USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 42
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fidelity and patriotism were the ruling prin- ciples of his life. Scrupulously prompt to fulfill all his own obligations and engage- ments, he expected and exacted a like promptness from others. Even tempered and mentally well balanced, always hopeful and possessed of great powers of self-con- trol, he was enabled to pass through life with as little of the asperities incident to human experience as fails to the lot of most men. His was a character noble in its pur- pose and true to itself, one which was an ornament to the community in which he lived and an inspiration to others. Such men live to the benefit of the generations that follow them.
In March, 1846, Dr. Minor affiliated himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he continued a worthy and honored member during the remainder of his life. He died on the 12th day of August, 1880, having reached the age of sixty-seven years, ten months and six days. He had never professed or formed any church relations, but throughout his life he ever honored and relied on the impartial goodness of the Infinite Being, the Father of all.
J. E. CAVEY, M. D.
In the subject of this review we have one who has attained distinction in the line of his profession, who has been an earnest and discriminating student and who holds a position of due relative precedence among the medical practitioners of West Alexandria. He has gained a reputation which many an older member of the fraternity might well envy, and a very liberal patronage is ac- corded him by reason of his pronounced
skill and ability. He was born in Steuben- ville, Ohio, January 28, 1871, his parents being Alfred B. and Martha J. (Ewing) Cavey. His father, a native of Maryland, was born in 1829, and in that state he spent the days of his childhood and youth, his ed- ucation being obtained in the common schools. On attaining his majority he left home and crossed the mountains to Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in railroad business. Later he was the su- perintendent of construction in the building of the Panhandle system from Pittsburg to Steubenville, and on the completion of the road he remained in the employ of the com- pany in one or another important capacity until 1885. On severing his connection therewith he accepted the position of super-
intendent of construction of the portion of the Cincinnati branch of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad between Ashland and Au- gusta. That work occupied his time and attention for two and a half years, after which he entered the service of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, as assistant superintendent of the Springfield division, filling that position most creditably until 1897, when he retired from active business life. Throughout his connection with the Ohio & Mississippi road and up to the present time he has made his home in Riverton, Kontucky, and is regarded as one of the highly esteemed residents of that city. His wife was born in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, in 1837, and was a representative of an old and honored family of the state. Many of its members have been prominent in the various walks of life, and they there- by contributed to the development and ma- terial welfare of the communities with which they have been connected. Alfred and Martha Cavey had two children : Maud E.,
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who is now the wife of Grant S. Mitchell, of Riverton, Kentucky ; and J. E.
The latter spent his boyhood and youth at home, and in the common schools ac- quired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by a course in the Orchard City Business College at Flora, Illinois. On leaving that institution he went to Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, to visit an uncle, and while there was offered a position in his uncle's store, so that his residence in the Keystone state was continued for a year and a half. However, prior to this time he had determined to adopt the practice of medi- cine as a life work, and this led him to sever his connection with mercantile inter- ests. While clerking, however, he began reading, and in 1892 he took a trip to the west, spending six months in that section of the country. He was in Colorado most of the time and then returned to Flora, Illi- nois, where his parents were then residing. In Flora he continued his medical studies in the office and under the direction of Dr. L. E. Elrod, and in 1894 matriculated in the Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati, at which he was graduated with high honors as a member of the class of 1897. In June of the same year he located in West Alexan- dria and within a few months he found him- self in control of a large and constantly in- creasing patronage. He has been a close and thorough student of his profession and his medical knowledge is comprehensive and accurate. He continues his reading, so that he keeps constantly in touch with the prog- ress that is made in the science of medicine, and is also conversant with the different theories and data advanced by the members of the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Society and the Preble County Medical Society, with all of which
he holds membership relations. He is a member of the town board of health and is one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of Preble county.
The Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Ardelle Wolfrey, the wedding being celebrated December 6, 1898. The lady is native of West Alexandria and a daughter of Reuben T. Wolfrey, who is connected with the West. Alexandria water works. Dr. Cavey is a young man of model habits, of affable manner and uniform courtesy, and these qualities, taken in connection with his marked ability, have gained for him a leading place in the ranks of the medical fra- ternity and made him popular as a citizen.
GEORGE W. DEEM.
In past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its an- nals are the leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. George W. Deem is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have become an essential part of the history of Eaton and of Ohio. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to every-day common sense, guided by great will power, are the chief character- istics of the man. He is now connected with many leading enterprises of Eaton, and his efforts have brought to him gratifying success.
He was born near the city which is now his home, June 15, 1841. His father,
Leo. A. De
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Joseph Deem, was a native of Licking River, Kentucky, and the grandfather of our sub- ject was one of the first settlers of Butler county, Ohio, taking up his residence near Middletown, in 1810, when Joseph was only ten years of age. The latter was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and in 1836 came to Preble county. He was a farmer by occupation, and for a number of years served as the director of the poor-house. In his business affairs he was signally suc- cessful, becoming the possessor of a com- fortable competency. An earnest Christian gentleman, he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and in his life exemplified his belief. His death occurred in 1870. He married Miss Francis Tarr, a representative of an old family of Green- castle, Indiana, and she was called to her final rest on the 17th of January, 1871. They had nine children, of whom six are living, namely: William T., a resident of Eaton; Buckner Deem, formerly of Preble county ; Mary Ann, the widow of Andrew Fall and a resident of Indiana; John T., of Eaton; Francis M., who also is residing in this city, and George W. The deceased are : Maria, married Moses Surface; Jane, who married Milton Specht, and James K. Deem.
George W. Deem was reared upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He assisted in the work of field and meadow during the summer months and in the winter season pursued his education in the common schools. He continued farming until 1868, when he began buying and selling stock. In 1871 he em- barked in the lumber business, and recently he has given his attention almost exclusively to the handling of hard wood lumber, buying and selling walnut, ash, poplar and quarter- 20
sawed oak. He is an excellent judge of lumber; and the good quality which he carries, together with his honorable dealing and courteous treatment, has secured to him a very liberal patronage. He is a man of resourceful business ability whose efforts have by no means been limited to one line, and in his various undertakings he has met with the creditable success that has materi- ally increased his income. He is interested in a brick-yard, being one of the stockholders of the Eaton Brick Company, in which in- dustry he is associated with Judge Fisher, Fred Becker and Dr. Lovette. For the past six years he has been a director of the Eaton Banking Company and is also identi- fied- with the agricultural interests of the county, owning and operating forty acres of land and also superintending the cultivation of a farm of sixty acres which belongs to his daughter. Although his business inter- ests are extensive and varied, he controls. each with marked success, and his worth as a business man is widely acknowledged.
Mr. Deem has been twice married. In 1872 he wedded Fannie B. Bruce, who died January 26, 1892. For fifteen years she had been an invalid, and with her husband had traveled throughout the United States in search of health. She possessed many excellent characteristics and admirable qual- ities and her loss was deeply mourned by her friends. She left one child, Susan B., who is now the wife of C. A. Kelly, of Winches- ter, Indiana. For his second wife Mr. Deem wedded Mrs. Mary E. Deem, the widow of his brother, James K. Deem, who died January 7, 1891. Their wedding was celebrated December 29, 1898. Mrs. Deem is a consistent and valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both she and her husband contribute liberally to its
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support. . He is a member of the Presbyter- ian church and for six years has been its treasurer. He, however, withholds his sup- port from no movement or measure which he believes will prove of benefit in advancing the moral interests of his community. For many years he has been an exemplary mem- ber of Bolivar Lodge, No. 82, A. F. & A. M., and in his life exemplifies the beneficent teachings of the fraternity. He finds his chief source of recreation and pleasure in hunting and is an excellent shot. In 1893 he visited Wisconsin and killed the first two deer he ever saw in the woods. With sev- eral friends he each year takes a hunting trip, finding great enjoyment in traveling through the forests with his gun. In busi- ness circles he sustains an unassailable reputation and is justly and uniformly re- garded as one of the most prominent and reliable business men of Eaton. His suc- cess in life may be ascribed to positive and determined pursuit of business and to the fact that he is a man of honesty and integ- rity. While he is unusually liberal in support of all church work within the pale of his own religious creed, he is too fair- minded to confine his sympathies or chari- ties within the boundary lines of tenet or creed, and any deserving call for aid outside of his church meets with equally ready response.
JAMES K. DEEM.
Throughout his life James K. Deem was identified with the agricultural interests of Eaton county, and he possessed those sterling traits of character, reliability, honesty and worth so often found in men whose lives are close to nature. He was born in this county, August 2, 1844, and was reared
upon the farm. At an early age he went into the fields where he followed the plow and assisted in the planting, continuing his work until harvests were garnered in the autumn. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and he was ever a warm friend of the public-school system. He served as a director for a number of years and always did everything in his power to promote the cause of education and make it more effective that the young might be well prepared for the practical and respon- sible duties of life. Throughout his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits, and his methods of farming were practical and progressive. His fields were ever well tilled and the improvements upon his place were kept in good repair. His enterprise and labors brought to him creditable success, and in all business transactions his word was as good as his bond. He often said a good name was rather to be chosen than great riches, and he cared much more for the merited respect of his fellow men than for the financial reward which he might se- sure from his labor. His indeed was an upright life, well worthy of emulation.
On the 24th of December, 1868, Mr. Deem was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Bruce, and together they lived happily until death separated them, on the 7th of January, 1891. One son was born to them, Charles H., who is living near Eaton. Sev- eral years after the death of her first husband Mrs. Deem became the wife of his brother, George W. Deem.
FRANK G. SHUEY.
The inevitable law of destiny accords to tireless energy and industry a successful career, and in no field of endeavor is there
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greater opportunity for advancement than in that of the law-a profession in which votaries must, if successful, be endowed with native talent, sterling rectitude of char- acter and singleness of purpose, while equal- ly important concomitants are close study, careful appreciation and broad general knowledge, in addition to that of a more purely technical order. Of the legal pro- fession Frank G. Shuey is a worthy repre- sentative and enjoys a distinctly represent- ative clientele at Camden.
He was born on the 19th of August, 1866, in Germantown, Ohio. His father, Michael Shuey, was a native of the same lo- cality, born September 22, 1822, and is now living a retired life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. A representative of an old Virginian family, his father, Lewis Shuey, was born in that state, about 1790, and, emigrating westward, took up his abode in Germantown, Ohio, where his death occurred about 1873. He was a miller, farmer and merchant and also con- ducted a distillery on his farm. His busy and useful life brought to him good financial returns. He was married when about sev- enteen years of age, and, coming to Ohio, entered land from the government along Big Twin creek. Later he made other pur- chases and added to his property from time to time, becoming an extensive land owner. He also did a large and successful mer- cantile business and at his death left a com- fortable estate. He had four sons: Lewis and Philip, both of whom died in German- town; Jacob, who was engaged in the mill- ing business and died in Miamisburg, Ohio; and Michael, who is the last survivor of the family. These uncles of our subject were all married and had large families, and all learned and followed the milling business
to some extent. The grandfather was buried at Germantown, where for many years he had been an important factor in public affairs.
Michael Shuey was reared in the Buck- eye state, and when he had attained to years of maturity he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Mary H. Ireland, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1839, a daughter of Tyndal Ire- land, whose wife bore the meaiden name of McBridle. They had a considerable num- ber of children, their daughter, Mary, being one of the older. Mr. and Mrs. Shuey were married in Ohio, about 1864. The father had been previously married, his first wife having been Miss McGriff, and their chil- dren were: Lewis, John, Kittie, Erastus, Jesse, Odlin, Charles and Harrison. All have been married, with the exception of the daughter, whose home is with her fa- ther. By the second marriage there were six children: Minnie, the wife of Samuel Sowers, of St. Mary's, Ohio; Frank G .; Raymond, a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Firman, who was drowned at the age of six years; Lottie, a young lady at home ; and Stanley, a teacher in Gratis township. All of the children were reared in the house in which Michael Shuey and his wife still make their home. It is situated upon a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which is also a mill property, the mill being located just across the street from the dwelling. Mr. Shuey gave to his family liberal educational advantages, some of them attending college. Lewis received superior intellectual training and is now a pharmacist of Dayton.
Having attended the common schools, Frank G. Shuey, of this review, entered the high school of Germantown, in which he
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was graduated at the age of eighteen. The following year he was graduated in the Twin Valley College, being one of the first to complete the course in that institution. Desiring to enter professional life, he pre- pared for the bar as a student in the Cincin- nati Law School, in which he was graduated in 1895, after which he was licensed to prac- tice at Columbus, Ohio. He at once opened an office in Camden, purchasing the law library and succeeding to the practice of J. M. Shafer. He also taught school for sev- eral years in Camden and was superintend- ent of the city schools here for three years, after which he spent one year in a similar capacity in Miamisburg. His entire time and attention, however, are now given to his chosen profession and he practices in all the courts of the county, doing a particularly large probate business. His knowledge of law is accurate and comprehensive and he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and precision, thus being able to present his cause with strength and ability before court or jury.
On the 29th of December, 1891, Mr. Shuey was happily married to Miss Lora Ferguson, a daughter of Dr. F. S. Ferguson, a prominent practicing physician of Cam- den. Her father was born in Oxford, Ohio, November 14, 1834, and is a son of John Ferguson, whose birth occurred in Campbell- town, Scotland, on the 8th of April, 1810. The latter served a seven-years apprentice- ship to the tinner's and plumber's trades, and with six companions came to America when a young man, crossing the Atlantic in 1832. They soon separated after reaching the new world, but fifty years later five of the number met. A short time before his emigration John Ferguson married Cather- ine McGregor. For a year they resided in
Cincinnati, thence removed to Oxford, Ohio, where Mr. Ferguson prospered in his undertakings, and where they reared a family of seven children, only two of whom are now living: Christina, the widow of George B. Morris, of Ox- ford; and Dr. Ferguson. The parents. were Scotch Presbyterians in their re- ligious faith, and the father was a prominent Knight Templar Mason. The mother died at the age of fifty-seven and he was. again married, his second union being with Isabel McMillan, of Glasgow, Scotland, by whom he had one son, Bruce Ferguson, now a student in the Miami University, at Ox- ford.
Dr. Ferguson, the father of Mrs. Shuey, attended the public schools of Oxford and was graduated in the Miami University with the class of 1857. He began reading med- icine in his native town, graduated in the Ohio Medical, College in 1861, and the same year began practice in Somerville, Ohio, where he remained until May, 1864, when he was appointed assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio In- fantry, continuing in the service until Sep- tember of that year. He was then appointed acting assistant surgeon in the United States army and assigned to duty in West. Virginia. After being mustered out he was in the hospital service at Madison, Indiana,. until the close of the war. He then came to Camden, where he practiced medicine in partnership with Dr. L. D. Dunham for two years, and then became his partner's successor. Next he was alone until 1884,. when he formed a partnership with Dr. D. W. McQueen, which relation was main- tained until November, 1899.
He was married February 14, 1867, to Sarah, a daughter of J. H. and Henrietta
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(George) Bohn. They have two children, Lora B., now Mrs. Shuey ; and John, at home. The mother died December 12, 1891, at the age of forty-eight years, respected by all who knew her. The Doctor is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows order and is a past grand. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, is a Republican in politics and served for three years as pension ex- aminer under President Harrison, and was again appointed to that position in October, 1899, by President Mckinley. He has served as a member of the common council and of the school board, and was reared in the Presbyterian church, of which he has been a trustee for twenty-five years. He is a charter member and for the past twelve years has been the president of the Cam- den Building & Loan Association. He be- longs to the Preble County and the Union District Medical Societies and is a leading representative of the medical fraternity in this part of the county. In 1872 he erected a very pleasant and commodious residence in Camden, and since his wife's death his daughter, Mrs. Shuey, has had charge of his home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shuey have been born one son, Arthur Ferguson, a bright lit- tle lad of seven summers, whose birth oc- curred October 16, 1892.
Mr. Shuey is a very prominent Mason and is one of the six thirty-second-degree Masons in Preble county. He served as the master of Camden Lodge, No. 259, F. & A. M., for two years, belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, of Eaton, is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows society and a past grand of the encampment. He likewise holds membership with the Foresters. In politics he is a stanch and earnest Republi- can and is serving his fourth year as town- ship clerk, to which position he was first ap-
pointed and afterward elected. He has also been a member of the board of deputy su- pervisors for three years. In religious faith he is connected with the Reformed church of Miamisburg, of which his father is also a member. He holds a state teacher's cer- tificate, passing the examination in Decem- ber, 1890. A man of scholarly attainments and strong individuality, he has not only a large law library, but is also the possessor of a very large private library, containing many of the leading works of fiction, his- tory and science. Genial and courteous in manner and kindly in disposition, he oc- cupies a leading place in the public regard, and he and his estimable wife enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in Camden and the surrounding country.
HENRY PUNDT.
For over thirty years this gentleman was actively identified with the agricultural in- terests of Preble county, and was one of its honored and highly esteemed citizens. His possessions were all acquired through his own efforts, and as the result of his consecu- tive endeavor he won a place among the substantial men of his community.
Mr. Pundt was born in Germany, Sep- tember 5, 1835, and was eighteen years of age at the time of his emigration to America, the voyage being made on a sailing vessel and lasting forty-six days. He located at once in West Alexandria, Proble county, Ohio, and found work by the month in the employ of Dr. Nesbet, of that village, with whom he remained many years. Subse- quently he was employed on the farm of John Lesher for a time. After his marriage he settled in Twin township, where he op- erated rented land for eleven years, and then
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purchased the farm in Harrison township, where his widow now resides. He made many improvements upon the place and suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and stock raising throughout life. He also dealt in stock and while engaged in that business became widely known all over the county. He would buy almost anything which he be- lieved he could dispose of at an advantage. He was upright and honorable in all his dealings, and in business transactions his word was considered as good as his bond.
In 1862 Mr. Pundt was united in mar- riage with Miss Elizabeth Ryder, who was born October 7, 1842, a mile and a half south of West Alexandria in Twin township, Preble county, and in both ancestral lines is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Her fath- er, John Ryder, a native of Pennsylvania, came to this county at an early day and be- came a prominent farmer of Twin township, where he died, at the age of seventy-five years. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Gebhart, was born in Mi- amisburg, Ohio, and died in her eighty- third year. Mrs. Pundt was the fourth in order of birth in their family of ten children, five sons and five daughters, all born in Preble county, and she was reared in Twin township, her education being obtained in its district schools.
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