USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 116
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.At the usual age Alanson Reynold Crandall entered the public schools of Xenia, but was forced to leave school at an early age. his father having died when he was but eight years old. It was his ambition and al- most his necessity to assist in maintaining his widowed mother and two younger sis- ters. When yet a young lad he entered the clothing house of Phillipp Simmons, who was of Jewish faith but a polished gentle- man and a most noble friend to his boy clerk. Ile remained with Mr. Simmons until the latter sold his business to Benjamin Bruel, by whom he was employed for many years. In 1873 Mr. Bruel was unable to continue longer in business owing to fail- ing health, and he made it possible by a gen- erous offer and easy terms for Mr. Cran-
The members of the Hagler family in Greene county need no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the representa- tives of the name are widely known in this portion of the state. where from pioneer times to the present the Haglers have taken an active and valued part in promoting pub- lic progress and improvement. Moses Al- len Hagler, of this review, is a wide-awake and energetic farmer of Xenia township. He was born in this locality, October 9. 1854, and is a son of William L. and Mary 1 .. Hagler. He remained under the parental roof until about thirty-five years of age. His youth was spent in the acquirement of a good English education in the public schools and in work upon the home farm, where
M. A. HAGLER
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through the summer months he assisted in the labors from the time of planting until crops were harvested. His first independent business venture was in connection with his brother, with whom he purchased one hun- dred acres of land, and to the cultivation and improvement of this tract they gave their attention, whereby they gained a com- fortable competence, and, investing their ac- quired capital in more land, they eventually had a valuable farm of two hundred acres. Later the business relations between them was discontinued and our subject took one hundred acres, which he transformed into a valuable and highly productive farm. In 1899 he erected a fine dwelling upon his place. It is built in an attractive style of architecture, supplied with hot water and with every modern convenience, in fact, it is ·one of the best homes in this part of the county, and the other improvements on the farm are in keeping therewith. He has an excellent orchard covering twenty acres, in- cluding peach, plum and apple trees. His principal business, however, is in small fruits, having sold as high as eight hundred bushels annually. His knowledge of horti- culture is comprehensive and that he has a practical understanding of the business is indicated by the large amount of fruit raised. His place is called the Ridge View Fruit farm. Mr. Hagler also gives his attention to the cultivation of various cereals and to stock-raising.
On the 21st of October. 1892, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Mar- tha A. Wead, who was born in Xenia town- ship, and is a daughter of Joseph Wead, who died May 8, 1901, at the age of nearly eighty years. In his political views Mr. Hagler is a Republican, and has always espoused the principles of that party. Both he and his
wife hold membership in the First United Presbyterian church of Xenia. They are well known in the city and in their neigh- borhood, and by the possession of those qualities, which in every land and clime command respect, they have won many friends. The career of Mr. Hagler has been one of unfaltering industry and through strong purpose and diligence he has worked his way upward to the plane of affluence.
JAMES PARKER CHEW.
James Parker Chew, proprietor of the Xenia Daily and Semi-weekly Gazette, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, April IO, 1832. He received a common school education in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of printer in the Herald office of that city.
He came west in the year 1851. Six months before he was of age, in the year 1852, he bought the Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Press. He resided at Lawrenceburg and conducted the paper except as to two or three short intervals, for twenty-five years. During this time he was also engaged in other business. He was deputy collector of internal revenue for seven years, collecting in that period over nine millions of dollars.
On November Ist, 1877, he bought the Xenia (O). Gazette, then a weekly paper. On November 27, 1881. he started the Xenia Daily Gazette and changed the weekly into a semi-weekly. In August. 1888. he bought the Xenia Torchlight and consolidated it with the Gazette. Both the daily and the semi-weekly papers have met with remark- able success, exceeding in circulation any papers in like sized towns in the state. J. P.
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Chew's son, W. B. Chew, and his son-in- cultivation. He possessed industry and en- law. J. O. McCormick, have been associated with him in the publication of the Xenia Gazette from the first.
On November 23. 1853. J. P. Chew was married to Miss Harriet Louisa Brown, of Lawrenceburg. Indiana, who continued his beloved life-companion for forty-seven years, until December 5. 1900. when she died quite suddenly of heart trouble. brought on by asthma from which she had long suffered. To them were born three children. W. B. Chew and Mrs. J. (). Mc- Cormick, both of Xenia, Ohio, and Mrs. W. E. Hopton, of Cincinnati.
DAVID E. BEAL.
David Elias Beal. of Bowersville. Greene county, is a citizen whose worth in the community has been recognized by elec- tions to public office on several occasions. Ile is now serving as assistant cashier in the bank of Bowersville, making his home in the town where he is classed among the repre- sentative and valued citizens. He was born in Caesars Creek township on the 30th of May, 1800, and is a son of Aaron 1. and Keziah Jane (Ary) Beal. The father was also a native of Caesars Creek township and his parents were George Beal and his wife. The latter bore the maiden name of Dris- coll. At an early date they came to Greene county, settling in Caesarscreek township. where the grandfather of our subject se- cured three hundred acres of land, all of which was covered with timber. He had to cut down the trees and clear away the brush in order to plow the fields and prepare the land for of the party, yet he has never consented to.
ergy. however, and in the course of time transformed his fields into a rich farm, upon which he spent his remaining days. His wife also died there and both were interred in the New Hope cemetery near Painters- ville.
The father of our subject pursued his education in a log school but his oppor- tunities in that direction were quite limited. Ilis training at farm labor. however, was not meager, and he assisted in the arduous task of developing new land. Under the parental roof he remained until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was mar- ried and started out in life on his own ac- count. He then purchased a small farm, ad- joining the old home, resided there for a long period and afterward removed to Jei- ferson township, in 1870. Here he pur- chased a farm about two miles southwest of the village of Bowersville. It was at first one hundred and sixty acres in extent, but at different times he added tracts of sixty. fifty-four and twelve acres, so that his farm became a large as well as a valuable one. It continued to be his residence until the spring of 1885. when he removed to Jamestown, Ohio, where he continued for two years. On the expiration of that period, however, he returned to the farm, where he continued for one year and then purchased another farm four miles west of Nenia, where he now lives. It is located in Sugar Creek township and has been his place of alode since 1888. Through the years of his active manhood Mr. Beal has continually added to his capital as the result of untiring energy and capable management of his business af- fairs. He is a Democrat in his political belief and strongly endorses the principles
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accept public office. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In their fam- ily were seven children: David E., of this review ; Samuel Lewis, who is living in Jef- ferson township; Charles Elmer, of the same township; Margaret Emma, the wife of S. S. Hollingsworth, of Clinton county : Mel- ville Franklin, who resides in Spring Val- ley township: Clara Jane, who died at the age of sixteen years ; and Clinton Price, who is still living with his parents.
In taking up the personal history of David E. Beal, we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely known in Greene county and who has many friends within its borders. When a little lad he entered the district schools near his home in Caesars Creek township, but when ten years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Jefferson township, where he continued his education, the school. how- ever, being situated across the line in Clinton county. He continued his studies until twenty-one years of age, being in attendance during the winter months, while in the sum- mer season he aided his father in the work of field and meadow. He was also for three months a student in Professor Smith's private school in Xenia, and a good educa- tion well prepared for him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He continued with his parents most of the time until his marriage, although after attaining his ma- jority he started out in life on his own ac- count. On the 16th of December, 1884. Mr. Beal was united in wedlock to Miss Flora B. Hampton, a native of Jefferson town- ship, and a daughter of Ezekiel and Martha (Birt ) Hampton.
After his marriage Mr. Beal purchased a farm upon which he lived for three years and then bought a small tract of land in
the southwest portion of Jefferson town- ship. Here he owns fifty acres of land. After farming for eight years in that place he came to Bowersville in 1897 and ac- cepted the position of assistant cashier in the bank and has since served in that capac- ity, being a leading representative of finan- cial interests in the town.
In 1885 Mr. Beal was elected township assessor and filled that position for three years. He then retired, but when a year had passed was again elected to that office. He is a Democrat in politics, stanch and firm in his advocacy of the party principles, and in 1897 he was elected a member of the city council of Bowersville. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a member of the Odd Fellows' so- ciety. A popular citizen, in manner he is genial and courteous and wherever known he is held in high esteem for his genuine worth.
CAPTAIN ANDREW S. FRAZER.
Captain Andrew S. Frazer is associated with many of the most prominent and im- portant business interests of Xenia and is the efficient cashier of the Xenia National Bank. He was born in Russellville, Brown county, Ohio, October 15, 1836, and is a son of John F. and Sarah ( Kelly ) Frazer. the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. The Frazer family is of Highland Scotch origin, and the grand- father of our subject came from Down, Ire- land. to the new world. settling in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where John F. Frazer was born. The grandfather was a weaver by trade and followed that pursuit through- out his entire business life. His son was
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reared to manhood in Brown county and there learned the trade of tanning, which he followed in early life. When his son was twelve years old he came to Greene county, Ohio, settling here in 1848. Here he purchased an interest in a dry goods establishment in Cedarville, there conduct- ing business for about forty years. He was married in all five times, and was the father of nine children. Ile passed away in . \u- gust, 1890, but the mother of our subject died in Brown county, Ohio, in 1846. Their children were Andrew S .. Mrs. M. J. Jack- son, of Olena, Illinois: and James K., of Sandusky, Ohio.
Captain Frazer acquired his early educa- tion in his native county and afterward con- tinned his studies in Cedarville, pursuing an academic course there. When old enough he entered his father's store and remained with him until 1859. when he opened a mer- chant's tailoring and clothing business in connection with John Gibney of Cedarville. the partnership continuing until after the in- auguration of the Civil war, when both joined the army. When the Captain donned the blue the agreement was that his partner was to remain and conduct the business, but after about a year Mr. Gibney also enlisted. Our subject became a member of Company F. Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. on the 24th of July, 1861, and while in the camp in this state he was made second lieu- tenant., Later he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and subsequently ap- pointed captain and quartermaster on the staff of General Piatt, who was appointed his first colonel. He participated in the en- gagements at Chapmanville, West Virginia. Princeton and Fayetteville, and at the last named place was quite seriously wounded in the left thigh. In June, 1864, he was
mustered out at Cincinnati on account of disability from wounds received in action.
Upon his return home the Captain found his business in a bad condition, owing to the incompetent management of those left in charge. and closed up his store. For three years he was unable to engage in business on account of wounds sustained at the front. In 1866 he was elected county au- ditor and served in that capacity for about eighteen years. In August, 1884. he was appointed cashier of the First National Bank of Xenia. then in liquidation, and in 1885 he entered the Xenia National Bank as assistant cashier, serving in that capacity for a few months. In January, 1886. how- ever, he was made cashier and has thus been connected with the institution contin- uously since, its success being largely at- tributable to his enterprise, capable manage- ment and keen discrimination. A man of resourceful business ability, he has extended his affairs into many other enterprises. He was director and treasurer of the Field Cordage Company and also of the Ohio Cordage Company, both of which have ceased to exist. At the present time he is director of the Hooven & Allison Company and director and president of the Buck- eye Shoe Manufacturing Company of Xenia. For about eight years he was treasurer of the Miami Telephone Company. retiring from that office on the ist of January. 1902. lle is also treasurer and director of the Home Building & Savings Company of Venia, director of the Little Miami Railroad Company and the Dayton & Western Rail- road.
On the end of November, 1870. Captain Frazer was united in marriage to Jennie Mitchell, of Attica. Indiana, who died in October, 1885. leaving two children: Clar-
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ence, who is now conducting a shoe store Spring Valley, and Della married Leroy in Nenia; and Katie, the wife of William Davis and lives in Dayton. A. Cork, of Toronto, Canada, by whom she has two children : Helen Frazer and Robert S. In October, 1887, the Captain was again married, his second union being with Miss Ruby H. Sexton, of Rushville, In- diana. In his fraternal relations the Cap- tain is connected with the Loyal Legion and for several years he served as commander of Cedarville Post, G. A. R. He also be- longs to the United Presbyterian church and in politics is a Republican, but of recent years has never desired or accepted office.
F. C. CAREY.
F. C. Carey, who is successfully carry- ing on farming in Spring Valley township. was born in the village of Ferry. Warren county, February 6, 1860, a son of Dr. Simeon and Ruth A. (Cornell ) Carey. The father engaged in the practice of medicine in Ferry for a short time and then removed to Doods where he carried on the milling business for his father. Joel Carey, who owned the mills there. Later they went to Mount Holly and resided upon a farm be- longing to Sylvanus Cornell, the maternal grandfather of our subject. His next re- moval brought the Doctor with his family to Spring Valley, where he engaged in the grocery business, but later established a drug store, and in connection with its con- duct resumed the practice of medicine. He spent his remaining days in Spring Valley, where he died in May 19, 1899, his widow. however, still making her home there. Of their three children F. C. Carey is the eldest. Flora Alice is the wife of Dr. S. E. Dyke, of
Under the parental roof the son was reared and when nineteen years of age be- gan business on his own account, operating land which belonged to his father. As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Viola Thomas, the mar- riage being celebrated in Lebanon, Warren county, September 23, 1886. The lady was born in that county near Waynesville, her parents being Frank and Sara ( Servis) Thomas, the former a farmer of Warren county. Three children have been born of this marriage: Lola Pearl, born in this county. July 10, 1888; Raymond, who died at the age of two years; and Alice Ruth, born June 18, 1898. Throughout the greater part of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Carey have resided upon a farm and he is an enterprising and successful agri- culturist who, by his close adherence to modern scientific methods and practical judgment, has secured good crops which bring to him a satisfactory income.
Mr. Carey is recognized as a leading and prominent representative of the Demo- cratic party in this county, having supported the organization since casting his first presi- dential vote for Cleveland in 1884. Was elected a trustee of Spring Valley township. serving for two successive terms, and re- ceived a very flattering vote for he had to overcome the usual Republican majority of one hundred. By a majority of twenty-five he was elected land appraiser in 1900. In 1888 he removed to Spring Valley, where for four years he was engaged in the boot and shoe business, and while there was elected a member of the city council, re- ceiving every vote cast in his ward with the exception of two-which was certainly
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highly complimentary and indicated his per- sonal popularity and the confidence repose in him by his fellow citizens. For four years he was a member of the central com- mittee of the township, was a member of the executive committee of the county and for one year was its treasurer. He has been a delegate to the state convention in Cleveland, Dayton and Zanesville. and his opinions carry weight in the councils of his party, while his efforts have been effective in augmenting Democratic strength in his county. He is also quite prominent in fra- ternal circles, belonging to New Burling- ton Lodge, No. 574. F. & A. M .. and Spring Valley Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F .. in which he has filled all the chairs and is past grand. Hle is a charter member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, has filled all of its offices in the local organiza- tions, is treasurer and also representative to the state lodge. Both he and his wife are identified with the auxiliary and she is at present associate vice council of the Daugh- ters of America. She also belongs to the Christian Church of Owens. Mr. Carey is a charter member of Spring Valley Camp. No. 8480. M. W. . A., and is now venerable consul. Mr. Carey is a typical American citizen, energetic and progressive in busi- ness, interested in public affairs, and having due regard to the social amenities which go to make up so much of the sum of human happiness.
W. L. MILLER.
Among the younger members of the legal profession in Xenia is W. L. Miller, but his years seem to be no bar to his prog- ress as an attorney for already he has won
success as a lawyer that many an older prac- titioner might well envy. He was born at Trebein. Greene county, Ohio, August 2. 1872. and is the second son of W. J .. and Sarah E. ( Steele) Miller. also natives of Greene county. James Miller, the grand- father of our subject, was one of three brothers who came to Ohio from the vicin- ity of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and lo- cated on Beaver creek in this county, thus becoming pioneer settlers of this portion of the state. James Miller was a carpenter and farmer and possessed considerable mechani- cal ingenuity. His son, William J. Miller. carried on the business of farming. He wedded Sarah E. Steele, a native of this county and a representative of one of its pioneer families. They became the parents of six children, of whom five are now liv- ing, W. L., of this review: Jessie, at home ; Clarence O., who is now employed as a bookkeeper but makes his home with his parents; James A. and Elizabeth, who are also at home. By a former marriage the father had one son, Grant, who now resides at Trebein, and is engaged in farming.
W. L. Miller continued his education until he had completed the course of the township high school and then engaged in teaching in the district schools of his town- ship. He afterwards spent three years as a student in the law office of Little & Spencer. of Xenia. and then became a mem- ber of the senior class in the law depart- ment of the Ohio State University, in which he was graduated with the class of 1895, but in December of the previous year he was admitted to the bar. Immediately after his graduation he opened an office in Xenia and has since been engaged in the general prac- tice of his profession. He soon demon- strated his ability to handle intricate liti-
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gated interests and now has a good client- cabin, but he at once began to clear and age, which is continually growing. develop the land and soon rich harvests re-
Mr. Miller served for four years as , turned to him the golden tribute to his United States commissioner for the south- labors. Upon that farm he and his wife ern district of Ohio. He is a member of spent their remaining days. He built there a large log house, a substantial barn, and is known as one of the progressive agricul- turists of the community. His political sup- port was given the Democracy, but the hon- ors or emoluments of office have no attrac- tion for him. He and his wife were buried upon the old Petro farm in the family bury- ing ground. They had three children : Henry. the father of our subject : Mary, the wife of Samuel Miller; and Catherine. the wife of Paul Petro. Xenia Lodge, No. 49, F. & A. M., and Xenia Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M. He is also identified with Xenia Lodge, No. 668, B. P. O. E., and is a member of Silver Star Lodge, No. 668, K. P. He is a member ot the Reformed church, and his cooperation is given to many movements and measures for the general good. He is a representa- tive of a high type of American manhood -- resolute, ambitious, determined, and ener- getic, interested in matters of citizenship, enjoying the pleasures of social life and alert to business opportunities and advan- tages.
PAUL P. WARNER.
Paul Petro Warner. an enterprising and practical farmer of Bath township. Greene county, residing in the southern part of the township on the Fairfield and Zimmerman- ville pike, was born in the village of Fair- field, November 10, 1848, and comes of Dutch ancestry. He is a son of Henry and Harriet (Casad) Warner. The father was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, and was a son of George W. and Christina ( Harsh- man) Warner, both of whom were natives of Maryland. The former was a brickmaker by trade, and in 1829 removed with his family to the state of Ohio, spending one year in Dayton, after which he purchased a farm upon which our subject now resides, then compromising one hundred eight and one-half acres of wild land. The only im- provement upon the place was an old log
Henry Warner, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Maryland. His education was begun there, but was afterward con- tinued in Bath township. Greene county, Ohio. He worked with his father until after his marriage. when he rented land for a time and then removed to the village of Fairfield. In 1849, when our subject was only about six months old. he took up his abode upon the old homestead. His father had died and he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property. Upon this farm Henry Warner spent his remaining days. devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits in a way that bore to him a good living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warner were born ten children. eight of whom reached years of maturity: George, is now living in Fairfield. Ohio: Christina became the wife of John H. Koogler, whose name ap- pears on another page of this volume: Paul Petro, our subject. is the third in order of birth: Henry G., is a resident of Beaver Creek township: Sophia, who became the wife of Samuel Dillinger, resides in Bath township: Mary Alice, who became the wife
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