USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 36
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Elisha Wilkinson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Butler county, Ohio, De- cember 27, 1816, was reared upon his fath- er's farm, and in 1836 was married to Miss Rachel Hand. The only child of that mar- riage is now deceased. After the death of the wife in 1838 Mr. Wilkinson was again married, Miss Rebecca Hazeltine becoming his wife in 1840. She was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Rosswell and Wealthy (Fenton) Hazeltine, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York. She was a sister
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of one of New York's governors. After his marriage Mr. Hazeltine purchased a small farm near College Hill, Ohio, and later re- moved to Butler county. Some years later he took up his residence in Oxford, Ohio, where he made his home until called to his final rest.
After his marriage Elisha Wilkinson located on a farm of one hundred acres in Franklin county, Indiana, given him by his father. It was a tract of timber, but he cleared away the trees and continued the cultivation of the fields until 1856, when he sold the property and came to the farm now owned by his son-a tract of two hundred and twenty acres-to which he afterward added by additional purchases at various times, fifty acres, one hundred and thirty acres and sixteen acres, making his landed possessions aggregate four hundred and six- teen acres. This he subsequently deeded to his children. In addition to farming he purchased and sold live stock and found this a profitable source of income. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and in former years served for some time as a school director. He is one of the well known men of the county, and through the long years of his residence here has ever commanded the es- teem and confidence of his fellow men. He has now passed the eighty-fourth mile stone on life's journey, and has retained his men- tal and physical faculties almost unimpaired until recently, when his eyesight failed. Of his ten children, five are yet living : Thomas J., of Eaton ; Roswell H., of Camden, Ohio; Franklin P., a farmer of Dixon township; Daniel V., who is also engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Dixon township, and Clement V.
The last named was reared under the parental roof on the old home farm and is
indebted to the common school system for the educational privileges he received. On attaining his majority he took charge of the old homestead, operating it on the shares. This he continued until the time of his mar- riage, which was celebrated June 1I, 1891; Miss Hettie V. Lamb becoming his wife. She is a native of Union county, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Sarah (Leonard) Lamb. Her father was born in Wayne county, Indiana, March 9, 1838, and in now a prominent farmer of Gasper town- ship, Preble county. He came here in 1882 and purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land. His parents were Joseph Boone and Jeanette (Mustard) Lamb, the former an own cousin of Daniel Boone, while the latter was a native of Scotland. William Lamb first married Jane Starr, and after her death wedded Sarah Leonard, who was born in Union county, Indiana, August 18, 1850, a daughter of Jefferson and Eliza (Mar- shall) Leonard, the former a native of New Jersey. They were farming people.
After his marriage Mr. Wilkinson con- tinued the operation of the old home farm, which he cultivated on the shares, until 1895, when he purchased the home place of eighty- two acres, devoting his energies entirely to the improvement and cultivation of the place, and he is regarded as one of the most practical and progressive agriculturists of his community. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson has been blessed with one daughter, Mabel I., who was born May II, 1892. In his political views Mr. Wilkinson is a Democrat, but is not a strict partisan ; and though he supports the men and meas- ures of the Democracy at state and national elections, he often votes irrespective of party at local elections where no national issue is involved.
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JOHN H. BLACKFORD.
Rev. John H. Blackford, an honored and highly respected citizen of Eldorado, is a native of Preble county, born in New West- ville, Jackson township, April 11, 1843, and on the paternal side is of Scotch descent. His grandfather, Reuben Blackford, was born in New Jersey, in 1786, and on leaving that state went to New York, but at an early day came to Butler county, Ohio, where he continued to make his home until his death, November 4, 1859. By occupation he was a farmer.
Jeremiah Blackford, the father of our subject, was born in Butler county, June 23, 1815, and came to Preble county about 1838. He was a blacksmith by trade and followed that business in Orangeburg and Westville. In religious belief he was a Methodist. He died January 24, 1880. In early manhood he married Sarah Ann Kennedy, who was born in Jefferson township, Preble county, August 14, 1820, and died at the age of thirty-four years. Her father, Robert Ken- nedy, was a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young man.
Our subject is the third in order of birth and second son in a family of nine children. He was reared in his native place and began his education in the public schools. At the age of seventeen he commenced teaching in the schools of this county, and continued to follow that pursuit until 1866, when he turned his attention to farming, his time being devoted to that occupation until 1871. During the latter year he en- tered the ministry of the Universalist church and was ordained two years later. He con- tinued to engage in preaching until 1899, since which time he has practically lived re- tired, having no regular pastorate, though
occasionally filling different pulpits. He lo- cated upon his present farm in 1874, and has since devoted a part of his time to its man- agement.
On the 8th of October, 1865, Mr. Black- ford was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Kesler, who was born in Monroe town- ship, Preble county, November 30, 1840, a daughter of Jacob and Susan ( Blackford) Kesler. Her father also was born in Preble county, of German descent, while her mother was a native of Warren county, this state, and was a child of three years when brought to this county. Her maternal grandfather, Jeremiah K. Blackford, was born in 1791, while his parents were removing from New Jersey to Kentucky, and in 1896 removed with them to Warren county, Ohio. In 1820 he came to Preble county and located in Monroe township, where he took up gov- ernment land and improved a farm, making it his home until his death. His first home here was a log house, which in 1831 was replaced by a good brick residence, which is still standing. He, too, was of Scotch de- scent. The wife of our subject is the younger of two children, and was reared on the old homestead in Monroe township.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackford are the parents of six children, namely : Rev. Harry, born October 17, 1866, is a graduate of the National Normal at Lebanon, and the Divin- ity School at Tufts College, at Boston, Mas- sachusetts, and is now the pastor of the Walnut Hills church at Cincinnati. He is married and has one child, Ralph Ellis, born in Monson, Massachusetts. Lenore, born June 26, 1868, is a graduate of the Eldorado schools, and for four terms has taught in this county. She resides at home. Rev. Frank, born January 31, 1870, is a gradu- ate of the Lebanon Normal and Tufts
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Divinity School, and is now the pastor of the Universalist church at Mason, Ohio. Grace, born January 21, 1873, is the wife of William L. Ricketts, who is engaged in the manufacturing business in Monson, Massachusetts. She, too, is a graduate of the Eldorado schools. Charley, born July 24, 1875, died at the age of four years. George, born June 10, 1881, was educated at the National Normal at Lebanon, Ohio, and is now a student at the Homeopathic Medical College at Cincinnati.
Mr. Blackford is a member of the Grange and is justly regarded as one of the most useful and valued citizens of his community, ever ready to give his support to any enter- prise calculated to prove of public benefit. He is a strong temperance man and an ardent supporter of the Prohibition party, taking quite an active and prominent part in its work. Originally he was a Democrat in politics, and in 1868 was the candidate of that party for representative. In 1875 his name appeared on the Prohibition ticket as candidate for the state senate, for congress in 1886, and for clerk of the superior courts in 1883. His life has been exemplary in all respect, and he merits and receives the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
BENJAMIN F. BEANE, M. D.
A large patronage indicates Dr. Beane's standing in professional circles, for as a physician and surgeon at Eldorado he is well and favorably known. He was born in Twin township, Preble county, on the 3d of October, 1851, and represents one of the carly families of the community, liis father and grandfather having been identified with the development of this section of the state from pioneer days. The Beane family is
of Dutch lineage. Henry Beane, the grand- father, was born in the Keystone state, whence he removed to Virginia and thence to Preble county, this state, about 1820. His son, Samuel Beane, the Doctor's father, was born in Virginia, about 1810, and when ten years of age came to Ohio. Here he was reared amid the wild scenes of the fron- tier and later he became actively connected with the agricultural interests, following farming throughout his life. At the end of an active and useful career he passed away at the age of seventy-one. He had married Miss Sarah Mills, a native of New Jersey, who came to Montgomery county, Ohio, with her father, Joshua Mills. She, too, was reared in the Buckeye state and died at the age of eighty-two. On the ma- ternal side the Doctor is of Scotch and Irish lineage. He belonged to a family of fourteen children, but five died in infancy and only six, three sons and three daughters, are now living.
The Doctor was the thirteenth in the family and the youngest son. He was reared in Twin township and began his ed- ucation in the district schools, after which he continued his studies in Lebanon, Oliio. Subsequently he was a student in the normal school at Medina and was graduated in 1875. Later he engaged in teaching for two terms, but desiring to make the practice of medicine his life work, he began preparation for that calling at the age of twenty-three, pursuing a course in the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati and was graduatd in 1881, but began practice three years before his gradu- ation. He has since been numbered among the representatives of the medical fraternity in Preble county and is now the oldest prac- ticing physician in Monroe township in years of continuous connection with the profes-
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sion. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society of Ohio and does all in his power to perfect himself in his chosen call- ing, realizing its importance and responsi- bility.
The Doctor was married in Twin town- ship, in 1879, to Miss Ida Shaw, a native of that township, and they became the parents of one son, Carl Wye, whose birth occurred August 12, 1882. He attended the schools in Eldorado and was graduated in 1900. The mother died July 24, 1893, and Dr. Beam was again married July 7, 1895, his second union being with Miss Ella Potterf, a nativo of Illinois, who came to Preble county during her childhood. In his politi- cal affiliations the Doctor is an independent, being no partisan. He holds membership in the Universalist church of Eldorado, is one of its trustees and has served as clerk of the church. His manner is ever courteous and kindly, qualities which promote his success in a professional way. His life has been one of industry and benevolence and the systematic and honorable business methods which he has followed have won for him the support and confidence of his fellow men.
JOHN L. SWAIN.
John Linsey Swain was born on a farm where he yet resides, his birth having oc- curred on the 25th of April, 1834. For more than six decades, therefore, he has been a witness of the growth and develop- ment and has taken deep interest in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity, giving his support to all measures which he believes to be of public good. His father was Ira Swain, his grandfather Jacob Swain; the latter was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and the former of Ohio. The latter
brought his family to the Buckeye state at an early day and became a farmer of Jack- son township, Preble county. Ira Swain was then a boy, and amidst the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared, experiencing all the hardships and trials incident to pio- neer life as well as the pleasures that were common at that day. He became a farmer and industriously managed his business affairs so that they brought to him a good financial return. He married Miss Jane Shidler, daughter of George Shidler, one of the early settlers of the county and a pioneer minister of the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs. Swain became the parents of twelve children, of whom four are now living, namely: Violetta, widow of Jacob Baker, of Indiana; John Linsey; Jacob, who makes his home in Kansas, and Elizabeth, wife of John Vorhees, of Marion, Indiana. The parents of this family were long consistent and faithful members of the Christian church and for many years Mr. Swain served as deacon. He died in 1875 and his wife passed away in 1849.
John Linsey Swain, whose name intro- duces this review, worked on the farm dur- ing the summer months, following the plow and later assisting in harvesting the crops. When the work of the fields was practically over for the year, he pursued his education in the schools near his home. He started out in life on his own account with only seven hundred dollars, but in 1862 he became the possessor of the old homestead, his property now comprising three hundred and eighty-three acres-one hundred and twenty acres in the old home farm, one hundred acres in another tract, eighty-three acres in a third tract and eighty acres in his fourth farm. His life has been one of industry and enterprise and his untiring labor has
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brought to him splendid success. His property is very valuable and the income therefrom enables him to live retired, his sons operating his land.
Mr. Swain was married on the 19th of November, 1857, to Miss Sarah Hapner, daughter of John Hapner, one of the pio- neers of Preble county. They became the parents of five children, of whom four are now living, namely: George B., a resident of Eaton; Hernandez, who wedded Dora Mitchell and is living near the old home- stead; Ira E., a resident of Kansas, and Martin, who is also living in Washington township. Mr. Swain is a member of the Christian church and his life is in harmony with his professions. His career has been characterized by honesty in all business deal- ings and by honor in every public and private relation. Throughout a residence of almost three score years and ten in the county he has become widely known, and that his life has been well spent is indicated by the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his earliest years. His prosperity is not the result of fortunate circumstances, but has come as the logical sequence of earnest labor continued through many long years.
DAVID F. HEATON.
David F. Heaton was an active partici- pant in the wonderful and amazing progress of the state of Ohio for a period of more than sixty years. He was a citizen of Preble county from 1816 to 1836, a period of twenty years.
He was born in Mason county, Ken- tucky, June 30, 1792; given a common- school education; learned the tailor's trade,
and came to Ohio and opened a tailor shop at Franklinton, about 1812. He had not long resided at that place, however, when he was. offered a position on the staff of General Duncan McArthur, the commander of troops. called into the service of the United States. during the war of 1812, and upon the close of that war Mr. Heaton located at Lebanon, Ohio. Here he engaged in the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1816. Lo- cating at Eaton, he began the practice of his profession and soon arose to promi- nonce.
In 1817 he was appointed prosecuting attorney, and, by appointment or election, hield this position for eight or ten years. In 1824 Mr. Heaton was elected a member of the state senate of Ohio, from the district comprising Preble county and all the coun- ties on the north of it to the Michigan line. Three years later he was elected to the house of representatives, from Preble county, and in 1828 was re-elected to the senate, and was re-elected again in 1830, thus serving six years in the senate and one year in the house of representatives of the Ohio legisla- ture. He bore a prominent part in politics, was an ardent admirer and supporter of Henry Clay and of the Whig party, and later of the Republican party.
In 1836 he removed to Washington city and thereafter, until 1845, was in the em- ploy of the general government, holding a clerkship in the land office department. In 1845 Mr. Heaton located at Portsmouth, Ohio, and there resumed the practice of law. In Portsmouth his death occurred, in 1871.
He was twice married, for his first wife choosing Miss Celia Coggswell, who lived less than a year after her marriage; and his second wife's maiden name was Maria Shannon.
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THEODORE BROWER.
Theodore Brower, a well-known stock- man of Preble county, claims Indiana as the state of his nativity, his birth having oc- curred in Warren, Huntington county, on the 12th of October, 1851. He was one of a family of eleven children born unto Christopher and Mary ( Bloomfield) Brow- er. The family is of German lineage. David Brower, the grandfather of our sub- ject, emigrated from Saxony to America in early manhood, and from Virginia removed to Ohio in 1800, taking up his abode in Montgomery county, where he lived until 18II. He then came to Preble county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 29, Washington township, where he developed a farm, making for his family a good home.
Christopher Brower, the father of our subject, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, July 31, 1808, and was reared on the old family homestead in Washington town- ship, Preble county. He assisted his father in the distillation of spirits, the latter con- ducting a distillery in connection with the operation of his farm. Christopher also learned the carpenter's trade, and after his marriage removed to Eaton, where he en- gaged in merchandising until 1840, and then he removed to Warren, Indiana, where he resided for eighteen years, engaged in contracting and building. During that time he also served for sixteen years as a justice of the peace, and was recognized as one of the leading and influential men of the locality. About 1858 he returned to Preble county and took care of his wife's parents, living on their farm on section 30, Washington township. Three years later he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres
on section 36, Jackson township, where he made his home until his removal to Eaton, in 1877. There he resided until after his wife's death, when he went to live with his scn, Theodore.
On the 16th of August 1831, Mr. Brower was united in marriage to Mary Bloomfield, a daughter of John and Susan (Hopkins) Bloomfield, of Washington township, Preble county. She was born there February 13, 1815, and was therefore numbered among the honored pioneer women of this section of the state. She witnessed almost the entire growth and development of the county, and with her people shared in the hardships and trials of frontier life. Her death occurred at her home in Eaton, September II, 1898, and Mr. Brower passed away at the home of his son Theodore, July 24, 1899, when almost ninety-one years of age. In his early life he had experiencd the hardships and diffi- culties which fall to the lot of those who seek to make a home on the frontier, and during that period he developed habits of industry, economy and honesty which proved to him of great value in later years, enabling him to acquire a handsome competence. He was a man of domestic tastes and his residence possessed a real spirit of home, being a place of rest, pleasure and shelter. Six of the children of the family are still living, namely : Syrina, the wife of Marshall Kilander, a shoe merchant of Winamac, Indiana; Judith, the wife of James R. Bennett, who is living retired in Bluffton, Indiana; Milton, a retired farmer, whose home is in Morrisville, Missouri; Melissa, the wife of Wesley Maddock, a retired farmer of Oakley, Kansas; Susan A., the wife of Joshua Williamson, a carpenter of Noblesville, Indiana; and Theodore.
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The last named spent his youth in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period. He attended the common schools, aided in the labors of the field and meadow and en- joyed the sports in which boys of the time engaged. On attaining his majority he as- sumed the management of the home farm, and about four years after his father's re- moval to Eaton he purchased the homestead, which he still owns. Immediately afterward he began buying and shipping stock on a small scale, but as the years passed by he extended his labors in that direction, his business assuming considerable magnitude, constantly increasing in volume and import- ance. In order to secure better shipping fa- cilities he rented his farm in 1889 and moved to his present home at New Hope Station, in order to give his entire attention to the stock business. His purchase, sales and shipments are extensive and his business is profitable. In 1893 he was made one of the employes of the Union Stock Yards at Chicago and filled that position until the summer of 1894, when he returned to his home in New Hope Station and again as- sumed business on his own account as a stock dealer.
On the 9th of February, 1874, Mr. Brower married Alice Eidson, a native of Olney, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas and Rachel ( Foutz) Eidson. They had two children, one of whom is living, Le Roy, now engaged in the cigar business in Eaton, Ohio. On the first day of August, 1896, Mr. Brower was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna Wise, a native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and a daughter of August and Thresa ( Luebkert) Wise. They have one son, Hugo.
In his political views Mr. Brower is a Republican, active in support of the party,
and at various times has served as delegate to the county and state conventions. He is one of the well known residents of Preble county, where he has long resided. Long and actively connected with the agricultural and stock dealing interests of community, he has become widely known in business circles and his straightforward methods have ever commanded the confidence and support of the public.
JOHN ACTON.
John Acton was born in Maryland, Oc- tober 23, 1781, and died in Eaton, Ohio, July 26, 1849, of cholera. In Rockbridge county, Virginia, he married Nancy Bu- chanan, a native of Virginia, born October 31, 1773. She died in Eaton, January 31, 1855. This worthy couple, with their three children, came to Eaton in 1816, and here Mr. Acton immediately opened a small shop and began making hats. He was a good hatter and prospered, continuing in the busi- ness many years and suspending it only a short time before his death. It has been recorded of him that he was a very hard- working man, frugal and prudent. How- ever, he was open-hearted and liberal, and in every sense a respected and valued citi- zen. Though not a member of any church, he gave of his means toward the support of church, school and every public measure tending to public benefit. His wife was a member of the Presbyterian church and was a woman of storling qualities.
In politics Mr. Acton was a Democrat, though never an aspirant for office. How- ever, not long before his death he was hon- ored with the appointment by the governor to the office of associate judge of the Preble county court of common pleas. To him and
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his wife were born three children, namely : Mary R., who married Samuel Robinson ; Isabella H., who became the wife of S. H. Hubbell; and John P. Acton, of whom per- sonal mention is here given.
JOHN P. ACTON.
John P. Acton was the son of John and Nancy ( Buchanan ) Acton. He was born September 4, 1812, and was but four years of age when his parents located in Eaton. He had little schooling, because of failing eyesight, in part, and then, too, he very early developed a condition of usefulness in his father's shop. Learning the hatter's trade, his father placed him very early in charge of the shop, his father turning his attention to other affairs and only retaining an in- terest in the business. The younger Acton did not remain in the hat business long, however, for from 1836 to 1843 he was en- gaged in the grocery business; and during a portion of this time he was associated with his brother-in-law, S. H. Hubbell, as a partner. Disposing of his grocery inter- ests, Mr. Acton engaged in the business of buying and selling and manufacturing lum- ber, a business which occupied his attention for many years thereafter. He was a suc- cessful business man, and the independence to which he attained financially was reached by the slow, sure, laborious process of legiti- mate business. Many other enterprises than the lumber industry received a share of his attention and activity. In 1872 he was one of four men who established the Preble County Bank. For many years he was a very influential promoter of public improvements, doing much toward giving Preble county its railroads and turnpikes. During his long career in business, such was
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