History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 49

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 49

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Mr. and Mrs. Kayler are members of the First Christian church at Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Kayler is a member of Waverly Lodge, No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and served as a member of the building committee of this lodge. He is also a past chancellor of this lodge, and his two sons, Charles and Ben- jamin, also were past chancellors. Mr. Kayler is a member of Bolivar Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Eaton, and of the Independent Order of Foresters, of which he was a charter member. Politically, he is a Demo- crat and served for many years as a justice of the peace. He has been the main spring of the Preble County Fair Association for many years, and is at present a member of the executive committee. Mr. Kayler is a general stock raiser. He is known as a great friend of the children and aside from his own family, reared Ora Noaks and Lovie Wolf.

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In 1914 the state of Ohio gave a trip to Washington, Philadelphia and New York to the boy who raised the most corn on an acre of land, and to the girl who could bake the best bread. Mr. Kayler accompanied the winners of these prizes on this trip and enjoyed the trip immensely. Mr. Kayler is a popular and representative citizen of Preble county and his life has been filled with good works.

NELSON J. QUINN.

It is one of the commendable features of our government that it ac- knowledges no hereditary rank or title, no nobility save that of nature, leaving every man to establish his own rank or become the artificer of his own fortune. Places of honor and trust, rank or preferment, thus happily placed before every individual, high or low, rich or poor, to be striven for by all, but earned only by perseverance, are almost sure to be filled by de- serving men, or at least, by those possessing the energy and talent essen- tial to success in public position. Nelson J. Quinn affords a conspicuous example of the successful, self-made American citizen who is not only emi- nently deserving the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens but who also possesses the energy and talent necessary to discharge the duties involved in heavy business responsibilities. The dean of commercial cir- cles in Eaton, Ohio, he having been longer in continuous business service than any other merchant or tradesman in that city, possessed of a vigorous mentality, Mr. Quinn finds these qualities the chief factors in carving out a career that has been above reproach.

Nelson J. Quinn, dealer in coal, building material and leaf tobacco, at Eaton, Ohio, was born in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, May I, 1841, the son and only child of John L. and Louisa ( Hewitt) Quinn, na- tives of Preble county.

John L. Quinn was a farmer in young manhood, later going to Eaton, where, in 1862, he engaged in the grain business, which business he con- tinued for several years, at the end of which time he and his son, Nelson J., became dealers in leaf tobacco in which business they continued until the death of John L. Quinn in 1899, at the age of seventy-nine years and four months. His wife had preceded him to the grave four years, her death having occurred in 1895 at the age of seventy-five years. They were mem- bers of the Christian (Newlight ) church. in which Mr. Quinn was a deacon

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for forty-one years, in all of which time he never missed a communion serv- ice. He was township trustee and infirmary director at the same time for several years.

The paternal grandparents of Nelson J. Quinn were James and Sarah (Glines) Quinn, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of one of the . eastern states. They were pioneers of Preble.county, having .come here in 1808. James Quinn was a farmer and died at the age of forty-four, his wife living to be seventy-five. They had seven children, John L., Eliza, Robert M., James H., William D., Joseph H. and Sarah Jane. The ma- ternal grandparents of Nelson J. Quinn were Philip and Hannah (Clawson) Hewitt, natives of North Carolina and Ohio, respectively, pioneer farmers in Twin township, Preble county. In their declining years they moved to Miamisburg, where Mrs. Hewitt died. Mr. Hewitt then returned to Preble county and here spent the remainder of his days .. They were the parents of Levi, Louisa, Elizabeth, Celina and Hannah. Philip Hewitt's father was Philip Hewitt, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who enlisted from Guil- ford county, North Carolina. . He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1754, and died in Montgomery county, Ohio, May 14, 1846, at the age of ninety-two. His wife died ten days prior to his death. They had nine children, Henry, Simon, Philip, Michael, Mary, Fanny, Catharine, Elizabeth and Sarah.

Nelson J. Quinn was born and reared in Preble county and this county has always been his home. He grew up on the farm and attended the dis- trict schools, later attending the Eaton high school. In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and served about four months as a corporal. Before going to the was he was in business with his father, in the sale of leaf tobacco, and after the war resumed this business with his father, which he still continues in connection with the coal business.

On March 3, 1864. Nelson J. Quinn was married to Martha A. May, who was born January 1I, 1845, the daughter of Jacob and Isabel (Patton) May, to which union twelve children were born, Minnie, Laura, Irvin L., Lucy, Grace, Elsie, Bertha, Harry, John L., Walter, Ada and one who died in infancy. Minnie lives at home. Laura married F. E. Overholser, of Eaton, and has two children, Harold and Henry Nelson. Irvin L. is in his father's employ. Lucy is at home. Grace (deceased) was the wife of Frank Burson. . Elise married Robert Bloom, of Dayton, and has one daughter, Martha. Bertha is at home. Harry, who resides in Eaton, mar-

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ried Gertrude Pugh and has one son, Pearson. John L., who is in the gro- cery business with his brother, Harry, married Anna Huber and has three children, William, Robert and Maxwell. Walter died at the age of seven. Ada is at home. The mother of these children died January 13, 1912, at the age of sixty-seven years and two days. Mrs. Quinn was a member of the Christian church, as is also Mr. Quinn, having joined the church in 1872. She was born in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio. Her parents came from Hamilton county, Ohio, to Preble county when they were young and spent all of their lives here. They had fifteen children, a number of whom died young. Those who lived to maturity were Louisa, Martha, Martin, Allen, David and Caroline.

Mrs. Quinn was a devoted wife and a loving mother and took a keen interest in her children and in the business success of her husband. She was unselfish, generous and devoted to the precepts of the Christian re- ligion which she practiced in her every day life.

Mr. Quinn is one of the venerable citizens of Preble county and no man stands higher in public esteem at Eaton than he. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, attached to the post at Eaton, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the same. He is devoted to the best interests of his home city and ever has been found in the forefront of those most active in promoting the general welfare of the community.

EDWARD R. CLARK.

The twentieth century farmer knows very little of the disadvantages which surrounded the pioneer farmer of Ohio. No longer is the farmer com- pelled to rise early in the morning and continue his labors far into the even- ing. The farmer of today can do as much work in a half-day as his father fifty years ago could do in a whole day. The free mail delivery leaves the daily paper on his doorstep each morning. The telephone puts him into communication with his neighbors, while the interurban car and automobile enable him to participate in all of the entertaining features of city life. The present generation of farmers has no forests to clear, few swamps to drain, and hundreds of inventions have been designed to lighten the labors of the farm and to make the toil less arduous. The flail of our fathers has given way to the threshing machine; even the old-fashioned corn cutter is laid on the shelf and corn is now cut by machinery. The old-fashioned shucking-

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peg has given way to the modern corn-shredder, and, surrounded by such conditions, the farmer of the present century can have all the advantages of the dwellers of the city with few of their disadvantages. The pioneer farm- ers are fast passing away and in the next few years they will be gone. The subject of this sketch is one of the present generation of farmers who is possessed of a comfortable competency and who has made a remarkable suc- cess in his chosen vocation. Edward R. Clark not only is well known in Jefferson township, but, as an enterprising and progressive farmer, is known throughout Preble county.

Edward R. Clark was born June 15, 1870, in Wayne county, Indiana. He is now the proprietor of "Fair Mead" stock farm, consisting of two hundred and ninety acres one mile southeast of New Paris. Mr. Clark's parents were George W. and Martha A. (Reid) Clark, the former of whom was born in Union county, Indiana, in 1836, and the latter in New Paris, Ohio, in 1837. George W. Clark was the son of William and Emily (Ward) Clark. William Clark was a native of Maryland, and his wife was a native of Union county, Indiana. William Clark and Emily Ward were married in Union county, Indiana, and moved to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1862. They lived there until past middle age, when they moved to New Paris, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives. William Clark was a well- known millwright and skilled mechanic in his early life and he built many grist, saw and carding mills. He was an active and enterprising citizen and an upright man in every respect. He operated the famous Willow Grove mill near Centerville, Indiana, under the firm name of Clark & Smith. William Clark and wife were the parents of six children, three of whom are now living: Martha, the wife of James Norton, of Ashley, Illinois; F. M., a retired miller of Richmond, Indiana, and O. P., who is secretary and treasurer of the Los Angeles (California) Title and Trust Company.

George W. Clark was reared in Union and Wayne counties, Indiana, and was educated in the district schools. He learned the miller's trade and was engaged in this business for twenty-five years under the firm name of Clark & Yaryan. In 1880 he purchased the farm now owned by Edward Clark and moved on it, living there until the fall of 1893, when he moved to New Paris, Ohio, where he died, December 1, 1904. George W. Clark was married in Preble county, Ohio, and was the father of four children: W. R., a traveling salesman, who lives in New Paris; Edward R., the subject of this sketch; Walter C., a traveling salesman, of New York City, and Mary, the wife of Earl C. Pence, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Edward R. Clark came to the farm when ten years old and was edu-

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cated in the Preble county schools and in New Paris. After he had finished his education, he began farming. He has made an unusual success of farm- ing and is an extensive breeder of the best grades of live stock.

On November 15, 1893, Edward R. Clark was married to Carrie L. Kirkpatrick, a native of New Paris, Ohio, born February 17, 1872, who was graduated from the New Paris High School. To this union three chil- dren have been born: Paul W., who was graduated from the New Paris high school and is now a student in Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio; F. Mildred, who also was graduated from the New Paris high school, and Julian E., born December 23, 1914.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Christian church at New Paris and Mr. Clark is a deacon in this church and a member of the official board. Fraternally, he is a member and past master of Fellowship Lodge No. 106, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of Eaton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is a member of New Paris Lodge No. 303, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past grand in that lodge. He has represented the Masonic lodge at the Ohio grand lodge. . Politically. Mr. Clark is a Republican and served as trustee of Jefferson township for ten years, and is now a member of the board of education of that township. Mr. Clark made a splendid record as a public official. In the township where he lives, his interest and ability as an educational director are gen- erally recognized. The Clark family are popular socially in New Paris and Jefferson township and are well known throughout Preble county. Mr. Clark must be accepted as one of the leading citizens of this county.

MARTIN J. CUNNINGHAM.

The United States is the most cosmopolitan nation of the earth. Her citizens are drawn from every country and clime, and a residence of a few years in this country so imbues the newcomers with the American spirit that they become our best citizens. No nation has furnished better or more substantial citizens to this country than has the little island of Ireland. From the Emerald Isle have come many families who have won honored places in the communities where they have settled. Among the many fami- lies of Irish descent that have come to Ohio, there is none more loyal to the adopted country than the Cunningham family, of New Paris and Preble county.

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Martin J. Cunningham, the present head of the family in the New Paris section of Preble county, and a section foreman in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, was born in New Paris, Ohio, November 25, 1868, the son of Simon and Mary (Maloney) Cunningham, the former born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1839, and the latter born in the same coun- ty. They came to the United States early in life and located at Richmond, Indiana. Simon Cunningham became a section foreman and for many years had charge of the same section of tracks now supervised by his son, Martin J. Simon Cunningham lived at Dayton a short time, but later located in New Paris, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death oc- curring in 1878, his wife surviving him until June 13, 1907. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living: Thomas S., who is a fireman on the Rock Island & Pacific Railroad and lives in Chicago, Illi- nois; John F., who lives in Dayton, Ohio, and is in the state auditor's office; Maggie, who is unmarried and lives in Chicago, Illinois; Martin J., the sub- ject of this sketch, and Nora, the wife of A. J. Canny, who lives in New Paris. The deceased children are Michael, Simon A., Michael the second and Mary, who was the wife of William Colvin.

Martin J. Cunningham was reared in New Paris, Ohio, and attended the public schools of the village. He was first employed as a water boy and in lighting the switch lamps on the Pennsylvania railroad. Later he was employed as section hand, and in April, 1888, was promoted to section fore- man, in which capacity he is still serving.

Mr. Cunningham was married January 26, 1898, to Mary Westendorf, who was born in Aurora, Indiana, April 10. 1875, and who lived in Rich- mond until she was married. Mrs. Cunningham was educated in the Cath- olic schools of Richmond, Indiana.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham began houskeeping in New Paris, Ohio. They were only modestly circumstanced when they start- ed in life, but have managed to acquire a substantial competence and now own a splendid home in New Paris. They have one child living, Simon M., who was born March 26, 1900, and who is in his second year in the New Paris high school.

All of the members of the Cunningham family are members of the Catholic church at New Paris. Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians at Richmond, Indiana. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are quiet, unas- suming people and honorable citizens of New Paris, where they have spent most of their lives.

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SOPHIA AND ELIZABETH REHFUSS.

Two of the best known women living in the city of Eaton, Ohio, are Sophia and Elizabeth Rehfuss, whose home is at No. 223 Main street. The Misses Rehfuss are daughters of Martin and Catherine A. (Rehfuss) Reh- fuss. Martin Rehfuss was born February 11, 1827, in Balingen, Wurtem- burg, Germany, and came to America in 1854, the trip across the Atlantic requiring seventy days. He first located at Franklin, Ohio, where he fol- lowed the tanner's trade, which trade he had previously learned in his na- tive land. Later he came to Preble county and was in the tanning business for himself at West Alexandria, for two years. He then came to Eaton, Ohio, and engaged in the tannery business which he continued for forty years. In 1867 he built his home in Eaton, and also the building in which his business was housed, on South Beach street.

Martin Rehfuss was married June 29, 1856, at Eaton, Ohio, to Cath- erine A. Rehfuss, who was born September 4, 1837, in the same city as her husband, and who came to America when seventeen years of age. Mrs. Rehfuss was a faithful and loving mother and a dutiful and honored wife. To this union twelve children were born, nine of whom are now living. Martin Rehfuss, Jr., a retired wholesale leather and harness dealer, mar- ried Emma Moffett, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and lives in Indian- apolis, Indiana ; Charles A., a druggist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, married Cora Porter, of Belvidere, Illinois, and they have one daughter, Leon- ette; George, a wholesale harness and leather dealer of Peoria, Illinois, married Jennie Selby, of Peoria; Jacob H., a druggist of Brooklyn, New York, married Mayme Sivers, of Stockton, California, and they had one child, who died in ininfacy ; William H., unmarried, is engaged in the whole- sale harness and leather business with his brother, George, at Peoria, Illinois; Mary R., the widow of F. M. Deem, lives in Eaton, Ohio, and has one daugh- ter, Marie Catherine Deem; Sophia and Elizabeth, both unmarried, and the immediate subjects of this sketch, living in Eaton, Ohio, and Carrie, the wife of Millard F. Michael, of Eaton, Ohio.

The father of these children died on December 23, 1911, and his widow died on September 6, 1913. Mr. Rehfuss was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the encampment. He loved his lodge very much and was a faithful attendant throughout his life, particularly in the days when he was enjoying good health. He was confirmed in the German Lutheran church in the old country. Martin Rehfuss was a man of genial disposition and much beloved in the community in which he lived

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for so many years. His wife also was confirmed in the German Lutheran church at the age of fourteen in her native land, but there being no church of this denomination in Eaton, Mrs. Rehfuss later became a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and her four daughters are active and earnest workers in that church.

Both Sophia and Elizabeth Rehfuss are women of strong mental at- tainments, are wide readers and are well informed in the sphere of wom- en's activities. They are cultured and refined and popular in their home community, where they have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

WINFIELD S. PLUMMER.

The greatness of a community or state does not consist of the ma- chinery of government or institutions, but rather of the sterling qualities of the individual citizen. In his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare, Winfield S. Plummer has conferred honor and dignity upon his locality because he has led an honorable life, has been successful in his private business and is a potent influence for good in the community in which he lives. His labors have contributed to make Preble county one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the state of Ohio.

Winfield S. Plummer was born July 31, 1852, on the farm which he now owns in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio. He is the son of Thomas and Martha (Williams) Plummer, the former of whom was born in North Carolina. Thomas Plummer went with his parents to Indiana when a lad and lived there for a short time. Later he came to Preble county, Ohio, locating in Washington township, one-half mile southwest of Eaton. After a sometime residence there he went west to Iowa and later to Kansas, where he died. His widow returned to Preble county and lived here the remainder of her life. Thomas Plummer and wife were the parents of six children, three of whom are living, Winfield S., the subject of this sketch, James W. Plummer, of Topeka, Kansas, and L. B., of Eaton, Ohio.

Winfield S. Plummer was reared on the farm in Washington township and lived there until seventeen years old, at which time he went with his parents to Iowa. They lived there about eighteen months when they went to Kansas. Here they lived until 1901 when they returned to Preble county,

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Ohio. Mr. Plummer received his education in the common schools of Ohio and Iowa. When he was twenty-one years of age he homesteaded eighty acres and lived on this until the claim was proved. Later he lived on an- other eighty acres which his mother owned and bought eighty acres in ad- dition to that which he previously owned.

In May, 1879, Winfield S. Plummer was married to Maria Lawson, the daughter of James and Margaret Lawson, who was born in Indiana and educated in the public schools of Indiana and Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Plum- mer are the parents of four children, Bonnie, James B., Martha and Charles. Bonnie is the wife of Charles Stephens and lives in Eaton. James B. fin- ished the district schools and took a business course. He is now a farmer in Montana; Martha and Charles are at home with their parents.

Mr. Plummer is the proprietor of "Crystal Springs" farm, consisting of one hundred and ninety-eight acres one-half mile southwest of Eaton, Ohio. He is a breeder of mule-foot hogs, the herd being headed by "Plum- mer's Choice." All the rest of the stock is strictly high grade.

Mr. Plummer is a quiet, unassuming, honorable citizen, highly re- spected in the community in which he lives. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. He is identified with the Republican party, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. He is a member of the Fraternal Aid Association.

JOHN SCHLOTTERBECK.

The life which is most useful and desirable is the one which results in the greatest good to the greatest number. Though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some things each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public position to do so, for in other walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talent and influence that in some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making their lives better and brighter. No profession perhaps, offers a better opportunity for doing good and making one's self felt in the world than that of education. In the educational life of Preble county, Ohio, John Schlotterbeck, the superintendent of schools at Eldorado; occupies a prominent place, and his career forcibly illustrates what a life of

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energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles and high ideals.

John Schlotterbeck was born in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, February 1I, 1887, the son of Leo and Abbie ( Penrod) Schlotterbeck. Leo Schlotterbeck was born in Preble county, Ohio, while his wife was a native of Shelby county, Ohio. After their marriage they resided on a farm in the latter county for two years, at the end of which time they came to Preble county, locating in Twin township, where they lived until 1905, in which year Mr. Schlotterbeck went to Lewisburg, where for some years he engaged in the mercantile business, and is now a retired merchant of that village. Leo Schlotterbeck and wife are the parents of ten children, as follow : Christian, who was graduated from Northwestern University, at Naperville, Illinois, and is a teacher in the public schools of Monroe township in this county ; Elma, the wife of Jacob Laird; Jennie, the wife of George Stockslager ; John, the immediate subject of this review; Agnes, a graduate of the high school at Lewisburg, is now the wife of Roscoe Snyder; Elkanah, a student at Bonebrake Seminary, a training school for the ministry in the United Brethren church: Susie, a graduate of the high school, is the wife of Everett Berly; Mary, also a graduate of the high school is the wife of Ralph Birely; Grant, a graduate of the high school, is unmarried and lives at home; Seth, a student in the high school at Lewisburg, Ohio.

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History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 49

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

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