USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 69
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
WILLIAM A. GOLDSMITH.
There is no calling, however humble, in which enterprise and industry, coupled with a well-directed purpose, will not produce some measure of suc- cess. In the pursuit of agriculture, these qualities are quite essential. Among the well-known and highly-respected farmers of Preble county, Ohio, who have obtained a definite degree of success in their vocation and who have, at the same time, benefited the community in which they live, is William A. Goldsmith.
William A. Goldsmith, a farmer living on "Maple Nook" dairy farm, consisting of twenty-two acres, situated one and one-fourth miles northeast of Eaton, Ohio, was born in Preble county, Ohio. June 5, 1864, the son of William E. and Emeline (Bowles) Goldsmith. William E. Goldsmith was born in this county, one and one-fourth miles west of Eaton, on the west
Digitized by y Google
712
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
road, a son of William and Mary ( Null) Goldsmith. His wife died in 1874 and he married, secondly, Phoebe Whiteneck and both are now residents of Eaton. By his first marriage Mr. Goldsmith was the father of three children, Minnie, the wife of Frank O. Dunlap, of Preble county; William A., the subject of this sketch; and Clara, the wife of Ed. Quinn, of Washington township.
William A. Goldsmith was reared on the farm west of Eaton and lived there until he was six years old, at which time the family moved to a farm near New Hope station. He attended the district school until he was past ten years of age and then moved back to Washington township. He at- tended school until he was eighteen years old and remained on the farm until he was twenty-five.
Mr. Goldsmith was married on October 1, 1889, to Mary J. Banta, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Christman) Banta, both of whom were natives of this county. They were the parents of Emma, the wife of Levi Hapner; Mary J., the wife of Mr. Goldsmith; Amy, the wife of Charles L. Greenfield; and Edith M., the wife of Elmer E. Pfontz, of Montgomery county, Ohio. Minnie is deceased. Mrs. Goldsmith was reared on a farm and was educated in the district schools. She was graduated from the Eaton high school in 1887.
To Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith two daughters have been born, Ruth E., born March 6, 1891, is a graduate of the Eaton high school and the wife of Homer Kramer ; Marie, born January 16, 1893, also was graduated from the Eaton high school. She is unmarried and at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith are members of the First Christian church at Eaton, and Mrs. Goldsmith is a member of the Missionary society. Mr. Goldsmith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife are members of the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. Goldsmith is a Democrat, although not particularly active in political affairs.
Mr. Goldsmith has operated a dairy farm for ten years. He built a splendid home in 1905, which is modern in all respects. Mr. and Mrs. Gold- smith are quiet, unassuming people, descended from pioneers of Preble county, John Goldsmith, the great-grandfather of William A., having entered three hundred and twenty acres of land west of Eaton, where he died. The family, therefore, has been identified with the history of Preble county almost from its beginning. Mr. and Mrs. William A. Goldsmith are rated among the most substantial citizens of Preble county. They are popular socially in the community where they live and are among leaders in every public move- ment.
Digitized by Google
713
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
JOHN W. O'HARA. .
One of the influential and well-known citizens of Campbellstown, Preble county, Ohio, is John W. O'Hara, a rural mail carrier on Route No. I, out of Campbellstown.
John W. O'Hara was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, a son of James and Catherine (Kelly) O'Hara. James O'Hara was born in the village of Kilbennan, near Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, February 1, 1837, and died at New Hope, in this county, in 1912. He was reared in his native country and learning of the advantages offered to young men in America, he embarked in a vessel for the United States, eventually making his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, arriving there on June 24, 1863. This, of course, was during the Civil War and the vessel upon which James O'Hara came to this country was caught by the famous Confederate cruiser, "Alabama," and some of the men were taken off and forced into the Confederate navy. After arriving in Cin- cinnati, James O'Hara found employment.
James O'Hara was married to Catherine Kelly and to them were born seven sons and one daughter. The seven sons grew to manhood on a farm one and one-half miles north of New Hope in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio. The farm upon which these sons were reared was purchased from Peter Reynolds about 1876. The house was a two-room cabin, built by Stephen Preble. The seven sons attended the public schools of the com- munity and there grew to manhood. All of them have arisen to more than ordinary prominence, some are physicians and some have chosen other pro- fessions. They are all living, John W., born on February 22, 1873; Peter, born on October 10, 1874: James P., born on February 1, 1876: William, born on October 25. 1877; Patrick H., born on June 7, 1879; Mary, born on February 19, 1881, and died on April 21, 1883; Harry, born on November 2, 1883, and Charles, born on July 2, 1885.
John W. O'Hara attended the public schools of Jackson township and received sufficient education to enable him to teach in the public schools of the county, which he did for many years.
Mr. O'Hara was married to Virgie L. Flora, the daughter of Perry C. Flora, of Jackson township, who received her education in the common schools of the county. Her father is a prominent merchant at West Flor- ence in Jackson township and is a descendant of an old and respected family of Preble county.
To John W. and Virgie L. (Flora) O'Hara three children have been
Digitized by y Google
714
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
born, Heber, born on December 12, 1899, is a graduate of the Jackson town- ship high school; Mable, born on January 5, 1904, and Ruth, born on May 19, 1907.
Besides taking the common-school branches Mr. O'Hara took a course in the art school at Columbus, Ohio. He was elected justice of the peace in Jackson township in 1900 and served in that capacity until 1910, discharging the duties of this ofhce in an entirely satisfactory manner. He has been prominently identified in local politics and was nominated, in 1912, on the Democratic ticket, for surveyor of Preble county, but withdrew his candidacy when appointed rural mail carrier out of Campbellstown, June 1, 1912, and still holds this position. He has been prosperous all his life and now owns eighty-four acres of splendid land in Jackson township. John W. O'Hara is not only a well-known citizen of Jackson township, but he is highly re- spected for his sterling traits of character and thoroughly deserves the con- fidence which has been reposed in him by the people of that township.
JOHN HERBST.
John Herbst, a representative citizen and progressive farmer of Wash- ington township, Preble county, Ohio, is known as one of the alert and suc- cessful farmers of his community. In his endeavors he has not permitted himself to follow in the rut in a blind, apathetic way, but has studied and experimented and has thus obtained the maximum returns from his efforts. He commands the confidence and regard of the people of the community in which he lives and is a man of honorable business methods, advocating what- ever tends to promote the public welfare.
John Herbst was born on March 25, 1853, a son of Fred and Elizabeth (Straw) Herbst. Fred Herbst was a native-born citizen of Ger- many and Elizabeth Straw was born in Preble county, Ohio. She died in 1854, when her son, John, was only eighteen months old. He was taken by an aunt, Margaret Otto, and was cared for by her until three years old. He was then taken into the home of his maternal grandfather. Peter Straw, and remained there until he was nineteen years of age. At this age Mr. Herbst began working for himself, by the month. on the farms in the neigh- borhood until he reached his majority, but had saved little in the meantime.
On October 28, 1878, John Herbst was married to Elizabeth Williams, who was born April 30, 1858, in Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of Jere-
Digitized by y Google
715
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
miah Williams and wife, and was reared on her father's farm, receiving her education in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. John Herbst lived on rented farms for a period of fifteen years, after which Mr. Herbst purchased his present farm of sixty-two and one-half acres, and on this farm he has placed many substantial improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Herbst are the parents of six children: Fred, lives at Cincinnati, Ohio; Nora, the wife of William Taylor, a farmer of Washington township; Bertha, unmarried, is employed in a glove factory at Eaton ; Everett E., unmarried, is a farmer; Marguerite, unmarried, lives at home. as does Herbert, the youngest of the family.
Mr. Herbst is a Republican, but he has never taken an active part in political affairs. He has never held office, nor has he ever aspired to public position. Mr. Herbst has made an especial success in raising high-grade stock, and has been particularly successful as a farm manager, being enter- prising and progressive in all his efforts and methods employed on his farm. The Herbst family are highly respected citizens of Washington township, where they have lived for many years.
PROF. CLAYTON R. COBLENTZ.
Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, is extremely proud of its cen- tralized schools, and no man has had more to do with the consolidation of these schools and the erection of the present magnificent school building in Jackson township than Prof. Clayton R. Coblentz, the superintendent of schools at Campbellstown.
Professor Coblentz was born in Darke county, Ohio, four miles north of New Paris, November 12, 1876, a son of J. H. and Elizabeth (Eubank) Coblentz. J. H. Coblentz is a son of John and Mary J. (Robertson) Cob- lentz. John Coblentz was a son of George Coblentz, Sr., who was a native of Coblentz, Germany, on the Rhine. When a young man, George Cob- lentz emigrated to America and located in Frederick county, Maryland, where he married. Later he emigrated to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he followed farming and where he spent the remainder of his life. John Coblentz, the grandfather of Clayton R., was left an orphan at a tender age, and was taken by his sister and other relatives to be reared. He grew to manhood on a farm near Eldorado, Ohio, where he married Mary J. Robertson, whose father, Isaac Robertson, was a noted itinerant preacher in
Digitized by Google
-
716
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Preble and Darke counties, and to this union were born five children, one of whom died in infancy. The others were: Rhoda, who became the wife of Joseph Alexander; John H., the father of Professor Coblentz, married Elizabeth Eubank; Malissa M., the wife of Henry H. Mikesell, and El- wood, who married Estella Alexander.
John H. Coblentz, after his marriage, settled in Jefferson township, in this county, and later moved to Darke county, Ohio, where he was the owner of two farms. Later he returned to Jefferson township, Preble county, where he lived until 1911, in which year he purchased a store at Coxs Mills, in Wayne county, Indiana. John H. Coblentz and wife were the parents of three children, the eldest, Edward I., dying at the age of nine years, the others being Clayton R., who is the immediate subject of this sketch, and Ola M., the wife of James V. Hughes, a Jefferson township farmer.
Prof. Clayton R. Coblentz spent his boyhood days on a farm, where he was reared to maturity. He attended the district schools during his early years and was graduated from the high school at New Paris in 1894. He received his professional training at Earlham College, Richmond, In- diana, and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and in 1895 engaged in teach- ing. He was principal of the New Paris high school one and one-half years and was superintendent of the same school three and one-half years. He was placed at the head of the Jackson township high school in 1900, and has been superintendent of this school since that time. The new school building was erected in 1910 and is the pride of Jackson township. Profes- sor Coblentz was the promoter and supporter of the plan for the central- ization of schools in Jackson township.
Professor Coblentz was married on June 11, 1899, to Daisy Barnet, who was born near Camden, Ohio, September 29, 1875, the daughter of James M. and Mary E. (Kelley) Barnet. She went with her parents to New Paris, Ohio, when seven years old, attended the schools of that vil- lage, and was graduated from the New Paris high school with the class of 1892. After her graduation she became a teacher in the public schools of Preble county, and taught at Eldorado and New Paris, as well as in the Jackson township district schools. Five children have been born to Pro- fessor Coblentz and wife, two dying in infancy. Those living are: Law- rence E., born on December 15, 1905; Mary E., born on October 8, 1909, and Ruth A., born on May 19, 1911.
Professor Coblentz and wife are earnest members of the Christian church, in which he is church clerk. He is also a teacher of the young peo-
Digitized by y Google
717
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
ple's class and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a Re -. publican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. He is a man of quiet and unassuming disposition and enjoys the good will of all the people of the township, whom he has served for a period of fifteen years. He is a learned, efficient and capable educator and an eminent private citi- zen, a leader in all movements having for their object the betterment of his community, and devoted to the best interests of the township which he has long served so faithfully and so well.
JOSIAH M. CROWEL.
Josiah M. Crowel is recognized as one of the energetic farmers of Preble county, Ohio, who, by his enterprise and progressive methods, has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the locality in which he lives. During the course of a long and honorable career, he has been especi- ally successful in farming and enjoys the prestige of being a reputable and representative man of his township. It is eminently proper, therefore, that attention be called to his achievements and due credit be accorded to his worth as a citizen.
Josiah M. Crowel was born in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, September 23, 1860, a son of Jacob and Amy E. (Feasel) Crowel. Jacob Crowel was also a native of Jackson township, his birth having occurred October 19, 1818, and he was a son of Michael and Hannah (Wells) Crowel. Michael Crowel came to Ohio from Virginia, where he was born in 1806, and located in Jackson township in this county, and there he spent the remainder of his life. His wife was a native of North Carolina, and came to Ohio early in life with her parents and located in Jackson township, where she was married. Later Michael Crowel entered land one mile east of the state line, on the farm now owned by Charles Cox. He cleared away a spot and there built a cabin in the wilderness, and there he and his wife lived and worked with true pioneer spirit, clearing and improving their farm. They were the parents of nine children: Henry, David, Jacob, John, Michael, James, Mary, Sarah and Hiram, all of whom are now deceased.
Jacob Crowel grew to manhood in Jackson township, attending the dis- trict schools of that day, and married Amy E. Feasel, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, March 18, 1832, and died February 14, 1915. Shortly after his marriage Jacob Crowel purchased the old home farm, and
Digitized by Google
-
718
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
there he lived and worked and was prospered as the years went on and eventually became the owner of two hundred and sixty-five acres. He was a quiet, honorable man, devoted to the interests of his family and the wel- fare of the community in which he lived. He died in 1901, in his eighty- third year. He and his wife were the parents of three children: William, a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Josiah, the immediate subject of this review, and Edgar F., a candy maker in Richmond, Indiana.
Josiah M. Crowel was reared on the farm in Jackson township, and received his education in the public schools of his home neighborhood. He remained at home assisting his father until he reached his majority, when he bought one hundred and one acres, a part of the old homestead. Mr. Crowel is now a general farmer and stock raiser.
On February 17, 1891, Josiah M. Crowel was married to Margaret Short, who is a daughter of John M. and Adelia Short. She was born in Wayne county, Indiana. Her father died February 17, 1895, and her mother died April 1, 1915. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crowel settled down on the farm where they now reside. They have one daughter, Hazel L:, who was born on November 30, 1891. She is a graduate of the Jackson township high school, and is living at home with her parents.
Mr. Croweb. is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. He has always voted at elections, but has preferred to leave the active management of politics to others. No man is more highly re- spected and esteemed in Jackson township than Josiah M. Crowel.
JOHN C. BARR.
It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legiti- mate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action one decides upon. Success was never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and never courts the inert man. Only men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessing. The suc- cess which John C. Barr, of Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, enjoys has been won by the qualities which always win success. His splendid per- sonal worth has won for him the high esteem of a large circle of friends.
John C. Barr, a farmer living in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, was born in Jefferson township, in the same county, September 27, 1864, the son of Alexander and Achasia (Curry ) Barr. Alexander Barr was born in Preble county, the son of Christopher Barr, whose father and two
Digitized by Google
719
PREBLE. COUNTY, OHIO.
brothers came to the United States from Scotland. Christopher Barr's father settled near New Paris, in Jefferson township, this county, where he spent the rest of his life. His son, Christopher Barr, lived and died in the same township.
Both Alexander Barr and his wife, the latter of whom was the daugh- ter of Capt. John Curry, grew up in Preble county, and both lived here all their lives. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living: Alice, the wife of William D. Benner, of Jackson township; John C., the subject of this sketch; Clarence O., a farmer of Jefferson township; Frank, a graduate of the Richmond Business College, who is assistant su- perintendent in the office of the Adams Express Company at Chicago, Illi- nois; Myrtle, the wife of William Irwin, of Eldorado, Ohio; William A., a graduate of the Richmond Business College, who is a traveling salesman for Seigle Brothers, of Chicago; Mary, the wife of Herbert Harshman, of Washington township; Pearl, the wife of John Wearley, of Manchester, Ohio; and Bruce O., a graduate of the Richmond Business College, who is a farmer in Jefferson township. John C. Barr was reared on the paternal farm in this county, receiving his education in the common schools, and lived at home until he was married.
John C. Barr was married on June 17, 1896, to Mattie M. Tobey, who was born in Jackson township. June 2, 1876, the daughter of David and Mary (Kepler ) Tobey. To this union have been born two sons: Byrl T., a student in the Jackson township high school, born May 15, 1897, and Azel F., born June 22, 1898, also a student in the high school.
David Tobey was a son of Henry and Magdalene C. ( Rohrer ) Tobey, the former of whom was born on October 14, 1817, and the latter born on March 20, 1818, who were married December 24, 1835. Mrs. Henry Tobey was a daughter of Elizabeth Rohrer, who died July 14, 1884. Henry Tobey was a minister in the United Brethren church. He and his wife migrated from Baltimore, Maryland, to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1836. He began preaching at the age of forty-one at Lewisburg. Ohio, and was ordained an elder in 1845. He died on September 15, 1889, and his wife died on January 31, 1900.
John C. Barr is a member of the Presbyterian church at Gettysburg, Ohio, and Mrs. Barr is a member of the United Brethren church at New Hope. Mr. Barr is a Democrat and has been active in the councils of his party and is now one of the trustees of the township. He owns forty acres of land on the Richmond and Eaton pike, six miles from Eaton and ten miles from Richmond. The Barr family is widely known in the commun- ity in which they live and are popular in that community.
Digitized by y Google
.
720
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
THE DEEM FAMILY.
One of the most prominent of the Preble county families, and one which has been connected with the history of this section from the very earliest times, is that of the Deems. The family in Preble county was founded by Joseph Deem, who was a well-known pioneer, and a man of true worth. He was born September 20, 1801, in Campbell county, Virginia, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1810, locating in Butler county, Ohio, where he resided until 1836, when he came to Preble county. He was married Decem- ber 18, 1823, to Frances Tarr, who was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, November 1, 1800. Upon coming to Preble county, Joseph Deem and wife located two miles northwest of Eaton, where they lived the remainder of their lives, his death occurring February 14, 1873, his widow survived him about one year, dying on January 14, 1874. Both were devout and earnest mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Joseph Deem was converted August 4, 1821, at a camp meeting in Butler county, Ohio. He became a member of the church and was a devoted and faithful worker in the church for more than half a century, as well as a valued citizen of his community . throughout his life.
To Joseph and Frances (Tarr) Deem were born nine children: Wil- liam T., born September 26, 1824; Buckner, born August 19, 1826; Mary A., born April 28, 1828; Maria, born April 2, 1831 ; John, born June 6, 1833; Jane, born November 13, 1835; Frances M., born May 26, 1838; George W., born June 15, 1841, and James K., born August 2, 1844.
James K. Deem was reared on a farm and was educated in the district schools. He spent his entire life on the old home farm two miles northwest of Eaton. He was married December 24, 1868, to Mary E. Bruce, a grand- daughter of William Bruce, who was born on the old Bruce homestead just south of the Eaton corporation line, November 25, 1849, and was educated in the public schools of Eaton, Ohio. To this union there was born one son, Charles Hardin Deem, born February 14, 1870. Mr. Deem was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a member of the official board of the congregation to which he was attached, and throughout his whole life was a liberal supporter of the church.
Charles Hardin Deem was educated in the district schools, which he attended during the winter seasons. In the summers he worked on a farm. On December 22, 1897, he married Elma Cooper, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Cooper. Mr. Deem is ex-treasurer of Preble county, Ohio.
James K. Deem died January 7, 1891, and Mrs. Deem married his
Digitized by y Google
- -
Digitized by Google
1
GEORGE W. DEEM.
Digitized by Google
0
JAMES K. DEEM.
Digitized by Google
Digitized by Google
721
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
brother, George W. Deem, December 29, 1897. George W. Deem had been married to Fanny J. Bruce, a sister of his second wife, and by this marriage was the father of one daughter, Susan, who is the wife of Charles A. Kelley, and lives at Searcy, Arkansas.
George W. Deem was one of the organizers of the Eaton National Bank, and served as one of the directors until his death. He was prominent in financial circles. He built the home where his widow now lives on North Baron street, and moved into it in 1882. It is constructed of pressed brick and is one of the best dwellings in Eaton. George W. Deem was en- gaged in the lumber business in Eaton from 1872 until his death in 1902. He was a successful business man in every respect.
George W. Deem was a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Boliver Lodge No. 82. of Eaton. He was an eminently respected citizen of the county during his life and contributed much to the financial prestige of Preble county.
Mrs. Deem now lives in her splendid home on Baron street in Eaton, and is a clever, refined and entertaining woman, a descendant of one of the oldest families of Preble county, and enjoys in the widest degree the respect and esteem of her large circle of acquaintances.
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.