm in Clark County, Ohio, where they established a comfortable home and spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Humphreys lived to the age of 80 years and died April 3, 1883. Their son, George H. Humphreys, father of the subject of this sketch, enlisted for service in the Civil War when 18 years of age. He left his studies at Wittenberg College and enlisted as a member of the Sixteenth Ohio Battery, August 20, 1861. He served with that command until his discharge on August 2, 1865, with the rank of corporal. During his long period of service he was in all skirmishes which were participated in by his command, including some of the most important engagements of the war. He escaped, however, without a serious wound, and upon completion of his military service he returned to the home farm in Clark County. After his marriage in 1868 he continued to live there for a year, at the end of which time he moved to the Robert S. Miller farm. He farmed on a large scale until 1872, as mentioned above, and in that year came to Urbana and engaged in the undertaking business during the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and belonged to the Presbyterian Church and Masonic Lodge. In December, 1868, he married Miss Ida L. Miller, of Enon, Clark County, the daughter of Robert Simpson and Elizabeth (Shellenbarger) Miller, both natives of Clark County and members of pioneer families. Robert S. Miller was a landowner and merchant at Enon, and later lived at Dayton, where he conducted a grocery business for a number of years. He was living retired at Enon at the time of his death. Mr. Miller was a staunch Republican and he and his wife were members of the 884 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Presbyterian Church, but later became affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of three daughters: 1. Ida L. Humphreys. 2. Margaret, married Dr. Alonzo Becker, of Springfield, both deceased. 3. Bethenia, married Edward Kiefer, both deceased. Robert M. Humphreys, subject of this sketch, grew up in the city of Urbana, and is a graduate of the local high school. He then attended the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and upon his return to Urbana, as mentioned earlier in this sketch, he became identified with the business which had been founded so many years ago by his grandfather. He later attended the Cincinnati College of Embalming, at General Hospital, Cincinnati, and was graduated from that institution in 1930. Mr. Humphreys was admitted to the firm in 1929, at which time it was incorporated under the name of Humphreys & Son Company. Upon the death of his father, September 10, 1932, Mr. Humphreys assumed entire management of the business under the same firm name. On March 4, 1933, Mr. Humphreys was united in marriage with Miss Celia Ann Hite, of West Liberty, Ohio, the daughter of John D. and Marietta (Hale) Hite. Mr. Hite was born at West Liberty and died May 10, 1930. His widow also is a native of that place. Mr. Hite attended Ohio Wesleyan University, and spent his entire life at West Liberty, where he was an extensive dealer in livestock and farm lands. He was a Democrat and held membership in the Methodist Church. Celia Ann (Hite) Humphreys was born at West Liberty, and after her graduation from high school she attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She is active in amateur dramatics and takes a prominent part in the "Little Theatre," at Urbana, which has presented numerous plays at Urbana, Columbus, and Delaware. Politically, Mr. Humphreys is a Republican. He is a deacon of the Presbyterian Church, and has the following lodge and HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 885 club affiliations: Harmony Lodge F. & A. M. No. 8; Urbana Chapter No. 34, R. A. M.; Urbana Council No. 59, R. & S. M.; Raper Commandery No. 19, K. T., and Dayton Consistory, 32nd degree, A. A. S. R.; Lions Club; F. O. Eagles; Junior Council O. U. A. M.; Liberty Grange; Phi Gamma Delta fraternity; and Urbana Country Club. He is a director of the Urbana Masonic Club, and secretary of the Red Cross at Urbana. P. A. Boisen.—As superintendent of the Champaign County Children's Home, at Urbana, P. A. Boisen is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the community, where he has a wide acquaintance. He was born in Province of Schesvig, Denmark, in 1864, the son of Hans and Lena (Peterson) Boisen. Both Hans Boisen and his wife were natives of Denmark and spent their entire lives there. They died in 1902. Mr. Boisen was a farmer. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boisen 1. Hjironimos, who died at Urbana in 1919. 2. P. A., the subject of this sketch. P. A. Boisen acquired his education in his native land, and was 17 years of age when he emigrated to the United States. He settled in Union Township, Champaign County, in 1881, and during the following 10 years engaged as a farm hand in that section. He purchased a farm in 1892 and was interested in agriculture until his appointment to his present position in 1916 as superintendent of the Champaign County Children's Home at Urbana. He has also held the offices of school director and township trustee. He is a director of the Home Building and Loan Company. In 1892 Mr. Boisen married Miss Frances Fox, of Urbana, the daughter of Amos and Matilda (Diltz) Fox. Both were natives of Union Township, Champaign County, and died in 1891 and 1893, respectively. Their children were: William, died in 1927; Mary Alice, the widow of George Bell, lives at West Mans- 886 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO field, Ohio; Frances Boisen; Charles, who died in 1920; Margaret, who died in 1895; Griffin E., lives at Urbana; and Julia C., the widow of E. A. Gatten, lives at Toledo, Ohio. Amos Fox, father of Mrs. Boisen, was a farmer in Union Township throughout his life. His father, Absolem Fox, had come to Ohio from Virginia, as did her maternal grandfather, Wesley Diltz. Both became prosperous farmers of Champaign County. Amos Fox served throughout the Civil War and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Boisen have a daughter, Mary Helen, who is the wife of Harold T. Kenton, and they have three children : Harold T., Jr., Priscilla, and Peter John. Politically, Mr. Boisen is a Republican. He is an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Harmony Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M. ; Urbana Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M.; Urbana Council, No. 59, R. & S. M., and Raper Commandery, No. 19, K. T. John P. Lockstead, who is manager of the Marion branch of the City Ice and Fuel Company, is a well known business man of the city. He was born at Grand Rapids, Wis., March 5, 1898, the son of Paul and Anna Lockstead. Paul Lockstead was a native of Milwaukee, Wis., and throughout his active business career conducted a hardware business there. After his retirement in 1918 he lived in Florida. His death occurred in 1922, and his wife, also born in Milwaukee, died in 1911. They are buried there. Mr. Lockstead was a Republican, a member of the Lutheran Church, and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. To Mr. and Mrs. Lockstead were born two children: 1. Mrs. Norma Grant, lives at Saint Louis, Missouri. 2. John P., the subject of this sketch. John P. Lockstead acquired his early education in the public schools of Saint Louis, Missouri, and after his graduation from high school he was associated with his father's business. He went to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1918, as an employe of the Standard HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 887 Electric Company, but shortly afterward enlisted for service in the World War and was sent to Camp Meade, Maryland, where he remained in service for six months. Upon his discharge in December, 1918, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he entered the employ of the City Ice & Fuel Company. In 1926 he was appointed plant manager and three years later was transferred to Marion as manager. Mr. Lockstead was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Jacoby of Cleveland. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Lockstead have been born two daughters : 1. Lillian C., born in 1922. 2. Betty N., born in 1927. Politically Mr. Lockstead is independent. L. L. Roebuck, M. D.—One of the foremost physicians and surgeons of Marion County is Dr. L. L. Roebuck, who has engaged in the practice of his profession at Marion since 1920. He is a member of the staff of Marion City Hospital and is identified with the Marion County Medical Society, Ohio State, and American Medical Association. Doctor Roebuck was born in Fayette County, Ohio, August 12, 1873, the son of J. W. and Martha (Conner) Roebuck. J. W. Roebuck, who died in 1896, was a native of Ohio, and a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Fayette County, received his education in the district schools, and was a graduate of Antioch College. Throughout his life he was interested in farming. He was a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, and Washington C. H. Lodge, F. & A. M. His wife was also born in Fayette County and died in 1882. Their children were: 1. Dr. F. L., physician and surgeon, who died at Ashland in 1932. 2. Joseph, lives at Stockton, California. 3. Elba F., lives at Circleville. 4. L. L., the subject of this sketch. 5. Mrs. Ida Robinson, who died in 1926. 888 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO George Roebuck, great-grandfather of L. L. Roebuck, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He had settled in Ohio in 1809 and purchased land on the present site of Chillicothe at fifty cents per acre. His father, William Roebuck, served throughout the Revolutionary War, and with his family came to Ohio from Virginia in 1779. The early education of L. L. Roebuck was received in the public schools of Washington C. H. He studied medicine at Starling Medical College, Columbus, and received the degree of Doctor of, Medicine in 1894. He then engaged in private practice at Rich-wood, Union County, Ohio, from 1894 until July 1, 1920. He has since maintained a private practice in the city of Marion, with offices at 192 South State Street. While a practicing physician at Richwood Doctor Roebuck served as health officer, president of the Union County Board of Health, member of the city council, school director, village clerk, and township clerk. During the World War he was appointed assistant surgeon in the department of public health by Woodrow Wilson, and served throughout the Eastern States during the influenza epidemic. In 1896 Doctor Roebuck was united in marriage with Miss Maud Collier, of Richwood, Ohio, the daughter of John and Emily H. (Crips) Collier. The former a native of Johnstown, Ohio, died in 1905. His wife died in 1926. She was born in Philadelphia. Doctor and Mrs. Roebuck have three sons: 1. J. H., born in 1897, a graduate of Ohio State University, is manager for the Ingersoll-Rand Company at Ancona, Panama. He married Miss Marie Curry of Richwood. 2. James T., born in 1900, is manager of a department store at Nyack, New York. 3. Louis A., born in 1907, a graduate of Ohio State University, College of Engineering, now identified with the Marion Steam Shovel Company, at Marion. He married Miss Florence Mapes, of Marion, and they have three children: Maryland; Richard and Nancy, twins. Doctor Roebuck is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with Marion Lodge F. & A. M., HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 889 Chapter, Council and Commandery; and Aladdin Temple, Columbus. J. T. Ryan, who is associated with Ryan & Son, funeral directors, of 239 North Main Street, is one of Urbana's most reliable and dependable citizens, where he has engaged in business for 35 years. He was born on a farm in Madison County, Ohio, in 1870, the son of James and Catherine (Shay) Ryan. James Ryan, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. Both he and his wife were natives of Ireland and became substantial and well known citizens of Madison County, Ohio, where Mr. Ryan spent many years as a farmer. About 1882 he removed to Mattoon, Illinois, where he and his wife died. They are buried there. Mr. Ryan was a Democrat and had served as school director of Madison County. He and his wife were members of the Catholic Church. Their children were : 1. Michael, lives at Mattoon, Ill. 2. J. T., the subject of this sketch. 3. James, lives in Illinois. 4. Patrick, farmer, lives in Union Township. 5. Anna, married Henry Conlin, farmer, lives near Mattoon, Illinois. J. T. Ryan grew up on his father's farm in Madison County and attended the rural schools. He went to Illinois with his parents in 1882, but returned to Ohio five years later and at that time established a transfer business at Urbana. In 1899 Mr. Ryan purchased the undertaking business of J. D. Hartney, located at 304 North Main Street, and continued it there until June, 1922, at which time it was moved to 323 North Main Street. Since 1928 the business of Ryan & Son has been located at 239 North Main. Mr. Ryan has been a registered embalmer in the State of Ohio since May, 1899. He has been a member of the board of health at Urbana continuously since 1913. In 1892 Mr. Ryan married Miss Josie Kelly, of Marion, Indiana, the daughter of Frank and Catherine (Culley) Kelly, natives of Ireland. Both are deceased and are buried at Marion. 890 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Josie (Kelly) Ryan died in 1917 and is buried at Urbana. To Mr. and Mrs. Ryan were born the following children : 1. Kathleen C., born in 1894, lives at home. 2. John F., born in 1897, served in the United States Army throughout the World War as a member of the First Division, and was twice gassed. He also served in Germany with the Army of Occupation. He resides at Dayton, Ohio. 3. Francis J., born in 1899, lives at New York City. 4. Mary O., born in 1902, lives at home. 5. Anna T., born in 1905, lives at home. 6. Robert K., born in 1909, a graduate of Urbana University, and the Cincinnati College of Embalming, class of 1932. He is now associated in business in this city with his father as a member of the firm of Ryan & Son. Mr. Ryan has always been a Democrat. He and his family are prominent members of the Catholic Church, and he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Joseph Kenton Cheetham, who is secretary-treasurer of the Urbana Tool & Die Company, is recognized as one of the prominent and progressive business men of Urbana. He was born at Urbana, Ohio, September 24, 1880, the son of James Kenton and Laura Jane (Coulson) Cheetham. James Kenton Cheetham, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born at Urbana, March 5, 1845, and died in this city, January 10, 1926. He is buried in Urbana. His wife, born at Fairfield, Ohio, April 7, 1845, died in August, 1924. James K. Cheetham was the son of Richard H. and Mary H. (McCord) Cheetham. In 1863, in company with his father, James K. Cheetham, established a bakery business in this city. Soon after the son enlisted for service in the Civil War, and saw active duty as a member of the 134th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving with distinction throughout the conflict. He then returned to Urbana and resumed his place in the business. Upon his father's death in 1882, Mr. Cheetham continued the enterprise until 1922, for a HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 891 period of 58 years altogether, and at that time he sold it to J. W. Cruikshank. In 1912 Mr. Cheetham had taken a prominent part in the organization of the Urbana Tool & Die Company, in partnership with his son, Joseph Kenton, and a nephew, Ralph McDonald. The elder Mr. Cheetham was elected president and held that office at the time of his death. He also was vice president for many years of the Home Loan Company, and later served as president of the institution, and a director of the Citizens National Bank, and the National Bank of Urbana. Mr. Cheetham was a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and had served in all positions in the W. A. Brand Post except that of chaplain. He was three times commander of the post and always active in its councils. He was a lineal descendant of the famous Indian fighter and pioneer, Simon Kenton, who lies buried in Oakdale Cemetery, the removal of the body to Urbana from an obscure point north of the city having been an act in which Mr. Cheetham took an active part. Mr. Cheetham's mother, Mary McCord, was a granddaughter of Kenton, her mother having been a daughter of the pioneer. James Kenton was married in 1868 to Laura Jane Coulson, and to them were born two children : 1. Ada L., the widow of Charles F. Downey, of Urbana. 2. Joseph Kenton, the subject of this sketch. The boyhood of Joseph Kenton Cheetham was spent in Urbana and he is a graduate of the public schools. Until 1913 his business interests were centered in the bakery establishment of his father, and in January, 1913, as mentioned above, father and son, in partnership with W. W. Rock and R. C. McDonald, organized the Urbana Tool & Die Company. It was incorporated in 1919, with James Kenton Cheetham as president, R. C. McDonald as vice president and general manager, and Joseph Kenton Cheetham as secretary-treasurer. In January, 1921, Mr. Cheetham was united in marriage with Miss Jeanette Pickering, of Urbana, the daughter of Dr. G. W. and Sarah Jane (Reanicker) Pickering, natives of Virginia and 892 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Ohio, respectively. Doctor Pickering was a leading physician and surgeon of Urbana. He died in June, 1933. His wife was born in Concord Township, Champaign County, and is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cheetham have no children. Mr. Cheetham is a member of the First Methodist Church, and is affiliated with Harmony Lodge, F. & A. M., Urbana Country Club, Springfield Country Club, and Kiwanis Club. Politically, he is a Republican. Robert Paul Jones.—An outstanding citizen of Champaign County is Robert Paul Jones, who holds the office of county auditor, and he is a recognized business leader of Mechanicsburg. He was born at Mechanicsburg, October 7, 1891, the son of C. C. and Sarah (Schooley) Jones. C. C. Jones, who died in 1890, was a native of Mechanicsburg, and spent his entire life there. He was identified with the newspaper business of Hiram Brown, his uncle, who was editor and publisher of the Mechanicsburg News, and in later life Mr. Jones owned that publication. He was a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church and belonged to the Masonic Lodge. His wife, also born at Mechanicsburg, died in 1932. Their only child was Robert Paul, the subject of this sketch. Robert Paul Jones is a graduate of Mechanicsburg High School, Bliss Business College at Columbus, and attended Valparaiso University. He completed a course of study in embalming at Starling Medical College, Columbus, in 1914, and in that year located at Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained until his enlistment in the United States Army in 1916. Mr. Jones served on the Mexican Border and after his discharge from the service he located at Springfield. He again enlisted October 28, 1917, and served at San Antonio, Texas, with the Signal Corps, 88th Aviation Section. His company sailed for overseas duties in January, 1918, and after two and one-half months of training in HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 893 England he served in France, being actively engaged at St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne, with combat squadrons. He was serving at the Verdun section at the signing of the Armistice. Following his discharge, March 25, 1919, Mr. Jones went to Columbus, where he was identified with the E. E. Fisher Company, morticians, for one year. He then went to France with the Graves Registration Service, being engaged in that work for a period of 14 months. Since his return to Mechanicsburg he has been associated in business with Samuel Stults, as a member of the firm of Jones & Stults, funeral directors and furniture dealers. November 1, 1933, the partnership was discontinued and he established the Jones Funeral Home. In 1924 Mr. Jones married Miss Evelyn Pangborn of Mechanicsburg, the daughter of Charles F. and Lydia (Baumgartner) Pangborn, natives of Ohio, and residents of Mechanicsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have a son, Robert Paul, Jr., born at Mechanicsburg, March 5, 1925. Mr. Jones has always been a Democrat and in November, 1930, was elected to the office of auditor of Champaign County. He and his family are members of the Episcopal Church and he belongs to Mechanicsburg Lodge, F. & A. M.; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of the Golden Eagle, and American Legion. He also is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and Auditors Association. W. L. Hunt, who is cashier and director of the First National Bank, of St. Paris, is a citizen of real worth, and has a wide acquaintance throughout Champaign County. He was born at Carysville, Champaign County, Ohio, September 11, 1877, the son of Dr. H. B. and Mary J. (Leedom) Hunt. Dr. H. B. Hunt, deceased, was among the best known and most skilful physicians of Champaign County. He was born on a farm south of the village of Palestine, Shelby County, November 18, 894 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO 1846, the son of Justice T. Hunt, who had come to Ohio from Connecticut during the pioneer days, first locating in Butler County, and later in the Palestine neighborhood in Shelby County, where the Hunt family became well established. H. B. Hunt grew up there, and at an early age became interested in the study of medicine. He entered the Cincinnati Medical College and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1874. In the same year he married Miss Mary J. Leedom, who was born at Palestine, April 19, 1850, the daughter of Dr. J. J. and Mary Jane (Johnson) Leedom, who had come to Ohio from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Doctor Leedom was a successful physician and surgeon of the "old school", and gained an enviable reputation in his profession. Shortly after his marriage, Dr. H. B. Hunt came to Champaign County and established a practice at Carysville, in which village he resided and where he remained until 1892. In that year he moved to St. Paris, and remained in successful practice there until the time of his death, February 9, 1931. His wife died January 8, 1928. Both are buried in the mausoleum at Piqua, Ohio. Doctor Hunt was a Republican and always took a prominent part in local politics. He was a Past Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at St. Paris. Two sons were born to Doctor and Mrs. Hunt: 1. W. L., the subject of this sketch. 2. Dr. V. W., a dentist, at Piqua. Upon completing his early schooling at Carysville, W. L. Hunt was graduated from St. Paris High School. He then spent two years at Ohio State University, and during the following three years was a teacher in the country schools of Champaign County. He began his business career as a clerk in the Continental & Commercial National Bank, of Chicago, and after 18 months returned to St. Paris as a clerk in the First National Bank there. He has since been identified with that institution, first as assistant cashier for ten years, and as cashier since 1914. The First National Bank of St. Paris was organized in 1880 and renewed its charter in 1900. HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 895 On November 28, 1901, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage with Miss Elma Kizer, the daughter of I. P. and Asenath (Cary) Kizer, natives of Champaign County. The former died in 1918 and the latter in 1916. They are buried at St. Paris. Mrs. Hunt is a graduate of St. Paris High School and attended Ohio Wesleyan College. She belongs to the Order of Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have a daughter, Pauline Louise, born at St. Paris, April 3, 1903. She is a graduate of St. Paris High School, spent one year at Ohio Wesleyan College, and is a graduate of the Cleveland Kindergarten College. Before her marriage to Paul T. Klapp she was a teacher for three years in the public schools of Piqua. They reside at Tippacanoe City, Miami County, and Mr. Klapp now holds the office of prosecuting attorney of Miami County. Mr. Hunt is a Republican, and is affiliated with St. Paris Lodge F. & A. M., and Chapter; and Urbana Commandery. L. B. Moore, who is proprietor of the Moore Transfer Company, at 112 South Locust Street, is well and favorably known at Urbana. He was born on a farm near Findlay, Ohio, August 26, 1900, the son of Claude and Bessie (Sonnyfrank) Moore. Claude Moore is a native of Hancock County and his wife was born in Utica County, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and as a young man went to Kansas. After two years he returned to Hancock County and later lived in Canada. He also spent 18 years with the Springfield Traction Company, after which he purchased a farm near Christiansburg, Champaign County, where he and his wife now reside. They are members of the Methodist Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born two sons: 1. L. B., the subject of this sketch. 2. Troy, lives at Urbana. L. B. Moore was educated in the public schools, and as a young man spent seven years in the employ of the Big Four Railway Company. He later was associated with the Victor Rubber Corn- 896 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO pany at Springfield for 18 months, and in 1922 came to Urbana where he established his present business. He specializes in long distance moving and operates seven motor trucks and two trailers. In 1926 Mr. Moore married Miss Dea Mae Ward, of Moorefield, Clark County, the daughter of Charles and Ida (Benedict) Ward, natives of Champaign and Clark counties respectively. They are residents of Moorefield Township, where Mr. Ward is engaged in general farming. There are three children in the Ward family: 1. Dea Mae Moore. 2. Elmo. 3. Ruth. Both live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Methodist Church, and he belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Carter M. Patton.—Among the progressive young lawyers of Marion County is Carter M. Patton, who is engaged in practice at Marion. He was born in Paulding County, Ohio, July 29, 1902, the son of Elias F. and Margaret F. (Carter) Patton. Elias F. Patton is a prominent citizen of Marion, where he is president of E. F. Patton & Sons Company. He was born in Marion County and received his education in the district schools. However, in 1886 he removed to Paulding County and engaged in general farming there until 1913, at which time he returned to Marion. At that time he established a sand and gravel business in the city, with which he is still identified. In 1918 he was the founder of E. F. Patton & Sons Company, dealers in coal and builders' supplies. Mr. Patton is a Republican, and served three terms as justice of the peace in Paulding County, also being a candidate for county treasurer. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a native of Auglaize County, Ohio. Their children are : 1. Vinton, who died in 1894. 2. Orville, who died in 1896. HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 897 3. Mrs. Irene Davis, lives at Akron, Ohio. 4. Mrs. Hazel Smith, lives at Oakwood, Ohio. 5. 0. L., who died in 1909. 6. Leo E. 7. Lyle. Both live at Marion. 8. Carter M., the subject of this sketch. 9. Don E., lives at Marion. 10. Mrs. Eilene Berry, lives at Ashland. Carter M. Patton acquired his early education in the district schools of Paulding County, and continued his education in the public schools of Marion. After his graduation from Marion High School in 1920, he entered Ohio Northern University, from which he received the degree of LL. B. in 1923. He then spent three months in the offices of Judge Frank R. Gussweiler, at Cincinnati, and after his admission to the bar in 1924 Mr. Patton located at Marion as a partner of Frank Weidemann. The firm of Weidemann & Patton was reorganized in 1928 as Weidemann, Patton & Weidemann, with John Weidemann as the new associate. In 1930, however, Frank Weidemann retired from the partnership, which has since been known as Patton & Weidemann, however John Weidemann died October 27, 1933, and Mr. Patton is practicing alone. His office is at 1471/2 West Center Street. Mr. Patton was married July 7, 1932, to Miss Alice Macken, of Marion, the daughter of James Walter and Catherine (Miller) Macken. Until his retirement in 1924 Mr. Macken was a well known clothing merchant of Marion. He is a Democrat, a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church, and belongs to the Elks Lodge. To Mr. and Mrs. Patton one son was born, Gene Mendell, born September 7, 1933. Mr. Patton is a Republican, and served as Marion's first police prosecutor, during the years 1927-28-29. He also held the office of city solicitor from 1930 until 1934, being elected for the second term without opposition. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has the following lodge and club affiliations: Marion Lodge, F. and A. M.; B. P. 0. Elks, No. 32, past exalted ruler; Knights of Pythias; Fraternal Order of Eagles; Sigma Pi Fraternity; Alpha Phi Gamma Fraternity; and Marion 898 - HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO Country Club. He is also a member of the Marion County and Ohio Bar Associations. E. A. Biggert.—Foremost among the prominent citizens of Champaign County is E. A. Biggert, sheriff. He is a native of Franklin County, born at Big Darby Creek in 1864, the son of Thomas and Maria (Bennett) Biggert. Thomas Biggert spent his entire life in Franklin County and was a successful farmer of that section. He was a Democrat and held the offices of school director and township trustee. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Church and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Biggert died in 1923 and his wife, also a native of Franklin County, died in 1927. They are buried at West Jefferson. Their children were : 1. E. A., the subject of this sketch. 2. Mrs. O. H. Dyer, lives at Columbus. 3. Mrs. D. Green, widow, lives at West Jefferson. 4. William, lives at Urbana. John Biggert, great-grandfather of E. A. Biggert, was among the first settlers of Franklin County. He came here from Ireland and located on Big Darby Creek, being buried on the original Biggert homestead there. E. A. Biggert grew up on the family homestead at Big Darby Creek and attended the rural schools of Franklin County. He also spent one year at Valparaiso University, and engaged in general farming until 1898. He has since been a resident of Urbana and has held numerous public offices. He has been chief of police, city safety director, and city councilman, being elected to his present office as sheriff of Champaign County in November, 1930. He was reelected for a second term, and has the distinction of being the first Democrat to hold this particular office in Champaign County during the last 35 years. In 1887 Mr. Biggert married Miss May Kennedy, a native of Iowa, the daughter of David and Eliza (Kernan) Kennedy, na- HISTORY OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO - 899 tives of Pennsylvania. The former died in 1914 and the latter in 1923. Both are buried at Urbana. Mr. Kennedy spent a number of years in Iowa, but later returned to Franklin County. He was a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. To Mr. and Mrs. Biggert were born three children : 1. Don R., born in 1888, lives at Marion, Ohio. He married Miss Myrtle Young, and they have four children, Melba, Donna Rae, Thomas E., Polly Ann. 2. Rexford K., born in 1892, lives at Columbus, and is a veteran of the World War. He married Miss Edith Hubbard of Columbus, and they have a son, Joseph Edgar. 3. Fay, born in 1896, a graduate of Urbana High School and Columbus Business College. She married David Redding, of Columbus, and they have a daughter, Barbara Ann. Mr. Biggert is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Eagles Lodge, and Lions Club. His sons are affiliated with the Masonic lodge. C. N. Trenor.—As proprietor of the Trenor Motor Sales Company, Mr. Trenor has a wide acquaintance throughout Champaign County, and is recognized as one of the dependable business men of Urbana. He was born at Pataskala, Ohio, on July 22, 1905, the son of Frank and Gertrude (McKinney) Trenor. Frank Trenor is a native of Coshocton, Ohio, and his wife was born in Licking County. He was reared on a farm and in early life was a teacher for fifteen years in the public schools of Coshocton, Muskingum, and Licking counties. He then engaged in general farming in Licking County until 1929, and during the following two years engaged in business at Urbana. Since 1931 he has lived at Columbus. Mr. Trenor is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Trenor were born three sons: 1. Charles, a veteran of the World War, lives