USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 75
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
George W. Riner was born on March 22, 1856, in Berkeley county, West Virginia (then Virginia), a son of Jacob and Mary ( Everhart) Riner, both of whom were natives of Virginia. His father, Jacob Riner, was a farmer, and came to Preble county, Ohio, in 1864, settling in Gratis township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Riner were born six children, as follows: Peter, who lives in Tuscola, Douglas county, Ohio; John, who lived in Wayne township, Butler county, where he died in 1876: Jeane, who was the wife of George Kerns, and who died in Wayne township, Butler county, about 1882; Ellen, who died in Gratis township, Preble county, at the age of twenty-two; Belle, who was the wife of George Taylor, and who died in West Elkton, Gratis township. Preble county, in 1911, and George W. Jacob Riner died in 1867, and his widow died in 1894.
George W. Riner received a common school education and afterward took up his father's calling of farming. On August 1, 1878, he married Susan Taylor, a daughter of Israel and Lydia (Stanley) Taylor. Her parents, both deceased, were born in Preble county, Ohio, and her grand- father, James Taylor, came to this county at an early date.
To Mr. and Mrs. George W. Riner were born five children, all of whom are living: Dora Marie, the wife of Henry Kenworthy, who lives in Gratis township, Preble county; Charles, who lives at home; Lee, who lives in
Digitized by Google
771
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Gratis township; Lawrence, who lives in West Elkton, Preble county, and Elmer, who lives at home. Elmer married Myrtle Kuch, and to them one son has been born, the date of his birth having been September 16, 1912.
George W. Riner has followed the calling of a farmer all his life, and now owns sixty-five acres of fine farm land in section 20, one mile north of West Elkton, where he makes his home. He has been a prominent member of the Preble County Agricultural Society for the past ten years.
In politics Mr. Riner is a strong supporter of the Republican party and has been active in the political affairs of his community. For ten years he served his township as a trustee, and conducted the business of the office to the complete satisfaction of the citizens. Fraternally, Mr. Riner is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 259, of Camden, Ohio. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mrs. Riner is a member of the Friends church. Both are active workers in the affairs of their re- spective churches.
Lawrence Riner was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, January 20, 1888, the son of George and Susan (Taylor) Riner. He received his early education in the public schools of West Elkton, Preble county, Ohio, and was graduated from the West Elkton high school with the class of 1908. He then entered Ohio Wesleyan University, where he took the commercial course. After being graduated from the university he returned to West Elkton and worked for two years on his father's farm.
Farming was not congenial work to Mr. Riner, however, and he later bought a general store in West Elkton, a business which he still conducts. He developed the store and applied to his business the principles of modern commerce which he had studied in the university. He now has one of the most prosperous and fully-equipped stores in his vicinity and enjoys the patronage of a large circle of friends.
On April 14, 1910. Lawrence Riner married Alma Slough, a daughter of Charles and Emma (Mount) Slough, of Butler county, Ohio. Mrs. Riner's parents are natives of Montgomery county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Riner have been born two children, George, born on November 3, 1911, and Alberta, born on April 7, 1914.
In politics Lawrence Riner is a strong supporter of the Republican party, with which his father has long been affiliated. He has been active in the political affairs of his community and is at the present time city treasurer and school treasurer of West Elkton, filling both offices to the complete satisfaction of the citizens of that city.
The careers of both Lawrence and George W. Riner have been note-
Digitized by Google
772
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
worthy in every way. They are men of large influence in their community and have been identified with various kinds of enterprise in their township. They are to be found on the right side of all public questions and are re- garded with the deepest respect by all their neighbors.
ALBERT R. KIRK.
One of the first indications of the attainment of prosperity by any com- munity comes with the establishment of the local printing shop. The newer and more remote a community is, the less need it has for the services of a printer, but as it gradually grows and becomes prosperous its need of a printer is daily more apparent. In every section of the country the disciples of the art preservative of all arts have played important roles in the establish- ment and maintenance of the community welfare. Many of them, since the days of Benjamin Franklin, have attained not only local, but national, fame and their names have become household words. Among the citizens of West Elkton, Preble county, who are meeting, in a very satisfactory way, a definite demand in his community is Albert R. Kirk. Because of his in- dustry, expertness in his calling and his splendid personal character, he is numbered among the leading men of his locality.
Albert R. Kirk was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, February 19, 1882, the son of David and Sarah (Coombs) Kirk. David Kirk was born in Butler county, Ohio, and his wife, Sarah Coombs, who died October 2, 1902, was born in Washington, Indiana. They were mar- ried in Butler county, Ohio, where Mr. Kirk was following his calling as a farmer, an occupation in which he is still engaged on the old homestead in Wayne township, Butler county. Three children were born to them, as follows: Albert, the subject of this sketch; Ada, born December 6, 1884. who died at the age of two years; Mary, born December 4, 1890, who now lives near Oxford, Preble county, Ohio.
Albert R. Kirk received his early education in the public schools of Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, and, after having completed his studies, took up his father's calling as a farmer. Farming did not strongly appeal to him, however, and, after having followed it for several years, he estab- lished a photo and printing business in West Elkton, Ohio, where he did job printing. He was successful in his new business, and developed it until it became one of the most important commercial enterprises in West Elkton.
Digitized by Google
773
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
On February 19, 1903, Mr. Kirk married Lillian Heffron, a daughter of John and Rose (Snyder) Heffron. Both of Mrs. Kirk's parents were residents of Cincinnati, Ohio, in which city they both died. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk, Donald, born January 14, 1911, and James, born February 13, 1914.
In politics, Mr. Kirk is a loyal supporter of the Democratic party and has been active in the political affairs of Preble county. His support of the party was rewarded in January, 1915, when he was appointed by President Wilson to the postmastership of West Elkton. Mr. Kirk is a member and strong supporter of the Presbyterian church of Collinsville, Ohio, in the affairs of which he plays an active part. Mrs. Kirk also attends the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Kirk has for a long time been a prominent leader in the affairs of his community and holds the trust and respect of all its citizens. He and Mrs. Kirk are quiet and unassuming people, who are held in the highest esteem by their neighbors and who are counted among the most prominent and substantial residents of West Elkton.
WILSON KENNEDY.
The early pioneers of, Preble county, Ohio, were drawn hither from many sources, some coming from the countries of Europe, and others from various of the thirteen original states of the Union. Both types were ex- cellent factors in the founding and upbuilding of a new country, but of the two, the latter possessed essential characteristics which rendered them some- what the better class for the accomplishment of the work in hand. Born of pioneer parents who had themselves assisted in the founding of new sections of the country, these latter settlers were the better qualified through birth and training to wrestle with the problems which invariably confront the pioneer, wherever he may be. One of those pioneer families which had descended from pioneers was the Kennedy family, the first representative of which came to Ohio in 1796, and which was long represented in Preble county by Wilson Kennedy, deceased, who formerly lived in Somers town- ship, Preble county, Ohio.
Wilson Kennedy, the subject of this sketch, was born in Pleasant Ridge, Ohio, August 10, 1840. the son of Benjamin P. and Anna (Baxter) Kennedy. His grandfather was David Kennedy, who was born in New
Digitized by Google
774
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Jersey in 1774 and who came to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1796. Grandfather Kennedy was typical of the pioneer class who pave the way in all under- takings. He owned the first ferry which crossed the Ohio river at Cincin- nati and operated it for many years. He was drowned in 1855 when an ac- cident befell his ferry. Grandmother Kennedy was Martha Harden, who was born in 1786, and who died in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1865.
Benjamin Kennedy, the father of Wilson Kennedy, was the only sur- viving child of David Kennedy. He was twice married, his first wife hav- ing been Anna Baxter, the mother of Wilson, and his second wife was Sarah Frazee. He was the father of six children.
Wilson Kennedy came with his parents to Preble county when he was twelve years of age. He attended the district schools of the county and on November 17, 1864, married Anna Frazee, a daughter of Squire and Mary Ann (Irwin) Frazee. Mrs. Kennedy's father was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, and her mother was born in Butler county, Ohio. They were mar- ried in the latter county and four children were born to them, Sarah, de- ceased; Anna, the wife of Wilson Kennedy, who died in 1915; Robert, who lives in Somerville, Butler county, Ohio, and Lewis, who also lives in Som- erville. Squire Frazee was a farmer, an occupation which he followed throughout his life. He died in 1893.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Kennedy, Harry, born on August 29, 1865, who died in 1885; Mary, born on August 5, 1868, the wife of Frank A. Stephenson, who lives on the old homestead; Edith E., born on December, 1877, who died in 1881, and Clarence, born on July 10, 1879, who died in 1881.
After his marriage Wilson Kennedy spent the greater portion of his life on his farm of one hundred and ten acres. At two different periods the family lived for a time in Camden, Ohio, having spent about four years altogether in that place. The remainder of their time, however, was spent on the farm, which Mr. Kennedy improved to the utmost.
Mr. Kennedy was a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Cam- den, Ohio. Both he and Mrs. Kennedy were loyal supporters of the Uni- versalist church, of which they were regular attendants. Mr. Kennedy was affiliated with the Democratic party, although he was never an active par- tisan in any of the political campaigns.
Wilson Kennedy died April 13, 1907, Mrs. Kennedy survived him un- til March 20, 1915, residing with her daughter, Mrs. Frank A. Stephenson, who lives on the old homestead in Somers township.
Mr. Kennedy is remembered with the greatest respect and esteem by
Digitized by Google
775
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
the neighbors among whom he formerly lived, and who looked upon him as being one of the finest types of citizens in their community. He was a good farmer, and a good farmer is ever a good neighbor and an excellent citizen. His passing away was deeply regretted by all who knew him, but his splendid influence is still felt in the community where he lived, and where he so ably maintained the traditions of his pioneer family.
THOMAS B. HAMILTON.
In nearly every community in this country there will be found among the most prosperous and substantial citizens several of Scottish birth or parentage. The inherent thrift and integrity of the Scottish people has long been a subject of note, and the part which those people have played in the founding and upbuilding of this nation is second to that of no other group or race. In Preble county, Ohio, men of Scottish birth or descent are found in all walks of life, ably contributing to the maintenance of the high stand- ard of citizenship of which Preble county rightfully boasts. If there is one particular branch of industry along which the Scottish people excel, how- ever, it is that of mechanics. They have contributed to this nation its best machinists and its most able exponents of many trades. Of this substantial and capable class of citizens has come the Hamilton family of West Elkton, Gratis township, Preble county, a member of which, Thomas B. Hamilton, is the subject of this sketch.
Thomas B. Hamilton was born near Somerville, Butler county, Ohio, August 5, 1854, a son of Robert and Mary (Fuller) Hamilton. Robert Hamilton, the father of the subject, was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, in 1808. He received a common school education, and afterward learned the trades of baker and weaver. After having learned his trades he emigrated to the United States and settled in Simsbury, Connecticut, where he fol- lowed his trade as a weaver. On May 28, 1838, he married Mary C. Fuller, who was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, September 8, 1816.
In the same year of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hamilton migrated to Union county, Indiana, a journey which, at that time, was of a most arduous nature. They crossed the mountains by stage and thence down the Ohio river by boat to Cincinnati, Ohio, from where they were obliged to go across the country to Indiana. They settled in Union county, Indiana, where they lived for a year, but in 1839 they migrated to Butler county, Ohio, and settled near Somerville.
Digitized by Google
776
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hamilton. Martha, the wife of John Bernard, of Kokomo, Indiana, died in 1879. Joseph F. died in Warren county, Indiana, in 1886. Early in the days of the Civil War Joseph F. Hamilton enlisted in the Thirty-Fifth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry and, after having completed his period of enlistment, he re- enlisted, the second time enlisting in the One Hundred and Fifty-Third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, thus serving a total enlistment of about four years. After his return from the war he married Catherine Preble, a daughter of B. B. Preble, of Clay township, Howard county, In- diana, for whose father Preble county, Ohio, was named. Amy M. married Edward Moore and lives in Kokomo, Indiana, where Mr. Moore died in 1914. Emily is the wife of R. E. Lowry, of Eaton, the editor of this book. William died at West Elkton, this county, in 1899. James died in infancy. Thomas B. is the subject of this sketch. Sarah H. is the wife of John H. Bennett and lives in Smyrna, Florida.
After having settled near Somerville, Ohio, Robert Hamilton continued to follow his trade as a weaver and gained considerable local reputation for his skill in weaving carpets and coverlets. He died on September 16, 1869. In 1876 Mrs. Hamilton and three of her children moved to Gratis township, this county, where she lived until a short time before her death, at Eaton, Ohio, April 23, 1902.
Thomas B. Hamilton was born near Somerville, Butler county, Ohio, August 5. 1851. He learned the trade of a blacksmith and, after having served his apprenticeship, went to Middletown, Ohio, where he remained eighteen months. From Middletown he went to Kokomo, Indiana, where he worked at his trade for a period equal to that spent in Middletown. He then returned to West Elkton, Preble county, Ohio, where he bought a house and a piece of land. He remodeled the house and erected a black- smith shop on the adjoining land, where he still works at his trade.
On May 1, 1881, Thomas B. Hamilton married Emma E. Kenworthy, a daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Roberts) Kenworthy. Daniel Kenworthy was born in Preble county, Ohio, February 26, 1831. Mrs. Kenworthy was born in Butler county, Ohio, where they were married. Four children were born to them, John W., who lives in Gratis township, this county; Emma E., the wife of the subject of this sketch; Margaret, unmarried, who lives at West Elkton, and Jesse, who died in infancy.
Mrs. Kenworthy died in December, 1864, and in 1866 Daniel Ken- worthy married again, his second wife being Mary J. Lane. There were no children born to this union. Daniel Kenworthy was a farmer and was
Digitized by Google
777
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
also prominent in the affairs of his community. He was a member of the board of education of his township, and was also a director of the Preble County Agricultural Association. He was a son of John and Lydia (Jones) Kenworthy, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter a native of Georgia. Daniel Kenworthy died in March, 1914, and his wife died in 1901.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Hamilton one daughter, Margaret A., has been born. Her birth occurred on August 31. 1898, and she is living at home with her parents.
Thomas B. Hamilton is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has taken an active interest in the political affairs of Preble county. For eight years he has been marshal of the city of West Elkton and has, during that time, filled the duties of his office in a manner which has been highly satisfactory to the citizens of that city. Fraternally, he is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, of Eaton, Ohio.
Mrs. Hamilton is a member of the Friends church of West Elkton and is a prominent worker in the church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are prominent in the circles of their home city and are held in high esteem by all their neighbors. They are people of sterling qualities and are repre- sentative of the finest type of American citizenship.
LEVI L. EHRHARDT.
In Preble county, Ohio, as well as in nearly every other section of the United States, it will be found that many of the citizens who have con- tributed most substantially to the success of the community have been those of either German birth or German parentage. Among the most widely respected and thoroughly substantial citizens of German descent in this county may be numbered the Ehrhardt family, who have done much to uphold and maintain the high standard of citizenship for which the county has always been noted.
Levi L. Ehrhardt, the subject of this sketch, was born in Somers town- ship, Preble county, Ohio, August 8, 1882, the son of Adam and Minnie (Seeger) Ehrhardt. Adam Ehrhardt, the father of the subject, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 22, 1849, the son of Adam and Rebecca (Nogle) Ehrhardt. Adam Ehrhardt, Sr., was a native of Germany and came to the United States when he was twenty-one years of age.
Digitized by y Google
778
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Adam Ehrhardt, the father of Levi L., was married to Minnie Seeger, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Seeger, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Ehrhardt was born on August 11, 1851. To them nine children have been born, eight of whom are living. The children were Addie E., born on March 3, 1877, now the wife of Louis Creech, of Somers town- ship, this county ; Ollie, born on August 24, 1878, now the wife of W. J. J. Johnson, of Warden, Montana; John A., born on February 20, 1880, now living in Dixon township; Levi L., the subject of this sketch; Fred D., born on December 12, 1884, who died on September 27, 1891 ; Rebecca M., born on April 5, 1886, now the wife of Stanley Dillman, of this county; Carrie K., born on April 20, 1888, now the wife of George Winholt, of Sugar Valley, Ohio, and Edmund A., born on May 10, 1891, who is in charge of the home farm.
After his marriage Mr. Ehrhardt moved from Cincinnati to Preble county and bought eighty acres of land, on which he now lives. He is a devoted member of the German Lutheran church, as was also Mrs. Ehrhardt previous to her death, which occurred on April 4, 1914.
Levi L. Ehrhardt received his education in the district schools of Preble county and, after having completed his studies, devoted himself to farming. On March 3, 1908, he married Charlotte V. Beasley, a daughter of Robert and Emma (Kilmer) Beasley.
Robert Beasley, Mrs. Ehrhardt's father, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, and her mother was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, although they were married in Preble county. Mr. Beasley came to Preble county with his parents when he was three years of age. They settled on a farm, where Grandfather Beasley died in April, 1904. Grandmother Beasley died in January, 1901.
To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beasley were born four children, Ernest, who died when one and one-half years of age; Charlotte, the wife of the subject of this sketch; Stanley M., who lives at home with his parents in Gasper township, and Elsie Lucile, who lives at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Beasley are living and Mr. Beasley follows his calling as a farmer in Gasper township.
Levi L. Ehrhardt is located on a farm of one hundred and sixty- seven acres, situated about four miles southwest of Camden, Ohio. Mr. Ehrhardt specializes in the breeding and raising of full-blooded Duroc- Jersey hogs and high-grade cattle.
Fraternally Mr. Ehrhardt is a member of Western Star Lodge No. 109, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the encampment, and the canton.
Digitized by Google
779
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
In politics he supports the principles of the Democratic party, although he has not, as yet, taken any active part in the political affairs of his county.
As a citizen Mr. Ehrhardt ranks among the highest residents of his community, being held in high esteem and respect by his neighbors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhardt possess those admirable traits and characteristics so common among people of German descent, and both are playing an im- portant part in the life of their community.
ALBERT KREKLER.
The standing and importance of any community are dependent to a great extent upon the success and prosperity of its commercial enterprises and the ability of their promoters to maintain a high standard of business efficiency and integrity. The man who builds up a large and permanent business must do so by producing that which is of value to others and is, therefore, entitled to the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. To a greater extent shall we accord him honor if he be the leader of his particular line throughout the county. How much more shall it be a source of pride to us if one of our citizens conduct within our boundaries the largest busi- ness of its kind in the world. Albert Krekler, living a half mile north of West Elkton, is, in so far as his greatest success is concerned, a Preble county product, although he was reared on a farm in Warren county, Ohio, engaged as a small town merchant in earlier life and so recently as 1899 started in a small way with a thirty-two acre farm, in Preble county, rais- ing jacks. From this beginning, he has built up a business that is the largest of its kind on earth, and, in addition, he is the owner of eighteen farms in Ohio and Indiana.
Albert Krekler was born in Warren county, Ohio, October 9, 1861, a son of August and Eliza Ann (Goodwin) Krekler. His father, August Krekler, was born in Bremen, Germany, September 18, 1833, and came to the United States in 1857. He settled in Warren county, Ohio, where he embarked on a mercantile career. On October 15, 1860, he married Eliza Ann Goodwin, and their union was blessed by six children, Albert, the sub- ject of this sketch; Lundy, who lives in Dayton, Ohio; Henry, who died in 1905; Eva, the wife of Abe Wolverton, of Gratis township; McCall, who lives in Hamilton, Ohio; and Adella, the wife of William Jenkins. Mr. Krekler spent the latter years of his life in Preble county, where he died January 30, 1914. Mrs. Krekler is yet living in Gratis township.
Digitized by Google
780
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Albert Krekler received a common school education in the schools of Warren county and, after having completed his studies, engaged in the mer- cantile business, which he followed for a number of years. His first ven- ture into the business world was made at Argonia, Ohio, where he was lo- cated for several years. He then removed to Morrow, Ohio, and from there to Lebanon, Ohio. In both those places he conducted a mercantile business. He later moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where he remained in business until 1899, at which time he sold his business and came to Preble county, where he bought a farm of thirty-two acres in Gratis township, about one-half mile north of West Elkton.
Mr. Krekler was twice married, his first wife having been Fayme Gage, who died August 12, 1909. To them were born seven children, Jessie, now the wife of Russell Emrich, who lives on one of Mr. Krekler's farms in Gratis township; Nellie, the wife of John Sayler, who also lives on one of the Krekler farms in Gratis township; Bessie, who lives at home and is completing her senior year in high school; William Henry, Robert H., War- ren B. and Marion McCall, all of whom are living at home.
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.