USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 42
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 42
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Dr. Bennett grew to manhood in this vicinity, attending the district schools until he entered the high school at Mt. Wash- ington, which he attended for two terms. When he was about nineteen years of age, he and an older brother conducted a store at Withamsville, continuing for several years in this oc- cupation. In September, 1873. Dr. C. A. Bennett was married to Miss Louisa Whitaker, of Withamsville. This union was blessed with one child. Lela Irene, who married Rev. Asa Kestle. They are the parents of two children, James Allen and Lois Winifred, and reside in Lebanon, Ohio.
When about twenty-five years of age, Dr. Bennett began to read medicine with his father, later attending the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. graduating in 1878. He began the prac- tice of medicine with his father: who was a prominent physi- cian of the county for nearly fifty years, and has followed his profession in this vicinity continuously to the present time.
The second marriage of Dr. Bennett took place in 1882 to Miss Sarah Laidley, who was born at Jeffersonville. Ind. They are the parents of one child, who died in infancy.
Mr. Bennett owns a farm of twenty-three and one-half acres. which came to him from his father. Politically. he is a Demo- crat and fraternally holds membership with the Free and Ac- cepted Masons at Withamsville. having joined J. B. Covert Lodge. No. 437. in 1875. The lodge building was burned ser- eral years later and the lodge has since been located at Tobasco. Dr. Bennett has served in the various offices in the lodge. In addition he is a member of the order of United American Mechanics.
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During the years he has spent in the village of Withamsville, Dr. Bennett has made many friends, both professionally and socially, and has the warm regard of the entire community.
GEORGE G. JONES.
Mr. George G. Jones is known throughout the manufacturing circles of Clermont county, Ohio, as a. man of unquestioned integrity and sound business judgment, combined with a never failing courtesy to all with whom he is called upon to meet. The present prosperous condition of the Jones Heel Manu- facturing Company, of which he is president and active general manager, is largely due to his energetic efforts.
Mr. Jones is not a native of Clermont county, his birth hav- ing occurred at Fishing Creek, Pa., on December 5, 1872. He is a son of Francis W. and Monema (Gregory) Jones, the former of whom was a miller of Fishing Creek. Pa.
George G. Jones was reared and educated at Fishing Creek, until he was about eighteen years of age, when he entered the Valparaiso University, in the class of 1892, and was grad- uated from the scientific department with the degree of Bach- elor of Science. He then entered upon the study of civil engi- neering, which he followed for a short period.
The real business career of the subject of this review began at Orangeville, Pa., in 1894, when he entered into a partnership for the manufacture of shoe heels. In this venture he met with a reasonable success until in 1903, when he was visited by an unfortunate fire, which carried away his entire business. He was only partially reimbursed by insurance, but with his ac- customed optimism did not allow his misfortune to master him, for in 1905 he was again in business.
Mr. George G. Jones was married in New York City, on De- cember 4, 1897, to Miss Ruby Jean DeLong, of Orangeville, Pa., where she was born and received her education. She is a daughter of Jerome B. and Flora (Golder) DeLong.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of four children :
Mabel Jeannette was born at Orangeville, Pa., May 20, 1902.
Rebecca Jean was born at Orangeville. Pa., December 30, 1903.
Frances Louise was born at Batavia, Ohio. December 22, 1905.
George G., Jr., was born at Batavia, Ohio, February 7. 1911.
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In political views, Mr. Jones is a Republican, but is not an office seeker, prefering rather the quiet and peace of the private citizen. His first ballot was cast for President Mckinley.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his former home he was a teacher of the normal class in Sunday school. In 1907 he became a mnem- ber of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Batavia, of which he has served as senior warden and has taken the royal arch degree.
Although he has been in Clermont county but seven years, Mr. Jones has made himself a leading figure in the affairs of the county, and the town in which he is making his home.
FRANK L. COOK.
Frank L. Cook is a member of an old Ohio family and was the cashier of the Milford National Bank, which position he held for eighteen years. He was born at Lebanon, Ohio. Sep- tember 18, 1859, and is a son of James and Mary F. (Jame- son) Cook, the former a farmer living near Morrow, Ohio.
The boyhood days of Frank L. Cook were spent on the farm, where he attended the common schools, and at the age of eighteen years he passed the teacher's examination, although he never used his certificate. He engaged on a farm for nine months at eighteen dollars per month and board, which he considered better remuneration than the salary of a teacher. At the end of nine months he accepted a position with Mr. John A. Jameson, at South Lebanon, who was the agent and operator for the Pennsylvania Railway Company. Here he did general work around the station and learned telegraphy in spare time. He was in this apprenticeship for two years, after which he became night operator at Foster. Ohio, and served in this capacity for eighteen months, when he was promoted to assistant agent and baggage master at Morrow, Ohio.
On the 22d of November, 1881, he was married' to Miss Emma B. Greely, the ceremony taking place at Morrow. She was born near Maineville, Ohio, a daughter of Board- man and Elmira (Fouche) Greely. Two years later Mr. Cook removed to Milford, where he had been engaged as agent and operator for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
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He held this position until in 1893, when he resigned to ac- cept a position with the Union Central Life Insurance Com- pany, in the actuary department, at the time when Mr. John Pattison was president. The following January he accepted the position of cashier of the Milford National Bank and served in that capacity continuously until July 19, 1912, when he became vice-president of the Second National Bank of Cincinnati, after it was reorganized.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been born seven children :
Lillie D., a graduate of the Milford High School.
Leonard E., a graduate of the Milford High School and of the Mueller School of Business, of Cincinnati. He died at the age of twenty-one years.
Howard B., a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, co-operative class of June, 1912, and is assistant chief en- gineer of Brownell Company, of Dayton, Ohio.
Mary, who after graduating from the high school of Mil- ford, was for two years a student of Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, in the fall of 1912 entered the Cincinnati Mis- sionary Training School.
Ruth is taking a course in domestic science at Miami Uni- versity. Oxford, after graduating at the Milford High School.
Charles Wesley and Esther are students of the Milford High School, class of 1914.
Mr. Cook cast his first Presidential ballot for James A. Garfield, being a Republican in politics, until recently he became an advocate of the principles of the Progressive party. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cook became members of the Methodist church, of which he has served in the capacity of trustee, treasurer and a teacher in the Sunday school. He is an enthusiastic worker in the church and is widely and favorably known as a representative of one of the oldest of Ohio families. His district conference sent him as a delegate to the general conference at Minneapolis in 1912. and both he and his wife are people of genuine worth and have many friends in this part of the State.
II. IL. HILI ..
Among the self-made of this generation Mr. H. H. Hill is one of those keenly alive to all of the possibilities opening be- fore him, industrious and upright in character. and although
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still a young man in years, he has achieved remarkable suc- cess. . Mr. Hill is a member of the Hay and Grain Company, of Milford, Ohio, buyers and shippers of hay and grain, han- dling in addition the best grade of farm implements.
Mr. Hill was born at Cincinnati, June 24, 1872, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara ( Wilde) Hill, residents of Withamsville, Ohio, who conducted a grocery at Cincinnati for many years. Our subject received his education in the public schools of Cincinnati and at the age of nine years began assisting his parents by selling the "Evening Telegram." He continued in the newspaper business for two years, turning his earnings over to his parents, and when fourteen years old left school, after which he entered the employ of Mr. Prescott Smith, a lawyer of Cincinnati, as office boy. He remained in this position but a short time. leaving to accept a position with Granger & Hunt, leading lawyers, and continued there for two years. During his engagement with this law firm he took up the study of shorthand and typewriting, which he learned without a teacher. In 1889, Mr. Hill engaged with the firm of Orr & Granger, grain dealers, as stenographer, and in this office learned the grain business. He was in the employ of Mr. Granger for fourteen years, and while managing a grain elevator at Dayton, Ind .. he met and mar- ried Miss Della Thomson. Mrs. Hill was born at Dayton, Ind .. January 3. 1875. and is a daughter of A. J. and Annie (Casner) Thomson. In 1893. Mr. Hill embarked in the grain business for himself in Cincinnati, and for a time the family . resided at that place, coming to Milford in 1995. from which place he still conducted his business in Cincinnati. Since 1909 he has been in the grain business in Milford.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hill are three children :
Forrest, who was born at Dayton. Ind., is a graduate of the Milford High School and has attended the Ohio State University for one year.
Esther was also born at Dayton and is a graduate of the Milford High School.
Elizabeth was born at Cincinnati.
Evelyn died in infancy.
In political views Mr. Hill favors the principles of the Republican party and cast his first Presidential vote for William McKinley. in 1806. He has filled the office of mayor by appointment, and was elected to that office for a two-years' term.
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Mr. Hill holds membership in the Free and Accepted Ma- sons of Milford, having become a member first in the Hoff- ner lodge at Cincinnati. Ile is serving his second term as high priest in the Milford Chapter. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Clermont Lodge No. 49, and is right supporter to the vice-noble grand and has served as left supporter to the noble grand. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Eastern Star, of which the latter has been worthy matron and the former worthy patron. In religious matters they are believers of the Uni- versalist faith and are active in the church affairs of that organization.
Mr. H. H. Hill began his business life with no capital, but a strong heart and a clear brain, and by his genial manner, unfaltering courtesy and deference for the opinions of oth- ers, he has not only made himself popular in a social way, but has made many business friends.
GEORGE McCAMMON.
Mr. George McCammon, now living retired at Milford, Ohio, after an active and honorable connection with the farming in- terests and business affairs of this vicinity, was born at San Francisco, Cal., August 14, 1860.
The family was originally from the north of Ireland, the grandfather having emigrated to America when a young lad. He settled at Cincinnati when that city consisted of some half-dozen houses. He became a contractor and shipbuilder and amassed a large fortune by reason of his industry and keen management. He married Miss Ellen McGinnis, and one of their children, William McCammon, who was born at Cincinnati, learned the saddlery and hardware business at that place. and later he engaged in business on his own ac- count. Subsequently he removed to San Francisco and con- ducted a hardware store for about fifteen years. At Sacra- mento, Cal., on the 14th of August, 1856, was celebrated the marriage of William McCammon and Miss Mary Ann Burke, of New Orleans, and to their union were born four sons, two of whom died in childhood. The other sons, George and William P .. came with their parents to Ohio, in 1864, settling on a farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Warren county,
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not far from Hopkinsville. The parents lived on this farm for twenty-four years and in 1888 returned to Cincinnati, where the father engaged in the real estate business until his death, May 26, 1909. His widow has since resided at 406 Broadway, Cincinnati, keeping up the home where for twen- ty-one years she and her husband spent many pleasant hours.
George McCammon grew to young manhood on the farm, receiving a good schooling and practical experience. While paying a visit to his mother's people at New Orleans he be- came acquainted with Miss Anna McCann, whom he after- ward married. They are the parents of the following chil- dren : George R., William H. and John A. McCammon.
George R., who was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, February 25, 1892, was a student of the public school and later attended Miller's Business College. He was married at Newport, Ky., October 14, 1911, to Miss Mabel E. Prather, who was a na- tive of Clermont county. They have one child, named Viola Marie McCammon, born July 13, 1912.
William H. was born at Hopkinsville, Ohio, March 27, 1893.
John A. was born at Milford, Ohio, November 15, 1894.
Mr. William P. McCammon, brother to our subject, is the enterprising editor of the Milford Record.
In political views Mr. George McCammon was reared a Republican, although he has never accepted office. He is a Catholic in religious faith and has reared his children in the same faith. Mr. McCammon is a good citizen, a loyal friend and a splendid neighbor. His kindly manner and friendly disposition have made for him lifelong friends.
WILLIAM J. LOCKWOOD.
William J. Lockwood, one of the leading and substantial business men of Milford, Ohio, is the junior member of the Milford Hardware Company, whose place of business is lo- cated on Main street. Mr. Lockwood was born on Betts street, Cincinnati, May 3. 1860, and is a son of Augustus and Anna (Lightner) Lockwood. of whom the former was a leather dealer.
William Lockwood attended school until about the age of fourteen years. when he became an apprentice in a plumbing
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establishment, receiving three dollars per week for the first year, which was raised to seven dollars per week for the sec- ond year, and at the end of the fourth year he was earning eighteen dollars per week and was considered a journeyman. He held a position with one man for seven years, after which he embarked upon the plumbing business for himself on Western avenue, where he continued for six years.
The marriage of Mr. Lockwood to Miss Anna Louisa Denier was celebrated August 27, 1884, at Cincinnati, where Miss Denier was reared. They became the parents of five children :
Amelia, who was born at Cincinnati, is the wife of George Molitor, and resides in Miami township and has five sons.
Clara was born in Cincinnati, became the wife of Frank Farson, of Cincinnati. They have one child.
Edwin A. was born in Miami township. married Abbie Kilinger, and they are residents of Cincinnati. where he is an engineer.
Ada, who was born in Miami township, is at home.
James is also at home.
In 1891 Mr. Lockwood removed with his family to Miami township, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and two acres. near Mt. Repose, following the occupation of farming continuously until in 1904, when he entered into partnership with A. W. Dietrich in the business in which he is now en- gaged. The company enjoys a liberal patronage and has one of the most complete stores of the kind in the county.
In political views, Mr. Lockwood favors the Democratic party, but in no sense a politician. He was elected a member of the council in the spring of 1912.
He is a useful citizen. an honest. upright business man and a loyal friend and neighbor. He is interested in his home town and is active in all public affairs.
JACOB WOLFER.
The German element is an important one in our American citizenship. The sons of Germany have come to the new coun- try, and have readily adapted themselves to the conditions in the new world. manifesting habits of industry and persever- ance that is ever characteristic of the race. To this class of
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citizens belongs Mr. Jacob Wolfer, the prosperous proprietor of one of the first class meat markets of Milford, located on Main street.
Mr. Wolfer was born at Wirtemberg, Germany, March 30, 1836, and is a son of John and Christina (Walz) Wolfer. The father was a highly educated man, and held many government offices, including county surveyor, treasurer and other im- portant offices.
Jacob Wolfer attended school until he was fourteen years of age, studying German, Latin and French. When fourteen years of age, Jacob became an apprentice in a butcher shop, and later traveled from place to place working at his trade. When he had reached the age of seventeen, he and a younger brother, John C., but fourteen, set out for America, arriving in New York after a storm tossed voyage, in which masts were lost and there was great danger of ship wreck. At once upon their arrival in New York, our subject engaged in a shop, working at his trade, while his brother found employment in a grocery. The brothers had studied English on the way over so they learned the language very rapidly. After a year spent in New York, the brothers came west as far as Philadelphia, where the younger brother learned the wagon maker's trade and Jacob worked at the butcher business. There they spent three years, coming to Warren county, Ohio, about 1857 or 1858, and settling at Morrow.
Mr. Jacob Wolfer was married to Barbara Soth at Morrow, May 20, 1860. Miss Soth was born at Baden, Germany, and is a daughter of David and Barbara (Pfrimmer) Soth, who came to America when she was about fourteen years of age, and set- tled on a farm near Pleasant Plain, Warren county, Ohio, in 1860.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wolfer have been born four children :
William Frederick is not yet married and is at home.
Emma Wilhelmina, was among those of the first class to graduate from the Milford High School. She also took a course in kindergarten work at Cincinnati, where she is now teaching.
Charles Jacob, died about the age of thirty-four years, leav- ing a wife, but no children.
Edgar David is married and has one child. He is an as- sistant in his father's market.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wolfer located in
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Milford and in 1863 engaged in the business which has grown to substantial proportions. Everything in the market is first class, consequently gives entire satisfaction.
Mr. Wolfer is a Democrat and has served for several years as councilman of Milford. In 1868, he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, filling all the chairs and representing his local lodge at the grand lodge, being deputy grand patriarch.
Although both Mr. Wolfer and his wife were reared in the Lutheran church they have since maturity embraced the faith of the Methodist church, being active workers in all worthy affairs. They are both pleasant people to meet and show great attachment for the home and family, also being inter- ested in the development of their town and the surrounding country along progressive lines as well. They are greatly re- spected and enjoy the hearty friendship of their townspeople.
JOHN G. ERION.
John G. Erion is well and favorably known in this section of the country and as the superintendent of the Milford Water Works, and as a first class engineer, whose home is on the cor- ner of Council and Beach streets. He was born at Foster's Landing, Bracken county, Kentucky, November 14, 1854, his parents being George and Ann (Neable) Erion.
George Erion was born and partly reared at Wiltemberg, Germany, where he learned the stone mason's trade, and at the age of sixteen years settled in Clermont county, where he mar- ried a playmate of his childhood, who was also a native of Wiltemberg, Germany, and came to America when she was eighteen, with her parents. They settled on the Judge Norris farm near Williamsburg, and resided there for about seven years, and for one year lived near Camp Dennison, moving to the Griffith farm near Batavia, remaining there three years. Their next move was to Spencer county, Indiana, where they purchased a farm and there they spent their declining years.
In 1871, John G. Erion entered a machine shop as an appren- tice, receiving for the first year. three dollars per week, the second year he was advanced to five dollars per week, the third year his wages were again raised to twelve dollars. He spent three years and eight months in this shop, and when he
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left was drawing eighteen dollars per week. During the time he was learning his trade, the father died and his brother, Christian, operated the farm for one year, when he passed away, which made it necessary for John to return home to look after the farm and his mother. In a short time he and his mother sold the farm and returned to Clermont county in 1878, purchasing a small home at Batavia, where, July 10, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Walker, of Madison- ville, Ohio, who is a daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (Matz) Walker.
In 1879, Mr. Erion went into the grocery business and for seven years he was very successful. He sold out in 1886 to engage in the threshing business, which he conducted several years, and also had a saw mill, and at the end of ten years he found himself swamped. He then hired out to run an en- gine and to do whatever he could find to do. He became engi- neer of the Batavia Elictric Light & Water Works and held that position more than three years, resigning to accept his present position, moving his family to Milford.
Mr. and Mrs. Erion became the parents of twelve children, of whom seven are living :
Anna, died at the age of six years.
William, died when two years of age.
Christian H. B., is a graduate of two schools of correspon- dence, and is the present chief engineer of the Cincinnati, Georgetown & Portsmouth Railway Power Plant, at Highland . Park. He married Miss Ola Bryant, of Williamsburg, and they have had six children, four still living.
Mary, married Charles Williams and resides at 1535 Jones street, Cincinnati. They are the parents of two children.
Dora, married Charles Herman, who is chief gardener at Rest Home, at Wyoming, Ohio.
Albert, is an electrician at Cincinnati.
Frank died in infancy.
Raymond, at home, is studying electrical and steam engi- neering.
Wright is a student in the high school at Milford.
Bessie R., at home.
James and Julius died in infancy.
In politics, Mr. Erion was reared a Democrat, although he is independent in his views. He cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden in 1876 and was twice elected assessor of Batavia township. He is a Mason and has filled all the
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chairs in his local lodge, his membership being at Batavia. Mr. Erion and his family are members of the German United Brethren church of Batavia, and are liberal in their support of all worthy enterprises.
JOHN B. WINSPEAR.
The character of a community is always judged by its rep- resentative citizens and to this class Mr. John B. Winspear belongs. He is a prominent and enterprising man of affairs in Clermont county, Ohio, where he has made his home since 1876.
John B. Winspear was born at Ashland, Ky., June 17, 1873, and came to Clermont county, Ohio, with his parents, Whee- lock and Ellen (Rowe) Winspear, who previously settled in Pierce township in 1858. Wheelock was, however, engaged in business for some two years, 1872-74, in Ashland, Ky.
Wheelock Winspear is a native of New York, his birth hav- ing occurred at Buffalo. He is a son of John and Catherine (Wheelock ) Winspear, the latter of whom was born in Eng- land. John Winspear was a tailor by trade, but followed the occupation of farming after his settlement in America, and passed away in Clermont county, in 1877. in his sixty-ninth year. Catherine (Wheelock) Winspear was born in Edin- . burgh, Scotland, in 1817, and died July 9, 1892. They were both members of the Christian church. To their union were born three sons and two daughters:
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