USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 39
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ALFRED A. LOVETT, M. D.
Alfred Augustus Lovett, M. D., of Eaton, was born August 14, 1849, near Colerain, Hamilton county, Ohio. His par- ents were William Taylor Lovett and Eliza Ann (Larrison) Lovett. His father was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1808, came to the United States when a young man, drifted to Cincinnati, and married Eliza Ann Larrison, who was born near Cincin- nati, in 1811. The name Lovett is of Eng- lish origin, the family bearing the name being one of the oldest of England. The Larrisons are of German lineage, and the mother of our subject possessed that strong will power and force of character peculiar to the German people. She was a woman
of sterling qualities and remarkable mem- ory, especially for events, dates and faces. William Taylor Lovett was a man of deep convictions, firmness of character and high moral nature. He led an industrious, useful and upright life. Farming was his life pur- suit. When the subject of this review was less than one year old, his parents removed to Franklin county, Indiana, and located on a farm near Brookville, and here they re- mained for sixteen years, at the close of which they removed to Oxford, Ohio, where the father lived retired from active business affairs until his death, which occurred in the year 1878. His wife survived him several years. Her death occurred in 1893. This worthy couple spent their lives mostly in farming, and by means of their industry and frugality they were rewarded with an ample competence for old age. Unto them were born two sons and four daughters, all of whom are living and succeeding in life, though none have become eminent. It is our pleasure to now write, in brief mention, of one of these sons.
.Dr. Alfred A. Lovett was born and reared on a farm, and farm work was the work of his youth. On the farm he learned lessons of industry and perseverance which have characterized his whole life; and his love for the pursuits of his youth has been permanent, so much so that at present we find him largely interested in farming, own- ing and operating some three hundred and sixty acres of fine farm land in Preble coun- ty. Until he was sixteen his schooling was confined to the country schols. At the age of seventeen years he entered Miami Uni- versity, at Oxford, Ohio, where he spent five years, graduating with the degree of .A. B. By reason of his pursuing, during the last two years of his college course, an
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extra course he received the honorary de- gree of A. M. He graduated at Miami University in the class of 1873, and for the succeeding school years he taught success- fully as superintendent of the public schools of Goodland, Newton county, Indiana.
During this year, as well as previous years, when spare time would permit, he read medicine. In the fall of 1874 he en- tored Hahnemann Medical College at Phil- adelphia. where he graduated with distinc- tion in March, 1876.
Locating at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, shortly after his graduation, he began there the practice of medicine. Two years later the Doctor was called home on account of the illness from which his father died in the fall of 1878. In that same fall Dr. Lovett located in Eaton, where he has since resided . and been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. Soon after coming to Eaton, the Doctor had gained a remunerative practice. He has been a close student, which fact, together with a wide range of experience in practice, has gained for him a position among able and skillful physicians. For many years he was the only homeopathist in Preble county, and his success resulted in bringing several other physicians of the same school of medi- cine into the county. For many years Dr. Lovett has held membership in the South- western Ohio Homeopathic Medical Society, and also in the Ohio State Medical Society. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason, and politically an ardent and uncompromising Republican. In matters of education the Doctor has taken a deep interest, and for several years he was an efficient member of the Eaton board of education, serving a part of the time as the president of the board.
In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of
Dr. Lovett to Miss Nettie F. Minor, a daughter of Dr. W. H. H. B. Minor, a physi- cian of distinction and a man of learning, strong individuality and force of character. Mrs. Lovett inherited his traits of charac- ter, and is a lady of refinement, and culture and impress of her sterling qualities rests upon her children and in the social circles in which she has moved. Her family line- age is traced to Welsh origin. To her and the Doctor have been born two children, viz. : Martha P. and W. Lloyd E., bright and in- teresting, giving promise of success in life. Religiously the family is of the Presbyterian church persuasion, and socially they sustain high relations.
JOHN MILLS.
New Paris has no more honored or highly esteemed citizen than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is a native of Preble county, born in Monroe township, January 27, 1824. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Mills, a farmer by occu- pation, was born in Ireland, and on his emi- gration to America in 1810 at once located in Clinton county, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. Among his descend- ants were thirty-five school teachers, some of whom have been distinguished educators and principals of colleges. Two of his de- scendants have been members of the Ohio legislature.
John Mills, our subject's father, was also a native of Ireland, and was seventeen years of age when he came to America in 1810. During his early residence in Clinton county, Ohio, he worked at anything he could find to do. He was married in Warren county, to Miss Elizabeth Compton, a native of South Carolina, and a daughter of Amos
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Compton, who, being a member of the So- ciety of Friends and opposed to the institu- tion of slavery, came north in 1805, during the childhood of Mrs. Mills, and settled in Greene county, Ohio. He was probably of Irish and English descent. In 1820 John Mills came to Preble county and took up a quarter-section of land in Monroe township, forty acres of which he cleared and erected thereon a log house, making his home there until the spring of 1829. He then moved to what is known as the Mills farm, two and three-quarters miles south and east of New Paris, Ohio, and he cleared forty acres of that tract. He died there in 1835. In poli- tics he was a Whig, and he held office in Monroe township before receiving his natu- ralization papers. His wife died at the age of fifty-six years.
To this worthy couple were born eight children who grew to manhood or woman- hood, of whom our subject is the third child and third son. Only four are now living. His brothers, William C. and Joseph, both deceased, were prominent men of this coun- ty, the former having served several years as a justice of the peace, and as county com- missioner two terms. Amos is a resident of Illinois, and Henry F. makes his home in Greene county, Ohio. Joseph, deceased, served in the same company as our subject during the civil war. George is a resident of Warren county, Ohio. Elizabeth, de- ceased, was the wife of William Graves, and Rebecca, deceased, was the wife of Elijah Hill.
John Mills was reared on the home farm, and was married August 24, 1848, to Sarah Brodrick, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, December 8, 1828, and is the second in order of birth in a family of five girls. Her parents, John D. and Mary ( Wilson)
Brodrick, were natives of Ohio and Ken- tucky, respectively. To our subject and his wife were born five children, namely: Mary E. is the wife of John Davis, of Green's Fork, Indiana, and they have two daugh- ters-Leona A. and Blanch. George W., a resident of Williamsville, Illinois, married Ola Wooften, and they have three children- Roy, Walter and Vera. Wilson P. married first Rosella McWhinny, by whom he had three daughters-Olive L., Jessie M. and Clara B., and for his second wife married Ida Davidson, by whom he had one daugh- ter, Irene. Charles F. married first Tella Daily and secondly Hannah M. Painter. Ella J. is the wife of Samuel Wilson, a farmer and stock-raiser of Warren county, Ohio.
On the 2d of May. 1864, during the civil war, Mr. Mills enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio National Guards, and was promoted as corporal, being mustered out as such after four months' ser- vice, in September, 1864. He made his home on the Mills farm until 1883, when he retired from active life and moved to New Paris, which has since been his home with the exception of two years spent on a farm three-quarters of a mile south of that town. The greater part of his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, but he also taught as many as seven terms of school when a young man, both in Darke and Preble coun- ties. Eighteen dollars a month was the highest wages he ever received, and while teaching in a log schoolhouse in district No. 6, Jefferson township, Preble county, he received only thirteen dollars a month. It was while teaching in Darke county that he became acquainted with the young lady who became his wife. He owned the first two- horse corn-planter ever brought to Jefferson
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township, and his father had the first metal moldboard plow ever used within its borders.
Mr. Mills cast his first presidential vote for Taylor in 1848; voted for Scott in 1852; for Fremont in 1856; and Lincoln in 1860 and 1864. He is still a stanch supporter of the Republican party, has served as schcol di- rector for about twenty-seven years, and has also filled the office of justice of the peace. Both he and his wife are active and promi- nent members of the Christian church of New Paris, he having united with the same in 1849, his wife in 1846. For thirty years he has filled the office of elder.
MICHAEL CAHILL.
Michael Cahill, who is now occupying the position of prosecuting attorney of Eaton, is one of the leading members of the Preble county bar. He was born in Euphe- mia, this county, on the 13th of September, 1861, and is of Irish lineage. His grand- father, James Cahill, and his father, Patrick Cahill, were both natives of the Emerald Isle, and in 1846 the latter came to America, crossing the Atlantic to New York, whence he made his way westward to Cincinnati and Dayton. In 1854 he took up his abode in Euphemia. He was a hard-working man, very industrious and energetic. He mar- ried Miss Bridget Fennessey, a daughter of James Fennessey, of Cincinnati, and a rep- resentative of a prominent old family of Ireland. They became the parents of five children, of whom four are yet living, namely : James, a farmer of Preble county ; Alice, the wife of L. P. Sodders, of Mont- gomery county, Ohio; John, who is a dealer in monuments at Lewisburg; and Michael, of Eaton. Mary Ann died aged about eighteen years. The father of these chil-
dren died in February, 1892, and the mother was called to her final rest in April, 1899.
Michael Cahill pursued his education in the country schools, in the normal school for one year and in the high school at Lewis- burg, Ohio. During the periods of vacation he worked upon a farm and in a brickyard, and the money thus acquired enabled him to continue his studies. Realizing the import- ance of education he gained a broad and practical general knowledge to serve as a firm foundation upon which to rear the su- perstructure of professional learning. He has successfully engaged in teaching at dif- ferent intervals between the years 1884 and 1898, and displayed excellent ability as an educator. He has also been employed in a dry-goods store and has worked as a stone cutter. It was his desire, however, to en- ter professional life, and these various occu- pations have been used only as a means to an end. He began reading law in 1880, under the direction of I. E. Freeman and James A. Gilmore, pursuing his studies at night. His home was at Lewisburg, ten miles from the place where he pursued his studies, and in order to receive instructions he traveled that distance. In the fall of 1889 he was elected a justice of the peace of Harrison township and capably and impartially dis- charged the duties of the office until No- vember, 1892, when he resigned in order to enter the Cincinnati Law School. Success- fully passing the examinations, he was en- rolled as a member of the senior class and was graduated in the spring of 1893, after which he was immediately admitted to the bar. The class chartered a car going to Columbus, where they took the necessary ex- amination for admission, and Mr. Cahill was among the number licensed to practice.
For three years he resided in Dayton,
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where he opened a law and real-estate office; but the hard times which followed caused him to lose all that he had made. He then went to Lewisburg, where he remained until the fall of 1899, when he was elected prose- cuting atorney for Preble county. He had served as a corporation clerk at Lewisburg and also as a justice of the peace. In June, 1900, he formed a partnership with Hon. A. M. Crisler, in the practice of law.
On the 14th of July, 1889, Mr. Cahill was united in marriage to Miss M. Belle Mills, a daughter of Jewett Mills, of Mont- gomery county. They now have one child, Clyde. Mr. Cahill certainly deserves great credit for his success in life, for what he has accomplished is the result of determined purpose and unflagging energy, whereby he has steadily worked his way upward in the face of many difficulties and obstacles, his resolute will enabling him to overcome all these and to-day he occupies a creditable position at the bar. He is an example of the boys who educate themselves and secure their own start in life-determined, self-reliant boys, willing to work for advancement which others secure through inheritance, destined by sheer force of character to succeed in the face of all opposition and to push to the front in one branch of enterprise or another. As a member of the legal profession he has displayed marked ability. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and precision and in argument is logical, strong and con- vincing.
HON. GRIFFIN H. EIDSON.
There has been no man of Eaton more widely and honorably known than Griffin H. Eidson, whose name is almost synonymous with that of the city, owing to the fact that
his efforts have greatly advanced its material interests and its progress along social and moral lines. As practical politics claimed much of his time while he was a Republican in early life, and later a Democrat, his polit- ical services must necessarily be held sec- ondary to those of much greater importance, his public spirit, progressiveness and liber- ality. In business he was very active, and at all times his career was characterized by the strictest fidelity to the ethics of commer- cial life. He belonged to that class of Amer- icans who while promoting individual pros- perity also advance the general good. Friendship was to him inviolable, and many are those who have obtained from him kindly counsel and generous assistance. He died March 29, 1897, and no death in Eaton has been more deeply mourned. However, the veil was lifted to gain the new glory of the true and beautiful life when death set the seal upon his mortal lips. Any monument erected to his memory and to commemorate his virtues would become dim and tarnished by time ere the recollection of his noble ex- ample shall cease to exert an influence upon the community in which he lived and labored to such worthy ends.
Mr. Eidson was a native of Lanier township, Preble county, his birth having oc- curred there on the 26th of October, 1827. His parents were Boyce and Rebecca Ann (Griffin ) Eidson, who came with their re- spective families to Ohio as early as 1808. The father was a native of Virginia, and af- ter arriving at man's estate he carried on farming and also conducted a hotel in Cam- den. Mr. Eidson, of this review, spent the first sixteen years of his life upon the home farm, and during that time pursued his edu- cation in the country schools. He then went to Hamilton, where he learned the tanner
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and currier's trade as an apprentice of Sam- uel Snively, his term of service beginning in 1843. Four years later his father died, and thus when in his twentieth year the ar- duous task of caring for his widowed mother and a family of eleven children, all younger than himself, devolved upon him. Nobly did he take up the burden and not only cared for the members of the family but also gave to his four brothers a start in business.
In the spring of 1848 he came to Eaton and entered the employ of Joseph Wilson, working at his trade until 1851, when he bought out his employer, continuing the business on his own account along that line until 1856. He then opened a general store, dealing in leather findings and carrying on an extensive business in Eaton, which was at that time an important commercial center. From 1859 until 1861 he was in Cincinnati, but with the exception of that period was a continuous resident of Eaton from the spring of 1848 until his death. In 1861 he re- turned to this city and embarked in the gro- cery business. In 1866 he established a hardware store which for many years was conducted under the firm name of Eidson & De Groot, the partners being known as the leading hardware dealers of the county. Mr. Eidson continued his connection with that branch of merchandising until August, 1892, when he began dealing in coal, sewer pipe, lime, etc. He entered into partnership with C. H. Parsons, under the firm name of Eid- son & Parsons, a connection that was main- tained until the death of our subject. He was a man of resourceful business ability who carried forward to successful comple- tion whatever he undertook. For a num- ber of years he was the president of the Farmers and Citizens' Bank of Eaton, and his capable control of that institution made it
one of the most reliable financial concerns in this section of the state.
On the 26th of October, 1853, Mr. Eid- son was united in marriage to Miss Permelia Jane De Groot, a daughter of John De Groot, of New Jersey, who was of Holland descent. Their only child died in early life. Mrs. Eidson still survives her hus- band. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, takes an active part in its work and contributes liberally to its support. Mr. Eidson did not hold membership in the church, but gave very generously for the support of the gospel and was one of the largest contributors in the erection of the fine house of worship in Eaton. His life was permeated with the Christian spirit of helpfulness, charity and kindliness. He was the chairman of the building committee at the time of the erection of the Presbyterian church, and it was to his efforts more than to any one else that the church owes its exist- ence today. He was a member of the board of directors of the County Children's Home, and took a deep interest in that work, which provided for the care, shelter and careful nurture of the homeless little ones.
A recognized leader in public thought and movement, his influence was most marked in all the affairs which concerned the general welfare. He was a prominent representative of the Democracy of Preble county, took a very deep and active interest in local politics and was serving as a mem- ber of the county election board at the time of his death. For twenty-one years he was the corporation clerk of Eaton, was a mem- ber of the school board for several years, and was recognized as a warm friend of the cause of education. His labors in this direction while on the school board were pro- ductive of the greatest good and their in-
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fluence cannot be measured. He was a member of the house of representatives in 1874-5, being elected as an independent can- didate, and in that body he made an excel- lent record as a reformer as well as an en- ergetic and zealous legislator. In February, 1874, there was introduced into the house a resolution of which he was the author, known as the anti-monopoly school-book res- olution, under which a committee was ap- pointed to inquire into the grievance of sub- mission to the exorbitant prices of school- books, and to report some manner by which a uniform series of text-books could be pro- vided in the schools. In this work he won distinction and also the gratitude of the par- ents throughout the state. In September, 1875, he was unanimously nominated for the position of state senator and accepted the candidacy, but subsequently declined, in the belief that the demands of his business pre- vented him from meeting the wishes of his constituency.
He served on the staff of Governor Bish- op, with the rank of colonel. He was also a member of the city council, serving in that position at the time the opera house was built. Of the Odd Fellows society he was a very valued representative. Over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. As a business man he had no superior and few equals. He was prompt, accurate, systematic and above all honest and straightforward in all his deal- ings. Though he started out in life a poor boy, not only dependent on his own exer- tions for his own support, but having eleven others dependent upon him, yet by his labors he rose to a position of wealth and acquired this competence entirely through the legiti- mate channels of trade. He was a large- hearted man, who had a deep and sincere in-
terest in his fellow men and their welfare. Those who won his friendship knew him to be faithful to the end, and the respect ac- corded him was shown at the time of his death, when all the business houses in the city closed during the funeral services, while the business men attended the solemn obse- quies in a body. His influence cannot die, for the good is imperishable and his worth as a man and citizen should prove as an ex- ample to all who knew him.
C. H. PARSONS.
Occupying an enviable position in busi- ness circles in Eaton, having succeeded his uncle, Griffin H. Eidson, in the control of an important concern, C. H. Parsons was born in Galesburg, Illinois, on the 4th of August, 1868. His grandfather was David H. Parsons, and his father was P. H. Par- sons, a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio. While on a visit in Eaton his mother died and since that time 'Mr. Parsons has lived with his aunt, Mrs. Eidson. He pursued his education in the common schools and in col- lege at Dayton, Ohio, where he was grad- uated with the class of 1892. Returning to Eaton he then entered upon his business ca- reer, and is now managing the affairs left by his uncle. He is energetic, resolute and enterprising and is well known as a reliable young business man. He belongs to the order of Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of the Presbyterian church.
JAMES L. SAYLER.
Although one of the younger members of the bar, James L. Sayler has already at- tained a position in legal circles of which many an older practitioner might well be
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proud. His ability and close application have won for him favorable comment, and his success is assured in a profession where success depends entirely upon individual merit.
James L. Sayler was born March 23, 1871, in Winchester, the town which his great-grandfather assisted in founding. He is indebted to the public-school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. His preparation for the bar was obtained int the law department of the Cincinnati College, at which institution he was gradu- ated on the 30th of May, 1894. On the 3Ist he was admitted to the bar, and since 1895 has been engaged in practice in Eaton, where his advancement has been continu- ous. The success which he has attained is due to his own efforts and merits. The possession of advantages is no guarantee whatever of professional success. This comes not of itself, nor can it be secured without integrity, ability and industry, and these qualities Mr. Sayler possesses to an eminent degree. He was master commis- sioner in the Springfield, Jackson & Pom- eroy Railroad case, being appointed by the court to determine who the stockholders were and their liabilities, together with the amounts due to the creditors. April 16, 1900, he was admitted to practice in the United States courts for the sixth circuit and southern district of Ohio. On the 11th day of the same month he was appointed referee in bankruptcy for Preble county, under the act of July 1, 1898. Mr. Sayler is a member of the local and Ohio State Bar Associations.
Our subject is also a member of Bolivar Lodge, No. 84, F. & A. M. For some years he has been a member of the Chris- tian church. His genial manner makes
him popular in all circles, and his friends in the community are almost as many as his acquaintance.
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