PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 775 the neighbors among whom he formerly lived, and who looked upon him as being one of the finest types of citizens in their community. He was a good farmer, and a good farmer is ever a good neighbor and an excellent citizen. His passing away was deeply regretted by all who knew him, but his splendid influence is still felt in the community where he lived, and where he so ably maintained the traditions of his pioneer family. THOMAS B. HAMILTON. In nearly every community in this country there will be found among the most prosperous and substantial citizens several of Scottish birth or parentage. The inherent thrift and integrity of, the Scottish people has long been a subject of note, and the part which those people have played in the founding and upbuilding of this nation is second. to that of no other group or race. In Preble county, Ohio, men of Scottish birth or descent are found in all walks of life, ably contributing to the maintenance of the high standard of citizenship of which Preble county rightfully boasts. If there is one particular branch of industry along which the Scottish people excel, however, it is that of mechanics. They have contributed to this nation its best machinists and its most able exponents of many trades. Of this substantial and capable class of citizens has come the Hamilton family of West Elkton, Gratis township, Preble county, a member of which, Thomas B. Hamilton, is the subject of this sketch. Thomas B. Hamilton .was born near Somerville, Butler county, Ohio, August 5, 1854, a son of Robert and Mary (Fuller) Hamilton. Robert Hamilton, the father of the subject, was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, in 1808. He received a common school education, and afterward learned the trades of baker and weaver. After having learned his trades he emigrated to. the United States and settled in Simsbury, Connecticut, where he followed his trade as a weaver. On May 28, 1838, he married Mary C. Fuller, who was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, September 8, 1816. In the same year of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hamilton migrated to Union county, Indiana, a journey which, at that time, was of a most arduous nature. They .crossed the mountains by stage and thence down the Ohio river by boat to Cincinnati, Ohio, from where they were obliged to go across the country to Indiana. They settled in Union county, Indiana, where they lived for a year, but in 1839 they migrated to Butler county, Ohio, and settled near Somerville. 776 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hamilton. Martha, the wife of John Bernard, of Kokomo, Indiana, died in 1879. Joseph F. died in Warren county, Indiana, in 1886. Early in the days of the Civil War Joseph F. Hamilton enlisted in the Thirty-Fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and, after having completed his period of enlistment, he re-enlisted, the second time enlisting in the One Hundred and Fifty-Third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, thus serving a total enlistment of about four years. After his return from the war he married Catherine Preble, a daughter of B. B. Preble, of Clay township, Howard county, Indiana, for whose father Preble county, Ohio, was named. Amy M. married Edward Moore and lives in Kokomo, Indiana, where Mr. Moore died in 1914. Emily is the wife of R. E. Lowry, of Eaton, the editor of this book. William died at West Elkton, this county, in 1899. James died in infancy. Thomas B. is the subject of this sketch. Sarah H. is the wife of John H. Bennett and lives in Smyrna, Florida. After having settled near Somerville, Ohio, Robert Hamilton continued to follow his trade as a weaver and gained considerable local reputation for his skill in weaving carpets and coverlets. He died on September 16, 1869. In 1876 Mrs. Hamilton and three of her children moved to Gratis township, this county, where she lived until a short time before her death, at Eaton, Ohio, April 23, 1902. Thomas B. Hamilton was born near Somerville, Butler county, Ohio, August 5, 1851. He learned the trade of a blacksmith and, after having served his apprenticeship, went to Middletown, Ohio, where he remained eighteen months. From Middletown he went to Kokomo, Indiana, where he worked at his trade for a period equal to that spent in Middletown. He then returned to West Elkton, Preble county, Ohio, where he bought a house and a piece of land. He remodeled the house and erected a blacksmith shop on the adjoining land, where he still works at his trade. On May 1, 1881, Thomas B. Hamilton married Emma E. Kenworthy, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Roberts) Kenworthy. Daniel Kenworthy was born in Preble county, Ohio, February 26, 1831. Mrs. Kenworthy was born in Butler county, Ohio, where the-y were married. Four children were born to them, John W., who lives in Gratis township, this county; Emma E., the wife of the subject of this sketch; Margaret, unmarried, who lives at West Elkton, and Jesse, who died in infancy. Mrs. Kenworthy died in December, 1864, and in 1866 Daniel Kenworthy married again, his second wife being Mary J. Lane. There were no children born to this union. Daniel Kenworthy was a farmer and was PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 777 also prominent in the affairs of his community. He was a member of the board of education of his township, and was also a director of the Preble County Agricultural Association. He was a son of John and Lydia (Jones) Kenworthy, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter a native of Georgia. Daniel Kenworthy died in March, 1914, and his wife died in 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Hamilton one daughter, Margaret A., has been born. Her birth occurred on August 31, 1898, and she is living at home with her parents. Thomas B. Hamilton is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has taken an active interest in the political affairs of Preble county. For eight years he has been marshal of the city of West Elkton and has, during that time, filled the duties of his office in a manner which has been highly, satisfactory to the citizens of that city. Fraternally, he is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, of Eaton, Ohio. Mrs. Hamilton is a member of the Friends church of West Elkton and is a prominent worker in the church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are prominent in the circles of their home city and are held in high esteem by all their neighbors. They are people of sterling qualities and are representative of the finest type of American citizenship. LEVI L. EHRHARDT. In Preble county, Ohio, as well as in nearly every other section of the United States, it will be found that many of the citizens who have contributed most substantially to the success of the community have been those of either German birth or German parentage. Among the most widely respected and thoroughly substantial citizens of German descent in this county may be numbered the Ehrhardt family, who have done much to uphold and maintain the high standard of citizenship for which the county has always been noted. Levi L. Ehrhardt, the subject of this sketch, was born in Somers township, Preble county, Ohio, August 8, 1882, the son of Adam and Minnie (Seeger) Ehrhardt. Adam Ehrhardt, the father of the subject, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 22, 1849, the son of Adam and Rebecca (Nog-le) Ehrhardt. Adam Ehrhardt, Sr., was a native of Germany and came to the United States when he was twenty-one years of age. 778 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Adam Ehrhardt, the father of Levi L., was married to Minnie Seeger, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Seeger, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Ehrhardt was born on August 1, 1851. To them nine children have been born, eight of whom are living. The children were Addie E., born on March 3, 1877, now the wife of Louis Creech, of Somers town-ship, this county; 011ie, born on August 24, 1878, now the wife of W. J. J. Johnson, of Warden, Montana; John A., born on February 20, 1880, now living lin Dixon township; Levi L., the subject of this sketch; Fred D., born on December 12, 1884, who died on September 27, 1891; Rebecca M., born on April 5, 1886, now the wife of Stanley Dillman, of this county; Carrie K., born on April 20, 1888, now the wife of George Winholt, of Sugar Valley, Ohio, and Edmund A., born on May 10, 1891, who is in charge of the home farm. After his marriage Mr. Ehrhardt moved from Cincinnati to Preble county and bought eighty acres of land, on which he now lives. He is a devoted member of the German Lutheran church, as was also Mrs. Ehrhardt previous to her death, which occurred on April 4, 1914. Levi L. Ehrhardt received his education in the district schools of Preble county and, after having completed his studies, devoted himself to farming. On March 3, 1908, he married Charlotte V. Beasley; a daughter of Robert and Emma (Kilmer) Beasley. Robert Beasley, Mrs. Ehrhardt's father, vvas born in Rockingham county, Virginia, and her mother was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, although they were married in Preble county. Mr. Beasley came to Preble county with his parents when he was three years of age. They settled on a farm, where Grandfather Beasley died in April, 1904. Grandmother Beasley died in January, 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beasley were born four children, Ernest, who died when one and one-half years of age; Charlotte, the wife of the subject of this sketch; Stanley M., who lives at home with his parents in Gasper township, and Elsie Lucile, who lives at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Beasley are living and Mr. Beasley follows his calling as a farmer. in Gasper township. Levi L. Ehrhardt is located on a .farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, situated about four miles southwest of Camden, Ohio. Mr. Ehrhardt specializes in the breeding and raising., of full-blooded Duroc-Jersey hogs and high-graae cattle. Fraternally Mr. Ehrhardt is a member of Western Star Lodge No. 109, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the encampment, and the canton. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 779 In politics he supports the principles of the Democratic party, although he has not, as yet, taken any active part in the political affairs of his county. As a citizen Mr. Ehrhardt ranks among the highest residents of his community, being held in high esteem and respect by his neighbors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhardt possess those admirable traits and characteristics so common among people of German descent, and both are playing an important part in the life of their community. ALBERT KREKLER. The standing and importance of any community are dependent to a great extent upon the success and prosperity of its commercial enterprises and the ability of their promoters to maintain a high standard of business efficiency and integrity. The man who builds up a large and permanent business must do so by producing that which is of value to others and is, therefore, entitled to the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. To a greater extent shall we accord him honor if he be the leader of his particular line throughout the county. How much more shall it be a source of pride to us if one of our citizens conduct within our boundaries the largest business of its kind in the world. Albert Krekler, living a half mile north of West .Elkton, is, in so far as his greatest success is concerned, a Preble county product, although he was reared on a farm in Warren county, Ohio, engaged as a small town merchant in earlier life and so recently as 1899 started in a small way with a thirty-two acre farm, in Preble county, raising jacks. From this beginning, he has built up a business that is the largest of its kind on earth, and, in addition, he is the owner of eighteen farms in Ohio and Indiana. Albert Krekler was born in Warren county, Ohio, October 9, 1861, a son of August and Eliza Ann (Goodwin) Krekler. His father, August Krekler, Was born in Bremen, Germany, September 18, 1833, and came to the United States in 1857. He settled in Warren county, Ohio, where he embarked on a mercantile career. On October 15, 1860, he married Eliza Ann Gootiwin, and their union was blessed by six children, Albert, the subject of this sketch; Lundy, who lives in Dayton, Ohio; Henry, who died in 1905 ; Eva, the wife of Abe Wolverton, of Gratis township; McCall, who lives in Hamilton, Ohio; and Adella, the wife of William Jenkins. Mr. Krekler spent the latter years of his life in Preble county, where he died January 3o, 1914. Mrs. Krekler is yet living in Gratis township. 780 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Albert Krekler received a common school education in the schools of Warren county and, after having completed his studies, engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed for a number of years. His first venture into the business world was made at Argonia, Ohio, where he was located for several years. He then removed to Morrow, Ohio, and from there to Lebanon, Ohio. In both those places he conducted a mercantile business. He later moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where he remained in business until 1899, at which time he sold his business and came to Preble county, where he bought a farm of thirty-two acres in Gratis township, about one-half mile north of West Elkton. Mr. Krekler was twice married, his first wife having been Fayme Gage, who died August 12, 1909. To them were born seven children, Jessie, now the .wife of Russell Emrich; who lives on one of Mr. Krekler's farms in Gratis township; Nellie, the wife of John Sayler, who also lives on one of the Krekler farms in Gratis township; Bessie, who lives at home and is completing her senior year in high school; William Henry, Robert H., Warren B. and Marion McCall, all of whom are living at home. Mr. Krekler was married for the second time on July 15, 1910, his second wife being Mrs. Helen Somerville, widow of James Lee Somerville, and daughter of former Governor Claude and Martha (Whitcomb) Matthews of Indiana. Her father was born in Bath county, Kentucky, and her mother was born in 1847 in the governor's residence in Indianapolis, Indiana, Mrs. Krekler's grandfather, James Whitcomb, having been the governor of Indiana at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews were married in Ross county, Ohio, and moved to Vermilion county, Indiana, in 1868. Mrs. Krekler's maternal grandfather was the first Democratic governor of Indiana, and her father, Claude Matthews, also a member of the Democratic party, was a governor of that state from 1892 to 1896. Governor Matthews died in 1898 and his wife died in 1912. Four children were born to ex-Governor and Mrs. Claude Matthews, Mary, now .the wife of Dr. Allen Murray, of Clinton, Indiana; Renick S., who died in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of twenty-three; Margaret, who %died at the age of fifteen months; and Helen, who was first married to James Somerville, September 27, 1899, and later to Albert Krekler. Two children were born to Mrs. Krekler and her first husband, Martha Whitcomb Somerville, born. on April 22, 1901, and Mary Seymour Somerville, born on May 6, 1902. By the present marriage there is one son, Albert, Jr., born on December 15, 1911. Albert Krekler, after having retired from his mercantile enterprises PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 781 and having taken up the business of farming, specialized in the raising of jacks. From the outset he was successful and early found his original farm of thirty-two acres too small for his growing business. He, therefore, gradually expanded his business and increased his land holdings until he now owns eighteen farms in Ohio and Indiana and has become the largest breeder of jacks in the world. His farms in Ohio are named collectively, carrying the title of "Krekler's Good Luck Stock Farms." Those in Indiana are known as "Krekler's Hazel Bluff Stock Farms." Mrs. Albert Krekler is a member of the Presbyterian church and is active in all church affairs conducted by the church which she attends. Mr. Krekler's children are loyal members of the United Brethren church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Krekler are prominent in the local affairs of their community and are held in high esteem by their neighbors. Mr. Krekler's entire career is thoroughly illustrative of the results to be accomplished through perseverance and thrift. He is in the best sense of the term a self-made man and has worked his way upward step by step from one success to another. His career has never been marred by a failure, but has resulted from a steady and healthy growth from a small beginning to his present extensive interests. WILLIAM E. VANSKIVER. How dependent a community is upon its internal commerce. How helpless we should be without the wonderful medium of exchange which has been evolved by man out of the experiences of the ages for the convenient merging of the independent relations of supply and demand. A local communityis well judged by the condition of its commercial establishments and it may properly be taken for granted that all is well with that town whose business houses are well ordered, well equipped and well managed, conducted ever with a view to the best and most helpful accommodation of the patrons of the same. The merchants of a city well may be considered its ablest conservators, for upon them so much depends in the way of keeping the "tone" of the city up to the highest pitch. The city of Camden, Ohio, is fortunate indeed in the possession of an unusually high grade of local merchants, all of whom ever have the best interests of the city at heart. Among these typically representative citizens few are better known and more deservedly popular than the amiable gentleman with whom this biographical sketch is to treat more directly in the succeeding paragraphs, a sketch so well meriting a place in this 782 - PREBLE COUNTY.. OHIO. historical work that the biographer takes much pleasure in here presenting it for the consideration of the readers of this volume. William E. Vanskiver, one of the best known merchants in Preble county, who is doing a prosperous business in the grocery way in the pleasant little city of Camden, was born on July 29, 1874, on a farm in Israel township, Preble county, Ohio, and represents the third generation of his family in this county. He is the son of William H. and Tamson (Duvall) Van-skiver, both of whom were natives of Preble county and members of old families in this section. William H. Vanskiver was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Brown) Vanskiver, the former of whom was born in New Jersey in 1805, the son of. William and Elizabeth (Adams) Vanskiver, who migrated with their small family to Ohio in the fall of 1814, first settling in Warren county, where they remained only a year, he coming to Preble county in the fall of 1815, to build a cabin and bringing his family the next spring. Here they entered from the government the east one-half of section 13 in Israel township, which they presently converted into one of the best farms in the county- and on which they spent the remainder of their lives, the death of Great-grandfather Van-skiver occurring in 1843 and that of great-grandmother Vanskiver in 1848. This worthy couple easily became identified with the best known and most influential of the settlers of this section in that early day and the influence of their lives and of their works still is impressed upon the community in which they lived lives of such usefulness and where their memories are not forgotten to this day. Samuel and Elizabeth (Brown) Vanskiver were married in Preble county, where both of them had been born, and to this union were born six children, John B., Joseph G., Hannah J., Sarah B., Susan E. and William H., all of whom are now dead save the latter. Samuel Vanskiver was one of the best known and most highly honored farmers of Israel township., where he followed farming all his life, being sincerely mourned at his death, which oc-curred in the year 1886, his good wife dying in the year 1880. William H. Vanskiver, father of the immediate subject of this nar-rative, was married on May 6, 1869, to Tarnson Duvall, daughter of Abel and Sarah ("Wilcox) Duvall, the former of whom was a. native of Pennsylvania and the latter of whom was born near College Corners, Ohio. Abel Duvall was a carpenter, which occupation he followed all through his life, his death occurring in 1881. His good wife survived him until January 1, 1894, when she too passed away. This excellent couple was held in the highest regard in the community in which they lived and their memories live after them. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 783 To the union of William H. and Tamson (Duvall) Vanskiver there was born but one child, a son, William Elmer, whose name heads this genealogical review. The elder Mr. and Mrs. Vanskiver still are living on the old Van-skiver homestead in Israel township, where they are regarded as among the most substantial and honored residents of that section. Though still living on the farm Mr. Vanskiver is no longer engaged in the active work of the farm, he having retired in 1908, since which time he merely gives the place his supervisory attention as the need arises. William Elmer Vanskiver received his education in the excellent district schools of his native township and followed farming on the home place for about seven years, after which he moved to Camden, where for a year he worked for the McChristie Portrait Company. He then worked seven years for the Big Four Tobacco Company and in April, 1908, he bought the William Garver grocery store, which he has since owned and which he is conducting with much success. He makes a point of keeping his store in strictly up-to-date fashion and consequently enjoys a profitable trade, being ranked well up among the best known and most prosperous merchants of the city. On December 21, 1894, William E. Vanskiver was united in marriage to Grace Felton, a daughter of Lurton and Catherine (Moore) Felton, prominent residents of Gasper township, this county, and to this union three children have been born : Fred, born on December 22, 1895, who was graduated from the Camden high school in 1914 and is now the assistant postmaster at Camden ; Floyd, born on November 21, 1897, and Darrell, born on June i, 1906. Mr. Vanskiver is a Republican and always has taken an active part in the local campaigns of his party, his counsels having no small weight in the deliberations of the party leaders in this county. He was elected treasurer of the city of Camden in 1912 and so acceptable were his services to the public in this connection that he was re-elected and is now serving his second term in that responsible position. He is a member of the Masonic order, his membership being in Camden Lodge No. 159, and he also is a stockholder in.the Masonic Temple Association of Camden. In addition to his Masonic affiliations and activities he also is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being attached to Camden Lodge No. 259, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest. Mr. Vanskiver is an energetic, progressive citizen who is interested in all movements whose objects are the advancement of the welfare of his Community and he is counted upon by his fellow citizens whenever any measure of public benefit is being advocated. 784 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. WILLIAM C. FRITZ. One of the conspicuous names on the list of Preble county farmers is William C. Fritz, farmer and stockman of Twin township, a gentleman of high standing, to whom a full measure of success has not been denied. Long recognized as a factor of importance in connection with the farming and stock-raising industry here, he has been prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state, his life having been closely interwoven with the history of the county where he has spent his entire life. William C. Fritz, farmer and stockman, was born on June 16, 1852, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of John and Elizabeth (Siler) Fritz, who were the parents of five sons and two daughters, the others being Benjamin, Mrs. Sarah A. Wysong and Michael, all of whom now are deceased, and Dr. John H., a physician of West Alexandria, Ohio; George M., of West Alexandria, and Mrs. Lettie Smith, of Clinton county, Ohio. John Fritz was born in this county in the year 181o, the son of Michael and Nancy (Harris) Fritz, and grew to- manhood on the paternal farm, which he later purchased and on which he spent the whole of his life, his death occurring on December 25, 189o. He married Elizabeth Siler, who was born in this county in the year 1824 and who preceded him to the grave in January, 1862. Michael Fritz, paternal grandfather of William C. Fritz, was born in Freiberg; Germany, in the year 176o and came to America when sixteen years of age, arriving in Philadelphia in 1776 while the people of that city were celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is interesting to note, in passing, in this connection that one hundred years later, July 4, 1876, one hundred voters of the Lewisburg neighborhood, of whom William C. Fritz was one, following the suggestion of Capt. Matthias Disher, each riding a horse, all of these one hundred horses being hitched to one wagon, started from Lewisburg to Eaton to assist in the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Michael Fritz was a shoemaker and for a time worked at that trade in Philadelphia, but presently made his way to this county, where he entered a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Twin township and on this he spent the rest of his life, being among the most influential and useful members of the new community. At the time Michael Fritz entered PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 785 his farm from the government the Indians still were numerous in that section and often came to his home, where they smoked their pipes in peace. At the age of forty-five Michael Fritz married Nancy Harris, a native of Virginia, whose ancestors had come to this country from Ireland, and to this union there were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom were born and reared on the home farm in Twin township. Michael Frtiz died on March 1, 1845, at the age of eighty-five, after which the farm was divided, the second son of the deceased, John, mentioned in the preceding paragraph, purchasing one-half of it and his sister, Mrs. Catherine Gentner, buying the other half, and on this divided farm their respective families were reared, the portion which John Fritz owned now being owned by his youngest son, George Fritz, and the portion which Mrs. Gentner owned now being owned by her daughter, Mrs. Laura Schreel, Michael Fritz's original farm thus still being held in the family in the third generation. William C. Fritz's maternal ancestry also is of Germanic origin. In 1791 or 1792 three Siler brothers came to this country from Germany. One of these, Jacob, who was a schoolmaster, was the father of three sons, Jacob, Matthias and Christopher, and a daughter, all of whom were born in Germany save Christopher, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1793. Christopher Siler became a lockmaker by trade and served effectively as a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Susan Hoerner, who was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and to this union three children were born, Mrs. Catherine Albert, who died in the year 1913, at the age of ninety-two ; George, who is still living, being (1915) ninety-two years of age, and Elizabeth, who married John Fritz. William C. Fritz was reared on the ancestral farm and attended the Hillside district school of Twin township, remaining at home and assisting his father in the labors of the farm until his marriage in 1871, whereupon he moved to the home farm of his father-in-law, Capt. Matthias Disher, where he since has continued to reside with the exception of a few months. In 1879 -Captain Disher gave his daughter, Mrs. Fritz, thirty-five acres of the home farm, contingent upon purchase by Mr. Fritz of a strip adjoining, of practically equal extent, which purchase was made, and to which Mr. Fritz later added other adjoining fields until he now has a fine farm of one hundred and seven acres in section 11 of Twin township, twelve acres of which is covered by a fine growth of natural timber. On this place Mr. Fritz has erected a comfortable house and a commodious barn and has (50) 786 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. prospered. In addition to his general farming, he devote's considerable attention to the raising of Duroc-Jersey hogs and Jersey cattle, having found this phase of agriculture quite profitable. In the year 1871 William C. Fritz was united in marriage to Susan Disher, daughter of Captain Matthias and Jane (Ozias) Disher, and to this union four children have been born : Edna, deceased; Ozias, who is a teacher in the Lewisburg schools ; Frances, who is at home, and Matthias, who is a conductor in the service of the street railway lines at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Fritz is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to political affairs, though he is not included in the office-seeking class. He and his family are members of the New Lutheran church, in the various beneficences of which they take an active part. Mr. Fritz is well known throughout the section of the county in which he resides as an enterprising farmer and a kind and considerate neighbor and enjoys the entire confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. GEORGE EDWARD SLOVER. Among the prominent manufacturers of Preble county few are better known than the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical sketch. Among these manufacturers, too, the.re are few whose products have a wider market or serve a more useful purpose. The proper tillage of the soil is the greatest industry of mankind. Without the work of the farmer civilization would languish and in a single generation we should degenerate from our present proud eminence as a people to the state of the aboriginals who formerly roamed the forests of this now blessed region, dependent wholly upon the fruits of the chase for the preservation of the breath of their bodies. The proper upkeep of the broad acres upon which the food supply of a nation depends is, therefore, the most important task to which man can turn his hand and he who contributes to this essential need properly may be classed among the benefactors of his race. Farming today is not the hap-hazard job it once wis. The culture of the soil is being made the special business of many of the most carefully trained scientists in the world and the chemist has taken a well-recognized position as a faithful ally of nature in the preservation of the basic qualities which go to make up a soil ideally adapted for the cultivation of the food-stuffs of a people. Here is where the value of the services which Mr. Slover is rendering his fellowmen become PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 787 apparent. In the establishment and operation of the Edward Slover Fertilizer Company, manufacturers of high standard fertilizers at Camden, Ohio, he is contributing greatly to the support and upbuilding of the basic industry of mankind in providing for the farmers of this district a soil food particularly adapted to the needs of the soil hereabout. As a benefactor, therefore, it is but proper that the biographer here present for the consideration of the reader of this volume a brief sketch of this public-spirited citizen. George Edward Slover was born at Miamisburg, Ohio, January 4, 1868, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Harres) Slover. Thomas, the son of Jacob Slover, was a native of Pennsylvania who moved with his family to Joliet, Illinois, where his father followed the vocation of stonemason- and building contractor. Jacob Slover, who died at the age of fifty-two, was twice married, his first wife leaving two children, Daniel and Thomas. By the second marriage there was one son, Robert. Thomas Slover, father of the subject of this sketch, learned the blacksmith 'trade and conducted a shop at Miamisburg, Ohio, until the spring of 1879, when the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he lived a retired life until his death, which occurred in 1912. He was twice married, eight children being born to his union with Elizabeth Harres, who died at the age of thirty-seven, of whom the only survivor is George Edward,, with whom this narrative directly treats. Three of these children died in infancy, the others being Sarah, who died at the age of twenty-six; Robert, who died at the age of forty-nine; Mary, who died at the age of thirty-six, and Addison, who died at the age of thirty-seven. Upon the death of his first wife, Thomas Slover married, secondly, Zarilda Simpson, who following the death of her husband became domiciled in the Methodist Episcopal home at Cincinnati. To this union there was no issue. George Edward Slover, only surviving issue of Thomas and Elizabeth (Harres) Slover, received his early education in the public schools of Miamisburg, which he supplemented with a course of four years and six months in the mechanical engineering department of the International Correspondence Schdol at Scranton, Pennsylvania. At the age of fifteen he had become attracted to the possibilities of mechanics and learned the machinist's trade, qualifying.as a journeyman machinist at the age of eighteen, after which he worked in the shops of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad at Dayton, Ohio, until the spring of 1898, when he went to the James McCallum Fertilizer Company, at Dayton, Ohio, remaining with this firm for seven years—four years and six months as foreman and two years and six months as superintendent. In the year 1905, deciding to enter business for himself, 788 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. he moved to Camden, Ohio, and established the Edward Slover Fertilizer Company, which has grown to be one of the most considerable concerns of its kind in the state. The plant of this concern is situated in Camden, the reduction department of the same, in which George Archer has an interest, being located about one-half mile south of the town. This plant manufactures high standard fertilizers and its product is shipped widely to points in Ohio and Indiana. In addition to his business in this connection, Mr. Slover also conducts a correspondence school, in which he has met with much success. In this school he furnishes instructions covering a complete course in steam engineering, his comprehensive set of books on this subject covering the ground thoroughly. On June 27, 1893, George Edward Slover was united in marriage to Lillian McCallum, a daughter of James and Angie (Anthony) McCallum, who are now living at Montgomery, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Slover two daughters have been born, Greta isle, born on September 12, 1898, a student of the Camden high school, and Dorothy Blanche, born on December 7, 1903, a student in the Camden grade schools. Mr. and Mrs. Slover have a very pleasant home in Camden, the hospitalities of which are delightfully enhanced by the two bright young misses, who so pleasantly assist their mother as hostesses on occasion. The Slovers are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Camden and are active participants in the affairs of the local congregation. Mr. Slover always has affiliated with the Republican party, in the local councils of which he takes an active part. He is now serving his second term as a member of the board of trustees of the city of Camden and is president of that body. He also was assessor of the city of Camden for one term. He is an active Mason, being a member of Lodge No. 159, Free and Accepted Masons, at Camden and also is affiliated with Chapter No. 22, at Eaton. He also is a member of the Junion Order of United American Mechanics, being associated with Preble Council No. 202, at Camden, in the deliberations of which body he takes an active and influential part. Mr. Slover is alert in the promotion of the best interests of the community in which his lot has so successfully been east and in all movements having to do with the advancement of the affairs of his home city, either in a moral, social, civic or industrial way he ever is found among the leaders of the same. He is a fine type of the true American citizen and well deserves the popularity which he enjoys among those with whom he is most closely associated. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 789 JOHN HENRY LIVINGSTON BOHN. In the commercial life of a city is there any man more properly entitled to the high and ungrudging respect and consideration of the people than the earnest, conscientious pharmacist ? The careful compounding of the various drugs on which ailing mankind relies in his hours of distress is one of the most important tasks to which man can turn his hand, for often the very issues of life and death hang in the balance which might easily be turned in a fatal direction by the ill-considered or careless act of the inexperienced compounder of a prescription, whose properly-mingled elements are designed to provide a healing potion. The importance to a community of the services of a competent and conscientious pharmacist therefore cannot be estimated in ordinary terms and the gratitude with which the people of the community ought to regard such a service ought to be unstinted and ungrudging. There is a veteran pharmacist and druggist in Camden, this county, who, following in the honored footsteps of his father, who before him was a lifelong druggist, has all his long life devoted his talents and his most careful thought to the needs of the people in the matter of healing-compounds. A work of this character, dealing as it does with matters both historical and biographical, would not be complete without mention of the manner of the life and the services of Mr. Bohn, the well-known druggist of Camden, and the biographer gladly turns his pen to a considerate review of the life of this agreeable gentleman and valued citizen. John Henry Livingston Bohn was born in Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1837, the son of J. H. and Henrietta (George) Bohn, the former of whom was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of whom was born in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, in the latter of which places they were married and where were born to them five children, as follow : Caroline, who died at the age of five years ; Michael George, who died in August, 1911 ; John H. L., whose name forms the caption of this biography ; P. J., who also is an honored resident of Camden, Preble county, and Sarah Rebecca, the wife of Doctor Ferguson, a well-remembered physician of Camden, both of whom now are dead. J. H. Bohn grew up to the drug business in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, beginning a study of the many intrinsic details of that important phase of commerce when quite young. In 1824 he started a drug store of his own in Elizabethtown, which he conducted quite successfully for four years, at the end of which time he formed the decision to seek his fortune in fields 790 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. farther to the west and with.this object in view prevailed upon his brother to accompany him on this quest. Leaving the drug store in competent hands, the two started out on horseback, Springfield, Illinois, being their objective point. They proceeded as far as Terre Haute, Indiana, when their impressions of the country toward which they were making their way underwent a complete change and they decided to abandon their westward journey. Turn-ing back, they returned to Elizabethtown, where Mr. Bohn resumed his place in the drug store. In 1833 he sold this store and again. started west, this time, however, not having so distant a point as his objective. He came to this county, where he remained with his father-in-law on a farm near Camden until the spring of 1834, when he returned to Pennsylvania and re-purchasing his drug store in Elizabethtown remained in business ihere until the fall of 1842, when he again came to Preble county with his. family and bought property in Camden, where he opened a drug store which he continued to manage until the time of his death in 1875, after 'which time his son, John H., managed the store for his father's estate for a year, buying the other interests in 1876, since which time he has conducted the popular old store as full owner, building up and maintaining a very profitable trade. On June 1, 1860, John H. L. Bohn was united in marriage to Mary Francis, daughter of James T. Francis and wife, well remembered former residents of Camden, the former of whom was. born in Carlisle, Ohio, and the latter of whom was born in Jacksonburg, Ohio, they having come to Preble county about the year 1849, first locating on a farm and later moving to Camden where they spent the remainder of their lives. To the union of John H. L. and Mary (Francis) Bohn there was born but one child, a daugh-ter, Cora May, who married John R. McCord, a former well-known railroad man of Camden, Ohio, who died on April 2, 1913, since which time Mrs. McCord has made her home with her parents in Camden. To John R. and Cora May (Bohn) McCord were born two children, a son and a daughter, Ernest B. and Fay. Ernest B. 'McCord, who is chief baggagemaster at the union depot at Toledo, Ohio, married Marie Fowler and to them has been born one son, John Robert. Fay McCord married F. R. Yealland and to them two children have been born, John Robert and Frederick Truscoot. The Yeallands live in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Mr. Bohn is a Democrat and though rarely taking an active part in the campaigns of his party in Preble county his counsel and advice not infre-quently are sought by the party leaders, his thorough knowledge of local affairs, coupled with the sagacity and executive ability which have contributed so much to the success of his personal business, giving a particular value to PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 791 his expressions of judgment on local public affairs. He is a member of Camden Lodge No. 159, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Camden Lodge No. i o9, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging also to the encampment of the latter order. In both his public and private life Mr. Bohn has stood four-square to all the winds that blow and his long life of business activity in the community in which he has resided from the time of his early childhood has given him an authoritative position in and about Camden which always has been exerted for the good sof that neighborhood, and he deservedly is held in the highest regard throughout this whole section, a regard which is fully shared by his good wife who always has been active in the good works of the community. JOHN E. SIZELOVE. Who shall measure the influence of the automobile upon our modern life? Everywhere in this broad country, where there are roads on which it may travel, the automobile is to be found, and not infrequently it is to be found in places where there are no roads, a veritable path-finder, the men who penetrate the fastnesses or the deserts with these modern masterpieces of mechanism being no less pioneers than were those men of another generation who penetrated the wilderness which has now been made to blossom as the rose in this favored section of the United States and whom we are accustomed to regard as having been heroes, almost giving them a place in traditional regard alongside those of whom mention briefly is made in the Bible statement to the effect that "there were giants in those days." The automobile industry surely has come to stay. Being practically in its infancy there is no way to estimate its probable eXtension in the years immediately to follow, but that it has a great future there can be no gainsaying. Among those who play no small part in this gigantic industry as it affects Preble county, the gentleman.whose name heads this biographical sketch must be taken into account and no history of this county would properly be complete without a brief resume of his career. John E. Sizelove was born near Oxford, Ohio, September 6, 1872, the son of Milton and Margaret (Addison) Sizelove, the former of whom was a native of Butler county, Ohio, the latter a native of Preble county. Milton Sizelove was born on May 10, 1843, a son of George and Ada (Brooks) Sizelove, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of 792 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Preble county. George Sizelove was a potter by trade and owned and operated an extensive pottery near Riley, Ohio, until the time of his death in 1853, his wife surviving him until the year 1860. The pottery business was carried on for a time by their son, Milton, who married Margaret Addison in 1868, to which union were born six children, four of whom are still living: Louisa, the wife of Frank Stephens, who lives in Camden, Ohio; John E., the subject of this biographical review, who is engaged in the automobile and livery business in Camden; James M., who owns and conducts a successful grocery store in Camden, and George M., the present postmaster of Camden. Milton Sizelove followed farming in Butler county, Ohio, until 1884, four years after the death of his wife, which occurred January 19, 1880, when he moved with his family to Somers township, this county, where he continued to farm until 1912, when he moved to Camden, Where he is now living a retired life, enjoying the comforts well earned by his life of industrious application to the duties which daily confront the earnest tiller of the soil. John E. Sizelove, with whom this biographical narrative more particularly treats, received a common-school education in the schools of his native county and followed the footsteps of his father, taking up the life of a farmer, which he followed until 1908, in which year he bought the Phares livery barn in Camden. After conducting that business for a short time he sold the Phares barn and bought the more extensive establishment which he is now conducting with so much success. In addition to carrying on the general business of a livery and sale stable, he is as well a dealer in automobiles, horses, buggies, harness and the various appurtenances thereof, conducting a thoroughly up-to-date establishment, making a specialty of prompt auto service to all adjoining points. On March 4, 1896, Mr. Sizelove was united in marriage to Daisy Armstrong, daughter of Edward Armstrong and wife, farmers of Preble county, both of whom are now dead. To the union of John E. and Daisy (Armstrong) Sizelove one son has been born, John M., Jr., born on May 23, 1903, who is now attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Sizelove are earnest members of the Presbyterian church and take their part in the various activities of the local congregation. Mr. Sizelove is a Democrat, but not so intense in his partisanism that he cannot see the good points of the tickets of any of the other political parties, reserving to himself the right to vote for the best men in any election, regardless of their political affiliations. He is a member of the Masonic order, his membership being in Camden Lodge No. 159, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of the local Camden Lodge No. 109, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is attached to the encamp- PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 793 ment of the same order at Camden, being likewise a member of Camden Lodge No. 259, Knights of Pythias, being connected with the Sanhedrin of that order, and is a member of the American Mechanics, of Camden, and of the Improved Order of Red Men, of the same town. By this it will be seen that Mr. Sizelove is well to the front in the various social and fraternal activities of his town, where he is deservedly popular among all who know him. WILLIAM C. FISHER. Among the many prosperous and progressive farmers of Preble county, men of able foresight, calm .deliberation and mature judgment, the men who constitute the very backbone of the local forces which shape the government and affairs of the people of this section, few are better known than William C. Fisher, township trustee and one of the most progressive and influential residents of Israel township, where he has lived all his life uprightly, openly and aboveboard, honored and respected by all in his neighborhood. William C. Fisher was born in Fairhaven, Israel township, Preble county, Ohio, August 26, 1855, a son of Daniel and Mary (Smith) Fisher, the former of whom was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of whom was a native of Preble county. Daniel Fisher was one of the fourteen children of John and Lydia Fisher, who were married on January 7, 1803, by the Rev. Nathan Guller. John Fisher was born in Pennsylvania on September 14, 1779, and died on November 27, 1827. His wife Lydia was born on January 12, 1783, and died on December 25, 1827, she having survived her husband less than one month. To the union of this worthy couple there were born fourteen children, as follow : Adam, born on September 18, 1803; Margaret, January 25, 1805; Susanna, November 6, .1806; Philip, February 26, 1808; William, August 24, 1809; Samuel, February 23, 1811 ; Levi, February 6, 1812; David, January 13, 1813; John, January 11, 1815; Maria, November 11, 1816; Daniel, July 18, 1818; Lydiann, November 13, 1822; Franklin, October 9, 1824, and Belinda, December 19, 1827. Daniel Fisher learned the trade of rope-making at which he worked for a period of four years, after which he became a machinist and learned the trade of engine-building at which he became quite proficient and at which he worked for a. period of four years or more, at the end of which 794 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. time he took up the trade of tinsmith. He and his brother, Levi, went into the tinshop together, at Liberty, Indiana, later removing their tin and hardware store to College Corner. Later disposing of his interest there, Daniel Fisher went to Canton, Ohio, where, about the year 1852, he and his brother, William, started a paper-mill, which they operated for three years. During the next ten years Daniel Fisher engaged in farming, while thus en-gaged being located at several different points. Before going to Canton he had invented and patented a churn that netted him a handsome profit. An-other of his profitable inventions was a metal socket for fence posts; still another was a suction churn-dasher. He opened a tinshop and hardware store in the village of Fair Haven, this county, which he conducted from 1862 to 19̊5, becoming. a quite successful business man. He. also owned a good farm near Fair Haven, from which he derived considerable profit and was properly regarded as among the most successful and influential men of that section of the county. Daniel Fisher was twice married, his first union having been with Re-becca Harter, to whom he was married in 1845, and who bore him one son, John J. Upon her death he married Mary Smith, who was born in Preble county on February 7, 1830, and to this union there were born seven children, six of whom are still living, as follow : Mary A., born on March 13, 1853, is the wife of Matthew Brown and lives in Israel township, Preble county; William C., the immediate subject of this sketch; Clara C., born on April 8, 1858, the widow of William S. Marshall, who died in 1908, now living in Fair Haven; Daniel F., born on December 22, 186, a well-known farmer of Israel township; Emma L., born on April 29, 1863, lives in Fair Haven; John S., born on June 6, 1866, died in the autumn of 1908, and Hattie S., born on January 10, 1869, the wife of Clarence McDiwitt, living in Dixon township. Daniel Fisher was a Republican and always took an interested part in the campaigns of his party in this county. Both he and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven for a number of years, but later became connected with the Methodist Episcopal church at the same place, with which they retained their membership until the time of their death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were. among the most highly respected residents of their section of Preble county and there was sincere mourning when they passed away. Mr. Fisher died on June 22, 1899, his wife surviving him for some Fears, her death not occurring until September 27, 1911. William C. Fisher received his education in the excellent public schools at Fair Haven and supplemented this course of instruction with a course of PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 795 one year at the Farmers College at Cincinnati. Following this schooling he worked for four years as a clerk in the store of Thomas P. Simmons, at Fairhaven. Following the example of his father he also learned the trade of tinsmith, which he followed as - an incident to his work when he presently took up farming in earnest. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres in Israel township, one-half mile east of Fair Haven and about seven miles west of Camden. This farm, which is one of the most highly cultivated farms in the county, is well improved as to its buildings, having two dwelling houses and an ample barn. On December 27, 1881, William C. Fisher was united in marriage to Belle A. Hays, a daughter of William R. and Elizabeth J. (Marshall) Hayes, who was born in Israel township, as was her father before her. The late William R. Hayes, father of Mrs. Fisher, was one of the best known arrd most highly respected men in Preble county. He started life as a poor boy and at the time of his death owned one thousand acres of fine land in Preble county and was one of the heaviest taxpayers in the county. He was born in Israel township, Preble county, in 1828, and died at his home in the same township on May 7, 1907, at the age of seventy-nine years and one day. In 1859 Mr. Hayes was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Marshall, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1840, and to them ten children were born, as follow : Belle A., wife of William C. Fisher; Margaret E., wife of Samuel Paxton, lives in Israel township; Lydia M., wife of Frank Fisher, lives in Israel township; Mary E. died at the age of twenty; John H. lives in Oxford, Ohio; Robert E. died at the age of one year; James Charles, lives in Israel township; William B. lives in Portland, Oregon; Walter C. died at the age of two years, and Arthur J. lives in Fair HaAn. Since the death of her husband the mother of these children has been making her home with her eldest daughter, Mrs. William C. Fisher. To William C. and Belle A. (Hayes) Fisher four children were born, only one of whom is now living, Nellie, who was born on July 18, 1887, who married Harry Lybrook and lives on the home farm, a portion of which is farmed by her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Lybrook have one daughter, Ethel, born on July 19, 1914. The first child of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, Ethel, born on April 21, 1883, married Calvin Wilson, to whom she bore one child, mother and child both now being dead. The two other children of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher died in infancy. Mr. Fisher is a Republican and always has taken an active interest in local politics, his judgment in matters of public concern being given careful consideration in the deliberations of the party managers in Preble county. 796 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. His interest in public affairs has been recognized by the voters of his home township who, at the last election, elected him to the office of township trustee, a position which he is filling with the same thoughtful judgment which he always has brought to bear in the management of his personal affairs, his administration consequently giving the utmost satisfaction to the people of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are faithful and earnest members of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven and always are found at the front in any movement having to do with the advancement of the interests of the community in a social, moral or civic way, their influence being such as to inspire confidence in their counsels on all matters affecting the general welfare. JOSEPH A. WEADICK. To the British Isles this country owes a debt of gratitude for many of its most able and substantial citizens. This does not apply to the pioneers alone, but also to those ambitious natives of Great Britain who have struck out for themselves in later years and who, by their own efforts have achieved success in this country during this and the preceding generation. Of these English-speaking immigrants there are none better qualified to play an important part in the development and improvement of a country than are the Irish. Naturally ambitious and industrious, these people quickly adjust themselves to the demands of any thrifty community, retaining the best qualities of their native land and acquiring the best in the land of their adoption, thus rapidly forging ahead until they are ranked among the best citizens of the territory in which they have settled. In this respect Preble county, Ohio, has been fortunate, as it now counts among its citizens many of Irish birth or parentage, all of whom are instrumental in maintaining the high standard of citizenship for which Preble county has always been noted. Among these may well be ranked the Weadick family, of which there are several living representatives prominently playing their parts in working out the destinies of Preble county. Joseph A. Weadick, the subject of this sketch, was born in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, January 6, 1888, the son of Thomas and Mary (Yost) Weadick. Thomas Weadick was a native of Ireland, who came to this country with his parents when he was a small boy. After his marriage to Mary Yost, Thomas Weadick settled in Preble county, and to PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 797 him and Mrs. Weadick were born seven children, Ella, the wife of Michael Coleman, of Somers township, this county; William, of this county ; Jennie, the wife of Thomas O'Leary, of Gasper township, this county; James, who died in infancy ; John, of Dixon township, this county; Joseph A., the subject of this sketch, and Lawrence, who lives in Jackson township, this county. Thomas Weadick was a successful farmer, an occupation which he followed throughout his life. He started in a small way, but gradually developed his land holdings until, at the time of his death, December 22, 1910, he owned several hundred acres of rich Preble county land. After Mr. Weadick's death Mrs. Weadick went to live with her children in Preble county. Joseph A. Weadick received a common-school education in the schools of Preble county, at the same time learning the elements of successful farm-ing under the able instruction of his father. On November 4, igii, he married Margaret O'Dea, who was born in Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, October 12, 1887, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Horrigan) O'Dea, both of whom were born in County Clare, Ireland, to which union one daughter has been born, Mary, born on November 4, 1912. Patrick O'Dea came to America at the age of twenty-one, landing in a strange land without a dollar. He made his way to New Paris, Ohio, from which point he went to Richmond, Indiana, where he began to make head-way as a tanner and where he married Bridga Horrigan, also a native of County Clare, who came to America with her parents, who located in Jeffer-son township, this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The O'Deas remained in Richmond about ten years after their marriage and then moved to a farm in Jefferson township, this county. Patrick O'Dea started anew in this county on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, only twenty acres of which was cleared and which was very stony. By the exercise of much energy and industry he cleared this farm and brought it to a high state of cultivation. Mrs. O'Dea died on January 7, 1906. A few years later his son took charge of the farm and Mr. O'Dea retired to Richmond, where his last days were spent, his death occurring on July 4, 1913. Mrs. Weadick is one of four children born to her parents, the others being Mary, John and Catherine. Mary, is a eeacher in the schools of Jefferson township, this county ; John is farming on the old home place and Catherine is the wife of John Cahill, of Dixon township, this county. Besides these, Mr. O'Dea brought three nephews to America and educated them here, Michael Britt, who is farming near Cleveland, Ohio; John Britt, a telegraph operator at Richmond, Indiana, and Patrick O'Dea, aged fourteen, who is living with his cousin, John O'Dea, on the old O'Dea farm in this county. 798 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. Weadick owns one hundred and twenty-four acres of fine farm land two and one-half miles northeast of Camden, Ohio. By careful and efficient management he has improved the farm since acquiring possession of it, and has erected on it a fine modern residence and a thoroughly up-to-date barn. In the operation of his farm he specializes in the raising of a fine grade of stock. In politics Mr. Weadick is a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never yet played an active part in the political affairs of his community. In every respect Mr. Weadick is a worthy representative of the sterling ancestors who founded his family in Preble county. Already a successful farmer, although still a young man, he is forwarding his career in a manner which seems destined to place him among the most prominent and substantial citizens of Preble county. ADAM EHRHARDT. Among the solid and substantial citizens of nearly every section of this country will be found many of either German birth or German parentage. In this respect Preble county, Ohio, is no exception to the general rule, as it numbers' among the leading residents of its various communities many persons of German ancestry. In Preble county one of the most prominent German-American citizens is Adam Ehrhardt, of Somers township, who has achieved success not only in his calling as a farmer, but also in the local politics of his community. Adam Ehrhardt was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 22, 1849, the son of Adam and Rebecca (Nogle) Ehrhardt. Adam Ehrhardt, Sr., was a native of Germany. He came to the United States when he was twenty-one years of age and landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, from which place he went to Cincinnati. He then followed the vocation of a gardener at Clifton, a small place which is now a part of Cincinnati. He married Rebecca. Nogle, who was born in Pennsylvania, but who moved to Cincinnati with her parents when she was six years of age. To this union were born six children, all of whom are living, Adam, the subject of this sketch : Henry, who lives in Shelby county, Ohio ; Frederick, who lives at Eaton, this county ; Margaret, who is the wife of Fred Sellmeyer, of Cincinnati, and Lucy, the wife of George Close, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhardt died in Cincinnati, the death of the former occurring in 1873. Mrs. Ehrhardt surviving her husband until 1907. They were both devout members of the Ger- PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 799 man Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Ehrhardt upheld the principles of the Republican party. Adam Ehrhardt, Jr., had little opportunity to procure an education, as he was early called upon to aid his father in the support of the family, being the eldest son and the health of his father not the best. In March, 1876, Mr. Ehrhardt married Minnie Seeger, who was born on August 11, 1851, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Seeger, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Seeger died on November 19, 1867, and Mr. Seeger died on July 18, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhardt nine children have been born, eight of whom are living: Addie E., born on March 3, 1877, the wife of Louis Creech, of Somers township, this county ; 011ie, born on August 24, 1878, the wife of W. J. J. Johnson, of Warden, Montana ; John A., born on February 26, 1880, now living in Dixon township; Levi L., born on August 8, 1882, now living in Somers township ; Fred D., born on December 12, 1884, who died on September 27, 1891; Rebecca M., born on April 5, 1886, the wife of Stanley Dillman, of this county ; Carrie K., born on April 20, 1888, the wife of George Winholt, of Sugar Valley, Ohio, and Edmund A., born on May 10, 1891, who is in charge of the home farm. After his marriage Mr. Ehrhardt moved from Cincinnati to Preble county and bought eighty acres of land, on which he now lives. By degrees he added to his original land until he now owns five hundred and forty acres of rich Preble county land, all thoroughly improved and in the best of Condition. On his land he has erected a fine residence and several excellent barns. Mr. Ehrhardt is a devoted member of the German Lutheran church, as was also Mrs. Ehrhardt, previous to her death, which occurred April 4, 1914. The children are all members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Ehrhardt is a loyal supporter of the Democratic party and has long taken an active interest in the affairs of the party in his community. His efforts in its behalf have been recognized and rewarded by his election to the office of road supervisor of his county, the duties of which office he has so ably executed that the voters of his township have continually re-elected him and have kept him in the office for a period of seventeen years. Mr. Ehrhardt is in every sense of the term a self-made man, a distinction which rightfully gains for him the highest esteem and respect of his neighbors. Starting, as he did, a poor boy obliged to aid his father in the support of his family, the intelligent application of his efforts and industry