Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 117

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 117

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served for a time as county treasurer, was one of the commissioners for the selection of canal lands belonging to the state. and served as a member of the Ohio legislature.

Dr. R. B. Millikin, on the 6th of Decem- ber, 1816, married Sarah Gray, who was connected with many of the pioneer fam- ilies of that day. She died in young woman- hood, leaving three children, who arrived at the age of maturity. The eldest of these was Samuel, who resided in Hamilton for many years, but subsequently removed to Missouri, where he ended his days. Thomas was the second born in this family, and the paternal grandfather of the subject of this review. Elizabeth, the youngest child, mar- ried William A. Elliott. Both are now de- ceased. Dr. Robert B. Millikin married, for his second wife, Mrs. Ann Eliza Yeaman, who survived him. Dr. Millikin died on the 28th of June, 1860, at the age of sixty-six years, six months and nineteen days.

Thomas Millikin, grandfather of the subject, was born in Rossville, now Hamil- ton, on the 28th of September, 1819. No man ever lived in Hamilton who contributed more to the growth and progress of the city, or who maintained a higher grade of citi- zenship than Thomas Millikin. He was abreast of the times in everything. and the later years of his long and illustrious life were as fertile as the earlier ones. His life career was devoted to professional work, and he never sought, nor would he accept, a purely political office. Thomas Millikin was liberally educated, beginning his career in the classics, under the tutorship of Rev. Joseph G. Monfort. in 1832. After two years of this preparatory work he entered Miami University and was graduated from that in- stitution in July. 1838. In the autumn of

the same year he became a student of law in the office of Elijah Vance, and was ad- mitted to the bar December 20, 1840. He at once engaged in active practice, which continued without interruption for more than half a century. In 1843 he was ap- pointed prosecuting attorney and served one year under this appointment, but never again, during fifty years and more, do we find the name of Thomas Millikin announced as a candidate for any office not purely pro- fessional. But throughout all of these years he held the post of honor at the Butler county bar. None were there to dispute it. He was a lawyer, and desired to be nothing more. As a public speaker, however, there were few his equal and his voice was always heard as one of the principal orators on oc- casions of state. His style was terse, con- vincing and pleasing. Never in his life did he resort to the petty methods of the petti- fogger, even in the most animated political debates. He was always a gentleman and treated his adversaries as such, whether they were or not. He was an ardent supporter of the Union during the Civil war and sent two stalwart sons to the front in its preser- vation. Yet he never believed in the neces- sity of a resort to arms .. He believed in peaceful arbitration of national difficulties. and recognized the "power of might" only as a last resort. But all of his public utter- ances breathed an ardent desire for the sup- pression of the Rebellion and the preserva- tion of the national union, at any cost.

Mr. Millikin was the originator of the Hamilton Gas Company and also of the Lindenwald Electric Transit Company. He was chosen the first president of the latter corporation and remained in that position until the day of his death. As a promoter

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of these two beneficent enterprises, without which the city could scarcely exist today, he proved himself a man of public spirit and advanced ideals. From 1852 until his death he was attorney for the Cincinnati, Hamil- ton & Dayton Railroad Company. Subse- quent to 1852 he was also selected as attor- ney for the Big Four Railroad Company, serving in that capacity for many years. In 1874 he was tendered a commission as one of the judges of the supreme court of Ohio, an honor which he declined. There are many of Mr. Millikin's public addresses now in print, but probably the masterpiece of his lifetime is the address delivered on the hun- dredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This was de- livered in Hamilton, on July 4, 1876. His address on the occasion of laying the corner- stone of the new court house in Hamilton is another of the sacred relics of past days. It is tempered throughout with a spirit of love and justice between man and man, the sentiment of which could not have been ut- tered by any save a pre-eminently good man. During the later years of his life he took two partners into his legal business, his grandson, Brandon R. Millikin. of this sketch. and Robert N. Shotts, under the firm title of Millikin, Shotts & Millikin.

Thomas Millikin was married in Colum- bus, Ohio, November 4. 1841, when he wed- ded Mary, the daughter of the late William B. VanHook. She was born in 1824. and proved a most exemplary wife and mother. The union was a most happy one, and after walking side by side on life's journey for fifty-two years, it was terminated on the 13th of January, 1894, when Mrs. Millikin was called to her final earthly rest. They were the parents of seven children, namely :

William B., Robert B., Sallie G., Murray G., Matie M., Ira S. and Julia M. William, Murray and Matie are deceased. The oth- ers are, for the most part, residents of their native city. William served as a soldier in the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and Robert B. was a member of the Ninety-third Regiment in the same service.

But it is as a lawyer that Thomas Milli- kin achieved the highest honors and most brilliant success. For more than a quarter of a century there was scarcely an important case brought to trial in Butler county that Mr. Millikin did not appear on one side or the other. He has also carried some very complicated cases through the higher courts of the state and nation, where his ability and sterling integrity were always recognized. Mr. Millikin was a lover of history, and delighted to dwell on reminiscences and scenes of the past, especially during the per- iod of the seventy years with which he was so familiar. He was exceptionally well in- formed on the current history of Butler county and took special pleasure in discuss- ing the events of the early days. His death occurred in Hamilton, on the 10th day of November, 1899.

The father of the subject, Robert Bat- bour Millikin, was born in Hamilton, March 21, 1844. He acquired his elementary edu- cation in the schools of his native city. He then spent two years at the Park Latin Schools, in Boston, Massachusetts. Soon after this he entered Miami University, and, after two years' study there, his college ca- reer was suddenly terminated by his enlist- ment as a soldier in the Union army. He entered the service on the 16th of July, 1862, as a member of the Ninety-third Ohio

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Volunteer Infantry. After serving two kin was formed, the subject becoming the years at the front and being twice promoted, junior member. he resigned his commission as first lieuten- ant on the 22d of November, 1864, by rea- son of disability contracted in the service. Mr. Millikin has filled various offices of trust and responsibility. He was the city clerk of Hamilton from 1875 to 1881, retir- ing from the office to accept the office of clerk of the courts of Butler county, to which he was elected in 1881, and served until 1887.

Mr. Millikin engaged in the manufac- ture of farm implements and machinery in 1865, continuing that business for many years. He is now quite extensively engaged in real estate and insurance business in Ham- ilton. R. B. Millikin was married August 16, 1865. at Piqua, Ohio, to Miss Carrie E., daughter of Abel and Martha Brandon, a prominent pioneer family of Miami county. These are the parents of Brandon R. Milli- kin, the subject of this sketch.

Brandon R. Millikin was born in Hamil- ton. August 19, 1868. He enjoyed the ex- cellent educational facilities of his native city, where he fitted himself for entrance upon a collegiate course. This he did in 1885. when he entered the classical depart- ment of Amherst College. in Massachusetts. Returning from that institution, he took up the legal profession as a life work and en- tered the office of Hon. Thomas Millikin, where he passed one year in preparatory study. Continuing his professional studies, he entered the Law School of Cincinnati, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated in 1891. Mr. Millikin then returned to Hamilton and soon there- after the law firm of Millikin, Shotts & Milli-

Since the death of Thomas Millikin, the senior partner, the firm title has been Shotts & Millikin. The subject is a thorough scholar and endowed with all the character- istics which constitute a successful lawyer. He has the prestige of a long line of ancestors distinguished in the learned professions, the counsels of his late preceptor, and the example of a successful life career fresh in his mind. Mr. Millikin is an exceedingly popular and talented at- torney. Along professional lines he inherits many of the peculiar characteristics of his lamented grandfather and early preceptor, and has already established for himself a ca- reer of prominence and usefulness. Though a pronounced Democrat, and zealous in the supremacy of party principles, he has never entered politics as a candidate for public honors, but is content with assisting his party and friends with his voice and influ- ence.

Mr. Millikin was married on the 9th of January, 1895, when he chose as his life companion Miss Grace E. Jewett, of Wyo- ming. Ohio. She is a daughter of Joseph E. and Cecelia C. Jewett. Her father was a prominent business man at Wyoming for many years and is now the president of the Cincinnati Carriage Goods Company. Mrs. Millikin was educated at the Wyoming high school, subsequently taking an extensive course in the Cincinnati College of Music, where she studied piano and organ. Mr. and Mrs. Millikin have three children, Caro- line E., Margaret B. and Jewett. Mrs. Mil- likin is a member of the First Presbyterian church, which the family attend regularly.

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COL. CHARLES A. STROBLE.

The chief of the Hamilton police force is better known in the affairs of civil life than at the head of the city's guardians of the peace. "Charley" Stroble, as he is fa- miliarly called by his friends, is the propri- etor of Hotel Stroble. on the corner of Third and High streets, which is without doubt one of the most popular and up-to-date ho- tels in the city of Hamilton. It is not only the handsomest building devoted to the pur- poses of public entertainment, but the inter- ior arrangements are perfect in all details. The traveler seeking quiet repose in a lux- uriously furnished room, with every com- fort and convenience afforded by a modern European hotel, will find it at Hotel Stroble. Special efforts are made by the gentlemanly clerks and attendants to guard the guests from the noise and commotion usually found about public lodging houses. The comforts of clean beds, steam heat in every room, and a quiet and orderly arrangement throughout are accommodations which the traveling public appreciate in the highest de- gree. Operated by the same management and at a convenient distance from the hotel, is Stroble's Restaurant, the most popular and liberally patronized institution of the kind in Hamilton. The capacious dining room has a capacity of more than a hundred. where every luxury afforded by the market may be found ready on call. At the same time the guests whose pocket books deny them the luxuries of life, or whose econom- ical dispositions require a cheaper fare, may be served with the regular meals at a nomi- nal price. This institution, which is pre- sided over for the most part by Mrs. Stroble and a corps of competent and oblig-

ing assistants, is the most popular resort in the city. In connection with the restaurant is also to be found a store devoted to the sale of sporting goods of all kinds, from a fishing hook to a repeating rifle, with all the intermediates. Colonel Stroble is also ex- tensively interested in farming, and has a handsome country home near the city, where he often entertains his friends in true farmer style. This splendid property is not only a source of pleasure and satisfaction, in the relief it affords from the perplexities of ac- tual business, but it is also an item of great profit to the owner. It produces thousands of dollars worth of choice vegetables, fruits and other necessities which are consumed at the restaurant. The mik, cream, eggs and poultry come from the farm, while early lambs, calves and hogs are also slaughtered from the fine herd kept there. All the po- tatoes consumed at the restaurant come from the same source, while it yields the smaller vegetables in abundance and great variety. Pork and lard are other items of considerable expense, which come from the Stroble farm as needed. This valuable property is located only two miles from Hamilton, and seldom a day passes that it is not called upon to contribute something to the tables of the famous restaurant. It is valued at about twenty-five thousand dollars and pays a very fair interest in its daily contributions to the popularity of the Stro- ble Restaurant. While the subject has made a success of life, and is reputed to be very well-to-do, the accumulation of riches has not been his principal object. He is warm- hearted and generous by nature, a lover of innocent sports, a friend to the oppressed or unfortunate, and believes in seeing the world as he passes through it. He has been

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an extensive traveler and has had broad ex- perience in the world of business. With his friends he is liberal to a fault, and has often contributed to their relief when in distress without any hope of ever receiving the amounts advanced.

The question would naturally arise : "What does a man in affluent circumstances, already overwhelmed with profitable busi- ness, want with a subordinate position in the city government ?" The reply comes from a hundred men, "It is one of the ec- centricities of Charley Stroble." He has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and has been one of the "wheel horses" of local Democracy. He has stood by his party and political friends through "thick and thin" and has been unwavering in his zeal and devotion. Some kind of recognition seemed necessary, and the posi- tion he now occupies was the only one within the gift of the municipal govern- ment which he would or could accept. We therefore find Mr. Stroble at the head of the police department and as zealous in the protection of the people's interests and as aggressive in the apprehension of criminals as though his bread and butter depended upon his official success. He has inaugur- ated a much-needed system of reform in the department and instituted some meas- ures for the protection of the city from the depredations of petty thieves and house- breakers (chicken thieves especially) never before introduced. His broad experience and extensive travels and observations in larger cities renders him familiar with the methods of law breakers, and, being tactful and resourceful, the name of Col. Stroble will soon become a terror to evil doers in . Hamilton.

Mr. Stroble was married October 14, 1879, to Miss Marie Louise Kunz, of Glendale, Ohio. He is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, Royal Arca- num, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Knights of Ancient Rome. Mrs. Stroble is a member of the Baptist church. She is a lady of fine executive ability and business tact. Much of Mr. Stroble's suc- cess in business life is due to the more care- ful and conservative methods of Mrs. Stro- ble. To her husband she has been a "help- meet" indeed. Their domestic life has been supremely happy throughout a period of twenty-five years spent together on life's journey. The married life of this worthy couple has been one perpetual "honeymoon," entirely free from domestic bickerings or corroding influences. Their love has not been divided with children, since all of their off- spring died in early infancy. This is con- sidered a great misfortune, yet it is not without its compensating influences.

JOHN C. SLAYBACK.

John C. Slayback, attorney and counsel- lor at law, is a native of Butler county, Ohio, born in Liberty township on the 16th of February, 1848. He is a son of William and Sarah Slayback, whose ancestors were among the early pioneers of Butler county. John C. Slayback spent his early years on the parental farm in Liberty township, working and attending school until he at- tained the age of twenty. During this time he had acquired a common-school educa-

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tion, and began life on his own account as the Ohio Republican League on several oc- a teacher. He was ambitious to possess a casions, and has been a delegate to the national conventions of that organization. thorough education, and in the furtherance of this laudable desire he entered the Na- In the social affairs of life, Mr. Slay- back takes great interest in Masonry, and has attained to distinguished recognition in that time-honored fraternity. He has spent many years in studying the mysteries of the organization connected with Masonry and has mastered the unwritten work of thirty-two degrees. tional Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and was graduated from the classical and scientific departments of that in- stitution. He spent one year as a student in the law department of the University of Michigan, after which he pursued a supplementary course in the law office of Hon. James E. Campbell, and in On the 16th of February, 1881, Mr. Slayback was united in marriage with Miss Irene A. Dodds, of Mason, Warren county, Ohio. She is a daughter of Hon. John A. Dodds, who was a member of the Ohio legislature in the early 'fifties. the autumn of 1878 entered the Cincinnati Law School. Due credit was given for his previous studies, and he was admitted to practice May 14, 1879. Two months later he came to Hamilton and has since been thoroughly identified with the legal profes- sion in Butler county. Mr. Slayback has been a partner in three law firms, but since 1888 he has been associated with Hon. Wil- liam H. Harr, ex-probate judge of Butler county.

The beautiful home of the Slayback family is located on North Third street. and is a model of architectural and mechanical skill. Three daughters have come to brighten the happy domestic fireside, two of whom are young ladies just entering so- ciety, while the third is a little miss busy with her elementary school work.

The eldest, Miss Leta, was graduated from the Hamilton high school, the Oxford Female College, and specialized in Chicago University. and has been elected a member

John C. Slayback has had a brilliant career during his active professional life and has been successful in a marked degree. Public sentiment places him among the leaders of the Butler county bar. He is devoted to his profession and proverbially prompt in attendance upon any business in- . of the faculty of Oxford Female College. trusted to his care. As a counsellor. he is Miss Jessie is a graduate of the Hamilton high school. and at present a student at Oxford Female College. Miss Ruth is the youngest of the trio. careful and conservative, and always re- liable. His thorough familiarity with the law is fully recognized in the community and he has, perhaps, as large a practice as any attorney in southwestern Ohio.

In political affiliations Mr. Slayback is an uncompromising Republican. While he has never sought official honors, he has been ever alert and active in the interests of his party. He has attended the meetings of 52

JAMES FITTON.

The annals of Butler county record no more prominent name than that of Fitton.

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It appears in the learned professions and in the financial affairs of the county, as well as in the less public, but equally important, records of private enterprises in the county from a remote period in its history, and they as a people have become numerous and prosperous, with the growth and progress of their adopted county.

The ancestors of James Fitton, in whose name this sketch is written, were of pure English origin, the father. James Fitton, being born at Heywood, England. He came to this country in early life, and died in Hamilton, Ohio, on the 6th of July, 1864. His wife, who was Miss Hannah Bailey Fitton, was born near Manchester, England. on the 15th of October. 1805. and died in this city. February 7. 1873. These were people of high moral rectitude and much force of character. They introduced into their adopted locality many characteristics of the older and more stable country from which they came and had much to do with the elevation of society to a higher plane of morals. The father of the subject, ac- companied by two brothers, landed at Phila- delphia and established homes in different localities, this immediate family locating in the Queen City. James Fitton became an employe of his father-in-law-to-be, in mak- ing wagons, which trade he had learned in England. This business association led to Mr. Fitton's acquaintance in the family of his employer. and finally to the marriage of his employer's daughter. The father-in-law was also named Fitton, and a native of Eng- land. but sustained no relationship to his son-in-law.

Before the introduction of labor-saving machinery the business was profitable and

products satisfactory. At one time a cus- tomer who had more land than money of- fered Mr. Fitton two lots for a wagon, a proposition which he declined. These lots are located near the present court house, in Cincinnati, and today represent the value of a large fortune. The city at that time pre- sented no evidences of its ever becoming the metropolis of Ohio, or indeed of its ever being more than it was then-an overgrown country town. Some years after his mar- riage, James Fitton came to Hamilton, and established himself in business here, which was terminated by his death.

James Fitton was born at West Charles- ton, Miami county. Ohio, on the 5th of April. 1843. As an infant. he was brought by his parents to this city, and here he was reared and educated. and has spent his life, with the exception of only a temporary ab- sence. His education was acquired under the tutorship of Professor Nathaniel Fur- man, then a noted educator in Hamilton.

Mr. Fitton was approaching the years of young manhood when the war cloud dark- ened the land. and, like thousands of others, inspired with the spirit of patriot- ism. he sacrificed his opportunities for higher education and followed the "old flag" to the front. He enlisted on the 26th of August. 1861. as a member of Company. C. of the gallant Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and served the full term of three years, being present with his command on all the bloody fields where his regiment was engaged. The commanding officer was, for the most part. Gen. George H. Thomas, but later subordinate to General Sherman.

The list of engagements is sufficient to show the intensely active part which the

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regiment bore in the suppression of the Re- bellion. Besides these general engagements, there were many skirmishes, and minor bat- tles, equally hazardous to the men engaged, but at that time thought unworthy of being recorded as general engagements. The battles in which the subject participated with his regiment were the siege and battle of Corinth, battles of Perryville, Tullahoma campaign, Chickamauga, where the regi- mental losses equalled fifty per cent. of the men engaged, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Atlanta campaign, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, Pine Knob. general assault on Kenesaw Moun- tain. Peach Tree Creek, and eleven days en- gaged in the siege of Atlanta. While thus employed the term of service expired, and the regiment left the trenches in front of the enemy to the care of a relief regiment. and were mustered out of service on the 8th of September. 1864. This is a record of gallant service of which any patriot may justly feel proud. It is a record to inspire coming generations with a spirit of loyalty and devotion to country, which no boasted triumphs on sea or land can excel. Mr. Fitton returned to his maternal home, and soon thereafter was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Flanders, of Richmond. Indi- ana. This union was blessed with one daughter. Mabel Freeman Fitton, now at home. Upon the death of his first wife Mr. Fitton married Miss Katie Shank, of Ham- ilton.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 117

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