USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 54
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Herman Kramer was born October 10, 1859, in Twin township, a son of John and Wilhelmina (Kreuge) Kramer, to whom eleven children were born, seven of whom are living, three sons and four daughters. John Kramer was born in Germany, April 4, 1822, and left there when a young man, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. A few years later he came to Preble county, where he engaged in farming. He was the owner at the time of his death, in 1896, of three hundred and sixty acres of land, all in Twin township except forty acres in Harrison township. His wife, who was Wilhelmina Kreuge before her marriage, was born in Germany, October 15, 1826, and died in 1900. Both John Kramer and his wife were German Lutherans.
Herman Kramer attended school at New Lexington, Ohio, and re- mained at home until twenty-three years old. When a young man he made a specialty of raising tobacco and was very successful in this line. In 1900 he purchased his father's farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres, now known as "Fairview Farm," lying in section 21 on the Twin township road. Mr. Kramer has made many substantial improvements on this farm, and throughout his life has been a hardworking, industrious, as well as pros- perous farmer.
Herman Kramer was married in 1883 to Rebecca Miller, who was born in 1859 in Germany, and to this union four children have been born, John D., William H., Edith W. and Edgar C. John D. and his brother, William H., are engaged in the mercantile business in Alexandria, this county. Edith is the wife of Stephen J. Field, a farmer of Twin township. Edgar C. is unmarried and lives at home, being engaged in farming with his father.
Politically, Mr. Kramer is identified with the Republican party in national issues, and independent in local affairs. He has served his town-
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ship efficiently as school director and throughout his life has been interested in educational matters. His influence in the community has exerted no small part in raising the standard of the schools of the township to their present state of efficiency. Religiously, Herman Kramer is a member of the Lutheran church, and is known as one of the pillars of this denomination. No history of Preble county, Ohio, would be complete that did not recount the careers of the enterprising farmers who live in that county, and one of these, most certainly, is Herman Kramer.
JOHN H. UNGER.
It is not easy to describe adequately the works of a man who has led an eminently active and busy life and who has gained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied, but biog- raphy finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life story. It is with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each state- ment, yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of John H. Unger, a farmer and stockman of Twin township, Preble county, Ohio.
John H. Unger was born, April 10, 1866, in Lanier township, the son of Herman and Sophia (Punt) Unger, and a brother of Jacob Unger, referred to elsewhere in this volume, wherein is given a history of the parents.
John H. Unger attended the public schools at New Lexington, Ohio, and remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-five years old, when he went to Jackson township in Montgomery county, and rented land from his father-in-law. H. S. Glander, for fourteen years. Mr. Unger purchased eighty-seven acres of land there and, after farming it one year, sold it and purchased the old home place, just west of New Lexington, this county. He now owns one hundred and twenty-two acres of land. His farm is well improved and is located in section 28, in Twin township. Mr. Unger's chief products are tobacco, wheat and corn, and he has seven acres of natural timber. Mr. Unger takes a fancy to good driving stock and made exhibits of coach colts at the Eaton fair of 1905 and 1911. During late years. Mr. Unger has been very successful as a farmer.
John H. Unger was married twice, the first time in 1889, to Laura Glander, who was born in 1868 in Lanier township, and who died in 1894.
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Six children were born to this marriage, Herman H., of Twin township; Ruth, of West Alexandria; Hazel, Lucy, Harley and Nellie, at home. Mr. Unger was married a second time in 1894 to Ruth Stiver, who was born in 1877 in Lanier township and who is the daughter of John and Amanda (Holp) Stiver. To this second union three children have been born, Roy, Iva and Owen.
John H. Unger is a man of more than ordinary prominence in Twin township, where he lives. He is now a member of the agricultural board of Twin township and prominent in the proceedings of this board. Politically, Mr. Unger is a member of the Democratic party, but he has never held a party office and has never cared to do so. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and active in this church. Mr. Unger is not only a well-known farmer, but he is favorably known in the community where he lives and merits the confidence which is reposed in him by his neighbors and felllow citizens.
DANIEL WYSONG.
It is both pleasing and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has won definite objects in life, and whose career has been such as to command the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such, in brief, is the career of Daniel Wysong, a well-known farmer and stockman of Twin town- ship, Preble county, Ohio. A more popular man it would be difficult to find within the bounds of Twin township, where he was born and where he has always maintained his home. Here he has labored not only for individual advancement, but also for the improvement of the entire community, whose interests he ever has had at heart.
Daniel Wysong was born, November 17, 1857, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of Perry and Katherine ( Wantz) Wysong, to whom three children were born, the others being John, who lives at West Alexandria, and Mrs. Sarah Magill, of Washington township, this county.
Perry Wysong was born, December 10, 1828, in Twin township. He was a farmer during most of the active years of his life and died in 1907. His wife, who was Katherine Wantz, was born March 10, 1828, and is now making her home with Mr. Wysong.
Daniel Wysong attended the district schools at Brennersville, in Twin township, remaining at home on the farm with his parents until he was twenty-nine years old. at which time he moved to Eaton, Ohio, where he
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worked as a laborer for one year. He then moved to his present farm, which he owns. This farm consists of one hundred and sixteen acres of good land in section 19, twelve acres of which is in natural timber. Mr. Wysong makes a specialty of high-grade live stock, and has made many extensive improvements upon his farm in the way of buildings, fences and drainage. In 1903 he built a new and thoroughly modern home at a cost of two thousand dollars. In the spring of 1913 he erected a new barn, eighty by fifty feet, which is well equipped with electric lights. All of Mr. Wysong's buildings and the grounds adjacent are lighted with electricity from a plant that is installed on the farm. Daniel Wysong has been a very industrious man, and is more than satisfied with farm life. He is one of those men who have something substantial to show for his labor and his long toil, and he is now enjoying the well-earned fruits of his well-directed energies.
Daniel Wysong was married in 1892 to Lucinda Isenhower, who was born in October, 1868, in Union county, Indiana, a daughter of Paswell and Mary (Dial) Isenhower. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Indiana, and both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wysong are the parents of two children, Harry and Edna. Harry is a resident of this county, living near his father's home, and Edna is the wife of Chris Bush, a farmer of Twin township.
Politically, Mr. Wysong is an independent voter. He is more im- pressed by measures than he is by party platforms and selects the ticket he votes with discrimination. At one time he served efficiently as road super- visor of Twin township. Fraternally, Mr. Wysong is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Eaton. He is an enterprising and public-spirited man and a fine neighbor, well informed, aggressive and broadminded.
CHRISTIAN N. EBY.
What a wonderful heritage a man gives his children when, upon passing from this life, he leaves them a knowledge of an active life well spent and evidences of the good he had accomplished for his community. To be con- sidered the foremost man of a community and a leader in all things per- taining to the welfare of that community does not fall to the lot of many men and only those who are truly great in heart and mind, and of indomit- able energy and unfailing optimism, are capable of keeping the trust and con- fidence which place them in positions of prominence, especially in a new
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section. This cheering knowledge is possessed by the children of Wilson Eby, among them being the subject of this sketch.
Christian N. Eby, the son of Wilson and Elizabeth (Stover) Eby, was born, February 15, 1862, in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio. Wilson Eby and wife were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living. Wilson Eby was born in 1816 in Maryland and left that state with his parents when eighteen years old, settling in Montgomery county, Ohio. In 1840 he came to Preble county and purchased one hundred and seventy- two acres of land in sections I and 12 of Lanier township. He built a large brick house and made other improvements. He was an extensive farmer until his death in 1884, and was highly respected and honored by the citizens of his community. Wilson Eby was married in 1840 to Elizabeth Stover, who was born in 1824, in Maryland, and who died in September, 1914. She was the daughter of Daniel and Susan (Funk) Stover, both natives of Maryland and early. settlers in Montgomery and Preble counties, Ohio.
Christian N. Eby, a prominent farmer and stockman of Lanier town- ship, attended the district schools of that township as a lad and a young man. He remained at home with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he purchased one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, upon which he made improvements costing in the neighborhood of six thousand 'dollars. In 1908 Mr. Eby purchased twenty-five acres more and erected a thoroughly modern home, which he moved into in 1909. This splendid country home, located on the Germantown road, is much admired by all the people of Lanier township, who regard it as a model country home in every respect. Mr. Eby has not been able to do these things by chance, his material success and the comforts which he now enjoys being the direct results of patient, unremitting industry, frugal habits and good business management.
In 1886 Christian N. Eby was married to Emma Carrier, who was born, November 11, 1866, in Clark county, Ohio, the daughter of Joseph and Jane (Fulk) Carrier, both natives of Rockingham county, Virginia, where Joseph Carrier was a well-known blacksmith. Somewhat early in life, he removed to New Hampton, Ohio, and there he died in 1914 at the age of seventy-one. His wife died in 1866, at the age of twenty-two, shortly after her marriage.
To Mr. and Mrs. Christian N. Eby, three children have been born, Mrs. Virgie Brubaker, whose husband is deceased, while she lives with Mr. and Mrs. Eby; Mrs. Maud Brubaker, of Lanier township, and Joseph, who is at home.
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Mr. Elby is a prominent member of the German Baptist church and for many years has been a deacon in that congregation. He is well known in his community as a man of splendid attainments and excellent moral and religious worth, a man who enjoys the entire confidence of his community.
FREDERICK BRINKHOFF.
In examining the life records of self-made men, it will invariably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their success. Also there are other elements which enter into and conserve the advance- ment of personal interest, perseverance, discrimination, and the mastering of expedients, but the foundation of all achievements is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career, Frederick Brinkhoff recognized this fact and he has never sought a royal road to prosperity and independence. He began to work earnestly and diligently in order to advance himself and the result is that he is now numbered among the progressive, successful and influential business men of New Lexington, Preble county, Ohio.
Frederick Brinkhoff was born, December 15, 1861, in Germany, the son of Frederick and Becke ( Purman ) Brinkhoff, to whom four children were. born, Frederick, who was the eldest; Herman, who lives in Twin township; Mrs. Maggie Casson, who lives in Kansas, and Mrs. Becke Roselius, who lives in Twin township, this county.
Frederick Brinkhoff, Jr., left Germany two years before his parents. He came to the United States in 1879 and they came in 1881. He settled in Preble county and worked seven years as a farm hand, later purchasing a small farm near New Lexington in Twin township. He raised tobacco for a few years and in 1902 started in the general merchandise business in New Lexington, where he now operates a store. Mr. Brinkhoff owns fifteen acres of land and several lots, all in New Lexington.
Frederick Brinkhoff, Jr., was married April 26, 1885. to Emma Kur- fiss, who was born in 1861, at New Lexington, Ohio, the daughter of John K. and Christina ( Leffler) Kurfiss, both natives of Germany. Her father was born, June 24, 1827, and died August 3, 1878. He was a blacksmith by trade and in 1832 came to Twin township, Preble county, where he worked at his trade at New Lexington for many years, but later engaged in farming. Mrs. Brinkhoff's mother, who was Christina Leffler before her marriage, was born November 12, 1829, and died in 1898.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Brinkhoff one child, Lawrence, was born, October 9, 1898. He died July 28, 1899, aged nine months and nineteen days.
Politically, Mr. Brinkhoff is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church and take an active interest in the affairs of this church. Frederick Brinkhoff is a man well known in Twin township for the sturdy, honorable methods which he has always pursued and, no doubt, which he has inherited from his vigorous, Teutonic ancestors. He is a man known for his habits of square dealing and in his mercantile business enjoys his full share of the patronage of the people of Twin township.
JESSE L. HASTON.
Jesse L. Haston is one of those strong, self-reliant and determined characters who are occasionally met with and who are of such distinct type as to be leaders among their fellowmen. Mr. Haston does not court this. distinction, for he is an unassuming, modest gentleman, but his zeal and energy in whatever he undertakes naturally place him in the foremost ranks of those who are potent factors in the development of their community. Born in Virginia, Mr. Haston has maintained his residence in Preble county for many years and here he is well known, especially in Lanier township, for his honorable and industrious life.
Jesse L. Haston was born, May 25, 1868, in Botetourt county, Virginia, the son of John and Frances (Lyles) Haston, to whom ten children were born, six sons and four daughters. One son is now deceased. John Haston, the father of Jesse L., was born about 1819, in Virginia, and remained there his entire life. He was a farmer by occupation and died in 1871. His wife, the mother of Jesse L., who was born in 1837. left Virginia with her family about 1875 and settled in Preble county, Ohio. After coming to Preble county, the elder sons rented land and Mrs. Haston remained with them until, in 1886, she married James Neal, a minister of Preble county. No children were born to this second marriage and the mother died in 1910.
Jesse L. Haston attended the schools of Gasper township and at the age of sixteen began working as a farm hand, still attending school in the winter He rented ninety-one acres of land in Lanier township and continued as a renter until 1909, when he purchased the land he had been renting, the farm on which he now lives, one and one-half miles south of West Alexandria, in
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section 10, on the old Winchester and Alexandria road. Mr. Haston has added twenty-two acres more to his farm and now has a farm of one hun- dred and eleven acres. He has made some substantial improvements upon this farm and has been very successful as an agricultural proprietor. Mr. Haston is an extensive breeder of Percheron horses and since 1900 has made exhibits of these horses at Eaton and Dayton fairs. Mr. Haston takes great pride in his horses and few men in Preble county are better judges of the Percheron breed than he. Mr. Haston also raises a great many cattle and hogs and has only the very best breeds upon his farm.
In 1888 Jesse L. Haston was married to Laura Glander, who was born July 30, 1870, in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Margaret (Unger) Glander. No children have been born to this union.
Politically, Jesse L. Haston is a Democrat. He and his wife attend the Evangelical Lutheran church regularly and are more or less active in the affairs of this church. Mr. Haston has served upon the agricultural board for the past six years and is a man whose knowledge of the science of agriculture has made his influence particularly valuable in Preble county. He is a man highly esteemed by his neighbors and respected for his honesty and genial disposition.
WILLIAM A. PARDONNER.
William A. Pardonner has not been favored by inherited wealth or by the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of these facts, by persever- ance, industry and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and is well and favorably known in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, as a successful merchant who enjoys a large patronage in Ingomar, a pleasant village in that township. Mr. Pardonner is regarded by all who know him as a man of the best type of American citizenship, straightfor- ward, unassuming, genial and obliging, who, while advancing his individual interests, has not neglected his general duties as a citizen.
William A. Pardonner, a general merchant at Ingomar, this county, was born June 22, 1882, in Middletown, Butler county, Ohio, the son of Will- iam S. and Jennie F. ( West) Pardonner, to whom two children were born, William A. and Nathan L., the latter of whom lives with his father at Mid- dletown, Ohio.
William S. Pardonner, the father of William A., was born in Dayton,
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Ohio, in 1858, the son of John and Jane (Van Zant) Pardonner. John Pardonner was of German descent and a cobbler by trade. He worked at this trade along the river Rhine in Germany before coming to America. He arrived in Montgomery county, Ohio, near Dayton, in 1830, and soon en- gaged in farming. Later he removed to Clermont county, Ohio, where he farmed until his death, which occurred in 1889, he being at that time eighty- nine years old.
William S. Pardonner, the father of William A., was reared on a farm and remained there until sixteen years of age, when he moved to Middletown, Ohio, and began working in a grocery store, later purchasing an interest in the same. This was more than forty years ago and William S. Pardonner is still connected with this store and is active in its management. He has one of the best-equipped stores in Butler county. His wife, who was the mother of William A., was born in 1860, at Middletown, Ohio, and died in 1898. She was the daughter of John and Mary (Sweeney) West, the former a native of Pennsylvania, who enlisted as a Union soldier at the outbreak of the Civil War is 1861 at Middletown, Ohio. He served throughout the war and was honorably discharged at the end. At the close of the war, John West returned to Middletown, taking employment in the paper mills, in which he presently became foreman. He died in Middletown in 1902, at the age of seventy. His wife, who was Mary Sweeney, was a native of Ken- tucky.
William A. Pardonner attended the public schools of Middletown and when nineteen years old went to Denver, Colorado, where he worked in a grocery store. One year later he was employed by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company as a pipe-fitter helper and worked as such for six years, at the end of which time he came to Preble county, Ohio. In 1908 he went into partnership with Jacob F. Ulrich in a general merchandise store at Ingomar, Ohio. They now carry about a three thousand-dollar stock of goods and enjoy a large and growing patronage throughout that section of the county.
Mr. Pardonner is a poultry fancier of more than local reputation and is an extensive breeder of Sealcomb Rhode Island chickens. He has made exhibits of this breed at Eaton, Hamilton, Dayton, Lima, Greenville and Xenia, Ohio, as well as at Richmond, Indiana, and has nine silver cups which he has won at these exhibits.
William A. Pardonner is a stanch Republican and has been more or less active in local politics. At present he is serving as assistant postmaster at Ingomar.
In 1905 William A. Pardonner was married to Edna Ulrich, who was
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born, March 13, 1885, the daughter of Daniel and Laura (Fudge) Ulrich, natives of Preble county. To this happy union, three children have been born, William, George and Paul, all of whom live at home.
Mr. Pardonner is an active member of the Masonic fraternity and prominent in the affairs of this lodge. By reason of his prominent business connection in that part of the county he is much interested in all matters having to do with the development of the various resources of the county and is counted as among the leaders of the various local movements designed to promote the community's best interests.
SALMON FLORY.
The following is the biographical sketch of a plain, honest man of affairs who, by his correct methods and strict regard for the welfare of his com- munity, has made his influence felt in Lanier township and won for himself prestige in the agricultural circles of his township. His life presents much that is interesting and valuable and which may be studied with profit by young men whose careers are yet to be made. He is a man of integrity and strength of character; and, although he is modest and unassuming, he, never- theless, commands the respect of his neighbors and has left the impress of his individuality upon the community where he has lived practically all of his life.
Salmon Flory, a successful farmer and stockman of Lanier township, was born September 26, 1855, in Montgomery county, Ohio, the son of John and Sarah (Stoner) Flory, to whom two children were born, Jennie, the second child, being deceased.
John Flory was born April 9, 1829, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and first settled in Montgomery county, Ohio. In 1867 he moved to Gratis, Preble county, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business. He continued in this business from 1867 to 1886, in which year he retired. He lived with his son, Salmon, on the farm, until his death, June 18, 1904. His wife, the mother of Salmon Flory, was born October 10, 1833, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and is now living with her son, Salmon. At the time of John Flory's death he was the oldest member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Gratis, Ohio.
Salmon Flory attended the public schools of Gratis, Ohio, and worked in the store which his father owned while he was attending school and during
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a short period after he had finished his education. Subsequently, he worked as a farm laborer for about four years and then purchased eighty acres of land a mile north of the southwest corner of Lanier township and farmed there about thriteen years. He then bought a farm two miles south of the first farm, and lived there nineteen years. He was very successful as a farmer during this period of his life and was able, in 1914, after selling this farm, to purchase one hundred and seventy acres of well-improved land in the northeast part of Lanier township, which he now owns. Salmon Flory's success has not been won by slipshod methods. He has been painstakingly careful as a farmer and has always raised good crops because his soil was well prepared and the crops well cultivated. His stock always has been well cared for and he has been able to make handsome profits in this department of farm activity.
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