Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 80

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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Mr. Fisher's life has been busy, if not eventful, and having displayed commendable spirit in the prosecution of his labors and good judgment and wise discretion in the management of his affairs. it is not at all CHARLES W. STROUP. M. D. surprising that his efforts as a tiller of the soil and raiser of live stock have been At this point we enter a brief record crowned with most gratifying success. He concerning one of the able young physicians. has always been known as a sound man of and surgeons of the county and one who is building up a most gratifying practice in the thriving town of Somerville. Dr. Stroup is a native son of the Buckeye state, whither the original representatives of the name came from Maryland, the family be- ing of German extraction. The Doctor was born at Mount Orab, Brown county. Ohio, on the 18th of August, 1879, being a son of business, careful and observant. never has- tening to conclusions and forming opinions only after mature reflection. He is now one of the financially strong and reliable men of his part of the county, standing high among those whose occupation are the same as his own, and the comfortable fortune at his command and which he has accumulated

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Dr. M. and Amelia (Morris) Stroup. His clinical work in the city hospital. On the father was born and reared in Ohio and be- 9th of March, 1902, the Doctor located in Somerville, Butler county, Ohio, where he has since been established in practice and where he has met with a most cordial recep- tion, gaining a representative support and a distinctive recognition as a skilled and con- scientious physician and surgeon, thor- oughly alive to the demands and responsibil- ities of his chosen profession. In politics the Doctor gives his allegiance to the Demo- cratic party, and fraternally he is identified with Covenant Lodge, No. 54. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in Somerville, Lodge No. 665. Knights of Pythias, and the Free and Accepted Masons at Camden, this state. came one of the leading medical practition- ers of Brown county, where he followed the work of his noble profession for many years, his death occurring in 1896, at the age of sixty years. He was a man of fine intellec- tutal and professional attainments, and was a graduate of both the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, and the American Medical College, in Cincinnati. He and his wife became the parents of five sons and one daughter and the subject of this sketch is the youngest of the children. James B. is a successful contractor at Mount Orab, this state: Joseph M., a graduate of the Cincin- nati Medical College, is engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Mount Orab; Fred is engaged in the milling business in that place; Clinton is a farmer of Brown county ; Alice remains at the old home, and Charles W. is the subject of this review.

On the 31st of December, 1902, Dr. Stroup was united in marriage to Miss Cor- inne Lockey, of Lexington, Kentucky, a young lady of distinguished ancestry and gracious refinement. Her father and grand- father were slaveholders in the antebellum days and both were officers in the Confed- erate army during the Civil war. Mrs. Stroup is a member of the Presbyterian church and has made herself a favorite in the social circles of Somerville.

Dr. Stroup passed his boyhood days in his native village, and there completed the curriculum of the public schools, being grad- uated in the high school as a member of the class of 1897. He then took a course in pharmacy and in 1898 enlisted in the United States army as a nurse in the regular hos- pital corps, being in active service during the campaign in Cuba and being mustered out L. D. HERRON. at the expiration of his term of one year. In the fall of 1898 the Doctor was matricu- Prominent among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Milford township, But- ler county, is L. D. Herron, who was born near his present place of residence on the 31st day of October, 1852. His father was Hugh Herron, a native of South Carolina, and his mother before her marriage was lated in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, where he completed the pre- scribed course and was graduated as a mem- ber of the class of 1899, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. Thereafter he was a student in Washington University, at St. Louis, until the fall of 1901, while during . Margaret Cramer. Hugh Herron, whose the summer vacations he was engaged in birth occurred in the year 1801, was the son

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of Thomas Herron, a Scotch immigrant who settled in South Carolina some time prior to the dawn of the nineteenth century and there remained until about 1803, when he disposed of his possessions with the object in view of moving to the new and fertile lands of southern Ohio. With his family and few household effects the sturdy pioneer started on the long, arduous journey through the wilderness over mountains and trackless wastes, but before arriving at his destination the Indians became so trouble- some that he was obliged to stop on the way and make a temporary settlement. The place where he halted was in the state of Kentucky, and it was not until the latter part of 1806 that he was able to resume the . to any other man is due the rapid develop- ment of Milford township during the early years of its history. A man of intelligence and sound judgment and with a wide knowl- edge of practical affairs, he was long a kind of a leader and counsellor among his neigh- bors and fellow citizens, and his opinions always commanded respect, while his ad- vice seldom proved at fault. In politics he was originally a Democrat of the old school and voted for General Jackson, but subse- quently he became a Whig, still later a Re- publican, and continued a zealous supporter of the last-named party until his death. He was a profoundly religious man and for fifty years served as an elder in the United Pres- byterian church, of which strict body he was long a leading and influential member. Hugh Herron departed this life in 1897, and his wife Margaret was called to her final reward about the year 1899. They were the parents of four sons and five daughters, of whom the following survive: George, who lives in Kentucky: Thomas, of Middletown; William, a farmer and stock .

journey which led him through to Butler county, Ohio, where the family arrived in October of that year. Thomas Herron set- tled near Four Mile creek, on the place now owned by the Harper heirs, which land he purchased from the government, but a large part of the ground being overflowed by back water from a mill dam he subsequently ex- changed this tract for the land in Milford township which he afterwards cleared and on which he spent the remainder of his days. Hugh Herron was quite young when his parents moved to the new home in Butler county, and he grew to mature years on the farm in Milford township, the meantime as- sisting in clearing and cultivating the same. At the age of twenty-one years he started out for himself, his sole earthly possessions at the time consisting of an ax and one and a half dollars in cash. Being industrious. energetic and naturally adept with the use of tools, he soon mastered the carpenter's trade and in the course of a few years ac- quired not only considerable means but a

wide reputation as a successful builder. Many of the first frame houses in Milford and adjoining townships were erected by him, also barns and other edifices, and the superior quality of his workmanship caused his services to be in great demand. Within six years after leaving the parental roof he had earned sufficient money to purchase the family homestead, consisting of two hun- dred and twenty-five acres, and after coming into possession of the same he discontinued contracting and building in order to devote his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. He became quite a successful farmer, also took great interest in all kinds of public im- provements and to him perhaps as much as

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raiser of Butler county ; Catherine, wife of Charles Coulter, of Oxford; Martha E., widow of the late. William Emerick, of the same place, and L. D., whose name intro- duces this sketch.

The early life of L. D. Herron on the family homestead brought him into close touch with the duties of the farm and the excellent discipline he there received was conducive not only to well-rounded physical growth, but also to that independence of mind and the formation of those habits which enter so largely into symmetrically- developed American manhood. After at- tending the district schools until completing the fundamental branches, he entered Ox- ford College, where he pursued his studies for several years, thus laying broad and deep the substantial foundation upon which his success in after years was builded. Until his twenty-first year he remained at home assisting in the cultivation of the farm, but on attaining his majority he took charge of the place and from that time to the present has devoted his attention to agriculture and stock raising with most encouraging results. On March 1, 1881. Mr. Herron was united in marriage with Miss Sarah B. Nichol, daughter of Joseph Nichol, a prosperous farmer of Hanover township, the union be- ing blessed with four children whose names and years of birth are as follows: Marga- ret, in 1883: Edith, 1885; Nellie, 1887; and Joseph, in the year 1889. By well-applied industry and energy Mr. Herron has suc- ceeded beyond his expectations and at this time ranks with the leading farmers and stock raisers of the township in which he resides, being progressive in his ideas, pub- lic-spirited in his endeavors to advance the standard of agriculture in his community,

and as a citizen has so conformed to the du- ties and ethics of life as to win the unquali- fied confidence of the large circle of neigh- bors and acquaintances who are proud to claim his friendship. He has been the archi- tect of his own fortunes and, like a true master builder, has done his work wisely and well. Through the careful direction of business interests as well as by indefatigable industry he has acquired a handsome prop- erty and by a liberal and judicious expendi- ture of money his farm has been highly im- proved and beautified until it is now consid- ered one of the finest and most desirable country homes in the township of Milford, there being few more attractive places in the county.

Mr. Herron votes with the Republican party and for a number of years has been one of its most energetic and influential workers in his part of the county, keeping well posted on the issues of the day and exercising the prerogatives of leadership in the township of his residence. While keen, wide awake and eminently successful in ma- terial affairs, and equally active in the in- terest taken in public and political matters, he has not been unmindful of the higher du- ties and obligations growing out of man's relations to his maker. His religious nature is strong and well developed and for many years he has been a faithful member of the Lutheran church at Darrtown, being a dea- con in the organization and one of the most active workers and efficient teachers in the Sunday school. Mr. Herron's career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence reposed in him, for he has al- ways conducted his business transactions in the strict principles of honor and integrity and his devotion to the public good, which

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is unquestioned, arises from a sincere desire to promote the welfare and advance the in- terests of his fellow men. What the world needs today is just such type of men,-men capable of directing public enterprises and managing important trusts,-men of prin- ciple as well as brain power whom the lust of wealth can not swerve from the strict path of rectitude nor the allurements of public place corrupt,-men of genuine worth, of unquestioned integrity,-of the high sense of personal honor which grows stronger and brighter with each recurring year.

JOHN EARHART.

The well-known gentleman to a brief re- view of whose career this article is devoted enjoys distinctive prestige among the repre- sentative farmers and stock raisers of Mil- ford township, while his high standing as a progressive and up-to-date agriculturist has also won him a conspicuous place among the leading men of his calling throughout the county. in which all but nine years of his life has been spent. Jacob Earhart, the sub- ject's grandfather, was a native of Ger- many. He came to America in an early day and settled in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, later removed to Preble county, Ohio, where he cleared and otherwise im- proved a good farm on which the remainder of his life was passed, he and his good wife dying there many years ago. Jacob Earhart, Jr., son of the above Jacob and father of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and at an early age accompanied his parents up- on their removal to Ohio, and grew to man- hood on the family homestead in the county

of Preble. Subsequently he came to Butler county, where in due time he became a prom- inent farmer and stock raiser, taking pos- session of the place in Milford .township now owned by the subject, in 1846, and liv- ing on the same until 1857, when he pur- chased a farm, one mile south, where he made his home until called from the scenes of his earthly toils and successes, dying at the age of eighty-three years, his wife be- ing seventy-nine years old at the time of her demise. The maiden name of Mrs. Jacob Earhart was Matilda Newport, and she bore her husband one daughter and two sons, the former deceased, Richard, a farmer of Mil- ford township, and the subject of this re- view being the representatives of the family now living.

John Earhart, whose birth occurred in Preble county, Ohio. September 3, 1837, was seven years old when his parents moved to Butler county, and from 1846 to the pres- ent time he has been an honored resident of Milford township. Reared to habits of industry on the farm, he early acquired a practical knowledge of outdoor labor, and while still a youth was able to do his part in the fields with those of more mature age. By reason of his services being required at home, his education was limited, but a nat- urally studious and inquiring mind and a retentive memory enabled him in after years to make up in large part for this de- ficiency, and he became an intelligent and remarkably well-informed man. From his childhood he has been fond of study and a great reader, and as he grew to maturity all the leisure at his command was devoted to the perusal of such books, papers and peri- odicals as he could procure, the information thus derived, with the practical knowledge

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acquired by mingling with men in various business capacities, giving him precedence as a leader of thought in his community. Mr. Earhart's early training on the farm was the means of developing a strong, vig- orous physique, and he grew to maturity a well-rounded man, plentifully endowed with good common sense and a laudable determi- nation to overcome the obstacles by which his pathway was beset, and if possible carve out a career of honor and usefulness. He continued agricultural pursuits until May, 1864, when he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry, for the hundred-day service, during which time he was in West Virginia, where the regiment was principally engaged in guard duty. At the expiration of the period noted he returned home and resumed farming, which, with stock raising, has since occupied his attention, his progress and success the meantime being such as to win for him a prominent place among the leading agricul- turists of Butler county. His farm, con- sisting of one hundred and nineteen acres in section 4. Milford township, is in an ex- cellent state of cultivation and otherwise highly improved, the buildings of all kinds being first-class and up-to-date, and every- thing on the place indicates the presence of an enterprising agriculturist of mature judg- ment and progressive ideas, who cultivates the soil and manages his affairs according to the most advanced methods. Mr. Ear- hart has made agricultural science a special study, reads all the best papers on the sub- ject and by practical experience demon- strates the values of the theories advanced by leading writers of the day. His work and management are strictly systematized, and the prevalence of good order, even in

the smallest matters, attests the care with which he prosecutes his interests so as to obtain the largest possible results. He keeps a correct account of all his products and sales, which. with his stock books, con- stitute a full and complete record of the farm and everything pertaining thereto. As a breeder and raiser of fine live stock Mr., Earhart enjoys an enviable and wide-spread reputation and he stands today among the leading stockmen of his part of the state. His specialties during the last twenty-five years have been the Polled Durham breed of cattle, and he has also given much atten- tion to the Duroc and other fine quality of hogs, the greater part of his income being derived from the sale of his domestic ani- mals. By persevering industry and good business management, he has placed himself in independent circumstances and is now one of the well-to-do men of the county, his income being more than sufficient to meet his comfortable manner of living, while the ample fortune.at his command insures him plenty and ease during the remainder of his days.

Mr. Earhart is a Republican in politics, and for many years has been a zealous worker for the success of his party, not only in Milford township but throughout the . county. Being a wide reader, he is well posted on current events and his knowledge of the great questions and issues of the day, both national and international, enables him to form intelligent opinions and conclusions, in both of which respects he is often deferred to by many of his fellow citizens. His rela- tions with his neighbors and friends and with the public generally have always been of the most agreeable character, his influence has ever made for the good of those with

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whom he associates, and the high esteem in which he is held shows that the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens has not been misplaced.

Amanda C. Shanklin, who became the wife of Mr. Earhart on January 22, 1869, was born in Butler county. Ohio, in the year 1848, being a daughter of Andrew and Esther (Cooper) Shanklin, the father a na- tive of West Virginia and the mother a de- scendant of an old North Carolina family that left that state in an early day on account of opposition to slavery. After receiving a preliminary education in the district schools, Mrs. Earhart entered the female college at Oxford, where she was graduated in 1864, following which she taught with marked success for a number of years, and still later became governess in a wealthy Kentucky family, where her services were also greatly appreciated. She is a lady of fine mind and excellent character, her culture and varied attainments making her for many years a favorite in the social circles with which she was wont to mingle.

Mr. and Mrs. Earhart have three chil- dren, the oldest of whom, Rev. Linn J. Ear- hart. was born January 14. 1870. He re- ceived his literary education in the Miami University, of which he is an alumnus, and later was graduated from the McCormack Theological Seminary, Chicago, and is now pastor of the Presbyterian church at Repub- lic, in the state of Washington. He mar- ried a young lady by the name of Martha Brinkmire, and is the father of three chil- dren, and stands today among the leading divines of his denomination in the West. William S., born April 12. 1871, was also graduated from the Miami University at Oxford and is an electrician by profession.

His wife was formally Miss Florence Hom- sher, and his home at the present time is in Camden, this state. Esther C., the young- est of the family, was born on September 14, 1877, and, like her brothers, is well edu- cated, graduating in her girlhood from the Somerville high school and in 1899 she re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Sciences from the Oxford Female College. In addi- tion to her intellectual attainments and other accomplishments, she is especially proficient in music, having received instruction in the art under the direction of some of the most accomplished teachers of this country.

Mr. and Mrs. Earhart are members of the Presbyterian church, and since the year 1874 he has held the position of elder in the congregation to which they belong. The children are also identified with the same religious body. the oldest, as already stated, being a minister of distinguished ability and wide influence.

EDGAR W. LANE.

This well-known citizen is one of But- ler county's native sons and dates his birth from June 16. 1852, having first seen the light of day on the farm in Hanover township which his grandfather, H. I. Lane, purchased and improved in an early day. H. I. Lane was born in New Jer- sey and some time in the twenties brought his newly-wedded wife to Butler county, Ohio, locating in the township of Hanover. where he became a prosperous tiller of the soil. In connection with agricultural pur- suits, he worked at the brick-mason's trade, and continued in this two-fold capacity until

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his death, which occurred in the year 1848. he divided his time until about nineteen, The family of H. I. Lane consisted of three sons and four daughters, five of whom sur- vive, namely : Corneal, William, Ellen, Su- san and Sarah, one of the deceased being James, the subject's father, who was born and reared on the family homestead in Han- over township and in his young manhood married Miss Mary Potter, a native of Reily township, who bore him two children, Ed- gar W., of this review, and Charles H., who died in 1876, at the age of twenty-two years. James Lane was a young man of sterling worth, and in due time became one of the well-to-do farmers of Hanover township. He owned a beautiful place of one hundred and seven acres, on which he made a num- ber of valuable improvements, and in addi- tion to farming he owned a half interest in a flouring mill which returned him a liberal income. In politics he was a Whig, in reli- gion a Presbyterian, and in all the elements of manhood and citizenship he was easily the peer of any of his neighbors and associ- ates. Had he lived longer he doubtless would have achieved success in his various enterprises, but he was unfortunately cut down almost at the beginning of his career of usefulness, dying at the early age of twen- ty-eight years.

Edgar W. Lane was left an orphan when four years old, and from that time until his eleventh year he lived with his grandfather. Samuel Potter, who cared for the lad and looked after his interests in various ways. When a youth of twelve he became an in- mate of his uncle's home, and after remain- ing there for two years began earning his own livelihood as a farm hand. While thus engaged he devoted the winter months to study in the public schools, and in this way

when he entered the employ of his guardian, with whom he remained until attaining his majority. Actuated by a desire for a more thorough intellectual training than could be derived from the district schools, young Lane, in 1871, entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, where he prosecuted his studies two terms of eight months each, leaving the institution in the fall of the year following. Returning to Butler county, he resumed farming in Reily township, and on March 24. 1875. was solemnized his mar- riage with Miss Rebekkah Mosier, a union blessed with four children, namely : Walter, born February 13. 1876. a telegrapher sta- tioned at Hood River, Oregon: Mary, born January 10, 1878. is the wife of Wallace Dennis, and lives in Preble county, this state; Effie, whose birth occurred on the 4th of November, 1879, is unmarried. and resides in the family of a friend by the name of Hake: Alice, who was born October 15, 1881, is the wife of Ed. Travis, in Hamil- ton. The mother of these children departed this life in 1885, and on September 7th of the following year Mr. Lane contracted a matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Addie Tracy, widow of the late Robert W. Tracy, of this county, and daughter of James and Mary J. (Thomas) Williams, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. Mrs. Lane was born July 1. 1853. in Ross township. Butler county. married Mr. Tracy on March 19, 1872, and bore him five children, namely : Mary J., wife of Everritt Brosier; Sarah E., now Mrs. Herman Walters, of Brookville; Ed. L .; Mayme, who married Everett Barnett, of Hamilton, and Dolle, who is a member of the home circle. The death of Mr. Tracy occurred in the year 1883. Three

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 80

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