USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 55
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was a farmer. Of their six children one died in infancy, but the others are still living, namely : Michael, a resident of Darke coun- ty, Ohio; Jacob, our subject; Susanna, the wife of George Longman ; Mary, the wife of Sylvester Smith; and John, the youngest, is a resident of Monroe township, this county. Catherine, the next to the youngest, is the one deceased.
The subject of this sketch was very small. when brought by his parents to this county, and in Gratis township he was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day. On the 24th of November, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Esther A. Kirkpatrick, who was born in the little town of Jacksonburg, Butler county, Ohio, December 17, 1838, a daughter of John and Kasiah (Eslinger) Kirkpatrick, pioneers of this state. Mrs. Miller was their only daughter, but she had one brother, John, who died in 1898. She was reared in Preble county, near the Butler county line. Our subject and his wife have three children : Cora, at home ; Cloa Jane, a teacher, residing at home; and Allen Orrin, a photographer of Dayton, Ohio.
For nine years after his marriage Mr. Miller cultivated his father's farm in Gratis township, and then removed to Twin town- ship, where he purchased a farm and lived for seven years. At the end of that period he sold his property and bought his present fine farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres on section II, Monroe township, to the fur- ther improvement and cultivation of which he has since devoted his energies with most gratifying results. The success that he has achieved in life is due to his own well di- rected efforts, and he is now one of the well- to-do, as well as one of the highly respected, men of his community. In his political af-
filiations he is a Republican, having been identified with that party since its organiza- tion, though his first vote was for a Whig candidate.
FREDERICK MICHAEL.
Frederick Michael was for a number of years one of the enterprising merchants of Eaton, where he conducted a prosperous business, his success now enabling him to live retired. Clearly defined purpose and con- tinued effort in the affairs of life will eventu- ate in the attaining of a due measure of suc- cess, and with a thorough understanding of this fact Mr. Michael applied himself closely to the careful conduct of his business in- terests.
Maryland has furnished many worthy and prominent citizens to Preble county, and among the number is Mr. Michael, who was born in Frederick county, that state, on the 14th of December, 1823. His father, Jacob Michael, was a native of the same county, where also occurred the birth of Peter Mi- chael, the grandfather. The family, how- ever, is of German lineage and was founded on American soil by the great-grandfather of our subject, who became one of the first set- tlers of Maryland. He was led to seek a home in the new world on account of relig- ious persecution, and in the colony where he took up his abode he found the freedom to worship God after the dictates of his con- science. Peter Michael became a resident of Ohio, taking up his abode in Montgomery county in 1836. Jacob Michael, the father of our subject, was an enterprising farmer and an earnest Christian gentleman whose views were far in advance of his time, for he believed it wrong to hold people in human bondage, and therefore would have nothing to do with the institution of slavery. He
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wedded Mary Easterday, a daughter of Christian Easterday, and they became the parents of seven children, but only two are now living, the daughter being Elizabeth, the widow of Levi Jenkins. The father died at the early age of thirty-three years, and the mother, long surviving him, passed away in 1877.
Mr. Michael, of this review, spent the first fifteen years of his life in Maryland and in the common schools pursued his educa- tion. In 1838 he camo to Ohio with his mother, the father having died in the mean- time. They located in Warren county, where his educational opportunities were quite lim- ited. His training at farm work was not meager, however, for between the ages of nine and seventeen he devoted much time to the work of the fields. The family was large and, as the death of the father left them in quite limited circumstances, his labors were needed in support of the family. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the shoe- maker's trade, serving a three-years appren- ticeship. He was married in 1844, to Miss Mary Witheroe, a daughter of Adam Withe- roe, and to them were born five children, of whom three are now living, namely: F. M., a practicing physician of Eaton; Thomas C., of Fort Wayne; and M. F., who is living in Eaton. The mother of these children died in 1851.
After his marriage Mr. Michael worked at his trade for two years in Warren county, and then conducted a store for a year. He was engaged in the dairy business through one season, keeping on hand one hundred cows and shipping milk to Cincinnati. . In 1848 he took up his abode in Winchester, Preble county, where he conducted a shoe store for a time. He then sold out, but sub- sequently returned to Winchester, where he
remained for three years, engaged in general merchandising. He also mado his home in Darke county for a time, and in 1873 hc came to Eaton, where he opened a drug store, which he conducted for three years. He then sold the business to his son. His mercantile career has been one of the most honorable, and he has made the golden rule the guide of his life.
In his political views Mr. Michael has been an active Republican, keeping well in- formed on the issues of the day. He has served as a member of the city council and as trustee, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. In his so- cial relations he is an Odd Fellow, and has held all of the offices in his lodge. His busi- ness ability has been quite marked, and in addition to his mercantile interests he has perfected a number of patents. A man of keen discernment and enterprise, creditable success followed his labors and he is now the possessor of a comfortable competence. One of his chief sources of recreation has been fishing, and many pleasant hours he has passed in the woods with his gun. His hon- esty is proverbial, and all who have known him have had the utmost confidence in his word. His life indeed has been honorable and upright. Profanity has never issued from his lips, and he has had the strictest regard for morality along all lines. He has never played cards, nor has he indulged in any questionable pleasures which are some- times harmful. His life is indeed well worthy of emulation, and all who know him esteem him for his sterling character.
F. M. MICHAEL, M. D.
The character and career of Dr. Michael, engaged in the practice of medicine in Eaton, suggests to us the following reflections. The
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world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has attained wealth by honorable busi- ness methods, acquired the highest repu- tation in his chosen calling by merit, and whose social prominence is not less the result of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. We pay the highest tribute to the heroes who on bloody battle-fields win victories and display a valor that is the ad- miration of the world. Why should the tribute be withheld from those who wage the bloodless battles of civil life, who are conquerors in the world of business? Greater than in almost any line of work is the ro- sponsibility that rests upon the physician. The issues of life and death are in his hands. A false prescription, an unskilled operation may take from man that which he prizes above all else-life. The physician's power must be his own: not by purchase, by gift or by influence can he gain it. He must com- mence at the very beginning, learn the very rudiments of medicine and surgery, contin- ually add to his knowledge by close study and earnest application and gain reputation on merit. If he would gain the highest prom- inence it must come as the result of superior skill, knowledge and ability, and these qual- ifications are possessed in an eminent degree by Dr. Michael.
He was born in Gratis township, Decem- ber 27, 1849, a son of Frederick and Mary ( Witheroe) Michael. His father was a nativo of Frederick county, Maryland, and the grandfather and great-grandfather both bore the name of Jacob Michael. The latter was a native of Germany, and, emigrating to America in colonial days, he loyally served his adopted country in the war of the Revolu- tion. Emigrating westward, Frederick Mi- chael took up his abode in Warren county, 26
Ohio, and in 1840 removed to Gratis town- ship, Preble county. He engaged in mer- chandising in the town of Gratis and in 1873 came to Eaton, where was also con- nected with the commercial interests of the city for some time. Dr. Michael pursued his preliminary education in the common schools, after which he continued his studies in Winchester and was also a student in the Southwestern Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, being graduated on the completion of the four-years course. He then went to Dayton, where he was engaged in the drug business, working five years without losing a single day, even Sundays. In 1873 he came to Eaton, where he was engaged in the drug business for six years, when he went to New York and entered the Bellevue Hos- pital, continuing his studies there from 1876 until his graduation in 1879. Returning to Eaton, he opened an office and engaged in the practice of medicine here until 1882, when he went to Europo, remaining abroad for a year. He continued his studies and investigation in the hospitals of London and Vienna, attending many clinics in those cities. He now engages in general prac- tice and has always been very successful as a surgeon, and is one of the best informed practitioners in this section of the state.
In November, 1884, Dr. Michael was united in marriage to Miss Minnie V. Foss, a daughter of J. H. Foss. They now have two children-Mary and J. A. Their home is noted for its generous hospitality, and both the Doctor and his wife have a very large circle of friends in Eaton. Socially he is connected with the Masonic and the Knights of Pythias fraternities. In 1880 he was elected coroner and served for one term, but since that time has never sought or desired public office, preferring to devote
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his time and energies to his practice, which is constantly growing in volume and import- ance. He is recognized as the best surgeon and has the largost practice in the county. He is a member of the Preble County Med- ical Society and is a deep and thorough stu- dent who keeps constantly abreast with the times in medical and many other lines. From the faithful performance of each day's duties he finds inspiration and encourage- ment for the work of the next. His profes- sional skill is comprehensive and accurate, and his reputation is indeed well merited. The Doctor is a social, genial gentleman, interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his county, state and nation, and his friondship is most prized by those who know him best. In his professional capacity he is widely known, his reputation extending far beyond the limits of the county.
SAMUEL S. BLACK.
The task of writing the biographies of the living representative men of any com- munity is an exceedingly difficult one, be- cause of tho prevailing modesty of the suc- cessful business man, who almost invariably manifests a certain repugnance to anything that smacks of personal notoriety or promi- nence and thus discourages evon friendly at- tempts to uncover the secret of his success. Genuine success is not likely to be the re- sult of mere chance or fortune, but is some- thing to be labored for and sought out with consecutive effort. Ours is a utilitarian age, and the life of every successful man bears a lesson which, as told in contemporary nar- ration, perhaps is productivo of the great- est good. Thus there is a due measure of satisfaction in presenting even the briefest
resuite of the life and accomplishments of such a man.
Mr. Black is universally recognized as one of the most prominent business men of Preble county, being connected with many of its leading enterprises which contribute to the general prosperity as well as to his in- dividual success. He was born in Preble county, July 22, 1838, and is of German lin- eage. His ancestors wore the owners of Schwartzwald-the Black Forest-in Ger- many. The first ancestor sought a home in the new world at a very early period in its settlement. The grandfather of our subject, John Black, was one of the heroos of the Rev- olution. At the age of seventeen he joined the service and fought throughout the entire war for independence. After the colonies had gained their liberty he came to Ohio,
where he entered land from the government and lator purchased other tracts, becoming one of the most extensive land-owners in this section of the state. He was the father of nine children, and as each attained matu- rity he gave to them one hundred and sixty acres of land. He died in 1822, at the age of sixty-six years, his birth having occurred in 1756. Abraham Black, the father of our subject, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, August 30, 1807, and when a child of four years was brought by his parents to Preble county. He was reared on the home farm a half mile south of West Alex- andria, becoming familiar with all the expe- riences and hardships of life on the frontier.
During the civil war ho responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in Company E, Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, with which he served for three years. After the battle of Chattanooga he was captured, but soon mado his escape. When the war was ended he returned to his home in Preble county, and
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here spent his declining days. He married Nancy Stoner, who was born in Preble coun- ty, in 1807, a daughter of Benedict and Ke- ziah ( Melvin) Stoner, who came to Preble county, Ohio, in 1805, from Frederick, Maryland. They located a half mile east of West Alexandria, where they spent their remaining days. The father conducted a distillery for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Black had six children, three of whom are yet living : David, a prominent farmer of Preble county; Catherine, the widow of Lewis Cupp, of Dayton, Ohio; and Samuel S. Throughout his entire life Abraham Black was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was an active member of the Lutheran church and in early manhood gave his polit- ical support to the Whig party. On its dis- solution he joined the ranks of the Repub- lican party and was ever afterward one of its stanch advocates. He filled many local township offices, but never sought or desired political preferment. His death occurred in 1875, when he had attained the age of sixty- eight years.
Samuel S. Black, whose name introduces this reviow, was reared under the parental roof and to a limited extent attended the common schools, but is mostly self-educated, his extensive roading and strong mentality making him a well informed man. After the inauguration of hostilities between the north and the south ho determined to aid in defense of the Union and joined the "boys in blue" of Company G, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting August 23, 1862, as a teamster. After serving one day he was made wagon master and later became a member of the band, with which he was connected until the band instruments were taken and part of the band captured at Mur- freesboro. Mr. Black was then engaged on
detached duty until assigned to routine duty at the brigade headquarters. On the 19th of September, 1863, at Chickamauga, while removing teams on the battle-field, it was by accident that he received a fracture of the right leg, in consequence of which he was on the convalescent list in different hospitals for some months. After recovering he was assigned to duty on the hospital boat, Charles McDugle, where he served throughout the remainder of his term of enlistment, receiv- ing an honorable discharge on the 28th of December, 1864. He participated in the battlos of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Liberty Gap and Chickamauga, together with many skirmishes.
After his return from the army Mr. Black purchased a photograph car and devot- ed his attention to the business for some time, after which he opened a blacksmith and wagon shop. Not long afterward, however, he ran an oil wagon and following that was engaged in the sewing machine business for three years, during which time he sold more machines in the same district than any other man in a similar period, his sales amounting to eighteen thousand dollars. In 1873 he began buying tobacco, in partnership with Peter Smith, this business concorn being maintained for ten years. Afterward Mr. Black continued in the business on his own account, and in 1893 became associated in the tobacco business with John Block. They are now one of the leading tobacco firms (Block & Black) in Ohio, buying tobacco and shipping it to all parts of the world.
Our subject is a man of rosourceful busi- ness ability whose efforts have by no means been confined to one enterprise, although that ono is very extensive. In 1888 he was the prime mover in the organization of the Twin Valley Bank, which is now conducted by
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the firm of S. S. Black & Company. In 1900 he was instrumental in organizing the Gem Canning Company of West Alexandria, for the purpose of canning corn and toma- toes. He is the president of the company, and under capable management the business has already given promise of gratifying suc- cess. Mr. Black's property interests are also valuable. He owns three hundred acres of land near West Alexandria, together with much property in the city. His labors have indeed been crowned with a high degree of success, yet it has resulted merely from close application, untiring industry and capable management.
Mr. Black is a member of Lanier Lodge, No. 521, I. O. O. F., and has filled all its chairs. He belongs to Gem City Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M., of Dayton, and has at- tainod the thirty-second degree in the Scot- tish rite consistory at Columbus. He also belongs to Parmelee Horn Post, G. A. R., of Lewisburg. He has proved himself in all the relations of lifo an earnest, honest and upright man and a citizen of whom any com- munity might be justly proud.
JOHN B. GLANDER.
John B. Glander has long been actively connected with agricultural interests in Preble county. He was born in the duke- dom of Brunswick, Germany, September 3, 1835, a son of Ludeke and Adeline (Shu- maker) Glander. His great-grandfather was John Glander, who was an only son. The grandfather of our subject also bore the name of John Glander, and was born in the dukedom of Brunswick, in 1774. He mar- ried Rebecca Kahlenbeck, who was born in the same locality in 1779. His death oc- curred in 1850, while his wife passed away
in 1857. They belonged to one of the wealthy and influential families of their sec- tion of Germany and the farm which they owned was an extensive ono, which had been in possession of the Glander family for many generations.
Six of their sons emigrated to America. John, the eldest, crossed the Atlantic in the early '30s, locating in Preble county, where he built and operated a distillery, located on the Eaton and Dayton pike, then known as. the Cumberland pike, and on the present site of the Claypoole mill. There he engaged in the manufacture of whiskey until 1857, when the distillery was destroyed by fire. Henry and Detrich Glander, two other sons of the family, came to the United States about 1837 and built a distillery on Banta Fork, two miles south of West Alexandria. There they conducted an extensive business, furnishing employment to many workmen up to the time of the breaking out of the civil war, when the enterprise became un- profitable and they retired from the trade.
It was in the year 1851 that Ludeke Glander, the father of our subject, bade adieu to home and friends in Germany and sailed for the United States. He landed at New Orleans, on the 28th of November, and after a ten-days trip on the river ar- rived at Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he made his way by train to Hamilton and from there by wagon to Preble county. On his arrival here he took up his abode on Banta Fork, in Lanier township, and through the five suc- ceeding years worked for his brothers, Henry and Detrich, making his home with the latter. His wife had died in Germany, and in 1856, when his daughter had reached an age sufficient to assume the care of the household, he purchased a farm of eiglity acres in Lanier township and removed with
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his family to his new home, where he re- sided until his death. He was a member of the Lutheran church and in his political affil- iations was a Democrat. His sterling worth won for him the high regard of all with whom he came in contact and he was known as one of the valued residents of his com- munity. His wife, who was born in the dukedom of Brunswick, in 1808, passed away on the 18th of October, 1849. She was a daughter of Selka and Hadwick Shu- maker and belonged to one of the old and wealthy families of that section of Ger- many, where her parents lived and died. Mr. and Mrs. Glander became the parents of five children, all of whom are yet living, namely: John B .; Henry S., a farmer of Lanier township, Preble county ; Detrich S., also an agriculturist of Lanier township; Rebecca, who resides in Montgomery coun- ty; and Annie, the wife of John Meyer, a farmer of Lanier township.
Mr. Glander, whose name introduces this review, spent the first sixteen years of his life in the Fatherland and acquired his education in the parochial schools of that country. He then came to America and on his arrival here began working in his uncle Detrich's distillery, where he was employed for thirteen years. On the 14th of Feb- ruary, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lehmkuhl, a native of Han- over, Germany, who came to America with her mother when a child of eleven years, her father having died in Germany. The year of their emigration was 1848. The mother and daughter took up their abode in Preble county, living with Richard Myers, an uncle of Mrs. Glander. After their mar- riage our subject and his wife resided upon the Myers homestead, where the uncle also made his home until his death in 1874. He
then willed his farm of eighty acres to Mrs. Glander and our subject has since engaged in the cultivation of the land, to which he added a tract of fifty-two acres in 1868. In 1879 he also purchased ninety-one acres, situated on section 10, Lanier township, on the West Alexandria and Winchester pike, where his son, Richard, now resides. In his farming operations our subject has been very successful and is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of his community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Glander have been born seven children : Harmon, a prominent mer- chant of West Alexandria; Richard, who is living on his father's farm; Charles, of the firm of Oxer & Glander, general merchants of West Alexandria; Adeline; George and Caroline, twins, the former on the home farm and the latter in the store of Oxer & Glander ; and Frederick, who also assists in the operation of the home farm. Mr. Glan- der has provided well for his children, aid- ing all to gain a good start as they reached years of maturity. He is a member of the Lutheran church and for twenty-five years has served either as deacon or trustee in the church. He votes with the Democracy, but is not strictly partisan and has never sought or desired office, although he has been so- licited to become a candidate for the office of township trustee. As a citizen he is pub- lic spirited and progressive and withholds his support from no movement or measure which he believes will promote the general welfare. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he does all in his power to advance public progress. His suc- cess in life has been the reward of his own efforts. He entered upon his business ca- reer without capital, has worked his way steadily upward and has overcome obstacles and difficulties in his path by determined
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and resolute purpose. His life stands in exemplification of what may be accomplished in this land of the free by those who are resolute and determined.
JOHN R. CREAGER.
This thrifty and progressive farmer, re- siding on section 14, Monroe township, Preble county, Ohio, was born in Montgom- ery county, this state, March 14, 1832, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth ( Rike) Crea- ger, both natives of Maryland, where their early life was passed. The paternal grand- father of our subject is supposed to have been a native of Germany. About 1825 the father came to Ohio and located on a farm in Montgomery county, where he made his. home for twelve years, and then removed to Whitley county, Indiana, where in the midst of the forest he cleared and improved a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, mak- ing his home there until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-two years. In religious faith he was a Lutheran. The mother of our subject died at the age of eighty years. She was the second wife of Peter Creager. By his first marriage he had six children, three sons, William, Henry and Samuel, and three daughters, Catherine, Sophia and Charlota, all now deceased. The children of the second union were Ezra and Adam, both deceased; Christian, Levi, Peter, Lydia M., deceased, and John R.
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