History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 65

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 65

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Mrs. Bloom was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and

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came to Ohio with an uncle. She had to look out for herself at an early age, but she lived with her uncle until she was married.

In addition to her heavy banking interests, Mrs. Bloom owns two hun- dred and sixty acres, comprising the old home farm, and also owns another farm of ninety acres.

At the time of his death, Horace G. Bloom was a member of Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias. He was a charter member of this lodge and a past chancellor. Mr. and Mrs. Bloom also were members of the Parisian Temple No. 215, Pythian Sisters. Mrs. Bloom is a past chief of this lodge and represented Parisian Temple in the grand temple at Colum- bus, Ohio. Mrs. Bloom is a member of the Presbyterian church at New Paris, and is an active worker in the church, being especially active in the . Sunday school. No history of Preble county would be complete that did not contain the story of the life career of Mrs. Bloom as well as that of her de- ceased husband.

WILLIAM WRIGHT.

Preble county has been fortunate indeed in being able to number among its resident families many which have descended from the early settlers of this county, as well as from the pioneers who aided in settling other impor- tant sections of the country. Not the least important of those early pioneers were those who came to this country from Ireland, bringing with them those sterling qualities of integrity and industry which have always characterized the Celtic race and ably applying them to the upbuilding of the new land of their adoption. Among such families is that of William Wright, the sub- ject of this sketch, whose first paternal ancestor in this country came here from Ireland early in the eighteenth century and settled in Preble county in 1808.

William Wright was born in Somers township, Preble county, Ohio, December 10, 1838, a son of John and Margaret (Cook) Wright. John Wright, his father. was born in Ireland in 1788 and emigrated to this country at an early age. He lived for a time in South Carolina and then emigrated to Preble county, Ohio, in 1808, and settled on section 31 of Somers town- ship, where he died in 1854. During the War of 1812 he enlisted in the army and well served the country of his adoption as a soldier throughout the war. By faith he was a Covenanter, and for years the religious scruples of that denomination kept him from exercising his right to vote on the political af-

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM WRIGHT.

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fairs of nation and county. He married Margaret Cook, who was born in Virginia, and came to Ohio at an early age. . The children born to this union were John, William, James and Eliza.

William Wright received a common-school education in the schools of Preble county, and, after having finished his studies, pursued the calling of agriculture. On December 21, 1864, he married Mary E. Ramsey, a daugh- ter of John and Jane (Marshall) Ramsey. Mrs. Wright also was descended from a family of early settlers and pioneers who played an important part in the early life of the nation.

Mrs. Wright's grandfather was Hugh Ramsey, who was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1779, and whose wife was Frances Sheppard, who was born in 1776 and died in 1835. John Ramsey, Mrs. Wright's father, was born in 1804 and came with his father to Israel township, Preble county. Ohio, in 1807. There they settled on a farm in section 14, near Morning Sun, Ohio.

John Ramsey married Jane Marshall, who was born in 1806, and who died about 1885. Thirteen children were born to them, all but three of whom are now deceased. The children were Hugh, Isabel, Sarah, Eliza, Francis, James, John, William, Joseph, Mary E, David, Albert, and one child who died in infancy. Those now living are Mary E., the wife of the subject of this sketch. John and Joseph.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William Wright made their home on the old Wright homestead, where they are now living. Their union was blessed by eight children, six of whom are living. The children were John E., who was born November 11, 1865, and who died in 1866, at the age of ten months. Margaret I., born November 4, 1867, is the wife of William McDill and lives in Israel township, Preble county. One child, born August 24. 1870, died in infancy before having been named. Jane E., born February 27, 1872, is the wife of Nathan Smith and lives in Columbus, Ohio. James A., born May 24, 1873, lives in Israel township. Anna A., born May 4, 1875, is the wife of James Gilmore, and lives in Hamilton, Ohio. E. H. L. Wright, born February 3, 1879, married Myrtle Douglass on January I, 1904, and to them three children, Leila May, Wayne D. and Nellie Margaret, have been born. He is living on the old homestead. W. G. Wright, born July 4, 1883. married Lois Sizelove on November 19, 1903, and their union has been blessed by two children, who are Myrna F., born October 1, 1904, and Erdine L., born May 12, 1907. W. G. Wright lives with his parents and operates the home farm.

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William Wright is yet living on the farm that his father purchased in 1806, although he retired from the actual operation of the farm in 1903. On December 21, 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Wright celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

During the years when he was in active charge of the farm Mr. Wright improved it in every way and developed it until it became one of the finest farms in Preble county. He added many improvements which modernized the place and made the operation of it a more profitable and less arduous undertaking.

In politics Mr. Wright was originally a Whig, but later, when the Whig party gave place to the Republican party, he became a Republican and so remained until 1884. At that time he became a supporter of the Prohibition party, and was a loyal upholder of its principles until six years ago, when he again affiliated with the Republican party. He has always taken an in- telligent interest in political affairs, but has never desired to attain to any political office himself, all his time being occupied with the affairs of his farm. Mr. Wright and all members of his family now living on the old homestead are affiliated with the United Presbyterian church of Morning Sun, Ohio, and are prominent in the affairs of that church.

Mr. and Mrs. Wright always have taken an active interest in the welfare of their community and have supported every movement which they thought would be to its benefit. They have always been held in the highest esteem by their neighbors, and have been deeply respected by all who have at any time come in contact with them. They are now living quietly on their old home- stead, enjoying the fruits of their labors and surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

JOHN M. SAWYER.

The good which an active man can do in the course of his life is indeed incalculable. It cannot be measured accurately, nor can it be known definitely until "the last great day when the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible." John M. Sawyer, a retired undertaker of New Paris, Ohio, has devoted his life to the good of others, and has lived an unselfish. helpful and altruistic life from the beginning. Mr. Sawyer has prospered in life: and today is eminently entitled to the high esteem in which he is universally held.

John M. Sawyer was born in New Paris, Ohio, July 29, 1851. a son

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of John P. and Caroline (Peck) Sawyer. John P. Sawyer was born in Piqua, Ohio, and was a son of John Sawyer, who came to the United States from Scotland, and after arriving in this country, entered land in Jefferson township, Preble county, Ohio, south of New Paris. There he built a cabin in the wilderness and set to work to clear up his land. He also secured land north of New Paris, and there conducted a saw-mill for many years. He was injured in a mill accident, and died from the effects of his wounds.

John P. Sawyer, the father of John M., was left an orphan at the death of his father and went to Piqua, Ohio, where he lived with an uncle, John Patterson, until he was old enough to be apprenticed as a cabinet maker. He served seven years, after which he went to New Paris, Ohio, and worked at his trade with William Hazeltine. Later Mr. Sawyer became a building contractor. He continued in this business until 1872, in which year he pur- chased the undertaking business of Weston Mackey, and established the firm of John P. Sawyer & Son. This firm continued until after the death of the eldest Sawyer, when it was taken over by John M. Sawyer, and conducted by the latter until 1910, in which year Mr. Sawyer sold out to George W. Miller. Since his retirement from this business Mr. Sawyer has been engaged in look- ing after his business interests.

John M. Sawyer was married on April 26, 1874, to Sarah J. Cox, who was born in Monroe township, near Eldorado, Ohio, September 17, 1855, a daughter of Meredith and Elizabeth ( Fudge) Cox, and a sister of C. E. Cox, of Eaton, Ohio. To this union one son was born, Charles L., born October II, 1893. Charles W. was graduated from the New Paris high school and from the Richmond Business College and is now a drug clerk employed at Richmond, Indiana.

Mr. Sawyer is a Republican, but has never taken a very active part in political affairs, his extensive business interests having demanded his time and attention. He is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor in this lodge: also a member of the grand lodge of Knights of Pythias. Mr. Sawyer is also a member of New Paris Lodge, No. 303, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past grand of the same. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer are members of the Christian church of New Paris, in which Mr. Sawyer is an elder, a deacon and a trustee, and both he and his wife take an active interest in the work of their denomination. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer are worthy citizens of Preble county, who have discharged every duty, both public and private, to the best of their ability, as these duties have appeared to them. They have a host of friends who admire them for their many sterling qualities.

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NATHAN SMITH.

The life of the farmer of today is the most independent existence which can be enjoyed. With all the modern inventions to facilitate farming, the vocation of the farmer is rapidly losing those objections to which the aver- age person objects so seriously. Nathan Smith, a farmer of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, is one of those men who apply the same careful methods to farming as they would apply, were they in business or following any other vocation. Nathan Smith deserves especial honor as a farmer, for to him must be given the credit of introducing what is known as Smith's yellow dent corn. This variety was produced after numerous ex- periments by Mr. Smith and today is one of the most popular varieties of corn grown in the middle west.

Nathan Smith, a farmer and retired school teacher, was born on July 29, 1845, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of Reason and Nancy ( Miller ) Smith, to whom seven children were born, Nathan, who was the eldest; William, a carpenter of Verona; Elijah and Milton, de- ceased; Mrs. Mary J. Studebacker, of Grandridge, Illinois; Monroe, who is a farmer of Harrison township; and Mrs. Emma Lock, deceased.

Reason Smith was born in June, 1817, in Maryland and came to Preble county in 1827 with his parents. They settled in Twin township and in 1849 removed to Harrison township, where Mr. Smith bought eighty acres of land, on which farm he passed the remainder of his life, his death oc- curring on January 13, 1864. Reason Smith was a member of the school board for fifteen years, and a man of considerable influence in the locality. His wife was born in 1824, near Lewisburg, in Harrison township, the daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann Miller, early settlers in Preble county. Mrs. Smith died April 10, 1877.

Nathan Smith attended the district schools and the select schools of Lewisburg, Ohio. In 1868 he began teaching in Darke county, Ohio, and taught school in several districts of Preble, Montgomery and Darke counties for nineteen years. In 1888 Mr. Smith engaged in farming and now owns twenty acres of land at the south edge of Verona. Some time ago, Mr. Smith built a fine brick house which cost two thousand dollars, and eight years later erected a barn thirty by forty-four feet. Smith's yellow dent corn was exhibited at Chicago, Illinois, subsequent to Mr. Smith's experi- ment in 1888 and immediately became popular.

On October 3, 1868, Nathan Smith was married to Anna Thomas, who was born on December 25. 1847, north of Lewisburg, Ohio, the daughter

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of John and Ruth (Dinwiddie) Thomas, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter a native of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith eight children have been born, Alto F., of Dayton, Ohio; Clarence, deceased; Min- nie, deceased; Orton O., cashier of the Farmers Bank at Arcanum, Ohio; Homer B., of Greenville, Ohio; Raymond E., a farmer of Montgomery county ; Blake, a tobacco dealer of Verona; and Dale, a farmer of Preble county. Orton O. Smith and his wife, Inez, have three children, Reva Le- ona, Freda Lorena and Melvin Woodrow; Homer B. Smith and his wife, Inez, have one child, a son, Maurice Emerson; Raymond E. Smith and his wife, Nannie, have three children, Irene, Ruth Virginia and James Merril; and Dale Smith and his wife, Lelah, have one child, a son, Dale, Jr.

Mr. Smith has never been able to bestow great wealth upon his chil- dren, but he has been able to bestow what is even better than wealth, the ex- ample of an honorable, upright and industrious life on the part of the parent. His children have been carefully reared and this is the most priceless herit- age which children can receive. As a consequence, Mr. Smith's family are all industrious and prosperous today, and have honored the parents who begot them.

Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He attends church regularly, al- though he is not a member. He is not identified with any fraternal orders but has preferred to devote his energies, his time and his thoughts to the welfare of the family to whom he has always been devoted. He is an up- right, honorable citizen of his community and entitled to rank as a repre- sentative citizen of Harrison township.

OSCAR A. GALE.

Among the unassuming, unpretentious citizens of Preble county who have occupied positions of trust and responsibility is Oscar A. Gale, the present postmaster of Eaton, Ohio.

Oscar Gale was born in West Alexandria, Preble county, Ohio, July 17, 1856, the son of John H. and Catharine ( Holderman) Gale, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Preble county, who were the parents of five children, Alice, the wife of Senator Sheppard, of West Alexandria; Oscar A., the subject of this sketch; Mary E., deceased, who was the wife of E. P. Vaughan, of Eaton; Harriett E., the wife of Walter J. King, the ex-postmaster of Camden, Ohio, and John M., the assistant cashier of the Eaton National Bank.

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John H. Gale was reared in New Hampshire and came to Ohio when a young man, settling in West Alexandria, where he conducted a general store for some years. In 1861 he sold this store and he and his brother-in-law, Edward S. Stotler, formed a partnership and built a flour-mill at West Alexandria. They operated two or three mills and were in partnership for many years. Mr. Gale owned two farms south of Eaton and lived there during the summer seasons, moving to West Alexandria in the winter sea- sons. He died on the home farm in August, 1865, at the age of forty-five. His wife still survives him and was eighty-seven years old in May, 1915. Mr. Gale took an active part in the Civil War in recruiting soldiers. He was a "war Democrat" and was a well-educated man.

The paternal grandparents of Oscar A. Gale were John and Mary (Smith) Gale, both natives of New Hampshire. Mrs. Gale died in West Alexandria, Ohio, and her husband died in Illinois. They were the parents of six children, John H .; Martha, the wife of Melancthon L. Derby ; Harriet, who married Josiah E. Davis; Caroline, who married George B. Unger; Mary, the wife of Samuel Frothingham, and Samuel Gale.

The maternal grandparents of Oscar A. Gale were Abraham and Eliza- beth (Fisher) Holderman, natives of Virginia, who were pioneer settlers of Preble county. Abraham Holderman was one of the first surveyors in this part of the country. He died at the age of ninety-two and his wife lived to be ninety. They were the parents of five children, Catherine, Sarah, Eli, Elizabeth and Allen F.

Oscar A. Gale was born and reared in West Alexandria and attended the public schools there. He took a scientific course at Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, after which he went to Eastman's Business College at Pough- keepsie, New York. After leaving the latter school he operated the Cedar Springs hotel, near New Paris, Ohio, for five years and then returned to West Alexandria and entered the general store founded by his father, under the firm name of Unger & Gale. He was in that business for eleven years, at the end of which time he was elected county auditor, in which office he served for six years. Following this public service, Mr. Gale was special agent in the United States Department of Commerce and Labor, for one year. He was appointed postmaster of Eaton in 1912 and still holds that office.

Mr. Gale was married in 1891 to Eliza Galt, the daughter of John and Anna Galt. To this union one daughter, Caroline, has been born. Mrs. Gale was born in West Alexandria. Her parents were natives of Ireland and early settlers in Preble county. Her mother died in 1908, while her

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father is still living in West Alexandria. They had four children, Joseph R., Mary, Maggie and Eliza.

Mrs. Gale is a member of the German Reformed church. Fraternally, Mr. Gale is a member of Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons; Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and Reed Commandery No. 10, Knights Templar, of Dayton, Ohio. He also is a member of the West Alex- andria Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Politically, Mr. Gale is a Republican and served as city treasurer of West Alexandria for eighteen years.

Descended from a distinguished line of forefathers and successful on his own account, Oscar A. Gale is still modest in his claim for preferment. Honors and public responsibility have come to him naturally and he has ac- cepted them as a matter of course, discharging them as becomes one gifted with a strong heart and rare mental attainment.

ELWOOD M. KESSLER.

This utilitarian age has been especially prolific in men of action, clear brained men of high resolve and noble purpose, who give character and stability to the communities honored by their citizenship, and whose influence and leadership are easily discernible in the various enterprises that have added so greatly to the splendid reputation which Preble county enjoys among her sister counties of the great commonwealth of Ohio. Conspicuous among this class of men, whose residence is in Preble county, is Elwood M. Kessler, a funeral director and grocer of New Paris, Ohio.

Mr. Kessler was born in New Paris, Ohio, December 11, 1871, a son of S. W. and Jennie ( McPherson) Kessler, both of whom are residents of New Paris. They are the parents of five living children, George, Mary, Clifford. Ernest and Elwood. Mary was graduated from the New Paris high school, and is the wife of James Sullivan, of Campbellstown, Ohio.

Elwood M. Kessler was born in New Paris, and attended the public schools of that village. For some time he was a student of the New Paris high school. Mr. Kessler was graduated from the Cincinnati College of Embalming, in September, 1911, and immediately after receiving his diploma, embarked in the profession of a funeral director. Mr. Kessler also operates a fine grocery in New Paris. He started in life single-handed, and has "made good" in every respect. He owns one of the best groceries in New Paris, and enjoys a large patronage in his line.

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Mr. Kessler was married on September 1, 1901, to Grace Coblentz, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, but who was educated in the schools of New Paris, finishing in the high school of that city. She is a daughter of Elwood Coblentz. Two children, Harry C. and Gladys, have been born to this union, the former born in 1903, and the latter in 1907.

Mr. and Mrs. Kessler are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active interest in the affairs of the church, being liberal contributors to its support. Mr. Kessler is a member of New Paris Lodge No. 303, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past grand in this lodge. He is also a member of Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Kessler is a Republican, but has never held office, nor has he aspired to office, having preferred to exercise his duties as an American citizen by a wise selection of candidates for the various offices.

Mr. and Mrs. Kessler are well known in New Paris and Jefferson town- ship, and are highly-respected citizens in the community where they live. They are the kind of people who add materially to the fiber of citizenship of any community.

PROF. WALTER SCOTT FOGARTY.

Perseverance and sterling worth are almost always sure to win con- spicuous recognition. Prof. Walter Scott Fogarty, county superintendent of Preble county schools, is recognized as one of the leading educators of this section of Ohio. His career affords a splendid example of the success- ful, self-made man, who is not only eminently deserving of the confidence reposed in him by his neighbors and fellow citizens, but who also possesses the talent and forcefulness that have made him successful as an instructor and educator. Professor Fogarty is a man of strong character and vigorous mentality. He has achieved a signal success in his special calling and has earned the commendation which comes from those who are competent to estimate a man and his accomplishments.

Prof. Walter Scott Fogarty was born near Glendale, in Hamilton county, Ohio, June 26, 1873, a son of Patrick and Delilah (Brate) Fogarty, natives of Ireland and Butler county. Ohio, respectively, who were the parents of six children, Edmund, of Liberty, Ohio, the county recorder; Mary, the wife of F. S. McCarty, of Liberty, Indiana; Amanda, the wife of Charles Paddock, of Union county, Indiana; Emma, the wife of B. H. Sanford, of Richmond, Indiana; and Ella, who died when two years old.

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Patrick Fogarty was fourteen years old when he came from Ireland to America. He came alone and located first near Glendale, Ohio where he engaged in farming. He was married in Hamilton county and moved to Butler county where he engaged in farming. He now lives retired at Lib- erty, Indiana. He is not identified with any church but his wife is a Pres- byterian.

Professor Fogarty's paternal grandparents were Edmund and Mary Fogarty, both natives of Ireland. They came to America some years after the coming of their son and settled at Glendale, where they lived with a daughter and where they died at advanced ages. They had three children, Patrick, Ellen and Bridget. The maternal grandparents of Professor Fo- garty were John and Mary Brate, pioneer settlers of Butler county, who died in this county, he in middle life and she at an advanced age. Their family consisted of the following children: William, Hiram, Mary, Daniel, Delilah, John, David, George, Amanda and Emma.

Prof. Walter S. Fogarty was reared in Hamilton and Butler counties, Ohio, as a farmer boy. He attended the district schools, Oxford high school and Miami University and was graduated from the latter in 1903. He re- ceived the honors in history at the time of his graduation and the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1908 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him. Before receiving his bachelor's degree he had taught in the coun- try schools for six years and after his graduation he became principal of the high school at Fairhaven and superintendent of the Israel township schools. He later was elected principal of the high school at Camden and later superintendent of the schools, serving in the latter capacity for six years. He was then elected county superintendent of schools in Preble county and moved to Eaton to live.

On June 22, 1904. Professor Fogarty was married to Myrtle Johnston McDill, the daughter of Edward R. and Melissa (Johnston) McDill, to which union four children have been born, Dorothy J., Donald. M., Walace B. and Mary Frances.

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History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 65

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

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