USA > Ohio > Miami County > Troy > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 51
USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 51
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died in Monroe Township, Miami County, at the age of forty years; Ann, who was the wife of Robert Furnace and also died in Monroe Township, at the age of forty years; Eliza Jane, who was the wife of Henry Neal and died in Monroe Town- ship, aged sixty-nine years; Oliver Perry, who died in Toledo, Ohio, at the age of sixty-five years; Mary Ellen, widow of A. B. Carey of Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio; Joseph Warren, subject of this sketeh; Daniel Webster, who died in To- ledo, Ohio, at the age of fifty-nine years; Ellwood, who died at three years; and Reed, who was seven years old at the time of his death. Oliver Perry Bowman, who for more than twenty years was engaged in the real estate business at Toledo, was married to Martha Jane Gray of Warren County, Ohio. Daniel Webster Bowman was for many years in partnership with his father at Fredericktown, but later was a manufacturer in the city of Toledo. He was married to Miss Isabella Turner.
Joseph Warren Bowman attended the publie schools of Fredericktown, and later commercial school at Toledo. He then sold hardware for his father and brother until 1866 when he became a member of the firm of Bowman, Wells and Company at Tippe- canoe City, dealing in dry goods and boots and shoes. At the end of a year he purchased the interest of Mr. Wells and the firm became J. W. & O. P. Bowman, continuing as such for two years, when J. W. Bowman purchased his brother's interest. It was then condneted under the name of J. W. Bowman, and later, for three years under the name of Bowman and Lindley. Mr. Bowman purchased the interest of his partner and it was sue-
cessively operated under the name of J. W. Bowman and Bowman & Davis un- til 1898, when the subject of this record sold out to Samuel Smith. He has since that time been identified with the Dye Fruit Company, of which he is now seere- tary, treasurer and general manager. They have 160 acres devoted to the grow- ing of fruits, having about 28,000 trees, principally cherries, peaches and plums. Mr. Bowman also owns, individually, a farm of 130 aeres in Monroe Township. He is president and stockholder of the Tipp Whip Company; was formerly in- terested in the glucose plant and was one of the organizers of the Strawboard Works. He also was one of the organ- izers of the Tippecanoe City National Bank, of which he has been a director since its inception. He has a fine home which he built in Tippecanoe City, located on West Main Street.
In 1866 Mr. Bowman was united in marriage with Miss Maggie M. Perry, a daughter of Nathan and Isabella Perry of Darke County, Ohio, and the following were the issue of their union: Frank Perry, who died at the age of fourteen years; Howard E., an insurance man, who died in March, 1907, at the age of thirty- four years; Stella W., wife of E. L. Crane, who is vice-president and assistant cashier of the Tippecanoe City National Bank; and Bessie M., who is living at home. Howard E. Bowman was married to Miss Eva Munger of Piqua, and is sur- vived by his wife and one child, Enona Gene, the latter being four years old.
Joseph W. Bowman is an enthusiastic Republican, and has always been active in the support of the principles of that
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party. Fraternally, he is a member of BIne Lodge No. 74, F. & A. M., at Tippe- canoe City.
A. MORRISON ORR, vice-president of the Orr Felt and Blanket Company, one of Piqua's successful business enterprises and one of Miami County's largest manu- facturing plants, was born September 7, 1856, in Darke County, Ohio, and is a son of Gen. W. P. Orr.
Mr. Orr was reared in Darke County and secured his education there and at Piqua, and when he went into business it was as a dealer in grain and linseed oil, with Orr and Leonard, under the style of Orr & Leonard. This name later was changed to the W. P. Orr Linseed Oil Com- pany, which subsequently sold out to the American Linseed Oil Company. When this change came about, Mr. Orr remained with the new company, in charge of the sales department at Cincinnati, until February, 1907, when he severed this con- nection. In the meanwhile, Mr. Orr had become financially interested in a paper mill and stove works in Miami County and also looked into other investments which resulted, in 1900, in his buying out the F. Gray Felt and Blanket Manufacturing Company, and the establishment of his own large enterprise. Increasing business has shown the absolute necessity of an ex- tension of quarters and facilities and a new plant located on South Main Street is in course of construction, which, when finished will give the plant 190,000 square feet of floor space. The old quarters at No. 129 East Water Street were formerly considered adequate, but the new ones will be vastly superior, being equipped with all modern appliances, a compound
condensing engine being used and elec- tricity transmitted to every point. This will be the largest felt and blanket mill in the country. Employment is given to some 400 work people and the pay roll amounts to a very large sum. Mr. Orr is a director in the Citizens National Bank, the Piqua Savings Bank and the Piqua Home Telephone Company.
Mr. Orr was married to Miss Eliza Van Bibber Boal, who was born in Kentucky. He has four children: W. P., Jr., who is engaged in the wool business in Australia ; Margaret, who is the wife of R. D. Hop- kins, Jr., of Baltimore, Maryland; Martha Louise, and Morrison Boal. Mr. Orr is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is identified with the Elks and with the Piqua Business Men's Club.
REV. JAMES J. CROWLEY, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, at Piqua, was born in England but was reared at Bardstown, Kentucky. After completing the long course of ecclesias- tical training which is required for the priesthood, Father Crowley was ordained and was stationed in Kentucky, from whence he came to Ohio in 1883.
Father Crowley had charge of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Franklin, Ohio, for nineteen years, going from there to St. Mary's Church at Oxford, Ohio, and fifteen months later, in January, 1904, came to his present pastorate at Piqua.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Piqua was established in December, 1843, and is the first Catholic Church built in this city. Father James Halloran was the first pastor, and Rev. James P. Cahill succeeded him, and was later followed by Rev. H. Henry. Rev. E. P. Hickey took
JOHN H. BRANSON
MRS. NANCY L. BRANSON
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charge in 1887 and remained in charge for fourteen years. The present church edifice and school building were erected during that time. Father Crowley has greatly improved conditions since he took. charge, both in a material and spiritual way. The parish now includes 220 fami- lies and the pupils in the church school number 230, five rooms being utilized. The prosperous condition of the affairs of the parish reflect credit upon the Christian zeal as well as the exeentive ability of Rev. Father Crowley.
JOHN H. BRANSON, clerk of the New- berry Township School Board and one of the most progressive citizens of that town- ship, resides on his farm of fifty-nine acres located in Section 6, about three and a half miles north of Covington. He was born on the quarter-section of which this farm was a part, September 18, 1857, and is a son of DeWitt Clinton and Charlotte D. (Suber) Branson, his father being in his day one of the most prominent men of the county.
The first of the Bransons to come to Miami County, Ohio, was Moses Nutt Branson, grandfather of John H. He was born in Burlington (now Ocean) County, New Jersey, December 28, 1801, and as he was very young when his parents died, he was bound ont. In 1817, at the age of fifteen and a half years, he came west to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he re- mained several years after his marriage, and then settled in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, and lived there until his death. He was married July 8, 1821, to Harriet Nutt, a daughter of Levi and Sarah Nutt.
DeWitt Clinton Branson was born in
Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, May 1, 1828, and was there reared to man- hood. After completing his schooling he began to teach, being eighteen years old at the time, and he continued at that voca- tion after his marriage and removal to Newberry Township. He served about eighteen years as justice of the peace, and later one term as county commissioner, and was widely known over the county. He owned a farm of 100 acres in New- berry Township, and another of eighty- three acres in Shelby County, Ohio. His death occurred August 24, 1906, and he is survived by his widow. She was in maiden life Charlotte D. Suber, and is a daughter of George Suber. Mr. and Mrs. Branson became parents of the following children : Harriet (Hildebrand) ; Caroline E. (John- ston) ; Willis, who is president of the New- berry Township School Board; John H .; Frank; Sarah (Hartzell) ; Lydia Ann (MeMaken) ; and Angie (Routson).
John H. Branson was reared on his present farm and has always followed farming. He has from an early age taken a deep interest in public affairs, especially those relating to the welfare of his own township. Ile was elected township trus- tee and served until his removal to New- ton Township disqualified him from filling ont his term. He lived in that township for six years and farmed for Colonel Ul- lery when the latter was serving as county treasurer. During the Spanish-American War Mr. Branson served as corporal in Company A, Third Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and was stationed with his regiment, first at Tampa, Florida, then at Fernandina, Florida, then at Huntsville, Alabama. He is a member of the Spanish- American War Veterans. His farm ad-
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joins the old Union Church, which was built in 1852 and is the oldest church build- ing in the township. In 1900 he erected a magnificent brick residence of nine rooms, and the entire farm presents a neat and attractive appearance. He is serving his seventh year as a member of the School Board. Mr. Branson was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Jane Law- rence, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Shafer) Lawrence. They have had four children : Albert W. ; Elmer ; Ruth, who died at the age of three years; and Benjamin Arthur.
WESLEY D. WEAVER, of Miami City, Miami County, Ohio, is a retired farmer and respected citizen of that community. He was born on the old home place in Brown Township, Miami County, January 31, 1858, and is a son of John and Libby (Deviney) Weaver.
Peter Weaver, grandfather of the sub- jeet of this sketch, was married to Winnie Ross, and their offspring were as follows: Peter, Jane, Polly, Naney, Hannah and John. John Weaver married Libby De- viney and had the following children: Mary Lavina, who is the wife of Jolm Arnold and lives near Fletcher, in Brown Township; Ella, who married John Craw- mer; Josie, who married Eli Madaris; Lney, who is the wife of Edward Crum- baugh ; and Wesley D.
Wesley D. Weaver attended school at New Hope, Brown Township, and assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage in 1882. He then rented the farm of his father-in-law for a period of eleven years, afterward returning to the home place to look after the affairs of his
father who had become an invalid. Upon the latter's death, Wesley remained for a time on the home place and then went to Champaign County, where he rented and farmed a place. He next purchased a house and three aeres of land in Section 10, Elizabeth Township, where he has since lived. He has made many improve- ments on this place, which is located on the Springfield Pike. He also purchased forty acres in the southeastern corner of Seetion 9, in Elizabeth Township, two and a half acres of it being timberland. In addition to this land, he owns a lot on Star Avenue in Toledo, and a one-fifth interest in other property in that city.
June 8, 1882, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage with Miss Mary Crawmer, a daughter of Michael Crawmer of Miami County. He is a Democrat in politics, and served one term as road supervisor. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and also belongs to the Temple. In religious attachment, his wife is a consistent member of the Chris- tion Church.
AARON B. COURTER was born in Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio, February 27, 1849, and is a general farmer, owning fifty-one acres in Bethel Township, three miles northwest of New Carlisle. His parents were William and Abigail (Moore) Courter.
William Courter was a native of Ohio, where his life was spent, mainly as a farmer in Bethel Township. He died in 1863 and was interred at New Carlisle. He married Abigail Moore and they had nine children-Nancy Jane, Henry F., John, Sarah M., Aaron B., Elizabeth.
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William, Mary and Rachel. The mother of this family died in 1889.
Aaron B. Courter attended school for a short time in his boyhood, at New Car- lisle, but as he was the fifth in an increas- ing family and his father had little means, he had, while still young, to provide more or less for his own support. He engaged in farm work and about 1868 entered the employ of a Mr. Bare, with whom he re- mained for twenty-six years. Mr. Bare came to Bethel Township from Cumber- land County, Penna., and settled on the present farm, where he died. Having no children, the farm came to Mr. Courter who had so faithfully remained with him for so many years. After Mr. Courter took charge he repaired the buildings and did a large amount of improving. He raises excellent crops and is numbered with the successful farmers of the town- ship.
On December 28, 1893, Mr. Courter was married to Miss Harriet Hale, a daughter of John and Mary Ann Hale, and they have two children-Mabel May and Will- iam Lawrence, both of whom are attentive pupils of Fairview School, District No. 3, Bethel Township. In his political views, Mr. Courter is a Republican.
GEORGE S. LONG, private secretary to Governor Harmon, has for a quarter of a century enjoyed an enviable position at the bar of Miami County, Ohio, and has been identified, as stockholder and diree- tor, with numerous business enterprises of Troy, of which city he is a resident. He was born in Troy, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob F. Long, who was a carpenter by trade and first located in that city in 1854.
Mr. Long was reared in Miami County where he attended the public schools, being a graduate of Troy High School. After teaching one year in the schools of Troy he entered Dartmouth College and gradu- ated therefrom with the degree of A. B., in 1879, after which he taught in the Portsmouth (Ohio) High School for a period of three years. Ile then returned to Troy and prepared himself for the legal profession in the office and under the direction of Hon. Theodore Sullivan. He was admitted to practice in 1884, and im- mediately thereafter opened an office in Troy. He practices before all State and Federal courts, and has been connected with inch of the important litigation in Miami County. He has taken a more or less active interest in political affairs, and has at times been called upon to fill offices of public trust. He served as mayor of Troy, a member of the ('ity Board of Edu- cation, as State senator from his district in 1898 and 1900, and in 1908 was ap- pointed private secretary to Governor Harmon, upon the duties of which place he entered in January, 1909, at Columbus, Ohio.
George S. Long was united in marriage with Miss Lina Weller, a daughter of Capt. J. B. Weller of Troy, and they have one son. Frederick, who is a student in Dartmouth College. Fraternally, Mr. Long is a Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Knights of Pythias and the Elks. In re- ligions attachment, he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church.
ROBERT S. SPROUL, an esteemed citizen and retired farmer, residing in one of the pleasant homes of Troy, situated
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at No. 403 South Mulberry Street, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of Miami County. He was born July 2, 1846, in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel Sproul, who was a native of North Carolina.
Mr. Sproul was reared on a farm three miles south of Casstown, Miami County, and there engaged in farming and stock- raising for many years. In 1893 he re- tired to Troy and this city has been his home ever since. He takes a good citizen's interest in public matters and does his full share in charitable and benevolent work. He attends the Presbyterian Church.
In 1872 Mr. Sproul was married to Miss Clara Shidaker, who is a daughter of the late Henry C. Shidaker. He was born February 20, 1825, in Miami County, Ohio, and was a son of Valentine and Emily (Harter) Shidaker, the former of whom was a native of Maryland and the latter of Kentucky. The Shidaker family orig- inated in Germany. The pioneer of the family in Miami County was Michael Shidaker. the great-grandfather of Mrs. Sproul, who came to Elizabeth Township in 1805 and entered Seetion 14, being one of the very earliest settlers. He was suc- ceeded by his son Valentine, who died in 1846, leaving eight children : Mitchell, Lucy, Catherine, Henry C., Andrew, Jona- than, Sarah and Robert. In the course of time the property came to Henry C. Shidaker, who had remained on the old homestead during the lifetime of his par- ents. On October 8. 1847, he married Elizabeth Edmunds, of Virginia ancestry, and they had three children, namely : Lney Matilda, Laura E., and Clara F. The Sproul family entered land about 1812 and to such families as the Sproul
and Shidaker may be attributed the prog- ress and development of Miami County, their thrift, enterprise and industry con- tributing to its material prosperity, and their sterling virtues to its excellent citi- zenship.
ALBERT NUTT, one of Bethel Town- ship's excellent farmers, who cultivates his own fifty-four acres which is situated four and one-half miles east of Tippe- canoe City, on the Studebaker and Pisgah Turnpike Road, and rents an additional twenty aeres which adjoins his own land, was born in England, September 6, 1857, and is a son of James and Hannah (White- head) Nutt.
Albert Nutt is one of a family of eleven children, four of whom came to America. In 1884, Mr. Nutt came to the United States and when he reached Tippecanoe City, Ohio, he first worked as a nursery- man, this having been his business in his native land. Later he bought his present farm of William Ashworth. He has made all the improvements here, putting up the substantial buildings and making the place a valuable property.
In 1880 Mr. Nutt was married to Miss Alice Heaton, a daughter of Stephen Hea- ton, and they have three children : Annie, who resides at home; Emma, who married Edwin Weldy, and has one son; and May, who resides with her parents. Mr. Nutt and family attend the English Lutheran Church. Mr. Nutt does not give much at- tention to politics, but he has identified himself with the Republican party.
W. R. THOMPSON, M. D., who, for some thirty years has been in the active practice of medicine and surgery at Troy
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and enjoys a well earned reputation for professional skill, was born in Montgom- ery County, Ohio, where he was reared.
After completing the common school course in his native county, Dr. Thompson attended the Ohio Wesleyan College, going from there to the University of Michigan, where he was graduated from the medical department in 1869. He first took up practice in Tennessee, but after a year and a half he returned to Montgomery County and located at Vandalia, where he remained until 1879, when he came to Troy. Dr. Thompson is an active and valued member of the Miami County, the Ohio State, and the American Medical Associations. He is surgeon of the C. H. & D. Railroad and of the larger number of corporations of Troy and num- bers patients from all this section of the State.
In 1871 Dr. Thompson was married to Miss Laura A. Stouder, of Tippecanoe City, Miami County, and they have three children, namely: Charlotte, who is the wife of W. E. Boyer, cashier of the Troy National Bank: Fannie E., who is the wife of Walter Coles; and Wilbur R., who is a student, in his sophomore year, in the University of Michigan. In addition to being eminent in his profession, Dr. Thompson is an active citizen, recogniz- ing his responsibilities as such and lending his influence to everything of which his judgment approves as being beneficial to the community.
JAMES E. SIMES, of Covington, Miami County, Ohio, is clerk in charge in the railway mail service, running from Richmond, Indiana, to St. Louis, Mis- sonri. and has been in the service since
April 27, 1889. He was born at Sugar Grove, in Newton Township, Miami County, Ohio, October 1, 1868, and is a son of Thomas J. and Mary E. (Berlin) Simes.
Thomas J. Simes was born in Thomp- sontown, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1842, and died in Covington, March 18, 1906. lle was a miller by trade and at one time con- ducted what is now known as the Kindell Mills. He subsequently operated a grain elevator in Covington, and still later en- tered the fruit tree business at which he continued until his death. He was in 1867 married to Mary E. Berlin, who survives him, and they became parents of two sons and two daughters. In 1883 he united with the Christian Church, of which he was thereafter a liberal supporter. From early manhood he was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. During the Civil War he served as a member of the Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and later was a member of the G. A. R. lle was a man prominent in business, church and fraternal circles, and was well known over the county. For some years he served as a member of the Covington School Board.
James E. Simes was reared at Sugar Grove and attended the public schools at Covington, after which he completed a course in the Miami Commercial College at Dayton, Ohio. He was not yet of age when he entered the railway postal service during the administration of President Harrison and he has continued without interruption since. Mr. Simes was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Krieg- baum, a daughter of Conrad and Susan (Smith) Kriegbaum, and they have a daughter, Miriam Erla. Fraternally, he
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is past master of Covington, Lodge, F. & A. M.
HARRY SHILLING, M. D., physician and surgeon at Troy, and junior member of the medical firm of Coleman & Shilling. was born at Troy, Ohio, in 1876, and is a son of Charles R. Shilling, of this city. After completing the High School course at Troy, where he was graduated in 1895, he was in the employ of a life insurance company for a time and then entered the department of medicine in the University of Cincinnati, where he was graduated with his degree, in 1903. During a term of eighteen months he gained practical ex- perience as an interne in the Cincinnati Hospital, coming directly to Troy when he was prepared to enter into practice. He formed a partnership with Dr. Warren Coleman and the medical firm of Cole- man & Shilling stands very high in the profession. Ile is a member of the Miami County and State Medical Societies and keeps fully informed concerning every de- velopment in modern medical science. In 1906 Dr. Shilling was married to Miss Clara Prugh, of Piqua, and they have one daughter, Katherine. Dr. Shilling is a member of the Baptist Church. Frater- nally he is an Odd Fellow. He is a mem- ber of one of the old pioneer families of Miami County.
II. S. THOMPSON, one of the leading citizens and business men of Troy, Ohio, is identified with the Allen and Wheeler Company, and is engaged in farming on a large scale, owning three good farm properties in the county. He has been a resident of this city eight years.
Mr. Thompson was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1879, and received a pre-
liminary education in the public schools of that place. He later completed a course at Williams College, in Massachusetts, and after leaving that institution went to Florida where he engaged in the lumber- ing business for two years. At the end of that time he came to Troy and became actively associated with the Allen & Wheeler Company. At the end of five years he turned his attention to farm- ing, in addition, and he and his wife are the owners of the Stillwell farm in the outskirts of Troy, Mrs. Thompson owning also two other farms in Miami County. He is also largely interested in Florida lands, and is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, the Troy Club and the Island Outing Club. Mr. Thompson was in 1904 united in marriage with Miss Bes- sie Coleman. a daughter of Horace Cole- man, and they make their residence at No. 503 South Market Street, in Troy. Religiously, they are members of the Epis- copal Church.
THOMAS L. PURDY, whose accidental death, at Lima, Ohio, February 21, 1907, brought grief to a devoted family and sad- ness to a wide circle of friends all through Ohio, where he was very well known, was a native of Covington and a member of one of the old and representative families of Miami County. He was born at Cov- ington, Ohio, December 22, 1850, and was a son of James L. Purdy.
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