Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 83

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 83

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Jacob H. Shollenbarger, the sixth of his parents' nine children, was born in Ross county, Ohio, April 28, 1845, and received his early training at the family homestead in Milford township, the time during his childhood and youth being divided between work in the fields and attending the public schools. He acquired a good practical edu- · cation and at the early age of seventeen en- tered the service of his country, enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-sev- enth Ohio Infantry, with which he experi- enced the fortunes and vicissitudes of war until honorably discharged in November of the year 1864. His command operated chiefly in Virginia and its principal service consisted of guard duty, which was dis- charged so faithfully and efficiently as to elicit honorable mention from President Lincoln, who at different times had occasion to compliment and praise the soldiers on their bravery and gallantry.

At the expiration of his period of enlist- ment, Mr. Shollenbarger resumed farming in Butler county and continued the same until 1889, since which time he has devoted his attention principally to buying and ship- ping grain and live stock, doing an extensive and lucrative business. He also owns a half interest in a large general store at Col- linsville, which has a lucrative and far-reach- ing patronage, and in addition thereto is a heavy stockholder in the Miami Valley Na- tional Bank, of which he was one of the founders and to the success of which he has contributed ever since its organization went into effect. From the establishment of this solid and popular financial institution to the present time Mr. Shollenbarger has been a member of its board of directors and today . neglectful of his duty and obligation to his there is but one man besides himself con- Maker, being a firm believer in the Holy

nected with the bank who assisted in its organization.

Mr. Shollenbarger has been a leading spirit in the town of Collinsville, every en- terprise for the improvement and up- building of the place, materially or other- wise, receiving his sanction and support. He was appointed postmaster in 1879 and has served as such ever since, conducting the office in an able and straightforward busi- ness-like manner, and proving at all times not only an efficient and judicious but an exceedingly courteous and popular official. Financially he has met with success com- mensurate with the energy, intelligence and good judgment manifested in all of his un- dertakings and he is today one of the well- to-do reliable men of the county, his for- tune being among the largest in his part of the country and his influence in mone- tary and general business circles far-reach- ing and second to that of few of his con- temporaries. Mr. Shollenbarger's manly conduct and honorable dealings have given him a wide reputation throughout Butler county and other parts of southeastern Ohio and wherever known his name is as good as his bond, while among his immediate neighbors and friends he stands a conspicu- ous example of the sterling business man and enterprising citizen of the times. Re- sourceful, as he is energetic, far-seeing and progressive, he keeps in mind the future in present action, and has the satisfaction of knowing that few if any of his well-laid plans have failed and that, in the main. abundant success has crowned his efforts. Like all broad-minded men, he has not been unmindful of the claims of religion or

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Scriptures and a consistent follower of the Man of Nazareth. He was blessed with pious parents who reared him according to the rather strict teachings of the Lutheran church, and the influence of this training had much to do in forming his character and fitting him for effective service in the earn- est Christian life he has since led. He has held membership with the church at Darr- town for a number of years, and at the present time is an elder of the congrega- tion, also one of its most influential workers and liberal supporters from a financial point of view. Mr. Shollenbarger's activity in business circles and his continued interest in public affairs naturally led him into the domain of politics and, like every intelli- gent citizen with the welfare of his county. state and nation at heart, he is well grounded in his principles and an earnest supporter of the party with which identified. . \ reader from his youth and a student of political history, he was early convinced that the Re- publican party had a great and important mission, consequently he gave it his al- legiance and ever since attaining his ma- jority has been one of its zealous adherents. He has represented his township at different times on the county central committee, where he rendered valuable service as an organizer and untiring worker. has been a delegate to a number of nominating con- ventions and other public assemblages, but has persistently refused to run for office, al- though well qualified to fill with credit any position of honor and trust within the gift of the people.

Elizabeth Alice Young, who became the wife of Mr. Shollenbarger in 1873. was born in August. 1855. and received her education in the public schools and the female college at Oxford, Ohio. She is a lady of intelli-

gence, culture and refinement, enjoys wor- thy prestige in the best social circles of the community and, like her husband, is a con- sistent and respected member of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shollen- barger, the oldest of whom, a son by the name of Harry W., entered the Miami Na- tional Bank of Hamilton, at the early age of thirteen years, and has been connected with the institution ever since, by successive pro- motions working himself from a subordi- nate clerkship to his present responsible posi- tion of assistant cashier. He is a young man of fine attainments and splendid busi- ness ability, an accomplished accountant and by honorable and upright course of con- duct has won the confidence and esteem of his employers. Albert Y .. the second son. also an intelligent and thoroughly reliable young man, is proprietor of a livery barn in the city of Hamilton, and doing a prosper- ous business: Nellie. the third in order of birth. married W. G. Jones and lives at Collinsville, where her husband has charge of the railroad station. being agent and operator. also assistant postmaster under his father-in-law; Earl. the next in succes- sion, is a carpenter and builder,. working at his trade in the town of Glasgow, Montana: Mary is deceased, while Valora and Ruth. the youngest members of the family, are with their parents.

WALTER J. SMITH, M. D.

The subject of this review is a native of . Butler county and is one of the able young representatives of the medical profession in the village of Reily. He was born in Reily

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township, on the 27th of March. 1877. and is a son of Joseph B. and Jane ( Brown) Smith, who are the parents of three children. of whom the Doctor was the second in order of birth. His sister. Emma, is the wife of Newton Samuels, of Peoria, Indiana, and his sister, Olive, is at home.

. Dr. Smith was reared to the sturdy dis- cipline of the farm and his early educational advantages were such as were afforded in the district schools, while later he continued his studies for one year in Miami University. In 1897 he initiated the technical study of medicine, having as preceptor his uncle, Dr. Harry H. Smith, with whom he is now as- sociated in practice and to whom individual reference is made on another page of this work. In the spring of 1898 the subject was matriculated in the Ohio Medical Col- lege. in Cincinnati, where he completed the prescribed course, being graduated in the spring of 1902 and securing his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He forthwith located in Reily and associated himself with his uncle and here he has already gained pres- tige as a thoroughly skilled and discriminat- ing physician and surgeon, his ability and his personality being such as to gain to him a strong hold on popular confidence and esteem in the community where he has passed practically his entire life. The Doc- tor is a member of the Nu Sigma Nu fra- ternity of the Ohio Medical College and is also identified with St. Charles Lodge, No. 332, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. at Reily, while he is also identified with the auxiliary organization. the Daughters of Rebekah. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, in whose cause he takes a lively interest. and he is a member of the Presbyterian church at Reily.

ERASTUS ROBINSON. M. D.

An educated physician and essentially a man of action, the subject of this review has achieved enviable standing in his pro- fession and in- business circles, his success- ful efforts in the latter giving him prestige such as few attain. Energetic, tireless and progressive, he has stamped his individuality upon the community in which he resides and his influence in the affairs of the same is greater perhaps than that of any of his con- temporaries. Dr. Erastus Robinson is a na- tive of Butler county, Ohio, and a descend- ant of an old colonial family that settled in New Jersey a number of years prior to the war of the Revolution. The first of his an- cestors of whom he has any definite knowl- edge is his great-grandfather. Samuel Robinson, who was born in the colony of New Jersey, served with distinction in the war for independence, at the close of which he became a tiller of the soil and as such spent the remainder of his life. He mar- ried in his native commonwealth a lady by the name of Hufty, whose ancestors came to this country from Holland and reared a family, among his children being a son Samuel, who was born and grew to manhood near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Samuel Robinson, Jr., who was a shoemaker by trade. came to Butler county, Ohio. about the year 1818 and settled in Morgan town- ship, where, in addition to his chosen calling, he devoted considerable attention to agri- culture. Mariah Ent. who became his wife, was a daughter of Maj. Charles and Mary .

(Johnson) Ent, and was born in Huntington county, New Jersey, of which state her an- tecedents were early settlers. Her father was a major in the American army during

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the war of 1812 and rendered valuable service to the country as a brave and gallant officer. He was, during his life, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her ancestors were German and, as already stated, emigrated to America early in the colonial period, his wife being of Scotch lineage. The Robinsons were Friends and Presbyterians in religious belief.

H. H. Robinson, son of Samuel and Mariah Johnson, was born in Huntington county, New Jersey, May 16, 1816. Brought to Butler county two years later, he grew to maturity in the same and on the 7th of December, 1847, was united in mar- riage to Miss Josephine Glancy, daughter of Joseph and Hettie (Rittenhouse) Glancy, the father a native of Pennsylvania and of French Protestant stock, the mother a mem- ber of one of the old families of New Jer- sey and of Dutch descent. These parents removed to Morristown, Indiana, in 1826, and a few years later changed their residence to Keithsburg, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their days. By occupation Joseph Glancy was a miller, which trade he followed the greater part of his life and he is remembered as a man of excellent char- acter and high repute. The Rittenhouse family migrated to southwestern Ohio about the beginning of the nineteenth century and settled in Hamilton county, with the history of which the name has long been identified.

Mrs. Josephine Robinson was born July 10, 1828, in Morristown, Indiana, and de- parted this life in Butler county, Ohio, in the year 1891. H. H. Robinson devoted the greater part of his life to merchandising, has succeeded well in his business and for a num- ber of years has been the leading citizen of the county in which he resides. He lived a

useful life, wielded a wholesome moral in- fluence among the people with whom he came in contact and is living at the age of eighty-eight. His mind is clear and he reads without glasses. To H. H. and Josephine Robinson the following children were born : William, Mary, Cornelia, Eras- tus, Susan, Alexander R., Hettie, Samuel G., Evelyn, Amy, Charles, Henry, Josephine and Anna Amelia; seven of whom, Walter, Cornelia, Susan, Amy, Hettie, Anna Amelia and Josephine, are deceased.

Erastus Robinson, the fourth of this number of the above children, was born in Morgan township, Butler county, on Febru- ary 26, 1853. He received his early train- ing in his father's store and when not selling goods attended the public schools, in which his progress was fair and in every respect commendable. After. acquiring a sound, practical education he turned his attention to reading medicine, which he studied for some time under the direction of one of the lead- ing physicians, P. H. Brooks, of Oxford, Ohio, his experience in this profession arousing within him a desire to become a healer of men. Actuated by this laudable ambition, the Doctor entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, where he prosecuted his researches until completing the course of that institution, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in March, 1876.

The month following his graduation Dr. Robinson opened an office in Trenton, Ohio. and soon built up a lucrative practice and after spending four years at that place and not finding the profession to his taste, he removed to Osgood, Indiana, where he en- gaged in buying and selling horses, a line of business to which his time and attention

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have since been largely devoted. The Doc- tor's residence in Osgood continued until 1884, at which time he disposed of his in- terests there and located at Shandon, Butler county, Ohio, where he has since lived, his business the meanwhile increasing in magni- tude and importance until he is now the lead- ing horse breeder and dealer in this part of Ohio. While buying and shipping on an extensive scale, he makes the breeding of fine horses a specialty and his success in the same has brought him prominently to the notice of the leading horsemen of the coun- try, giving him an enviable reputation throughout Ohio and other states. As a judge of the merits and demerits of horse flesh he has few equals and no superiors and the high reputation of the animals bred on his farm has created a greater demand than he can supply, and that too at almost un- precedented prices. The Doctor has been especially successful in breeding and raising fast horses, his animals being well known on the best race tracks in the United States and at every county and state fair where ex- hibited they invariably win first premiums. In addition to horses, he gives considerable attention to Shetland ponies, which find ready sale at liberal figures. By his interest and enthusiasm in the matter of horses the Doctor has done more by far than any other man or agency in raising the standard of fine horses in southwestern Ohio, and he stands today without a rival in this im- portant and far-reaching industry. His services as an expert judge are in frequent demand at stock exhibits, county and state . fairs, and his opinions carry great weight and his decisions are always accepted as final. He realizes a liberal income from the sale of his various breeds of stock and his business is steadily growing.

Dr. Robinson is a man of wide intelli- gence, ripe judgment, keen discernment and his skill and experience in the field of en- deavor to which his energies and powers of mind are being devoted have won him hon- orable recognition not only in his own state but in the surrounding states. Like all true stockmen, he possesses large sympathies and his courtesy and gentlemanly learning make him a friend and favorite of all with whom he has business or other relations. He takes broad views of men and affairs, has pro- gressive ideas, is wide-awake and enterpris- ing and as an all-around symmetrically de- veloped man, occupies a place in the com- munity which only those of good powers of mind and judgment can reasonably hope to attain.

In politics Dr. Robinson affiliates with the Republican party and, while not in the strict sense of the term a partisan, he is nevertheless an active worker and an ef- ficient leader whose services and influence have done much to strengthen and promote the success of Republican principles in this part of Ohio. He has never been an office seeker, notwithstanding which his fellow citizens of Morgan township elected him three times to the office of assessor, his ma- jority each time being larger than that of any preceding candidate for the position, notwithstanding the fact that the township is Democratic.

Dr. Robinson has been twice married, the first time on April 27, 1876, to Miss Emma Evans, daughter of Evan and Anna Evans, who died after a brief but happy wedded experience of less than one year, the union resulting in the birth of one child, Claud, who is also deceased. Subsequently, in 1881, the Doctor contracted a matri- monial alliance with Mrs. Mary Jane Coch-

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ran (nee Williams). daughter of James and Margaret (Thomas) Williams, and a na- tive of Butler county, born in Ross township October 30, 1855. Mrs. Robinson's father was a native of Virginia, but in early life came to Ohio and afterward became one of the leading farmers and representative citi- zens of Butler county, dying in 1901, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife was born in this county in the year 1821 and spent the greater part of her life near the place of her birth. Doctor and Mrs. Robinson have two sons, Clinton Kirby, who graduated from Miami University in June, 1904, and Paul Revere, a student of the Miami University and a youth of much promise. Each of the sons is a member of the national fraternity of Beta Theta Pi. Mrs. Robinson is a respected member of the Presbyterian church. The Doctor is not identified with any religious organization.

CAPT. PHILIP ROTHENBUSH.

There are few men in Hamilton who are more thoroughly identified with the city's interests than the subject of this re- view. It is pleasant to record the life his- tory of an individual who has "done some- thing," "is something" or "is somebody." Aside from one of the most gallant military histories in the annals of Butler county, Cap- tain Rothenbush fills all others of the speci- fied requirements. His life has been spent, except the years he was "at the front," in Hamilton, where he was born on the 7th of July. 1842. He is descended from hardy and frugal German ancestors, whose advent in this county brought stability, energy,

honesty and industry. The father of the subject was Christian Rothenbush, a native of Germany, where he was born in 1806. His mother was Dorathy Mitchell, and to- gether they established a home in Hamilton in 1828 and were among the first to engage in the bakery business here. They were suc- cessful and accumulated a good property. Christian Rothenbush built and conducted a hotel on the west side for many years and the building is still standing, now known as the Butler House. He reared a family of four sons and two daughters, the sur- vivors of whom mostly live in the county of their birth. Father Rothenbush was a member of the city council of Rossville (now the first ward in Hamilton) and was a man well and favorably known in his day. He was prominently identified with the Ma- sonic fraternity. He retired from active business about 1850, though continuing to superintend his affairs until his death. He was one of the organizers of St. John's Evangelical church in Hamilton, the oldest German church in Butler county.

Philip Rothenbush, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools and at a private academy in Rossville. On leaving school he entered the employ of his elder brother, a druggist, and was engaged as a dispensing clerk in this business for six years. This leads up to the beginning of the Civil war, and in response to Presi- dent Lincoln's first call for troops, young Rothenbush was among the first to enroll his name. He enlisted in April, 1861, in the company organized by Captain W. C. Ross- man and subsequently became a member of the Third Ohio Infantry. But the drilling and equipping of the three-months troops was a slow and tedious process, owing to the

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depletion of the national arsenals and treas- ury by enemies of the country. Hence the three-months term expired before the regi- ment reached active service. The subject received his honorable discharge, returned home, and soon thereafter re-enlisted as a member of Company I, Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and was appointed orderly sergeant of his company. This term of three years' service was active and aggressive and he went at once to the front, remaining there constantly until the expiration of the term of enlistment. This was the first regiment to take possession of the . Kentucky Central Railroad, among the early efforts of the Union armies to control bases of supplies throughout the Confederate territory. Cap- tain Rothenbush participated in many of the hard-fought battles of the Army of the Ohio and Cumberland. At Chickamauga he was severely wounded, but remained in com- mand of his company, receiving a second wound as he was gathering cartridges for his men from the boxes of the dead and wounded lying about them. But he still maintained his position at the head of his company until receiving a third wound as he was leading the remnant of his command out of the action. The regiment lost in this action fifty per cent. of the men engaged. Captain Rothenbush was taken to a hospital in Chattanooga, where he remained for some time, subsequently receiving a six-weeks leave of absence. He returned to the front on January 3, 1864, rejoining his regiment in Chattanooga, and took an active part in the stirring events of the memorable cam- paigns of that historic year. He was twice promoted for gallant and meritorious con- duct on the battlefield; first to the rank of first lieutenant, on the 17th of February, 8

1862, and on the 2d of March, 1864, he was commissioned captain of his company. Doubtless he was among the youngest of the volunteer soldiers who attained that rank on merit alone, being but twenty-one years old. Though never dangerously wounded and retiring without seriously impaired health, the Captain nevertheless had many narrow escapes .. In fact he felt at times that he bore a charmed life in that he has been in many places where he thought it impos- sible for a single individual to escape; yet he came out without a scratch. In like man- ner he has been on outposts where it seemed to be either "death or capture," vet by cool judgment and careful maneuvering he was able to lead his command to safety, without serious losses.

Captain Rothenbush retired from the service with the expiration of his second term of enlistment and was honorably mus- tered out at Chattanooga, Tennessee, Sep- tember 29, 1864. The record of this soldier citizen is one of exalted honors and worthy of being perpetuated through endless gener- ations. Too little credit is given to the "boys of '61" by the younger generation, who seem to consider that "they did only their duty." If all had ceased their efforts at the end of "legal duty" the war would be in progress yet, or the Confederacy long since established. Thousands of volunteers entered the army for terms largely in excess of the "legal" requirements, and still other thousands who were immune by reason of age or infirmities swelled the grand total and preserved the Union of the constitution. A peculiar coincidence in connection with Cap- tain Rothenbush's military service is the fact that three late captains of Company I, Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, are still living

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and are located in Hamilton. All did their duty as soldiers faithfully and well, and left the service by resignation, because of disease or wounds which disqualified them for farther active service. One of these is Dr. Henry Mallary, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest practicing physician in Butler county. He went out as captain of the company and on his resignation, Captain Andrew J. Lewis succeeded to the command. He is a retired farmer living in Hamilton. His resignation prepared the way for the promotion of Captain Rothenbush, who re- mained in command until the expiration of the time of service. It is hardly probable that there was another company or service which served three years at the front and after the lapse of forty years can muster three surviving captains, certainly a most remarkable record.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 83

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