USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 2 > Part 9
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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
Frank X. Black, manufacturer of paper-mill ma- ehinery, was born in Hamilton, in 1848. . He is the sou of Peter P. and Mary A. Black. He was married, April 14, 1874, to Henrietta C. Harm, daughter of Philip J. and Anna Stacia fTurm. She was born in Hamilton in 1848. They have three children. Louisa E. was born May 19, 1875; George F., March 9, 1879; and Frank J., December 9, 1879.
In 1872 he was urged by the paper-makers of this valley to start in the roll-grinding Losiness, and enalle them to get their calender rolls reground without ship- ping them East, which caused extended delays and great ontlays for freight. He visited the shops of J. Mouton Pocke, Wihnington, Delaware, where he found it neces-
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sary to learn the grinding business before they would furnish: hin with the machine. He accordingly began with them, and worked for one dollar per day until he was tokl he was competent enough to take charge of the grinder, when he was furnished with one. The firm continued to grind rolls until 1876, when the firm was changed to Black & Clawson, and to the grinding busi- ness they added other branches, until they began the manufacture of complete machines for making all kinds of paper. They now are making a specialty of this class of work.
Joseph Burkart, who is a carriage-blacksinith, was born in Cincinnati, June 10, 1850. He is the son of Join and Pauline Burkart, natives of Germany.
Henry Beardsley was born in Fairfield County, Con- nectient, April 17, 1812. His parents were Abram and Hannah (Raymond) Beardsley, who died in Connecticut. Mr. Beardsley learned the trade of a hatter, and came out to Ohio, settling here in 1836, on the 20th of June. He has followed manufacturing and dealing in hats. He has been married three times. First, in 1840 to Isa- bella Gibson ; second, in 1847 to Laura O'Connor, and the last time in Batavia, Ohio, to Sarah E. Moore. The last is a daughter of John B. Moore, of Clermont County. He has had five children. Emma (Mrs. F. Martindell), was born in 1847; William Henry, in 1850; Abbey Jane, in 1852; Edward Moore, in 1858, and George in 1863. Edward is a physician, and lives in San Fran- cisco, and George resides in the same place. Mr. Beards- ley was a member of the school board for about five years, from 1856 to 1861, the First Ward building being cerceted abont that time. He was also a member of the common council for about four years, from 1846 to 1850. The right of way was given to the railroad during that time. During the late war Mr. Beardsley was a member of the military committee of this county. He went into business upon his arrival here, and has been in it ever since. He is now the oldest merchant in trade in the town.
Dr. John R. Brown is the grandson of Joseph Brown and his wife Margaret, who came here from Virginia about 1797, and about the beginning of the century lo- eating in Rossville. In August, 1800, their son, Israel Brown, was born in that town, and in the Winter of 1801 Mr. Brown died. Eighteen months afterwards his widow married again. Hor new husband was John Thompson. In 1804 their son, Joseph Magie Thompson, was born- the year of the great freshet which made the New River. Israel Brown left Butler County at an early age, go- ing to Hamilton County, where he learned the trade of a carpenter. He was three times elected to the Legisla- ture, and was a member of the State Board of Equaliza- tisi from the day it was formed till the date of his death, which ocenrred December 16, 1860. He married, in Hamilton, Jane Robinson, who still survives at the age of eighty-two, and resides a quarter of a mile from her
old home. They had several children, the only one of whom now living in Hamilton is John R. Brown. At the time Mr. Brown moved to Hamilton County his mother and step-father, John Thompson, remained here, where their two children were born. Joseph Magie Thompson, as is said above, was born March 10, 1804. No record exists of Daniel. Mr. Thompson enlisted in the War of 1812 three times, serving throughout the en- tire struggle. He was captured seven times by the British, and on one occasion was taken with six others. They were given several days in which to swear allegi- ance to the king of Great Britain, four of the party finally consenting. Mr. Thompson, however, was made of sterner stuff, and, with two others, refused to do this, and resolved to escape, which they did. They were three days without any thing to eat, but finally managed to reach the American lines. He was Scotch by birth, as was also his wife, and was a man of wealth for those times, and a prominent pioneer. He died in Hamilton abont 1816, his widow surviving him many years. She died in 1862, aged eighty-seven years.
Of his children, Daniel is now residing in Richmond, Indiana, and Joseph Magie married, March 8, 1826, Mary Ann Messick, who was born February 10, 1807, in Delaware. They had six children. Theodore was born September 10, 1827, and died in Memphis in 1879. He was a captain of the One Hundred and Seventy-sec- ond Regiment, O. V. I., in the late war, under Colonel Luzbeek. Alonzo H. was born May 10, 1829, and re- sides in Hamilton. He was a soldier of the late war, in Company H, Eleventh Missouri V. I., and served through most of the struggle. He was wounded several times, and at the battle of Atlanta was so badly injured that he was discharged, crippled for life. Freeman B. was born July 29, 1831, and is now a resident of Ham- ilton. Miles L. was born October 26, 1833, and lives at Columbus, Indiana. He is married. Martha J. was born May 27, 1836, and is the wife of A. J. Gaither, and lives in Jersey County, Illinois. Joseph W. was born September 7, 1838, living at East Memphis, Ten- nessee, and is married.
Joseph M. Thompson was for many years a promi- nent citizen of Port Union, Union Township, hokling several township offices, and died in Columbus, Indiana. on the 7th of March, 1878, his wife dying March 31, 1874. His son, Colonel Freeman B. Thompson, was married on the 1st of July, 1856, to Mary Ann Beatty, daughter of James Beatty. She was born ia Butler County, September 24, 1839, and died April 14, 1879. They have had eight children. William B. was born June 5, 1857, and is married, living in Fairfield Towa- ship. Ida May was born April 5, 1859, and is the wire of James M. Earp, a resident of Hamilton. Mary Ella was born March 17. 1863, and is the wife of Elva Thompson. She lives in Hamilton. Frankie Lucha I was born July 2, 1865; Lillie Leona, June 1, 1868;
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Harry, June 16, 1870; George, March 16, 1872, and Jimmy, January 29, 1877. Mr. Thompson, in 1859, moved to Shelby County, Illinois, where he was for many years a prominent farmer, holding many offices of honor. Among others he was sheriff for six years. and was elected colonel of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He returned to Hamilton, Butler County, on the 10th of November, 1880, and still resides here.
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James M. Earp was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, December 23, 1850, and was married May 31, 1877, in Shelby County, Illinois, to Miss Ida May, daugliter of Colonel Freeman B. Thompson. They have two children. Mary Ellen was born April 6, 1878, in Shelby County, Illinois, and Lillie Mary was born March 18, 1880, in Butler County. Mr. Earp came here from Illinois in 1879, and settled in Union Township, where he resided on Mr. James Beatty's farm, removing in 1880 to Hamilton. In May, 1881, he began business in West Hamilton as a hatter and dealer in gentlemen's furnish- ing goods.
William Bruck was born in Hamilton, November 14, 1848, and is the son of J. P. and Mona (Kline) Bruck. He received a fair education in private schools in Ham- ilton, aud when thirteen began learning the trade of printer, in an office conducted by his father. He worked as a journeyman in Cincinnati and Indianapolis until 1876. He was chosen as policeman that year, and served for four years. In the Spring of 1881 he was elected city marshal, a position that he still occupies. Mr. Bruck was married in July, 1869, to Miss Barbara K., daughter of John Musch. They are parents of two sons, William L. and Edward. They are members of St. John's Lutheran Church. He is a member of the Knights of Honor.
Owen C. Brewer was born in Liberty Township, Butler County, February 4, 1851, being the younger son of Peter K. and Mary ( Flenner) Brewer, the former a native of Maryland, where he was born in 1809. He came to Ohio in 1831, settling on the place in Liberty Township, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was mar- ried in 1837 to a daughter of David Fienner, and reared a family of five children, all living and residents of this county. He was a successful farmer, dying September 1, 1871. His wife, who was born in 1807, is still living, at the age of seventy-four.
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Owen C. Brewer was educated in the public schools until he was cigliteen years of age, being brought up to farming, and then engaged in teaching for some four years. In 1872 he was appointed to a position in the auditor's office, and in 1873 was made a deputy auditor, holling that position until June, 1874, when he received the appointment of secretary of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home, at Xenia, with W. D. Kerr as superin- tendent. While there Messrs. Kerr and Brewer intro- duced the industrial branches, which made the institution
self-sustaining. He was there until the end of Governor Allen's term, when he returned to Hamilton, there act- ing as a clothing salesman until March, 1882, when he began the clothing trade in his present location.
Mr. Brewer was married, in 1875, to Miss Diana Stark, of Xenia. They have two children, Paul K. and Earl C. Mrs. Brewer is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Brewer is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and also of the Kuights of Honor. He was clected a member of the board of education from the Fourth Ward, in 1879, and re-elected in 1881, both times without opposition. He was clerk of the board for two years and a half, and became its president in April, 1882.
Charles Beck, Jr., was born in Venice, in this eonoty, June 8, 1845. He is the son of Charles and Theresa Beck, natives of Wellenberg, Germany. He attended the common schools in the country, and afterwards .in Hamilton. He began at fourteen to learn the shoe- maker's trade with his father, and was at this for eight years. He then began clerking in his father's store, and afterwards attended the Business College in this place. In 1859, he began business in the boot and shoe trade, which he continued till 1879. He has been trustee of bis ward, and overseer of the poor. In 1876, he was elected infirmary director for the county, and again in 1879, acting as clerk of the board. He is a Democrat in belief, and a member of the Catholic Church. He was married on the 14th of September, 1869, to Cathe- rine Tabler, daughter of Henry and Catherine Tabler, of Hamilton, both now being dead. He has four living children and three dead. Charles Henry, Clara C., Will- iam A., and Frauk C. are the names of those living.
John Frederick Bender was born in Germany, Sep- tember 28, 1830. He is the oldest son of F. W. and Catherine Bender, and was instructed in the govern- ment schools. He learned the trade of a carpenter from his father, and remained employed at that till he was twenty-one. He was conscripted in the Prussian army in 1851, and served three years, and on the expiration of his term, followed his parents and family to America, in the Spring of 1855, coming direct to Hamilton. He assisted his father in laying the foundation of the present business, of which he is the head. Mr. Bender married in March, 1857, Miss Mary Elizabeth Hardegen, born in Germany. They have a family of two daughters and ene son. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Bender enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-seveath Obio National Guard, of which regiment he was major under Colonel Moore. He served out his term, and was mustered out at Hamilton in 1864.
Jacob Bender was born in Prussia, August !S, 1837. He is the son of F. W. and Catherine (Diehl) Ben- der. He was educated in the public schools in Germany, and brought up to farming until coming to America with his parents in 1853. . His first location was in Cin-
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cinnati, where he was one year, coming up to Hamilton in 1854. He received something of an English educa- tion after arriving in this country, and worked at the carpenter's business for some time. He began to learn the trade of hatter in 1856, serving an apprenticeship of four years with Henry Beardsley, with whom he after- wards worked as a journeyman. IJe was in his employ- ment until enlisting in 1864, in the hundred-day troops. He served out his full term of enlistment, in West Vir- ginia, and returned home and was mustered ont at its close. He resumed his former situation on his return, and remained with Mr. Beardsley until July, 1870, when he began business for himself. He is doing an extensive trade in hats, caps, furs, gloves, umbrellas, etc. He is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church.
Jacob Boli was born in Germany, December 30, 1819, and was educated in Germany. When young, he learned his father's trade, that of a baker, and worked at it as jour- neyman for some time, coming to America in 1838. He just escaped conseription. He first located at Massillon, Ohio, where he was employed as a baker and confee- tioner for two years, and then going to Cincinnati. He was married there about 1842, and is the father of ten children, only two of whom are living. L. A. Boli, who was born January 16, 1846, is a well-known merchant of Hamilton, and Caroline, born April 10, 1849, is the wife of Alexander Dilg, a resident of this place. After marriage he went to Indiana, and engaged in farming, then going to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained ten years in the grocery trade. In May, 1855, he came to Hamilton, beginning the grocery trade on the west side, and coming to his present location on Front Street about 1860. He is now doing a prosperous business in general family groceries, and is a large owner of real estate. He is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church.
William E. Brown was born in Xenia, Ohio, on the 13th of November, 1825. His father was a me- chanie of moderate means, and his son was obliged to obta's an education by his own exertions. He was carly taught to labor, and at the age of seventeen was in Northern Mississippi as a tramping journeyman shoe- maker. He subsequently passed eighteen months in New York City. At the age of twenty-one he com- menced the study of law in Xenia. He completed his preparatory legal studies in Dayton, and was admitted to the bar on the 29th of March, 1849. The following Spring he settled in Hamilton, with very little money. Up to this time he had worked at his trade to pay ex- penses. Before the expiration of his first year's practice in Hamilton, he had business enough to support himself. He married the daughter of Robert Beckett in 1852. In 1855 he was elected an elder in the United Presbyte- rian Church of Hamilton. He gave ap the practice of law for a while on account of impaired health, bat after- wards resumed it. He was elected president of the Sec- ond National Bank of Hamilton in 1870. Under his
able management this institution has nearly trebled its business. It was, in a great measure, through his advice and direction that the handsome building of this bank was built. The Second National Bank of Hamilton is one of the safest and most conservative banks in the country.
John C. Barcalow, the landlord of the Central House, was born in this county April 11, 1830. His parents were Jobn and Nancy Barcalow, both now dead. He was married in Warren County on the 29th of October, 1851, to Elizabeth A. Emley, daughter of David and Saralı Emley. She is a native of Warren County. Mr. and Mrs. Barcalow have had twelve children. Anva E. Sehaffer was born April 24, 1855; Ada F. Spitler, August 15. 1856; Georgetta, July 11, 1858; David E., May 15, 1860; Kate E., May 12, 1862; John B., March 4, 1864; C. M., November 17, 1866; Sallie E., January 3, 1869; Harry and Carrie, March 31, 1871; Louraine R., July 31, 1873, and Richard E., September 10, 1875. Mr. Barcalow was a member of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the hundred days' call in West Virginia without hearing a gun fired.
John Bender was born in Prussia, December 13, 1848. He is the son of F. W. and Catherine (Diehl) Bender, who came to this country in 1853, bringing their son with them. He was a carpenter by trade, arriving in Hamilton in 1854, and worked at this till about 1805, when he organized the firm of F. W. Bender & Sons, purchasing the property where his sons are, and also the planing mill of Miller & Campbell. For a short time the firm was Bender & Brown. He reared a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, all resi- dents of Hamilton. He was a successful man, and by the aid of his sons laid the foundation of a large and success- ful business: He was a member of the Evangelical Protestant Church. His death occurred on the 20th of October, 1867. The business was continued under the firm name of J. F. Bender & Brothers, the nicmbers being J. F., E., F. W., H., and John. The latter was educated in the common schools in Hamilton. In 1864 he attended one terin at the commercial college in Cin- cinnati. He was in the employment of John Stilwaugh for some two years, and then entered the business of his father and brother in 1865. He takes charge of the office and financial matters, the rest of the firm being all prae- tieal mechanies. He also does the estimating and con- tracting. Mr. Bender was married in 1873 to Miss Lena Morton, and is the father of three children-J. F., Ma- tilda P'., and Elsie. They are attendauts of the Zion Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Jane Betz was born in Morgan Township, March 27, 1812, being the daughter of David and Margaret (Rainey) Bell. David Bell settled in Morgan Township at an early day. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Bell of Ireland. They reared five children, two of
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whom are living, Robert J. and Mrs. Betz. Mr. and. Mrs. Bell died in 1834, from cholera. Their daughter was educated in the common schools, and was at home till the death of her parents. She was married to Lud- wick Betz about this time. Mr. Betz was then deputy auditor, under James B. Cameron, and afterwards was elected to the same position for two terms. He was also county surveyor from 1836 to 1842. He died. Sep- tember 2, 1847. He was a successful business man and an esteemed citizen. Mrs .. Betz is a member of the Universalist Church, and has resided in Hamilton since 1835.
Stephen D. Bowers was born in Fairfield Township, in this county, August 16, 1845, being the youngest son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Thorp) Bowers. The father was long a resident of that township, but died in Sep- tember, 1845, a month after his son was born. Mrs. Bowers, who was the daughter of C. C. Thorp, reared her family of three little children successfully, only one of them now, however, surviving. She died October 18, 1878. Stephen D. Bowers was educated at home, in the common schools. When sixteen he began learning the trade of machinist, and worked as a journeyman for two years. He was connected with: a life insurance com- pany for a year, in Cincinnati, and then traveled for a manufacturing shoe house some three or four years. April 28, 1868, he began in the boot and shoe business for himself, in a modest way, and has built up a large and valuable trade.
Mr. Bowers was married May 19, 1870, to Miss Susan Elizabeth Walton. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters-Gertrude, Cornelia, George W., and Walton S. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Odd Fellows. His brother, G. W. Bowers, enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers in 1861, and was wounded at the siege of Atlanta. He died in hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, July 1, 1864. His sister Cornelia was married to Cyrus Pottenger, of Camden, Ohio, and died July 11, 1880.
I. A. Boli, jeweler, was born in Washington, Indiana, January 16, 1848, and is the only son of Jaeob aud Caroline Boli. He was educated in Hamilton, where he eame with his parents in 1856, graduating at the high school. He was in delicate health in his youth, and be- gan Lis present business in 1869 in a modest way. He has since learned the trade, and is now a practical jew- eler, having the largest business in that line in Hamilton. He is a denler in watches, jewelry, silverware, clocks, and optical goods. He was married on the 10th of May, 1869, to Miss Carrie Buekle, daughter of Jacob Buckle. They are the parents of five children, of whom three are living -- Lewis J., Edward O., and Carrie. Mr. Boli was elected a member of the school board for the Third Ward in the Spring of 1882, and has done good work there. He is a supporter of all Christian and worthy objeets, and is a member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows,
Knights of Honor, and the American Order of United Workmen. He succeeded to the business of William E. Drayer, one of the oldest jewelers in Butler County, from whom he bought the property where his business is lo- cated. He is also one of the firm of L. A. Boli & Co., of the Miami Valley Soap Works, a new concern, doing a promising business in laundry and toilet soaps.
Peter P. Black was born in France, on the 29th of June, 1817, and was there educated. When he was thirteen he commenced an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith's trade, and worked as a journeyman for two years in Metz. On coming to America he lo- cated in Saugerties, New York, for some time, working in the stone-quarries for nine months, and then coming to Cincinnati, where he commenced blacksmithing on his own account, at Newtown, Hamilton County. On the 17th of August, 1841, he was married to Mary Carbel, born in Germany, October 13, 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Black are the parents of five children, of whom three are living. Frank X. is a well known manufacturer of Hamilton; F. D. is the present sheriff of the county : and Mary is the wife of George Schroder. Mr. Black lived in Newtown some time after his marriage, being engaged as a blacksmith, bat in 1844 came to Butler County, locating in Jacksonburg, and carrying on his occupation there for nine months. In the Fall of that year he came to Hamilton, where he has since been. He worked at twenty dollars per month for Isaac Tobias, for three years, and then began as a manufacturer of plows. In 1856 and 1857 he organized the firm of Long, Black & Alstatter, manufacturers of reapers, mowers, etc. This firm existed until 1872, since which time he has led a retired life.
Edgar A. Belden, attorney and counselor-at-law, was born in Hamilton, November 28, 1855. He is the son of Samuel C. and Mary (Fitton) Belden, and was edu- cated in the schools of Hamilton, graduating at the high school in 1872. He then engaged in the insurance busi- ness in Cincinnati for five years, but in 1879 begau road- ing law in the office of Thomas Millikin. He was ad- mitted to the bar in February, 1881, and immediately began practice in Hamilton. He is connected with the Methodists, and is the president of the Irving Literary Club, a pleasant and agrecable society.
Charles Beck, senior, was born in Germany on the 15th of February, 1812. He was educated in Germany. and became an apprentice to the shoemaker's art in Vi- enna in 1825, serving three years. He worked as a jour- neyman in Prague for some time, and was in the army for six years, from 1832 to 1838. When discharged he left Germany, and arrived in America January 4, 1839, where he was married on the 3d of February, 1839, to Theresa Stark, who was born in Germany, December 25, 1808. They were the parents of eight children, of whoat four are living. Henry E. is a resident of Hamilton ; Harriet is the wife of A. Winter, of this place : Charles,
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Jr., is also a well-known resident, and Katy is the wife of Alexander Getz. Mr. Beck arrived in Ohio in the Spring of 1839, coming direct to Hamilton, still em- ployed at shoemaking, and residing in Venice for some eight years. He then engaged in farming, purchasing a place in Ross Township, and staying there for eight years. In Hanover Township he was one year, return- ing to Hamilton in 1857. and beginning mercantile basi- ness in 1859. In 1860 he entered the firm of Beck & Winter, keeping a general store. Of late he has been out of business. He is a member of the Roman Catho- lie Church.
Christian Brady was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1812, coming to Ohio with his parents in the same year. They settled in Reily Town- ship. He is the oldest son of Joseph and Mary (Ship- man) Brady. The father was a pioneer, and raised a large family of twelve children, six of whom are living. Christian was educated in the common schools in Reily Township, and was brought up to farming until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began learning the car- penter's trade. At this he worked for eleven years, then purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in that township. He was married in 1844 to Maria, daughter of Benjamin Sortman. They are the parents of two children, one now living, Ada, the wife of Dr. J. B. Scott. Mr. Brady eame to Hamilton in February, 1865, and engaged in the grocery business for two years, after- wards leading a retired life until December, 1881. In company with his brother-in-law, D. Sortman, he began the manufacture of grain eradles. He is a member of the Christian Church.
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