USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 70
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JONAS H. TREFFINGER.
Few residents of Preble county are so well and favorably known as the enterprising farmer and representative citizen whose life story is here briefly set out, and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community in which he resides.
Jonas H. Treffinger, the proprietor of "Sunny Nook Farm," consisting of sixty acres, situated six miles northwest of Eaton, in Jackson township, was born in Washington township, this county, October 21, 1855, the son of William G. and Regina ( Ressler ) Treffinger, both natives of Germany.
William G. Treffinger and Regina Ressler grew up in Germany, were married there and came to the United States in the forties, locating in Jack- son township, Preble county, Ohio. They never possessed much of this world's goods, but did manage. however, to acquire a small farm, where they both died. They were members of the Dunkard church and were the parents of seven children, two of whom are living. William E., who mar- ried Kate Stemple and lives in Washington township, and Jonas H.
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Jonas H. Treffinger was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He worked for his father until he was sixteen years old, at which time he began working for himself. He worked by the month until twenty-three years old, and was then, on September 28, 1878, married to Emma Longfellow, a daughter of John J. and Julia A. (Dillman) Long- fellow, the former a native of Cass county, Indiana, and the latter of Wash- ington township, Preble county, Ohio. Jacob Longfellow, father of John J., owned a large tract of land where the city of Logansport, Indiana, now stands. John J. Longfellow settled in Butler county, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life. His daughter, Emma Longfellow, who is Mr. Treffin- ger's wife, was born in St. Clair township, Butler county, February 20, 1857. She was educated in the common schools of Preble county, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Jonas H. Treffinger have three daughters, Maude E., Bessie J. and Juna E. Maude E. married J. T. Hilderbrand and lives in Chicago, Illinois. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Bessie J. is a graduate of the Campbellstown high school and the wife of John Mummert, of Dixon township. They have two daughters. Juna E. is sin- gle and at home.
The maternal grandmother of these children was Julia A. Markey, who married Adam Dillman, both natives of Virginia.
Mr. Treffinger is a member of Eaton Lodge No. 30, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat, but has never cared to hold office. Mr. Treffinger has made a success of his vocation and is popular in the com- munity where he lives.
ELIJAH V. STAMBACK.
Among those who are eminently entitled to a place in a work of this character is Elijah V. Stamback, a farmer living on Rural Route 3, out of New Paris, Ohio. Mr. Stamback has performed well his part in the drama of civilization and has led a life that is exemplary in every respect. He has set an example to the younger generation, for he has been a leader in his locality in all matters pertaining to its advancement. In a conservative manner he has done what he could for the advancement of the community's interests.
Elijah V. Stamback was born in Jackson township, this county, one and one-half miles south of where he now lives, April 11, 1862, the son of William and Nancy A. ( McElhaney) Stamback, the latter of whom was
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a native of Virginia, who were the parents of eight children, four of whom are still living: Maggie, the wife of James Wert; Miriam, the wife of F. L. Dine; W. J., a farmer of Jackson township, and Elijah V., the sub- ject of this sketch.
Elijah V. Stamback was left at the age of two years without a father, and his mother died a few years later. For six years he worked for dif- ferent people for his board and clothes, and for seven years he worked by the month. The first year of this latter form of service he received nine dollars a month and the next four years fifteen dollars a month, and the last two years eighteen dollars a month. At the end of seven years he had saved two hundred dollars. Mr. Stamback then began life on his own ac- count. He rented land in. Jackson township at three dollars an acre for two years and in 1888 purchased the place where he now lives, consisting of one hundred and forty-four acres. Mr. Stamback now owns two hun- dred and thirty acres in Jefferson township and four hundred acres in Jack- son township, in all, six hundred and thirty acres. He has acquired every acre of this land by his own labor and careful management. One-half of Mr. Stamback's total wealth has come from the raising of tobacco and corn.
One might canvass Preble county thoroughly, but it is doubtful if he would be able to find a man who has accomplished more than Elijah V. Stamback, considering the handicaps under which he labored early in life. There are not many farmers in Preble county who own more land than Mr. Stamback, and there are very few who have a competence equal to that which he has accumulated. Mr. Stamback has toiled hard and has always been a good manager; but coupled with these two qualities, is his reputation for honesty and square dealing, a no small factor in his great personal success.
Mr. Stamback was married on October 24, 1886, to Cora L. McKee, who was born in Jefferson township, this county, but who lived in the West a short time.
Mr. Stamback is a Democrat, but his life has been too busily occupied with his own private affairs to permit much attention to political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Stamback are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Gettysburg and Mr. Stamback is a member of the official board and active in the work of the church and the Sunday school.
Elijah V. Stambach has reached that enviable position in life from which he can look back upon his career and know that he has been a suc- cess, realizing that the verdict of his neighbors, his friends and his fellow citizens must ever continue to be: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
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CLEMENT L. JONES.
It is the farmer who makes it possible for men in other occupations to live. Farming was the original vocation of man and it is the only occupa- tion which could exist independently of the others. Indeed, every other occupation is dependent upon farming. The products of the farm have made our railroads what they are today. The great bulk of manufactur- ing is made necessary because of the farmer's needs. The people of the city could not live a week without the farmer's products. This is especially true of the fruit and truck grower. The farmer holds not only the purse- strings of the nation, but he even holds the very life of the people in his hand. For this reason, the farmer has in reality the most important voca- tion of all. Preble county has many fine farms and many good farmers, and among the best and most successful is Clement L. Jones, a farmer liv- ing on Rural Route 3. out of Richmond. Indiana, and the proprietor of "Linden Ranch, Fruit, Dairy and Poultry Farm," consisting of sixty-two acres five miles east of Richmond, in Jefferson township.
Mr. Jones was born in Randolph county, Indiana, May 4, 1872, the son of John H. and Ellen F. (Helton) Jones. John H. Jones was born in Owen county, Indiana, the son of Warren M. Jones, who was the son of Edmund Jones, the latter of whom emigrated from Virginia to Indiana, where he entered land in Wayne county and where he spent the remainder of his life.
Warren M. Jones married Sarah Stauffer, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, but who was reared in Wayne county, Indiana, to which union were born eleven children. Levi, John, Granville, Jacob, Edward, Harold, Mel- vina, Elizabeth, Ruth, Hannah and Sarah. all of whom are living except Melvina.
John H. Jones was reared on a farm in Randolph county, Indiana, and was educated in the district schools of that county, following which he taught school for some time. He married Ellen Helton. the daughter of John and Melissa (Edwards) Helton, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana. Three children were born to this union: Clement L., the subject of this sketch; John F., who married Ethel Totten and lives in Eureka, Cal- ifornia: Elza F., who married Addie Hinshaw and lives in Reno, Nevada. Mrs. Ellen Jones died in 1877 and Mr. Jones married, secondly, Mary C. Shank, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana. To this second union ten children were born, all of whom live in Randolph county, Indiana, ex- cept Herbert, who lives in Lafayette, same state. The other children are
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James F., Homer, Lester, Paul, Everett, Ernest, Ina M., Estella and Flor- ence.
Clement L. Jones was reared on a farm in Randolph county, Indiana, and was educated in the district schools of that county. He was grad- uated from the common schools and for a period of five years taught school in Indiana, Illinois, Oregon and Washington.
Mr. Jones was married to Jennie A. Baker, who was born in Buffalo, Dallas county, Missouri, September 6, 1871, the daughter of Marcus A. and Harriett E. (Wilson) Baker. Marcus A. Baker was a soldier in Com- pany F, Sixty-ninth Regiment Indiana Infantry, and served one year dur- ing the Civil War, being discharged for disability at the end of that time. He and his wife were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living, Maggie, Winona, Harry, Marcus, Jr., Arthur, David, Robert, Mary and Jennie A. Four children are deceased, Howard, Curtis, Mckinley and Curtis. Mrs. Jones' mother died in Missouri and Mrs. Jones was reared by her maternal grandparents, being educated in the public schools of Rich- mond, Indiana.
To Clement L. and Jennie A. (Baker) Jones two children have been born: Edwin H., born on February 22, 1893, who was graduated from the New Paris high school and is now in the government service, connected with the weather bureau at Boise, Idaho, and Hubert F., born on Novem- ber 13, 1896, who also is a graduate of the New Paris high school.
Mr. Jones is an extensive grower of fruit and truck. He owns ten acres of orchard land and has three acres in berries. He also raises other small fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are extensive breeders of White Wyan- dotte chickens and have some excellent fowls. Mr. Jones makes a specialty of thoroughbred Duroc-Jersey hogs and has other good grades of live stock.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at New Paris, Ohio. Mr. Jones is a member of the official board and one of the trustees and treasurer of the church, and for several years served as superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally, he is a member of Har- mony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor of this lodge. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Pythian Sisters, in which order she is a past chief. Mr. Jones also is a member of Richmond Camp No. 3815, Modern Woodmen of America. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the White Water Valley Grange at New Paris. Mr. Jones is past mas- ter and past representative and was first master of the grange. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are charter members and the latter has been a lecturer for the grange for many years. Mr. Jones is a Democrat and has served his
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community efficiently as a member of the local school board. He is a mem- ber of the Preble county board of agriculture, having been appointed to this position. Mr. Jones is entitled to rank as one of the representative citizens of Preble county and one of the substantial farmers and business men of his vicinity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are leaders in all public movements and both are capable and faithful leaders in their community.
OTTO B. COOPER.
Among the worthy citizens of Preble county, Ohio, whose residence here has contributed in no small degree to the prestige of the locality where he lives, is Otto B. Cooper, a general merchant of Campbellstown. While laboring for his individual advancement he has not forgotten his obliga- tions to the public and his support of such measures and movements as have been made for the general good, has always been depended upon. Al- though his life has always been a busy one, his private affairs making heavy demand upon his time, he has never allowed it to interfere with his obliga- tions as a citizen and neighbor. Through the long years of his residence in this locality, he has ever been true to the trust reposed in him, whether of a general or specific nature. His reputation in a business way is unas- sailable and he is honored by all who know him, being very properly num- bered among the representative citizens of Jackson township.
Otto B. Cooper was born in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, June 20, 1874, the son of Daniel and Sarah (Aydelotte) Cooper. Daniel Cooper was a native of Butler county, Ohio, a son of Jacob and Harriett (Patton) Cooper. Jacob Cooper was a native of Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, after which he emigrated to Butler county, Ohio, and from there to Preble county, locating in Jackson township, where he spent the remainder of his life. Daniel Cooper was one of the representative citi- zens of Jackson township and a Republican in politics. He was elected treasurer of Preble county and served in that capacity from 1880 to 1884. During this time he lived in Eaton and after his term had expired he con- tinued to reside in Eaton until 1906, in which year he took up his residence with his son, Otto B., at Campbellstown, where he died. His widow is still living in Campbellstown. Daniel Cooper was a prosperous farmer, active in the party with which he was identified and performed good serv- ice for that party. He served in Company C. Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer
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Infantry, during the Civil War, enlisting in 1861. He was disabled by wounds and honorably discharged in 1864. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being affiliated with the post at Eaton, and took a prominent part in the proceedings of that organization. He and his wife were the parents of three children: Elma, the wife of Charles H. Deem, of Washington township; Emma, the wife of C. V. Walters, of Eaton, and Otto B., the subject of this sketch.
Otto B. Cooper was reared on a farm in Jackson township, where he remained until five years old, when the family moved to Eaton. He at- tended the public schools there and was graduated from the Eaton high school. He moved to a farm in Jackson township, when he began life for himself, starting at the bottom. In 1894 he began farming for himself and continued this form of endeavor for twelve years. He was successful as a farmer, and in 1906 moved to Campbellstown, where he purchased a gen- eral store and has been in business in that town since that date.
Mr. Cooper was married on July 8, 1914, to Kate Miller, who was born in central Kentucky and was educated in the public schools of that state. She was graduated from the Richmond ( Kentucky) schools and was a teacher for eleven years.
Mr. Cooper is a member of Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons; of Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and of the Coun- cil of Royal and Select Masters at Hamilton. . Mr. Cooper is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in the councils of that party. He is a quiet, unassuming man and an honorable citizen in every respect, well known and highly regarded throughout Preble county.
JOHN F. DUGGINS.
A career marked by earnest and indefatigable application has been that of John F. Duggins, a substantial and honored citizen of Washington town- ship, Preble county, Ohio, where he has maintained a residence for many years, during all of which time his life has been an open book to be read by his neighbors and friends. He was a valiant soldier of the Civil War. where his fidelity was of the same type as that which has characterized his actions in all the public and private relations of life. This conduct has gained for him the confidence and esteem of the public, and the unbounded respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
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John F. Duggins was born in Eaton, Ohio, July 28, 1842, the son of Cornelius and Elizabeth ( Monforth) Duggins. Cornelius Duggins was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 17, 1812, a son of Henry Duggins, who was born in Virginia, on the river Dam, in 1788. Henry Duggins was a son of Alexander Duggins, who also was a native of Virginia, and who lived in that state all his life.
Henry Duggins emigrated from Kentucky to Ohio in 1806, and located in Gasper township, this county, where he was married to Jane Sellers, to which union six children were born: Cornelius, born in 1812; John, born in 1814; Nathan, born in 1816; William, born in 1818; Washington, born in 1820, and Caroline, born in 1824. Jane Sellers was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, August 6, 1782, a daughter of Nathan Sellers, and was one of eleven children, ten daughters and one son: Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, Sallie, Peggy, Ailsy, Nancy, Nellie, Rebecca and Nathan.
Cornelius Duggins was born on March 17, 1812, on the farm in Gasper township, two miles south of Eaton, where John F. lived so many years, and grew up there and married. Later he went to Newcastle, Indiana, where his death occurred on November 17, 1849. His widow survived him many years, her death not occurring until November 4, 1895. They were the parents of five children: Catherine, unmarried, who lives in Eaton; Celia, the widow of William Barnet, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; Nathan, de- ceased, who was born in 1840; John F., with whom this narrative deals, and Elizabeth (deceased), who was born in 1842 and died in 1873. Eliza- beth ( Montfort) Duggins, the mother of these children, was born in War- ren county, Ohio, April 7, 1814, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Mont- fort) Montfort, who were cousins, natives of Pennsylvania and early set- tlers in Warren county, this state, who came to Preble county in the year 1815, locating at Eaton, where Henry Montfort conducted a hotel for many years. Henry Montfort was twice married. His first wife, dying in 1821, he married, secondly, a Miss Kervines. Both he and his wife died in 1849, victims of the cholera scourge of that year.
John F. Duggins, the fourth child born to his parents, was reared on the paternal farm near Eaton and received his education in the little old log school house which served his neighborhood in the days of his youth. He enlisted for service in the Union army on October 30, 1861, in Com- pany C, Seventy-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Harris, and served three years and three months, receiving his discharge on January 13. 1865. Mr. Duggins took part in the battles of McDowell, Chancellorsville, Bull Run and Cross Keys. He was taken a prisoner at
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Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, and was held for six weeks before being exchanged. He was captured again near Lake George, Florida, and was in prison from May 19 to November 26, 1864. He returned to Preble county after the close of the war, and resumed his work on the farm.
On November 18, 1888, at Eaton, Mr. Duggins was married to Anna Greer, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, a daughter of James Greer. Mr. and Mrs. Duggins have no children.
Mr. Duggins is an adherent of the Republican party, but has not been active in political affairs, preferring rather to devote his attention to his agricultural interests. He is the owner of one hundred and thirty-four acres of fertile land, on which he carries on a diversified system of farm- ing, with a very gratifying degree of success. Mr. Duggins is a man of wonderful memory and acquainted with much of the early history of Eaton and Preble county, and is highly respected and honored in the community in which he lives, very properly ranking as one of the most substantial citi- zens of the county.
ESTIE W. KAYLER.
Estie W. Kayler, a farmer living on Rural Route 2, out of Eaton, Ohio, is a native-born Buckeye and justly deserves the title of self-made man, having worked his way unaided from the humble ranks of the toilers, through the vicissitudes and adversities of life, to an admirable and in- fluential position among the farmers of Jackson township, this county. His success has been due to his steady persistence, stanch integrity and excellent judgment. At the same time he has won and now retains the confidence and esteem of the people with whom he has been associated.
Estie W. Kayler was born on "Lowery Hill Stock Farm," in Preble county, Ohio, October 25, 1881, the son of John J. and Sarah V. (Dalrym- ple) Kayler, and the third child of the family. He attended the public schools in Washington township in the winters, working on the farm in the summers, and remained at home until he was twenty-four years old.
Mr. Kayler was married, on April 6. 1906, to Theresa Morse, the daughter of John and Anna (Griffith) Morse, the former of whom was born in Jackson township, the son of Austin Morse, who came to Preble county with his father and settled in Jackson township. Mrs. Kayler was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Jackson town- ship high school.
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Mr. and Mrs. Kayler are the parents of three children: Mildred, de- ceased; Jeanette, born in October, 1909, and James, born in 1912.
Mrs. Kayler's father was born in Jackson township, this county, in 1853. Her grandfather came to Jackson township when he was four years old, and died there in 1910. His wife was Jane Clingingpeel, who died in 1896. Mrs. Kayler was one of four children, the others being Oliver M. and Walter, both of whom are unmarried, and Everett T., who married Lulu M. Reed and lives in Jackson township, this county.
In 1908 Mr. Kayler rented the Melling farm in Jackson township and has been engaged in general farming and stock raising on this farm since that date.
The Kayler family are members of the New Hope United Brethren church, Mr. Kayler being one of the 'stewards in this church and superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He is an ardent Democrat, but he has never held office. Fraternally, he is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, at Eaton. Mr. Kayler is well known and deserves to rank as a representative citizen of Jackson township.
SAMUEL L. McCOY.
A career marked by earnest and indefatigable application has been that of this substantial and honored citizen of Jefferson township, Preble coun- ty, Ohio, where he has lived all his life, except the time he spent in defense of his country during the dark days of the Civil War. He was a valiant soldier, serving faithfully and well, and his fidelity was of the type which has characterized his actions in all their relations and gained for him the confidence and esteem of the public and unbounded respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Samuel L. McCoy, a prominent farmer living on Rural Route No. 3, out of New Paris, Ohio, was born in Monroe township, Preble. county, June 7. 1844, a son of Charles S. and Maria (Lugar) McCoy. Charles S. McCoy was a native of Maine, his birth having occurred in that state on March 5, 1812. At the age of five years he moved to Miami county, Ohio, with his parents, where he remained until 1824, in which year his father died, after which Charles, at the age of twelve years, came to Preble coun- ty. where he became a member of the family of Leander Roberts, with whom he remained until his marriage.
In 1842 Charles McCoy married Maria Logar, who was born in Vir-
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ginia in 1822, and to this union the following children were born: Samuel L., with whom this narrative deals; George W., of Eldorado, Ohio; Huldah, the wife of Luther Coovert, a resident of Monroe township, this county; Emily, unmarried, who makes her home with her brother, Samuel L .; Caro- line, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Bunger; William, deceased; Mary, wife of Charles Brazier, both of whom are now deceased; two who died in infancy; Charles, who died at the age of four; Clara, who married Rev. Lowery A. McGrew, a missionary in Africa, and who, with her hus- band, was killed in that country.
Samuel L. McCoy was reared on a farm and early learned the princi- ples of agriculture. He received his education in the district schools of the county, and at the outbreak of the Civil War responded to the call for vol- unteers. He first enlisted in the home guards in 1862, becoming a mem- ber of the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, serving four months with this regiment in Kentucky. He was then discharged and re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, after which he returned to Preble county and engaged in farm work by the month until his marriage, in 1875, since which time he has been engaged in farm- ing for himself, and has met with a degree of success commensurate with his efforts.
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