Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 116

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 116

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was very well known as an honorable, up- right citizen. He was twice elected to the office of city marshal, and was serving in that capacity when he died, at the age of fifty-three years, on the 5th of February, 1875. His wife survived him and lives at the old home in Hamilton. The children in this family were named William, Mary, David, John, Katie, George, Louise, Adam and Dora. Adam died in childhood. The survivors of the family are happily married and for the most part are living in the vi- cinity of their birth.

Both father and mother were devoted and active members of the German Evan- gelical church. David Lingler was edu- cated in the public schools of Hamilton, though by careful reading and observation he has largely supplemented this elementary training. At the age of fourteen he began an apprenticeship to the iron moulder's trade, and this constituted his principal em- ployment until he began his career in public life. He is a man well-informed on the current events of the day, keen and shrewd in business affairs, and is regarded as one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of Hamilton. His long continuance in an office of public trust and responsibility is the best evidence of his popularity and fitness.

Mr. Lingler was married on the 10th of October, 1877. when he chose for his com- panion in life, Miss Elizabeth Brooks, a na- tive of Hamilton and a daughter of Jacob Brooks, a former business man of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Lingler have been blessed in their domestic relations with a happy family of children, six in number, named as fol- lows: Elizabeth, Carl, Mary, Alma, David and Edna. The first two named have passed to the other shore. Mr. Lingler and

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family are members of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran church. They are recognized as one of the leading families in Hamilton, where their lives have been spent. Mr. Lingler has for many years taken an active part in politics and is a recognized leader in local Democracy. He is fair and honorable in his dealings with men and a valued citi- zen in the community.

JOHN WEHR.

The subject of this review, who long held worthy prestige among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Wayne town- ship, recently abandoned active labor and at this time is enjoying the fruits of his in- dustry and thrift in a life of retirement, hav- ing accumulated a sufficient amount of worldly wealth to render the remainder of his days comfortable and free from care. John Wehr is a native of the township in which he resides, but, as the name suggests. his family is of Teutonic origin, his parents, George and Mary R. Wehr, having been born and reared in Germany. Shortly after his marriage George Wehr immigrated to America and settled in Indiana, where he purchased and cleared a small tract of land, but after residing for a few years in that state he disposed of his possessions and moved to Butler county, Ohio, locating on Hickory Flat, in the township of St. Clair. He followed agricultural pursuits in that neighborhood for some years and there bought the place in Wayne township which he developed and on which he spent the re- mainder of his life, dying April 21. 1889. in his seventy-seventh year. Mrs. Wehr.

who is still living, at the age of eighty-five, bore her husband nine children, the follow- ing of whom survive: Lawrence, Anna, Andrew, Lena, John, Mary, Maggie and Lizzie. George Wehr came to this country a poor man, but, like the majority of his nationality, he was industrious and thrifty and spent many a hard year's work to put his farm on equal footing with others in the township. In the end he was successful beyond his expectations, for at his death he left to his family a fine farm of one hun- dred and thirty-six acres, the same which the subject of this review now owns and on which he also achieved such marked pre- cedence as an agriculturist.

John Wehr was born April 26, 1854, on the family homestead in Wayne township and spent the years of his minority assisting his father to cultivate and manage the farm. When not engaged in the fields he attended the public schools and in this way spent the winter seasons until his twentieth year. his diligence in the prosecution of his studies enabling him to master the common branches and obtain a good practical edu- cation. When a young man, Mr. Wehr be- gan working by the month for his father and in this way spent four years, during which time he saved his earnings with the object in view of setting up a domestic es- tablishment of his own. In November, 1880, he married the young lady of his choice, Miss Ellen Schenck, of Madison township, and from that time on devoted his attention very closely to agricultural pur- suits, his success being commensurate with the industry and energy displayed in his la- bors.

Mr. Wehr soon took high rank among the enterprising farmers and stock raisers

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of Wayne township and in due season he found himself financially able to purchase the home place. Since becoming owner of this fine farm he has added greatly to its value, remodeling the buildings, erecting new ones, besides making other improve- ment and in various ways increasing the at- tractiveness of the place until it is now one of the most beautiful and desirable rural homes not only in the township of Wayne, but in Butler county. It is situated about three miles north of the village of Seven- Mile, in one of the richest agricultural dis- tricts of this part of the state, and its deep, rich soil, which is well watered and drained, makes it especially adaptable for general agriculture and pasturage.

As already indicated, Mr. Wehr is not engaged in farming at the present time, having rented the place to his son-in-law a few years ago in order to enjoy the rest and recreation which his long devotion to his chosen calling made almost imperative. He still looks after his live-stock interests and business affairs, however; gives the benefit of his advice to the management of the farm and, while no longer under the necessity of laboring for a livelihood, he is quite a busy man, preferring to make good use of his time, rather than to fritter or dream it away in inactivity and idleness.

Mr. Wehr has always manifested a lively interest in public matters and as an enter- prising citizen devotes considerable atten- tion to the political questions of the day. He is a Democrat in all the term implies, takes an active part in promoting the suc- cess of his party, and in recognition thereof his friends at different times have honored him with important official positions. In 1900 he was elected one of the trustees of

Wayne township and in April. 1903, was chosen his own successor by a very decided majority, his administration of the office be- ing able, business-like and eminently satis- factory to the public.

Mrs. Wehr was a native of Madison township, Butler county, her birth dating from the year 1860. She was a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church of Jacksonburg, and in a gentle, womanly way won the high regard of the best social circles of the neighborhood in which she lived, being esteemed by a large number of friends and acquaintances for her many excellent qualities. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wehr was blessed with one daughter, Jessie, who was born in 1881 and who is now the wife of Calvin Sheley and the mother of two offspring, Vernon and Hazel. Mrs. Sheley died on February 3, 1904.

ARMIN BERKOWITZ.

This popular young business man has been a resident of Hamilton but a few years, though he has in that time established for himself a reputation as one of the city's most successful men. His birth occurred in Aus- tria-Hungary, where he received a liberal education. At the age of eighteen he emi- grated to the new world and took up a tem- porary residence at St. Louis. From there he went to Indianapolis and was engaged in the liquor business in the Hoosier capital for several years. In 1892 Mr. Berkowitz came to Hamilton and purchased the whole- sale and retail liquor business of Kilsheimer & Company and at once set about increas-

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ing the stock and enlarging and beautifying the place. His location is one of the best in the city and is a popular resort for the better class of customers who enjoy a social glass or a satisfactory smoke. One of the distinguishing features of the place is the fact that neither money or skill have been spared in rendering it attractive and pleas- ant. The goods on sale, either at wholesale or retail, embrace the most popular and well known brands of liquors and cigars. This trade in each is very large, the wholesale de- partment reaching into distant cities and states. Mr. Berkowitz enjoys the distinc- tion of being the only cigar jobber in Butler county. He has established a reputation sec- ond to none in furnishing fine wines and liquors for family use and medicinal pur- poses in the city and adjoining territory. He is also distributor in the county for the celebrated "Bethesda" Waukesha water and the "Tallewanda" pure spring water. His commodious place comprises nearly eight thousand square feet of floor space, carefully arranged as to economy and convenience. The front is partitioned off for a cigar sales- room and neat and attractive office. In this department may be found all the essentials to please the taste of the most exacting cus- tomers. The wholesaling of smokers' arti- cles is an important feature of the immense business transacted in this well-known and popular house. The wholesale liquor de- partment is probably the largest in the county, and all the intricate knowledge of the business, backed by ample capital and a disposition to cater to high-class trade, are the influences which popularize this institu- tion. Mr. Berkowitz is a social and genial gentleman. active as a thorough-going busi-

ness man, but public-spirited and benevolent in his daily life.

The subject of this sketch is a son of Ig- natz and Sarah (Stern) Berkowitz. They were natives of Hungary, where they were married and the mother's life was spent. She was the mother of the following chil- dren: Armin, Lena, Nathan, Bert, Max (deceased), Jacob, David and Harry. The daughter is now Mrs. Greenwald, of Indi- anapolis, where the father and five sons are now living. David and Harry are sons by the father's second marriage. Nathan is en- gaged in the liquor business on his own ac- count and Jacob is a partner with his father in similar business. Mr. Berkowitz was married March 14, 1897, to Miss Fannie Klein, of Cleveland, Ohio. She was reared and educated in her native city and is a lady of culture and refinement, possessing many personal charms. Two bright and interest- ing children have come to bless this happy union, viz : Alfred, born February 18, 1898. and Sylvia, who was born on the 10th of November, 1900. Mr. Berkowitz is a man of a high order of intelligence and business capacity. He believes in moderation in all things and is himself opposed to intemper- ance. His place of business is always quiet and orderly, and his employes are courteous and honorable. At the head of these is his brother, Bert, a young man of good habits and strict integrity. The subject of this sketch is prominently associated with vari- ous fraternal organizations, in the social features of which he takes much pleasure. Among these may be mentioned the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Im- proved Order of Red Men, Improved Order

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Knights of Pythias and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Besides these he sustains member- ship in a Jewish society. "O. B. A." and in the Hamilton Hebrew Synagogue, the reli- gious house of his ancestors.

His political preferences are with the principles of Democracy, though he is not in any sense a politician.

J. W. KYLE.

There are individuals in nearly every community who by reason of pronounced ability and force of character rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by perseverance and a direct- ing spirit, two virtues that never fail, such men always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personality serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To this energetic and enterprising class the subject of this review very properly belongs. Enjoying distinctive prestige as a farmer and stock raiser. he has achieved success far above the average man, while his practical intelli- gence, mature judgment and sound business principles have had much to do in mould- ing public sentiment in the community.

J. W. Kyle is a native of Butler county, Ohio, as was also his father. William Kyle. both of whom were born and reared in Liberty township, where the family settled in a very early day. The first of the name to come to this part of the state was the subject's great-grandfather, Thomas Kyle. who moved from Pennsylvania, many years

ago, and purchased the homestead in Liberty township which is still in possession of one of his descendants. William Kyle grew up on this place, married Miss Sarah Cheese- man, whose people were also early comers, and reared a family of four children, namely : J. W., of this review; Lydia, who married John Van Skik; Martha, who is unmarried and still an inmate of the old home, and Louis, the last named and Mrs. Van Skik being deceased.

J. W. Kyle was born November 15, 1842, and, as already indicated, obtained his first practical experience on the family homestead in Lemon township, where he grew to manhood under the wholesome dis- cipline of the farm. After attending the common schools until mastering the usual course of study he spent some time in an academy, thus acquiring an education which enabled him to transact successfully the du- ties of a very active and useful life. Mr. Kyle remained with his parents until at- taining his majority, when he started out to make his own way, chosing for his life work the pursuit of agriculture, which, in connection with the raising of live stock, he has since followed, with encouraging finan- cial results. In 1865 he entered the mar- riage relation with Miss Mamomi Van Sik, who proved a true and lovable helpmeet until her lamented death, on August 1, 1872, and who bore him two children, one of whom, a daughter by the name of Tena, is living, making her home with her grand- mother, in whose household she was reared. Subsequently Mr. Kyle chose a second com- panion in the person of Miss Lizzie Am- mons, but after a mutually happy wedded experience of twenty-six years' duration she

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J. W. KYLE.

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too was called to the other world, depart- ing this life on the 31st of August, 1902, the union being without issue.

For a number of years past Mr. Kyle has been regarded as one of the leading agri- culturists and representative stockraisers of Liberty township, his interests in both these branches being large and his success far in advance of that achieved by the majority of the people of the community who are so engaged. He has a wide reputation as a breeder and raiser of fine horses and there has long been a constantly growing demand for his animals, many of which have sold for high prices both at home and in more remote markets. Another of his specialties is the Poland China breed of hogs, which he raises in large numbers and for which there is always a greater demand than he can possibly supply. Wherever exhibited these animals have taken first prizes, their many points of excellence bearing testimony to his success as a breeder of high-grade swine, and to him perhaps more than to any other man is due the credit of arousing an interest among the farmers of his own and neighboring townships in the matter of im- proved live stock. Mr. Kyle is an ex- cellent judge of domestic animals and, hav- ing given the matter of breeding a great deal of intelligent study, his suggestions and advice relative thereto are accepted as authority by those whose interests run par- allel with his own. He has always mani- fested a pardonable pride in marketing noth- ing but first-class stock and some idea of his success in this line may be gained from the fact that he recently disposed of a fine animal of the Poland China breed that tipped the beam at the remarkable weight of twelve hundred and seventy-five pounds.

In matters of public import Mr. Kyle

has long been an influential factor, having filled a number of positions of honor and trust and taken an active part in the political affairs of his township and county. He has affiliated with the Democracy since old enough to exercise the rights and prerog- atives of citizenship and in 1886 was elected by his party superintendent of the county in- firmary, which position he filled two terms of two years each, having been elected the second time in the year 1890. He has served about ten years as trustee of Liberty township, of which office he is the present incumbent. and he also served in the same capacity in the township of Lemon and for several years was treasurer of the Monroe high school, discharging the duties of these various position ably and conscientiously and making a record as a public servant of which his numerous friends as well as him- self have every reason to feel proud. Fra- ternally Mr. Kyle is a member of the Pythian order, but is not as active in the work of the organization as formerly, though still identified therewith and a marked example of the principles upon which it is founded. Personally he is the soul of generous, large-hearted fellowship and as a neighbor is accommodating and liberal to a fault, no worthy individual or legitimate enterprise ever appealing to him in vain for assistance. His course through life has been prudent and upright. his stand has ever been on the right in matters of moral issue and as a citizen he has dis- charged his duties in such a way as to meet the approval of his conscience and conserve the public good. While fortunate in the ac- cumulation of wealth, he is also rich in the possession of a reputation above reproach and a character which will bear the closest. and strictest scrutiny.

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WILLIAM H. PAULLIN.

Success in this world comes to the de- serving. Man gets out of life what he puts into it, plus a reasonable interest on the in- vestment. The individual who inherits large wealth or a vast estate and adds noth- ing to its value can not in sober truth be termed successful. He that falls heir to a fortune and by earnest endeavor increases it is successful in proportion to his gains, but the man who starts in life with no inheri- tance save that with which nature has en- (lowed him, and by his own unaided efforts overcomes obstacles and forges ahead in spite of discouraging circumstances. until he acquires a competency and wins an hon- orable name, achieves success such as those reared in the lap of luxury can not under- stand or in any degree appreciate. To the former class belongs the sturdy honest yeo- manry who constitute the very bone and sinew of the country, who exercise such a strong and abiding influence on the body politic, and it is of such an one that the biog- rapher is pleased to write in the paragraphs that follow.

William H. Paullin belongs to one of the old families of Butler county and of late his life has been very closely identified with the township of which he is now an hon- ored resident. He was born in Madison township, January 2, 1847, being the oldest child of Isaac and Ellen (Schenck) Paullin, and grew to maturity as a tiller of the soil, receiving a practical education in the district schools, which he attended of winter months until a youth in his teens. His ac- quaintance with the varied duties of the farm began at an early age and he was reared to regard toil as honorable and idle-

ness a disgrace. As soon as old enough he took his place in the fields and early and late bore his part in the cultivation of the soil and the harvesting of the crops, and in this way assisted his father until twenty-one years of age, when he left home to make his own way in the world.

On December 29. 1868, Mr. Paullin was united in marriage with Miss Rachael Hinkle, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Selby) Hinkle, and immediately thereafter began farming for himself by renting a part of his father's land. his industry being his main capital. He made commendable prog- ress and in the course of a few years found himself on the road to prosperity. Land be- ing high in this part of the country, he deemed it advisable to continue renting rather than to go in debt, accordingly he re- mained on his father's place until able to purchase to advantage, which he did in 1894 by investing in the fine farm of one hundred and seventy-one acres in Wayne township on which he now lives. Since tak- ing possession of his farm Mr. Paullin has made many improvements, and by industry, thrift and good business management he has won a conspicuous place among the leading agriculturists of the township. He is an excellent farmer and in addition to the different grain, vegetable and fruit crops which he raises in abundance, he devotes considerable attention to live stock. His buildings and fences are in good repair, the fields show evidence of successful tillage. and everything on the place attests the care and attention which he has exercised in or- der to make not only a profitable farm but also a comfortable home in which beauty and good taste are by no means unknown quantities.

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Mrs. Paullin was born in Madison town -. ship, October 27. 1849, received a good com- mon-school education and, like her hus- band, is greatly esteemed by all who know her. Her father, Joseph Hinkle, was a na- tive of Butler county and a member of one of its old pioneer families, the Selbys hav- ing also been among the early settlers of this part of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Paullin two children have been born, viz: William, whose birth occurred on August 23, 1879, and who is engaged in the sawmill business in this township. The other child died in infancy.

BRANDON R. MILLIKIN.

This well-known attorney of Hamilton is a representative of one of the most dis- tinguished families in Butler county. He is descended from pioneer stock, and the name of Millikin in Butler county stands for a high class of citizenship and, among the males, almost invariably, for a professional career. Dr. Dan Millikin was the first phy- sician in Hamilton. He and his brother Samuel took up their residence in this city on the 7th of May, 1807, and to this early pioneer family is traceable the entire Milli- kin family now living in Butler county. Samuel Millikin, before mentioned, opened the first drug store in Hamilton.

Brandon R. Millikin, of this review, is descended in direct line, four generations removed, from Dr. Robert B. Millikin, a brother of Dr. Dan and Samuel. He was the sixth son born to James and Dolly Milli- kin, the former a native of Ireland, born on the 5th of January, 1752, in County Antrim.

He came to America in 1771, and located in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Dolly McFarland, a native of Massachusetts, on the Ist of March, 1778. James Millikin had a family of nine chil- dren, all of whom attained to years of ma- turity. They were Daniel, James, John H., Samuel. William S., Robert B., Andrew, Abel and Mary.

Robert B. is the paternal great-grand- father of Brandon R., of this sketch. At the time his three brothers departed for the West to seek new homes he was a lad in his fourteenth year, and he remained with his parents until about twenty, when he be- came imbued with the spirit of emigration and followed his older brothers to Hamil- ton. He arrived here in the spring of 1813 and took up his residence with the family of his brother, Dr. Dan, where he remained un- til the time of his marriage. In Hamilton he completed his preparatory education and took up the study of medicine under the tu- torship of his elder brother. In 1817, hav- ing mastered the intricacies of professional lore, he was licensed to practice medicine, established an office in Hamilton, and began his professional career. He devoted his at- tention closely to his profession for many years and was successful in the accumulation of property, as well as in the relief of the distressed. As he approached the age of middle life he relaxed his professional ef- forts somewhat, though he never retired en- tirely from the practice of medicine. He was a man of resourceful mind and readily adapted himself to other lines of human ef- fort. He was for years a brigadier general of the Ohio state militia and discharged the duties of several other honorable positions. He was a trustee of the Miami University,

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 116

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