Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 92

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 92

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tent official in every public capacity in which he has served and has won in a large degree the confidence of the public.

On the 5th day of August, 1857, Mr. Oglesby was united in marriage with Miss Catalina D. Chistanse, the daughter of Peter and Eva Chistanse, her mother being of German descent. Mrs. Oglesby was born at Fonda, New York, in 1840, and came to Middletown, Ohio, with her parents in 1852. To the subject and his wife have been born the following children : J. S. is engaged in the real estate business in Middletown; Nathan E. has charge of the stock room for the Decatur Buggy Company; William E. is the secretary for an insurance company in Chicago; Ralph C. is at home; Clara E. is the wife of a Mr. Lyman, of Northampton, Massachusetts. In religion the subject af- filiates with the Methodist Protestant church and takes a deep and abiding interest in all movements having for their object the up- building of society in general. Because of his many sterling qualities he has earned the regard and esteem of all with whom he has the substantial and progressive citizens of his city and county.

LIBERN MARTIN.

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dren whose parents, Thomas and Margaret (Mardis) Martin, are natives of Virginia and the Blue Grass state respectively. Prof. Thomas Martin has been identified with the educational interests of Kentucky and Ohio for a number of years, his especial line of work being commercial and general business training, in the prosecution of which he long since achieved honorable repute. In ad- dition to organizing and managing business colleges in Cincinnati, he established similar institutions at various other points, notably in the cities of Covington and Newport, and of recent years he has traveled quite ex- tensively throughout the United States as a popular lecturer, being a pleasing and popular speaker and a favorite on the plat- form. His home at this time is in Coving- ton, Kentucky, but his duties as an educator and lecturer keep him on the road the greater part of the time, his interests being wide and varied and his life one of constant devotion to the lines of work in which he is engaged.

Libern Martin was born on April 11, 1865, and received his early education in the schools of Cincinnati, subsequently finishing a full business course in a commer- cial college of which his father was propri- etor and manager. When a young man he accepted a position in the public schools of the above city. where he taught for some time as principal of the business department, and later became interested with his father in commercial educational work under the style of the Thomas Martin & Son Business College Company.

In addition to this, Mr. Martin was con- nected for some time with the Charles Scrib- ner Son's Publishing Company of Cincin- nati, but in 1890 he left that city to accept the position of bookkeeper and salesman

with the W. B. Oglesby Paper Company at Middletown, subsequently taking full charge. After continuing in this capacity for several years he became president in 1902 and of which he is now one of the largest stockholders, owning a fourth interest in the enterprise, besides sustaining the rela- tion of general business manager, a position entailing many exacting duties and responsi- bilities. in all of which he has acquitted himself ably, creditably and to the entire satisfaction of his associates.

Mr. Martin is an accomplished business man and prepared himself for the import- ant post which he now holds by thorough training and valuable practical experience. His duties are so systematized as to make his work comparatively easy, and it is not too much to say that the continued success of the company, ever since he took charge of his present position, is largely attributed to his sound business methods, mature judg- ment. familiarity with the details and su- perior executive ability. He has few equals as an accountant, and possesses the faculty of doing thoroughly whatever he under- takes, and so the remarkable advancement he has made and the high reputation achieved in the industrial circles may be easily accounted for.

Mr. Martin is a Republican in politics and since taking up his abode in Middletown has become deeply interested in municipal matters as well as public affairs in general, having served two terms in the common council, where his business-like course led to the adoption of much important local leg- islation. He has been an active and untir- ing worker for his party, is frequently se- lected as a delegate to city, county, district and state conventions and in these assem-

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blages as well as in the management of a tribute to genuine worth to number him campaigns his influence and leadership have had much to do in formulating policies and promoting the success of the ticket.

In his social relations Mr. Martin is de- servedly popular and has many warm friends whose loyalty can always be trusted. He enjoys, to a remarkable degree, the es -. teem of his fellow men, and by a life in which devotion to principle has ever been dominant has made himself eminently worthy the confidence in which he is uni- versally held. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and for several years has been a leading and influential member of the Middletown lodge, in which he now holds the title of past exalted ruler.

Mr. Martin has been twice married, the first time to Miss Mollie Nichols, of Ken- tucky, who bore him five children, Alsia. Earl, Buford, Geneva and Jessie, the oldest being seventeen and the youngest nine years of age. Some time after the death of the mother of these children he contracted a matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Alice Brown, an intelligent and cultured lady of Indianapolis, Indiana, the union being with- out issue.

GEORGE WOLVERTON.

with the large and eminently respectable class of people who by deeds rather than words do so much to advance the material interests of the country and whose influence is always on the side of right and for what- ever tends to the moral welfare of those with whom they associate. Like many of the early families of Butler county, the Wolvertons came from Pennsylvania. The subject's grandfather settled in Lemon town- ship in an early day, purchased land and cleared a good farm, becoming one of the substantial citizens of his community. He died many years ago where he originally lo- cated, leaving several children to perpetu- ate his name, among the number being a son by the name of John, who was born on the family homestead. December 25, 1839. John Wolverton was reared a tiller of the soil and on reaching the years of manhood · bought of his father a fine tract of one hun- dred and forty acres in Lemon township, on which he made many improvements and which under his labors and judicious man- agement eventually became one of the most productive farms in the county, as well as one of the most valuable. The maiden name of Mrs. John Wolverton was Sarah Jones; her parents, Reuben and Mary (Sheets) Jones, were among the early set- tlers of Lemon township, both branches of her family being represented in Butler county in pioneer times. After acquiring a competency for his declining years, John Wolverton retired from active life and his death occurred in 1900, at the age of sixty- one years. He was a local politician of the old Democratic school, an excellent man and in many respects a leader among his

Among Butler county's native sons and representative citizens is the promi- nent farmer and stock raiser whose life story is briefly outlined in the following para- graphs. George Wolverton occupies a con- spicuous place among the leading and in- fluential men of his community. and it is' neighbors and fellow citizens. In addition

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to farming he did a thriving business for some years as a manufacturer of brooms and to him also belongs the credit of found- ing and pushing to successful organization the first building and loan association of Middletown, of which enterprise he was not only the father, but the leading spirit as long as he lived. ever makes for the material welfare of his township and county and an earnest advo- cate of all movements having for their ob- ject the general good of his friends, neigh- bors and associates. In his political views Mr. Wolverton is a decided Democrat, but while active in promoting the success of his party. he has persistently refused to stand George Wolverton, child of John and Sarah Wolverton, was born in Middletown, Butler county, Ohio, December 12, 1872. During his childhood and early youth he re- ceived a good education in the graded schools of his native city and after finish- ing his studies in the high school, began till- ing the soil, which honorable calling he has always followed, being at this time one of the largest and most successful farmers of Lemon township, also a stock raiser of much more than local reputation. Mr. Wolver- ton's place, which consists of one hundred for office, although by nature and training amply qualified to fill successfully important public trusts. Mrs. Wolverton was born in Lesourdsville, Ohio, and after finishing the grammar grades of the Middletown schools, entered the city high school, from which she was graduated in 1890. She is a lady of many accomplishments, a true helpmeet to her husband and a loving and devoted mother, her family at this time con- sisting of two children, one being deceased. The names of those living are Mary E., who was born May 8. 1898, and Dortha and seventy-five acres of fertile, well-culti- . Louise, whose birth occurred on August 6,

vated land, is beautifully situated and admir- ably adapted for agriculture and live-stock purposes and, with its fine improvements and excellent condition, is easily one of the most valuable and attractive suburban homes in a county which has long been noted for the attention which advanced farming has received and for the pains which have been taken to make rural life pleasant and desir- able. Energetic, enterprising and progres- sive, Mr. Wolverton is thoroughly abreast the time in all matters relating to agriculture and by diligent attention, commendable thrift and superior business ability he has continually added to his possessions, until he now occupies a leading place among the financially strong and reliable men of his community, while as a citizen he is public- spirited, being deeply interested in what-

1902. John A., the second of the number, was born January 24, 1900, and died July 25. 1901.

J. M. ISEMINGER.

The old and reliable firm of Caldwell & Iseminger, established at Middletown, Ohio, in 1858. is still the leading establishment of the kind in the city, doing a large and lucra- tive business in contracting and building. also manufacturing on an extensive scale. making a specialty of veneered doors, hard- wood interiors, bank and office furniture and fixtures and all lines of work in which skill and a high degree of artistic taste is re- quired. J. M. Iseminger, junior member of

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this firm and a business man of wide repute, was born in Morgan township, Butler county, Ohio, on February 14, 1857. He received his educational training in the pub- lic schools and at the age of nineteen years started out to make his own way, his first position being a clerkship in a general store at Okeana, Ohio, where he remained for a period of three years, acquiring during that time a practical knowledge of business and a familiarity with the underlying principles of commercial life. At the expiration of the time noted he severed his connection with his employer and took a position with T. V. Howell & Son, of Hamilton, with whom he remained during the ensuing five years, the last eighteen months of which he was general manager of the firm. Re- signing this place in February, 1854, Mr. Iseminger became manager of William Caldwell's manufacturing and building in- terests at Middletown, which responsible po- sition he held until 1898, on January Ist of which year he purchased a half interest in the establishment and from that date to the present time he has been an equal partner in the business. He still retains the posi- tion of manager and it is but just to state that under his able supervision the interests of the firm have been greatly augmented. until, as indicated in a preceding paragraph, their establishment has grown to be not only the leading enterprise of the kind in Mid- dletown, but also one of the largest, best conducted and most successful in the south- ern part of the state. Mr. Iseminger is an accomplished business man, of sound judg- ment and executive ability of a high order, and, possessing remarkable energy. he lays his plans wisely and never fails to carry to successful issue any undertaking in which

he may engage. To his foresight and cor- rect methods is the firm of which he is ex- ecutive head indebted for its advancement and continuous prosperity, and the ripe ex- perience which has aided him heretofore and his present influential standing in industrial circles may be taken as prophetic of a still larger and more prosperous business career in years to come.

While permanently interested in his own affairs and making every other consideration subordinate thereto, Mr. Iseminger has not been unmindful of his duties as a citizen or of his obligations to the community in which he lives, being deeply concerned in the wel- fare of the latter, as is attested by the man- ner in which he encourages every laudable enterprise for its material development, also co-operating with all legitimate efforts for the social and moral improvement of his fel- low men. He enjoys to an eminent degree the esteem of those with whom he mingles, and by an upright, manly course of con- duct has shown himself worthy of the high esteem with which he is regarded by the public. Mr. Iseminger is a, married man, his wife being Laura E., daughter of his business partner, William Caldwell, the ceremony by which they were united in the bonds of wedlock having been solemnized on February 5, 1884.

HARRY WALBURG.

Holding prestige among the successful business men of Butler county, Harry Wal- burg, of Middletown, has had much to do in advancing the material interests of the city of his residence and making it one of

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the important industrial centers of south- western Ohio. The study of such a life as his can not fail in interest and incentive as he is distinctively representative in his sphere of endeavor and has contributed in no small measure to the prosperity of the community which has so long been his home and the field of his operations. The sub- ject's paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, but came to America in an early day and, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, spent the remainder of his life in that city. By occupation he was a tanner and for a num- ber of years did a flourishing business in the manufacture of leather, in due time be- coming not only quite wealthy but also an enterprising and public-spirited man of af- fairs. Henry Walburg. the subject's father, was born in Cincinnati, and in early life learned the tanner's trade and devoted his attention to the same until retiring from business, at a comparatively recent date, since which time he has been living a retired life in his native city, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his many years of successful toil. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Sorg, bore him ten children, of whom the following are living : Harry, An- thony, Mary, Paul, Anna and Ada.

Harry Walburg was born in Cincinnati on June 5, 1863, and spent his childhood and youth in his native city, receiving his edu- cational training in the parochial schools of the same. At the early age of eleven years he was thrown upon his own resources and from that time until his twenty-second year worked at any kind of honorable employ- ment to which he could turn his hands. In 1885 he came to Middletown and entered the employ of the P. J. Sorg Tobacco Com- pany, with which he continued for a period

of eleven years, during which time he rose from a comparatively honorable position to that of bookkeeper and later was advanced to the post of correspondent.

Severing his connection with the above firm, Mr. Walburg, in November, 1897, took charge of the Miami Cycle Manufactur- ing Company, of Middletown, with which he has since been identified, and at this time he holds the responsible positions of sec- retary and treasurer of the concern, in ad- dition to discharging his duties as general manager. Under his able and judicious di- rection, the company has made rapid ad- vancement and it is not too much to say that its continued prosperity is largely due to his sound judgment, wise foresight and correct business methods. Possessing ex- ecutive ability of a superior order and an innate capacity for large undertakings, he has been untiring in his efforts to promote the success of the enterprise with which he is connected, and that he has succeeded in this laudable desire is sufficiently attested not only by the high standing the company has achieved in industrial circles, but by his own reputation as an energetic manager and thoroughly safe and reliable business man.

Mr. Walburg is a splendid specimen of the aggressive, wide-awake American of today and from the beginning his career pre- sents a series of successes such as few men of his years attain. Broad-minded and liberal in his views of men and things and progressive in all the term implies, he is sel- dom mistaken in judgment; vigorous in ac- tion. resolute in purpose and with a will that hesitates at no opposing obstacles, he has made his presence felt as an important factor in the affairs of his city and county

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and the confidence reposed in him by all classes and conditions of his fellow citizens shows the high esteem in which he is held by the public. In politics he is a Democrat and as such has been influential in promot- ing the interests of his party, although not in the direction of holding office nor has he ever been an aspirant for leadership. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he now holds the title of past exalted ruler; relig- iously he was born and reared a Catholic. of which church he has ever been a faithful and loyal member.

Mr. Walburg has mingled much with men in different capacities and has also seen a great deal of the world, having traveled quite extensively. not only in the United States, but in various parts of Europe. In 1889 he made a tour of the old country. during which he traveled over the greater part of Germany. England. France, Belgium and Holland, visiting all the great cities and more important places of interest. and coming in close contact with a number of the leading men of those countries.

The domestic life of Mr. Walburg dates from the year 1884. when he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Mar- garet Farrell, daughter of Frank and Mar- garet (Nugent) Farrell, both parents na- tives of Ireland. Mrs. Walburg was born May 6, 1865. in Cincinnati, Ohio, received her education in the Catholic schools and her married life has been blessed with five children, May, Harry, Jr., Pearl, Frank and Paul. The first named was born on the 2d day of May. 1885, and is an intelligent, well- educated young lady, being a graduate of the Holy Trinity Catholic School, of Mid- dletown, also an accomplished violinist and

pianist : Harry, Jr., whose birth occurred in August, 1886, was also educated at Holy Trinity and at this time is head bookkeeper for the Cycle Manufacturing Company, of this city; Pearl was born in the month of March, 1888, and is now prosecuting her literary studies in the above institution, be- sides receiving instruction in music, for which art she manifests decided talent; Frank was born February 29, 1892, and Paul. the youngest of the family, first saw the light of day in March, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Walburg. with their children, belong to . the Holy Trinity Catholic church of Middletown. being among its most highly esteemed members.

LEON LEVY.

The welfare and substantial prosperity of a city depend very largely upon its busi- ness and industrial enterprises. It is the progressive. wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community and his influence in building up and directing important enterprises is difficult to estimate. The well-known subject of this review is one of the leading business men of Middle- town and as such has contributed greatly to the material advancement and financial standing of the city. besides taking an ac- tive and influential part in its public affairs. Leon Levy is descended from an old Ger- man family. the history of which is closely interwoven with the troublous' times of Europe during the Napoleonic wars. His grandfather served for many years in the army of the great emperor, participating in many campaigns and bloody battles and

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earned a distinguished record as a brave and learning and made a creditable record as a gallant soldier. Nathan Levy, father of student. After finishing his education in the latter institution, he took up a manual Leon, was a captain in the German army, and after coming to the United States es- ' occupation and in due time became a pro- poused the Northern cause and did valiant ficient workman. He was employed for several years in the different shops of his native city, but finally discontinued his trade and engaged in the insurance business, ris- ing in 1890 to the position of superintendent of the local agency, with which he was con- nected. service in defense of the national union. He entered the army at the beginning of the war as first lieutenant of Company H, Ninth Ohio Volunteers, subsequently was trans- ferred to the Thirty-second Indiana, in which he rose to the rank of captain and as such served until the downfall of the Re- bellion, taking part in a number of battles and minor engagements and receiving two severe wounds while fighting for his adopted country. For a number of years he was a wholesale butcher in the city of New York, and later engaged in business in Cincinnati, where he finally became quite well-to-do. He was prominent in the Grand Army cir- cles of the latter city, took an active interest in George H. Thomas Post, and at differ- ent times was honored with important of- ficial positions in the organizations. When a young man he married Miss Bettie Solo- mon, who bore him nine children, eight of whom are living. Nathan Levy was a man of sterling character and high business and social standing and his death, which oc- curred in March, 1896, was deeply lamented by all who knew him. Mrs. Levy was also highly esteemed by. a large circle of friends and she survived her husband but a short time, departing this life in July, 1896.

Leon Levy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 26, 1862, and grew to maturity in that city. After receiving a preliminary training in the graded schools he entered the Woodward high school, where he spent two years, during which time he made sub- stantial progress in the higher branches of

Disposing of his interests in Cincinnati in 1892, Mr. Levy came to Middletown and two years later engaged in business in this city, beginning with a very meager capital, but with excellent credit. For a while his progress was quite slow, but little by little he grew in favor until within a compar- atively short time he had a well-established trade, which has steadily increased with each recurring year. Mr. Levy handles all kinds of house furnishing goods and at this time has a large and thoroughly stocked store, the leading establishment of the kind in Middletown, and his patronage is second to that of few business houses in the place. His financial success has been commensur- ate with the energy and enterprise with which he has prosecuted the business and his reputation for honorable dealing has been such as to gain him not only the un- bounded esteem of his numerous patrons but of the public as well. By close attention and judicious management he has succeeded in accumulating a handsome competence and is now one of the well-to-do men of his community, being in independent circum- stances, with favorable prospects for con- tinued prosperity in years to come.

Mr. Levy manifests a lively interest in the welfare of his adopted city and gives his

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influence and support to all enterprises and he has persevered in his present sphere of progressive measures for its growth and de- velopment. He is looked upon by all who know him as a man of good judgment, high character and sterling worth, and his in- fluence in business circles has won him much more than local repute, while his excellent social standing has drawn to him a large number of warm personal friends, whose loyalty and fidelity will not admit of doubt. In national and state affairs Mr. Levy is a Republican, but in local matters he cares little for party, giving his support to the candidates best qualified for the offices to which they aspire. He is a careful reader and close observer, well informed concern- ing current events and keeps in close touch with the leading questions and issues of the times.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 92

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