USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
Charles and a resident of Gasper township, Preble county ; and Jonathan, of Eaton. The deceased were Hannah, who married David Spitler; Elizabeth, who married Abram Cooper; Susanna, who married Benjamin Cooper; Nancy, who died unmarried; and Peter.
When only seven years of age Christian Flora accompanied his parents on their emi- gration to the Buckeye state. He attended the country schools in Gasper township and was reared to the work of the farm, early be- coming familiar with all the duties and la- bors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1848 he was married and began operating a farm on his own account. He continued to rent land until 1851, when he purchased the Franklin McWhinney farm, just north of his present home. It was in 1855 that he purchased the old homestead where he has since lived. His careful cultivation of the fields has brought to him a good income, and he has long been known as one of the leading and enterprising agriculturists of the com- munity. During the civil war he was a stanch Union man and contributed freely of his means in support of the cause. He was one of the celebrated "squirrel riflemen" who, upon the governor's call for troops, went to Cincinnati to aid in repelling the threatened invasion of Morgan who was making his way northward from Kentucky. During his absence his wife, a most patriotic and loyal woman, drove a four-horse team to a reaper in the wheat field. She was also active in the work of the Sanitary Aid Soci- ety, and did all she could to advance the Union cause and promote the interests of the men on the field and in the hospital.
Mrs. Flora bore the maiden name of Sarah Potterf, and on the 9th of March, 1848, she gave her hand in marriage to the
265
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
gentleman whose name introduces this re- view. Her father, David Potterf, was born September 14, 1802, and died February 13, 1874. The Potterf family is also of German lineage and was founded in America by the great-grandfather of Mrs. Flora, who set- tled in Rockingham county, Virginia. His son, Gasper Potterf, was born in Rocking- ham county, Virginia, in 1754, and came to Ohio in 1806, settling in what is now Gasper township, Preble county. The town- ship of Gasper was named in his honor, re- ceiving his first name, and during the early development of the county he was one of its prominent and influential citizens. Prior to emigrating westward he loyally served in the war of the Revolution, participating in the battles of Brandywine, Valley Forge and Yorktown, being present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and he was also at one time a prisoner in the hands of the English. He had the honor and pleasure of being present when General Washington delivered his farewell address to the army. He was mar- ried in 1784 to Susannah Ridenour, who died in 1831, and his death occurred in Gas- per township, on the 4th of October, 1836, when he had reached the age of eighty-two years. David Potterf, the father of Mrs. Flora, was a farmer by occupation, and hav- ing arrived at years of maturity he wedded Anna Sorber, a daughter of Jacob and Cath- erine Sorber, who came to Preble county in 18II. She was a consistent and faithful member of the Reformed church, and died in March, 1895, aged eighty-six years, re- spected by all who knew her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Potterf were born eleven children, seven of whom are yet living, namely : Mrs. Flora; George W., a physician of Sterling, Kansas; Eliza J., wife of Isaiah Ross, of West Alexandria, Ohio; Mary C., wife of
John Flora, of Liberty, Indiana ; Anna M., wife of Jacob Klinger, of West Alexandria. Lewis A. and David E., who are also res- idents of West Alexandria. The four de- ceased children are : Susannah, who married Joseph Barmhizer ; Catherine, wife of Louis Pottenger; Jacob C .; and Philena, who died in infancy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Flora were born four children : Edwin E., who is living in Sumner county, Kansas; Alvina F., wife of Marks Deem, of Eaton; Perry C., a resident of Jackson township; and Anna B., wife of G. W. Rehfuss, of Eaton. Throughout the greater part of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Flora have resided upon the farm which is now their home, their residence here covering a period of forty-five years. They are widely and favorably known in the com- munity and are leading members of the Christian church of Eaton, in which they take a very active part. They contributed liberally to its support and Mr. Flora has served as a member of its board of deacons. In his political views he is a stalwart Re- publican, having supported that party since its organization. For many years he served as township trustee and as school trustee, discharging his duties with marked prompt- ness and fidelity. All who know him high ly for his sterling worth, and it is with pleas- ure that we present the record of this hon- ored pioneer and respected farmer to the readers of this volume.
CHARLES M. WILCOX, D. D. S.
Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among other occupations, as it is at once a profession, a trade and a business. Such being the case it follows that in order to at- tain the highest success in it one must be
266
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert in the many tools and appliances incidental to the practice of mod- ern dentistry, and must possess business qualifications adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In none of these qualifications is Dr. Wilcox lacking, and to-day he is numbered among the skill- ful representatives of his chosen profession, which fact is indicated by the liberal patro- nage which is accorded to him.
His entire life has been passed in Preble county. He was born in Monroe township, this county, May 14, 1851. His father, Abram Wilcox, was a native of the Empire state, where he was reared to manhood. Ul- timately he made his way down the Ohio river to Cincinnati and thence to Preble county. He was a cooper by trade and carried on that business first at Eldorado and afterward at New Paris. In his politi- cal views he was a Democrat who was never an aspirant for office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs. He mar- ried Miss Henrietta Brightwell, who was born and reared in Maryland, a daughter of John Brightwell, who served his country in the war of 1812. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox were born seven children, four of whom reached years of maturity. The father died at the age of sixty-seven years and the mother passed away in the eightieth year of her age.
Dr. Wilcox is the youngest child and only son of his parents' family who reached adult age. He was reared in Eldorado until 1861, when, at the age of ten, he came with his parents to New Paris and in the schools of this city supplemented the knowledge which he had gained in the former town. Deciding to devote his life to the practice of dentistry, he began preparing for the pro-
fession when sixteen years of age as a student in the office of Dr. J. L. Braffett in New Paris. He remained with him for three years as an apprentice, after which he became the Doctor's partner and that con- nection continued for five years. Dr. Wil- cox has since engaged in practice alone and is one of the oldest dentists in years of con- tinuous connection with the profession in the state. He has much natural mechanical ability as well as a comprehensive knowl- edge of the practical principles of dentistry and has secured many patents on or- iginal devices for performing the work of his profession. He certainly has one of the best equipped offices in the state and his su- perior skill and ability have given to him prestige as a representative of his chosen calling.
The Doctor has been twice married. In Boston, Indiana, in 1880, he married Miss Viola Clingpeel, by whom he had a daughter, Henrietta B. P., who is now attending school. His first wife died about six years after their marriage. The Doctor's present wife was formerly Mrs. Minnie Halley, a daughter of Samuel Mitchell and a native of Preble county. In his political views Dr. Wilcox is a stanch Democrat and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, giving to his party an intelligent support. Recognized as one of its leaders in his com- munity, he was elected on its ticket to the office of mayor of New Paris in 1890 and served most acceptably in that position. He belongs to Fellowship Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., and to the Knights of Pythias of Eldorado and I. O. O. F. of New Paris. He also holds membership in the Eastern Indiana Dental Association and spares no expense nor effort that will advance his knowledge and skill in his chosen profes-
267
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sion. His patience, unfailing courtesy and kindliness have made him very popular, both in business life and in the social circles, and he well merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
CHARLES W. BLOOM.
One of the most prominent representa- tives of the journalistic profession in Preble county is the gentleman whose name intro- duces this review, the well-known editor and proprietor of the New Paris Mirror. A native of this county, he was born in Jef ferson township, September 4, 1846, and is a son of Guy and Hannah (Jameson ) Bloom. The father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1815, and about 1825 ac- companied his parents on their removal to Darke county, Ohio, where he grew to man- hood upon a farm. He came to Preble county when a young man and was mar- ried in New Paris to Hannah Jameson, who was born in Kentucky, in 1827, and was brought to New Paris in 1836 by her father, Wesley Jameson, also a native of Kentucky, who left there in the '50s and died in Nobles- ville, Indiana. Our subject's paternal grand- father, named Joseph Bloom, was born in Pennsylvania, of German descent, and died in Darke county, this state. Throughout his active business life the father followed farming in Preble county, and was well and favorably known. Fraternally he was a Mason. He died in September, 1883, and his wife passed away in 1899. Our sub- ject is the oldest of their ten children, all born in Preble county. The others who are still living are Horace G .; Mary, the wife of William B. Reid; and Homer.
Charles W. Bloom was principally edu- "cated in the common schools, but also at-
tended the academy at Richmond, Indiana, for a time. Going to that city at the age of nineteen years he was there engaged in the furniture business with his father for a while, and was also an engineer. On his re- turn to New Paris he located on the home farm, which he operated during the summer months, while he taught school through the winter season for six years. While thus employed he was married, January 6, 1870, to Miss Anna Pence, also a native of Preble county and a daughter of Nimrod and Eliza- beth Pence. By this union was born a daughter, Grace, who learned the printing business in her father's office and is now the wife of W. L. Hahn, a merchant of New Paris.
Mr. Bloom continued to engage in school teaching for four years after his marriage, and then devoted his time exclusively to his farming interests until 1884. He still owns a good farm of one hundred and eighteen acres in Jefferson township, which he now rents. Removing to New Paris, in 1884, he has since engaged in the printing business. He is the editor of the Mirror, which was established in 1877, and was published un- der the name of the Business Mirror for some time. The first paper with which he was connected was The Amateur, in 1877, since which time he has been more or less interested in journalistic work, and in con- nection with the publication of his present paper he also conducts a job printing office.
In the spring of 1864 Mr. Bloom served one hundred days as a member of the Ohio National Guards. He is a prominent an 1 active member of New Paris Lodge, No. 303, I. O. O F., of which he has been sec- retary for twelve years, and he has been quite an influential and prominent member of the Prohibition party, having ahays
268
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
been a strong temperance man. He was a member of the national convention of that party held at Pittsburg, in 1896, and for four years took a very active part in poli- tics, but since the disruption of that party during the convention he has voted inde- pendently. Religiously he is a member of the Universalist church and is now serving as moderator of the same. He takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the pub- lic welfare of his town, and withholds his support from no enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit.
JAMES B. WELSH, M. D.
A retired physician of Eaton, Dr. Welsh has well earned a period of rest by a long life of usefulness and activity in the medical profession. For over forty years he minis- tered to suffering humanity in Eaton and the surrounding country, and he was the loved family physician of many a household. No night was so dark or so stormy that it prevented his reaching the bedside of the sick or distressed, and he never refused to respond to a professional call even though he knew the hope of pecuniary reward was slight. Though disposed to be wise and care- ful in the expenditure of his energies, it is said that he was never too tired or too sick to go when called. Being a man of strong constitution, he was able to undergo many hardships through his long and successful professional career. Now after many years of honorable connection with the medical fraternity he is permitted to retire from active practice and to enjoy the quiet and rest of a life, surrounded by all the necessi- ties and many of the luxuries which go to make life worth the living, for he not only gained an enviable reputation for his skill
and efficiency, but he also acquired a hand- some competency.
On the 30th of July, 1821, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, Dr. Welsh was born. He was eight years of age when his father died. When a youth of fifteen he removed with his mother to Indiana. Soon after at- taining his majority he began, in an irreg- ular way, the study of medicine, being at the same time engaged in school-teaching. In 1858 he was graduated at the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, and immediately aft- erward he located in Eaton, since which time he has been closely identified with the growth of this city and Preble county. Dur- ing all this time he has been accounted one of the most skillful representatives of his profession and one of the most valuable and progressive citizens of the community. Though always to be relied upon as a friend of progress, interested in public matters, and ardent in the support of universal education, his activity in professional life and his duties as a physician precluded his active connec- tion with public or social affairs. He served for many years on the board of education in Eaton and always favored liberal appropria- tions for carrying on the work and the em- ployment of the best teachers. Much credit and praise is due the board of education, which secured for Eaton its present excellent school building on Barron street. Dr. Welsh was the president of that board and was influential in obtaining for Eaton the splendid building which stands as a monu- ment to the intellectual activity of the town, and especially to those who were members of the board at the time of its erection.
At one time Dr. Welsh was interested in the banking business at Kokomo, Indiana, but through no fault of his own this enter- prise proved a failure. He took no legal or
1
James B. Kloh, M.D.
269
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
other advantage to escape his responsibility, but finally paid off every liability to which he was legally and morally obligated, thus sustaining in the aggregate a loss of more than fifty thousand dollars. In his business transactions the Doctor has ever been fair and honorable, dealing justly with his fellow men. At no time has his integrity ever been called into question, and his word has ever been regarded as good as his bond.
The Doctor has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Eva J. Garver, whom he wedded May 16, 1841. She became the mother of six children, the eldest of whom was Dr. Isaac N. Welsh, who for many years successfully practiced dentistry in Eaton. Of the children only two survive- Mrs. A. C. Risinger and Dr. E. E. Welsh- both of Eaton. Of the others, Mary Amanda died at the age of four years; Lou- isa became the wife of S. B. Tizzard and died in young womanhood; and Lucy V. died in early life. On the 22d of February, 1878, the mother was called to the home beyond this life and by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends her remains were borne to Mound Hill cemetery and there interred. She was a lady of sterling qualities, a devoted wife and mother and a faithful friend. On the 11th of September, 1879, the Doctor was again married, his second union being with Miss Catherine Oakes, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. By the second marriage there is one son, James Oakes Welsh, who was born April 12, 1885.
In religious beiief the Doctor is a Univer- salist, and in politics he has been a Republi- can from the organization of the party. Pre- viously he was an Abolitionist and Free- Soiler. He voted for James G. Birney, the first Abolition candidate for president. 16
Though not a voter during the campaign of William Henry Harrison, he lent his aid and enthusiasm to further the interests of the "log-cabin candidate." In all life's relations he has borne the part of a true, sincere and honorable man. Successful in his chosen profession, proficient in business affairs, public-spirited, kind and considerate to his family and fellow men, he is numbered among the venerated and highly respected residents of Preble county, and certainly deserves honorable mention among the lead- ing residents of Preble county.
MRS. KATHARINE OAKES WELSH.
Mrs. Katharine Oakes Welsh is a native of Callaway county, Missouri, and a daugh- ter of Jeremiah and Catherine (Stutes) Oakes. Her paternal grandfather, Edward Prince Oakes, came to southwestern In- diana in the pioneer days, locating near Fairfield, Indiana. He married Elizabeth Mitchell, a representative of one of the prominent families of Massachusetts, while he came of an old family of Maine, in which state he was born. In the fall of 1841 Jere- miah Oakes and his wife removed to Mis- souri, but soon afterward left that state and returned to Fairfield, Indiana, where he died in December. 1845. Catherine Stutes was his second wife and survived him for forty years.
Katharine Oakes began her education in the public schools, attending the high school of Dayton, Ohio, and in 1869 was graduated at Antioch College with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts. She subsequently engaged in teaching, following that profession for seventeen years. In 1864-5 she was a teacher of the high school at Washington Court House, and in 1865-6 she taught in the pub-
270
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lic schools of Eaton. During the succeeding scholastic year she was at Antioch College. She taught at Milledgeville, Fayette county, Ohio, in the year 1867-8. On the 14th of February, 1870, she returned to Eaton, where she began teaching in the high school, remaining there for more than two years. From 1872 to 1874 she was the principal of the high school and Northern Building in Springfield, Ohio; from 1874 to 1878 she was the principal of the high school at Ra- venna, Portage county, Ohio; and in 1878-9 taught in the preparatory department of Antioch College, at the same time instruct- ing a private class of young ladies. Her first teaching was done in the Southwest District school, in Dayton, Ohio, being em- ployed in the absence of the regular teacher, though she was then but twelve years of age. The first compensation she ever re- ceived for teaching was five dollars, obtained for giving instruction in the first five books of geometry, at Yellow Springs, Ohio.
On the IIth of September, 1879, she be- came the second wife of James B. Welsh, of Eaton, Ohio, by whom she has one son, James Oakes, now a student in the high school of this city. As a teacher Mrs. Welsh was very successful. She became promi- nently known among the educators of the state and gained a very enviable reputation as a representative of the profession. To her efforts was largely due the introduction and upbuilding of the Eaton high school in its beginning. In religious faith Mrs. Welsh is of the Disciples' church. Of scholarly attainments, strong mentality, keen discern- ment and foresight, aided by diplomacy and culture, she is a lady of remarkable ability and has left a favorable impress of her char- acter in the various relations of life in which she has been called.
JOHN PARKER.
One of the most enterprising and pro- gressive business men of Preble county is John Parker, who resides in Jackson town- ship, where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born on the 15th of April, 1858, in the township which is still his home, his parents being Asher and Harriet (Larsh) Parker. The father was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, on the 24th of March, 1828, and when six years of age came with his parents to Ohio, the family locating in Butler county, where they remained for a year, and then removed to Sommers township, just west of Camden, in Preble county, where the grandparents, Lewis and Mary (Smith) Parker, spent their remaining days. They were both na- tives of Monmouth county, New Jersey, and the former was a son of William and Mary (Smith) Parker. They, too, were natives of the same state, and the Parkers were orig- inally from Ireland, the first American em- igrants reaching this country at an early period in its development. The maternal grandparents of our subject were John and Lydia (Truax) Larsh. The former was of French descent, became one of the pioneer settlers of Preble county and was a well- known farmer of Dixon township.
Asher Parker was reared upon the home farm and was married on the 2d of March, 1852, to Miss Harriet Larsh, who was born in Dixon township, August 10, 1828. They began their domestic life on a farm on sec- tion 20, Jackson township, where Mr. Parker operated one hundred and eighty acres belonging to his father. There he re- mained for twelve years, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty-three acres on section 26, Jackson township, making his
271
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
home thereon until 1886, when he disposed of that property and purchased his present farm of two hundred and sixty acres on sections 35 and 36, of the same township. Here he has since resided and has been very successful in his business undertakings. He is now living retired, having acquired a competence which enables him to put aside all the more arduous duties of life. In his political views he is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his busi- ness interests, in which he has won a very creditable degree of prosperity. In his fam- ily were five children, four of whom are yet living: William, who resides on the home farm, where he was born; John; Lewis, proprietor of a meat market in Eaton; and Ida, wife of Everet Nearon, a farmer of Jackson township.
On the home farm John Parker spent the days of his boyhood and youth and in the common schools of the neighborhood ac- quired his education. On attaining his ma- jority he began operating a portion of his father's land upon shares, and about 1895 his father retired from the management of the farm and our subject assumed charge. He displays excellent business ability in the conduct of the place, and the well tilled fields, the buildings kept in good repair and improvements in good condition, all indicate the careful supervision of a painstaking and progressive manager.
Mr. Parker is a valued member of Eaton Lodge No. 30, and Preble Encampment, No. 45, I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs of the lodge. He also belongs to Waverly Lodge, No. 143, K. P., of Eaton; Dakota Tribe, No. 73, I. O. R. M., of Eaton, of which he is the prophet. In his political affiliations he is a stalwart Republican. He
is recognized as one of the progressive young business men of the county, a favorite of his friends and esteemed by all with whom he has come in contact.
WERTER DAVIS PUGH.
Werter Davis Pugh is one of the most highly respected citizens of Preble county, and his fellow townsmen gave every evi- dence of their appreciation of his ability by electing him to public office. He is now identified with the agricultural interests of Washington township, but was born in Gasper township, on the 27th of May, 1846, a representative of one of the old southern families. His grandfather, William Pugh, was a native of Georgia and came to Ohio at a pioneer epoch. He was one of the first settlers of Dixon township and there de- voted his energies to agricultural pursuits. His son, John Pugh, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Dixon township and in early life learned the blacksmith's trade, fol- lowing that occupation near the present home of our subject. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Mary Moren, daughter of Joseph Moren, who belonged to one of the old families of Ohio. She died in 1847, and Mr. Pugh passed away in 1854. They were both con- sistent and faithful members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and took an active part in its work, Mr. Pugh serving as class leader. This worthy couple had three chil- dren: Mary E., wife of J. J. Lewis, of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Joseph, who makes his home in Rushville, Indiana; and Werter Davis, of this review.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.