Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 64

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 64

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Robert Chetwyn. Albert was next to the youngest. Mr. Clark is prominently identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He is a past grand of Ross. Lodge, No. 482, and a member of Butler Encamp- ment, No. 7. He also holds a membership in Butler Court, Tribe of Ben Hur.

In political affiliations Mr. Clark has been a lifelong Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the success of his party. He never aspired to public office other than his present position. The family is well known and highly esteemed in the county with which both the Clark and Evans families have been identified for nearly a century.

C: H. TIFFIN, V. S.

The profession of veterinary surgery in Middletown has an able and accomplished representative in the person of Dr. C. H. Tiffin, whose eminent success in his chosen calling has earned him a reputation far be- yond the limits of the field to which his practice is principally confined. He comes from the old historic family which has long been known to the people of Ohio, one of the thriving cities of the state being named in honor of Governor Tiffin, who was closely related to the subject. The Doctor, how- ever, was not born in this country, but is a native of England, having first seen the light of day in the old city of Carlisle, on April 20, 1865. He was reared in the land of his birth, received a good education in Grov- enor College, and when about twenty-one years of age came to the United States, land- ing in New York in the summer of 1886.

The following fall he went to Toronto, Canada, and entered the veterinary college of that city, where he prosecuted his studies for a period of two years, graduating in 1888, immediately after which he began the practice of his profession in Iowa. After remaining three years in that state, he went to Morocco, Indiana, where he spent about the same length of time, and from the latter place removed to Sabina, where he practiced with a large measure of success, profession- ally and financially, for a period of six years, achieving the meanwhile an enviable repu- tation among the leading veterinary sur- geons of the country.

In the year 1899 Dr. Tiffin found a fa- vorable opening at Middletown, Ohio, where in due season he built up an extensive practice, which has steadily grown in magni- tude 'and importance to the present time. His success in the treatment of all diseases peculiar to the horse has made his name widely known throughout this part of the state and, as already indicated, his practice is by no means confined to Middletown, as is attested by the lucrative patronage which has come to him from many other places. He is enthusiastic in his profession, a close and critical student and appears to have in- herited a liking for his calling, as his father was a great admirer of fine horses and a noted breeder and raiser of the same. The Doctor's love for animals does not stop with the horse alone, but takes a much wider range, one of his favorite species of the brute creation being the dog, for which he evinces a special liking. He devotes con- siderable attention to the Beagle Pointer and other superior breeds and keeps a num- ber of these fine animals, which he trains for

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hunting purposes, being a great lover of the hunt and the chase and an ardent sports- man in the best acceptation of the term.

Dr. Tiffin's reputation as a veterinary surgeon has attracted to him a number of students from different parts of the country, and at this time he is imparting professional knowledge to a young man who came all the way from South Africa to profit by his experience and instruction. Dr. Tiffin is a man of wide intelligence, pleasing ad- . dress and polished manners and possesses the happy faculty of winning and retaining warm personal friendships. Those who know him best speak in complimentary terms of his many estimable qualities of head and heart, and all who enjoy the privilege of his acquaintance unite in pro- nouncing him a true type of the refined and accomplished gentleman. .

JOHN MOLYNEAUX, D. D. S.

Among the able and popular represent- atives of the dental profession in Butler county stands the subject of this review. who is successfully established in the prac- tice of his profession in the town of Oxford and who is a native son of the Buckeye state.

Dr. Molyneaux comes of stanch French extraction in the agnatic line, as the name indicates, and he was born in New Rich- mond. Clermont county, this state, on the 29th of May, 1873, being a son of Dr. Rob- ert A. and Susan E. (Kumler) Molyneaux, the former of whom was born in Clermont county and the latter in Butler county, Ohio. They still reside in New Richmond, this

state, where the father has been for many years engaged in the practice of dentistry. Our subject was the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, and his early educational discipline was secured in the public schools of New Richmond, and from 1893 to 1895 he was a student in the Miami University. In the autumn of the latter year he was matriculated in the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898, receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. His brother Grant is likewise an able representative of this important profession, with which the family name is so intimately identified, and is now a member of the faculty of the in- stitution just mentioned. Shortly after his graduation our subject came to Oxford and opened an office, and here he has built up a large and representative practice, having an office equipped with the latest improve- ments in the way of mechanical and labor- atory facilities and being thoroughly skilled in both departments of his profession, which is both a science and a mechanic art. In politics the Doctor gives an unswerving al- legiance to the Republican party, and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, of which both he and his wife are active and valued members, while he is also a member of the board of trustees of the church in Oxford. Fraternally he is identi- fied with Oxford Lodge, No. 67, Free and Accepted Masons.

On the 24th of March, 1903, Dr. Moly- neaux was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Rude, who was born in Liberty, Union county, Indiana, being a daughter of George and May Frances (Sharper) Rude. She was graduated in the Oxford College and

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is a woman of gracious refinement, being prominent in the social life of the community in which she now resides. To this union there has been born one son, on July 12, 1904, named John Rude Molyneaux.

ROBERT J. SHANK.

The law firm of Shank & Shank is one of the recent acquisitions to the legal fra- ternity in Hamilton. The brothers, Robert J. and Horace C., united their fortunes in a copartnership in the early part of the year 1902, though the first named had been in active practice alone for some five years previously.

Robert J. Shank was born in Hamilton on the 6th of March, 1876. After gradu- ating from the Hamilton high school and taking a special course in Miami University. he read law under the tutorship of Hon. Edgar A. Beldon, and completed his studies at Ohio State University Law School, from which he was graduated in 1897. He at once opened an office in his native city, and herein the pathways of the brothers diverge for a time. .

Horace C. Shank, whose early life ex- periences were similar to those of his brother, began teaching after closing his studies at Miami University, and con- tinued in that work for seven years. (He is also a graduate of the Hamilton high school.) In 1900 Horace Shank secured a position, on competitive examination, in the United States census bureau at Washington. During the two years thus employed he also took a course in law at the Columbian University in the national capital. He was

admitted to the Ohio state bar in Decem- ber, 1901, and soon thereafter the firm of Shank & Shank was organized. Horace is the eldest of three children born to Wil- liam O. and Emma (Cooper) Shank, and Robert J., whose name heads this sketch. was the second born. Miss Mary, the youngest of the trio, is a popular and suc- cessful teacher in the Hamilton city schools.

The parents of this family were both natives of Butler county, tracing their an- tecedents to the pioneer days. The families, as represented by William O. Shank and Emma Cooper, were very prominent and early established in the history of Butler county. William O. Shank was a promi- nent dry-goods merchant in Hamilton, where he spent his business life. He conducted a large business and was successful in his chosen calling. He died on the 7th of Feb- ruary, 1890. His widow still presides over the parental home, under whose hospitable roof the three children find contentment and happiness. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the father was an active member during his lifetime. He was also prominent in Masonry and a well-known and popular business man during a period of nearly forty years in Hamilton.

The Shank brothers are both members of the Phi Delta Theta society in connection with Miami University, and Robert J. is a member of the Phi Delta Phi, a legal fra- ternity.

Though comparatively young in profes- sional life, the firm of Shank & Shank has already taken hold of legal affairs with ability and success and are rated among the promising young attorneys of Butler county. A lifelong acquaintance with the leaders of

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the bar may be helpful in a sense, but their sterling integrity and irreproachable char- acters as upright and honorable citizens far surpass any "coaching" from associates in the race for professional supremacy.

HUGH M. MOORE, M. D.

It is the province of this publication to make specific mention of those citizens who stand representative in their varied voca- tions, and in the connection at hand we have to do with one of the leading younger mem- bers of the medical profession in the county, our subject being established in a successful practice in the thriving village of Oxford.

Dr. Moore is a native of Butler county, having been born on the homestead farm, in Ross township, on the 20th of April, 1876, and being a son of Rev. David R. and Elvira (Gilchrist) Moore. The mother of the subject was born and reared at Reily, this county, being a daughter of Dr. Hugh and Jeanette (Hickley) Gilchrist, the latter of whom was a daughter of Dr. Judah Hickley, who was one of the honored pio- neer physicians of the county, having es- tablished his home in Reily in an early day. On the maternal side it will thus be seen that Dr. Moore is of the third generation to be identified with the practice of medi- cine in Butler county. The father of the subject has devoted his life to the service of the Divine Master, being a clergyman of the Presbyterian church and being now a resident of South Salem. He is a graduate of Miami University, as is also his father, William H., who was likewise a member

of the clergy of the Presbyterian church, having been in pastoral charge of the churches of this denomination at Brookville and Rising Sun, Indiana.

Dr. Moore, who is the only child of his honored parents, passed his childhood days in Brookville, Indiana, and Logan, Ohio, and when eleven years of age he entered the preparatory department of his father's alma mater, Miami University, at Oxford, being matriculated in the collegiate department at the age of eleven years and being there graduated as a member of the class of 1895, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science, while he took post-graduate work and re- ceived the degree of Master of Science in 1895. Shortly after leaving Miami University the Doctor entered the med- ical department of the famous Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Mary- land, where he completed the prescribed course under most favorable auspices, being graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1899. In Novem- ber of the same year he sailed for Europe, and was signally favored in his post-gradu- ate work in the medical departments of the universities of Berlin, Prague and Vienna, where he further equipped himself for the work of his exacting and responsible profes- sion. He returned to the United States in July, 1900, and in August, 1900, established himself in the practice of medicine and sur- gery in Oxford, where he has succeeded in gaining an enviable reputation and is build- ing up a large and representative practice. The Doctor is a fellow of the American Academy of Medicine, and is local medical examiner for the Royal Arcanum and for a number of the important life-insurance companies, while he is medical director of

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the Miami University. In politics the Doc- tor is a Republican and fraternally is identified with the Phi Delta Theta college organization. He is at the present time a member of the board of public affairs of his home town.

On the Ist of November, 1899, Dr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Ger- trude ,Burrill, who was born in Maine, whence her parents removed to Oxford, Ohio. She was graduated in Oxford Col- lege, this county, in 1894, receiving the de- gree of Bachelor of Literature, and two years later was graduated in music in the same institution.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

The First National Bank of Hamilton was organized on the 2d of July, 1863. Its charter is No. 56, under the national banking act, enacted during the Civil war for the purpose of strengthening the na- tional credit. The incorporators were Mi- cajah Hughes, Philip Hughes, James Beatty, John B. Cornell, Edward Hutchin- son, John P. P. Peck and Joseph W. Davis. It was organized and opened for business with the following list of officers : President, Micajah Hughes; vice-president, James Beatty ; cashier, John P. P. Peck, with John B. Cornell as assistant cashier. The paid-up capital at this time was fifty thousand dol- lars.

Mr. Peck resigned the office of cashier after six months' service, and was succeeded. in that office by John B. Cornell, who filled the position with marked ability until his death, on the 2d of August, 1894. S. D.

Fitton became assistant cashier in 1867 and has been officially connected with the in- stitution ever since.

Upon the death of Micajah Hughes Philip Hughes was elected president, and Asa Shuler became the vice-president in 1883. Mr. Hughes died in 1892, and Mr. Shuler succeeded to the presidency, retain- ing that position until his death, in May, 1895. J. E. Hughes became the vice- president on the elevation of Mr. Shuler to the presidency, and so continued until his death, October 30, 1900. On the 6th of December, of the year last written, R. C. Mckinney was elected vice-president and so continues to the present. On the death of President Shuler, S. D. Fitton was elected to the vacant presidency. E. G. Ruder became the cashier on the advance- ment of Mr. Fitton, having served as as- sistant cashier from 1894. J. M. Beeler is the present assistant cashier. The directors at the present time are: R. C. Mckinney, E. G. Ruder, Christian Benninghofen, D. W. Fitton, Peter Benninghofen, Frank M. Hughes and S. D. Fitton. Soon after the organization of the bank the capital was in- creased to one hundred thousand dollars, and this, by subsequent additions to the capital stock, now reaches a quarter of a million, with a surplus fund of eighty-five thousand dollars.

The First National Bank of Hamilton is the oldest banking institution in Butler county. It is financially strong, while its careful and conservative management has successfully carried it through its forty-one years of business. The policy of the insti- tution through its public-spirited officials has ever been liberal and encouraging. On many occasions it has come to the aid of

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public and private enterprises which must have suffered great financial losses but for the timely intervention of this public bene- factor. In distribution to worthy claimants for public charity, the First National gen- erally heads the subscription list with liberal donations. The institution has a wide- spread influence in the monetary affairs of southern Ohio.

FELIX J. STRAUB.

This well-known business man is a na- tive of Hamilton, born on the 14th day of January, 1865, and is a worthy represent- ative of two early established families in Butler county. His father, Joseph Straub, was born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1828, and came to Hamilton. Ohio, with his parental family, in 1836. He

After his marriage, Joseph Straub en- gaged in the grain business in Hamilton, subsequently merging into the fuel business, which he continued successfully until a few was a son of Thaddeus and Prisca Straub, ' years before his death, when he retired to natives of Wurtemberg, long since deceased. Jacob Straub traced his antecedents in the German empire back to Wolfram Straub, a hero of the First Crusade, under Peter the Hermit, in 1147. He marched to Palestine in the conquest of the Holy Sepulchre.

Joseph Straub grew to manhood in Hamilton, and joined the gold seekers of California in 1849, enduring the hardships and dangers of the overland route, and sought his fortune on the Pacific coast. But his efforts were not crowned with the suc- cess he sought and he returned to Hamil- ton, after spending some time in the far West. He was married in this city, in 1858, choosing for his companion in life's journey Miss Rebecca Ann, daughter of Henry and Mary Riley. Her father emi-

grated from Virginia to Hamilton in 1820, and was a son of James Riley, a hero of the Revolution, who was wounded in the strife for American independence. His son, Joshua Riley, was at Hull's surrender, in the war of 1812. Two of Mrs. Straub's brothers were in the war of the Rebellion and lost their lives as a result of disease incurred in that contest. Henry Riley lo- cated on a farm, and ended his days in ag- ricultural pursuits, dying at the age of eighty-five years. His robust constitution enabled him to continue his daily labors almost up to the day of his death. He was a man universally esteemed for his genial nature and upright character. He was a Presbyterian in his religious affiliations and a Jacksonian Democrat in politics.

a farm which he purchased, transferring his former business to his sons. He was a man of strong domestic tastes and was deeply attached to his family. He was prominent in municipal affairs, served several years as a member of the board of education, and was a member of the board of county in- firmary directors at the time of his death. The memory of Joseph Straub will long be cherished, and his name will stand as a synonym for everything which was noble, generous and pure. "He was a man above reproach." Strong in his friendships, yet possessing a most profound contempt for ingratitude, dishonor and ungratefulness. "He was intelligently conversant with cur- rent events, and was at all times ready to openly discuss them. He was a man of

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great self-will, of strong character, but tempered by a calm, keen and discriminating judgment, that always detected and advo- cated right, and discovered and denounced wrong." He passed away on the 10th of April, 1894, at the age of sixty-six years, and his remains were interred in beautiful Greenwood cemetery, near the loved scenes of his earthly career.

Joseph and Rebecca Ann Straub were the parents of eight children, named, in or- der of birth, as follows: Mary B. was born June 19, 1859; Sarah S., October 12, 1861 ; Adeline, February 4, 1862; Felix Joseph, January 14, 1865; George Riley, February 8, 1867; Thaddeus, January 16, 1870; Anna Jane, February 24, 1872, and Cleophas, De- cember 2, 1874. Anna Jane died in child- hood. Seven of the family are living. Mary became the wife of George Hoffman, a farmer in Butler county; Sarah S. married M. D. Lindley, at present the president of the board of education in Hamilton; Ada, or Adeline, is the wife of William Winkler, a prominent merchant in this city; Thaddeus is also a merchant, and the present city auditor of Hamilton; Cleophas is the keeper of a cafe in West Hamilton; George R. is in Indian Territory, engaged in the stock business.

Felix J. Straub was educated in the schools of Hamilton. While yet a boy in his teens he engaged in his father's busi- ness, and attended night school as a means of completing his business education. He continued with his father for a number of years and, through industry and careful ob- servation, learned the business in all its de- tails. About 1890. he came into full con- trol and has since conducted a large and profitable business. During a greater part 27

of this time he has had two or more yards in different parts of the city and gives steady employment to several wage earners. Mr. Straub carries a full line of fuel-coal and coke-and in connection handles lime. cement, drain tile and fire brick. He has been in the business for twenty-seven years and is one of the best known dealers in But- ler county. His methods have always been characterized by strict integrity, and therein is the secret of his success. It is publicly known that he will lose a customer before he will misrepresent his goods, hence his patrons have full confidence that they will always get the goods they order or name. In addition to his mercantile business, Mr. Straub is interested extensively in Butler county farming lands and city real estate. His business life has been crowned with success, a deserved compliment to a career of active business operated upon the high plane of moral rectitude.

In his political affiliations Mr. Straub is an active Democrat and zealous in the promotion of party interests. He has never sought official honors, but assists his party and friends in the quiet, unobtrusive man- ner characteristic of the man. He is a prominent member of Lone Star Lodge, No. 39. Knights of Pythias, Hamilton Lodge. No. 93, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum and Knights and Ladies of Security.

Mr. Straub was married July 14, 1897, to Miss Alma P. Pabst, a native of Hamil- ton and a daughter of Daniel and Augusta Pabst. One daughter was born to the union, Felicia A., born May 14, 1898. Mrs. Straub was reared in the faith of the Evan- gelical church, and is now a member of St. John's Evangelical church of Hamilton.

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Iton in 1820, y, a hero of unded in the ice. His son, surrender, in Mrs. Straub's the Rebellion ult of disease enry Riley lo- lis days in ag- i the age of st constitution s daily labors leath. He was for his genial er. He was a affiliations and olitics.

eph Straub en- is in Hamilton, he fuel business. ully until a few en he retired to transferring his He was a man and was deeply : was prominent several years as education, and d of county in- ne of his death. aub will long be will stand as a ·hich was noble, vas a man above friendships, yet id contempt for ungratefulness. ersant with cur- 1 times ready to was a man of

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REV. CHARLES F. SCHENK.

Rev. C. E. Schenk, the popular and elo- quent pastor of the First Methodist Episco- pal church in Hamilton, is a native of Perry county, Ohio, having been born at Thorn- ville, on the 20th of November, 1867, and there he continued to reside throughout his youthful years. His father, Dr. William H. Schenk, was a practicing physician in Thornville for forty years, and was promi- nent and well-known in his professional life. He was a native of Virginia, though a resi- dent of Ohio from childhood. He received his collegiate education at the University of Michigan, and was professionally edu- cated in the medical department of the same well-known institution. Dr. Schenk mar- ried Miss Belinda Bariff, a native of Perry county, Ohio, who proved a faithful help- mate and a loving and devoted mother. She survives her distinguished husband, and is now living at the old homestead in Thorn- ville. Dr. Schenk died in March, 1895, at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of five children, of whom the sub- ject of this sketch is the youngest. Valesia Kansas, the eldest of the family, is now the widow of Charles E. Wilson, and resides in her native town; Frances is unmarried, and lives with her mother in Thornville; Lillian is the wife of Charles B. Martin, a retired merchant; George E. is now a resident of Phoenix, Arizona.

Rev. Charles E. Schenk, of this review, is the only one engaged in professional life. His early confession and connection with the church decided, in some measure, his future career. His educational oppor- tunities were of the best and his inclination to take advantage of them was bounded only

by his opportunities. He was graduated from the Thornville high school in June, 1884, and in the autumn of 1886 he was en- rolled as a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1890. Three years later he was graduated from Drew Theological Seminary, at Madison, New Jersey. Mr. Schenk then entered the active ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, accepting his first pastoral station at Bond Hill, near Cincinnati. Two years were spent in this charge, when he was transferred by the an- nual conference to the church at Clifton, also a Cincinnati charge. During his pas- torate in these fields of labor his work was crowned with success, the classes were strengthened and solidified in the Christian faith, and many were led to accept the gospel through the influence of his eloquence and kindly Christian spirit.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 64

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