USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 51
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After his marriage Mr. Benner took up his abode on the farm of two hundred and thirty acres, on which he now resides and which at that time belonged to his father. He first purchased forty acres, on which tract stood the house, and at his father's death he inherited the remainder of the place. In June, 1897, the residence was destroyed by fire, and soon afterward he built his pres- ent commodious home, one of the most mod- ern and splendidly equipped farm residences in the county. It is supplied with steam heat, hot and cold water and all modern con- veniences, and indicates the progressive spirit of the owner. The home has been blessed by the presence of two children, Mary and Walter.
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In connection with his farming interests Mr. Benner is interested in other business enterprises. He is president and owns a controlling interest in the Eaton Electric Light & Artificial Ice Company, having been at the head of the enterprise for the past ten years. He is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, and upon his place are to be fcund fine grades of cattle, horses and hogs. In public affairs he has always taken a deep interest, and when only twenty-four years of age he was elected to the office of township trustee, in which position he served for twelve consecutive years. In 1892 he was elected to the office of county commissioner and for two terms served in that capacity. He studied closely the questions which came up for settlement by the board, and gave his support to the measures which he be- lieved would prove of material public benefit. He exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, and is most earnest in his advo- cacy of its principles. Socially he is a valued member of Waverly Lodge, No. 143, K. P., of Eaton. Throughout his entire life he has resided in Preble county, and is highly regarded both in business and social circles by reason of his straightforward dealing and upright life.
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WILLIAM D. BENNER.
William D. Benner was born November 26, 1862, on the farm where he still resides, and is a brother of Jacob S. Benner, whose sketch appears above. He was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and the common schools of the neighborhood af- forded him his educational privileges. On the 2d of August, 1887, he was united inmar- riage to Miss Alice Barr, a native of Orange-
burg, Jefferson township, Preble county, and a daughter of Alexander and Axie (Curry) Barr. The father was a prominent farmer of Jefferson township, where he was born December 1, 1832. He was married Octo- ber 29, 1859, locating on the old homestead, and there resided until 1880, when he pur- chased an adjoining farm, which he has since made his place of abode. His parents were Christopher and Jane P. (Johnston) Barr, and his grandfather was a native of Ireland. He became the founder of the family in America, crossing the Atlantic in the early part of the nineteenth century and taking up his abode in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, where he wedded Miss Mary McElhenny. Soon afterward they removed to Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where were born unto them three sons and five daughters. About the year 1815 they emigrated westward, lo- cating in Jefferson township, Preble county, near the present site of the town of Gettys- burg, on the farm which is now the home of John Murray. There Mr. Barr cleared and developed a wild tract of land in the midst of the forest and in the intervals of outdoor labor taught a neighborhood school. Many of the older residents of Jefferson township and of the northern portion of Jackson town- ship were among his pupils. Not only did Mr. Barr bring with him from the Emerald Isle a good education, but also those sterling Christian virtues which characterize the de- nomination of the Associated Reformed Presbyterians. He was a devoted member of that church, as was also his wife, and their children were reared in the same faith.
After his marriage William D. Benner began his domestic life on the old homestead, where he has since resided. He inherited the property from his father and is the owner of one hundred and eighty-two acres of rich
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land, under a high state of cultivation and improved with all modern accessories and conveniences. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Benner has been blessed with one daughter, Olive Marie. Mrs. Benner is a member of the Presbyterian church, and like her hus- band shares in the high regard of many warm friends in the county. He is recognized as one of the leading young farmers of his township, and is a substantial and enterpris- ing citizen who gives an earnest and loyal support to every movement calculated to prove of public good.
JAMES B. TRONE.
James B. Trone, the efficient and popular treasurer of Monroe township, is a native of Preble county, born in Monroe township, February 14, 1857, and is a son of Abram and Sarah Ann (Wishard) Trone, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in York county, the latter in Franklin county. The father was of German descent. About 1852 he came to Preble county, and located upon a farm in Monroe township, where he made his home until his death in 1867. He was a Democrat in politics and was held in high regard by all who knew him. His estimable wife is still living, at the age of eighty-one years, and now makes her home in West Manchester. Of their eight chil- dren only four are now living: Jacob W., a farmer of Monroe township; Rachel A., the wife of Henry Kisling, of Nebraska; Abraham T., a resident of Wyoming, and James B., our subject.
James B. Trone passed his boyhood and youth in his native township, and pursued his studies in the common schools of the neigh- borhood. Ho remained at home, assisting in the labors of the farm until he attained his
majority, and then went to West Manches- ter, where, in 1880, he embarked in the gro- cery business, opening the second grocery store in the town. During President Cleve- land's first administration he was appointed postmaster and filled that office from 1885 to 1889, and again in 1893, serving till 1897. He continued in the grocery trade for about sixteen years, but finally closed out in 1897, and has since retired from active business, giving his entire time and attention to his official duties and private business affairs. In the spring of that year he was elected township treasurer, was re-elected in 1899, a position he is now filling with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public. In 1898 he was elected treasurer for West Manchester, holding the position one term. Socially he is a member of Eldorado Lodge, No 389, K. P.
On the 23d of April, 1880, Mr. Trone was united in marriage with Miss Ilda G. Enoch, and to them was born ason who died in infancy. Mrs. Trone was born in Rich- mond, Indiana, but reared in Harrison town- ship, and is the younger of the two children of Lewis Evens and Lydia Enoch. As her parents died when she was very small she was reared by her maternal grandparents, William and Mary Brown, carly settlers of Preble county.
MRS. DIANA EBY.
Mrs. Diana Eby, deceased, owned and occupied one of the desirable farms of Somers township, the place being pleasantly located three miles east of Camden. Her husband, Christian Eby, was born in Balti- more county, Maryland, on the 13th of Au- gust, 1808, and died April 28, 1891. Mrs.
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Eby bore the maiden name of Diana Murray and was born in Maryland, January 9, 1814, and died April 28, 1900. Her parents were John and Sarah (Baizeman) Murray and they had a family of fourteen children, twelve of whom-three sons and nine daugh- ters-reached years of maturity, were mar- ried and had families of their own. One daughter, Keturah, became the wife of William Chenoweth and had eleven sons and two daughters, and at her death, which occurred in her eighty-seventh year, her daughters and seven of her sons were living and had families. The representatives of the Murray family are now widely scattered. John W. Murray, her brother, is a resident of Hampstead, Maryland, in which place Mrs. Eby was born and reared. Her father fol- lowed farming there and was also a merch- ant. He took an active part in public life, was a recognized leader in thought and ac- tion, and, though he did not enjoy rugged health, was a man of great energy, intelli- gence and influence. In his business affairs he prospered and accumulated a comfortable competency. His death occurred December 5, 1836, when he was about sixty years of age, and his wife survived him about ten years. All of her children were married at the time of her husband's death, and making her way to the west she took up her abode in the home of her son Joshua, who was then living in Ohio, but who afterward went to California, where he died. The sisters of Mrs. Eby who are still living are: Isabel, the widow of Adam Hendricks, whose son, Eugene, is the Rev. Bishop Hendricks, of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mrs. Harriet Garner, of Columbus City, Iowa.
Mrs. Eby was married March 3, 1836, and with her husband located on Twin
creek in Montgomery county, Ohio. They removed to Gratis township, Preble coun- ty, in 1855, and to Somers township, Proble county, in March, 1878. Mr. Eby was a frail man, but a good manager, and his capably conducted business affairs brought to him a handsome competence, which ena- bled him to leave to each of his children a good farm. His only surviving brother, Adam Eby resides near Dayton, Ohio, and is now nearly eighty-six years of age. He also has a living sister, who is in Warrens- burg, Missouri. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eby were born eight children, one of whom died in infancy. Those still living are: Joseph, who has five children and owns several farms. in Preble county; Samuel, who is a man of wealth, having large real-estate interests in Oregon; John C., of Nashville, Tennessee ; Jane, the wife of A. C. Prugh, who is living on the Eby farm and has three sons; Mrs. Rebecca Eikenbery, a widow living in this. neighborhood; and Agnes, the wife of Sam- uel Wamplor, who resides near Dayton, Ohio, and has six children. Mrs. Eby was. a well preserved old lady, and retained her faculties until her last sickness, which lasted only three or four days, she dying from a stroke of paralysis. She had an excellent memory for events of her early life. She was long a member of the Dunkard or Brethren church, to which her husband also belonged: On the farm which she owned and occupied is a fine brick residence. The place is the old Thomas Pottinger farm and is one of the best in this rich section of the Miami valley. This venerable lady enjoyed the esteem and love of all with whom she had been brought in contact, and a biographical record of Pre- ble county would be incomplete without a. record of her life, for she was a resident of the county for forty-five years.
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NATHAN BROWN.
Nathan Brown was born in Abbeyville district, South Carolina, in 1774, and mar- ried Mary Sloan, who died in 1813, aged thirty-six years, an infant son being buried with her. The remaining children were: Grizzella, Catherine, James, Margaret and Elizabeth, all of whom came with their fa- ther to Ohio the same year and located on a part of section 23, Israel township, Preble county. The father married the second time Janet Brown, who though of the same name was not a relative. Of this union were born two sons and one daughter-Joseph, John and Nancy. Joseph married Jane Buck, who died leaving four daughters. He married, the second time, Eliza Cunning- ham, to whom were born three daughters. He died in 1897. John never married, owned the old homestead during his life and died a few months before his brother, in the same year. Nancy, with her husband, Samuel Bell, crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852, and died just before reaching her new home. One son had been buried in Ohio and two daughters were left mother- less. Of the family of Nathan and Mary Brown, Grizzella married John Buck; Mary married Hugh Leslie; Margaret became the wife of Archy McDill; and Catherine and Elizabeth remained unmarried. The father died in 1849, at the home of his daughter in Dixon township. The son, James, was about eleven years of age when he came to Preble county from Abbeyville, South Caro- lina, where he was born November 20, 1802. He and Elizabeth Scott, of Butler county, Ohio, were married January 16, 1828, and their golden wedding was celebrated January 16, 1878. She was born March 20, 1806, and died July 7, 1885.
James and his wife settled on a farm near the old home, where they lived until 1875, when they left the farm and moved to the village of Morning Sun. To these par- ents were given twelve children. William Sloan, the eldest, was born March 11, 1829, and left home when a young man, going to Oregon, and from there southward to Cali- fornia, Panama and on to South America. He never returned home, as he died in Are- quipa, Peru, November 8, 1885. James Scott, the second child, is represented on an- other page of this work. Mary Rebecca, bern November 7, 1832, married David Far- is, who died, and the second time she was united in marriage to J. H. McQuown, and died February 7, 1889, leaving one son, Scott B. McQuown. Margaret J., born Jan- uary 9, 1834, died October 3, same year. Nathan Richey, born October 7, 1835, en- listed at the begining of the civil war and served his country until he died in the hos- pital at Memphis, Tennessee ; is buried in the Hopewell cemetery, near Morning Sun. N. Maria was born July 1, 1838. The seventh child, a son, died in infancy. Robert J., whose name appears elsewhere, resides on the old home farm. Elizabeth C., born No- vember 1, 1845, died August 17, 1850. Twin children, a son and a daughter, died in infancy. Clara J., the youngest, was born October 7, 1852, graduated at Oxford Fe- male College, in the class of 1871. She and her cousin, N. Elizabeth Bell, reside in the village of Morning Sun.
The sixth child of James and Elizabeth Brown, N. Maria, was married October 16, 1860, to Rev. J. B. Foster. Mr. Foster was born in Indiana, July 6, 1837, graduated at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in the class of 1858, finished his theological course in the United Presbyterian Seminary, at Mon-
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mouth, Illinois, united with the Presby- terian church in 1867 and died at Due West, South Carolina, February 27, 1873. Four sons were born to them-Harry Y., Frank B., William H. and Leslie M; Frank and Will- iam graduated at Bloomington (Indiana) University, and both studied theology in Allegheny (United Presbyterian) Semi- nary. The latter died July 24, 1890. Frank B. is at the present date ( 1900) the pastor of the First United Presbyterian church at Omaha, Nebraska.
James and Elizabeth Brown left to their family an honorable record and that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. They also gave to their children considerable property, which had been ac- quired through their well directed efforts. They reared a family who do credit to their
name and no family in the entire community is more respected than that of the Browns. Through many years the representatives of the name have been actively connected with agricultural interests and with the progress and upbuilding of the county along many lines and their work has been of great pub- lic benefit.
E. D. HEETER.
Among the worthy citizens of Preble county, upon whom the residents of this lo- cality have bestowed the honors of public office, is Mr. Heeter, the well-known and efficient county treasurer. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, June 8. 1847, and is of German lineage. The grandfa- ther was Sebastian Heeter, who, in 1813, emigrated westward to Ohio, taking up his residence near Dayton, where he engaged in farming. His son, Jacob Heeter, the fa- ther of our subject, was born in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, and during his early childhood was brought by his parents to the Buckeye state. He, too, became a farmer, and throughout his active business career carried on agricultural pursuits. In the midst of the forest he developed an excellent farm, cutting down the trees and preparing the land for the plow, after which he planted his crops and soon garnered abundant har- vests. He has been a lifelong and consist- ent member of the Lutheran church and is yet living, at the advanced age of eighty- eight years. His residence in Preble coun- ty dates from 1863, and he has therefore witnessed much of its growth. He mar- ried Susanna Keener, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and she is still living, at the age of seventy-eight years. In their family were ten children, six of whom yet survive.
Mr. Heeter, whose name introduces this review, pursued his education in the com- mon schools, and until twenty-three years of age engaged in farming. He then learned the trades of cabinetmaking and house build- ing, becoming an expert carpenter. He fol- lowed that occupation for six years, after which he engaged in clerking and later car- ried on merchandising on his own account in Lewisburg, Preble county. In 1889 he was elected assessor of Harrison township, and proved a most capable and efficient officer. In September, 1890, he took up his abode in Eaton, where he assisted O. B. Eikenberry to open a store, of which he has since been the head sales- man and manager, conducting the en- terprise with marked ability and success. At the last election, however, he was chosen to the office of county treasurer on the Dem- ocratic ticket-the first Democrat elected to that position in ten years. He overcame a majority of four hundred and fifty-two, a
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fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
Mr. Heeter has been twice married. He first wedded Elnora Hapner, a daughter of Michael Hapner. She died in 1886, leaving two children, Clarence and Earl. On the 15th of August, 1888, Mr. Heeter was again married, his second union being with Miss Jennie, a daughter of Michael Rumbough, a prosperous farmer of Pennsylvania. They now have one child, Charles R. Mr. Heeter is a member of the Odd Fellows society, and has long been a consistent member of the Lutheran church, in which he has served as a deacon and the treasurer for fourteen years and as the Sunday school superin- tendent for eighteen years. His integrity is above question, and all who know him have for him the highest respect and con- fidence. It will thus be seen that the public trust has been well placed in choosing Mr. Heeter for the position of county treasurer, in which capacity he is now acceptably serv- ing
ABRAHAM MCNAMARA.
Father McNamara is the priest of the church of the Visitation in Eaton and is greatly beloved by the people among whom he labors. He was born in Belfast, Ire- land, March 19, 1852. His grandfather, John McNamara, and his father, James Mc- Namara, were both natives of Belfast, and the latter was a very prominent and success- ful linen merchant there, a member of the well known firm of McNamara & Hanna. He married Margaret Hanna, a cousin of the partner and a daughter of Samuel Hanna, an extensive grocer in county Down, Ireland. Her mother was Sophia Hanna.
Both Mr. and Mrs. McNamara were zealous members of the Catholic church. The fa- ther died in 1871 and the mother, surviving him some years, passed away March 23, 1893. They had thirteen children, of whom six are yet living, namely: John J., who is engaged in the flax trade at Belfast ; Patrick, who is the proprietor of a hotel in that city; Hugh, who is also connected with the flax trade in Belfast; Bridget, the wife of Thomas J. Welsh, a pork merchant of Bel- fast ; Margaret M., the wife of W. J. Far- rell, a grocer of the same city; and Sophia T., the widow of Thomas J. Ryan, who was in the civil service at Belfast.
Father McNamara, whose name intro- duces this review, entered St. Malachi Sem- inary when ten years of age and there pur- sued his studies for three years. He after- ward spent five years as a student in St. Coleman Seminary, at Violet Hill, in county Down, and then went to Cambria, the Grand Seminary of France. There he continued until seventeen years of age, after which he completed his studies at St. John's, in Waterford, Ireland. He was ordained to the priesthood when twenty-three years of age and was appointed assistant pastor of the parish of Seagoe, in county Armagh. He served as assistant to Dr. Morgan, who was vicar general, acting in that capacity for nine years. On the expiration of that period he went to Dunmore parish, where he re- mained for five years. On the 7th of July, 1888, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and lias served as priest at various places. He was at Urbana for two years, where he also had charge of the churches at St. Paris and Bradford, and for five years he was assistant to Father William Hickey, of St. Joseph's church, in Dayton, Ohio. On the 15th of January, 1897, he came to
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Eaton and has been very successful in his work, his labors in this parish being very acceptable to his people. He has secured the earnest co-operation of the members, many of whom drive for long distances in order to attend church. There are now three hundred communicants in the church at the Visitation. When he took charge a heavy indebtedness rested upon the church, but he has greatly reduced this and the vari- ous working forces and organizations of the church are now well organized. Father McNamara is a man of strong personality, a forceful character and scholarly attain- ments, and his devotion to the cause has been of great and widespread benefit.
SAMUEL C. PARKS.
Among the representative citizens of the county none are more deserving of repre- sentation in this volume than Samuel C. Parks, who was for many years connected with its agricultural interests, but is now living a retired life in West Manchester. Through his well directed efforts he gained a handsome competence that numbers him among the substantial citizens of the com- munity.
A native of Preble county, Mr. Parks was born in Monroe township, May 3, 1850, and is a son of Samuel and Lydia ( McDon- ald) Parks, also natives of this county, their early home being south of Eaton. Our sub- ject's paternal grandfather, Samuel Parks, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania and was an early settler of Preble county. The mater- nal grandfather, Hugh McDonald, was also a pioneer of this county, and aided materially in its development and prosperity. He was one of the best Bible scholars within its borders, and he was a stanch Republican
in politics. Our subject's ancestors were all of English descent. His father remained near his birthplace about two years after his marriage, and then located on section 12, Monroe township, where he successfully engaged in farming for some years, owning at one time three hundred acres of valuable land, most of which he cleared. In 1880 he retired from active labor and moved to West Manchester, where he died in 1897, at the ripe old age of seventy-nine years. He was well known throughout the county, and was highly respected and esteemed. In politics he was a Republican, and held some local offices in his township. For a time he was a member of the United Brethren church. His wife also died in West Manchester, in 1891, at the age of seventy two.
In the family of this worthy couple were seven children-six sons and one daughter, namely : John, deceased; Henry, a resident of Eaton; Stephen M., a farmer of Monroe township; Margaret, the wife of John P. Elliott, of Cass county, Indiana ; Thomas H. and Samuel, twins, the former a resident of Lewisburg, Preble county, the latter, our subject ; and Clinton D., who resides on the old homestead.
During his minority Samuel C. Parks remained on the home farm on section 12, Monroe township, and attended the district schools of that locality. On the 21st of No- vember, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Davisson, also a native of this county, who was reared in the same neighborhood as her husband and attended the same school. Her father, Jonathan Davisson, was born in Virginia, and came to Preble county, Ohio, at an early day, and was one of the prominent men of Monroe township, holding many offices, including those of county commissioner and township
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trustee. He wedded Mary Shields, a native of Preble county and a representative of one of its old families. Mr. and Mrs. Parks are the parents of six children : Clinton M., who married Laura Gauch and is engaged in farming in Monroe township; Minnie A., the wife of Edward Wolf, who operates our subject's farm on section 12, Monroe town- ship; Harry C., a farmer of the same town- ship; John C. and Frank E., who are at- tending school; and Mary B., who died at the age of six years, nine months and two days. The three oldest were born in Cass county, Indiana, the others in this county.
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