USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 62
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party. His wife, who was born February 22, 1797, in Pennsylvania, was of Scotch de- scent and died in 1878. They became the parents of six children, of whom three are yet living, namely: Maria, Lydia and the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Huggins spent his youth amid the refining influence of a good home and in the common schools acquired his elementary ed- ucation, which was supplemented by a course of study in the Oxford College. Determin- ing to adopt the medical profession as his life work, in 1854, he began reading med- icine under the direction of Dr. R. P. Nisbet, of West Alexandria, and in 1858 matricu- lated in the Cincinnati Colege of Medicine and Surgery, in which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1859, on the com- pletion of a thorough course. Returning to West Alexandria, he then opened an office and began practice. From the beginning his patronage increased as he demonstrated his ability to successfully handle difficult cases. The years passed and he maintained his place among the foremost physicians of this section of the state until 1898, when he retired to private life.
On the 25th of March, 1866, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Hoke, a native of northern Ohio and a most estimable lady, whose death in November, 1892, was mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances as well as by her immediate family. They had two children : William, who for the past thirteen years has been a druggist of New York city; and Bertha, the wife of Hon. P. A. Saylor, of West Alexandria. In his political views the Doctor has ever been a stanch supporter of the Republican principles and in the '80s he served for four years as the county coro- ner, elected on the Republican ticket. So-
cially he is connected with King Hiram Lodge, No. 88, F. & A. M., of West Alexan- dria, and of Lanier Lodge, I. O. O. F. As a physician and as a man and citizen Dr. Huggins takes high rank, his prominence being well merited on account of his sterling worth.
ELI CONGER.
Eli Conger, a retired farmer living in Eaton, was born in Dixon township, Preble county, on the 20th of December, 1819. The family is probably of Irish lineage, and it is thought that John Conger, the grand- father, was born on the Emerald Isle. He became a farmer of North Carolina and owned a number of slaves, but becoming convinced that such a practice was wrong he freed his slaves prior to the war. His son, Josiah Conger, the father of our sub- ject, was born in North Carolina, and in the year 1806 emigrated westward, taking up his abode in Dixon township, Preble county, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the com- munity and was an active factor in the early progress and upbuilding of the county. He had received a liberal oducation and at in- tervals engaged in teaching school. He also labored earnestly and continuously in the ministry, preaching for fourtoeen years in Preble county and in Wayne and Union counties, of Indiana. He preached the dedi- catory sermon for the first Christian church ever built in Eaton, and his labors in behalf of Christianity were far-reaching in their beneficent influence. Early in life he gave his political support to the Democratic party and later joined the Whig party. In busi- ness he was quite successful, becoming the
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owner of a valuable property. He married Catherine Runyon, a daughter of Barfoot Runyon, who was of German descent. Mr. Conger died in 1846, and his wife passed away in 1848. They were the parents of eloven children, six sons and five daughters, but only three are now living: Moses, who resides in Sugar Valley, and has reached the age of ninety-three years; Evelina, the widow of Jacob Marshall and a resident of Greenville, Ohio; and Eli, of this review. On both the paternal and maternal sides our subject is descended from good old Revolu- tionary stock, for his grandfathers, John Conger and John Runyon, were both valiant heroes in the American army during the war for independence.
Eli Conger, whose name introduces this review, received a good practical education in the common schools and began work on the farm at an early age. He was married when only nineteen, the lady of his choice being Lucinda McWhinney, a daugh- ter of William McWhinney, of Tennessee. The wedding took place November 1, 1838, and through almost a half century of happy married life she was to her husband a faith- ful companion and helpmate. They had three children, of whom two are living: Carrie, now the wife of Colonol A. L. Har- ris, of Eaton; and James H., also of this city. In early life the parents united with the Christian church and Mrs. Conger was an active worker in its interests, doing all in her power to promote its welfare. She reared her children in that faith, teaching them both by precept and example. Her death occurred October 3, 1887, and her loss was mourned throughout the entire commu- nity, for she had many warm friends.
The year after his marriage Mr. Conger was elected trustee of his township and held
that office for nine years. At the age of twenty he was elected justice of the peace and served in that capacity for twelve years. He also served as county commissioner from 1872 until 1878. . With the exception of the time he has given to official duties. he has followed farming and auctioneering, and, although he is now living retired he is still the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Preble county, which he rents. In all his business dealings he was honorable and straightforward, winning the confidence and good will of those with whom he was associated. For a half century he has been a member of the Christian church, has held all of its offices, and has been most faithful to its teachings. He is one of the honored and respected pio- neer residents of the county and well de- serves mention in this volume.
WILLIAM C. SINGER.
A well known farmer of Twin township, William Collins Singer, was born in Preble county, Ohio, October 8, 1847, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth Jane (Needham) Singer. His father was born in Harrison township, Preble county, on the 5th of Au- gust, 1820, and was a son of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Rape) Singer. The grandfather was also a native of Ohio, having been born in Muskingum county, and his father, Jo- seph Singer, came with his wife to America soon after their marriage. They had no capital with which to pay their passsage, and, as was the custom in those days, they were. sold to one who would pay for the trip over. Thus they entered the service of a Mr. McCarty, for whom they had to work a given time in order to compensate him for the passage money. When they had fully met.
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their obligation they came to Ohio, locat- ing in Muskingum county, in the vicinity of Oldtown. It will thus be seen that the Singer family is one of the honored pioneer families of the state. The grandfather of our subject was reared near its borders and after attaining his majority he came to Preble county, entering a half section of land from the government in Harrison township. The townsite of Lewisburg now covers a portion of his old homestead. He took up his abode thereon in 1802 and continued the cultivation of his land until his death, which occurred in 1841, when he was in his sixty-eighth year. He was one of the sturdy and reli- able early settlers of the community who en- dured hardships and trials in founding a home on the frontier. He was thus active in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of Preble county and his name deserves a place upon the pages of this history. During the war of 1812 he responded to the call for troops and was a loyal member of the American army. He married Elizabeth Rape and they became the parents of thirteen children, five of whom are yet living, namely : Henry ; Jane, the wife of Monroe Hollinger, of Marion, Indiana; Solomon, a farmer of Harrison township; Lewis, a farmer of Winthrop, Iowa, and Isabelle, the wife of Dr. J. Barnett, of North Manchester, Indiana.
Henry Singer, the father of our subject, was reared on the old family homestead and acquired his education in the subscription schools common at that day. The father died just before the son attained his ma- jority and he and an older brother continued upon the home farm, cultivating the land and performing the other work necessary to the successful conduct of the place. On the 13th of September, 1846, Henry Singer
wedded Miss Elizabeth J. Needham, a na- tive of Guilford county, North Carolina, and a daughter of Ivy and Sarah (Henderson) Needham. The grandmother Needham was a daughter of James Henderson, who was of Scotch descent. His wife, Sarah Henderson, was a daughter of Isaac Peters, who came to America from England during childhood. The great-grandmother bore the name of Willis. Jesse Needham was born in North Carolina and came to Ohio in an early day, locating on Twin creek, in Lanier township, Preble county. Later he removed to Flat Rock, Indiana, where he resided un- til his death. He was a tailor by trade and followed that pursuit for some years, but afterward engaged in farming. The grand- father of our subject had a brother, James Needham, who was a noted minister and preached his last sermon only a few months before his death, and he lacked one month of being one hundred years of age at the time of his death. For many years he was a presiding elder in the Methodist church. He devoted more than seventy-five years of his life to the work of the ministry and accom- plished great good through an active career that extended over three-quarters of a cen- tury. Mrs. Singer's father was a native of Randolph county, and her mother of Guil- ford county, North Carolina. They came to Preble county when she was only six years of age. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Singer was a cabinet maker in early life, but on emigrating to Ohio located on a farm near Winchester, in Lanier township, Preble county. In 1845, however, he re- moved to Piqua and became well known as a horticulturist. After the death of his wife in 1877 he removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he lived retired until his death in 1885.
After his marriage Henry Singer con-
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tinued upon the old homestead with his brother for eleven years and then sold his interest in the farm to his brother, purchas- ing one hundred and five acres of land in Monroe township. After carrying on farni- ing there for five years ho exchanged the property for his present farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres, upon which he has since resided. His efforts have been attended with success and he is one of the most high- ly esteemed farmers of the county. He holds membership in the United Brethren church and in politics was formerly a Whig but joined the Republican party on its organiza- tion and has since been one of its stalwart advocates. His wife has been a member of the Methodist church since hor thirteenth year and has been connected with the con- gregation at Lewisburg for the past fifty- six years. She is an earnest Christian woman and enjoys the high regard of all with whom sho has been associated.
William Collins Singer spent his boy- hood days in his parents' home and to the common schools he is indebted for the ed- ucational privileges which he enjoyed. At the age of twenty he went to Dayton, whore he worked for an uncle at gardening for a- year. On the expiration of that period he rented land and began gardening on his own account, making a specialty of the raising of potatoes and melons. During the summer season he bought and shipped melons and fruits on a very extensive scale, carrying on a large business, but after ten years spent at Dayton he removed to Jackson county, In- diana, passing the succeeding decade at Brownstown and Seymour in the same busi- ness. For two seasons he also represented the Madison Packing Company, buying fruit throughout southern Illinois for that firm. In February, 1883, he returned home and
took charge of his father's farm, and has since devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits.
On the 3d of January, 1896, Mr. Singer was united in marriage to Miss Florence Brown, a native of Preble county and a daughter of Jacob Brown, who was one of the early teachers of this county and later a successful business man of Lewisburg. Mr. Singer is a member of Libanus Lodge, No. 88, F. & A. M. He gives his political sup- port to the Republican party and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He pos- sesses excellent business and executive ability and in the conduct of his affairs is winning a creditable success.
FRANK O. DUNLAP.
Among the farmers of Dixon township whose enterprising efforts have won him success is Frank O. Dunlap, whose birth occurred in Lanier township, on the 30th of May, 1846. His father, Abner Dunlap, was a native of Frederick county, Virginia, and the grandfather was born on the Em- erald Isle. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world, he took up his abode in Virginia, whore he spent his remaining days. Abner Dunlap removed to Ohio, locating in Lanier township, Preble county, in 1830. For forty years he was actively and successfully en- gaged in farming, but in 1870 removed to Eaton and became the president of the Farmers & Citizens' Bank in that place, hold- ing the position for eight years. By trade he was a cooper and in his business affairs was very successful, steadily working his way upward by determined purpose and un- faltering energy. He was an excellent finan- cier and a man of keen discernment, cer- tainly meriting the proud American title of
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a self-made man. He voted with the Dem- ocratic party and was a man of much influ- ence in political circles. He contributed most liberally to the support of the church, aided in the erection of the house of worship of the Christ church, in Eaton, and served as one of its trustees. His judgment was rare- ly at fault and he was a prominent and public spirited man who gave his aid and encour- agement to all movements which he believed would prove of public benefit. He died Soptember 30, 1897, respected by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Sample and was a daugh- ter of Samuel Sample, of Virginia, died in 1887. They had nine children, of whom four are living, namely: Melissa, wife of Perry Alexander, of Eaton; Warren, of Eaton; Alice, wife of H. M. Markley, and Frank O.
The last named pursued his education in the common schools, was reared to farm life and in 1885 purchased eighty acres of land and began farming on his own account. As his financial resources increased, ho has added to his property and is now the owner of five hundred and seventeen acres of valu- able land upon which he successfully car- ries on general farming. From 1871 until 1874 he was in the furniture and under- taking business in Eaton, but with this ex- ception he has always given his attention to the tilling of the soil and has found it a profitable source of income.
Mr. Dunlap has been twico married. On the 5th of December, 1872, he married Miss Nettie Johnson, of West Alexandria, who died December 2, 1887. They had three children, Charles A., Samuel J. and Mary E. On the 2d of February, 1890, Mr. Dun- lap was married to Mrs. Minnie (Gold- smith) Taylor, a widow, having one cliild,
Glenn M. Taylor. By the second marriage of our subject there are four children : Stella, Lester L., Leila and Joseph H. The family attend church at Concord and Mr. Dunlap contributes - liberally to its support and encourages all movements and measures that are calculated to secure advancement along material, social, moral and educational lines. He is known as one of the leading farmers and one of the reliable business men of Preble county, and enjoys the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
WERTER D. SINGER.
Among the successful and influential farmers of Preble county is the subject of this review, whose fino homestead is located on section 22, Twin township, and he is a worthy scion of the sturdy pioneer stock which had so important an influence in lay- ing broad and deep the foundations of the county's prosperity. It is thus signally ap- propriate that the family should find dis- tinct reprosentatiion in this work, and on other pages will be found detailed mention of the father of our subject, with complete genealogical records and other pertinent data.
Werter Davis Singer, the immediate sub- ject of this review, is a native son of Preble county, having been born in Harrison town- ship, on the 18th of October, 1849, tho son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Needham) Singer, who were the parents of six children, of whom four survive, namely : William Col- lins, of Twin township, this county, where lie is engaged in agricultural pursuits ; Wer- ter D., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mary E., the wife of Franklin Beam, a farmer of Twin township; and Francis H.,
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a farmer and dairyman of Harrison town- ship. The long identification of the family name with the annals of Preble county may be inferred when it is stated that the father of our subject is likewise a native of Harri- son township, where he was born on the 5th of August, 1820. Here he was reared to maturity, growing up under the invigorating discipline of the farm, and here he married and has passed his long and useful life. He began farming on the old homestead after his marriage, later selling his interest to his brother and removing to a farm west of . Lewisburg, where he resided until 1859, when he became a resident of Brennersville, this county, where he still makes his home, secure in the respect and esteem of the com- munity.
Werter D. Singer grow to maturity at the farm home of his parents, receiving his educational discipline in the common schools. On the 18th of June, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Bean, a native of Twin township, this county, where she was born on 'the place which is now her home, the daughter of Samuel and Sarah ( Mills) Bean. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, the date of his nativity being 1809. When he was a boy of nine years he accompanied his parents on their removal from the old Keystone state to the wilds of Preble coun- ty, his father, Henry Bean, settling on the farm now occupied by our subject and be- coming one of the honored pioneers of the county. The land was purchased from the government, and here the father and grand- father of Mrs. Singer lived and died, the former having been a resident of the town of West Alexandria for three years.
After his marriage our subject continued to reside in Harrison township for one year, after which he rented a farm in Twin town-
ship for a year, then removing to the home farm of his father-in-law, renting the place for twelve years and working ceaselessly and with excellent discrimination, he was sig- nally successful in his efforts and was able to effect the purchase of the homestead in 1891, and here he has one of the finest farm homes in the county, being recognized as one of the progressive and influential farmers of this section of the state and being held in the highest estimation in the community. He has recently remodeled his residence, building an addition to the same and making its appointments modern throughout. The home is one of attractive order and here a genial hospitality is dispensed to the large circle of friends. In politics our subject sup- ports the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his attention to his private inter- ests.
To Mr. and Mrs. Singer six children have been born, namely : Vermont D., a suc- cessful farmer, married Ova Ryder and thoy have one child, Ralph R .; Nellie G., de- ceased ; Ethel L., deceased ; Charles H. B., at home; Josie L., at homo; and Chester H., deceased.
DAVID E. HENDRICKS.
David English Hendricks, the father of General George D. Hendricks, of whom ex- tended mention follows this sketch, was born in Middletown Point, Monmouth county, New Jersey, June 15, 1765. His death oc- curred in Eaton, Ohio, September 8, 1845. His father, grand father and others of the fam- ily emigrated to America from Holland early in the eighteenth century. The family of which David E. was a member, settled in New Jersey and our subject grew to man-
- -
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hood in that state. Making his way to Pitts- burg, we find him next participating in General Wayne's expedition in the northwest against the Indians. This military service brought him into southwestern Ohio, and after the treaty of Greenville, in 1795, he married Rosanna Stackhouse, lived for a time at Milliken's Bend, Butler county ; later at Camden, Preble county, and in 1806 he became the first permanent settler of the town of Eaton, the second house of which place was built by him. He served with dis- tinction in the warof 1812, raising a company for that struggle and being made its captain. After the close of his service in this, our second war with Great Britain, the Captain spent the remainder of his life quietly in business pursuits, continuing for the most part his residence in Eaton.
GEORGE D. HENDRICKS.
Among the notables who were born, lived and died in this county few, if any, have been so universally known to our population, in his day and generation, and so generally acquainted with the inhabitants, as was General Goorge D. Hendricks. His paternal ancestors were Dutch, who came from Holland prior to our Revolutionary war, settling in New Jersey, while it was a British colony. His father, Captain David E. Hendricks, was born there in 1765, and served as a soldier in the western Indian wars with Harmar, St. Clair and Wayne. After the treaty of Greenville, in 1795, he married Rosanna Stackhouse and lived for a time at Milliken's Bend in Butler county, from which place he moved to Camden, where George was born, on the 3rd day of October, 1805. It is claimed that the subject of this sketch was the first white male child born in the county. While he was still an in-
fant in arms, the family moved to Eaton, then just laid out by William Bruce. Captain Hend- ricks built the second house on the town plat, on West Main street, and kept the first tavern of the town. Very early in life young George manifested a love for books and a desire for learning, making such progress in school that in his 'teens he was found to have ac- quired education enough to fit him for teach- ing in the schools of the country. In his early manhood he taught not only the com- mon "three-R" schools, but had also acquired knowledge of English grammar, lectured upon the sciences, and gave writing lessons all over the country, earning many an honest penny in this way. He was not long in drifting into politics, and from his natural adaptation, genial naturo and popularity be- came a leader among men. Soon we had in our local politics what was known as the "Hendricks' party" pitted against the "Hawkins' party" that dominated our county. This contest was more a matter of personality than any differonce of principles. The tact and management of the leader of the new party soon gave him the ascendancy over the old. His debut into public life was as a candidate for auditor, to which po- sition he was elected by an overwhelming majority of votes. He was subsequently elected to the lower branch of the general assembly, to the state senate and the sheriff- alty, besides divers minor offices, in all of which he gave general satisfaction.
For a time he owned, edited and pub- lished the Eaton Register, and by his ac- quaintance and influence increased its sub- scriptions considerably. He inaugurated a system of free delivery by a private post, boys distributing the papers on horseback over the county. Being of military descent, he seemed to inherit a taste for military
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life, and held sundry offices, from the minor ones to that of brigadier-general of militia. When the Texas people were struggling against Mexico for independence, the sub- ject of our sketch, fired with military ardor, left his home and hied away to join the Texan army as a private soldier. He did gallant service under the Lone Star flag be- side General Sam Houston, and Albert Sidney Johnston, of Confederato fame, who fell at the battle of Shiloh. The military experience in Texas fitted him for being of great assistance in the time of the civil war, recruiting the ranks and giving instructions to raw soldiers in their duties.
Aftor the restoration of the Union he engaged in a land agency in the west for some years, and when ho began to age re- turned to the place of his nativity to spend the closing years of a long, active life, amid the scenes of his childhood and among the friends of his young manhood. The last few years of a long, well-spent life in varied lines of usefulness found him stricken with sovere physical ailments that finally impaired his mind and he lingered and suffered for a long time, being a great care to his faithful and loving daughters that were with him like ministering angels to the ond, which came on the 4th of May, 1900, at the advanced age of almost ninety-five years. His re- mains were laid in the beautiful Mound Cem- etery that he had soen grow from a single grave to a city of the dead with thousands of population. He was laid beside his wife, who was buried nearly twelve years be- fore, being borne to his last resting place by his grandsons as pall bearers.
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