PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 575 by remarkable wisdom and strong individuality. His success and achievements but represent the results of utilizing his natural talents and in directing his efforts along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. Charles D. Fadler was born, April 6, 1876, on the farm where he now lives, the son of John and Mary E. (Saures) Fadler, to, whom six children were born. Only three of these children are now living, William, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona ; Mrs. Dora E. Michael, of Washington township, and Charles D., the subject of this sketch. John Fadler, the father of Charles D., was born in June, 1828, in Germany, and left there in 1847, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as a laborer for a few years. Subsequently, he went to Wisconsin. In the meantime he learned the shoemaker's trade and worked at this for a few years and then came to West Alexandria, Ohio. There he did various kinds of work and later engaged in farming with his father-in-law, until he purchased a farm near Eaton, Ohio. In 1870 he removed to Lanier township and purchased eighty acres in section 15. He made some extensive improvements upon this land and farmed it until his death in 1900. His wife, who was the mother of Charles D., was born in 1838 in Butler county, Ohio, and died in 1907. She was the daughter of George and Mary Ann (Kesling) Saures. Both parents of Mr. Fadler were highly respected and esteemed citizens in the various communities in which they lived. Charles D. Fadler was reared on the farm where he now lives and attended the district schools of Lanier township and, subsequently, the high school at West Alexandria, for one year. In 1897 he purchased from his father eighty-three acres of land in Gasper township and farmed this until his father's death. Upon his father's death, Charles D. Fadler sold out and removed to the old home place, which he bought in 1901. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, five acres of which is natural timber. It is a splendid farm and Mr. Fadler is an excellent, up-to-date, enterprising farmer. Since removing to and purchasing the old home place, Mr. Fadler has remodeled his house and has made it thoroughly modern and up-to-date. This home is a credit to any farmer and Mr. Fadler naturally is proud of it, as he has every right to be. In 1897 Charles D. Fadler was married to Ida Flory, wh6 was born in 1878, in Gasper township, the daughter of Henry and Louise (Wagner) Flory. The Flory family were natives of Preble county and the Wagners 576 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO: came from Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Fadler, two children, ' Paul and Ruth, have been born, both of whom are at home. Mr. Fadler has been prominent in the educational circles of his township and has served as a member of the school board for many years. MARION A. EARHART To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is honored and respected from childhood deserves more than mere mention. One may take his place in public life through:some vigorous stroke of public policy,. and even retain the affection of his friends and neighbors, but gradually to rise to the same position through sterling, worth and faithfulness to trust rather than by craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy the highest praise and commendation. Thus has Marion A. Earhart, a farmer living on, Route No. 9, out of Eaton, Ohio, risen in the world. Marion A. Earhart was born near Somerville, Butler county, Ohio, May 27, 1853, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Halk) Earhart, the former of whom was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1832, and died in March, 1904, and the latter of whom was born in the same county in 1834. Samuel Earhart and wife were the parents of two children, Marion A. and Lewis C., the latter of whom is a farmer of Dixon township. Marion A. Earhart came to Preble county, Ohio, at the age of fifteen. He had attended school in his home county of Butler before coming heref and continued his education in the district schools of Preble county. He remained at home until his, marriage in 1888, at which time he began farming for himself. On May 23, 1888, Mr. Earhart was married to Susan A. Hagan, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of William and Sedelia (Wells) Hagan. Mr. Earhart became acquainted with her while on a visit to Missouri. To this union two sons have been born, Albert M. and Ivan H. Albert M., a farmer in Dixon township, was born August 1, 1889. He married Florence Moore and is the father of one daughter, Mary, who is now about two years old. Ivan H., born August 23, 1891, was graduated from the common schools and also from the high school, and is now a student in the Ohio State University. Mr. Earhart is a descendant of one of the oldest and most honored families of Dixon township. Throughout his life he has been a successful farmer, PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 577 and besides raising all the crops common to this section of the state has been very, successful in the raising of good live stock for the markets. He is the owner of two hundred and twenty-three acres of good farming land in Dixon township, and is one of the substantial farmers of his section of the county. Mr. Earhart is an adherent of the Republican party, and has served as trustee of his township, and also served two years as township treasurer, and was clerk of his township for thirteen years. Thus it is evident that Mr. Earhart exercises an important influence politically in the community in, which he resides: He and his family are members of the Concord Christian church, in which Mr. Earhart is one of the deacons. He is a liberal supporter of this church and keenly interested 'in its work and welfare. CHARLES LONGSTREET YOUNG. To attain the rank of a worthy citizen by a life that is always honored and respected, even from childhood, deserves more than mere mention. Young men do not find it easy to resist the temptations of youth and establish a reputation in the minds and hearts of their associates that will remain unstained at all times. Yet there is a sufficient incentive for young men to guard well their associations and that incentive is the reputation of a pure and noble manhood which the young man may have always before him as his ideal. The example of a worthy father is of great assistance to the son, and one of the comparatively young farmers of Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, who had the advantage of a worthy example on the part of his father, is Charles Longstreet Young, who was born October 10, 1876, in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio. Mr. Young is the son of Daniel and Martha E. (Longstreet) Young, to whom two children were born, the younger one dying in infancy. Daniel Young was born March 2, 1846, in Lanier township, Preble county. He farmed throughout his life and owned the farm upon which his son now lives until his death in 1912. His wife, who before her marriage was Martha E. Longstreet, was born August 27, 1848, and died August 26, 1911. Both Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Young. were devoted members of the Christian church and left, besides the competence which they had acquired, the heritage of a Christian life to their only living child, Charles Longstreet. Charles Longstreet Young was reared on the farm near West Alexan- (37) 578 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. dria, and, after finishing his education in the public schools of West. Alexandria, he attended Heidelburg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, where he took a general classical course. In 1904 he went to Dayton, Ohio, and was employed there as an electric motorman for seven years. He then took a business. course at Jacobs' Business College at Dayton, Ohio, and subsequently did contracting, excavating and team work. Eighteen niOnths later; however, he came back to Preble county, where he, for a time, owned a farm on the Eaton and West Alexandria pike. Not long ago, however, Mr. Young became the heir to one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 21, in Lanier township, and removed to this farm on January 28, 1915. As a farmer he is an extensive breeder of Poland China hogs and Red-Polled cattle, and is enjoying a remarkable success in this business. Charles L. Young was married in 1900 to Fay Dewitt, who was born May 7, 1873, in Butler county, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob and Mahla (Freeman) Dewitt. Mr. Freefhan, the father of Mrs. Jacob Dewitt, was one of the largest owners of farm- real,e86fe-and- one of the largest stockmen in Butler county, Ohio. He employed from fifteen to twenty men the year around. Mrs. Young was graduated frOixi the Gratis, Ohio, schools and taught school for two terms. To Charles L. and Fay (Dewitt) Young one child, Nellie L., was born, in 1901. Politically, Mr. Young is a stanch Republican and has been active in the councils of his party, although he has never held office. He and his wife. attend the Reformed church. Fraternally, Mr. Young is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Dayton, Ohio. IRA FUDGE. In the history of Preble county, Ira Fudge, a prominent farmer and stockman of Lanier township, has occupied a conspicuous place for many years. He is not only a representative farmer, but his present standing has, been attained by progressive, enterprising and persevering habits of mind. Such qualities always win success and they have brought Mr. Fudge a satisfactory rewarc for his efforts. Mr. Fudge has long been an influential factor in the educational, civic and financial life of the community which has been favored by his residence. Ira Fudge was born on January 31, 1851, in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of Franklin and Susannah (Markey) Fudge, to whom PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 579 eight children were born. Franklin Fudge was born, December 15, 1826, in section 34, of Lanier township, Preble county. Throughout his life he was a hard-working man and enjoyed the good will of all of his neighbors. At the time of his death he owned several farms, which have been divided among his children. He died in February) 1897, and his wife, who was Susannah Markey, was born on August 5, 1830, and died, October 30, 1906. She was born in Frederick county, Maryland, and came to Preble county, Ohio, with her parents when seven years old. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Fudge were married on September 2, 1849. She was a devout member of the Dunkard church during her entire life. Ira Fudge was the eldest child born to his parents. Because of the exceptionally hard labor on the farm and the need of help, Ira Fudge never was able to obtain an extensive education, but what he did obtain, he supplemented by home study and has become a well-informed farmer and citizen. Mr. Fudge inherited altogether one hundred and eighteen acres of land, but he now owns• more than twice this amount, in all two hundred and sixty-eight acres, fifty acres of which are covered with natural timber. Ira Fudge is one of the large stockholders of the Twin Valley Bank, of West Alexandria, and is also a stockholder in the telephone company and in the Page Fence Company, of Menenses, Pennsylvania. Ira Fudge was married on March 31, 1875, to Eliza K. Clark, who was born on October 26, 18.53, in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Jesse F. and Nancy (Halteman) Clark. Jesse F. Clark was reared on a farm and was the proprietor of a grocery store for a short time at Dayton, Ohio. Later in life he engaged in farming near Dayton. He was born at Dayton, Ohio, and his wife was a native of Pennsylvania. Both of Mrs. Fudge's parents are deceased. To Ira and Ella K. (Clark) Fudge four children have been born, as follow : Mrs. Edna Brubaker, who is the wife of. Doctor Brubaker, of. Covington, Ohio; Mrs. Ada N. Kimmel, of Gratis, Ohio; one who died in infancy; and Jesse, who is directing the operations of the home farm. Ira Fudge is an ardent Democrat and has been active in the councils of his party` in Preble county. In 1887 he was the Democratic candidate for county commissioner but was defeated. He served as township trustee of Lanier township for two terms, and in this office made a 'commendable record, giving complete satisfaction to his constituents, the people of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Fudge and family are members of the Brethren church and have always been among the stanch supporters of this denomination. 580 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO CASPER GRIEM. Among the earnest residents of Preble county, Ohio, whose enterprise and strength of character have gained for them a prominent place in the community life of Lanier township, as well as the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, is Casper Griem, a prominent farmer and stockman. Mr. Griem is well known in Lanier township, where he resides, and is a man of decided opinions and laudable ambitions. His influence ever has been exerted for the advancement of his vocation and he now ranks among the representative farmers of Preble county. Casper Griem, farmer and stockman, was born on August 8, 1863, in Germany, a son of John and Dorothy (Fauldorf) Griem, to whom ten children were born, eight of whom are still living. John Griem was born in Germany, about 1838, and remained in his native land during his entire life, where he followed the vocation of a farmer. His death occurred in 1906. His wife, who was Dorothy Fauldorf, was born in 1833 in Germany, and died in 1888. Casper Griem left his native land in 1882, and, after an uneventful voyage across the Atlantic, arrived in this country, coming at once to Preble county and locating at West Alexandria. For some time he worked at farm labor in the vicinity of West Alexandria, but later he removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, and worked as a farm hand in that county. He then rented land for a period of five years in Montgomery county, but in 1898 he returned to Preble county and purchased eighty acres of unimproved land in Lanier township. Mr. Griem, however, was not discouraged by the strenuous task that confronted him and out of the profits in operating this farm he has since been able to build a substantial brick house, as well as a large and commodious barn and other outbuildings. He has been a hard-working and industrious farmer and is a loyal, naturalized citizen of this great country. Casper Griem, by his earnest efforts and untiring industry, has done what many of our native born citizens have failed to do. He has, during his comparatively brief residence in this country, accumulated a competence for old age, and in so doing has won the distinction which belongs to a man who is willing to forsake the ties which bind him to his native land and take up the burdens of life in a new country. Mr. Griem is a prominent stockholder in the Twin Valley Bank, of West Alexandria, Ohio. Casper Griem was married, in 1892, a few years after his arrival in this country, to Margaret Myers, a native of Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, born in 18'62, a daughter of John and Katherine (Ahler) Myers, both PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 581 natives of Germany. Mrs. Griem's parents were early settlers of Preble county. Mr. and Mrs. Griem are the parents of one daughter, Ruth, who is living at home with her parents. Although Mr. Griem votes the Democratic ticket, he has never taken an exceptional interest in politics, but has devoted his time and his energies to his own personal business affairs. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church and contribute liberally of their means to this denomination. DANIEL E. LESH. Among the men of sterling worth and strength of character, who have made an impression on the life of the locality in which they live, no one has achieved a larger degree of popular respect than Daniel E. Lesh. His lifelong residence in this one locality has given the people an opportunity to know him in every phase of his character. That he has been true to life in its every phase is manifest by the esteem and regard in which he is held by all those who know him. He has won success by his own honest endeavor and indomitable energy and has placed himself in the front ranks of the farmers of his community by exercising these excellent qualities. Mr. Lesh has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life and has achieved marked success in agricultural affairs. He has won for himself a name that all .men who know him delight to honor. Daniel E.. Lesh, a prominent farmer and stockman of Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, was born on February 28, 1855, in Lanier township. He is the son of John and Julia Ann (Furry) Lesh, the former of whom was born on September 4, 1818, on the farm which Daniel E. Lesh now owns, andthe latter born, August 20, 1819, in Gratis township. John Lesh died on December 29, 1887, and his wife died, December 3, 1890. To the union of John and Julia Ann (Furry) Lesh, six children were born, Mrs. Elizabeth Young, born on August 12, 1850, who lives at South Bend, Indiana; Mrs. Katherine Brubaker, born on July 8, 1853; Daniel E., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Maria Wherly, born on February 9, 1857, and died in 1901; Mrs. Julia A. Driskel, born on October 18, 1858, and Mrs. Mary E. Driskel, born on July 16, 1862. The two latter sisters married brothers and are now living under one roof in Warren county, Ohio, where they are farmers. John Lesh's marriage to Julia Ann Furry was his second marriage, he 582 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. previously having married Catherine Miller, who died in 1845, at the age of twenty-nine years. She left Mr. Lesh two children, Jacob, who lives in Wisconsin, and Mrs. Nancy W. Young, who is deceased. John Lesh was the son of Jacob and Mary (Landis). Lesh, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Virginia. Jacob Lesh entered the farm now owned by Daniel Lesh and received a patent for it from the government. This farm is located in section 18 of Lanier township and has been in the Lesh family for one hundred years. Jacob Lesh was born in 1786 in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. The Lesh family has a written family history, comprising six hundred names. They are descended from Balthaser and Susannah Phillipina Loesch, Palatines, who were driven by religious persecution from Gersheim, near Worms, Germany. Balthaser Loesch died at sea on the way to America, but his family came on and settled first in Berks county, Pennsylvania. The three children were Johann Adam, Wilhelm and Johann George. Daniel E. Lesh received his schooling in district No. 7 in Lanier township. Mr. Lesh purchased his present farm from the estate of his grandfather, Jacob Lesh, which comprises one hundred and sixty-four acres. Mr. Lesh has remodeled many of the buildings and made many other substantial" improvements. He has built a two-story brick house, which cost in the neighborhood of seventeen hundred dollars and erected a barn, forty-four by sixty-four feet, at a cost of approximately twelve hundred dollars. Mr. Lesh now owns two hundred and twenty-five acres of land. He rents it to his son, Enos, who lives on the home farm. Both father and son are progressive and use only the very latest farm implements, including a gasoline tractor plow, one of the very few in this part of Ohio. This indicates the Progressive and enterprising spirit of the Lesh family and explains to some extent their unusual success in farming. Daniel E. Lesh has been married twice. He was first married, January 15, 1880, to Lavina E. Young, who was born in Gasper township, Preble county, Ohio, November 17, 1858, and died on June 20, 1883, leaving one son, Ora A., who was born on June 7, 1883, and died on August 3, 1901; Mr. Lesh was married, secondly, on January 21, 1886, to Eliza A. Baker, who was born on March 30, 1862, the daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Cloyd) Baker, both natives of Ohio. Jacob Baker, a life-long farmer, died August 29, 1874, in Montgomery county. He was a son of John and Mary (Warner) Baker. Nancy (Cloyd) Baker was a sister of William S. Cloyd, PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 583 whose sketch, presented elsewhere in this volume, gives her ancestry. She died on July 20, 1869. Mrs. Lesh is one of six children born to her parents. Phares, who died at the age of twenty-five; Harvey C., born on February 18, 1856, lives in Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Hannah Jordan, of Montgomery county, Ohio; Eliza, the wife of Mr. Lesh; Mrs. Sophia Brubaker, of Gasper township, and Levi, who lives in Oklahoma. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Lesh, three children have been born, one who died in infancy; Enos, born on February 11, 1887, who is at home, and Anna C., wife of Edwin Donlinger, born on September 14, 1891, and who lives in Lanier township. Mr. and Mrs. Lesh also reared a child taken from the Cincinnati orphans' home. Her name was Oman and in 1912 she married Frank Glander. She and her husband are the parents of two children, Earl and Richard. The Lesh family are all devout members of the Dunkard church and interested in the affairs of this denomination. JACOB B. UNGER One of the best known and most enterprising of the younger farmers of Preble county, Ohio, is Jacob B. Unger, now in the very prime of life and usefulness. His influence as an honorable, upright citizen has been a potent force in the community where he lives, and with the people with whom he comes into contact. His past success is assurance of something yet to come. He is evidently destined to continue as a potent factor for substantial good for many years to come. Mr. Unger is the owner of splendid farming lands in Preble county, which he operates as one who has kept fully abreast with modern methods of agriculture. He is a man possessed of sound business principles, and who, while he has advanced his own personal interests, has not neglected his general duties as a citizen. Jacob B. Unger, farmer and stockman, of Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, was born on February I, 1871, at New Lexington, Ohio, a son of Herman and Sophia (Pundt) Unger. Herman Unger, the father of Jacob B., was born in 1834 in Germany, coming to this country with his parents, John Henry and Gaesha (Walters) Unger, in 1852. His father died at Cincinnati soon after their arrival. The rest of the family came to Preble county the next year. Herman Unger has lived in Preble county 584 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. ever since on a farm in Twin township. His first wife was Sophia Pundt, a native of Brunswick, Germany, born in 1832, a daughter of John Henry and Rebecca Pundt. She grew up in Germany and came here in 1857, when twenty-five years old. Six children were born to Mr. Unger and his first wife, as follow : Mrs. Kate Voge, of Twin township; Mrs. Margaret Peterman died in 1913; John H., of Twin township; Edward, of West Alexandria; Jacob B., of Twin township; Mrs. Mary Martin, of Montgomery county. The mother of these children died in 1898. A year or two later Herman Unger retired and moved to West Alexandria, and in 1906 married Wilhelmina Heine, who was born at Cincinnati, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Heine. She was married in Cincinnati, in 1884, to Charles Mueller, and moved to West Alexandria in June, 1903. Mr. Mueller died there in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Unger now live in West Alexandria. Jacob B. Unger was educated in the public schools of New Lexington, Ohio, and when he had reached his majority he rented land from his father. In 1897 he moved to his present farm in section 12, of Twin township, and rented from his father--in-law, Mr. Steinmeyer. After the death of Mr. Steinmeyer, in 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Unger inherited two hundred and twenty-six acres of land, which, in addition to his own holdings, makes him the owner of three hundred and thirteen acres of highly productive and fertile land in Preble county. Mr. Unger has one of the best-improved and most up-to-date farms in Twin township, upon which is situated a large, modern brick house and a stock barn, eighty by seventy-six feet in dimensions. Mr. Unger is an extensive breeder of Percheron horses, and has made many exhibits at different fairs. He now owns a string of trotting horses that breed back to the best blood of the trotting stock for speed. Jacob B. Unger was married, in 1897, to Sarah C. Steinmeyer, who was born in this county in 1875, and to this union four children have been born, Stanley, Herman, Naomia and Paul, all of whom are at home with their parents. Mrs. Unger's father and mother were Herman and Christina (Sauer) Steinmeyer, the father a native of this county and among the early citizens of the county. The mother was a native of Butler county. Herman Steinmeyer was born on November 27, 1847, on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Unger now reside. He was a son of Frederick and Caroline ( Schreel) Steinmeyer. Frederick Steinmeyer was born in Prussia in 1802, grew up there, and, in 1839, with his wife and her parents, and others, came to America. After a short time they located in the northeast part of Twin township, this county, and there Frederick Steinmeyer spent the rest of his life, as a cooper and farmer. Herman Steinmeyer spent his PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 585 entire life there. He was a self-made man and a very successful farmer and stock raiser. He also was engaged in saw-milling and tile making. He died on December 29, 1912. He was an elder in the Lutheran church, and a school director for many years. His wife was Christina Sauer, a native of Butler county, Ohio, a daughter of William and Sarah (Potterf ) Sauer. Her father came from Germany with his parents to Butler county, and to Preble county in 1846. Mrs. Steinmeyer now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Unger. Jacob B. Unger is a man who, because of his activity as a stock breeder and as a successful, enterprising farmer, should be rated as one of the most progressive citizens of Preble county. He is a man who is well known in agricultural circles, who is broad-minded, public-spirited, and possessed with native powers of leadership. Mr. Unger is a Democrat, but has never been active in politics, preferring rather to devote his time to his private and business interests. Mr. Unger and family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and active in the work of both the church and the Sunday school. LEONIDAS DISHER. Leonidas Disher has attained pronounced prestige in Preble county by reason of native and acquired ability, and also because of his prominence in educational affairs and his high standing in the domain of private citizenship. He takes a deep and abiding interest in everything pertaining to the material advancement of the town and township where he lives, and every enterprise which tends to promote the progress of Preble county is certain to receive his hearty support. Mr. Disher, who is a retired farmer, and who formerly was a school teacher, is rated as one of the progressive citizens of Harrison township, and the high respect in which he is held by all classes of people is a deserved, compliment to an intelligent, broad-minded and most worthy man. Leonidas Disher was born on December 12, 1852, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio. He is a son of Matthias and Jane (Ozias) Disher, who were the parents of four children : Mrs. Mary A. Bunger, a resident of Lewisburg, Ohio ; Mrs. Susan Fritz, of Twin township ; Mrs. Martha Reichard, deceased, and Leonidas, with whom this narrative deals. Matthias Disher was both in Virginia, January 1, 1818. He came to Preble county, Ohio, with his parents when fifteen years of age, and was 386 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. reared on the farm. He was known to the patriots of Preble county as Captain Disher, he having formed a company at the outbreak of the Civil War. This was Company H, and became a part of the Ninety-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Captain Disher was the head of this company until 1863, when he resigned on account of ill health. He died at Lewisburg, Ohio, in 1891. Captain Disher's grandfather was a soldier with the Colonial troops, probably from Maryland, in the storming of Quebec, where he lost an arm. He afterward located in Virginia near the head of the James River, where Captain Disher spent his early youth. Matthias Disher was married three times, his last wife being Elizabeth Zircle. She was born in Virginia, where he father was a slave holder until 1862, in which year his death occurred. Elizabeth (Zircle) Disher died in 1898. Matthias Disher was the son of Christian and Frances (Zircle) Disher, who were natives of Virginia. Christian Disher was a. soldier in the War of 1812, and served as a lieutenant. He came to Preble county, Ohio, in 1833, and was engaged in farming until his death. Matthias Disher's second wife, who was Jane Ozias, was born in 1825 in Twin township, in this county, and died in 1853. She was a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Christman) Ozias, natives of North Carolina, who came to Preble county in 1805, and engaged in farming. Leonidas Disher was reared on the farm and attended the district schools, and was a student at the normal schools at Lebanon and Medina, Ohio. He then started to teaching school, and followed this profession for about twenty years along with farming. During this period he served as superintendent of schools at West Alexandria, Arcanum and Lewisburg. In 1898 Mr. Disher was appointed as a member of the county board of examiners, and held this position for three years. In 1903 he engaged in the grain business at Decatur, Indiana; but three years later sold out and returned to Lewisburg, Ohio, where he has since lived, looking after his various business interests. Mr. Disher has rebuilt his residence, which is located on the main thoroughfare of Lewisburg, securing a handsome and striking effect in modern stucco. Mr. Disher is a heavy stockholder in the Lewisburg bank, and the stone-crushing plant at Lewisburg. He also owns one hundred and two acres of well-improved land in section 1 of Twin township. Leonidas Disher was married in 1892 .to Ohio Gray, who was born in 1863 in Lewisburg, Ohio, a daughter of Dr. William and Mary (Shoup) Gray, the former born on May 13, 18o8, in Randolph county, North Carolina. William Gray came to Preble county, Ohio, _in 1835, and settled at PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 587 West Alexandria, where he began the study. of medicine under Dr. L. Weaver, and later attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which institution he was graduated. In 1840, he went to Ithaca, and practiced his profession there until 1842, when he removed to West Alexandria. He remained in the active practice there two years, at the end of which time he went to Lewisburg, Ohio. He was actively engaged in the practice of his profession for fifty-one years, being, at the time of his. death in 1891, the oldest practitioner in Preble county. In 185.5 he was married to Mary. Shoup, who was born in 18'31, in Dayton, Ohio, and died in Lewisburg, in 1900. To Mr. and Mrs. Leonidas Disher.two children have been born, Russell C., who died at the age of four months, and a daughter, Leon Gray, who is attending the high school at Lewisburg. For many years Mr. Disher has been actively identified with the councils of the Republican party, and in 1888 was the nominee of his party for treasurer of Preble county, but was defeated with the remainder of the ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Disher are active and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Disher is on the official. board of his church. Fraternally, Mr. Disher is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. If Mr. Disher's success in life is to he judged by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens, it must be admitted that his success is sur passed by few residents of Preble county. JOHN D. GILBERT. To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural section of Preble county is clue to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence and the unswerving perseverance and wise economy which so prominently characterizes the farming element of the Buckeye state. Among this sturdy class of farmers may be mentioned John D. Gilbert, who, by reason of his years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well-merited material competence, but who also has richly earned and won the high esteem of all with whom he has been associated. John D. Gilbert, a prominent farmer and stockman of Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, was born on December 11, 1859, a son of William and Julia (Clark) Gilbert, and is one of four children born to his parents, the others being Ida, Anna and May, all of whom are deceased. William Gilbert was born in 1826, near Westminster, Maryland. He 588 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. left Maryland when he was twenty-eight years of age and settled in Preble county, Ohio, where for about six months he worked as a farm laborer near West Alexandria. Subsequently he moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, and, in 1865, he returned to Preble county and purchased land near Enterprise, in Lanier township. There he farmed until 1900, when he retired from the active life of the farm and made his home with his son, John D., from 1900 until the time of his death in 1911. His wife, Julia Clark, was born in January, 1829, in Maryland, and died in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. William Gilbert were married in 1854 and throughout their lives they were devoted members of the Dunkard church. John D. Gilbert attended district school No. 2, in Lanier township, in his boyhood, and there he attained his education. He lived at home with his parents until he was past twenty-two years of age, and then began farming for himself. During the first ten years of his career as a farmer, he rented land from his father. He was prosperous and successful from the beginning, and in 1891 he was able to purchase one hundred and eighteen acres of land in section 20, of Lanier township. Since buying this farm Mr. Gilbert has been able to build a thoroughly modern house, equipped with all modern conveniences, as well as a large and commodious barn, his total improvements upon the farm amounting approximately to more than eight thousand dollars. The lumber which Mr. Gilbert has used in his building improvements has come from. his own timber. He has a beautiful country home, of which he has every reason to be proud. His house, barn, outbuildings and surrounding grounds are models of neatness and thrift, and have attracted the keen interest of hundreds of passersby. One of the examples of his progressive methods is seen in the solid concrete silo, made in a neat ornamental design, and the first of its kind contracted for in Preble county. In 1881 Mr. Gilbert was married to Harriet Flora, who was born on December 20, 1862, in Lanier township, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Eikenberry) Flora, residents of this county. To this union was born one daughter, Edna, who was born in 1883, in Lanier township. She married John Voge, and she and her husband live on the home farm with her father and assist in the operation of the farm. Mrs. Gilbert died in 1906. John D. Gilbert is not identified with any particular political party, and Considers himself an independent voter, being more impressed with measures and men than he is with parties and party emblems. All of the Gilbert family are members of the Brethren church, and take an active interest in the welfare of their denomination. It is not too much to say that John D. Gilbert is honored by his neighbors, and, in fact, by all the people of Lanier township, in which he is well known. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 589 JOHN E. MYERS. The two most strongly marked characteristics of both the east and the west are combined in the residents of Ohio. The enthusiastic enterprise which overleaps all obstacles and makes possible almost any undertaking in the comparatively new and vigorous western states is here tempered by the stable and more careful policies that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors. The combination is one of unusual force and power. It has been the means of placing this section. of the country on a par with the older east, at the same time producing a reliability that, certainly in business affairs, is frequently lacking in the west. This happy combination of characteristics is possessed to a notable degree by John E. Myers, the manager of the Lewisburg Lumber Company, who is too well known to the readers of this work to need any formal introduction. His name is closely identified with the financial, commercial and industrial history of Preble county, and he himself is filling a large place in the industrial and political life of this community. He is recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, and is deeply interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of the community. Mr. Myers is regarded as one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Lewisburg, Ohio. John E. Myers was born on July 28, 1865, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, a son of Samuel and Mary (Wehrly) Myers, who were the parents of seven children, as follow : Mrs. Anna Hartrum, deceased; one who died in infancy ; Jesse F., a carpenter of West Alexandria ; Samuel I., a farmer of Twin township ; John E., with whom this narrative deals; Joseph W., deceased, and Alonzo, a baker, now living in California. Samuel Myers was born on May I, 1832, in Carroll county, Maryland, and was reared on a farm. He came to Ohio and settled in Miami county, where he worked as a farm hand for a few years. Subsequently, he purchased land in Twin township, but later sold out and rented 'land in Twin township, where he farmed until his death, September 19, 1895. His wife, who was Mary Wehrly, was born June 2, 1829, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Barbara (Heckman) Wehrly, both natives of Virginia, and early settlers of Preble county, Ohio. Mrs: Myers now makes her home with her different children. John E. Myers remained on the home farm until thirty years of age. He received his education in the district schools of Twin and Lanier townships, and later worked as a packer for a tobacco firm at Ingomar, Ohio, for 590 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. about a year. With his brother, Samuel I., he then engaged in farming and followed this vocation for two years, at the end of which time he moved to Brookville, Ohio, and worked as a clerk in a bakeshop. Later he removed to West Alexandria, Ohio, and became the manager of a retail grocery. In 1909, Mr. Myers was made the manager of the Lewisburg Lumber Company, at Lewisburg, Ohio, and now owns his residence and four lots in the town of Lewisburg. John E. Myers was married in 1907 to Elizabeth Travis, who was born in 1873, in Allen county, Kansas, and to this union two children have been born, Edgar Travis, who died in early infancy, and Mary Catherine. Mr. Myers is an ardent Democrat and is now serving as a member of the Lewisburg town council, and is discharging the duties of this office to the entire satisfaction of the people and residents of Lewisburg. Mr. and .Mts. Myers are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and prominent in the work of the Sunday school. John E. Myers is a man who has risen to his, present eminent. position in .life as a.,consequence of his in.dustry,, frugal habits. and careful business methods, and is therefore a representative citizen of Harrison township, and a man who by reason of this fact, is entitled to representation in this volume. EZRA J. OZIAS. Ezra J. Ozias was born on February 26, 1852, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of William and Barbara (Crider) Ozias, the former of whom was born on September 22, 1825, in Preble county, Ohio, was a farmer and lived on a farm until his death, April 7, 1907. Barbara (Crider) Ozias was born May 8, 1827, at Germantown. She was a member of the United Brethren church and the LewisbUrg class for sixty-five years. She died on March 23, '1962, at her horne near Lewisburg, Preble county, Ohio. William and Barbara (Crider) Ozias were the parents of five children, Oscar, who died at the age of two years; Byrom, who lives in West Virginia; Ezra J., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Elizabeth Cassady, of Lewisburg, and Dr. Mary Cromer, who is a physician at Union City, Indiana. William Ozias was the son of John Ozias, one of the early pioneers of Preble county, Ohio, who immigrated to the vicinity of Springborough, Warren county, Ohio, from Guilford county, North Carolina in the fall of .1803 with a colony, in which were the Christmans, John Ozias, Sr., his three sons, Peter, Jacob and John,,also Captain Daniel Boone, and the late Judge PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 591 John Meroney. Other families soon followed. John Ozias, Sr., devoted the winter of 1804 to seeking a home in the wilderness west of the Great Miami, selecting finally twelve hundred and eighty acres on the "big bottoms" of Twin creek, directly south of Lewisburg, in this county. Peter Ozias, the eldest brother of John, Jr., commenced his, clearing in 1804, leaving the remainder of the colony at Clear creek settlernefit; in,Warren. county,. Ile was soon joined by his brother, Jacob, and other pioneer settlers, among. whom were the Singer family. John Ozias, Jr., remained single until he had made an opening in the wilderness and built a cabin. In 1810 he married a Miss Higgins, a sister of the late Amos Higgins, of Higgins station,. Montgomery county. One day in the winter of 1810-11, John Ozias, Jr., and wife went to help their brother, Jacob, butcher, and returning home as. the evening shades appeared, with their portion of spare ribs and sausage, the wolves, ravenous by hunger and already attracted to the vicinity by the smell of blood, caught the scent of fresh meat and, by their peculiar process, finally got. on the trail of the fugitives and gave chase: John Ozias, Jr., and wife barely reached the enclosure of their. cabin in time to save their lives. The wolves were at their very heels when the cabin door closed. John Ozias, Jr., died at the residence of his son,. William Ozias, in Harrison- township, on July 19, 187o, at the age of eighty-eight years, three months and twenty-four days. For ten years before his death he was an invalid and was cared for alternately by his devoted children, George, John and William, and his daughter, Mrs. George Potterf.. John Ozias, Jr., was reared in the German Reformed church, of which he was a consistent member from his early youth. The Ozias family, from one generation to another, has held family reunions and was practically the first family to hold a reunion in Preble county. The first reunion was held on August 26, 1886, at Horns grove, just west of Lewisburg; later they gathered at Moots grove and for the past six years they have met at the county 'fair grounds with a large attendance in the family circle. Ezra J. Ozias was reared on the farm. He attended the district schools of Twin and Harrison townships, the National Normal, at Lebanon, and the Medina Normal, at Medina, Ohio. He began teaching in the district schools of Preble county when nineteen years old and continued teaching for ten years, having.served as superintendent of schools in the villages:. of Euphemia, Preble county, Pyrmont, MontgoMery county., and Arcanum, Darke county., During this period, he cultivated his ninety-four acre farm in Twin township and specialized in small .grain and live stock. While he 592 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. was a farmer, he invested in a tobacco warehouse at Lewisburg and finally moved to Lewisburg, where he became engaged in the buying and packing of leaf tobacco for the market and now employs fifty people. He has forty acres of land, part of which is in the town of Lewisburg and owns a residence and other property in Lewisburg. He is a shareholder of the telephone company, and the electric light company and is president and a director in the former company and director in the latter. Ezra J. Ozias was married on January 2, 1879, to Leora W. Wheatley, who was born, July 4, 1853, in Medina county, Ohio, the daughter and one of the twelve children of Joseph and Mary (Buck) Wheatley, the former of whom was born in 1818, in Yorkshire, England. Joseph Wheatley came to Ohio with his parents when fourteen years of age and settled in Medina county, Ohio, and engaged in farming there. He became a county surveyor in the county and held that office for a period of twenty years. He died in 1893. His wife was born in 1823 in Summit county, Ohio, and died in 1906. Both of Mrs. Ozias's parents are buried at Medina, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Ozias two children have been born, Clifford W., who was graduated from the Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana, and is a civil engineer and farmer in Canada, and Blake, who was graduated from the Valparaiso (Indiana) Normal School and is now living in New York City, where he is manager of the Guarantee Sales Company at that place. Mr. Ozias is a Republican and has held different offices in the township and is a man of wide influence in political circles. For many years he was president of the school board of Twin township, and has always been interested in educational matters. Mr. and Mrs. Ozias are members of the United Brethren church. GEORGE W. DEARDORFF. Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Preble county, Ohio, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than George W. Deardorff, a farmer living in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and his standing as a citizen and neighbor has increased with the years of his residence in Preble county. George W. Deardorff was born February 5, 185o, in Darke county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Cynthia A. (Miller) Deardorff, the latter PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 593 of whom died December 26, 1914. She was born in November, 1828. Samuel Deardorff died in 1884. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, and was a son of Jacob Deardorff, who settled in Preble county in an early day. Jacob Deardorff carved a farm out of the wilderness in Lanier township, where he and his wife .reared the following children, Peter, Paul, John, Jacob, Benjamin, Isaac, Anna, Rebecca and Samuel. Samuel Deardorff went to Darke county, Ohio, where he lived for three years, at the end of which time he returned to Preble county, and lived on his father's farm. In 1856 he bought the farm where his son, George W., now lives, and remained on this latter place until his death. He and his wife were the parents of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living: George W., with whom this narrative deals; Nancy, the wife of Reuben Swisher, of Des Moines, Iowa; William H., of Colorado; Mary, the wife of Benjamin Neil, of Eaton, Ohio; Laban, of Chicago, Illinois, and David, a resident of Louisiana. George W. Deardorff came with his parents from Darke county, Ohio, to Preble county when he was two years of age, and in the public schools of this countY he received his education. He remained at home with his patents until his father's death, and has never married. Mr. Deardorff is a Republican, and is well known in Washington township, and by his upright and honorable life has won the esteem of a large number of people. EARL C. CRIDER. It is interesting to note, in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work, that an effort has been made in each case to throw well-focused light on the individuality and to bring into prominence the scheme of each life history. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with the scheme of human society and human activities, deserves, recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor. It is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages. The value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, and to present the individual and specific accomplishments of each person represented. The business life of any community is important in the scheme of human welfare, and the flour-mill is an important factor in the industrial life of any community. One of the in- (38) 594 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO fluential business men of Lewisburg, this county, and the manager of the flour-mill at that place. is Earl C. Crider. Mr. Crider was born on January 6, 1883, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of Elkanah C. and Sarah Ann (Hahn) Crider. Elkanah C. Crider was born on September 20, 18;4, in Harrison township, this county, a son of John and Catherine (Disher) Crider. John Crider was a native of Preble county, and his wife was a native of Virginia. John Crider was a son of Samuel and Catherine (Zellers) Crider, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers in Preble county. Elkanah C. Crider was reared on a farm in Harrison township. In 1892 he moved to Lewisburg and engaged in the elevator business, at the same time being engaged as a tobacco dealer. In 1898 Mr. Crider purchased the old Turner grist-mill, which stands at the east edge of the corporation line of Lewisburg. This mill is more than one hundred years old. Elkanah C. Crider is a stockholder and vice-president of the Lewisburg bank, and for the past fifteen years has owned land in Sedgwick county, Kansas. Mr. Crider has taken a great deal of pleasure in the trips he has made to different states. He owns forty-two acres of land near the old Turner mill in Harrison township. In 1878 Elkanah C. Crider was married to Sarah Ann Hahn, who was born in July, 1852, in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret Hahn, both natives of Pennsylvania. To this union three children have been born, Mrs. Catherine Gabb, of New Orleans, Louisiana; Earl C., with whom this narrative deals, and Mrs. Elizabeth Paul, a motion-picture operator living at Lewisburg. Earl C. Crider attended the public schools of Lewisburg until fifteen years of age, and then went to Richmond, Indiana, where he was local manager for a Philadelphia publishing firm. One year later he returned to Lewisburg, and began work in his father's mill as assistant miller. He remained in the mill for three years and then went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he installed switchboards for the local telephone company. Four years later he again returned to Lewisburg and took charge of the old grist-mill. He is now a substantial shareholder in this mill. In 1902, Earl C. Crider was married to Catherine D. Schmitt, who was born on June 22, 1885, at St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Anton Schmitt, a native of France, who was a harness maker by trade and who, in an early day, went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was engaged in the harness business. He now has a wholesale and retail saddlery establishment. Mrs. Crider was educated in the Garfield school, at St. Louis. To Earl C. and Catherine D. (Schmitt) Crider onechild has been born, Elenora P. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 595 Mr. Crider is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. They are prominent in the social life of Lewisburg, honored and respected by a large circle of friends and devoted to the moral and civic advancement of their community. IRA C. ALBERT. Representing one of the old and well-known families of Preble county, Ohio, a man of remarkable enterprise and sterling worth, Ira C. Albert, a farmer, merchant and extensive real estate dealer of Lewisburg, is well entitled to notice among the substantial business men of this county. It is with much satisfaction that the biographer accords a place in these pages to the story of his life. Ira C. Albert was born on August 6, 1868, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio. He is a son of George H. and Sarah (House) Albert, to whom eight children were born as follow : William F., a farmer of Twin township; Alonzo M., a farmer of Harrison township; George C., a merchant at Lewisburg; Ira C., with whom this narrative deals; Ellen Florence, deceased; Rev. Raymond A., a minister of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Mary C. Kesselring, of Lewisburg, and Laura E., at home. George H. Albert was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and came to Preble county with his parents, Lewis and Catherine (Siler) Albert, who were of Germanic origin. George H. Albert died on July 19, 1912, while his wife, who was a native of Harrison township, Preble county, is now living at Lewisburg. Her parents were Simon and Catherine (Horner) House, natives of Ohio, and farmers in this county. Ira C. Albert was reared on his father's farm east of Lewisburg, this county, attending the district schools of his home neighborhood, and remained on the farm for some time after leaving school, being engaged in various kinds of work. During this period Mr. Albert studied telegraphy and worked at this occupation for a time. After his marriage he returned to farming and rented land for about five years, after which he moved to Lewisburg, where he engaged in the grocery business, and after conducting a grocery for some five years, sold out to his brother, George C., and returned to the farm, but only farmed for about one year, when he returned to Lewisburg, and engaged in the coal business. He remained in this busi- 596 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. ness until 1911, at which time he engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate. Mr. Albert has extensive private business interests. He is vice-president and a director of the Inter-State Stone Company; a director of the Lewisburg Bank, and also of the electric light company of that town. Ira C. Albert was married on May 13, 1894, to Tensie A. Kepler, who was born on March 28, 1874, in New Lisbon, Henry county, Indiana, a daughter of Levi W. and Frances (Weaver) Kepler, the former of whom was born near Dayton, Ohio. He was a physician, practicing at Salem, Ohio, New Lisbon, Indiana, and Lewisburg, Ohio. He came to Lewisburg in 188o, but has since retired and is living with Mr. Albert. Mrs. Albert's mother was born at Salem, Ohio. Ira C. Albert is a stanch Democrat and has been influential in the local councils of his party. He has served as justice of the peace for the past twelve years. Mr. Albert is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Albert and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Albert is a man of unusual attainments and has achieved a splendid success in life. He is especially devoted to the welfare, progress and prosperity of Harrison township. WILLIAM W. WHITE. William W. White is one of those strong, sturdy characters, who have contributed largely to the welfare of the community life of Lewisburg, this county. He is a business man of more than ordinary sagacity and foresight, and as a citizen has proved to be public-spirited and progressive in all that these terms imply. He has had much to do with the material progress of Preble county and in making it one of the important commercial centers of this section of Ohio. Being numbered among the substantial and worthy citizens of his community, none more richly deserves these representations in a work of this character than does William W. White. Mr. White was born on July 12, 1866, in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, a son of Thomas and Sarah A. (Felton) White, the former of whom was born in December, 1844, in Indiana. Thomas White was reared on the farm, but subsequently learned the carpenter trade, and worked at this vocation in Anderson, Indiana and St. Paul, Minnesota. At present he lives with his daughter, Mrs. Florence B. Walker, in North Dakota. His wife who, before her marriage, was Sarah A. Felton, was born on PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 597 April 30, 1846, in Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of Edward and Matilda (Wright) Felton, the former a native of England and the latter a native of Ireland, early settlers of Preble county, the latter of whom died on September 13, 1910. Thomas and Sarah Felton White were the parents .of four children. William W:.Mhite was the eldest. Mrs. Florence B. Walker lives at Grand Forks, North Dakota. Harry lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mrs. Mary E. Morris lives in Anderson, Indiana. William W. White was reared on the farm and attended the district schools of Dixon township. At the age of twenty-one he started working by the month as a farm hand, at a monthly wage of sixteen dollars, later receiving eighteen dollars and a half a month. In 1889 he rented land and started farming for himself, farming in Gasper township until he became afflicted with tuberculosis of the elbow. Eventually it was necessary to amputate the arm above the elbow. In 1893 he moved to Lewisburg and worked as a book agent for a short time. He then engaged in the livery, feed and sales business for seventeen years. Finally he sold out and purchased a farm, which he operated until 1915, in which year he sold the farm, comprising one hundred and one acres. He made some extensive improvements on this farm, it having been very much run down when he first took hold of it. During his career as a farmer he kept high-grade stock, and made a specialty of Duroc-Jersey hogs. Mr. White is a substantial property owner in Lewisburg, and owns a large brick residence on Main street; the principal thoroughfare of Lewisburg. On September 5, 1889, at Eaton, Ohio, William W. White was married to Emma S. Buriff, who was borti, September 25, 1869, in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio. She is the daughter Of Andrew and Minerva (Carter) Buriff, the former of whom was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1836, and came to Preble county, Ohio, about 1862, and engaged in farming. His wife was born on April 27, 1846. Both are now living at Eaton, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. William W. White four children have been born, as follow : Mrs. Myrtle Dye is a lawyer of Eaton, Ohio; Vernon is a barber, also living at Eaton; Mrs. Martha M. Foble is the wife of a druggist, at Columbus, Ohio, and William B., at home. There is just eighteen years' difference between Mrs. Martha M. Foble's age and that of William, the latter being an infant, two years old. William W. White is an ardent Republican. He has served on the Lewisburg city county, and -has been marshal and township assessor at dif- 598 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. ferent times. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and he and his wife and family are members of the United Brethren church, in which they are prominent and influential, and are liberal supporters of this denomination. JACOB H. PUNDT. Farming has been revolutionized during the last fifty years, and the farmer of today suffers few of the disadvantages which confronted the pioneer farmers. Scores of inventions have enabled the farmer to lead a life of comparative ease, and the result is that an increasing number of our most capable young men are remaining on the farm in preference to trying their fortunes in the city. The farmer is certainly the most independent man of the country, and all other vocations must bow to him. Ohio is known throughout the length and breadth of the country as an agricultural state, and Preble county ranks high as an agricultural section of this state. One of the excellent farmers of Preble county is Jacob H. Pundt, of Harrison township. Jacob H. Pundt, who is an active farmer and stockman, was born on August 5, 1877, on the farm where he now lives. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Ryder) Pundt, who were the parents of five children, as follow : Mrs. Mary Klusman, of Lenexa, Kansas; Mrs. Katherine Soller, a resident of Olathe, Kansas; Mrs. Clara Brown, a resident of Darke county, Ohio; Mrs. Hannah Ramsay, of Harrison township, this county, and Jacob H., of whom this narrative speaks. Henry Pundt, who was born in Germany in 1836, left there when eighteen years of age on a sailing vessel bound for this country, the voyage consuming forty-eight days. Upon arriving in this country he came to Preble county and settled at West Alexandria, where he worked as a laborer for a few years. Later he began farming in Twin township. About 1874 he moved to Harrison township and purchased one hundred and twenty-nine acres of land in section 22. He added to this farm from time to time, made many improvements on the land, and was heavily engaged in the live-stock business. His death occurred in 1884, and his widow, who was Elizabeth Ryder, born on October 7, 1842, in Lanier township, a daughter of John and Hannah (Gebhart) Ryder, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Preble county, in an early day, is living with Mr. Pundt. Jacob Pundt has always lived on the farm where he now resides. He PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 599 attended only the district schools of Harrison township. He now rents one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land from his mother and is feeding more or less cattle and hogs for the markets, as well as raising tobacco, wheat and corn. He is a large shareholder in various manufacturing plants.. In 1904 Jacob Pundt was married to Maude Moots, who was born on August i 1, 1877, in Twin township, a daughter of William and Elmira (Wikle) Moots, natives of Preble county, now living at Lewisburg, and to this union one child has been born, Hazel. Mr. Pundt is a Democrat and he and his wife and daughter are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, active in the work of this denomination and liberal contributors to its support. Mr. Pundt possesses the confidence of his neighbors and is a highly-esteemed citizen of Harrison township. SEYMOUR BITTLE. Among those men of sterling strength of character who have impressed their personalities upon the community of Lewisburg and vicinity and who have borne their full share in the upbuilding and the developing of Preble county mention must not be omitted of Dr. Seymour Bittle, veterinarian and liveryman of Lewisburg, a native of Preble county and a man well known throughout this county. Doctor Bittle has exerted a strong influence for good in the community and is a man of upright principles. He is interested in the advancement of the community along moral, educational and commercial lines. Seymour Bittle was born on January 6, 1880, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, a son of George and Martha (Schlotterbeck) Bittle, the former of whom was born in 1828, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and who came to Preble county, Ohio, with his parents. George Bittle was a farmer in Twin and Harrison townships until about 1903, in which year he retired and moved to Lewisburg, where he died in 1905. His wife, who, before her marriage, was Martha Schlotterbeck, was born in 1841, in Wurtemburg, Germany. She left Germany with her parents when six years old. She is now living in Lewisburg, Ohio. Dr. Seymour Bittle was reared on the farm and attended the Twin township schools, as well as the Harrison township high school, at Euphemia, Ohio. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was twenty-three years old, when he entered Ohio State University, at Columbus, and