USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 30
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In business he has attained a high degree of success and is widely recognized as one of the leading farmers of the community. Both he and his wife have a large circle of friends in the county and their home is noted for its gracious hospitality.
On the 26th of December, 1876, Mr. Markey was united in marriage to Miss Julia Bloomfield, a native of Washington township and a daughter of Reuben and Amanda (Harbinson) Bloomfield. They now have two children, Josie and Hugh. The latter
became a student in the Miami University and had entered upon his second year there when death claimed him. About the Ist of October he returned from the university to his home ill with typhoid fever, and after two weeks passed away he died, October 18, 1900, at the age of nineteen years, seven months and nine days. The funeral services were held the following Sunday and the con- course of people gathered on such an occa- sion has hardly been outnumbered in the his- tory of the county. Quite a number of the university boys were present, with three of the faculty, to pay the last tribute of respect to a former comrade. The Rev. Stovenour and the Rev. Shoot conducted the services at the home and the remains were interred in Mound Hill cemetery, near Eaton. Per- haps no better estimate of his life and char- acter can be given than to append a notice of his death which appeared in one of the local papers and was written by one who had known him well from early boyhood. The writer said :
"In his childhood he was gentle and kind, and as he blossomed into manhood the same character marked his life. In school he was studious and his countenance was continual sunshine, which won the respect and esteem of his teachers and schoolmates. At the age of seventeen he graduated from the Jackson township high school with hon- ors, and in the autumn of 1898 he entered the Miami University, where he soon won the love of pupils and faculty by his amiable manner. The president of the university, once being asked by the writer concerning our friend Hugh, gave his true character when he said, 'Everybody who loves what is grand and noble, loves Hugh Markey.' This high aim, linked with love for all and kindness to all, were the traits which made
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everybody his friend. At home he seemed to live only to obey the wishes of his par- ents and friends, and during all his life he was never known to disregard an entreaty of his parents. During his short sickness he never complained or murmured, but hum- bly submitted to the will of one who is able to save, and in his care has fallen asleep to waken in the heavenly home, there to await and welcome his friends when their sum- mons shall come.
Sleep on, true heart, and slumber well, And rest from sorrow's dreary spell. No more thy tears of grief shall flow, No more thoul't feel earth's bitter woe, But pure and calm and bright and strong Thy happy years shall glide along.
Sleep soft, dear heart, thy gentle life Has passed the boundary line of strife, And, like a flower crushed in its prime, Leaves fragrant memories behind. Adown the years thy love will bear Remembrance of the life so fair.
Sleep on, O, gentle heart and sweet, The passage of thy years so fleet, Eternity's unbroken band Shall circle thee with golden strand And happy ages roll along In floods of glad angelic song.
ALBERT HAWLEY, M. D.
Dr. Albert Hawley, an old and prominent physician of Preble county whose home is on section 36, Jefferson township, was born January 22, 1822, in Warren county, this state, on the hills about a quarter of a mile from the Little Miami river, in Deerfield township, twenty-six miles from Cincinnati, and is of English and Irish descent. His paternal grandfather was probably born in England and married in Connecticut. His father, Joel Hawley, was a native of Con- necticut and a farmer and local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. He wed-
ded Mary Dill, who was born and reared in New York, but when young came to Ohio, where she died at about the age of fifty-five years and he passed away at the age of sixty. They were the parents of five sons, all of whom grew to manhood, and three are now living, our subject being the second in order of birth. Andrew is a physician of College Corner, Butler county, Ohio, living on the line between this state and Indiana, and Harvey is a farmer- of Clermont county, Ohio.
Dr. Hawley, of this review, spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native county, and acquired his early education in a primitive log school house in Deerfield township. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Clermont county, where he continued his studies for a time, remain- ing with his father until twenty years of age. He then commenced the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. William Hawley, of Ox- ford, Ohio, and was with him about three years. In 1846 he opened an office in Get- tysburg, Preble county, where he still re- sides. For half a century he was actively engaged in practice, and met with marked success in his chosen calling, but since 1896 has lived retired. He attended lectures at the Medical College of Ohio, and was very successful in the treatment of cholera cases during two epidemics of that dread disease.
In 1848 Dr. Hawley married Miss Mary Potterfield, who died in less than a year after their marriage, and in 1850 he wedded Miss Elizabeth M. Watt, who was born near New Paris, Preble county, and died in 1895. By the second union he had five children: Dr. Crittenden C. A. Hawley, a physician of Gettysburg: Elizabeth, the wife of B. F. Welirly, of Richmond, Indiana; Dr. Ashley C., who died in Eaton; William A., a phar-
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macist of Union City, Indiana, and James Grant, a farmer, who is living at home with his father. All were born in Jefferson township, Preble county, and were given good school privileges.
The Doctor is one of the old residents of the county, and has watched with interest its wonderful development and progress. On locating here he had but one suit of clothes and five dollars in money, but he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, which ex- tended over a wide range of territory in those early days, and in visiting his patients he rode horseback over roads which would now seem impassable. He steadily pros- pered in his new home, and is to-day the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land, from which he has cleared away the timber and which he has placed in a high state of cultivation. Politically he is a stanch supporter o fthe Republican party and its principles, and is a strong temperance man, having taken an active interest in or- ganizing the first temperance lodge in Gettys- burg. For forty years he has been an earn- est and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is honored and re- spected by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances who appreciate his sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
THEODORE F. BROWER.
Theodore F. Brower is a self-made man who started upon his business career with- out capital, but is to-day the possessor of a comfortable competence as the result of his well-directed and honorable efforts. He is now extensively engaged in the livery busi- ness, having a liberal patronage.
Born in Lanier township, Preble county, on the 15th of May, 1843, Mr. Brower is a
son of Henry and Catherine (Nevinger) Brower. His father also was born in Lanier township, about 1821, and the grandfather was one of the earliest settlers of this section of the state. Upon the old home farm Henry Brower was reared, and having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Nevinger. He then took up his abode upon a farm ad- joining his father's land, and throughout his life, covering a period of seventy years, he remained a resident of Preble county, his home being in Lanier and Twin townships. His death occurred in 1891, and the comuni- ty thereby lost one of its valued citizens. In early life he was a Whig and later was a supporter of the Republican party. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Ohio during her childhood, her parents locating in Montgomery county, whence they removed to West Alexandria. There the grandfather opened and conducted a hotel in the early days of the town, but later re- turned to Montgomery county, where he re- sided up to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Brower became the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living, namely : Sarah J., the widow of James Bennett, of Eaton, Ohio; Albert, a farmer of Lanier township; Theodore F., our subject ; Joseph, who is living in Farmersville, Montgomery county, where he is engaged in the livery business; Alice, the wife of William Kuntz, of Lanier township; Andrew, a farmer of Twin township; William, who is also living in Twin township; Oscar, a resident farmer of Lanier township; Charlie, who is carrying on agricultural pursuits near Anderson, In- diana, and Minnie E., wifeof Leander Baker, of Dayton. Two children died in childhood, and George Brower, one of the children, was killed at the battle of Nashville, while serv- I ing in the civil war.
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Mr. Brower, whose name introduces this review, spent the first eighteen years of his life on the home farm, and the labors and duties of the field became familiar to him through actual experience. In June, 1862, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company H, Ninety-third Ohio Infantry. He served as a private and participated in many import- ant engagements, including the battles of Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Resaca and Mission Ridge, and the almost continuous fighting of the Atlanta campaign. He was in the battles of Pulaski and of Nashville. He was captured at Chickamauga on Saturday, but the fol- lowing day made his escape and rejoined his regiment. At the battle of Resaca he was wounded and was confined in the hospital at Bridgeport, Alabama, for three weeks, when he again rejoined his regiment. Al- ways found at his post of duty, he was true and loyal to the cause, and with an honor- able military career he returned to his home, after being mustered out at Nashville, in June, 1865.
On again reaching Ohio Mr. Brower re- sumed farming. He was married in 1866, to Miss Catherine Black, and to them has been born a daughter, Ella, now the wife of William Fouts, a proprietor, with his brother, of a woolen mill of Lanier town- ship. They resided upon the farm for six years, after which Mr. Brower engaged in the sewing machine business for a similar period. He then began selling trees, but as that business kept him so much from his home and family he abandoned it and in 1884 entered the employ of Coffman & Burt- ner, liverymen, with whom he remained for eight years. In 1893 he purchased the business, assuming a heavy indebtedness,
but in the ensuing three years he managed to pay off all this, and at the same time saved capital sufficient to enable him to erect a residence property and to build a commodi- ous livery barn. The keynote of his suc- cess has been untiring industry. He has not been afraid of hard work and his untir- ing labor has brought to him the success for which he strove. His honorable busi- ness methods have secured to him a liberal patronage, and he now enjoys a good in- come from the rental of his teams and rigs.
In 1871 Mr. Brower was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. Later he mar- ried Miss Belle Dininger, a native of West Alexandria and a daughter of John Din- inger, one of the pioneer blacksmiths of the town. Their union has been blessed with three children : Carrie Alice; John R., who is interested with his father in the livery business; and Raymond T. Mr. Brower is a member of O'Kane Post, G. A. R., of Eaton. In politics he gives his support to the Republican party where questions of state and national importance are involved, but at local elections, where only the fitness of the candidates is to be taken into consid- eration, he votes for the men whom he re- gards as best qualified for office. His wife and daughter are members of the Methodist church and to its support he contributes liberally. He certainly deserves great credit for his success in life, and his exam- ple should serve to encourage others who must enter upon a business career without wealth, influential friends or special advan- tages to aid them.
JOEL S. STEWARD.
Joel S. Steward is a prominent factor in the business life of Winchester, and his ac- tivity in connection with the industrial and
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commercial interests has not only been a financial benefit to himself but has also been of material improvement to the city through the promotion of commercial activity where- on depends all the progress and prosperity of a community. Mr. Steward was born in Darke county, Ohio, May 7, 1843. His father, William Steward, was born in Mary- land on Christmas day of 1812, and was a son of John Steward, who was of Scotch parentage. The grandfather was one of the first men who ran a notion-peddler's wagon in Maryland. He was probably born in Baltimore, and was a son of this Scotch- man, for the great-grandfather of our sub- ject emigrated to the new world on account of his dislike to certain measures agreed upon by the lords of Scotland and the Eng- lish diplomats. Among the early ancestors of our subject were Revolutionary patriots. John Steward, the grandfather, married Miss May Link, and they reared a family of three sons and one daughter, all of whom were married and reared families of their own and are now deceased. They were William, the father of our subject; Alex- ander, who went to Illinois as a teamster in the '50s, and one of his sons still lives in Champaign county, that state; and John, who conducted a flouring mill in Miami county.
William Steward also was a representa- tive of the same industry. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Isabelle McSherry, of Pennsylvania, who lived near the Maryland line. In that local- ity the parents of our subject were married, in 1838, and later came to Preble county, Ohio, with their first born, a daughter, Eliz- abeth, who became the wife of Tunis Baird, and died in Kentucky, when about sixty- three years of age, leaving a married daugh-
ter. In the family of William Steward and his wife were eleven children, eight of whom reached adult age, including three sons and five daughters. Virginia is the wife of Will- iam H. McClure, of Greeley, Kansas, and has five children. Mary is the wife of William Thompson, of eastern Illinois, and has two sons and a daughter. Joel S. is the next of the family. Eva B. is engaged in dress- making in Euphemia, Preble county. A. J. is a widower living in Kansas with two sons and one daughter. John A. served in the civil war and died at Lewisburg, Virginia, while in the service at the age of seventeen years. Minerva is a widow living in Greeley, Kansas, and has a daughter and son, and Abbie, who became the wife of Frederick Seigle and died in early womanhood, at the birth of her son, who is living in Greeley, Kansas. The mother of these children died June 28, 1885, at the age of sixty-three years, and the father survived her two years. He left at his death a small estate, for he had suffered heavy loss in 1873, owing to the fall in wheat. In his later life he sold his property and spent his last days upon a forty-acre farm.
Joel Steward, whose name introduces this review, obtained his education in the common schools, where he pursued his studies until sixteen years of age. He then put aside his text books and entered upon the practical duties of life in his father's flouring and saw mill in Preble county. He possessed much natural mechanical ability and soon mastered the business in all of its branches, and from 1864 to 1866 he con- ducted Messrs. Werts & Arnold's flouring mill at West Baltimore; then he bought Mr. Arnold's interest and remained several years as a partner with Mr. Werts, and then sold his interest to Mr. Werts and removed to
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Brookville in Montgomery county, but re- turned to Winchester, Preble county, in the fall of 1881. His business affairs have been earnestly and systematically prosecuted and from an humble position he has worked his way steadily upward until he is now account- ed one of the substantial citizens of the com- munity. He has two farms in this neigh- borhood and other small tracts of land else- where. His sawmill was located upon a plat of ground of four and a half acres. He lived upon one of these farms for a year, but during the greater part of that time made his home in Winchester, where he is suc- cessfully engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber. Mr. Steward is also en- gaged in farming and stock raising, making a specialty of the breeding of fashionably bred trotting horses. He has a great love for the noble steed, is an excellent judge of horses and has a broad and comprehensive knowledge of blooded stock. He has bred, raised and sold some very high-class horses and now owns some of the best in the United States, and conducts the best appointed breeding farm in the county, his horses al- ways asserting themselves in the speed and show rings.
On the 3d of July, 1864, Mr. Steward was married to Miss Rachel Frame, who was born in Preble county in 1841, a daugh- ter of Silas and Polly (Strader) Frame. The only child of this marriage is Thomas Jefferson, who is now twenty-six years of age. He was married February 25, 1900, to Lucille Conley, of Eaton. Mr. Steward is a Master Mason in his social relations, and in politics is independent. He takes an active interest in township and county affairs and while residing in Montgomery county was the mayor of Brookville. When twenty- eight years of age and again when thirty-
eight he was elected a justice of the peace of Preble county and discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. In 1882 he was chosen a township trustee. Prior to 1892 he was in politics a supporter of Dem- ocracy. He is a man of sterling worth, capable in business, thoroughly reliable, courteous and accommodating, and his high standing in business circles is well merited.
ISAAC N. WELSH, D. D. S.
The late Dr. Isaac Newton Welsh, the eldest son of Dr. James B. and Eva B. (Garber) Welsh, was born January 29, 1843, on a farm in Israel township, Preble county, Ohio. His father, of whom ex- tended mention is made elsewhere in this volume, was a school teacher in early life and among other places taught at College Corner; but in the spring of 1849, having resolved to put into immediate execution his plan of studying medicine, located near Fairfield, Franklin county, Indiana, and later took up his abode in the village, where he studied medicine under the guidance of Dr. James H. Elliott. This gave the subject of this memoir the opportunity of attending the village school and exploring the hills of the romantic region around, as well as to play along the banks of the White river. At that early day he proved himself to be a close student and lover of nature. Having fin- ished his studies under Dr. Elliott, his father removed to Falmouth, Rush county, Indiana, where the family remained for six years.
Isaac N. Welsh acquired his elementary education by attending the district and vil- lage schools. While in Falmouth he became the possessor of a violin and learned to play with ability most of the old-fashioned tunes then well known. In March, 1857, the fa-
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ther decided to return to Preble county, Ohio, and purchased the old Garber homestead in Israel township. Thus again Isaac found himself on the banks of the Little Four Mile, but in September of the same year the father sold the farm and with his family removed to Cincinnati to complete his medical edu- cation. Here the parents were for a while undecided as to what course of training and study they wished to give their son. He certainly possessed musical talent, and giving him a musical education in violin playing was seriously considered, but the opportunity for improving his literary education was too good to be lost, so he spent his time within the schoolroom and reluctantly gave up the idea of being a violinist. Thereby his na- tive county gained one of the finest dentists it has ever known. In 1858 Dr. Welsh brought his family to Eaton, where Isaac completed his education, showing special aptitude in his studies. He was also one of the best vocalists in the school, being pas- sionately fond of music. Determining to make the practice of dentistry his profession he studied under Dr. Tuttle, passed a splen- did examination and received his diploma. His success in his professsion was an indi- cation of his superior skill and ability. He soon won first rank among the representa- tives of his calling in this part of the state.
At the time of the civil war Dr. Welsh volunteered as a private in Company H, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving for four months, and was mustered out at Delaware, February 10, 1863. He then resumed his studies, preparing for a profession in which he gained enviable dis- tinction.
On the 28th of January, 1868, the Doctor married Miss Martha J. Kendelberger. This proved to be a very happy marriage,
and they lived together for thirty-two years, four months and eighteen days, when death separated them. To them were born two sons : Charles S., who for the past twelve years has represented the Indiana Dental Supply Company, of Indianapolis, and Frank F., who is one of Eaton's enterprising young business men. In 1873 the Doctor with his family located at Kokomo, Indiana, and during their sojourn of five years there he held the responsible position of cashier in the banking house of Walker, Welsh & Co. In 1878 he returned to Eaton and resumed the practice of dentistry. He and his son, Frank F., established the St. Clair Tile Works, of Eaton, and he was an active factor in business circles. Of all measures intended for the improvement of the city he was an ardent supporter.
About two years before his death he suffered an attack of la grippe, and from that time until the date of his demise his family closely watched the disease that so persistently baffled the skill of the best physicians. With marked devotion to his duty as a practitioner he went to his office many days when he should have remained at home in bed, and not until the 22d of Decem- ber, 1899, did he finally abandon office work. Thus the familiar form that had been seen on the streets day after day for years with a smile and kind word for every one was seen no more. With heroism, uncomplaining and unfaltering courage he met the fate which ended his conflicts, his triumphs and his pleasures here. On Saturday evening, June 16, 1900, out upon the shoreless sea of eternity his bark drifted. He was then fifty-seven years, four months and seven- teen days of age. His was a noble life, for his every purpose and every object was to promote the welfare of his family and the
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community in which he lived. He was a faithful and devoted husband, an affection- ate father and an honest and true friend.
FRANK F. WELSH.
Frank Forest Welsh is a leading repre- sentative of the industrial interests of Eaton and is to-day one of the prominent business men of the city, whose enterprising efforts have not only been a benefit to him but have also materially advanced the welfare and prosperity of the community by promoting commercial activity. He is one of Eaton's native sons, his birth having occurred on the 16th of October, 1870. His father was Dr. Isaac N. Welsh, of whom mention is made above. His preliminary education was acquired in the schools of Eaton, and he was graduated in the high school in the class of 1889. Subsequently he entered the univer- sity at Akron, Ohio, where he pursued the studies for three years and then matriculated in the senior class of the University of Penn- sylvania. With a broad and comprehensive education that well fitted him for life's prac- tical and responsible duties, he returned to Eaton in 1892 and entered upon his business career in association with his father, assum- ing the management of the affairs of the St. Clair Tile Company, one of the leading and successful concerns of the city. Upon the death of his father, the son passed into the full control of the business. He manu- factures drain tile in sizes fromthree toeight- een inches, and also deals in chimney pipe, paving brick, flue tiling, fire brick and fire clay. He also has an extensive coal and wood yard, which with the tile factory is located on Walnut street, adjoining the railroad, thus furnishing excellent facilities for shipping. Here he also carries a large amount of cement, plaster, lime and hair.
Mr. Welsh's capable management of the business is indicated by the excellent success which attends the enterprise. While a large force of workmen are employed and while faithfulness in the performance of duty is required and system prevails, there is noth- ing of the overbearing taskmaster in him; on the other hand he is quick to note merit in an employe, and as opportunity presents, re- wards him by promotion. The business policy which he has always followed has been most commendable. He is methodical, care- ful and thorough, requiring that the strictest honesty must prevail in his establishment, which course has won him the respect of his business associates and all with whom he has had dealings.
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