Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 57

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

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ject of this review, and no citizen of Hamil- ton is held in higher regard or is better known than this sterling pioneer. Dr. Mal- lory has three grandchildren living, and one great-grandson, Edwin Haviland Cox, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Haviland Cox, of Springfield, Illinois; also one great- granddaughter, Elizabeth Taylor, the daugh- ter of Arthur Payne Taylor and his wife, Norma Josephine Taylor, of Cincin- nati, Ohio.

DAVID E. SAMPLE.

David E. Sample, one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Reily town- ship. Butler county, Ohio, is a son of David and Mary (Cochram) Sample, both natives of Butler county, the former, as already stated, born on the old Sample homestead in Reily township and the latter on a farm in the immediate vicinity. The father of David E. Sample was a Kentuckian by birth and of Irish lineage. He came to But- ler county in pioneer times, developed the farm in Reily township to which reference is made, and spent the remainder of his days ,on the same, dying a number of years ago. and leaving to his descendants not only a liberal share of this world's goods, but the memory of an honored name which they now prize as a valued heritage. David Sample was reared to agricultural pursuits, received his education in the public schools and the old College high school and in due time became one of the leading farmers and prominent citizens of Butler county. Some time after his marriage with Miss Mary Cochram he moved to a farm near Dartown, where he lived for several years, later re-

turning to the old homestead in Reily town- ship. In 1871 he purchased what was known as the Louis place, on which, with the exception of four years' residence in the city of Hamilton, he made his home dur- ing the remainder of his life. David E. Sam- ple was not only one of the representative farmers of his day and generation in But- ler county, but also one of its influential men and public-spirited citizens. For many years he was a leading Democratic politi- cian, took an active interest in public affairs and, as a member of the board of county , commissioners for a number of terms, was largely instrumental in ridding the county of the heavy indebtedness which for a con- siderable time caused the people much em- barrassment. His influence in local legisla- tion was strong and far-reaching and he brought about many important internal im- provements and planned so well for the fu- ture that his administration is remembered as one of the best in the history of the county. In his business affairs he was like- wise successful and everything to which he addressed himself appeared to prosper. He accumulated a handsome property, lived an honorable, upright life and his death, in 1882. was greatly deplored by all who knew him or came within the range of his influ- ence. To David and Mary Sample were born seven children, four of whom survive. namely : J. W .. C. C., Mrs. Elizabeth Say- ers and David E .. all but J. W. being resi- dents of Butler county.

David E. Sample spent the years of his childhood and youth on the farm which he now owns and cultivates and received his education in the country schools of Hamil- ton. Reared to the active duties of the farm and early becoming familiar with the inde-

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pendent life which such experience naturally entails, he very wisely decided to devote his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. a decision he has since carried into success- ful effect, as is attested by his present high standing and independent position as an en- terprising tiller of the soil. In the prosecu- tion of his life work Mr. Sample has been handicapped somewhat by ill health which has interfered not a little with some of his plans and purposes, but in the main his progress has been commendable and, as al- ready indicated, he stands today among the leading farmers and stock raisers of the township in which he lives.

Politically, his support is given the Dem- ocrats, and for a number of years he has been an active and influential worker in the party and one of its leaders in the township of Reily. Fraternally, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at the present time holds an important offi- cial position in the lodge to which he belongs and in which he has been a zealous worker ever since becoming a member of the or- ganization.

In the month of February. 1895, Mr. Sample and Miss M. Cochram, of Reily township, daughter of William Cochram, were united in the bonds of wedlock. the union being blessed with one child, Mary, whose birth occurred in the year 1897.

While laboring earnestly and energetic- ally to advance his individual interests, Mr. Sample is alive to the best good of the com- munity and in touch with all movements de- signed to promote the public welfare. His business relations have brought him into contact with a large circle of neighbors and acquaintances, among whom are many warm personal friends, and wherever known

his name is above reproach and his conduct such as to command the highest respect and confidence. His success in his chosen sphere of endeavor has been continuous and emi- nently creditable, resulting from judicious plans and carefully-directed effort and he well deserves his prosperity and the univer- sal regard in which he is held.

EVERT E. WILLIAMS.

The profession of law has an able and successful representatve in the person of Mr. Williams, who is engaged in the practice of the same in the village of Oxford and who has gained prestige at the bar of the county and state. Mr. Williams is a native of Preble county. Ohio, where he was born on the 26th of September. 1867. being a son of John and Caroline (Jordan) Williams. both of whom have ever maintained their home in that county, being representatives of sterling pioneer families of this section of the Buckeye state. The paternal grand- father of our subject was of Welsh ex- traction and came to Ohio from central Pennsylvania, while the maternal ancestry is of German extraction. The father of our subject has always been a farmer by voca- tion and he and his noble wife are held in the highest esteem in the county in which they have passed their entire lives. To them have been born three children : Orion, who died at the age of two years; Viola E., who still remains at the parental home, and Everet E., who is the immediate subject of this sketch.

Evert E. Williams was reared to the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm,

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and his early educational advantages were such as were afforded in the district schools, which he attended during the winter months, while he assisted in the work of the. farm during the summer seasons. His am- bition for a more liberal education was quickened and he was known as a most earn- est student in his boyhood days, while the advancement which he made may be un- derstood when we state that when he was but sixteen years of age he secured a li- cense to teach. He, however, realized the expediency of continuing his studies, and he thus walked four and one-half miles each morning and night to and from his home, to attend the high school at West Alexandria. In the fall of 1883 he began teaching in the district schools of his native county, and continued to follow the pedagogic profession until 1885, when he was matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware,. where he continued his studies for several years. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Williams entered the law office of Judge Elam Fisher and Edwin P. Vaughan, who were associ- ated in practice in Eaton, Ohio, with whom he continued his technical reading during the spring and summer months, teaching during the winter terms, and in the fall of 1893 he passed an examination which en- titled him to enter the Cincinnati Law School as a member of its senior class, so that he was enabled to be graduated in that well-known institution as a member of the class of 1894. Therefore he remained with his former preceptors, in Eaton, Ohio, until the Ist of January, 1896. when he es- tablished himself in practice at Hamilton, Ohio, where he remained until the follow- ing November, when he came to Oxford and entered into a professional partnership with

W. J. Rusk, who passed the greater portion of the ensuing year in Texas, for the benefit of his health, the entire business of the firm thus devolving upon Mr. Williams, who purchased his partner's interest in the prac- tice in the fall of 1897, since which time he has conducted an individual business here, gaining precedence as an able and dis- criminating trial lawyer and safe and con- servative counsel, while his success has been gratifying and his clientage of represent- ative character. Mr. Williams has been the builder of the ladder upon which he has risen and his course has been such as to re- tain to him at all times the respect and con- fidence of those with whom he has come in contact. He is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party but has not been active in its work, preferring to de- vote his entire attention to his profession. He is a Knight of Pythias and a Free- mason, and both he and his wife are mem- bers of the American Reformed and Luth- eran churches, respectively.

On the 23d of October, 1898, Mr. Wil- liams was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Schlingman, of West Alexander, Preble county, where she was born and reared, and they have one son, Charles A., who was born on the IIth of July, 1900.

GEORGE W. TROWBRIDGE.

Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing qualities and it can not be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for

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GEORGE W. TROWBRIDGE.

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their peculiar duties and responsibilities and it was only by the most persevering and con- tinuous endeavor that they succeeded in ris- ing superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the great- est number and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some degree each can win success and make his life a blessing to his fellow men. In the list of Butler county's successful business men, George W. Trowbridge, now living in honorable retirement, has long occupied a leading place. In his career there is much that is commendable and his life forcibly il- lustrates what a man of energy can ac- complish when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by correct principles, noble aims and high ideals.

Mr. Trowbridge is descended paternally from one of the oldest families of New Eng- land, one of his remote ancestors, Thomas Trowbridge, having come to America from Taunton, England, as early as 1636, and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, re- moving, two years later, to New Haven, .Connecticut. After a few years' residence at the latter place he returned to England, where he spent the remainder of his life, leaving in Connecticut three of his sons, Thomas, William and James, all of whom became active in promoting the interests of the colony, the second being the founder of the family to which the subject of this re- view belongs. William Trowbridge mar- ried and reared several children, among whom was a son by the name of Joseph, who also left a number of descendants, one of his sons being David Trowbridge, who was born and reared in Stratfield, Connecticut.

When a young man, David Trowbridge moved to Morristown, New Jersey, with the material interests of which the rest of his life was closely identified. Among his chil- dren was Dan Trowbridge, whose son David, born in 1768, was the grandfather of George W., of this review. The subject's grandfather, David Trowbridge, Jr., a na- tive of Morristown, New Jersey, emigrated to New York, shortly after his marriage, and settled at a place called Painted Post, where his son Archibald was born in 1806 and where the family continued to live until 1819.

In that year he moved to Hamilton county, Ohio, and settled on Taylor's creek, about two miles northwest of the town of Cheviot, where he lived until 1841, when he changed his abode to. Ripley county, Indi- ana. David Trowbridge was well advanced in life when he went to Indiana, but lived for a number of years thereafter, dying in 1861, at Blountsville, Henry county, Indi- ant. at the ripe old age of ninety-one.

Archibald Trowbridge married Miss Ann M. Hafner, of Cincinnati, who bore him six children, only two of whom are liv- ing at the present time, George W., of this review, and a daughter by the name of Adaline. Archibald did not accompany his parents to Indiana, but remained in Cincin- nati, where he engaged in business pursuits, his death occurring in that city in 1853.

George W. Trowbridge,, the direct sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 4, 1830, and there grew to ma- turity, spending his early life pretty much after the manner of the majority of city lads. He received his preliminary educational training in a private school and at the age of fourteen entered Woodward College, in

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which he prosecuted his studies for a period of four years, leaving the institution at the age of eighteen, to accept the position of account clerk. in a Cincinnati business house. After spending six years in that capacity he resigned his place and effected a co-partner- ship in the pork+packing industry with James Beaty, the firm thus constituted last- ing twenty-five years, during which time it built up an extensive business and became one of the largest and most successful estab)- lishments of that kind in the city. After accumulating a handsome fortune as a pork packer, Mr. Trowbridge withdrew from the business in 1866 and moved to his farm in Butler county, which he had purchased four years previously, and on which he has since resided. It lies in section 2, town 2, range 2. between the Miami rivers, Union town- ship, is highly improved and ranks with the finest and most valuable farms of the county. Mr. Trowbridge personally superintended the cultivation of his land until a few years ago, when he retired from active labor and is now spending the evening of his life in comfortable retirement, being, as already stated, the possessor of an ample compe- tency, every dollar of which was honorably earned by his persevering industry and able business management. When a young man he labored diligently and husbanded his earnings with the greatest care until he succeeded in saving about fifteen hundred dollars, which he put in the pork-packing business. This was a most fortunate venture, as it proved the beginning of a long and successful career, which resulted in the accummulation of a fortune of sufficient magnitude to place him in affluent circum- stances and make him independent during the remainder of his days.

In the month of January, 1852, Mr. Trowbridge was united in the bonds of wed- lock with Miss Rebecca F. Sims, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, but who, from 1836 to her marriage, resided in Cincinnati. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge, two of whom survive, namely : Francis C., secretary and treas- urer of the Black Clawson Co., of Hamilton, this state, and George T., who is still a member of the home circle. Reli- giously. Mr. Trowbridge and wife are re- spected communicants of the Christian church and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Cynthia Lodge, No. 155, in Cincinnati, of which he is now the oldest living member. In politics he is pronounced in his allegiance to the Re- publican party. being one of its most active workers and influential leaders in Butler county and keeping in touch with all its pro- gressive measures. He has devoted much of his time and attention to public matters, manifests an intelligent and abiding inter- est in all the great questions and issues be- fore the people, and never forgets the obli- gations and responsibilities of citizenship, all of which he meets and discharges as be- comes a true American.

Mr. Trowbridge is a man of keen in- tellect. mature judgment and large experi- ences, and his career throughout has been characterized by the practical intelligence and progressive spirit which mark the broad-minded, enterprising business man. who takes advantages of opportunities and moulds circumstances to suit his purposes. His life until recently was of great activity and constant endeavor, but from now on he proposes to enjoy the fruits of his many years of toil in a manner befitting one who

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struggled so long and so successfully with the world. Mr. Trowbridge has traveled extensively throughout the United States, visiting nearly every part of the Union, with the twofold object in view of recuperating his health and seeing places of interest. His experience has been of great educational value, as it tended not only to broaden his mind and quicken his faculties, but also en- abled him to gain by observation a proper conception of the great extent and vast re- sources of the country for whose govern- ment and institutions he has always been an ardent admirer and of which he is proud to be called a citizen. In his own community no man stands higher in the esteem of the peo- ple than the subject, while his long period of residence in Butler county has made him widely and favorably known to the general public. He is a pleasant, genial and accom- plished gentleman, whom to know is to re- spect and honor, and it is with much pleas- ure that the foregoing tribute to his worth is accorded a place in this volume.

REV. HERBERT A. DICKMANN.

Rev. Herbert A. Dickmann, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Protestant church, Ham- ilton. Ohio, is a native of New Bremen, Auglaize county. Ohio, born on the 5th of August, 1878. His parents were Hermann and Henrietta (Meyer) Dickmann. the former a native of Frieshausen, Amt Bien- holz, Germany, and latter born in Mercer county, Ohio. The father accompanied his parents to America when a child of eight years and settled on a farm in Auglaize county, where he ended his days. Both par-

ents died at the age of sixty-two years. There were eight children in the family, of whom the subject is the youngest. All are living, and all, with two exceptions, are residents of their native county. Their names are: Henry A., Christian, Julius, Theodore, Gustave, Caroline, the wife of Henry Koeper, and Rosina, wife of Edward Heinfeldt.

Mr. Dickmann began his educational career in a country school near the parental farm. He early determined upon the min- istry as his life work, and took the pre- paratory course in Hiram College, graduat- ing from that department in 1897. Im- mediately thereafter he entered the Mead- ville (Pennsylvania) Theological School. and completed the course in 1901. He was ordained to the ministry on the 9th of June of the year last written, and three days later consummated a tender alliance which had existed during his college life, wedding Miss Lillian Sundermann. She is a daughter of Henry and Louisa Sundermann, of Au- glaize county, her father being a prosperous farmer, and her education was acquired in the public schools of New Bremen. With his young bride, Mr. Dickmann went to Pom- eroy, Ohio, to which point he had been called as his first regular ministerial charge. this being a small mission church. After seven months of work there, the field of his labors was enlarged and he was called to the pastorate of St. Markus church, at Cincin- nati. Here he labored for about two years with great success. The attendance at re- ligious services increased and the member- ship was raised from one hundred and ten to one hundred and fifty families. When Mr. Dickmann accepted the congregation there rested on it a debt of seven thousand

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one hundred dollars, about two thousand ' clerical parlance. Mr. Dickmann has en- dollars of which was paid off during his tered upon those multitudinous duties with zeal and commendable energy. His services in this regard are the source of favorable comment, not only among his own people. but by the observing public. In the Sunday school, with its enrollment of nearly six hundred students, Mr. Dickmann is also a central figure, as in the Christian Endeavor and young people's societies. Then the music must harmonize with the sentiments of the sermons, so that the minister is prac- tically the "director of the music." in fact it would seem that the pastor is "every- thing" except janitor, and of course he has to superintend even these duties. pastorate. The death of the late Rev .. C. A. Hermann, D. D., created a vacancy in the pastorate of St. John's church in Hamilton, and Rev. Mr. Dickmann was called to this field of labor in October, 1903. This is a high compliment to the ability of Mr. Dick- mann, in that he succeeded one of the most popular and successful ministers in Hamil- ton. Rev. Hermann was pastor of St. John's church for thirty-eight years and was so thoroughly identified with the people of his congregation that it was difficult to fill his place in the hearts of his people. Dur- ing the few months of Rev. Mr. Dickmann's pastorate he has demonstrated the wisdom of the choice. He combines in one, the rare accomplishment of being both a good preacher and a good pastor. The position involves untold labors. The Germans are notably social in their natures, and at the same time devout and faithful in their re- ligious duties, under whatever church name these may be performed. They require, or at least expect, their pastor to visit among them and by his presence and private coun- sels assist them in their religious lives. The parish contains five hundred families, the members of which are communicants at St. John's church. To visit these regularly, and attend special sick calls, marriages and fu- nerals necessitates constant activity and would seem to be sufficient employment for any man, but in addition to these duties comes the preparation of his literary work, two sermons weekly, one in German and one In addition to the societies previously named in connection with the church, the Ladies' Aid Society has existed from the very foundation of St. John's church. It has been and still is a feature of great in English, and the conducting of mid-week and special services, and the additional la- bors of "housekeeping." Every good pas- tor is necessarily a good housekeeper, in

St. John's Evangelical Protestant church was the first religious organization of Ger- man Protestants in Hamilton. The church was organized in 1837, and the first house of worship was erected the year following. During the early pastorate of Rev. Her- mann the present church building was erected. It is large and commodious and, though hardly in keeping with present-day church architecture, the interior is beautiful . and convenient. The seating capacity is nearly doubled by the building of inside gal- leries on two sides and one end. A fine pipe organ adorns the end gallery, and this, with a well-trained choir, renders the musical feature of public worship attractive and in- spiring., The handsome windows of the church were donated by the members and pastor, each one being commemorative of a biblical text or historical fact.

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strength, both financially and socially, and numbers among its members, past and pres- ent, many of the leading ladies of the city. A beautiful and impressive memorial service was recently held in commoration of the services of those ladies who have passed to the other shore. There are forty-two of those whose voices will no longer be heard in the counsels of this popular organization, and twelve of the original members still survive. This service was conducted by the present pastor, Rev. Dickmann, and was favorably commented upon by the city pa- pers. There is also a Men's Aid Society in connection with the church.

Mr. and Mrs. Dickmann are the parents of one son, little Master Reuben, who was born May 23, 1902. Mrs. Dickmann's par- ents are both living at the old homestead in Auglaize county, and the names of their children are Lillian, Frank. Walter, Edwin, Bertha and Richard. Frank is employed in St. Louis.

PROF. ARTHUR M. DUNN.

In point of continuous services the sub- ject of this review is perhaps the oldest teacher in Butler county, and few men in the state of Ohio have as long or as dis- tinguished a career as the one he has achieved since engaging in educational work nearly thirty-six years ago. Despite the fact of having spent more than an average life- time in the school room, he is by no means obsolete in his teaching, but, on the con- trary, keeps in close touch with the trend of modern educational thought, is familiar with the latest and most advanced meth- ods of imparting instruction and stands

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 57

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