PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 525 Sarah, Jerre, Samuel, Joseph, Henry, Caroline, Susanna, Ephraim, Davis, Ezra, Harvey, Ella and William. Sarah is the widow of William Mote and lives in Miami county, Ohio. Jerre married Sarah Penny and lives in Lawrence, Kansas. Samuel married Susan Wolfe and lives in Anderson, Indiana. Joseph and Henry are twins and when children looked so much alike that their parents could not tell them apart. Henry married Matilda Isenbarger and lives in Burthold, North Dakota. Caroline is the wife of Michael Miller and lives in Darke County, Ohio. Susanna is the widow of Levi Miller and lives in Darke county. Ephraim married Minnie Kinsey and lives in Miami county, Ohio. Davis. married Lydia Isenbarger and lives in Miami county. Ezra married Rose Detrick and lives in Anderson, Indiana, where he is a physician. Harvey married Joysa Oldwine and lives at Salem,- Montgomery county, Ohio. Ella is the wife of Willis Stutsman and lives in Canada. William is married and lives in Butler county, Ohio. The eldest one of these children is seventy-two and the youngest is forty-eight. Most of them are farmers. Joseph and Henry Longanecker, the twin sons of Elder Longanecker, both are ministers of the gospel and the astonishing physical resemblance they bear each other is borne out in the similarity of their pulpit methods, their manner of preaching being similar to an extraordinary degree, both exhibiting great earnestness in proclaiming the word of God. They, following in the footsteps of their venerated father, have proved a large influence in the communities in which their ministrations have been so effective. Elder Joseph Longanecker was reared on a farm in Miami county and obtained his education in the common schools. He was employed on his father's farm until he reached his majority, when he started for himself. On August 21, 1869, he married Emeline Albaugh, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, March 1, 1852, the daughter of John and Esenetta Albaugh. To this union five children were born, three of whom are now living, Mrs. Lillie Bredenbaugh, Mrs. Lina Beason and Mrs. Emma Hess. Mrs. Longanecker died September I, 1879, and on September 16, 1880, Joseph Longanecker married, secondly, Maggie Albaugh, a sister of his first wife. To this latter union three children were born, Clarence, who married Mary Richards ; Pheres, who married Emma Wertenbaker, and May, who is the wife of Willis Wondle. Joseph Longanecker joined the church in 1870 and was elected to the ministry on January 20, 1882, advancing to the second degree in January, 1883. On July 26, 1900, he was ordained to the eldership and on Septem- 526 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. ber 20, of that year was chosen as elder of Price's Creek church. He has served as elder of that church since that date. The second Mrs. Longanecker died February 16, 1911, and on May 27, 1914, Elder Longanecker married Mrs. Anna (Sipe) Shank, who was born in Virginia, March 8, 1867, and came with her parents to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1871. She Was educated the common schools and on October 1o, 1886, married Noah Shank, by which marriage she had six children, five of whom are living. Noah Shank died in 1911. Elder Longanecker solemnized Anna Sipe's first marriage and baptized her into the church. Elder Joseph Longanecker is known throughout a large community for his progressive spirit, for his initiative and for capable methods of doing things. As a private citizen, he likewise is honored and respected by all with whom he has come in contact during a long and busy life. JOSEPH LARKIN BROUSE. Success in farming depends upon something more than hard labor. A farmer might toil from dawn to twilight every day of the year and yet faii to accomplish very much. There must be sound judgment and discretion, a knowledge of soil, grain, the best breeds of live stock and, in fact, the rudiments of general business. The man who accomplishes much as a farmer and a manager of an estate in these days should be accorded rank with men who succeeded in any other walk of life since it often requires more ingenuity and courage to succeed as a farmer than it does to succeed in other vocations. Joseph Larkin Brouse, an enterprising farmer of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, has been successful in farming, not only because he has worked for this.success, but, undoubtedly, more because of his careful business methods and ability to manage. Mr; Brouse is a man who received a splendid general training for any vocation to which he might have directed his energies. His success on the farm, therefore, is not surprising. Joseph Larkin Brouse, a farther and stockman, living at the edge of the Eaton corporation line and the proprietor of "Hope Farm," consisting of fifty acres, was born January 3o, 1859, in Dixon township, the son of William and' Catherine' (Norman) Brouse, 'the former a native of Starke county, Ohio, and the latter a native of Rockingham county, Virginia.. William Brouse was the owner of the old McKinley homestead in Canton, Ohio. Both William Brouse and his wife came. to. Preble county some- PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 527 time after their marriage, which occurred in Montgomery county, Ohio • They located in Dixon township and were the parents of nine children, as. follow : Martin N., who was graduated from the National Normal, at Lebanon, Ohio, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and was a teacher ; George H., Pierce, who formerly was a teacher and late a minister of the. Dunkard .church in Virginia, died March 2, 1915 ; J. Larkin, who is the subject of this sketch; L. D., who was graduated from the Glasgow (Kentucky) Normal School with the degree of Bachelor of Science and is a teacher at Sedalia, Ohio; John P. W., who was graduated from the Glasgow Normal School with the degree of Bachelor of. Science and later received the honorary degree of Doctor of Law. Joseph Larkin Brouse was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. He received a certificate to teach school at the age of eighteen and taught for twenty years. Mr. Brouse was graduated from the scientific. course of the Danville (Indiana) Normal and received the degree of Bachelor of Science, later receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the National. Normal Sdhool at Lebanon Ohio. Mr. Brouse. was superintendent of the. public school at Paris, Tennessee, for one year. He took a course in civil engineering at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and served as city engineer of Toledo for two years. Later he was superintendent of the West Alexandria schools for two years and principal of the high school at Frank lin, Ohio. After returning to Preble county, he taught school and farmed. Joseph Larkin Brouse was married in 1889 to Olive M. Marker, to which union two children have been born, Stanley C. and Carl. Stanley C. was, graduated from the high school and in 1915 received a diploma from a veterinary school. Carl is a graduate of the Eaton high school. Mr. Brouse is an extensive breeder of thoroughbred registered Jersey cattle, his herd being headed by "Baron Oakland of Orange," No. 109335. The sire of this famous animal and the granddam were both owned by William Vanderbilt, of New York. City. The mother is now owned by the "Victor Farm," of New York state. Aside from his cattle, Mr. Brouse keeps a high grade of other live stock. He keeps a great many registered Rhode. Island chickens. Joseph Larkin Brouse is secretary and treasurer of the farmers' institute. In politics, he is a Democrat. Although he is interested in political affairs, he has never held .office. Mr. Brouse and family are active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal. church. They are well known in Eaton and Preble county and are highly respected for their many good qualities of .heart and head. 528 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. LEVI T. SHOEMAKER. There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pronounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. By perseverance and a directing spirit which never fails, such men always make their presence felt, while the vigor of their strong personality serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To this .energetic and enterprising class of citizens Levi T. Shoemaker, a farmer living on Rural Route No. 2, out of Camden, Ohio, very properly belongs. Mr. Shoemaker was born in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, February 15, 1878, a son of Abraham and Mary (Kindley) Shoemaker, the former a native of Virginia; born in 1840; and the latter a native of Dixon township, born in 1842. Abraham Shoemaker came to Ohio in an early day, settling in Preble county, and after his marriage located on section 33 of Dixon township. He owned about four hundred acres of land and was one of the most prosperous farmers of the township. Both he and his wife were members of the Friends church and, politically, Mr. Shoemaker was a Prohibitionist, although he sometimes voted the Republican ticket. , He and his wife-were the parents of four children; two of whom are still living. Daniel M. is connected with the bureau of plant industry of the United States department of agriculture, and-is located at Washington, D. C. He was graduated from Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and from Johns Hopkins University with the degree of Doctor of Science. Levi T. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Robert F. is deceased. Martha married Walter A. Scott, a physician at St. John, Michigan, and had one son, Robert S. Mrs. Scott is deceased. Levi T. Shoemaker was reared on a fami in section 33 of Dixon townShip, receiving his early education in the common schools of his home neighborhood; later becoming a student in Earlham College. After leaving Earlham, he took up farming and has become one of the most extensive farmers of Dixon township. He operates three hundred and twenty acres of land, which land is known as "Burr Oak Farm." Mr. Shoemaker himself owns eighty acres, and has an interest in one hundred and sixty acres with his brother and his sister's son. He is an extensive breeder of Angus cattle, his herd being headed by .a good registered animal. He has been a breeder of these cattle for the past twelve years and has met with much success in this line of endeavor. Mr. Shoemaker also specializes-in the raising of soy beans PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 529 and in the production of Soudan grass for seed. He has built a splendid modern residence on the farm where he lives. On August i8, 1897, Levi Shoemaker was married to Susan E. Gillingham, who was born on a part of the George Washington estate, her father having owned two hundred acres of this* estate at. Mount Vernon, Virginia. She was reared there and educated in the schools of that district, later becoming a student in a private school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker are the parents .of three children : Mary E., a student in the Fairhaven high school; Elsie E., a student in the public schools, and Martha A.,. the youngest member of the family, also is a student in the public schools. Mr. Shoemaker and family are members of the Friends church at Westfield, Ohio, and Mr. Shoemaker is one of the elders and also one of the trustees of the meeting at that place. Few men are better known in Preble county than Levi T. Shoemaker, a man who has always been guided by the very strictest principles of justice and fair dealing, and'a man who is honored and respected for these sterling traits of character. ORLA P. KIMMEL. It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by the people who know him. They see him at work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, and observe the operation of his code of morals. They witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are therefore competent to judge of his..merits and demerits. The best testimonial of the character of Orla P. Kimmel is the official position which he holds. Mr. Kimmel is superintendent of the children's home of Preble county, Ohio. Orla P. Kimmel was born in Monroe township, Preble county, Ohio, November 26, 1874, the son of Peter and Elzina (Potterf) Kimmel, the former of whom was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1838, the son of Jacob Kimmel. Peter Kimmel's wife was born in Gasper township, Preble county, Ohio. The maternal great-great-grandfather, Gasper Potterf, laid out Gasper township in this county, which bears his name. The father and mother of Orla Pe Kimmel were married in Preble county. They were farmers, but in 191o, they moved to the village of Eldorado, where they now reside, honorable and respected citizens. They were the parents of ten children, (34) 530 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. eight of whom are living, as follow : William E. is a tailor at Columbus, Ohio ; Della is the wife of C. H. Hart, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Irvin is married and lives in Monroe township, where he is engaged in farming; Mattie is the wife of Clem McKee, and lives in Monroe township; Orla P. is the subject of this sketch; Estey, a Jefferson township farmer, married May Emerick; Elmer L., a 1VIonroe township farmer, married Daisy Fudge, and Minnie is the wife of Tyler L. Fudge, a farmer of Washington township. Orla Kimmel was reared on his father's farm in Monroe township, and attended the district schools of his home township. He was graduated from the common and high schools and attended the normal school at Eaton, Ohio, after which he was a student at the Northern Ohio University, at Ada, later attending Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. He then entered Jacobs Business College at Dayton, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated, after which he was a teacher in Clark's School of Business one summer. He then was engaged as principal of the North school building at Eaton, Ohio, and served in that capacity for eight years. He taught seventeen years in the schools of Preble county, seven years of which service was spent in Monroe township, two years in Washington township and eight years as principal of the North building of the Eaton public schools, and his career as an educator is an eminently satisfactory one. Mr. Kimmel has a life certificate to teach in the state of Ohio. Mr. Kimmel was married in 1901 to Daisy Shuman, a daughter of William and Olivia (Eidson) Shuman, who was reared in Eldorado, Ohio. She was graduated from the high school of that village and for five years was a teacher in the same school. Two children have been born to this union, Josephine, who was born January 14, 1903; and Maxine, born February 17, 1904. Mr. Kimmel is a member of the Masonic fraternity holding membership in Bolivar Lodge No. 82, at Eaton, and is earnestly interested in the work of the lodge. He is a Republican and for years has taken an active part in the councils of his party. He was appointed superintendent of the Preble county children's home by the trustees on February 3, 1911, and took charge of the institution on February 6 of the same year. He has held this position since that date, giving eminent satisfaction to the board of trustees and to the citizens of the county generally. Mr. Kimmel served as president of the Ohio state conference of dependent children, which was held at Columbus, Ohio. He is a pleasant and affable man, genial in disposition, and an honorable and highly esteemed citizen of the county. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 531 AUGUSTUS FOWBLE. The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. Augustus Fowble is one of the best-known and most highly esteemed young farmers of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio. Like his sterling father before him he has been a man of well defined purpose and has never failed to carry to successful completion any work or enterprise to which he has addressed himself. Augustus Fowble, the proprietor of "Maple View Stock Farm," consisting of ninety acres situated one mile southwest of Eaton, Ohio, was born in Harrison township, Preble county, March 3, 1871, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Lock) Fowble. Peter Fowble was born near Baltimore, Maryland, the son of George Fowble, and came with his parents from Maryland to Ohio, the family making their way in wagons, bringing with them all their worldly possessions. .George Fowble located near Sugar Valley and soon afterwards settled on a school section in Preble county, where he spent the remainder of his life. Peter Fowble grew up in that neighborhood and there he married Elizabeth Lock, who was born near Lewisburg, in Harrison township, the daughter of Phillip Lock. This was the third marriage of Mr. Fowble, he and his third wife being the parents of five children, all of whom are living, Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Frazier ; Wesley, who married Rilla Brown; George, who married Flora Pyles ; Mollie, the wife of David Rookstool, and Augustus. Augustus Fowble was reared on a farm in Harrison township and was educated in the public schools, which he attended until he was about seventeen years old. He worked on the farm for his father until he was twenty-one and was married when he was twenty-two. Mr. Fowble married Margaret M. Sheller, April 29, 1893. She is the daughter of Ephraim and Margaret Sheller and was born in Harrison township, in the same neighborhood as her husband. She was educated in the public schools and was a teacher for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Fowble are the parents of two children, Freda B., who was born August 9, 1894, was graduated from the Eaton high school and the Wilks Business College at Dayton, Ohio, and Mary E., who. was born July 30, 1907, is now a student in the public schools. After his marriage, Mr. Fowble rented his father's farm and upon his 532 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO father's death two years later, he purchased eighty-five acres of the old homestead and lived on this farm until 1906, when he purchased his present farm, one of the best farms in Preble county. His house consists of fifteen rooms and a basement. Mr. Fowble is a breeder of registered Duroc hogs, his herd being headed by "Colonel Mayhon." He keeps from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of this stock all the time and sells it for breeding purposes: He also keeps other stock of high grade. Mr. and Mrs. Fowble are members of the United Brethren church at Eaton and Mr. Fowble is one of the trustees of the church. He is a Repub= lican but he has never taken an active part in political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Fowble have engaging personalities which have made them popular in the community in which they Jive. Both are well known -throughout Preble county. JOHN H. POTTERF. The student of Preble county history does not have to carry his investigation far before learning that John H. Potterf has long been one of the most active and prominent leaders in its agricultural and stock-raising interests and that his labors have been a potent force in making Preble county a splendid agricultural region:, He has carried on general farming for many years and has gradually brought the farm upon which he now lives up to its present high state of production. While he has prospered in his private business, he also has found time and opportunity to assist in the material and civic developments of Preble county. John H. Potterf, a successful farmer and the proprietor. of "Beulah-land Farm" of one hundred and two acres, two miles east and three fourths of a mile north of Eaton, Ohio, was born in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, March 26, 1853, the son of John C. and Elizabeth (Wysong) Potterf. John C. Potterf, who also was born in Preble county, was the son of Joseph Potterf, who came to Preble county in an early day. Elizabeth Wysong was the daughter of Joseph Wysong, of Montgomery county, Ohio. After their marriage, John C. Potterf and wife moved to Preble county and lived here the remainder of their lives. He was a successful. farmer and owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he lived, as well as three hundred and twenty acres in Defiance county,' Ohio. He taught school in Preble county and was a merchant in West Alexandria. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Eliza, the widow of Dr. Isaac Kesling; PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 533 Amanda, the wife of George Drayer, of Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio; Elvira, the wife of Samuel Rider, of Eaton; Sarah E., the wife of Jacob Harry, of Dayton, Ohio; and John H. John H. Potterf was reared on a farm in Preble county and was educated in the district schools, which he attended until he was eighteen years old. His father died when he was fifteen months old and after that he made his home with Samuel Rider. On March 27, 1873, Mr. Potterf was married to Isadora Borden, the daughter of George and Rosilla (Cline) Borden, who was reared on a farm in Preble county and educated in the district schools. To this union two children have been born, Daisy and Charles, the latter of whom is deceased. Daisy was born September 15, 1877, was graduated from the common schools and married Noah Wikle, of Washington township. They are the parents of two children, Martha L. and Earl P. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Potterf, they rented land for two years and then purchased a small farm. Their present farm was purchased in September, 1883. Mr. Potterf is a breeder of a high grade of hogs, cattle and horses. The buildings on his farm, which are maintained in a splendid state of repair, have all been erected by Mr. Potterf. Mr. and Mrs. Potterf are active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Potterf is a Republican but he has never been especially active in political affairs, preferring to devote his energies to private rather than to public enterprises. John H. Potterf deserves to rank as a representative citizen of Preble county. OSCAR W. SILVER. Oscar W. Silver is widely known in Preble county, Ohio, and is one of the honored citizens of Dixon township, where he is living a life more or less retired after a strenuous period of activity in farming. Mr. Silver's well-directed effort in, the practical affairs of life, the capable management of his business interests; and his sound judgment have brought to him pros-, perity. His life demonstrates what may be accomplished by a man of energy and ambition, who is not afraid to work, and who has the perseverance to continue his labors in .the face of any disaster or discouragement that may arise. In all the relations of life Mr. Silver has commanded the confidence and respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact. A biograph- 534 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. ical history of this locality, would not be complete without the story of his career. Oscar W. Silver, who owns the northwest quarter of section 25, township 7, north, range 1, east, of Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, was born on the southeast quarter • of section 26,' in the same township, called the old Silver farm, on July 24, 1844, a son of W. B. and Ann (Johnson) Silver. W. B. Silver was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, while his wife was born in Dover county, Delaware, and came to Ohio when young, locating . at Waynesville, Ohio, in which latter place Mr. Silver and Miss Johnson were married. Immediately after their marriage they came to Preble county, Ohio, and located in section 26, of Dixon township. Both of them died in Kansas City, Kansas. W. B. Silver was an extensive landowner and at one time owned eight hundred acres of land. He. was a Republican, and a devout member of the Quaker church. To Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Silver five sons and two daughters were born, six of whom are now living. Horatio Silver is a farmer, living in Wayne county, Indiana. Margaret is the widow of Clarkson Jennings, and lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. Oscar W. is the subject of this sketch. Joseph lives in Kansas City, Kansas. Robert Silver lives in Knightstown, Indiana. Rebecca is the wife of Winfield Freeman, and lives in Kansas City, Kansas. Oscar W. Silver was reared on the farm in section 26, of Dixon township, this county, and received his education in the district schools of his home township. He remained at home until he was paste twenty-four years of age. Mr. Silver was married in 1873 to Helena Button, who was born in Gasper township, receiving her education in the common schools. She is a daughter of George Button. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Silver settled on the quarter section where they now live. They are the parents of two children : Dr. H. Z., of Eaton, Ohio, and William B., who is unmarried and lives at hoine, where he is a farmer. Mr. Silver is a Republican, although he has never been especially active in political affairs and has never held office, preferring to devote himself and his energies to his wife and family. He has a modern home with every possible convenience, built in 1912 at a cost of four thousand dollars. Previously, in 1907, Mr. Silver. had erected on his place, atla cost of three thousand dollars, a bank barn, fifty by seventy feet, and has made many other valuable improvements on the farm, including one hundred rods of ditching for the better drainage of the place. He engages in general farming and devotes considerable attention to the raising of high-grade stock. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 535 The Silver family are highly respected members of society in Preble county and well known in Dixon township, where they have lived for so many years. JOHN E. MILLER. The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the records the verdict of popular opinion regarding his worth as a private citizen and as a neighbor. John E. Miller has led a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well-defined purpose—elements of a true, useful and honorable life. John E. Miller, proprietor of a farm consisting of eighty acres, one and one-half miles southeast of Eaton, on the Franklin road, was born in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, August 7, 1871, and is a son of Charles and Hannah M. (Stanza) Miller. Charles Miller was born near Stubert, in Wurtemburg, Germany, April 1, 1838, a son of Jacob and Mary (Lutz) Miller, who lived and died in Germany. Charles Miller carne to the United States in 18'54, when sixteen years of age, and located at Eaton, Ohio, where he found employment at farm work. Miller was a poor young man at this time, but he later owned a large farm. Charles Miller was married to Hannah M. Stanza, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born six children : Mary C., the wife of Joseph C. Stover, a farmer of Gasper township; William E., living in Kansas City, Missouri ; Hattie A., the wife of C. M. Rader, of Walla Walla, Washington; Charles F., who married Lulu Williams, and lives in Campbellstown, in this county; John E., the immediate subject of this .review, and Elizabeth B., the wife of Clarence McWhinney, who lives in Jackson township in this county. John E. Miller was reared on a farm in Lanier township, where he lived until fourteen years of age, at which time he moved to the farm which he now owns. He received his education in the district schools of Lanier and Gasper townships, and in the winter of 1890-91, he attended a commercial school at Dayton, Ohio. After leaving school he returned to the farm and has since engaged in farming. On September 6, 1893, John E. Miller was married to Maggie G. Gilliam, who was born in Charleston, West Virginia, and was educated in the common schools of that state. She is a daughter of J. E. and Sarah E. 536 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. ( Berkley) Gilliam. The Berkleys were prominent families in their native state. To John E. and Maggie G. (Gilliam) Miller were born four children: Grace B., born January 10, 1897, was graduated from the Eaton high school; Kenneth F., born June 10, 1899, is a student in the Eaton high school, in his. sophomore year ; Gladys I., born September 26, 1900, is a student in the high school at Eaton; Blanche M., horn April 18, 1905, is a student in the fourth grade of the Eaton public schools. Mr. Miller is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and is an ardent adherent of the Democratic party. He is a prosperous. farmer and progressive in all his methods of agriculture. In 1908 he erected a new, modern house of eight rooms, equipped with all the latest conveniences. for an attractive country home. He is a good judge of stock and keeps only the very highest grades. Mr. Miller has long been a leader, not only in his. vocation, but in civic and political movements in the community in which he lives. PORTER P. WEBB. Farming as a vocation is a hard master. It requires the closest kind of application, much hard physical labor and long hours of service. It is said that the farmer's work is never done, but it is also true that man's work is. never done, no matter what his vocation. The hopeful phase of farming is that men like Porter P. Webb, of Eaton, can perform the hard work connected with farming and at the same time retain their keen and active spirit of optimism. Mr. and Mrs. Webb are honorably numbered among the oldest people now living in Preble county. Porter P. Webb was born in Preble county, Ohio, near Camden, March 3, 1828, the son of Jacob and Nancy (Mattox) Webb, natives of New York.. and Virginia, respectively. Jacob and Nancy Webb were the parents of five children, John H., Abraham V., Jeannette, who was the wife of Moore Adams, of Oxford, Ohio; Lucinda, who was the wife of Charles Guild, and Porter P., all of whom, save the latter, are now deceased. Jacob Webb was reared in New York City, where he was a shoemaker. He came to Preble co t county, Ohio, in 1820, and settled on a small tract of land one-half mile from Camden. He afterwards lived in Camden, where he conducted a hotel. He died in Camden, in 1854, at the age of sixty-five. Part of his life he lived in New Jersey. His wife died in 1884 at the advanced age of eighty-four. He was.a soldier fora short time in the War PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. - 537 of 1812, in which he was a captain. He carried a sword in that war which an elder brother, Abraham, had carried in the Revolutionary War. This. sword is now owned and cherished.by Porter P. Webb. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Webb were natives of England and lived for awhile in New York City after coming to this country. They later moved to Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was a soldier, in the War of the Revolution, and both he and his wife lived to advanced ages in Perth. Amboy, New Jersey. Their children were Abigail, Elizabeth and Jacob. The maternal grandparents of Porter P. Webb were natives of Virginia, where. they died. Their family history is lost. Porter P. Webb was born and reared in Preble county, and has lived. here his entire life of eighty-six years. He lived in Camden until about eight years of age and received his schooling there. There is not a person. now living in Camden who lived in that place when Mr. Webb was a child. He began huckstering when a young man and was accustomed to visit over a hundred farms on his regular rounds. There are none of the old residents, now living on these farms who were living at that time. Mr. Webb purchased some land while engaged in the huckstering business, later engaged in farming, mostly in Gasper township, where he still. owns two hundred and forty acres. He lived on this farm until 1899, when he turned over the management of his farm to his sons and moved to Eaton,. where he purchased a nice home, and there he is spending his declining years in the ease and comfort to which his long years of ceaseless toil and activity have entitled him. On November 18, 1864, Mr. Webb was married to Mary Catherine McManus, the daughter of John O. and Catherine (Miley) McManus, and to this union three children were born, Edward E., Olive J., and Charles C. Edward operates the home place in Gasper township. He married Jennie. Huffman, and they have four children, Grace M., Roy R., Eva E., and Stanley Arthur. Olive J. became the wife of James E. Jennings, and has one daughter, Ella Marie. Charles C., the youngest child of Mr. Webb, is unmarried and lives at home with his parents and assists with the work of the home farm. Mrs. Webb was born in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, November 7, 1832. Her father was born in New York state, and her mother. in Butler county, Ohio, and they were pioneers in Preble county. Her father died in 1852 at the age of sixty, and her mother died in 1885, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. She had acquired her second eyesight and could thread a needle and read without the aid of glasses. John C. McMa- 538 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. nus and wife were the parents of eleven children, Abraham L, Sarah Ann, Mary Es., John G., Margaret J., Elizabeth, Samuel M., Mary C., Lavina E., Julia A., and Charles H. Mr. and Mrs. Webb are among the oldest settlers now living in Preble county, he having lived in the county more than eighty-six years, while his wife has been a resident of the county for more than eighty-two. years. Both are intelligent and well preserved, and Mr. Webb heartily enjoys a good story or joke and has a fund of ready wit. He and his wife have a large circle of friends and both are highly esteemed by all who know them. They are industrious and frugal, and by their good management have accumulated a substantial competency. Mr. Webb was a thrifty farmer and" owns one of the best farms in the county. He and his wife belong to the old school of politeness.and hospitality, and their friends are legion. Mr. Webb is a Democrat, although he has generally voted independently of his party affiliations, and has never aspired to public office. RICHARD EDWIN MORROW. After one has been born in a community, and has spent most, if not all, of his life in that community, after he has participated in public affairs and the public has had a fair chance to measure his worth, it is a splendid tribute to be honored by the ever observant public. Richard E. Morrow, a farmer and stock breeder, of Jackson. township, Preble county, Ohio, the proprietor of "Spring Farm," and a former member of the Ohio General Assembly, has risen to a position of large influence, in Preble county. He is wide awake, alert and well informed on all public questions, a man possessed of much native ability and equipped to be a leader of men. Richard E. Morrow was born on the farm where he now lives, consisting of ninety acres, situated on the Dayton & Western Ohio electric traction line, December 6, 1847, the son of Richard and Sarah. (Barr) Morrow. Richard Morrow was born in Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio, . January 29, 1807, the son of Andrew and Rebecca . (Laughlin) Morrow. Andrew Morrow was born in Orange county, North Carolina, in 1767, and was the son of William and Sarah (Reed) Morrow. William Morrow came to America from Edinburgh, Scotland, about the year 175o, together with his brothers, George and Hugh. After a short residence. Pennsylvania, they moved to North Carolina, .one brother a little later settling in South Carolina. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 539 After coming to America, William Morrow married Sarah E. Reed, a native of Dublin, Ireland. He was killed in the Revolutionary War. Andrew Morrow, with his wife and family, emigrated to Ohio and located in Jackson township, Preble county, March 25, 1807. He entered a section of land in the woods, and was widely known and a prominent citizen of the community during his life. Andrew Morrow was a devout Quaker, and was opposed to slavery and left the south for Ohio for this reason. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity, John, William, Andrew, Richard, Hannah, Rebecca, Rachel and Nancy. Richard Morrow grew up on a farm in Jackson township, this county, and attended the schools of his clay in a log school house. He was extremely active in neighborhood affairs and at one time owned two hundred and sixty acres. In early life he was a member of the Whig party, later a "Freesoiler," and finally a Republican. He also was a Quaker. On February 2, 1832, he married Sarah Barr, who was the daughter of Alexander and Mary (McElheney) Barr. Alexander Barr was a native of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish. stock, and a devoted Presbyterian, as also was his wife. He came to America about the year 1800, and a little later married Mary McElheney, a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. After a short residence in Dauphin county, they moved. to Indiana county,. Pennsylvania, and about the year 1815 came to Ohio. Sarah Barr was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, November 27, 181o, and came to Ohio from Pennsylvania with her parents when a child of five years. Richard Morrow and his wife were the parents of nine children, five of whom grew to maturity, Sarah J., who is unmarried and lives at Richmond, Indiana; D. R., who married Helen Boyle; James M., who is married and lives in Jackson township; Richard Edwin., the subject of this sketch ; H. C., who married Frances Catterson, upon whose death he married Belle (Potter) Harris, of Austin, Texas, in which city he is a practicing physician. Sarah J. was graduated from a medical college in Chicago and is a practicing physician in Indiana. D. B. Morrow is a practicing physician at Dallas, Texas. Richard E. Morrow was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He was graduated from the scientific and classical courses of the National Normal University with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts, in 1871 and 1872. Mr. Morrow was graduated in the same class with President H. B. Brown, of the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso. Mr. Morrow taught school for six years and served as superintendent of schools at Clinton, Illinois. Later he read law, and still later he began farming. 540 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. On August 25, 1880, Richard E. Morrow was united in marriage with Martha Joan Adams, daughter of Thomas B. Adams, and a graduate of the Brookville (Indiana) College. She was reared in Brookville, Indiana, until eighteen years of age and was graduated from Brookville College, after which she moved to Shelbyville, Indiana, where. she was married. Five children have been born to this union, D. A., Edwina, Richard, B., Mary and Ruth. D. A. was graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and is employed in the department of commerce at Washington, D. C. Edwina was graduated from the Jackson township high school, and after teaching a few years, took a position with the American Book Company. Richard B. took the agricultural course at Ohio State University and is a farmer with his father. Mary was graduated from Eariham College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and is the principal of English in the schools at Bedford, Indiana. Ruth was graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Cincinnati, Ohio, and has charge of music in the schools at Lonoke, Arkansas. Mr. Morrow is a past master of the Whitewater Valley. Grange, and is a Republican, having served one term in the lower House of the Ohio Legislature, in 1898-99. Mr. Morrow was a member of the Preble county Republican central committee for sixteen years and has always been active in the affairs of this party in Preble county. Much of the time he has been a member of the county executive committee. Mr. Morrow also was chairman of the school board in Jackson township four years and served nine years as a justice of the peace. At present Mr. Morrow is independent in his political views. Mr. Morrow was foreman of the jury which tried the celebrated National Cash Register case. PROF. EDWIN H. YOUNG. Few men realize the sacrifices which educators make in behalf of the communities which they. serve. Few realize the preparation necessary for educational work, the long, hard struggle for scholastic training and the outlay in time and money necessary to obtain this training. Yet the educational profession is one of the most poorly paid of all and the accumulation of a competence is extremely difficult so long as one follows this profession. The teacher's work is, however, a work of love, in this respect comparing with that of the ministry. Educational leaders not only merit the profound PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 541 respect of the community, but are to.be admired for the sacrifices they endure because of their love for their work and their interest in the communities they serve. One of these unselfish and capable educational, leaders of Preble county is Prof. Edwin H. Young, a teacher in the public, schools at New Paris, Prof. Edwin H. Young was born in Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, August 31, 1876, the son of Cyrus N. and Mary (McMahon) Young. Cyrus N. Young was .born in Preble county, Ohio, a son of James H., and Mary (Brown) Young. James H. Young was born in 1806 in . Rockingham county, Virginia, and came to Preble coUnty, Ohio, about 1825, settling in Jefferson township. He and his wife were married in Virginia. After their arrival in Preble county they bought eighty acres of land in section twenty-two, and this:land is still held by the Young family. James H. Young was a loyal and faithful member of the Presbyterian church. James H. Young and wife were the parents of four children, Margaret, who was unmarried and died in 1896; Caroline, who died in 1909.; Mary, who died at the age of eighteen, and Cyrus N., the father of Prof. Edwin H. Cyrus N. Young was born in Preble county, May 3, 1838, and grew to manhood in Jefferson township. He attended the public schools of the township and received a splendid education. He served one hundred days. in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. On November 17, 1874, Mr. Young married Mary McMahon, who was the daughter of Thomas and Mary McMahon, of Irish descent. Five children were born to this union, four of whom are living, Edwin H., the subject of this sketch; Ada R, born October 6, 1878, who is the wife of Oliver Spencer, of Bethel, Indiana; Leonard, who is a graduate of the New Paris high school and is a fawner on the old home place in Jefferson township; and Mary, 'who is the wife of Amos Black, of Richmond, Indiana. Prof. Edwin H. Young was reared on a farm 'in Jefferson township and was educated in the district schools. He was, graduated from the New Paris high school and attended the medical department of the University of Cincinnati. Professor Young alsoo—has taken normal courses at Earlham College and Miami University. He taught two years before attending normal school and has taught six years since that time. He is serving 'his fifth year as teacher in the .public schools at New Paris. Professor Young was married, November 18, 1902, to Alice M. Osborn, the daughter of David H. and Martha (Newell) Osborn, who was born in Dayton, Ohio. Her father was a soldier in the Civil War and died in 1897, his wife dying ,in 1903. During.a part of their lives they were resi- 542 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. dents of Paris, Illinois. To Prof. Edwin H. and Alice M. (Osborn) Young has been born one son, Donald Q., born December 24, 1906. Professor Young and wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder. Professor Young is a member of Fellowship Lodge No. 106, Free and Accepted Masons; Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons; Matchett Council No. 91, Royal and Select Masters, of Greenville, Ohio, and Richmond Commandery No. 8, Knights Templar. He is secretary of the local Masonic lodge and also a past master. He also holds membership in Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor of that lodge. He is a Republican and is now a member of the town council. For several years he has been a member of the Jefferson township public library board, of which he is secretary. FeW people are better known in Jefferson township than Professor and Mrs. Young and they enjoy the esteem of all the people of the township. ROBERT STEELE. Fealty to facts in the analysis of the character of a citizen of the type of Robert Steele, one of the best known and most popular farmers of Israel township, Preble county, Ohio, is all that is required to make a good biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true worth of a county or state revered and respected. In the broad light which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical sketch stand revealed and secure. Though possessed of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, Mr. Steele's career has been signally honorable, and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon life's work, for it shows that the man who persists along right lines of endeavor eventually will accomplish what he sets out to do. Robert Steele was born in Israel township, Preble county, March 23, 1852, a son of Samuel and Martha (Hays) Steele, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1814, the son of Joseph and Jeannette (Taylor) Steele, and the latter of whom was a native of Preble county, born in 1815. In the year 1818, when Samuel Steele was four years of age, his parents  PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 543 came from North Carolina to Preble county, Ohio, and here Samuel grew to manhood. In the fall of 1830 Joseph Steele moved from Preble county, Ohio, to Clinton county, Indiana, his son, Samuel, accompanying him. For seven years Samuel remained with his father in his Indiana home, after which he returned to Preble county, and rented a farm in Israel township. In 1840 he married Martha Hays, and seven years after his marriage bought the farm which he had so long rented, and there he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in the year 1897. His wife had preceded him to the grave many years, her death having occurred in 1879. To Samuel and Martha (Hays) Steele were born ten children, whose names are set out in the biographical sketch of Joseph C. Steel, brother of Robert Steele, presented elsewhere in this volume, where it will be noted that the brothers spell the family name differently, Joseph omitting the final e. Robert Steele received his education in the excellent district schools of Israel township and spent his life as a farmer, becoming known in his neighborhood as one of the most progressive agriculturists and stock-raisers in the county. On April 19, 1893, he was united in marriage with Emma Irwin, a daughter of J. B. and Emeline (VanDyke) Irwin, the former of whom was born in Oxford, Ohio, and the latter in Butler county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin were married in Preble county, and to them four children were born, only two of whom are still living, Mrs. Steele and William Irwin, who lives in Butler county. The first child of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, Mary E., married Dr. S. R. Lyons, of Richmond, Indiana, to whom she bore two daughters, Flora and Harriet. Mrs. Lyons died in 1887. Harriet, the thirol child and second (laughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, died in 1884. J. B. Irwin died February 12, 1896, and his widow is living at College Corners, Ohio. To Robert and Emma (Irwin) Steele four children have been born, all of whom are living : May C., born February 29, 1896, is attending school at Fair Haven; 'Harry K., born August 18, 1898, also is attending school at Fair Haven; Martha, born December 19, 1899, and Georgia, born December 5, 1901, all of whom are at school. These lively, happy youngsters continually make glad the hearts of their parents, and the social activities of the Steele home, on account of the presence of the young people, to which is added the influence of the well-known hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Steele, make this home one of the most attractive gathering places for the youth of that neighborhood. Mr. Steele owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-five and one-half acres, known as "the Old Homestead," in Israel township, which he 544 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. has brought to a high state of cultivation. In addition to his. regular farming, he makes a specialty of the breeding of high-grade, full-blooded Poland China hogs, from which annually he takes considerable profit. Both he and Mrs. Steele are earnest members of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven and take. an active interest in all the good works of the community, their lives having been, so ordered as to project their wholesome influence into all movements having to do with the advancement of, the best interests of the community, in whose social and moral life they have proved themselves such prime factors. THEODORE W. MITCHELL. There are few farmers in Washington township, Preble county, who have in the same period accomplished more in farming than Theodore W. Mitchell, who lives on Rural Route No. 3, out of Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Mitchell, by patient industrY, pers6Terance and economy, has acquired' 'a substantial traat of land in Washington township,' and is an enterprising. and progressive farmer. Theodore W. Mitchell was born in Washington township, near New .Hope, July 25, 1857. He is a son of William L. and Catherine (Hunsaker) Mitchell, the former a native of Preble county, Ohio, the son of Nathan and Jane (Carr) Mitchell, natives of Maryland; who came to Ohio and located near Camden. They came down the river on a raft, and after locating near Camden remained in that vicinity the rest of their lives. William L. Mitchell, the father of TheOdore W., grew to manhood in Preble county, Ohio, and married Catherine Hunsaker, the daughter of Jacob and Mary Hunsaker, the latter of whom was reared by a sister who lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. William L. Mitchell and wife were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living: William C., who lives at Hamilton, Ohio; Laura, the wife Of I. C. Price, of Dayton, Ohio; Theodore W.; the third child in order of birth, is the immediate subject of this sketch; Charles M., of Elwood, Indiana; Frank A., a farmer of Washington township in this county, and Ella B., the wife of J. D. Beard, of Dayton, Ohio. Theodore Mitchell was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in' the district schools of his home. township. Early in life he ,chose agriculture for his life work and is now. the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres two and one-half miles west of PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 545 Eaton: He is not now actively engaged in farming, but gives personal supervision to his farm work. On November 13, 1881, Mr. Mitchell was married to Hernandez Swain, the daughter of John L. and Sarah (Hapner) Swain. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Washington township, this county, September 9, 1858, and received her education in the common schools of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have no children. Mr. Mitchell is identified with the Republican party, but he has never taken an active part in the affairs of that party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 30, of Eaton, Ohio. Mrs. Mitchell is an active member of the Christian church. The Mitchells are well known in Washington township and are popular and influential in the community where they reside. DAVID E. HOOVER. It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches in this work the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort.has been made in each case to throw well-focused light on the individuality and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each respective career. Each man who strives to fulfill his .part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this character to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments, of which generic history is ever engendered. David E. Hoover, a Prosperous farmer living on Rural Route No. 1, out of Eldorado, Ohio, was born in Monroe township, Preble county, Ohio, June 20, 1865, the only son of David and Malinda (Fudge) Hoover, both of whom also were natives of Preble county, the birth of David Hoover having occurred in Washington township, while his wife was born in Monroe township, this county, on June 3, 1847, the daughter of George Fudge and wife. David Hoover, Sr., spent his entire life in Preble county, his death occurring here in January, 1865. David E. Hoover never knew a father's care or guidance, his father (35) 546 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. having died six months before he was born, and when an infant he was taken in charge by his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Fudge, with whom he lived until his marriage. He was reared to the life of a farmer, attending the district schools of his home neighborhood during the winter seasons, and worked on the farm during the summers. In this way he thoroughly learned the principles of farming and early in life decided to make this vocation his life work. He is now the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land in sections 32 and 33, of Monroe township, on which he carries on a general system of farming and stock raising with more than ordinary success. On February 27, 1888, David E. Hoover was married to Mrs. Laura M. (Young) Fudge, who was born in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, April 27, 1863, a daughter of Levi and Huldah (Barnhart) Young. Her father died in 1886, while her mother is still living. Mrs. Hoover's first husband was Joseph Fudge, to whom she was married in 1880, and to which union two sons were born, Clarence E., born March 1, 1881,. who married Ethel Coee, and lives at Frankfort, Indiana; Harry M., born January 15, 1884, who married Mary Cox, and is a resident of Eaton, Ohio. Joseph Fudge died January 6, 1886. David E. Hoover and wife are the parents of one daughter, Ethel M., born June 4, 1897, who is at home. Mr. Hoover is an adherent of the Democratic party, but owing to his extensive agricultural interests has not given much attention to political affairs, although he is interested in any movement having for its object the betterment of his community. He is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143,. Knights of Pythias, and takes an active interest in the welfare of that fraternal organization. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are highly respected citizens of their community and popular among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. HIRAM JOHNSON. Among the farmers of Preble county, Ohio, who believe in following-twentieth-century methods is Hiram Johnson, of Gratis township. He comes. of a splendid family of early settlers in this and other parts of the country,. one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the: community. Such people are always welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders, and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization: ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 547 the far stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields. It is to such men, of both the past and the present, that Preble county owes its prosperity. The men who wrought there in the past laid the foundations of the great community which has since sprung up, a community which the men of the present are developing and improving, until it stands second to none: in the entire broad country. Hiram Johnson was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, August 12, 1842, a son of Jacob and Eliza (Snively) Johnson. Jacob Johnson was born in Frederick county, Maryland, and his wife also was born in that state. They were married in Maryland and came west at an early date, settling in Winchester, Preble county, Ohio, where they remained for a short time. They then moved to a farm east of Winchester, in what is now Gratis township, where they followed farming for the remainder of their lives. Eight children were born to them, as follow : Alfred, deceased; Hiram, the subject of this sketch; Aaron, deceased; Levi, deceased; David, who lives in Montgomery; and three children who died in their early youth. Hiram Johnson spent his early life on the farm with his parents, and on May 31, 1865, married Mary Lavanda Baer, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January 24, 1848. To them was born one daughter, Lillie Pauline, the date of whose birth was July 16, 1867. She married George Swisher, October 29, 1887, and to them three children, two of whom are living, were born, Ada Victoria, born October 18, 1888; Paul J., born May 5, 1900, who died January 14, 1902, and Alice Kathleen. Ada V. married Thomas Bratton, and one daughter, Agnes Naomi, was born to them, August 13, 1906. Mr. Bratton is the son of Milligan and Anna (Cooney) Bratton, both of whom were born in Preble county, and are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bratton live on the Johnson farm and Mr. Bratton has charge of its operation. Hiram Johnson owns one hundred and six acres of excellent farm land, one-half mile east of Gratis, and makes his home on the farm. He has improved the. land during his ownership of it and has developed it into one of the finest farms in his vicinity. He has spent all his life, with the exception of six years, in Gratis township. For three years he lived in Germantown, and for a like period in Lanier township., Preble county. He has now retired from active work on his farm and is enjoying the fruits of his former labors. Politically, Mr. Johnson has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his community, but has never considered himself affiliated with any given political party, it having always been his custom to vote for a man, 548 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. rather than for the party which he represented. That his views regarding the affairs of his community have been considered of value by his neighbors is witnessed by the fact that he has served his township as road: supervisor for fourteen years, .and that for two..years he also was a school director. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the ,Progressive Brethren ,church and take an active part in all the .work of that church. In all phases of life's activities Mr. Johnson has been enterprising and progressive, winning the praise and commendation of all who know ..him because of his energy, . indomitable spirit and the success which .he has attained. JOHN C. STOVER. The development of Preble county, Ohio, has now reached the stage that practically calls for the retirement of the pioneers who have borne the brunt of the hardships and have conquered the wilderness for all time. Many of those hardy early settlers have passed beyond to receive the ultimate reward for the good services they rendered while fulfilling their destinies on earth. The burdens of their responsibilities have been shifted to the shoulders of the sons and grandsons, who are most ably filling the places left vacant by the retirement or death of their fathers. The present generation of Preble county's citizens is "making good" in every sense of the term, profiting in a great measure by the teaching and experience of their fathers and receiving the additional benefits of the scientific knowledge now obtainable for the promotion of all important pursuits. It is from these descendants of the pioneers who founded and developed this county, and the success which is now attending them, that much of the interest of a history of the county is gained. John C. Stover was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, December 31, 1853, a son of Jacob F. and Catherine M. (Chrisman) Stover. Jacob F. Stover, the subject's father, was a son of Daniel Stover, a native of Virginia, who settled in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, in 1826. Daniel Stover's wife was Susannah Funk, who died in Lanier township in 1870. Mrs. Catherine M. (Chrisman) Stover, the subject's mother, was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio; March 17, 1829, a daughter of John and Susan (Hall) Chrisman. On February 20, 182o, John Chrisman married Mrs. Susan Hall, the widow of Richard D. Hall, who emigrated PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 549 from Newmarket, Maryland, in 1809, the year of his marriage. Mrs. Chris-man's maiden name was Fishborn. She was born in Frederick county Maryland, February 8, 1791, and, when very young, went with her parents to Baltimore, Maryland. She later became a resident of Newmarket, Maryland, and from that place came with her first husband to Preble county, Ohio, and settled on the farm where she was living when John Chrisman married her. She continued to live on that farm until the time of her death, which occurred June 10, 1877. John Chrisman was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, September 13, 1797, a son of Daniel and Mary (Ozias) Chrisman, who also were natives of Guilford county, Daniel Chrisman having been born there in 1775, a son of Jacob Chrisman, who was born in Pennsylvania. Daniel Chris-man emigrated from North Carolina in 1803 and came to Warren county, Ohio, with his son and his wife's parents. The little party was six weeks in making- the journey, and finally settled near Springborough, Warren county, Ohio, where Grandfather Jacob Chrisman spent the remainder of his life, having died there in August, 1805. Daniel Chrisman moved to Preble county, Ohio, with his family and settled in Gratis township, but spent the latter part of his life with his youngest son, Daniel, in Washington township, where he died on February 12, 1861. His wife died on March 2, 1851. Both Jacob and Daniel Chrisman were members of the Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. John Chrisman were born two daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine. Elizabeth married Henry Riner, and to them were born three children, Charles W., Susie and John C. Catherine married Jacob F. Stover, and to them was born one son, John C. Stover, the subject of this sketch. John Chrisman was a member of the German Baptist, or Dunkard, church. John C. Stover received a common-school education, and, after having completed' his studies, followed in the footsteps of his father in the calling of agriculture, having settled on the old homestead of one hundred and seventy acres, which has been in the family since 1809. On October 11, 1883, he married Naomi E. Henkel, a daughter of Dr. G. C. and Catherine (Martin) Henkel. Doctor Henkel was born in Germantown, Montgomery .county, Ohio, a son of. Rev. Andrew Henkel, who organized the Lutheran church in the territov.y which includes Toledo and Cincinnati, Ohio. Rev. Andrew Henkle was a clergyman of great prominence. Dr. G. C. Henkle died in 1912. To Mr. and Mrs. John C. Stover -three children have been born, as fol-