USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 64
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Jonathan Paxton, Jr., was born in Israel township, Preble county, Ohio, in 1819, and died there in 1902, after having spent his life in the pursuit of farming. In 1852 he married Elizabeth Jane McQueston, who was born in 1831, and who died in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Paxton were the parents of five children : Dellie J., who lives in Bloomington, Indiana; Edward, who died at the age of twenty; Samuel M., the subject of this sketch; Nannie G., deceased, and Mary S., who is a teacher of mathematics in the Bloom- ington, Indiana, high school.
Samuel M. Paxton was born in Israel township, Preble county, July 29, 1861. He received a common school education and, on November 26, 1890, married Margaret E. Hays, a daughter of William R. and Elizabeth (Mar- shall) Hays, the genealogy of whose family is set out in the sketch of Will- iam C. Fisher, presented elsewhere in this volume.
After his marriage Mr. Paxton moved to Union county, Indiana, where he rented a farm, which he operated for four years. He then returned to his father's farm in Israel township, which he rented for four years, at the end of which time he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, in section 36 of Israel township. Mr. Paxton has greatly improved the farm since he became its owner, and has devoted it to the raising of high-grade Short-horn cattle. He recently built on it a fine modern residence, in which his family now lives.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Paxton: Annie E., born on January 9, 1893, who, after being graduated from the Morning Sun high school, attended Miami University during one term, and who also spent one term at Indiana University, at Bloomington, Indiana; Harold H., born on December 30, 1904, who was graduated from Morning Sun high school, and who later became a student at Muskingum College, and, still later, at Winona Agricultural College, and Robert H., born on March 8, 1907, who is at present attending high school at Morning Sun.
The family are all loyal members of the Morning Sun United Presby- terian church, and hold prominent places in its activities. Mr. Paxton has
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supported the prohibition movement for almost twenty years, but politically he is now identified with the Progressive party.
Mr. Paxton's career is a splendid example of the achievements of the pioneer families of this country. His perseverance and industry from the days when he started life independently, up through his period as a "renter," and later as a landowner, formed the fundamental factors on which he built his success. It is certain that no citizen of the county is more justly entitled to a place in the pages of this history than Mr. Paxton.
DAVID F. REINHEIMER.
Among the representative men of Preble county, Ohio, there is no one who occupies a more highly-respected position than does David F. Reinheimer. As a self-made man he is a splendid example of what can be accomplished by foresight, by hard, conscientious work and strict attention to business. For many years Mr. Reinheimer was a successful blacksmith, and while working at this trade, he foresaw the chances for large profit in working the old stone quarry at New Paris, and is now the head of a corporation which does an enormous business in Ohio and Indiana, and which employs a great many men, being today one of the most thriving industries of Preble county.
David F. Reinheimer was born in New Paris, Ohio, March 25, 1857. He was reared in his native village and was educated in the public schools of that place. He was a blacksmith during his early life, but finally purchased the old stone quarry at New Paris, and went to work at building up a busi- ness in stone products. . Mr. Reinheimer was associated with his brother, C. L. Reinheimer, in founding this large industry in 1898, and the company is now incorporated, with David F. Reinheimer as president; C. L. Rein- heimer, secretary, and W. C. and E. L. Reinheimer, as well as Mrs. D. F. and Mrs. C. L. Reinheimer, as stockholders. It is one of the largest enter- prises in Preble county, the company shipping many car loads of crushed stone to eastern Indiana and to southwestern Ohio. This large industry is an illustration of what may be accomplished from small beginnings. The company now employs about thirty men, and has just installed electrical machinery for quarrying the stone.
When Mr. Reinheimer was twenty-three years of age he was married to Florence Bunch, of Richmond, Indiana, who was born in August, 1860, and was educated in the schools of Union City, Indiana, and Dayton, Ohio,
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receiving an excellent education. To this union have been born two sons and three daughters: W. C., a representative of the Ohio Crushed Stone Company, is a pike contractor ; Russell G., a clerk in a grocery in New Paris, both of whom are graduates of the New Paris high school and the Richmond (Indiana) Business College, and Lois, who is twelve years of age. Ruby A. and Freda are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Reinheimer are members of the Christian church and Mrs. Reinheimer is a member of the various societies of the church. Fraternally, Mr. Reinheimer is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias, while his wife belongs to the Pythian Sisters, having passed the chairs in that order, and is a member of the grand lodge. Mr. Reinheimer is a stanch ad- herent of the Republican party and has always been active in the councils of his party, but has never aspired to office. The Reinheimer family are highly respected citizens of Preble county, and especially well known in Jefferson township, where they live.
ALBERT H. CHRISTMAN.
Nothing stimulates a man to deeds of merit or an upright life more than the recollections and memories of worthy parents who are gone from this earth. Albert H. Christman, dealer in hardware, implements and harness at Eaton, Ohio, is a worthy son of the late Daniel J. Christman. In the business affairs of Eaton, Albert H. Christman occupies a position of im- portance among those who are promoting the commercial and industrial prestige of this community.
Albert H. Christman was born in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, July 18, 1870, the son of Daniel J. and Louisa (DeGroot) Christman, natives of Preble county, who had two children, Edgar M. and Albert H.
Daniel J. Christman was reared in Preble county and was a farmer all of his life. He owned two farms in Washington township, containing two hundred and seventy-three acres, which he greatly improved. He moved to Eaton in 1904 and died there in 1905 at the age of seventy-one. His wife still survives and is now seventy-one. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he being an officer in the church. He was infirmary director for a number of years and was on the children's home board when it was. organized, remaining a member of this board until his death. Daniel J. Christman was interested in all public movements and gave
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much of his time and liberally of his means toward relieving the distress of the widows and orphans. Preble county lost a valuable citizen and an up- right, worthy man in his death.
The paternal grandparents of Albert H. Christman were Solomon and Elizabeth (Shuey) Christman, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, re- spectively. They were pioneers in Preble county, Ohio, and followed the occupation of farming. Solomon Christman came to Preble county about 1802, bought land, cleared and improved it. He and his wife died on the home farm when about seventy-eight years of age. They had six children, Rosanna, Elizabeth, Eliza, Daniel J., John and Henry C. The maternal grandparents of Albert H. Christman were Robert and Nancy (Babbitt) DeGroot, natives of Maryland and early settlers in Preble county, Ohio, where they lived the rest of their days, he being about ninety years of age at the time of his death. They had four children, Abraham, Amzie, Louisa and Elizabeth, the latter now being ninety-one years old.
Albert H. Christman was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools and the Eaton public schools. He lived at home until he was grown and then farmed for his father until 1904, in which year he bought an interest in the implement store of Schertz & Alexander, the firm being Schertz, Alexander & Christman until 1906, when Mr. Christman and Mr. Alexander bought Schertz out, the firm then becoming Alexander & Christman. In 1908 Mr. Alexander sold out and since that time Mr. Christ- man has operated the business alone. In 1911 he added hardware to his business. He has a large store and has done a flourishing business from the beginning.
Mr. Christman was married on December 3, 1904, to Bertha Niswander, the daughter of Isaac and Mary E. . ( Baker) Niswander, to which union three children have been born, Edith L., Joseph N. and James D.
Mrs. Christman was born in Preble county, Ohio, her parents coming from Virginia and settling in Washington township during the Civil War. Her mother died on September 7, 1892, and her father died in 1910 at the age of eighty. They had nine children, Benjamin F., Isaac N., John M., Elmer E., David H., Laura B., Emma B., Eva and Bertha.
Mr. and Mrs. Christman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years have been active in religious works in Eaton. Mr. Christman is a member of the official board of the church. Politically, he is a Republican and although ardent in his political faith he is serving his city in a wider capacity than that of a strictly party office. He is now presi- dent of the board of education of Eaton, and was a school director in the
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country before moving to Eaton. Fraternally, he is a member of Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Christman is truly one of the representative citizens of Eaton and Preble county, a man of wide vision and faithful in all the affairs of life.
JOSEPH O. McPHERSON.
Agriculture has been the source of man's dominion on earth ever since the primal existence of labor. It has been the pivotal industry, and has con- trolled for the most part all fields of action to which man's intelligence and energy have been devoted. Among the farmers of Preble county whose la- bors have profited themselves and the community in which they live, is James O. McPherson. In view of the consistent life lived by Mr. McPher- son, all of which has been passed in Preble county, with the exception of two years, it is particularly fitting that a brief story of his life's career be included in this volume.
Joseph O. McPherson, the proprietor of "Sunset Hill Farm," consist- ing of one hundred acres of fine land situated one mile south of New Paris, Ohio, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 26, 1858, a son of George W. and Mary A. (McDonald) McPherson, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former of Chester county and the latter of Allegheny county. George W. McPherson and Mary McDonald were married in Wayne county, Indiana, and after their marriage settled on a farm in that county. In 1860 they moved to Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, and there they lived the remainder of their lives, Mr. McPherson's death occurring in 1908, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1891. They were the parents of six sons and five daughters: William A., a resident of Miamisburg, Ohio; Jennie, the wife of Samuel Kessler, of New Paris, Ohio; Oliver, who died in 1884; Ella, the wife of B. F. Kemp, of New Paris; Charles, a resident of Liberty, Ohio, who conducts a blacksmith shop in that town; Catherine, the widow of Alexander Whitaker: Joseph O., the immediate subject of this sketch; Nathan J .. a resident of Richmond. Indiana; Lillie, the widow of E. L. Thomas, who lives in Toledo, Ohio; John L., a resident of Muncie, Indiana, and Mellie, the wife of David Graham, of Dayton, Ohio.
Joseph O. McPherson was about two years old when he was brought to Preble county, Ohio, by his parents. He was reared on the farm and edu- cated in the district schools of the neighborhood. When he was old enough he took up farming and has continued in this vocation all his life.
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Mr. McPherson was married on December 24, 1885, to Mary E. Trucks, who was born in Brown county, Indiana, a daughter of William and Diana (Carter) Trucks, of Hendricks county, Indiana, who subsequently moved to Blackford county, Indiana, where Mr. Trucks followed the trade of a blacksmith. He also worked at this trade in Camden, in Jay county. Mrs. McPherson came to Preble county in 1880. Her father died on March 31, 1904, and her mother died on March 21, 1906.
To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph O. McPherson were born three children, two of whom are now living: Harry R., a graduate of the New Paris high school, and afterwards a student at Earlham College, is editor of the Eldo- rado Bee. He married Elsie Commons, a daughter of E. E. Commons, and they have one daughter, Marion V., born on April 16, 1914. Paul J., the second son of Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, also is a graduate of the New Paris high school, and is now a student of Ohio University, at Columbus, Ohio, and will be graduated in 1917.
Politically. Mr. McPherson is a Republican, but he is a quiet, unassum- ing man, and has never taken an active part in political affairs. Mrs. Mc- Pherson is a member of the Christian church, at New Paris, Ohio. The McPherson family are prominent citizens in Jefferson township, where they live, and leaders in all things which have to do with the betterment of the community.
DR. E. E. BEVINGTON.
Very few professions have accomplished during the last half century, the same progress and development as that of the medical profession. The man of original thought and action whose text book is merely the basis of his work has always moved forward and taken the advantage of new discoveries in science, discoveries which look toward better methods and sure means of reaching the desired end. A man who was exceptionally well trained for his profession and has kept in the front ranks of modern investigation and discovery, is Dr. E. E. Bevington, of New Paris, Ohio. Doctor Bevington not only ranks among the leading members of his profession in Jefferson township. but he is also a man of broad culture and mentality. He has always been actuated by the highest motives and to the practice of his pro- fession he has brought rare skill and resource. His quick perception and intuitive judgment have enabled him to make correct diagnosis necessary to the proper treatment of disease. He always has been a close student of medical science and has kept in touch with the marvelous development of
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this profession during the last decade. Because of his high attainments and exalted personal character, he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.
Dr. E. E. Bevington, physician, of New Paris, Ohio, was born in Craw- ford county, Ohio, July 15, 1878, a son of Dr. H. S. and Miriam A. (Ebert) Bevington, the latter the third wife of Dr. H. S. Bevington. Doctor Bev- ington was Mrs. Bevington's second husband. She was a daughter of Dr. Philip Ebert, a Pennsylvania physician, who came to Ohio, locating near North Robinson, in Crawford county. He lived on a farm after locating near Ohio and from his residence there practiced his profession. Later in life he dropped out of the active practice of medicine and engaged in farming and was a prosperous and enterprising farmer.
Dr. H. S. Bevington was graduated from the medical college of the University of Michigan, with the class of 1858. After graduation, he prac- ticed his profession in Defiance county, Ohio, for one year and then went to Crawford county, locating at De Kalb. At the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted in the service and later became captain of Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was made a prisoner and confined in Libby prison for ten months. At the close of the war, after serving nearly four years, he took up the practice of medi- cine at Sulphur Springs, Ohio, in Crawford county, and practiced there until his death in 1899. Throughout his life, Dr. H. S. Bevington was active in local politics and served his community efficiently as township treasurer. He and his wife were the parents of two children, Dr. E. E., the subject of this sketch; and Rebecca M., a graduate of the high school and now a student in the Crawford county hospital in training for the profession of a nurse.
Dr. E. E. Bevington was educated in the public and high schools and was graduated from the Sulphur Springs high school in 1895. After his graduation, he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, now the medical department of Ohio State University, and after a complete four years' course, was graduated with the class of 1901, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After his graduation, Doctor Bevington located at Sulphur Springs, Ohio, and remained there five years. He moved to New Paris, Ohio, in 1906, and has practiced there since that date.
On June 5. 1901, Doctor Bevington was married to Anna Charlton, the daughter of A. B. Charlton, of Crawford county, Ohio. Mrs. Bevington's father was a prosperous farmer and Mrs. Bevington taught in the public schools of Crawford county. One daughter, Vera, born March 18, 1902, is the only child of this union. She is a student in the public schools.
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Doctor Bevington is a member of the Darke County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Association and the American Medical Association, and is also a member of the Union District Medical Society, and is examiner for several life insurance companies. Doctor Bevington has come from a line of physicians on both sides of his family. His father was a physician and his mother's father, or his maternal grandfather, was also a successful physician. Religiously, Doctor and Mrs. Bevington are members of the Presbyterian church. . Fraternally, Doctor Bevington is a member of Fellow- ship Lodge No. 106, Free and Accepted Masons, and New Paris Lodge, No. 303, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, Doctor Bevington is a Republican, although he has never been especially active in political affairs. First and foremost, Doctor Bevington is a physician, but he is also a noble- minded, honorable and public-spirited citizen, a man to whom his neighbors gladly look for counsel, professional and otherwise. His success is due par- tially to his splendid professional attainments and partially to his upright personal character.
HARRY D. COLLINS.
The advance of the automobile has created an ever-increasing demand for skilled mechanics. One of the men who has profited largely by the ad- vance of power-driven vehicles, and who himself is a skilled mechanic, is Harry D. Collins, of New Paris, Ohio, who has been a successful mechanic for many years.
Harry D. Collins was born at Bethany, Ohio, September 18, 1880, a son of C. W. and Margaret (Taylor) Collins. C. W. Collins was born in Clermont county, Ohio, and at an early age learned the blacksmith trade. He married in Butler county, Ohio, and after his marriage settled in Pisgah, Ohio, where he was engaged at his trade for a short time. Subsequently he located at New Madison, Darke county, Ohio, and is there still engaged in his trade. His wife died in 1886. To this worthy couple were born six children, five of whom are living: Mary A., the wife of C. O. Clement, of Chicago, Illinois; Elizabeth, a graduate of the New Paris high school, is the wife of W. A. Thomas, of Ithaca, Ohio; Catherine, a graduate of the high school, is the wife of C. O. Kessler, of Richmond, Indiana ; Harry D., the subject of this sketch; Florence, unmarried, lives in California.
Harry D. Collins was reared at New Madison, Ohio, and attended the public schools of this town. He was graduated from the New Madison high
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school. with the class of 1898, and after his graduation engaged in business with his father under the firm name of C. W. Collins & Son. He remained with his father seven years, when he disposed of his interests in the business and, in 1907, located in New Paris. Mr. Collins bought a shop there, going in debt for most of his, equipment. . He now owns a fine building, fifty by seventy feet, and a garage is operated in connection with his machine shop and blacksmith shop. Mr. Collins also owns the dwelling in which he lives, and all of this he has made by his own efforts.
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Harry D. Collins was married on November 17, 1900, to Cora E. Rob- erts, who was born at New Madison, Ohio, the daughter of Roscoe and Margaret Roberts, and to this union have been born five children, Claude, Violet, Sherman, Doris and Miriam.
The Collins family are members of the Universalist church at New Madison, Ohio. Mr. Collins belongs to Fellowship Lodge No. 106, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a past master in this lodge. He is also a member of Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and of Matchett's Council No. 91, Royal and Select Masters, at .Greenville, Ohio, as well as a member of . Lodge No. 546, Knights of Pythias, at New Madison. Mr. Collins is a Democrat, and has exercised a wide influence in local politics. He has served as a member of the town council and is now an efficient and capable member of the school board of his town. Mr. Collins is an honorable, upright citizen, and in every respect entitled to the esteem of the community where he lives and which he enjoys to the fullest extent.
HORACE G. BLOOM.
The character of a community is determined in a large measure by the lives of a very few of its members. If its moral and intellectual status is high, if it is a socially pleasant place in which to live, if the reputations of its citizens have extended into other localities, it very likely is true that the standard set by its leading men has been high. In placing the late Horace G. Bloom in the front ranks of the citizens of Preble county, justice is ren- dered, not only to the memory of Mr. Bloom, but to his widow and family. Preble county was long honored by the citizenship of this distinguished man. Although quiet and unassuming throughout his life and not possessed of those great ambitions for public positions of leadership, he contributed much to the material, civic and moral advancement of his community. His affable
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qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life won for him the esteem and confidence of the large circle in which he moved. Although he is now sleeping the sleep of the just, his influence goes on. Mrs. Ella L. Bloom, the widow of Horace G. Bloom, is a modest, unassuming woman, well known in New Paris and much admired for her devotion to the memory of her late husband. . Until the time of his death in New Paris, Ohio, October 2, 1906, Horace G. Bloom was one of the leading citizens of Preble county. Banking institutions are the index to the pros- perity of a community and Horace G. Bloom had a large part in the finan- cial institutions of Preble county. For many years Mr. Bloom was one of the most active business men in the northwestern part of Preble county. Mr. and Mrs. Bloom resided three and one-half miles southeast of New Paris, on a farm in Jefferson township, until the latter years of his life.
Horace G. Bloom was born on October 13, 1853, in Jefferson town- ship, Preble county, Ohio, the second son and the fourth child in the family of Guy and Hannah F. (Jamison ) Bloom. He spent his boyhood days on the farm and was educated in the district schools of Jefferson township. He continued to farm until 1889, in which year he engaged in the banking busi- ness. In 1889 Mr. Bloom established the Farmers Bank in New Paris and conducted it with marked success. He made it one of the most substantial institutions in this section of Ohio. Mr. Bloom also owned a bank in Eldo- rado and one in New Madison, Ohio. He also was interested in the tele- phone of New Paris, and the first line was extended to his farm.
The Farmers Bank, founded by Mr . Bloom, was reorganized after his death and is now known as the Farmers Banking Company, of New Paris and New Madison, Ohio. Mrs. Bloom is one of the largest stockholders in this bank and one of the directors.
Horace G. Bloom was a man of strict integrity and many important private business matters were entrusted to his hands. He was resourceful in business, energetic, wide-awake and enterprising. He was capable of carrying forward to successful completion anything which he undertook.
Mr. and Mrs. Bloom, the latter of whom was Ella Kreider, were mar- ried January 18. 1877. Mrs. Bloom was born in Pennsylvania, October 31, 1851, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth ( Bandon) Kreider. Charles Kreider was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1812. His wife was born in the same place, March 10, 1812. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living, Benjamin, Leah, of Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Bloom.
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