Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 105

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 105

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obliging his children to rely very largely upon their own exertions for a livelihood. Francis Jefferson was quite young when his father granted the blessings of freedom to his bond-servants and, from that time for- ward, he became, with all the term implies, the architect of his own fortune. His first efforts in the way of preparing for the fu- ture was as a clerk in a mercantile establish- ment, in which capacity he continued until attaining his majority. In the meantime, by close and diligent attention, he became not only an efficient salesman, but acquired a thorough knowledge of his chosen business in its every detail. At the age of twenty- one Mr. Tytus left his father's home and later sought a new field for the exercise of his talents in the young and prosperous state of Ohio. Locating at Middletown in 1852. he soon became identified with the industrial and general business growth of the place, and it was not long until he at- tained prominence as a public-spirited and influential citizen. After conducting several local enterprises with marked success he founded. in 1836. a pork-packing and ham- curing establishment, which he continued to manage with gratifying financial results until the early fifties, when he disposed of that business and, in 1854. entered in part- nership with a friend and purchased the Erwin Brothers' Paper Mill. which, under his control, gradually grew into the Tytus & Garder Paper and Manufacturing Com- pany. one of the largest and most success- ful enterprises of the kind in southern Ohio. In addition to this connection with the above firm Mr. Tytus became interested in various other industrial establishments and business ventures, including the Oglesby. More & Company, of which he was a di-

rector and a large stockholder, and the First National Bank at Middletown, with the growth and success of which his name was long identified. As a business man and financier he was broad-minded. energetic. resourceful and far-seeing, and by sound and conservative methods he gradually ex- . tended the scope of his operations, until he built up a considerable fortune, becoming in due time one of the wealthiest as well as one of the most enterprising and influential men of his adopted city. Mr. Tytus was a born leader of men and possessed marked ability as a manager of large and important enter- prises. His nature was broad and essentially catholic. and joined to a body of heroic mould. Although gentle, kind and responsive to every noble . and generous impulse, he moved among his fellows as a natural leader, and was the observed of all observers in every crowd or convocation of people in which he happened to be. The following incident. which occurred while he was on a visit to his daughter in Kansas City, Missouri, when General Grant stopped at that place on his return trip around the world, is worthy of notice in this connection. Desiring to ob- tain a favorable view of the gallant hero and distinguished ex-President. Mr. Tytus secured a conspicuous place near the stand, where his tall and stately form soon at- tracted the attention of the mass of people far and near. While gazing over the sea of human faces. General Grant's attention was arrested by this dignified personage. and at once signified a wish to become ac- quainted with him. Accordingly Mr. Tytus was invited to the stand. where the formali- ties of an introduction were gone through, and from that time to the death of both

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parties those two noble men entertained for each other feelings of profound mutual admiration and respect.

Notwithstanding his commanding pres- ence and strong and vigorous personality. Mr. Tytus was easily approachable and ever stood ready to grant a favor or contribute of his means to alleviate the suffering and dis- tress of the poor and needy. Benevolence and a broad and generous charity were among his most pronounced characteristics, and he was never known to withhold a helping hand, even when convinced that many who applied to him for assistance were unworthy. His religious convictions were deeply rooted and abiding. and his Saviour was ever a conscious presence that enabled him to meet life's duties and responsibilities as became a true child of God. That presence cheered him as he fearlessly entered "the valley of shadows" at the end of his earthly sojourn.

Mr. Tytus was twice married, first to Miss Sarah V. Martin, a daughter of his business partner, and later. 1842, to Miss Sarah Butler, of Massachusetts, daughter of Rev. John Butler, for many years one of New England's most noted educators and divines ; the second union being blessed with two daughters. Mrs. Colin Gardner and Mrs. C. Monjeau, and two sons, the younger of whom ended his days as a beloved and highly esteemed resident of the city of his birth.

The death of Mr. Tytus occurred in Mid- dletown on December 9. 1887, and was deeply lamented not only by his immediate relations and friends, but by the entire peo- ple of the city in which so many years of his long and useful life were spent. In the language of the Rev. Dr. Tuce. of Chicago. "Seldom has the death of an individual, in

any class of society, made a deeper impres- sion on the public mind than that of the venerable and beloved F. J. Tytus." On the same occasion a prominent merchant who. for many years, had been accustomed to visit Mr. Tytus at his home, gave expression to his feelings in the following words : "My heart was so deeply stirred by the prayers and Christian practices of Mr. Tytus that I was finally constrained to come to the same Savior that he found for the rest and peace which I now enjoy." Finally on the winter day when the great heart which for over sixty years had beat in sympathy for human- ity was silenced. the Middletown Signal paid this glowing tribute to the manly char- acter and worth of the dead in these words : "F. J. Tytus, a man good in greatness and great in goodness, has quietly passed away. The whole community has sustained a great loss in the death of this pure-souled, large- hearted philanthropist. Those who knew him best felt that the hour of his departure was drawing to a close. and when he fell asleep with words of Christian triumph on his lips, they could but say: 'O, man of God. well done: thy fight is ended and thy crown is won.' "

ROBERT DURBIN.

Robert Durbin was born in Fairfield township. Butler county. November 3, 1851, and is one of the eight children of Stephen and Mary (Jackson) Durbin, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Stephen Durbin came to this county with his widowed mother when quite young and lived for a number of years with Robert

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Kenedy, who furnished him employment and otherwise looked after his interests. He remained with this benefactor until his mar- riage and then engaged in agriculture for himself, which vocation he followed the re- mainder of his life, meeting with fair suc- cess and establishing the reputation of an honorable and praiseworthy citizen. Stephen and Mary Durbin reared eight chil- dren to maturity, five of whom are living at the present time, Robert being the fourth in order of birth.

The early life of Robert Durbin was spent on a farm and his experiences were similar to those of the majority of boys whose good forutne it is to be reared under the bene- ficial influences and rugged discipline of country life. The district schools furnished him the means of acquiring a good practical education and until his twenty-sixth year he lived with his mother and provided her with her main support. At the age noted Mr. Durbin established a home of his own the presiding spirit of which was an esti- mable young lady by the name of Lurania Pocock, to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock in the year 1877. Mrs. Dur- bin, who was born in Liberty township, is the only child of Reuben and Ruth Pocock, and her marriage has been blessed with three offspring, the older of the two liv- ing being a son by the name of Harvey, whose birth occurred in November, 1878. He is a graduate of the Middletown high school and a commercial college at the same place, in addition to which training he also took a four-years course in the Case Schoo! of Applied Sciences, in the city of Cleve- land, receiving his degree from the last- named institution in June, 1902. Since that time he has been in the employ of the San-

dusky Portland Cement Company, at Bay Ridge, having charge of an important de- partment of the company's work. Stella. who was born in December, 1882, is a well- educated young lady, being a graduate of the high school of Hartwell, where she made an honorable record as a student.

Since his marriage Mr. Durbin has de- voted his attention to farming and his prog- ress has made for him a prominent place among the leading men of his calling in Liberty township. All of his undertakings have been characterized by intelligence and well-grounded knowledge and his labors have been pushed with a zeal and industry that admits only of success.

Mr. Durbin votes the Republican ticket, but is not a politician in the strict sense of the term, although he has done considerable work for his party, serving as delegate to township, county and state conventions, be- sides acting in the capacity of township committeeman. He is interested in the cause of education and has given his chil- dren excellent advantages, both being intel- ligent and above the average in intellectual culture and general mental attainments. Mr. and Mrs. Durbin are numbered among the leading people of Liberty township and in their immediate community no family is more highly esteemed.

BENJAMIN J. NIEDERLANDER.

Any person who will investigate the facts in the case will be surprised to learn of the great number of people of Germanic descent now living in the United States. Unques- tionably the greatest number of emigrants

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reaching the shores of the new world comes from that nation, and statistics show that there is more Germanic blood in the United States than any other. This being the fact, it is easy to account for the prosperity and morality of this country. Not only that, but it will afford an explanation for the love of learning shown by the people of this vast nation. Germany is famous the world over for its remarkable universities, for its edu- cated men, for its poets and philosophers. and for the industry, patience. intelligence. morality and sturdiness of its citizens. These qualities have been brought to this country by the immigrants and are now part and parcel of our wonderful nation-its progress in domestic economy. its advancement in every branch of material improvement. and its love of country and home.

Benjamin J. Niederlander was born in Sandusky, Ohio, on the Ist of March. 1855. and is the son of Joseph and Mary ( Baden) Niederlander. The father was a native of Germany, having been born in the province of Alsace, and died at Middletown. Ohio. October 2, 1902, having come to this coun- try when but a youth. They first located at Buffalo. New York, remaining there for some years. Having learned the tinner's trade in his youth, he came to Middletown. Ohio, immediately after the Civil war and was for some time engaged in this line. While in Buffalo he had married Miss Mary Baden, who, though American born, was of German extraction. and who died on March 25, 1859.

The subject of this sketch was left motherless at the early age of four years, and the lad was then placed in the care of his grandparents. who lived at Bowmansville. New York. extensively engaged in the tan-

ning business. He received his preliminary education there and later also attended the schools at Middletown, Ohio, whence he came in 1866. His first employment was with the P. J. Sorg Company, in the capac- ity of shipping clerk, but after being so em- ployed for a few years he was the recipient of several promotions as a reward for his fidelity and trustworthiness. at length reach- ing the position of cashier of the Sorg branch of the Continental Tobacco Com- pany, which he now fills.

On December 18. 1877, Mr. Nieder- lander was married to Miss Alice O'Dwyer. the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth O'Dwyer. and born at Urbana, Ohio, on the 4th of September, 1857. This union has been a felicitous one, and has been blessed by the birth of two children, a daughter. Ruth, born December 6. 1879. and a son. Benjamin Frank, born May 18. 1884. and died on September 3. 1886. Miss Ruth received a good public and parochial school education, which has been supple- mented by a liberal course in music, includ- ing attendance at the Cincinnati College of Music.

The subject and his family are members of the Holy Trinity church, at Middletown, and are earnest and faithful followers of the lowly Nazarene. Fraternally Mr. Nied- erlander is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. at Middletown, having served for three years as secretary of his lodge. In politics the subject is one of the leading Democrats of Butler county, and has taken an active part in the cam- paigns of his party. He has not been a seeker after public office, but his party saw fit to select him as a candidate for the office of city clerk of Middletown, in which can-

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didacy he was successful and performed the duties of the office to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Niederlander also served two years as secretary of the water works board. Ile is a lover of outdoor sports of every character, hunting being his favorite pastime. In all the relations of life the subject has proven faithful to every trust, and because of his straightforward. upright life he has won and retains a host of warm and loyal friends.

ROBERT C. STURGES.

\ career of great activity and usefulness has been achieved by the subject of this re- view and at its close he retired to the qui- etude and privacy in which he is now spend- ing the closing years of a long and eminently honorable life. Robert C. Sturges is a New Englander, being a native of the old historic commonwealth of Massachusetts, where his birth occurred on November 13, 1833. His father, Russell Sturges, was born and reared on Nantucket Island and his mother, whose maiden name was Fannie Clapp. was also of Massachusetts, and, like her husband, a descendant of one of the old families of that state. By occupation Russell Sturges was a shoemaker, which trade he followed in early life, later becoming a tiller of the soil. Many years ago he migrated to Michigan, with the pioneer history of which he was ac- tively identified, and it was in that state that he spent part of ninety-five years. Mrs. Sturges also departed this life in Michigan, and is remembered as a woman of strong mind, beautiful character and sterling

worth. She bore her husband five children. four of whom survive, the subject of this review and three daughters, who live in the states of Iowa and Michigan respectively.

Robert C. Sturges first saw the light of day in the old county of Berkshire, and after attending the public schools of his native place until a youth of sixteen began his life work by entering a paper mill in the town of Lee. From an humble position which nothing but unskilled and manual labor was required in, he rose by a series of promo- tions to the superintendency of the establish- ment and continued in this responsible capacity for a period of twenty years, the meantime taking charge of an additional factory and becoming the manager of a force of one hundred and twenty-five work- men, which gave him a wide reputation among the successful paper makers of his native state. Before leaving Massachusetts Mr. Sturges was connected with three paper mills, the last being the large establishment operated by the Riverside Paper Company, of which he served as superintendent until 1881. In that year he resigned his position with the above concern and came to Middle- town. Ohio, for the purpose of taking charge of the Harding Paper Company, but the proprietor of the concern dying about the time of his arrival he became associated with the Tytus Paper Company, as finisher, later occupying the superintendency, which post he filled ably and acceptably during the fif- teen years following. Mr. Sturges's long connection with the paper business made him not only familiar with every detail of its manufacture, but an expert in all matters pertaining thereto and his experience caused a great demand for his services, which al-

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ways commanded a very liberal salary. By his skill and masterly management he greatly enhanced the efficiency and capacity of the several establishments of which he had charge. At the close of his fifteen years with the Tytus Paper Company he resigned the superintendency and in a life of retire- ment found the rest and quiet content which his long period of service had so nobly earned and which since 1901 he has so greatly enjoyed and appreciated.

Mr. Sturges, on November 28, 1854. chose a life companion in the person of Miss Elizabeth Atkins, who was born in West- field. Massachusetts, August 15, 1830, the daughter of Perry and Nancy ( Prince) Atkins, both natives of the Bay state, the father one of the well-to-do farmers and re- spected citizens of the county in which he lived. Mrs. Sturges was reared and edu- cated in the place of her birth, and has been her husband's faithful co-laborer and able assistant in all of his undertakings, con- tributing not a little to the success that has crowned his efforts and in many ways prov- ing a help and an inspiration in his various achievements. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sturges, namely : Mary, deceased: Fred, a finisher in the Harding Paper Mill. at Franklin, Ohio; Henry. deceased, and Mary, now the wife of Lewis Myers, of Lockland, this state.

Mr. Sturges is a politician, but not a partisan, taking a lively interest in public matters and political issues as a citizen, rather than an office seeker. He is strongly Republican in his sentiments, votes his prin- ciples fearlessly and defends them in like spirit, but at no time has he permitted his name to be used in connection with public position nor entered the race as an aspirant

for leadership or political honors. His chief aims have always been to lead a quiet life, to provide comfortably for those de- pendent upon him, to attend strictly to his own interests and prepare for the future. At the same time he has ever manifested a commendable regard for the welfare of the community and the good of his fellow men, all enterprises with these objects 'in view enlisting his influence, co-operation and ma- terial support. Religiously Mr. Sturges is a Baptist, and since becoming a resident of Middletown the church in this city has pro- fited greatly by the membership of himself and wife, both being active and loyal to the duties imposed upon them as disciples of the Christ. Socially they are much respected by the people with whom they mingle, their quiet and unobtrusive charities by which the deserving poor are profited, having won them many warm friends among their neighbors and associates.

EDWARD SMITH.

Plowing, planting and harvesting seem to the superficial observer to constitute the life of the farmer. but to the initiated there is much more implied in the great basic science of agriculture than is shadowed forth in the statements just made. Today the farmer who succeeds possesses much scien- tific knowledge concerning the best methods of producing crops, the needs of different cereals and of the elements which should be found or produced in the soil. Rotation of crops is practiced, and in carrying on the work improved farm machinery is brought into requisition. The same discrimination

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is used in connection with the raising of live stock, and the care and careful direction given to the various departmens of the farm work entail the best results from the labors expended. There is no need at the pres- ent time for the farmer to feel in the least isolated, nor for him to be denied the ad- vantages of the better order which formerly were enjoyed only by urban residents, and he may esteem himself fortunate, indeed, who is numbered among the sturdy, inde- pendent and prosperous yeomen of the country. The subject of this review is a representative farmer and stock grower of Butler county, his well-improved farmstead being located in Madison township, and he is known as one of the progressive, alert and successful young farmers of this most fav- ored section of the old Buckeye state. In his labors he has not permitted himself to follow in the rut in a blind and apathetic way. but has studied and experimented and thus secured the maximum returns from his enterprising efforts, while he has so ordered his course at all times as to com- mand the confidence and high regard of the people of the community in which he lives.

Mr. Smith is a native son of the Buck- eye state. where his paternal grandfather settled in the pioneer days. He was born on the homestead farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 22d of December, 1869, and is a son of John W. and Catherine Jane (Cooper) Smith. both of whom were likewise born in Ohio. John Wesley Smith was born in Montgomery county, where he was reared and educated, and there he con- tinued to reside until 1868, when he removed to Montgomery county, where he purchased land and became a successful farmer. He and his wife are now living in Montgomery county.

The subject of this sketch was reared to the invigorating and wholesome discipline of the homesead farm which was the place of his birth, and his youthful years were given to assisting in the work of the farm, and to prosecuting his studies in the public schools, where he gained a good practical education. He continued to be associated with his father in the management of the home place until he was twenty-four years of age, and he has ever maintained his al- legiance to the great fundamental industry of agriculture. In 1898 Mr. Smith pur- chased his present fine farm, which com- prises one hundred and fourteen acres of most fertile and productive land, situated in the beautiful valley of the Great Miami river. and he may be considered fortunate to be thus identified with the agricultural interests of one of the most beautiful farm- ing sections of the grand old Buckeye state, while he merits much commendation for the able manner in which he has directed his energies and abilities in connection with his chosen vocation. His farm is improved with substantial buildings, including a com- modious two-story brick residence, which is one of the attractive homes of the county. Brought up on the farm and ever appre- ciative of its functions, it is not strange that he has found all of satisfaction in his in- dependent labors in connection with this line of enterprise, and it is gratifying to note the unequivocal success which he has gained. He is liberal and public spirited and takes an active interest in local affairs, lending his aid and influence in support of measures and enterprises which tend to con- serve the general welfare. In politics he has ever given a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party.

In December. 1892, was consummated

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the marriage of Mr. Smith to Miss Bertha Gebhardt. who was born in Madison town- ship, this county, on the 29th of December, 1874, being a daughter of George and Caro- line Gebhardt, the former of whom is one of the representative farmers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children, namely : Mabel, Hazel, Helen, Fred and Dorotha.

JAMES G. REED.

. On another page of this work will be found a sketch of the life of Robert C. Reed, brother of our subject, and in the connec- tion is incorporated much interesting data concerning the prominent and honored fam- ily of which the two brothers are represent- atives. The Reed family was one of the first to settle in Butler county, the grand- parents of the subject having located here long before the admission of Ohio to the Union, while the fact that the father of James G. was the first male white child born in the county bears all of significance as showing how early must have been the period when the family name became iden- tified with the annals of this division of the Buckeye state. To the article mentioned we would refer the reader for further gen- ealogical data, which it is unnecessary to re- capitulate in the present connection. The lineage is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and the paternal grandparents of our subject immigrated from the north of Ireland to America and were among the first to estab- lish a home in the sylvan wilds of Butler county, as has already been noted.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 105

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149