USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 32
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ily to the city until some three years later. In 1902 he became a stockholder of the National Oil Company, being now its president and treasurer.
In 1868 Judge Lowery cast his first vote for Gen. U. S. Grant, and has always been al- lied with the Republican party. He was a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee from 1882 to 1892, its chairman in 1885-86, and the following three years served on the executive committee. He was identi- fied with the Sherman wing of the party dur- ing the life of that statesman, and had the honor of being a close friend of Maj. William Mckinley during the latter's congressional, senatorial and presidential careers, but never would accept office from Major Mckinley, al- though the proffer was urgently made.
Judge Lowery was married, in 1868, to Linda Bushnell, a daughter of Thomas Bush- nell, of Ashland County, Ohio. Their child- ren are: Daisy, wife of Frank Horner, of the Piper Grocery Company, of Lima, and William B., who resides on a farm on the outskirts of Ada, Ohio. Judge Lowery took his first de- gree as a Mason in 1868, and in 1874 he was exalted to the rank of noble in Shawnee Com- mandery. He is also a prominent Elk. - 1
A L. WHITE, president and general manager of The Lima Locomotive & Machine Company, is one of the most public-spirited and prominent citizens of Lima, although he has been a resi- dent of the city but five years. He is a native of Knox County, Ohio, was born in 1861, and is a son of the late John W. White, who was for years connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He was educated in Knox County and then entered the shop of the C. & G. Coop- er Company, manufacturers of "Corliss" en- gines. He remained with this firm 25 years, beginning at the age of 15 as an office-boy and steadily advancing as he grasped the details of the business until he was made superintendent of the great plant. He remained in charge of the works for eight years, resigning in 1900 to
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accept the general management of the Lima Locomotive Works.
The Lima Locomotive & Machine Com- pany was incorporated in 1893 with a capital stock of $300,000, and made a specialty of manufacturing the "Shay" locomotive. More recently they have built a large number of di- rect locomotives and logging-cars, the exten- sive business giving employment to about 600 men. The company was reorganized in 1901 with the following officers: A. L. White, pres- ident and general manager; Ira P. Carnes, vice-president; and W. T. Agerter, secretary and treasurer. Mr. White is also a stockhold- er of the C. & G. Cooper Company.
Mr. White is president of the Lima Pro- gressive Association and president of the Lima Young Men's Christian Association. He is always interested in any movement that per- tains to the best interests of the city, and his influence is always on the right side of every question. Mr. White was a zealous politician in Knox County, but has not been active since coming to Lima. He is a. prominent Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Lima, and Alladin Tem- ple of the Mystic Shrine at Columbus. He enjoys social life and. takes great pleasure in the Lima Club and the Shawnee Country Club, of both of which he is a member.
Mr. White was married June 26, 1900, to Lucy Spindler, daughter of J. C. Spindler, de- ceased, a mechanical engineer of Mount Ver- non, Ohio. They have one child-Janet.
ENRY MILLER is a prosperous farm- er of Allen County, residing in sec- tion 7, Monroe township, where he owns a fine farm of 180 acres. He was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Ger- many, April 29, 1841, and is one of six sons born to Michael and Katherine (Kunkelman) Miller. His parents came with their children to this country in 1849, landing in New York in August of that year and going at once to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where they
lived for about three years in the vicinity of. Mckeesport. Early in the spring of 1852 they started for Allen County, floating down the river to Cincinnati, thence up to their des- tination in a canoe, arriving here in April. They settled on the farm adjoining that on which our subject now resides and bent every energy to make a home for themselves and children. That Michael Miller was success- ful in his struggle to secure a competency is shown by the fact that he had acquired 200 acres of land at the time of his death. He was 73 years of age and his wife was 80 when the summons came to them. They had these children : John; Christian; Daniel, who died in infancy and was buried in the fatherland; Leonard, who was killed in a coal mine in Pennsylvania; Henry and Adam-all are de- ceased except the subject of this sketch.
Henry Miller was married on November 14, 1864, to Mary Sauer, a native of Prus- sia, who was born January 21, 1846, and when a child of nine years came to America with her parents, Francis and Katherine (Harmon) Sauer. To this union 14 children have been born, viz: Margaret M., wife of William L. Hofferbert, of Monroe township; John F., of Putnam County ; Emma L., wife of P. J. Alt- staetter, of Monroe township; Anna Kathe- rine, wife of Jacob P. Miller, of Lima; Alice M., wife of Anthony Geib, of Lima; Sarah A., wife of Charles Irwin, of Putnam County; Caroline R., wife of James Irwin, of Putnam County; Bertha A., living at home; William H., who resides on his mother's farm; Harmon M., who has but recently been married; Louis P .; Clara Isabel, wife of Frank Slusser, of Su- gar Creek township; Grace N .; and Arthur M.
Henry Miller left his parents' home when he was married and moved to a rented. farm. He rented for a number of years before he pur- chased a small tract in section 7 and moved onto it about 35 years ago. He added to this land later and now owns 180 acres, which he devotes to general farming and stock-raising. In addition to this, his wife owns 60 acres in section 10, which is cultivated by their son, William H. Miller. They are members of the
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Presbyterian Church. Mr. Miller is a Demo- crat and has held a number of offices, such as school director, road supervisor, etc., and has always been loyal to the trusts reposed in him.
HARLES CHRISTIAN MILLER, Ph. D., president of Lima College, at Lima, Ohio, ex-commissioner of the common schools of Ohio, and a distinguished institute instructor and lecturer, has been intimately associated with the educational interests of his native State almost from boyhood. He was born No- vember 26, 1856, at Baltimore, Fairfield Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a son of Enos S. Miller, a rep- resentative business citizen of that county.
Dr. Miller's early educational training was secured in the common schools, from which he entered Fairfield Union Academy, at Pleas- antville, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1876. Prior to this, however, he had taught school, being but 16 years old when he ob- tained his first certificate. As he was mainly dependent upon his own resources, he again be- gan to teach; in the first place, in order to pro- cure the means with which he could secure col- legiate advantages, and in the second, because his natural inclinations and evident talents lay in this direction. In the spring of 1877 he became a student at the Ohio State University, and in 1883 he was graduated from this insti- tution with the coveted degree of A. B. Dur- ing a portion of his university career, he was instructor in Latin and Greek. He enjoys the distinction of being the first graduate of the Ohio State University ever appointed a mem- ber of the board of trustees of that institution. On June 16, 1903, Ohio University, at Athens, Ohio, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Recognizing very early in his career the call of his nature in the direction of educational work, Dr. Miller bent every energy to advance himself along this line of endeavor, meeting with public recognition and substantial promo- tion, while still in early manhood. He contin- ued to teach from 1874 until 1884, when not a
student himself, his schools being located at Rushville, Pleasantville and Eaton, Ohio. In the latter year he was appointed superintendent of the schools at Eaton, where he continued in this position until 1886, when he accepted a similar one at Ottawa, for a period of four years, going then to Sandusky, and in 1892 to Hamilton, each change being to his material benefit and professional advancement. In or- der to accept the responsible position of super- intendent of the city schools at Hamilton, Dr. Miller was obliged to resign his office of State commissioner of common schools, to which he had been appointed in 1891 by Gov. James E. Campbell. In 1901 he was again called to public office, being appointed State school ex- aminer.
In 1895 Dr. Miller came to Lima to as- sume the superintendency of the public schools of this city, and during his incumbency of 10 years he succeeded in advancing their educa- tional standard to a point which could not help reflecting the greatest credit upon his intellect- ual abilities and executive qualities. To the regret of his fellow-citizens, Dr. Miller re- signed his superintendency at the close of the school year in June, 1905, to accept the presi- dency of Lima College, which had been ten- dered him.
In addition to the above enumerated hon- orable and responsible positions efficiently fill- ed by Dr. Miller, he has served as county school examiner in Preble, Putnam and Butler counties and as city school examiner of the cities of Sandusky, Hamilton and Lima.
For a number of years he has also been prominently identified with institute work, his field of labor extending over Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. As an interesting and effective lecturer, Dr. Miller has few equals. His sub- jects embrace the different branches taught in the public schools, which are particularly ap- propriate for institute work, and points and periods in history and literature, which are presented and discussed in a happy style pe- culiar to himself. They show thorough re- search, wide knowledge, close observation and a critical faculty. The barest theme, taken up by Dr. Miller and clothed in his beautiful and
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H. L. LEILICH
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appropriate language and presented with his oratorical ability, becomes a subject of ever re- curring interest to his auditors. Crowded houses greet him when he fills a lecture ap- pointment and the various journals of the towns and cities where he has spoken are in- variably pronounced in their praise. Being the exponents of the attitude of their com- munities, this praise is genuine. His gifts as a lecturer are such as to cause his favorable comparison with other notables in the field.
Dr. Miller was married, in 1891, to Nellie C. Wilbur, who was born in New York. The domestic circle includes two sons and a daugh- ter, installed in a beautiful home at Lima, where, when not absent professionally, Dr. Miller enjoys the resources of an extensive library and, on occasion, dispenses hospitality to a. large social circle. He is a member of numerous educational organizations, both local and national, and belongs to the fraternal or- ders of Masons and Knights of Pythias. He is a man of striking personality, gifted both in mind and person. He possesses the courtesy that invites confidence, the geniality which at- tracts friends and the dignity which belongs to the eminent position in the educational world to which his own abilities have advanced him.
Dr. Miller is the editor of the historical de- partment of this work. His portrait is shown on page 16.
-P. N. C.
L. LEILICH. secretary and treasurer of the large industry of Delphos, known as the Delphos Can Company, is identified with many of the success- ful enterprises of this section, and is favorably known for his business enterprises throughout the State. Although an acknowl- edged factor in the city's largest business con- cerns, Mr. Leilich is still a young man, in the very prime of life. He was born July 9, 1865, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Schowoebel) Leilich.
The parents of Mr. Leilich have never left Germany. After a successful mercantile career, the father now lives retired. He has reason to
feel gratified with the material prosperity of every one of his 10 children.
H. L. Leilich enjoyed excellent educational advantages and the comforts of a happy and well- appointed home, but his ambition led him to look toward America for a career. He had an aunt living at Delphos, Ohio, and, with the intention of joining her, he left home and ar- rived in New York City in July, 1881. After joining his relatives at Delphos, he secured employment of various kinds and in the mean- time studied the English language, making such rapid progress that his teachers were surprised. In naming the various kinds of work this care- fully nurtured youth assumed, in order to make his own way and prove to his father that he possessed independence of character, it may be stated that he worked on a railroad, in a woolen mill, on the bench in a shoe shop, and as clerk in the store attached, then as a blacksmith in the "Clover Leaf" railroad shops, again as a shoe clerk and then as a clothing salesman.
This brought him to 1893, in which year he purchased a half interest, with Felix Steinle, in the Delphos Brewing Company. The partner attended to the practical work, Mr. Leilich tak- ing charge of the office and outside business. He erected what are now the buildings of the Delphos Hardware Company, remaining with that concern for a period of four years, during which time he not only reaped large financial benefits for himself, but, through his energy and executive ability, developed the business into one of the most prosperous in Northern Ohio. His spirit of enterprise also led him to become interested in the oil industry, and for six months he was actively engaged in open- ing up nearly all the wells in the vicinity. He then became manager for R. G. Gillespie of Pittsburg, in the latter's large oil business. He left this position in order to take charge of the Delphos Can Company. This great industry was then in its infancy, the business of the con- cern being transacted in two rooms on East Second street, which are now occupied by the Fort Wayne, Van Wert & Lima Traction Com- pany for depot purposes. He succeeded F. C. Almy. In this connection he has been as suc- cessful as in previous enterprises.
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The officers of the Delphos Can Company are: A. B. King, of Delphos, president; C. Bruce Hartman, traveling salesman for the Columbus (Ohio) Buggy Company, vice-pres- ident; and H. L. Leilich, secretary, treasurer. and general manager. He prepared the sketch for Leech & Leech, architects of Lima, for the new brick building, which was completed in September, 1904, and it was under his personal direction that all the machinery has been in- stalled and set in operation, he having pre- viously purchased it, with the consent of the board of managers.
The large factory of the Delphos Can Com- pany, is located on Pierce street, near the tracks of the P., Ft. W. & C. Railway, thus being sup- plied with excellent shipping facilities. It is three stories high, of brick and concrete con- struction, is fitted throughout with all modern conveniences and can accommodate a large force of men. The building is 120 feet deep, with a 60 foot frontage, together with a ware- house 30 by 70 feet, and well-arranged office 20 by 43 feet. The machinery, which consists of 18 standing power presses, 8 foot presses, and 4 double seaming machines, 3 to a set and 4 sets in use-are propelled by a 35-horse power engine of the most modern construc- tion, with gasoline as fuel, which, when neces- sary, will be replaced by a larger one. The equipment include machinery for the making of every kind of can, including special dies and tools. The plant has a capacity of one car-load a day, besides local shipments. The output of cans for August, 1905, was 22,000.
A full automatic double seamer is now in use, by which one can is turned off while an- other is being prepared. It is a joint inven- tion of Mr. Leilich, and is so simple in con- struction that a child can operate it. Mr. Leil- ich has withdrawn all individual rights to it. The company is preparing to add largely to its manufactured articles. The management now makes use of factory scraps, thereby utilizing all waste by converting this material into caps, fills, etc. They also manufacture wooden mal- lets, and have automatic turning lathes and various other articles of the greatest utility. The company prides itself on using only the
very best material and employs only skilled labor. Among the many products of the fac- tory which have gained merited public approba- tion may be mentioned-the "Delphos" gem pan; the "Delphos" non-overflow can; the "Delphos" druggists' dispenser ; the never-leak spout and faucet cans; the "Delphos" non-over- filling factory dispenser; the long-handled dust pan; the "Delphos" oil can; the "Delphos" ro- tary corn popper, an improved device, with the handle so constructed that the hands can never be burned. The company has lately purchased another factory-that of the Toledo Tinware Manufacturing Company-and this addition will give them almost unlimited resources in their line of business.
Mr. Leilich has a most complete system of bookkeeping. He issues a statement to the company every six months, and the auditing committee has access to his books at all times. He is a large advertiser, and at present has over $6,000 invested in the columns of various farming journals, mainly exploiting the com- pany's non-overflow pump can and other, spe- cialties. By advice of their attorney the com- pany bought every patent overflow can patent, which has been issued since 1890. A great suit between the Delphos Can Company and the Standard Can Company (through Church & Church, Washington attorneys, and Owen & Owen and Seaney & Johnson, of Toledo), in the United States Circuit Court for the North- ern District of Ohio, was pending nearly two years, the public and the newspapers of that section being greatly interested in the outcome. The Delphos Can Company now has a patent under way in connection with their non-over- flow any-length can, and is preparing to push its merits throughout the United States.
Mr. Leilich was married October 29, 1884, to Louise Warner, who is a daughter of the late Jacob Warner, formerly a well known contrac- tor at Delphos. They have one son, Clarence, a partner in the drug store of King, Williams & Leilich and preparing for entrance at a col- lege of pharmacy. The family belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Leilich is a member of the Elks. Since 1896 he has been serving on the board of directors of the Delphos National
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Bank, and is vice-president, stockholder and director in the Delphos Building & Loan Asso- ciation. He has been identified with every re -! cent improvement of the city of Delphos, and: a notable fact is that everything to which he. has given his special attention has proved a success. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
J ACOB CLOYD RIDENOUR, one of; Lima's leading attorneys, senior mem- ber of the law firm of Ridenour &! Halfhill, was born in Lima, March 9, 1860, and is one of a family of five; children born to his parents, Jacob and Dorcas! (Dixson) Ridenour.
Mr. Ridenour is of Scotch and German! descent. His ancestors came to this country at! an early date and located in the States of Maryland and Pennsylvania. His great-grand -: father was a soldier in the American Army during the War of 1812. His grandfather re- moved from Maryland to Ohio in 1820, and: settled in Perry County-after 10 years' resi -; dence there locating in Allen County as one of; its pioneer settlers.
Jacob Ridenour, the father of our subject, was born and reared in this county. His wife, Dorcas, was a daughter of Jacob Dixson, de -; ceased, who in early life was a prominent farm- er of Licking County, Ohio, and later a resi -! dent of Allen County. In 1862, when his son, Jacob Cloyd, was two years of age, Jacob Ridenour joined the Union Army as a private! in the 118th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf. He served in the East and took part in many of the hard fought battles waged by the Army of the Po- tomac under Hooker, Burnside, Meade and, Grant. He died in camp at Washington, D. C., February 5, 1865.
Jacob Cloyd Ridenour was reared on a farm near Lima and obtained his preliminary educa- tion in the common schools of this county. He then entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada where he was graduated in the scientific department in 1882, and then became a student of law in the State University of Iowa, from which he graduated in June, 1885. On the
23rd of that month he was admitted to prac- tice in both the State and Federal courts of Iowa. Soon afterward he returned to Ohio and accepted the principalship of the LaRue High School. On June 2, 1886, he was ad- mitted to the Ohio bar, after successfully. pass- ing the examination before the State Supreme Court. He at once engaged in practice in his native city, soon showing that ability which has made his career one of unusual success. On June 21, 1886, he formed a partnership with Gideon Ditto, which continued until the latter's death in July, 1887. On September .I, 1887, Mr. Ridenour formed his present part- nership with James W. Halfhill, which com- bination of legal talent has proved one of great strength. The offices of the firm are. at No. 51 Public Square. In all the attributes nec- essary for legal success, Mr. Ridenour has been liberally endowed, and it is safe to say that no name in the various courts of North- western Ohio, is more favorably known than his. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Associa- tion.
Mr. Ridenour was married to Maggie Bowsher, a daughter of Anthony Bowsher, and they have three children. The family res- idence is located at No. 631 West Market street.
In political matters and public affairs Mr. Ridenour has taken a very active interest. He is a stanch Democrat and from January 1, 1894, to January 1, 1900, was prosecuting at- torney of his county. In 1900 he was a dele- gate to the National Democratic Convention from the Fourth Congressional District of Ohio. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Elks.
R T. GREGG, one of Lima's leading business men, is a member of the mer- cantile firm of R. T. Gregg & Com- pany, and has been a resident of the city since 1901. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, December 4, 1861, and is a son of the late Thomas Gregg, a well-
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known merchant who died in Fairfield County, in 1886.
R. T. Gregg was a small boy when his par- ents removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. His business life has been devoted almost entirely to mercantile pursuits, being inaugurated as a clerk in a dry goods house at Baltimore, Fairfield County. In 1887 he engaged in a mercantile business at Tiffin, as a member of the firm of C. F. Hansberger & Company, which continued for 14 years as the leading establishment of its kind in that city. In 1901 Mr. Gregg located in Lima and established the firm of R. T. Gregg & Company, in the Black Block. He has sole charge of this concern, which is classed among the leading mercantile enterprises of the city. He enjoys an enviable reputation both for the excellence of his complete stock of merchandise, as well as for the business in- tegrity on which his success is founded.
In 1886 Mr. Gregg was married to Emma Beery, who is a daughter of Louis Beery, one of the leading men of Fairfield County: Mr. and Mrs. Gregg have three children : Ray Beery, a student in the Lima High School; Margaret Kathryn, and Robert T., Jr.
Mr. Gregg is a member and liberal support- er of the Presbyterian Church at Lima, and is identified, fraternally, with the Knights of Py- thias.
A DAM STEINER, who is engaged in carrying on agricultural operations on his farm in Richland township, in section 35, was born on this farm September 16, 1854, and has always lived in Richland township. He is a son of John S. and Katherine (Steiner) Steiner. The grandfather, John Steiner, was a native of Alsace, France, where John S. Steiner, the father of our subject, was born in 1816. Three years later the family removed to Switzerland, and in 1826 came to the United States. They took up their residence in Wayne County, Ohio, and for many years struggled with pio- neer conditions.
At the age of 21 years John S. Steiner was married to Katherine Steiner, a second cousin,
and the young people at once located in Allen County, where they entered a tract of 160 acres, which has been the homestead since. Later Mr. Steiner bought 80 acres more and still later another 80, a great part of which was cleared and put under cultivation. Mrs. Steiner was born in Switzerland, which was also the birthplace of her parents, Ulrich and Barbara Steiner, and she was a child of three years when her parents came to America. The children of John S. Steiner and wife were as follows: Levi, deceased; Joseph, of Richland township; Emanuel, deceased; Aaron, de- ceased; Emma, deceased; Adam; Regina, of Richland township; Leah, of Hancock Coun- ty; Magdalene, of Richland township; Bar- bara, deceased; Fannie, deceased; and one that died in infancy. John S. Steiner was a Demo- crat and a consistent member of the Mennon- ite Church. He died in the spring of 1900, having rounded out a useful and honorable life. His widow still resides on the home farm and is tenderly cherished by her children.
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