History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 43

Author: R. E. Lowry
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 985

USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 43

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Floyd O. Pansing was born March 21, 1886, in Clay township, Mont- gomery county, Ohio, a son of Frederick and Susan (Spitler) Pansing, who were the parents of thirteen children. Eight of these thirteen children are still living : Mrs. Matilda Snorf, of Montgomery county : William, a farmer of Montgomery county; Mrs. Nora Thomas, of Miami county; Mrs. Callie Beachler, of New Jersey: Mrs. Effie Beck, of Montgomery county; Dr. Holley, a physician of Phillipsburg, Ohio, who was graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati; Mrs. Bessie Gaskell, of Dayton, Ohio;

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and Floyd O., whose history is here presented. The deceased children are Mrs. Emma Snorf, Mrs. Ella Longnecker, Charles, Harley and Russell.

Frederick B. Pansing was born October 25, 1839, in Germany and left there with his parents when six years of age, settling in Montgomery county, this state. He engaged in farming in Montgomery county and remained there until his retirement in 1900, in which year he moved to Verona, this county. Frederick Pansing is an extensive land owner in Montgomery county. He was a county infirmary director for two years and was also township trustee in Clay township. He is now a director of the bank at Verona. His wife was born in April, 1847, in Miami county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick B. Pansing celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on Christmas Day, 1913, and both are still hale and hearty.

Floyd O. Pansing was reared on a farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, and attended the district and high school of Arcanum. After he finished his education he began teaching and taught for two terms in the district schools of Darke county. In July, 1906, he moved to Verona, and was employed as assistant cashier of the Farmers Bank of Verona. In 1912 Mr. Pansing went to Dayton and was employed by the Dayton Savings and Trust Company, where he remained until the Farmers Bank of Verona was organized, in 1914, and then became cashier of this bank.

The Farmers Bank of Verona is one of the strongest banks for the amount of its deposits in this part of the country. It is owned by a partner- ship, under state inspection, and the combined assets of the partners, to- talling a half million dollars, is a guaranty to depositors far in excess of the usual security back of a bank. Early in 1915 the bank moved into its beau- tiful new building, owned by and occupied exclusively by the bank. Mr. Pansing is a heavy stockholder in the bank and owns his home and other property in Verona.

In 1911 Floyd O. Pansing was married to Lucile Coppock, who was born December 1, 1891, at Laura, Miami county, Ohio, the daughter of Charles O. and Emma (Henderson) Coppock, natives of Miami county, Ohio, who are now living at West Milton. Mrs. Pansing was graduated from the West Milton high school and attended Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio, where she took a course in vocal music. She is a talented musician and is possessed of a voice of rare charm. One son has been born to this union, Floyd O., Jr.

Politically, Mr. Pansing is an ardent Republican and is one of the town councilmen of Verona. Religiously, he and his family are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Pansing is a member of the Masonic frater-

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nity at Lewisburg and of the chapter at Eaton and the Scottish Rite and Shrine at Dayton, Ohio. He was one of the youngest members of his class in the Scottish Rite. Floyd O. Pansing is entitled to much credit for the persistence with which he has applied himself to his chosen vocation. He possessed those qualities, however, at the outset which are certain to bring success and is highly respected and admired by the residents of Harrison township. He is interested in the prosperity and progress of his home town- ship and the surrounding country and deserves to rank as one of the fore- most citizens of the county.

ELLSWORTH J. HENRY.

Among those men of sterling strength of character who have im- pressed their vigorous personalities upon the communities of their residence, and who have borne their full share in the upbuilding and development of Preble county, Ohio, mention must not be omitted of Ellsworth J. Henry, of West Alexandria, who long has maintained his home in that thriving city, where he has exerted a strong influence for the good of the entire com- munity. Mr. Henry is a man of upright principles and is deeply interested in the advancement of his community along moral, educational and financial lines. At present he is the assistant cashier of the Farmers and Citizens Bank, of West Alexandria.

Ellsworth J. Henry was born March 4, 1872, in Warren county, Ohio, a son of William and Eliza (Throckmorton) Henry, and is one of three children born to his parents, the others being Mrs. Ella Crane, now de- ceased, and Mrs. Viola Minderman, of Farmersville, Ohio.

William Henry was born in 1840, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, and died in 1911. He was a son of Isaac and Lydia Henry. Mrs. William Henry, who, before her marriage, was Eliza Throckmorton, was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1844, a daughter of Edmund and Eliza (Keever) Throckmorton, natives of New Jersey, and early settlers of War- ren county. Her death occurred in 1813.

Ellsworth J. Henry was reared on a farm and attended the district schools of Twin township and the high school of West Alexandria. . In 1893 he began teaching school at Gratis township and continued in this work in that place for two terms, after which he went to West Alexandria, where he was engaged as a clerk in a general merchandise store for four

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years. Subsequently he was appointed postmaster of West Alexandria, holding that office for six years. He resigned this office to affiliate himself with the Farmers and Citizens Bank of West Alexandria, of which he is. now a stockholder and assistant cashier. Mr. Henry owns property in West. Alexandria and in Montgomery county, Ohio.

In the year 1896 Ellsworth J. Henry was married to Nettie Ramsey, who was born in 1862, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Benjamin and Matilda (Brower) Ramsey, natives of Preble county. Mr. and Mrs. Henry have no children.

Ellsworth J. Henry is a Republican and is now holding the office of clerk of public affairs in West Alexandria. He was a member of the board of education for nine years and also clerk of Twin township from 1892 to 1893. It is apparent from Mr. Henry's life story that he has been excep- tionally active in public affairs, and that he has filled more positions of public responsibility than most men. He is a man of strong religious im- pulses, and is an active, consecrated worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. Henry is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

GEORGE W. FLORY, M. D.

Preble county has many learned and able physicians and surgeons, none of whom surpasses Dr. George W. Flory in these respects. The phy- sician is one of the best-loved men in any community, because he commands the science which controls somewhat the closest of all ties. the home. The physician not only stands frequently at the parting of the ways between life and death, but he likewise wards off death by the power of his art. It is no cause for wonder, therefore, that the physician is much beloved among men, nor is it strange that Dr. George W. Flory is popular in the com- munity where he practices.

Dr. George W. Flory was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, May 26, 1862, the son of David and Lean ( Frantz) Flory, natives of Preble county, and of Springfield, Ohio, respectively. They were the par- ents of eleven children: Minerva, deceased; Dr. George W., of Eaton; Joseph, deceased : Mary Hannah, the wife of Rev. J. A. Cover, of Modesto, California ; Irvin; Martha, who became the wife of Dr. E. H. Brubaker, of Newcastle, Indiana ; William H., of Valley City, North Dakota; Jennie, the wife of Edward J. Rinehart, of Eaton, Ohio; Jesse D., who lives on the home

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farm near Camden, Ohio; Ada, the wife of George G. Garber, of Brook- ville, Ohio, and Elmer S., who lives on the home farm in Gratis township, in this county.

David Flory was reared on a farm in Gratis township, and has always followed the vocation of a farmer. He also was a minister in the German Baptist church, of the old school. He owned in the original farm one hun- dred acres of fine land, which he cleared and improved, and where he reared his family. As he prospered he gradually added to his original holdings until he was the owner of three hundred and ninety-six acres. He sold off about two hundred acres to his sons, and still lives on the home farm, having reached his eightieth year January 13, 1915. His wife died January 19, 1912, at the age of seventy-one.

The paternal grandparents of Dr. George W. Flory were Henry and Marylis (Pagan) Flory, natives of Roanoke, Virginia, and South Carolina, respectively, and early settlers in Preble county, Ohio, where they were farmers. Henry Flory died at the advanced age of ninety-three, and his wife at the age of ninety-five. They were the parents of Joseph, Elizabeth, Mrs. Nancy Brubaker, Abraham, David and Jacob.

The maternal grandfather of Doctor Flory was Daniel Frantz, an early settler in Clark county, Ohio, who lived six miles from Springfield. He was a farmer and died at an advanced age. His family consisted of the following children: Mrs. Hannah Ebersole, Israel, George, Mrs. Sophie Benson, Mrs. Leah Flory, Mrs. Mary Hurt and Mrs. Tena Flory.

Dr. George W. Flory was reared on his father's farm in Gratis town- ship, attending the district schools of his home neighborhood. He lived at home until he reached his maturity, when, in 1886, he entered the Physio- Medical College at Indianapolis, Indiana, and was graduated from this in- stitution in 1888, immediately following which he began the active practice of his profession in Eaton, and has since continued in this city.

On October 14, 1888, Doctor Flory was married to Loretta C. Bru- baker, the daughter of John G. and Barbara (Beckner) Brubaker, and to this union one son has been born, Carl L. Mrs. Flory died February 26, 1912, at the age of forty-four years. She was a member of the Christian church, was born near Camden, Ohio, and her parents, who also were natives of Preble county, are now living in West Alexandria. John G. and Barbara (Beckner) Brubaker were the parents of the following children: Oscar, Dr. Elmer H., Loretta C. and Ada M. Flory.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Loretta C. Flory were Henry and

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Catherine Brubaker, whose children were John G., Henry, deceased, Solo- mon, Christian and George.

Doctor Flory married, secondly, February 11, 1914, Nelly McWhinney, the daughter of Andrew and Etta (Mings) McWhinney. Doctor Flory and wife are members of the Christian church, while, fraternally, Doctor Flory is affiliated with Waverley Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor. He is a member of the Ohio Eclectic Medical Society and the Ohio Regular Medical Society. In politics, he is a Republican.

Mrs. Nelly Flory was born in Preble county, Ohio. Her parents also were natives of the Buckeye state, and both now live in Eaton. They have three children, Walter, Mrs. Ordena Sauer and Mrs. Nellie Flory. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Flory was Stephen McWhinney, and his wife was "Patsey" McWhinney.

Doctor Flory and his wife are socially popular in Eaton, and both are interested in civic and social enterprises and active in various forms of public work.

HENRY P. SMITH.

Among the strong and influential citizens of Preble county, Ohio, the record of whose lives have become essential parts of the history of this sec- tion, Henry P. Smith occupies a prominent place. For many years Mr. Smith has exerted a beneficent influence in the locality where he resides. Several elements have been conspicuous in Mr. Smith's career. He is known for his keenness of perception, his tireless energy, his honesty of purpose and motive and his every-day common sense, characteristics which have enabled him not only to advance his own personal interests but also largely to contribute to the moral and material advancement of Lewisburg and the surrounding country.

Henry P. Smith was born, January 18, 1850, at Kempfeld. Germany, the son of Frederick and Katherine (Shale) Smith, to whom eight children were born, three of whom are living.

Frederick Smith was born on February 5, 1808, in Germany, where he was a cooper. He came to the United States eight years before the breaking out of the Civil War and settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 10, 1852. Mr. Smith worked at his trade in Cincinnati until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served three years and was discharged at Camp

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Dennison, Ohio. After quitting the army, Mr. Smith returned to Cincin- nati and resumed work at his trade as a cooper. He followed this trade until his death, which occurred in 1878. Mr. Smith's wife was born in March, 1818, in Germany and died in 1883.

Henry P. Smith, the subject of this sketch, left Germany with his parents at the age of two years. When he was old enough to begin his education, he attended the public schools of Cincinnati and when he was thirteen he began to learn the cigar-maker's trade. After having served his apprenticeship, he worked in several large western cities. Subsequently, he took a commercial course at a commercial college in Cincinnati, and in 1873 he became a traveling salesman for a tobacco firm. He followed this line of activity until 1886, when he came to Preble county, locating at Lewisburg, where he became engaged in the tobacco business with a partner, under the firm name of Smith & Parmerlee. In 1901 Mr. Smith's partner died and since that time the firm has been known as Smith & Company. A. T. Horn was associated with Mr. Smith after 1901, but is no longer connected with the firm.

When the Bank of Lewisburg was organized Mr. Smith became presi- dent, and he is now a heavy stockholder in the Peoples Banking Company of Lewisburg. Mr. Smith also is a director and a stockholder of the Interstate Stone Company and the Electric Light Company of Lewisburg and stock- holder and treasurer of the Lewisburg Telephone Company.

Henry P. Smith was married in 1874 to Anna M. Ruff, who was born July 28, 1854, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George and Anna (Rehfuss) Ruff, both of whom were natives of Wurtemburg, Ger- many. George Ruff built the tannery at Lewisburg and was in the tanning business twenty-five or thirty years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ruff died at Lewisburg. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Smith, Pearl C., who was born in 1878 and married J. C. Brinkman, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mr. Smith has been an extensive traveler throughout his life. He has traveled through most of the states of this country and has visited almost all of the European countries.

Mr. Smith is a Republican and since attaining maturity has been in- terested in the local politics of his home community. He has served as a member of the Lewisburg city council and in 1900 was made mayor and also chairman and trustee of the city water works. Mr. Smith was largely instrumental in organizing the water works at Lewisburg. Religiously. Mr.

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and Mrs. Smith are adherents of the German Lutheran church. Fraternally, Mr. Smith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a creditable representative of the present-day American citizen and is pos- sessed of those admirable qualities and characteristics which have made the German people substantial citizens throughout the world.

REV. GEORGE WEBER.

One of the most successful ministers of Eaton, Ohio, is the Rev. George Weber, pastor of the Grace Evangelical Lutheran church. Reverend Weber was well trained for the ministry, having received a classical education be- fore beginning his theological studies. He is a minister of great persuasive eloquence and ever since his coming to Eaton, nearly twenty years ago, has been a leader, not only in religious movements, but also in civic movements of large importance to the citizens of Eaton. His influence always has been on the side of the best and noblest things of life. He is ardent, loyal and true to the profession to which he has set apart his life. The many years which he has devoted to the ministry of the gospel have been fruitful years in the Master's vineyard and Reverend Weber has reached a time in life when the contemplation of his own usefulness and service to humanity is perhaps the sweetest of all blessings that may come during this period of life.

Rev. George Weber was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1839, the son of Conrad and Anna Catherine ( Weisbrodt ) Weber. natives of Germany, who were the parents of ten children. John, Gotthardt, Jona- than, Catherine. Elizabeth, George, Emma, Jane, Caroline and Henry.

Conrad Weber, the father of Rev. George Weber, grew to manhood in Germany and was educated and married there. Three of his children were born there. In 1833 he came with his wife and three children to America, locating in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade of shoemaking. A short time later he moved to Somerset. Pennsylvania, and later engaged in farming near that place, remaining a farmer the rest of his life. He came to Ohio in an early day and settled first near New Lisbon. In 1864 he moved to Michigan and located near Saranac on a farm, where he died in 1870, at the age of seventy-three. His wife survived him about six years and was sixty-seven at the time of her death. They were mem- bers of the Lutheran church.

Rev. George Weber was reared on his father's farm, near New Lisbon,

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in Columbiana county, Ohio. He attended the district schools and later Capital University at Columbus, Ohio. He was first a student of the scien- tific and classical course and later studied theology in the same university, from which he was graduated in 1865. He entered at once upon the work of the ministry, his first charge being at Swan, Noble county, Indiana. From that point he went to Madisonburg, Wayne county, Ohio, and from there to Malvern. Carroll county, Ohio, thence to Petersburg, Mahoning county. He was called to Eaton from Petersburg in 1896 and has been pastor of the Grace Evangelical Lutheran church since that time. There are sixty communicants in this church, but since its establishment there have been many persons confirmed. Reverend Weber also is pastor of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran church, four miles north of Eaton, which was estab- lished over eighty years ago and now has about ninety communicants.

On April 26, 1866, Rev. George Weber was married to Rebecca Witmer, of Thornville, Ohio, the daughter of Solomon and Anna (Ritter) Witmer, to which union six children were born, Anna, Oscar, Bertha, Florence, Will- iam and one who died in infancy. Of these children, Anna is at home and is a dressmaker. Oscar is a conductor on the traction line at Dayton. He married Carrie Rickel and they have six children, Esther, Catharine, Will- iam, James, Allen and Miriam. Bertha died at the age of twenty-five. Flor- ence has been a teacher in the Eaton public schools for seventeen years. William died at the age of nineteen.

Mrs. Weber was born in Perry county, Ohio, September 23, 1845. Her father was the first white child born in that county. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania. They both died in Perry county, her father at the age of fifty-one and her mother at the age of eighty-four. Six children were born to Solomon and Anna (Ritter) Witmer, George, Rebecca, Eliza- beth, Solomon, John and Susan. The father of Mrs. Weber was twice married, his first wife having been a Miss Lantz, of Lancaster, Ohio, to which union seven children were born, David, Sarah, Isaac, Mary Magdalena, Lydia, Samuel and Catherine.

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Weber were Philip and Anna Catherine Ritter, who were the parents of Samuel, Anna, Mary, Rebecca. John, George and Peter Ritter.

Reverend Weber is held in high veneration by the communicants of his church and the citizens of Eaton and Preble county. He has done a noble work since his coming to Eaton and is loved, honored and respected as are few men in Preble county.

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DR. CHARLES H. HARRIS.

There is no class of men to whom greater gratitude is due from the world at large than the self-sacrificing, sympathetic, noble-minded men whose work is the alleviation of suffering and ministering to the afflicted. Theirs is the work of lengthening the span of human existence. There is no standard by which the influence of the good physician can be measured. Their helpfulness is limited only by the extent of their knowledge and skill. Their power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature that spring from the very source of life itself. Someone has aptly said, "He serves God best who serves humanity most." Among the physicians and surgeons of Preble county who have risen to prominence in their profession is Dr. Charles H. Harris, whose career is that of a broad-minded, conscien- tious worker in the sphere to which his life and energies have been devoted. Doctor Harris possesses a profound knowledge of his profession and this has won for him a leading place among the distinguished medical practi- tioners of his day and generation in New Paris and Preble county.

Dr. Charles H. Harris, physician and surgeon of New Paris, Ohio, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, February 26, 1867, the son of Stacy and Beulah (Bullock) Harris, both of whom were natives of Morgan county, Ohio. Five children were born to Doctor Harris's parents, three of whom are now living: George, who was graduated from Ada College and Oberlin College, and is bookkeeper for the Cleveland Gas Company; Cora, the wife of Oliver McWick; and Dr. Charles H., the subject of this sketch.

Dr. Charles H. Harris's boyhood days were spent on a farm in Morgan county, Ohio. He was graduated from the common schools at the age of sixteen and immediately began to teach school. After teaching for two years he began the study of medicine and, in the meantime, worked in a drug store for six years. His preceptor during this period was Dr. Emmet Gatewood, of Clintonville, Ohio. Doctor Harris entered the Starling Medi- cal College at Columbus, Ohio, and was graduated with the class of 1890. He then entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia and was grad- uated from that institution in 1891 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Upon receiving his degree, Doctor Harris located at Lowell. Ohio, and practiced there until June, 1909, in which year he located at New Paris, Ohio, where he purchased the drug store of Doctor Lyne and operates this store now in connection with the practice of medicine. Doctor Harris was the preceptor of Wilson M. Sprague, M. D., of Byesville. Ohio, and of S. V.

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Wilking, M. D., of Butte, Montana, both of whom were graduated from the Starling Medical College with the class of 1898.

Dr. Charles H. Harris was married to Loella Hopp, of Lowell, Wash- ington county, Ohio, to which union two children have been born, Emmett G., who is a student in the New Paris high school, and Helen M., who is a student in the graded school at New Paris.

Doctor Harris is a prominent member of the Darke County (Ohio) Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association and the American Medical Society, and is local medical examiner for several insurance com- panies. Fraternally, Doctor Harris is a member of Lowell Lodge No. 438, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past grand of this lodge. He also is a member of Buell Lodge No. 395, Knights of Pythias, in which he is a past chancellor and is also a member of the grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He not only stands for the best things in life, but has made a pre-eminent success of his profession, a success which is well deserved be- cause of his great professional ability and his painstaking regard and con- sideration for the higher and greater duties of the medical profession.

CHARLES E. MICHAEL.

Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Washington town- ship, Preble county, Ohio, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than Charles E. Michael, who has for some time been actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and stock raising, and the years of his residence in Preble county have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his neighbors and acquaintances. Mr. Michael, the proprietor of "Rock Valley Farm," situated two miles north of Eaton on the Greenville road, is an honorable and highly-respected citizen of the community where he resides.

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History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 43

Author: R. E. Lowry Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 985

Author: R. E. Lowry
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 985