USA > Ohio > Miami County > Troy > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 33
USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 33
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William and Jane Enyeart, was born in Pennsylvania, 1787, and was married to Mary Kessler in the year 1809. He emi- grated to Ohio about the year 1819, settled on a farm east of Troy, where he lived until his death, in 1831, and was buried in Knoop's graveyard, east of Troy, on Springfield Pike.
John L. Enyeart, son of James Enyeart, and familiarly known as "Long John," to distinguish him from a cousin of same name, was born in Bedford County, Penn- sylvania, February 2nd, 1812, and came to Ohio with his parents in a road wagon, as there were no railroads then. He mar- ried Lydia Martindale, daughter of Sam- uel and Elizabeth Campbell Martindale, in the year 1840, and moved on the farm, formerly owned by his brother, one mile east of Troy, on the Springfield Pike. He lived there until the year 1853, when he bought 160 acres one mile south of Troy on Dayton Pike. In March, 1864, he bought another farm, which is now in the corporation of Troy, and there lived until his death, January 25th, 1867; he was buried in the beautiful Riverside Ceme- tery. To this union ten children were born. Sarah married David Coppock, who moved to Superior, Nebraska, and both died there. Hester R. married H. H. Miller and they are both living in Mound City, Missouri. Thomas J. married Eliza- beth E. Pearson ; both live in Troy. Eliza- beth A. married L. A. MeDonald and lives in Troy. William died just after return- ing from the war. Martha married P. Feidt and lives in Sidney, Ohio. Rebecca S. married Daniel Elliott and died in May, 1883. Samuel died at the age of sixteen. John M. married Margaret O'Conner and both died a few years after their marriage.
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Mary E. married J. H. Racer and they live in Troy.
J. A. BRUBAKER & SON, buyers and shippers of grain and dealers in mill feed, coal, flour, drain tile and fertilizers, are representatives of the leading business in- terests at Rex, Miami County, and their trade relations extend over a wide terri- tory. James A. Brubaker, the senior mem- ber of the firm, was born in Virginia, De- cember 11, 1848, a son of Abraham Bru- baker, a part of whose life was spent in Virginia.
When about twenty-five years of age, Mr. Brubaker spent some time in Illinois, working as truck gardener, farmer and thresher. He came to Ohio, living in Clark County until 1876, when he married and moved to Montgomery County and resided near the town of Dayton, Ohio. for five years. From there Mr. Brubaker came to Miami County and rented a farm of 120 acres, situated one mile northwest of Brandt, in Bethel Township, on which he lived for six years, when he moved to a farm of thirty acres on Honey Creek, Bethel Township, which he cultivated for sixteen years. He then sold that property and moved to Brown Station or Rex. as the postoffice was named. and located at his present place of business in 1904. He worked occasionally as a painter and he- gan in his present large business by buying and selling grain and hay, but later bought ont O. L. Sullivan's elevator interests. Mr. Brubaker then admitted his son to part- nership and the firm has developed into a very large concern. They have added modern machinery to the original plant and make grinding feed and flour a spec- ialty, in addition to their other indus-
tries. Mr. Brubaker is a stockholder in the First National Bank of New Carlisle. He resides on a small place of ten acres in Bethel Township, and also owns a farm of 140 acres in Pratt County, Kansas.
James A. Brubaker married Miss Eliz- abeth (. Arnold, a daughter of Henry H. and Magdalene (Crist) Arnold, and they have the following children: Alfred A., who married Viola Rymon, and has two children, Arthur R. and Walter; Adria Alice, now deceased, who was the wife of Charles Frantz and had one son, Roy (also deceased) and two daughters, Arthena and Virgie; Henry J., who is the junior partner in the firm of J. 1. Bru- baker & Son; Etta M., who resides at home ; and Carson A., who is a member of the class of 1912 in the Bethel High School. Mr. Brubaker is a member of the German Reformed Baptist Church. In his polit- ical opinions he is a Democrat, but in no sense is a politician.
Henry J. Brubaker was born in Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio, March 6, 1886. and his education was secured first in Glenwood District No. 9, in Bethel Township, later in the Bethel High School, and afterwards in the Dayton Commercial College, at Dayton, Ohio, where he received his business training. Upon his return home he entered into partnership with his father and is a very enterprising mem- ber of this business house. He is also identified with the Democratic party, but only as a worthy and intelligent citizen.
ABSALOM ROUTSON, who was for many years one of the leading business men of Covington. passed out of this life November 9. 1905, and was actively en- gaged in business when stricken with the
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brief illness which resulted in his death at the age of eighty-three. Ile was born near Fredericksburg, Maryland, Decem- ber, 1825, and when quite young his parents located for a time in Pennsylvania, later moving to Shelby County, Ohio. In 1843 he came to Covington in order to learn the tailoring business from an elder brother. who died before he had finished learning the trade. He shortly afterward deter- mined to engage in business for himself. although entirely without capital. He borrowed $2.50 and with a similar amount of his own, went to Cincinnati, where, through letters of recommendation he purchased stock for the store which he opened in Covington. He conducted it successfully for many years, when he merged the store into the largest dry goods store in Covington. Mr. Rontson was one of the substantial men of Covington, al- ways taking a deep interest in the promo- tion of the city's welfare, and enjoyed the confidence and good will of his fellow citi- zens. Ile was a member and an elder of the Presbyterian Church of Covington.
Mr. Rontson was first united in mar- riage May 7, 1846, with Martha W. Clark, their union resulting in the birth of seven children, three of whom are living -Mrs. James 'T. Bartmess, of Covington: Henry Ward Beecher Routson, of Covington ; and Mrs. Dr. Charles Martin, of Findlay. Ohio. Mr. Rontson formed a second mari- tal union March 31, 1869, with Sarah Mar- garet Birely, who died January 21, 1906. On March 26, 1907, Mr. Routson was joined in marriage with Ermina Purdy, a native of Covington and a daughter of James L. and Prudence (Billingsley) Purdy.
James L. Purdy was born in Perry
County, Pennsylvania in 1816 and in 1825 with his father, Thomas Purdy, moved to Miami County, Ohio, where they settled in Washington Township. His education was obtained in the local schools and for some years after completing his education he taught in the Washington Township schools. After his marriage Mr. Purdy came to Covington, where he engaged in manufacturing chairs, and also conducted an undertaking establishment, being for many years the only undertaker in the city. Mr. Purdy was a man of prominence and education, and during his later years assisted in compiling a history of Miami County, the history being in the posses- sion of his daughter, Mrs. Routson. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy were the parents of two children, Ermina, widow of the subject of this record; and Thomas, who was killed in a railroad accident February 17, 1907. He married Kate Darner and to them were born four children-Mrs. Grace Brandon, of Piqua ; Lucy, who resides in Covington, and is a stenographer at Geo. Rundle's in Piqua; Ethel, engaged in the millinery business in Covington ; and John, a book- keeper residing in Dayton, Ohio.
HION. JAMES CLARE HUGHES, one of the most prominent members of the Miami County bar, now serving as mayor of the city of Piqua, was born in Ports- month, Ohio, February 5, 1875, son of Rev. Thomas L. and Hortense (Clare) Hughes.
His grandparents on the paternal side were Hon. Thomas L. and Ann (Jones) Hughes, both natives of Wales, who were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. The grand- father came to this country when in his thirty-fifth year and for some years was engaged in mercantile business at Oak
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Ilill, Jackson County, Ohio. He was after- wards a prominent official and stockholder in the Jefferson Furnace Company, en- gaged in the manufacture of pig iron. He was a prominent factor in Jackson County polities and at one time was elected to the Ohio State Legislature on the Republican ticket. He became quite well-to-do, and was also a man of good education and lit- erary ability. He died at the age of ninety years in March, 1896. His wife had pre- ceded him to the grave many years before, dying in 1857 when in her thirty-eighth year. They were the parents of five chil- dren.
Rev. Thomas L. Hughes was born in Jackson County, Ohio, April 27, 1850. Aft- er attending the common schools, he en- tered, at the age of fourteen, the Ohio Uni- versity, from which he was in due time graduated. Subsequently he took a post- graduate course at Princeton University. He then entered upon the study of law in the C'ineinnati Law College and in 1874 he was admitted to the bar in Jackson County, (having previously declined the Repub- lican nomination for the State Legisla- ture). He practiced his profession in Jackson County for two years, during which time he served one term as city solic- itor. He began his theological studies ir 1876 and was licensed to preach in June, 1877. His first charge was at Eekmans- ville and he was subsequently pastor of Presbyterian churches at Pomeroy, Ohio and at Shelbyville, Indiana. In the fall of 1892 he became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Piqua, Ohio, where he remained until his death, which took place June 17, 1900. The degree of D. D. was bestowed upon him by Hanover College, and he was a man most highly esteemed for his
scholarly attainments, his pulpit power and eloquence and his capability as a prac- tieal worker along religious and social lines of endeavor. By his wife, Hortense, who was a native of Jackson County, Ohio, he had six children, namely: James Clare, whose name heads this article; Catherine, wife of J. B. Wilkinson, of Piqua; Anna, Thomas L., Mary, and Emma.
James Clare Hughes, after laying the foundation of his education became a stu- dent at Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, at Washington, Penna., from which he was subsequently graduated. He was graduated from Indiana Law School, In- dianapolis, in June,. 1899, and he was ad- mitted to the bar in June, 1900, beginning the practice of his profession in Piqua. In April of the following year he was eleet- ed city solicitor of Piqua, and he was again elected to the same office in 1903. He was first elected mayor of Piqua in 1905 and his re-election in 1907 is evidence that he gave the citizens an honest and capable administration, which may be said, indeed, of his entire incumbency of the office.
Mr. Hughes was married September 22, 1904, to Anna Blaushe Matthews, of Piqua, of which union there is one son, Thomas Lloyd Hughes, born May 10, 1906. Mr. Hughes is a Presbyterian in religious be- lief. As a lawyer he has made a good reputation for ability, and as a citizen and public official he is held in high esteem for his publie spirit, his devotion to duty, and his possession in large measure of those magnetic personal qualities which, with- out any sacrifice of principle, are potent to win and retain friends. All who know him will watch his future career with in- terest.
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
E. W. LAPE, who fills the important offices of secretary and treasurer of one of Miami County's largest industries, The Favorite Stove and Range Company, of Piqua, is one of the city's representative business men. He was born at Cincinnati but in childhood his parents moved to Newport, Kentucky, where he received his early educational training. This was sup- plemented by attendance at Chickering In- stitute, at Cincinnati.
From school Mr. Lape entered the em- ploy of Nicholas Patterson & Company, with which firm he remained three years, going then to W. C. Davis & Co., stove manufacturers, and continuing with them and their successors until they came to Piqna from Cincinnati and entered into business as The Favorite Stove and Range Company, and for some years he has been an important official of this enormous cor- poration.
On October 31, 1890, Mr. Lape was mar- ried to Miss Florence Jeannette Smithi, of Piqua, and they have four children-E. Walter, Martha Taylor, Robert Frame and Catherine Jeannette. Mr. Lape is a mem- ber of the Church of Christ and belongs to the official board. He is a Mason, having taken the Knight Templar degree; has served Newport Lodge as Master and was Eminent Commander of Newport Com- mandery. He is a member also of the Piqua Club.
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ELIAS BARNHART, one of Concord Township's most substantial citizens, who resides on his splendid farm of 240 acres, which is situated on the Swailes Turnpike Road, about two and one-half miles south- west of Troy, Ohio, was born March 18, 1845, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is
a son of Tobias and Sarah (Basore) Barn- hart.
The parents of Mr. Barnhart were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. When they decided to move to Ohio, hop- ing to secure better farming land than they then owned, they procured great wagons and in them the family and household pos- sessions were brought over the mountains and across the State line and into Mont- gomery County. Tobias Barnhart bought a small farm near Dayton and while he resided on it took his prodnee to the mar- ket in that city, over roads which no town- ship supervisor or road overseer would countenance at the present day. Finding better farm conditions in Miami County, in 1849, he removed his family to Concord Township and bought 160 acres of the present farm, from a Mr. Dilts, and on this place he passed the remainder of his life. He erected the present comfortable residence after the railway line was built. Ilis death occurred when he was aged eighty-six years, he having survived his wife for some time. They had eight chil- dren, namely: William, Tobias and Ben- jamin, all three now deceased; David, who lives in Miami County; Elias; Susan, who is the widow of James Westfall; Cath- erine, who is the wife of Jacob Harlacher, of Miami County; and Sarah, who resides at Pleasant Hill.
Elias Barnhart was abont four years old when his parents came to the present farm and his memory goes back to the long journey in the covered wagon and his am- bition to ride on the top of it. With his twin sister, Sarah, he attended the district schools and they were the youngest pupils there. He lived at home until after his marriage and then bought eighty acres ad-
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joining his father's farm of 160, on the west, and purchased the homestead when his father died. He put up all the excel- lent buildings on the eighty-acre tract and keeps his whole big farm in fine condition. He carries on a general line of agricul- ture and gives some attention to growing tobacco.
In January, 1871, Mr. Barnhart was married to Miss Rebecca Long, a daughter of Israel Long, who brought his family from Pennsylvania to Miami County. Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart have two children: Ida May, who is the wife of Charles Chase, a well known artist residing at West Mil- ton ; and Charles, who operates the eighty- acre farm. Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart are members of the Christian Church and his attendance has been so regular that he secured a medal, in the shape of a gold button, as proof of it. He has seldom cared to leave Miami County and while he enjoyed a trip to Florida in 1907, he was glad to return home. He is a Repub- lican in his political sentiments but has never cared to seek public office.
ROBERT M. WILSON, president of the Concord Township School Board and the owner of a farm of forty-five acres of well improved land, which lies three miles southwest of Troy, on the Swailes Turn- pike Road, is one of the representative citizens of this section and a member of one of the old and leading families. IIe was born in the old log house on the home- stead in Concord Township, Miami County, Ohio, March 6, 1849, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Debra) Wilson.
John Wilson was born in Maryland and in boyhood accompanied his father, Rob- ert Wilson, to Miami County. Grand-
father Wilson settled in the woods in Con- cord Township, not far from the farm of Robert M. Wilson, and there built a log cabin, which later gave way to a handsome brick house. Robert Wilson subsequently moved to a farm in Shelby County, on which he lived until his active years were over, when he retired to Sidney and died there when aged eighty-five years.
John Wilson, father of Robert M., was one of the older members of a large family. He assisted his father to clear the farm and later cleared one for himself in this township and resided on it until the close of his life, following farming and truck- ing, and for a number of years he had eus- tomers in Troy who depended upon him for their earliest and best vegetables. His death occurred May 26, 1907, when he was aged eighty-seven years. He married Elizabeth Debra, who was born in Union Township, Miami County, and survived her husband for only three weeks. They had the following children: Robert M., Henry, Ella, William, Charles, Mary, Rijah, Arthur and Walter, twins; and John. Of these Arthur and John are de- ceased.
Robert M. Wilson had but meager edu- cational opportunities during his boyhood, but for a season, while living with his grandfather, he went to school in one of the old log structures where slabs served as benches and greased paper took the place of glass in the window apertures. Ilis father needed his help on the farm, as he was the eldest son, and he worked for him until he was twenty-four years old. In 1874 he purchased the farm from his father and later put up all the present ex- cellent buildings. He carries on general farming to some degree but makes truck-
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ing a specialty and for several years ran a wagon to Troy. Formerly he had a nur- sery of fruit trees and conducted the busi- ness as a representative of the Farmers' Nursery Company.
On September 17, 1875, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Allie B. Brown, who was born and reared in Concord Township and is a daughter of George Brown. They have three children, namely : Clarence W., Viona May, and Anna. Clarence W., who lives at Tippecanoe City, was married (first) to Mary Weikert, who at death left one son, Forest H., who lives with Mr. Wilson. He married, second, Ethel Dye and they have two children-Ralph M. and Mabel F. Viona May, who married How- ard Robins, of Montgomery County, Ohio, has two daughters, Martha and Mary Anna is the wife of William Hartman, of Concord Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is a stanch Republican. For a number of years he has been a member of the School Board and is serving in his second term as presi- dent of this important body. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Elks, both lodges being at Troy.
JOHN G. WETZEL, one of Covington's leading business men, whose interests have been centered in this city for the past nine years, was born in Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, on a farm not far distant from the village of Lanra, March 8, 1872. His parents were Gottleib and Rose (Trost) Wetzel. The parents of Mr. Wet- zel moved from Miami County to a farm in Franklin Township, Darke County, Ohio, in 1874, and there the father died in 1888.
The mother still survives and lives on the Franklin Township farm.
J. G. Wetzel remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, helping on the farm and securing his education in the public schools. His first outside work was in a butcher shop at Potsdam, where he was employed for one year and he then bought the business and conducted it for a year and a half, after which he soid and engaged in the wagon and horse business at the same place, continuing until 1900, when he came to Covington. In March, 1902, he suffered considerably from fire, his stables burning down, and, although hie succeeded in getting out his own and a number of boarding horses, amounting to thirty-seven head, he lost buggies and all his stored hay and feed. Ever since com- ing to Covington, his livery stable has been his main interest, althoughi in 1906 he entered into partnership with C. A. Dit- mer, under the firm name of Wetzel & Ditmer, and carried on a carriage and buggy business for one year. Immediate- ly following his fire loss in 1902, he trans- ferred his horses to the Fosdick barn and on the morning following was ready for business again. In the fall of 1906 he purchased the MeGowan barn and tore it down, in its place building a fine new barn, into which he moved March 4, 1907. Again misfortune fell upon him, fire de- stroving his stables for a second time, on May 27, 1908, in which conflagration he lost six head of horses, twenty-two buggies and all his feed and hay, meeting with a total loss of over $4,000. Mr. Wetzel, how- ever, was not discouraged, on the other hand he immediately began the erection of still larger and more substantial stables and by August 10, 1908, he was established
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in his new quarters. He keeps thirteen zen, taking a hearty interest in all that head of horses, conducts a first-class livery pertains to the progress of Troy. and deals in both horses and buggies. Mr. Wetzel is a good citizen but is not partic- ularly active in politics. He is a member of the order of Red Men.
December 29, 1892, Mr. Wetzel was mar- ried to Miss Lillian Martzall, of Gettys- burg, Ohio, daughter of Martin and Cath- erine (Hice) Martzall, natives of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Wetzell became the parents of three children-Bryan. Lova Bell and Nora. Mrs. Wetzell died at Pots- dam, Ohio, May 31, 1900.
E. E. EDGAR, treasurer of the Hobart Electric Manufacturing Company, one of Troy's leading manufacturing plants, has made this city his home for the past twen- ty years. He was born in Wilmington, Ohio, in 1870, and is a son of Rev. George M. Edgar, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Edgar attended varions public schools through Southern Ohio, where his father held charges, until he was eighteen years old. He then came to Troy and ac- cepted a position as clerk with the Troy Buggy Works, going from there to the Troy Carriage Company, which he left in 1904, in order to accept his present office with The Hobart Electric Mannfactur- ing Company. He is interested in other snecessful enterprises as a stockholder. In 1895 Mr. Edgar was married to Miss Elizabeth Campbell, who is a danghter of John M. Campbell. of Troy. They have one son, John Campbell Edgar. Mr. Ed- gar is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and he is associated with the Troy Club. He is a public-spirited citi-
SETH MCCOLLOCH, attorney-at-law and secretary and treasurer of the Border City Building and Loan Association at Piqua. has been a resident of this city for the past twenty years. He was born at Ridgeway, Hardin County, Ohio, in 1857, It accompanied his parents to . Logan County in his childhood.
Mr. McColloch takes a worthy pride in tracing his lineage from those sturdy pioneers who were the fore-runners of our splendid civilization. He is a direct de- scendant from Robert Zane, who came over with William Penn in 1682, and settled in Philadelphia, and whose great grandson, Isaac, was captured by the Indians, in Vir- ginia. while on his way to school, at the age of nine years, and who was carried to Sandusky, Ohio. and adopted by the Chief of the Wyandottes and kept until he ar- rived at manhood: and later married the Chief's only daughter, Myeera, but whose mother was French. Isaac Zane became prominent as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, and exerted a power- ful influence in bringing about peace be- tween the whites and Indians.
Mr. McColloch's grandfather, William, married Nancy Zane, one of Isaac Zane's daughters, and history says that their first child was the first white child born in Muskingum County. Ohio. William and Nancy MeColloch removed to Logan County, Ohio, and some of their children became her most distinguished citizens. Mr. McColloch's grandfather was a cap- tain of sconts in the War of 1812, and was killed at Brownstown. now Detroit.
After completing the common school
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course and the high school course at Rush- sylvania, Logan County, Seth McColloch attended Delaware College and the Ohio Wesleyan University. For a number of years Mr. McColloch then taught school, after which he took up the study of law with the firm of Johnson & Johnson, at Pigna, and in 1895 was admitted to the bar. Ile immediately located in this city, at the same time taking an active interest in city politics and subsequently serving eight years as city clerk. In addition to attending to the demands of his practice, for the past seven years Mr. McColloch has been officially connected with the Border ('ity Building and Loan Company.
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