History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 57

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 57

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Digitized by Google

GEORGE W. DEARDORFF.

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

593

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

of whom died December 26, 1914. She was born in November, 1828. Sam- uel Deardorff died in 1884. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, and was a son of Jacob Deardorff, who settled in Preble county in an early day. Jacob Deardorff carved a farm out of the wilderness in Lanier township, where he and his wife reared the following children, Peter, Paul, John, Jacob, Benjamin, Isaac, Anna, Rebecca and Samuel.

Samuel Deardorff went to Darke county, Ohio, where he lived for three years, at the end of which time he returned to Preble county, and lived on his father's farm. In 1856 he bought the farm where his son, George W., now lives, and remained on this latter place until his death. He and his wife were the parents of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living : George W., with whom this narrative deals; Nancy, the wife of Reuben Swisher, of Des Moines, Iowa; William H., of Colorado; Mary, the wife of Benjamin Neil, of Eaton, Ohio; Laban, of Chicago, Illinois, and David, a resident of Louisiana.

George W. Deardorff came with his parents from Darke county, Ohio, to Preble county when he was two years of age, and in the public schools of this county he received his education. He remained at home with his par- ents until his father's death, and has never married.

Mr. Deardorff is a Republican, and is well known in Washington town- ship, and by his upright and honorable life has won the esteem of a large number of people.

EARL C. CRIDER.

It is interesting to note, in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work, that an effort has been made in each case to throw well-focused light on the individuality and to bring into prominence the scheme of each life history. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with the scheme of human society and human activities, deserves recognition, what- ever may be his field of endeavor. It is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages. The value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, and to present the individual and specific accomplishments of each person represented. The business life of any com- munity is important in the scheme of human welfare, and the flour-mill is an important factor in the industrial life of any community. One of the in-

(38)

Digitized by Google

594

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

fluential business men of Lewisburg, this county, and the manager of the flour-mill at that place is Earl C. Crider.

Mr. Crider was born on January 6, 1883, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of Elkanah C. and Sarah Ann (Hahn) Crider. Elkanah C. Crider was born on September 20, 1854, in Harrison township, this county, a son of John and Catherine (Disher) Crider. John Crider was a native of Preble county, and his wife was a native of Virginia. John Crider was a son of Samuel and Catherine (Zellers) Crider, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers in Preble county.

Elkanah C. Crider was reared on a farm in Harrison township. In 1892 he moved to Lewisburg and engaged in the elevator business, at the same time being engaged as a tobacco dealer. In 1898 Mr. Crider purchased the old Turner grist-mill, which stands at the east edge of the corporation line of Lewisburg. This mill is more than one hundred years old. Elkanah C. Crider is a stockholder and vice-president of the Lewisburg bank, and for the past fifteen years has owned land in Sedgwick county, Kansas. Mr. Crider has taken a great deal of pleasure in the trips he has made to different states. He owns forty-two acres of land near the old Turner mill in Har- rison township. In 1878 Elkanah C. Crider was married to Sarah Ann Hahn, who was born in July, 1852, in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret Hahn, both natives of Pennsylvania. To this union three children have been born, Mrs. Catherine Gabb, of New Orleans, Louisiana; Earl C., with whom this narrative deals, and Mrs. Elizabeth Paul, a motion- picture operator living at Lewisburg.

Earl C. Crider attended the public schools of Lewisburg until fifteen years of age, and then went to Richmond, Indiana, where he was local man- ager for a Philadelphia publishing firm. One year later he returned to Lewis- burg, and began work in his father's mill as assistant miller. He remained in the mill for three years and then went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he in- stalled switchboards for the local telephone company. Four years later he again returned to Lewisburg and took charge of the old grist-mill. He is now a substantial shareholder in this mill.

In 1902, Earl C. Crider was married to Catherine D. Schmitt, who was born on June 22, 1885, at St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Anton Schmitt, a native of France, who was a harness maker by trade and who, in an early day, went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was engaged in the harness busi- ness. He now has a wholesale and retail saddlery establishment. Mrs. Crider was educated in the Garfield school, at St. Louis. To Earl C. and Catherine D. (Schmitt) Crider one child has been born, Elenora P.

Digitized by Google

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

. 595

Mr. Crider is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. They are prominent in the social life of Lewisburg, honored and respected by a large circle of friends and devoted to the moral and civic advancement of their community.

IRA C. ALBERT.

Representing one of the old and well-known families of Preble county, Ohio, a man of remarkable enterprise and sterling worth, Ira C. Albert, a farmer, merchant and extensive real estate dealer of Lewisburg, is well entitled to notice among the substantial business men of this county. It is with much satisfaction that the biographer accords a place in these pages to the story of his life.

Ira C. Albert was born on August 6, 1868, in Harrison township, Pre- ble county, Ohio. He is a son of George H. and Sarah (House) Albert, to whom eight children were born as follow: William F., a farmer of Twin township; Alonzo M., a farmer of Harrison township; George C., a mer- chant at Lewisburg; Ira C., with whom this narrative deals; Ellen Florence, deceased; Rev. Raymond A., a minister of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Mary C. Kesselring, of Lewisburg, and Laura E., at home.

George H. Albert was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and came to Preble county with his parents, Lewis and Catherine (Siler) Albert, who were of Germanic origin. George H. Al- bert died on July 19, 1912, while his wife, who was a native of Harrison township, Preble county, is now living at Lewisburg. Her parents were Simon and Catherine (Horner) House, natives of Ohio, and farmers in this county.

Ira C. Albert was reared on his father's farm east of Lewisburg, this county, attending the district schools of his home neighborhood, and re- mained on the farm for some time after leaving school, being engaged in various kinds of work. During this period Mr. Albert studied telegraphy and worked at this occupation for a time. After his marriage he returned to farming and rented land for about five years, after which he moved to Lewisburg, where he engaged in the grocery business, and after conducting a grocery for some five years, sold out to his brother, George C., and re- turned to the farm, but only farmed for about one year, when he returned to Lewisburg, and engaged in the coal business. He remained in this busi-

Digitized by Google

- -

596 .

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

ness until 1911, at which time he engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate. Mr. Albert has extensive private business interests. He is vice- president and a director of the Inter-State Stone Company; a director of the Lewisburg Bank, and also of the electric light company of that town.

Ira C. Albert was married on May 13, 1894, to Tensie A. Kepler, who was born on March 28, 1874, in New Lisbon, Henry county, Indiana, a daughter of Levi W. and Frances (Weaver) Kepler, the former of whom was born near Dayton, Ohio. He was a physician, practicing at Salem, Ohio, New Lisbon, Indiana, and Lewisburg, Ohio. He came to Lewisburg in 1880, but has since retired and is living with Mr. Albert. Mrs. Albert's mother was born at Salem, Ohio.

Ira C. Albert is a stanch Democrat and has been influential in the local councils of his party. He has served as justice of the peace for the past twelve. years. Mr. Albert is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Albert and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Albert is a man of un- usual attainments and has achieved a splendid success in life. He is es- pecially devoted to the welfare, progress and prosperity of Harrison township.

WILLIAM W. WHITE.

William W. White is one of those strong, sturdy characters, who have contributed largely to the welfare of the community life of Lewisburg, this county. He is a business man of more than ordinary sagacity and fore- sight, and as a citizen has proved to be public-spirited and progressive in all that these terms imply. He has had much to do with the material progress of Preble county and in making it one of the important commercial centers of this section of Ohio. Being numbered among the substantial and worthy citizens of his community, none more richly deserves these representations in a work of this character than does William W. White.

Mr. White was born on July 12, 1866, in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, a son of Thomas and Sarah A. (Felton) White, the former of whom was born in December, 1844, in Indiana. Thomas White was reared on the farm, but subsequently learned the carpenter trade, and worked at this vocation in Anderson, Indiana and St. Paul, Minnesota. At present he lives with his daughter, Mrs. Florence B. Walker, in North Dakota. His wife who, before her marriage. was Sarah A. Felton, was born on

Digitized by Google

597

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

: April 30, 1846, in Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of Edward and Ma- tilda (Wright) Felton, the former a native of England and the latter a na- tive of Ireland, early settlers of Preble county, the latter of whom died on September 13, 1910 ..

Thomas and Sarah Felton White were the parents of four children. William-W. White was the eldest. Mrs. Florence B. Walker lives at Grand Forks, North Dakota. Harry lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mrs. Mary E. Morris lives in Anderson, Indiana.

William W. White was reared on the farm and attended the district schools of Dixon township. At the age of twenty-one he started working by the month as a farm hand, at a monthly wage of sixteen dollars, later receiving eighteen dollars and a half a month. In 1889 he rented land and started farming for himself, farming in Gasper township until he became afflicted with tuberculosis of the elbow. Eventually it was necessary to amputate the arm above the elbow. In 1893 he moved to Lewisburg and worked as a book agent for a short time. He then engaged in the livery, feed and sales business for seventeen years. Finally he sold out and pur- chased a farm, which he operated until 1915, in which year he sold the farm, comprising one hundred and one acres. He made some extensive improvements on this farm, it having been very much run down when he first took hold of it. During his career as a farmer he kept high-grade stock, and made a specialty of Duroc-Jersey hogs. Mr. White is a substan- tial property owner in Lewisburg, and owns a large brick residence on Main street, the principal thoroughfare of Lewisburg.

On September 5, 1889, at Eaton, Ohio, William W. White was mar- ried to Emma S. Buriff, who was born, September 25, 1869, in Lanier town- ship, Preble county, Ohio. She is the daughter of Andrew and Minerva (Carter) Buriff, the former of whom was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1836, and came to Preble county. Ohio, about 1862, and engaged in farm- ing. His wife was born on April 27, 1846. Both are now living at Eaton, Ohio.

To Mr. and Mrs. William W. White four children have been born, as follow: Mrs. Myrtle Dye is a lawyer of Eaton, Ohio; Vernon is a barber, also living at Eaton; Mrs. Martha M. Foble is the wife of a druggist, at Columbus, Ohio, and William B., at home. There is just eighteen years' difference between Mrs. Martha M. Foble's age and that of William, the latter being an infant, two years old.

William W. White is an ardent Republican. He has served on the Lewisburg city county, and has been marshal and township assessor at dif-

Digitized by Google

598

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

ferent times. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and he and his wife and family are members of the United Brethren church, in which they are prominent and influential, and are liberal supporters of this denomination.

JACOB H. PUNDT.

Farming has been revolutionized during the last fifty years, and the farmer of today suffers few of the disadvantages which confronted the pioneer farmers. Scores of inventions have enabled the farmer to lead a life of comparative ease, and the result is that an increasing number of our most capable young men are remaining on the farm in preference to trying their fortunes in the city. The farmer is certainly the most independent man of the country, and all other vocations must bow to him. Ohio is known throughout the length and breadth of the country as an agricultural state, and Preble county ranks high as an agricultural section of this state. One of the excellent farmers of Preble county is Jacob H. Pundt, of Har- rison township.

Jacob H. Pundt, who is an active farmer and stockman, was born on August 5, 1877, on the farm where he now lives. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Ryder) Pundt, who were the parents of five children, as follow : Mrs. Mary Klusman, of Lenexa, Kansas; Mrs. Katherine Soller, a resident of Olathe, Kansas; Mrs. Clara Brown, a resident of Darke county, Ohio; Mrs. Hannah Ramsay, of Harrison township, this county, and Jacob H., of whom this narrative speaks.

Henry Pundt, who was born in Germany in 1836, left there when eighteen years of age on a sailing vessel bound for this country, the voyage consuming forty-eight days. Upon arriving in this country he came to Preble county and settled at West Alexandria, where he worked as a la- borer for a few years. Later he began farming in Twin township. About 1874 he moved to Harrison township and purchased one hundred and twenty-nine acres of land in section 22. He added to this farm from time to time, made many improvements on the land, and was heavily engaged in the live-stock business. His death occurred in 1884, and his widow, who was Elizabeth Ryder, born on October 7, 1842, in Lanier township, a daugh- ter of John and Hannah (Gebhart) Ryder, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Preble county, in an early day, is living with Mr. Pundt.

Jacob Pundt has always lived on the farm where he now resides. He

Digitized by Google

599

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

attended only the district schools of Harrison township. He now rents one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land from his mother and is feeding more or less cattle and hogs for the markets, as well as raising tobacco, wheat and corn. He is a large shareholder in various manufacturing plants.

In 1904 Jacob Pundt was married to Maude Moots, who was born on August II, 1877, in Twin township, a daughter of William and Elmira (Wikle) Moots, natives of Preble county, now living at Lewisburg, and to this union one child has been born, Hazel.

Mr. Pundt is a Democrat and he and his wife and daughter are mem- bers of the' Evangelical Lutheran church, active in the work of this de- nomination and liberal contributors to its support. Mr. Pundt possesses the confidence of his neighbors and is a highly-esteemed citizen of Harrison township.

1 SEYMOUR BITTLE.

Among those men of sterling strength of character who have impressed their personalities upon the community of Lewisburg and vicinity and who have borne their full share in the upbuilding and the developing of Preble county mention must not be omitted of Dr. Seymour Bittle, veterinarian and liveryman of Lewisburg, a native of Preble county and a man well known throughout this county. Doctor Bittle has exerted a strong influ- ence for good in the community and is a man of upright principles. He is interested in the advancement of the community along moral, educational and commercial lines.

Seymour Bittle was born on January 6, 1880, in Twin township, Pre- ble county, Ohio, a son of George and Martha (Schlotterbeck) Bittle, the former of whom was born in 1828, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and who came to Preble county, Ohio, with his parents. George Bittle was a farmer in Twin and Harrison townships until about 1903, in which year he retired and moved to Lewisburg, where he died in 1905. His wife, who, before her marriage, was Martha Schlotterbeck, was born in 1841, in Wur- temburg, Germany. She left Germany with her parents when six years old. She is now living in Lewisburg, Ohio.

Dr. Seymour Bittle was reared on the farm and attended the Twin township schools, as well as the Harrison township high school, at Euphe- mia, Ohio. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was twenty- three years old, when he entered Ohio State University, at Columbus, and

Digitized by Google

600

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

was graduated from the veterinary department of this institution in 1906, with high honors. He first practised his profession as an inspector for the United States government at Chicago, Illinois. He held this position for about two and one-half years, and during that time he was transferred to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was an inspector of live stock until 1912. That year he came to Lewisburg, and started a livery business, which he still ., operates in connection with the practice of his profession. Doctor Bittle has been very successful as a veterinarian and enjoys a large and lucrative prac- tice, which he well merits because of his thorough training and extensive information concerning the treatment of disease among farm animals.

Doctor Bittle was married in 1909, to Miss Grace Foster, who was born July 19, 1890, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Vaughn) Foster. Her father is a contractor and builder at Lewisburg. To this happy union three children have been born, Virginia, James and Don.

Doctor Bittle is a Democrat and is always more or less interested in .. political affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons. Doctor and Mrs. Bittle are members of the United Brethren church and are active in the affairs of this denomination. Dr. Seymour Bittle is a man who, while he has devoted himself industriously in the practice of his profession and to his own personal business interests, has not failed to give to worthy public interests and movements the attention which they deserve from representative citizens. Doctor Bittle is a representative citizen of Preble county, and a man who especially, because of his professional suc- cess, is entitled to representation in this volume.

MRS. CEVILLA FINNEY.

Mrs. Cevilla Finney needs no introduction to the people of Preble county since her entire life has been spent in this county. Her life has been devoted not only to the comfort and happiness of her family, but to the welfare of all the people of the community. Mrs. Finney is an honor- able representative of one of the well-known families of Preble county, her father having filled no small place in the industrial life of this county in his day and generation. Mrs. Civilla Finney, the widow of the late Lewis Finney, who died in 1910, is a splendid type of the intelligent, progressive, public-spirited woman, of the present generation. She is a woman of ex-

Digitized by Google

601

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

ceptional business ability and since the death of her husband has revealed this ability in managing her large real estate interests.

Mrs. Cevilla Finney was born on October 1, 1851, in Harrison town- ship, Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of Christian and Mary (Richard) Disher, to whom four children were born, Mrs. Finney, who was the eldest; George, who is a farmer in Preble. county; Matthias, who lives in -Harrison township, this county, and Mrs. Elizabeth Horn, of Lewisburg, this county.

Christian Disher was born on October 6, 1825, in Virginia, and came to Preble county, Ohio, when four years old with his parents. He was reared on a farm and remained on a farm until his death, on February 12, 1897, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, who was Mary Rich- ard, was born in Preble county on November 30, 1830, and died here on April 21, 1888, aged fifty-eight years.

After attending the district schools of Harrison township, Mrs. Finney attended the public schools of Euphemia, Ohio. She was married at Brook- ville, Ohio, in 1879, to Lewis Finney, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, March 20, 1848, and who passed away on February 9, 1910. Lewis Finney was a son of Patrick and Margaret (Nolder) Finney, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Ohio. Lewis Finney was a shoemaker by trade, having learned this trade prior to 1875. He was reared in the town of Morrow, Ohio, his father having been a boot and shoe maker, who learned his trade in Philadelphia after coming from Ireland. In 1861 Lewis Finney came to this county, locating at Lewisburg, where he started a boot and shoe store. He began on a small scale but built the business up gradu- ally and acquired an extensive trade in shoes and boots. At the time of his death, he owned several business blocks in Lewisburg and farm land in Harrison township, this county.

Mr. Finney at one time belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. At the time of his death he was president of the Preble County Horse Thief Detective Association. He was a prosperous, enterprising citizen and upright in all of his business dealings.

Mrs. Finney now owns three hundred and forty-six acres of highly productive and fertile land in Preble county. Besides this extensive interest in farm property, Mrs. Finney also owns many city lots in Dayton and Lewisburg, Ohio. She is a heavy stockholder in the Lewisburg Electric Light Company and gives to all of her business interests her personal at- tention.

Although not a member of any church, Mrs. Finney contributes cheer- fully to all denominations and institutions. She is considered as a free

Digitized by Google

602

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

thinker and freely recognizes the good done by all religious denominations. In this respect she is nobly carrying on the work of her departed husband.

Mr. and Mrs. Finney were the parents of one daughter, Mrs. Josephine Markey, who was graduated from the Lewisburg high school and who also attended the music school at Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. Mrs. Markey is a talented musician and popular in a wide circle.

It is a pleasure to the biographer of this volume to present the life story of a woman who is so prominently identified with all of the public move- ments in Harrison township, a woman who is known far and wide for her unselfish character and her many good works. Mrs. Finney is one of those women who are eminently entitled to representation in a volume which con- tains the life stories of the leading men and women of Preble county.

ALLEN GARBER.

In the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competency and a substantial career on the part of the average farmer, fighting the everyday battles of life, there is little to attract the idle reader in search of a sensa- tional chapter. There are noble and moral lessons in the lives of the man, who without other means than a clear mind, a strong arm and a true heart, wins fortune and gains not only a temporary reward for his toil but also that which is better and higher, the respect and confidence of those with whom his sphere of active life has placed him in contact. Such a man is Allen Garber, a retired farmer of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio.

Allen Garber was born on February 6. 1838, in Montgomery county, Ohio, the son of Jonathan and Katherine (Rife) Garber, who were the par- ents of seventeen children, Calvin B., born on December 18, 1836, died in infancy; Allen, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah Comer, born on Octo- ber 19, 1839, deceased ; Mrs. Nancy Miller, born on December 10, 1840, de- ceased; Mrs. Hannah Kimmel, born on April 4, 1842, deceased; Daniel B., born on May 12, 1843, now living in Darke county, Ohio; Jacob B., born on June 23, 1844, living in Auburn, Illinois : Mrs. Mary Bowman, born on March 28, 1846, deceased; Elizabeth B., born on January 1, 1848, now living on the home place; Catherine, born on April 30, 1849, also living on the home place; Mrs. Hetty Miller, born on July 14, 1850, now living in Jefferson township; Mrs. Barbara Miller, born on September 27, 1851, now living in Monroe township; Mrs. Rachel Kuhns, born on April 30, 1854, now living in

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 57

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

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