USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 49
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mediate as well as the future welfare of the race.
On the 21st of September, 1876, Mr. Royer was united in- marriage to Miss Mabel Homan, a daughter of Vincent Ho- man, and a member of one of the old and respected families of Preble county. Nine children have been born of their union, eight of whom are living, namely : Jesse Homan, Charles W., Vinnie M., Fannie N., Edna S., Ruth E., Robert H. and Carl James. Grace died at the age of thirteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Royer are widely and favorably known, and their family are numbered among the representatives of Eaton.
JACOB W. TRONE.
This well-known farmer and influential citizen of Monroe township, Preble county, residing on section 10, was born near Ha- gerstown, Washington county, Maryland, May 3, 1848, and is a son of Abram and Sarah A. (Wishard) Trone, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born and reared near Fredericksburg, his father be- ing engaged in farming there. During his early life the former followed the occupa- tion of miller, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1852 he re- moved from Maryland to Preble county, Ohio, locating on the farm in Monroe town- ship, where our subject now resides. In con- nection with farming he bought and shipped stock. He was a Democrat in politics, was well and favorably known and was elected the constable of his township. He died at the age of forty-eight years, but his wife is still living, at the age of eighty-one, and now makes her home in West Manchester, this county. Her father was also a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by occupation,
owning and operating a large tract of land where Waynesboro now stands.
To Abram and Sarah A. (Wishard) Trone were born eight children, of whom only four are now living, our subject being the oldest of these, though the fourth in order of birth in the family. Rachel is the wife of Henry Kisling, of Nebraska. Abra- ham is a resident of Wyoming. James B. is represented on another page of this vol- ume. Alice, the oldest of the family, died at the age of three years; George was killed at Monroe Cross Roads, North Carolina, while a soldier of the civil war. Mary died at the age of eight years, and John at the age of four years.
The subject of this sketch was only four years old when brought by his parents to Preble county, and his education was ac- quired in the school of district No. 2, section 10, Monroe township. As soon as large enough to be of any assistance he com- menced to aid his father in the operation of the home farm, and has continued to de- vote his energies to its cultivation and fur- ther improvement up to the present time. He owns one hundred and four acres of land and engages in general farming. He is also general agent for the Loudenback Company's fertilizers in Preble and a part of Miami and Montgomery counties.
Mr. Trone was married, December 28, 1870, to Miss Mary Crisler, a native of Darke county, Ohio, and a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth ( Brown) Crisler. Her father was born in Preble county and was a son of William Crisler, a native of Vir- ginia and one of the early settlers of Mon- roe township, this county. Her mother was also born here, as was her father, George Brown, while the latter's father, William Brown, was a native of Germany, and a
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pioneer of Preble county. Adam Crisler died at the age of sixty-three years. He was married three times and by his first union had six children, of whom Mrs. Trone was the third in order of birth. She was about seven years old when her father returned to Preble county, where she grew to womanhood and attended school.
To Mr. and Mrs. Trone have been born the . following children : Clarence A. and ' Myrtle, both at home; Sada, who married O. P. Wolverton, of Castine, Darke coun- ty, and has one child, Irene; Minnie, who married William Buck, the principal of the Eaton high school, and has one son, Mar- quis Augustus; Winson O., a resident of Springfield, Ohio; William B., who is at- tending school; and Sylvia, at home. All were born on the old homestead in Monroe township. -
By his ballot Mr. Trone supports the men and measures of the Democratic party and has been called upon to serve as a trus- tee of Monroe township three terms, the duties of which office he discharged in a most creditable and satisfactory · manner. He is an active member of the Christian church of West Manchester, and is now serv- ing as a trustee of the same.
SAMUEL E. MORTON.
Actively identified with the stock raising interests of Preble county is Samuel Elmer Morton, of Camden, and his name is also well known in connection with political in- terests. He was born in Dixon township, this county, on the 2d of February, 1859, and is descended from one of the old New Jersey families. His grandfather, Benja- min Morton, was a native of that state, born about 1788. Emigrating westward, he took
up his residence in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1811, making the journey on foot. His. people were poor and he had to depend en- tirely upon his own efforts for whatever he secured and enjoyed in life. He was mar- ried in Clinton county, about 1815, to Han- nah Jennings, and with one or two of their children removed, about 1818, to Preble county, locating in Israel township. As the years passed the family circle enlarged. They were the parents of eight sons and five daughters, all of whom reached mature years, with the exception of Mary D., who died when a young lady. Of their twelve chil- dren ten were married, and John Morton reared a large family of nine children. He removed to Edgar county, Illinois, where three of his brothers and his sister, Sarah, also located. The father of these children died about 1858, and his wife passed away some years previously.
Hezekiah Morton, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Israel township, Preble county, August 27, 1827. He married Hannah J. Van Skiver, who was born in Israel township, their marriage taking place in 1852. They had four children : Minnie, the wife of Clayton Borradaile, who is living on the old Morton farm, where the grand fa- ther built his first log cabin; Sarah J., the wife of Levi Brown, a farmer of Dixon township; Samuel Elmer; and Mary Alice, the wife of Joseph C. Test, of Israel town- ship. The mother died June 16, 1897, at the age of sixty-six years, but the father is still living, residing on one of his six largè farms. His success seems almost phenom- enal, as it has been acquired entirely through his own well directed efforts. He inher- ited a few hundred dollars from his fa- ther's estate and with that exception all that he owns has been acquired through his:
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
capably directed labors. He served as town- ship trustee and a member of the school board , and is a leading and influential citizen of his community.
Mr. Morton, whose name introduces this review, pursued his education in the Lebanon Normal School, and at the age of eighteen began farming on his own account. Since 1880, however, he has engaged in the breed- ing and raising of Duroc Jersey swine and is one of the most successful and extensive breeders in this section of the state. He was one of the leading prize winners of the Chi- cago World's Fair and conducts several sales annually. He has always held these sales in Camden until February, 1900, when he held a sale at Liberty, Indiana. His stock brings very high prices, he having se- cured two hundred and ninety dollars for a female. Since 1893 Mr. Morton has been associated in business with two partners, Walter Abernathy and E. M. Borradaile. These gentlemen breed and handle about four hundred head of hogs annually and ship them throughout the United States. Mr. Morton owns a valuable farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres in Israel township, but for sixteen years has made his home in Camden. His business has grown to large proportions and yields to him an excellent financial return.
On the 12th of January, 1881, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Morton and Miss Ella B. Sturgeon, of Allen county, Indiana. Her father, Arthur T. Sturgeon, was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1838, and was a son of Robert Sturgeon, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1794, and died in Ross county, Ohio, in 1860. The great- grandfather was William Sturgeon. Rob- ert Sturgeon wedded Mary Briggs and they had ten children, of whom five sons and three
daughters reached mature years, while three are still living-Phœbe A. Martin, of Kan- sas ; Arthur T .; and Samuel H., a resident of Bluffton, Indiana. Arthur T. Sturgeon, the father of Mrs. Morton, wedded Mary R. Lipes, of Allen county, Indiana, the mar- riage taking place on the 12th of January, 1860. They had two children-Ella B. and James R .- the latter a liveryman of South Whitley, Indiana. The mother died June 12, 1898, at the age of fifty-five years, and was laid to rest in the Eel River cemetery in Allen county. Mr. Sturgeon is still liv- ing. He has been a lifelong farmer of Allen county, but in the fall of 1899 sold his prop- erty and removed to Camden, where he is living with Mr. and Mrs. Morton, he being a decided favorite with his five grandchil- dren at that home. He had five brothers in the war, one of whom died from the effects of his army service. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morton have been born five children-Arlie, Arthur H., Myron, William Leslie and Floyd. They constitute an interesting fam- ily and are the life and light of the parents' home.
Mr. Morton is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in his political views is a Republican. He served for one year as a constable, as record clerk for four years and for two terms as mayor of Cam- den, and in these positions has proved a creditable official, understanding fully the responsibilities devolving upon him and meeting every obligation in the most hon- orable and trustworthy manner. For seven? years he has been the secretary of the Amer- ican Jersey Record Association and for five years he has served as county commissioner. He has always been prominent in public af- fairs and no one has been more actively or commendably interested in the welfare and
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development of this section of the state. He is a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy, strict integrity and liberal views, and has been fully identified with the growth and prosperity of Preble county. His life is exemplary in many re- spects and he has the esteem of his friends and the confidence of those who have had business relations with him.
CHARLES PETER THUM.
The fitting reward of a well spent life and an honorable business career is a period of retirement in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. This has been vouchsafed to Mr. Thum, who is now resting from his labors, having in former years acquired a competence that now supplies him with all the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life.
He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 12th of May, 1829. His father, Lud- wig F. Thum, was a native of the same lo- cality and died when our subject was only four years of age. He was born in 1770 and was a good business man, but incurred failure during the war of 1815, owing to the conditions of the times. He was both a baker and a farmer, and in the community where he resided was recognized as a promi- nent citizen.
In accordance with the laws of his native land, Charles P. Thum pursued his educa- tion in the public schools. He remained in Germany until 1848, when, at the age of nineteen years, he determined to seek a home in the new world, and took passage in a westward-bound sailing vessel that, after a voyage of forty-two days, reached the har- bor of New York. His uncle loaned him the money to pay his passage. He had
worked for three years at the wagonmak- er's trade in his native land, and, believ- ing that he might better his financial condi- tion in the new world, he availed himself of the opportunity to come to the United States. Making his way to Baltimore, he en- tered upon an apprenticeship to a tailor, se- curing the position through an advertisement which he saw in a newspaper. He remained in that city from the fall of 1848 until Feb- ruary, 1851, when he made his way by stage to Cincinnati, where his uncle resided. The latter wished him to attend school, and accordingly he pursued his studies for a few months in that city, after which he entered a wholesale clothing house in Cincinnati. There he learned cutting and remained as a trusted employe with one firm until 1857, during which time, as the result of his in- dustry and economy, he saved sixteen hun- dred dollars. This he hoped to invest ju- diciously and looked about him for a fa- vorable location. In August, 1857, he vis- ited Eaton, and, being pleased with the town and its prospects, he purchased the store of A. V. Auter. In 1859 his store was de- stroyed by fire. He continued, however, in business, in a small way, until he again was enabled to launch out on a larger scale. This he did in 1867, when he erected his present store building and therein conducted a first-class tailoring, clothing and furnish- ing establishment, until 1894, when he retired, his son, Charles Algert, succeed- ing to his business. He became a recog- nized leader in his line, his large and well selected stock and his honorable business ' methods securing to him a liberal patron- age. He soon won a very high reputation in business circles and throughout his active career he enjoyed the confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen.
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Mr. Thum was united in marriage on the 27th of December, 1859, to Miss Mary Katherine Gentner, who also was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. They had five chil- dren : Charles Albert, who succeeded to his father's business; Mary, Dorothea, Tilly and Carl L. In his political views Mr. Thum was formerly a Republican, but is now in- dependent. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day and is therefore able to give an intelligent reason for his political preferences. Of the Odd Fellows society he is a valued and representative member and is now its treasurer. He was long a member of the Turnverein and is a member of the Universalist church. He has given to his children good advantages and has made for himself a creditable record. From the little German home across the sea he made his way to the new world and entered upon a career which seems most marvelous; yet it is not the outcome of propitious circum- stances, but the honest reward of labor, good management, ambition and energy, without which no man can win prosperity.
C. A. THUM.
The merchant-tailoring, clothing and furnishing establishment of which Mr. Thum is now the proprietor is the second oldest store in Eaton, and was established by his father in 1857. Its owner is regarded as one of the most enterprising business men of his native city. His birth occurred here on the 6th of December, 1860, his parents being Charles P. and Mary Katherine (Gentner) Thum, whose record is given above. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and his business training was received under the direction
of his father, who was one of the first mer- chant tailors of Preble county. Mr. Thum began work in his father's establishment when only twelve years of age, and was thoroughly instructed in various branches of the work. In 1876 he went to Cincinnati, where for five years he was employed in a wholesale clothing house. In 1881 he re- turned to Eaton, but afterward again went to Cincinnati, where he remained for a short time, learning the cutter's trade. He then returned and served as cutter for his father until 1887, when he went to Broken Bow, in Custer county, Nebraska. For five years he was identified with the business interests of that city, and in 1894 he returned to Eaton, succeeding his father in business on the first day of March of that year. He has since successfully conducted the store, doing a large business as a merchant tailor, clothier and furnisher. Many of his patrons are numbered among the leading residents of Eaton and Preble county, the work which he turns out is of a high grade and accords with the newest and best styles.
On the 4th of January, 1888, Mr. Thum was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Smock, a daughter of James Smock, of Union City, Indiana, and to them have been born three children: Florence, Marie and Charles A., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Thum are well known citizens of Eaton, having a very wide circle of friends. Mr. Thum is a pro- gressive and public spirited man who gives an earnest support to all measures which he believes will prove of public benefit. In business affairs he is thoroughly reliable and trustworthy, and his ability in his chosen line, combined with his laudable energy and resolute purpose, have gained to him a liberal patronage and secured him a comfortable competence.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
OLIVER P. BROWN.
Oliver P. Brown, of Camden, is the present secretary of the Building & Loan Association of that place and one of the most prominent citizens of Proble county, holding an enviable place in business, po- litical, social and fraternal circles. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, near the city of Dayton, on the 29th of April, 1842. His father, Jason M. Brown, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of January, 1792, and was a miller by trade, following that pursuit in Pennsylvania and at Pennington, New Jersey. While at the latter place he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Conrad, a native of New Jer- sey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown were descended from old American families that were founded in the new world in colonial days. Their marriage occurred about 1829, the bride being then eighteen years of age. She was Mr. Brown's second wife. They had ten children-five sons and five daugh- ters-eight of whom reached years of ma- turity, while two died in infancy. Seven of the number are now living and all are married. In 1850 Jason M. Brown came to Camden, Preble county, Ohio, and in 1864 removed to Franklin, Warren county, this state, where he died in his ninety-third year, retaining his mental faculties unim- paired until the last. His widow is still living and is a well preserved old lady of eighty- nine years.
Oliver P. Brown, whose name introduces this review, pursued his education in the common schools and in early life learned the trade of house and carriage painting, which business he carried on in Camden with excellent success until failing health caused his retirement in 1878. He employed
from two to eight men, according to the season, and did a large and profitable busi- ness. At the time of the civil war, how- ever, he put aside all personal considera- tions in order to aid in the preservation of the government, enlisting at Richmond, Indiana, on the Ist of September, 1861, and becoming a member of Company F, Thirty- sixth Indiana Infantry. He was discharged with the rank of sergeant on the 22d of Sep- tember, 1864, having for three years faith- fully followed the old flag upon southern battle fields and fought for the cause it represented. Upon his return to Camden he resumed work at his trade and was thus actively connected with the industrial inter- ests of the city until 1878. Since 1883 he has been the secretary of the Building & Loan Association, which was organized in 1882, and has capably conducted its affairs. He was also one of the originators of the Electric Light Company and is now its president. He is likewise serving as a no- tary public, and thus his time is largely oc- cupied with various duties which he faith- fully discharges.
On the 25th of February, 1868, in Cam- don, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Lide Robinson, a daughter of John and Ann (Young ) Robinson, both of whom are now deceased. They had one son, Carlos L., who was born in 1869 and died of consumption in 1894. He was a young man of marked ability and strong mentality, and at the age of sixteen was graduated in the high school of Camden. He passed an excellent examination and received a first- class teacher's certificate; but, preferring commercial to professional life, he became his father's bookkeeper and assistant post- master during the five years in which Mr. Brown filled the office. The latter resigned
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the position owing to his son's failing health, as he wished him to be free from the confinement of office life. However, con- sumption had undermined his constitution and he passed away at the age of twenty- five years, mourned by a large circle of warm friends. The esteem in which he was held throughout the community "was shown by the fact that all business houses were closed during the time of the funeral services. Mr. and Mrs. Brown occupy a very pleasant home on Lafayette street, which he erected in 1890. It stands upon the site of the old Robinson homestead, where Mrs. Brown was born and reared and where her parents re- sided for many years. Her father died there in middle life, leaving a widow with five sons and two daughters, of whom three are yet living, namely : Mrs. Mary E. Thurston, a widow living in Camden; James Harvey Robinson, also of this city, and Mrs. Brown.
A vory prominent and valued member of several social organizations, Mr. Brown has been connected with the Odd Fellows society since 1865. He has passed all of the chairs in the local lodge and is the captain of Non- pareil Patriarchs Militant. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and has served for several years as the commander of Reese-Mitchell Post, No. 361, G. A. R. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has long been recognized as one of the leaders in the party. He gives close and earnest study to the issues of the day and, therefore, by intelligent argument supports the princi- ples in which he believes. For four terms he served as mayor of Camden, and his admin- istration was indeed progressive and bene- ficial. No other incumbent has ever received more uniform commendation from the pub- lic, and many reforms and improvements which he inaugurated time has shown to be
of incalculable benefit. For twelve years he served as justice of the peace, and his de- cisions were marked with the utmost im- partiality. He resigned that position, how- evor, in 1889, when he was appointed post- master of Camden, in which office he served for five years. He was also clerk of the township for several years, resigning that position to become postmaster. He is now serving a third term.as a member of the city council, and in all these positions he has discharged his duties with the promptness and fidelity that have awakened the warm indorsement of the majority of the citizens. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are consistent members and active workers in the Univer- salist church, in which he has- served as trustee, while his wife occupies the position of church clerk. In all his business affairs he is very systematic and methodical, and every duty devolving upon him, either in public or private life, is discharged with strict regard for the ethical relations of man. Surrounded at his home by those who are his warm personal friends, and favorably known by hosts of men who for a third of a cen- tury have transacted business with him, his career is one to which his family and friends may refer with just pride. He stands to-day in his mature years a strong man, strong in the consciousness of a well spent life, strong to plan and perform, strong in his credit and good name, and a worthy example for young men to pattern after, as showing what intelli- gence and probity may accomplish in the way of success in life.
SAMUEL WOLF.
Samuel Wolf is one of the most widely and favorably known men of Preble county, popular among all classes of good citizens.
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He is a prominent farmer and is now serv- ing as a trustee of Lanier township, a fact which indicates the confidence and regard reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He is numbered among Proble county's native sons, his birth having occurred on the 7th of December, 1846, in the township where he now resides. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Shafer) Wolf. In their family were thirteen children, nine of whom are yet living. The father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and was a son of Michael Wolf, who re- moved to Preble county, Ohio, when David was but two years of age. A settlement was made a mile and a quarter southwest of West Alexandria, where the grandfather purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Michael Wolf was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was reared upon a farm there and carried on ag- ricultural pursuits in his native state until his removal to Preble county, in 1805. As already stated, he entered land here and made his home thereon until his death, which occurred in 1852, when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years. In early life he was personally acquainted with George Washington. Upon his father's farm David Wolf was reared to manhood and in the district schools of the neighbor- hood obtained his education. After he had reached mature years he purchased ninety- seven acres of land adjoining his father's farm and there for many years he carried on agricultural pursuits, adding to his land from time to time as his financial resources increased until he became the owner of a valuable tract of three hundred and seven acres. There he resided until his death, which occurred in 1860. He was a man of considerable prominence and influence and
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