History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 77

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 77

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J. H. Bohn grew up to the drug business in Elizabethtown, Pennsyl- vania, beginning a study of the many intrinsic details of that important phase of commerce when quite young. In 1824 he started a drug store of his own in Elizabethtown, which he conducted quite successfully for four years, at the end of which time he formed the decision to seek his fortune in fields

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farther to the west and with this object in view prevailed upon his brother to accompany him on this quest. Leaving the drug store in competent hands, the two started out on horseback, Springfield, Illinois, being their objective point. They proceeded as far as Terre Haute, Indiana, when their impres- sions of the country toward which they were making their way underwent a complete change and they decided to abandon their westward journey. Turn- ing back, they returned to Elizabethtown, where Mr. Bohn resumed his place in the drug store. In 1833 he sold this store and again started west, this time, however, not having so distant a point as his objective. He came to this county, where he remained with his father-in-law on a farm near Camden until the spring of 1834, when he returned to Pennsylvania and re-purchasing his drug store in Elizabethtown remained in business there until the fall of 1842, when he again came to Preble county with his family and bought prop- erty in Camden, where he opened a drug store which he continued to manage until the time of his death in 1875, after which time his son, John H., man- aged the store for his father's estate for a year, buying the other interests in 1876, since which time he has conducted the popular old store as full owner, building up and maintaining a very profitable trade.

On June 1, 1860, John H. L. Bohn was united in marriage to Mary Francis, daughter of James T. Francis and wife, well remembered former residents of Camden, the former of whom was born in Carlisle, Ohio, and the latter of whom was born in Jacksonburg, Ohio, they having come to Preble county about the year 1849. first locating on a farm and later moving to Camden where they spent the remainder of their lives. To the union of John H. L. and Mary ( Francis) Bohn there was born but one child, a daugh- ter, Cora May, who married John R. McCord, a former well-known railroad man of Camden, Ohio, who died on April 2, 1913, since which time Mrs. McCord has made her home with her parents in Camden. To John R. and Cora May (Bohn) McCord were born two children, a son and a daughter, Ernest B. and Fay. Ernest B. McCord, who is chief baggagemaster at the union depot at Toledo, Ohio, married Marie Fowler and to them has been born one son, John Robert. Fay McCord married F. R. Yealland and to them two children have been born, John Robert and Frederick Truscoot. The Yeallands live in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Mr. Bohn is a Democrat and though rarely taking an active part in the campaigns of his party in Preble county his counsel and advice not infre- quently are sought by the party leaders. his thorough knowledge of local affairs, coupled with the sagacity and executive ability which have contributed so much to the success of his personal business, giving a particular value to

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his expressions of judgment on local public affairs. He is a member of Camden Lodge No. 159. Free and Accepted Masons, and of Camden Lodge No. 109, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging also to the encamp- ment of the latter order. In both his public and private life Mr. Bohn has stood four-square to all the winds that blow and his long life of business activity in the community in which he has resided from the time of his early childhood has given him an authoritative position in and about Camden which always has been exerted for the good of that neighborhood, and he deservedly is held in the highest regard throughout this whole section, a regard which is fully shared by his good wife who always has been active in the good works of the community.

JOHN E. SIZELOVE.

Who shall measure the influence of the automobile upon our modern life? Everywhere in this broad country, where there are roads on which it may travel, the automobile is to be found, and not infrequently it is to be found in places where there are no roads, a veritable path-finder, the men who pene- trate the fastnesses or the deserts with these modern masterpieces of mechan- ism being no less pioneers than were those men of another generation who penetrated the wilderness which has now been made to blossom as the rose in this favored section of the United States and whom we are accustomed to regard as having been heroes, almost giving them a place in traditional re- gard alongside those of whom mention briefly is made in the Bible statement to the effect that "there were giants in those days." The automobile industry surely has come to stay. Being practically in its infancy there is no way to estimate its probable extension in the years immediately to follow, but that it has a great future there can be no gainsaying. Among those who play no small part in this gigantic industry as it affects Preble county, the gentle- man whose name heads this biographical sketch must be taken into account and no history of this county would properly be complete without a brief resume of his career.

John E. Sizelove was born near Oxford, Ohio. September 6, 1872, the son of Milton and Margaret (Addison) Sizelove, the former of whom was a native of Butler county, Ohio, the latter a native of Preble county. Milton Sizelove was born on May 10, 1843, a son of George and Ada ( Brooks) Sizelove. the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of

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Preble county. George Sizelove was a potter by trade and owned and oper- ated an extensive pottery near Riley, Ohio, until the time of his death in 1853, his wife surviving him until the year 1860. The pottery business was carried on for a time by their son, Milton, who married Margaret Addison in 1868, to which union were born six children, four of whom are still living: Louisa, the wife of Frank Stephens, who lives in Camden, Ohio; John E., the subject of this biographical review, who is engaged in the automobile and · livery business in Camden; James M., who owns and conducts a successful grocery store in Camden, and George M., the present postmaster of Camden. Milton Sizelove followed farming in Butler county, Ohio, until 1884, four years after the death of his wife, which occurred January 19, 1880, when he moved with his family to Somers township, this county, where he continued to farm until 1912, when he moved to Camden, where he is now living a re- tired life, enjoying the comforts well earned by his life of industrious applica- tion to the duties which daily confront the earnest tiller of the soil.

John E. Sizelove, with whom this biographical narrative more particu- larly treats, received a common-school education in the schools of his native county and followed the footsteps of his father, taking up the life of a farmer, which he followed until 1908, in which year he bought the Phares livery barn in Camden. After conducting that business for a short time he sold the Phares barn and bought the more extensive establishment which he is now conducting with so much success. In addition to carrying on the general business of a livery and sale stable, he is as well a dealer in automobiles, horses, buggies, harness and the various appurtenances thereof, conducting a thoroughly up-to-date establishment, making a specialty of prompt auto service to all adjoining points.

On March 4, 1896, Mr. Sizelove was united in marriage to Daisy Arm- strong, daughter of Edward Armstrong and wife, farmers of Preble county, both of whom are now dead. To the union of John E. and Daisy (Arm- strong) Sizelove one son has been born. John M., Jr., born on May 23, 1903, who is now attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Sizelove are earnest members of the Presbyterian church and take their part in the various activities of the local congregation. Mr. Sizelove is a Democrat, but not so intense in his partisanism that he cannot see the good points of the tickets of any of the other political parties, reserving to himself the right to vote for the best men in any election, regardless of their political affiliations. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic order. his membership being in Camden Lodge No. 159. Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of the local Camden Lodge No. 109. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is attached to the encamp-

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ment of the same order at Camden, being likewise a member of Camden Lodge No. 259, Knights of Pythias, being connected with the Sanhedrin of that order, and is a member of the American Mechanics, of Camden, and of the Improved Order of Red Men, of the same town. By this it will be seen that Mr. Sizelove is well to the front in the various social and fraternal activ- ities of his town, where he is deservedly popular among all who know him.

WILLIAM C. FISHER.

Among the many prosperous and progressive farmers of Preble county, men of able foresight, calm deliberation and mature judgment, the men who constitute the very backbone of the local forces which shape the gov- ernment and affairs of the people of this section, few are better known than William C. Fisher, township trustee and one of the most progressive and influential residents of Israel township, where he has lived all his life up- rightly, openly and aboveboard, honored and respected by all in his neigh- borhood.

William C. Fisher was born in Fairhaven, Israel township, Preble county, Ohio, August 26, 1855, a son of Daniel and Mary (Smith) Fisher, the former of whom was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of whom was a native of Preble county. Daniel Fisher was one of the fourteen children of John and Lydia Fisher, who were married on January 7, 1803, by the Rev. Nathan Guller. John Fisher was born in Pennsylvania on September 14. 1779, and died on November 27, 1827. His wife Lydia was born on January 12, 1783, and died on December 25, 1827, she having survived her husband less than one month. To the union of this worthy couple there were born fourteen children, as follow: Adam, born on September 18. 1803; Margaret, January 25. 1805; Susanna, No- vember 6, 1806; Philip, February 26, 1808; William, August 24, 1809; Samuel, February 23, 1811; Levi, February 6, 1812; David, January 13, 1813; John, January 11, 1815: Maria, November 11, 1816; Daniel, July 18, 1818; Lydiann, November 13, 1822; Franklin, October 9, 1824, and Belinda, December 19, 1827.

Daniel Fisher learned the trade of rope-making at which he worked for a period of four years, after which he became a machinist and learned the trade of engine-building at which he became quite proficient and at which he worked for a period of four years or more, at the end of which

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time he took up the trade of tinsmith. He and his brother, Levi, went into the tinshop together, at Liberty, Indiana, later removing their tin and hard- ware store to College Corner. Later disposing of his interest there, Daniel Fisher went to Canton, Ohio, where, about the year 1852, he and his brother, William, started a paper-mill, which they operated for three years. During the next ten years Daniel Fisher engaged in farming, while thus en- gaged being located at several different points. Before going to Canton he had invented and patented a churn that netted him a handsome profit. An- other of his profitable inventions was a metal socket for fence posts; still another was a suction churn-dasher. He opened a tinshop and hardware store in the village of Fair Haven, this county, which he conducted from 1862 to 1905, becoming a quite successful business man. He also owned a good farm near Fair Haven, from which he derived considerable profit and was properly regarded as among the most successful and influential men of that section of the county.

Daniel Fisher was twice married, his first union having been with Re- becca Harter, to whom he was married in 1845, and who bore him one son, John J. Upon her death he married Mary Smith, who was born in Preble county on February 7, 1830, and to this union there were born seven chil- dren, six of whom are still living, as follow: Mary A., born on March 13, 1853, is the wife of Matthew Brown and lives in Israel township, Preble county ; William C., the immediate subject of this sketch; Clara C., born on April 8, 1858, the widow of William S. Marshall, who died in 1908, now living in Fair Haven; Daniel F., born on December 22, 1860, a well-known farmer of Israel township: Emma L., born on April 29, 1863, lives in Fair Haven; John S., born on June 6, 1866, died in the autumn of 1908, and Hattie S., born on January 10, 1869, the wife of Clarence McDiwitt, living in Dixon township. Daniel Fisher was a Republican and always took an interested part in the campaigns of his party in this county. Both he and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven for a number of years, but later became connected with the Methodist Epis- copal church at the same place, with which they retained their membership until the time of their death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were among the most highly respected residents of their section of Preble county and there was sincere mourning when they passed away. Mr. Fisher died on June 22, 1800. his wife surviving him for some years. her death not occurring until September 27, 1911.

William C. Fisher received his education in the excellent public schools at Fair Haven and supplemented this course of instruction with a course of

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one year at the Farmers College at Cincinnati. Following this schooling he worked for four years as a clerk in the store of Thomas P. Simmons, at Fairhaven. Following the example of his father he also learned the trade of tinsmith, which he followed as an incident to his work when he presently took up farming in earnest. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres in Israel township, one-half mile east of Fair Haven and about seven miles west of Camden. This farm, which is one of the most highly cultivated farms in the county, is well improved as to its buildings, having two dwelling houses and an ample barn.

On December 27, 1881, William C. Fisher was united in marriage to Belle A. Hays, a daughter of William R. and Elizabeth J. (Marshall) Hayes, who was born in Israel township, as was her father before her. The late William R. Hayes, father of Mrs. Fisher, was one of the best known and most highly respected men in Preble county. He started life as a poor boy and at the time of his death owned one thousand acres of fine land in Preble county and was one of the heaviest taxpayers in the county. He was born in Israel township, Preble county, in 1828, and died at his home in the same township on May 7, 1907, at the age of seventy-nine years and one day. In 1859 Mr. Hayes was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Mar- shall, who was born in Preble county, Ohio. in 1840, and to them ten chil- dren were born, as follow: Belle A., wife of William C. Fisher; Margaret E., wife of Samuel Paxton, lives in Israel township; Lydia M., wife of Frank Fisher, lives in Israel township; Mary E. died at the age of twenty; John H. lives in Oxford, Ohio; Robert E. died at the age of one year; James Charles, lives in Israel township: William B. lives in Portland, Ore- gon; Walter C. died at the age of two years, and Arthur J. lives in Fair Haven. Since the death of her husband the mother of these children has been making her home with her eldest daughter, Mrs. William C. Fisher.

To William C. and Belle A. (Hayes) Fisher four children were born, only one of whom is now living, Nellie, who was born on July 18, 1887, who married Harry Lybrook and lives on the home farm, a portion of which is farmed by her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Lybrook have one daughter, Ethel, born on July 19. 1914. The first child of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, Ethel, born on April 21. 1883, married Calvin Wilson, to whom she bore one child, mother and child both now being dead. The two other children of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher died in infancy.

Mr. Fisher is a Republican and always has taken an active interest in local politics, his judgment in matters of public concern being given careful consideration in the deliberations of the party managers in Preble county.

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His interest in public affairs has been recognized by the voters of his home township who, at the last election, elected him to the office of township trustee, a position which he is filling with the same thoughtful judgment which he always has brought to bear in the management of his personal affairs, his administration consequently giving the utmost satisfaction to the people of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are faithful and earnest members of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven and always are found at the front in any movement having to do with the advancement of the interests of the community in a social, moral or civic way, their influ- ence being such as to inspire confidence in their counsels on all matters affecting the general welfare.

JOSEPH A. WEADICK.

To the British Isles this country owes a debt of gratitude for many of its most able and substantial citizens. This does not apply to the pioneers alone, but also to those ambitious natives of Great Britain who have struck out for themselves in later years and who, by their own efforts have achieved success in this country during this and the preceding generation. Of these English-speaking immigrants there are none better qualified to play an im- portant part in the development and improvement of a country than are the Irish. Naturally ambitious and industrious, these people quickly adjust themselves to the demands of any thrifty community, retaining the best qual- ities of their native land and acquiring the best in the land of their adoption, thus rapidly forging ahead until they are ranked among the best citizens of the territory in which they have settled. In this respect Preble county, Ohio, has been fortunate, as it now counts among its citizens many of Irish birth or parentage, all of whom are instrumental in maintaining the high standard of citizenship for which Preble county has always been noted. Among these may well be ranked the Weadick family, of which there are several living representatives prominently playing their parts in working out the destinies of Preble county.

Joseph A. Weadick, the subject of this sketch, was born in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, January 6, 1888, the son of Thomas and Mary ( Yost) Weadick. Thomas Weadick was a native of Ireland, who came to this country with his parents when he was a small boy. After his marriage to Mary Yost, Thomas Weadick settled in Preble county, and to

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him and Mrs. Weadick were born seven children, Ella, the wife of Michael Coleman, of Somers township, this county; William, of this county ; Jennie, the wife of Thomas O'Leary, of Gasper township, this county; James, who died in infancy ; John, of Dixon township, this county; Joseph A., the sub- ject of this sketch, and Lawrence, who lives in Jackson township, this county.

Thomas Weadick was a successful farmer, an occupation which he fol- lowed throughout his life. He started in a small way, but gradually developed his land holdings until, at the time of his death, December 22, 1910, he owned several hundred acres of rich Preble county land. After Mr. Weadick's death Mrs. Weadick went to live with her children in Preble county.

Joseph A. Weadick received a common-school education in the schools of Preble county, at the same time learning the elements of successful farm- ing under the able instruction of his father. On November 4, 1911, he mar- ried Margaret O'Dea, who was born in Jefferson township, Preble county. Ohio, October 12, 1887, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Horrigan) O'Dea, both of whom were born in County Clare, Ireland, to which union one daughter has been born, Mary, born on November 4, 1912.

Patrick O'Dea came to America at the age of twenty-one, landing in a strange land without a dollar. He made his way to New Paris, Ohio, from which point he went to Richmond, Indiana, where he began to make head- way as a tanner and where he married Bridget Horrigan, also a native of County Clare, who came to America with her parents, who located in Jeffer- son township, this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The O'Deas remained in Richmond about ten years after their marriage and then moved to a farm in Jefferson township, this county. Patrick O'Dea started anew in this county on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, only twenty acres of which was cleared and which was very stony. By the exer- cise of much energy and industry he cleared this farm and brought it to a high state of cultivation. Mrs. O'Dea died on January 7, 1906. A few years later his son took charge of the farm and Mr. O'Dea retired to Rich- mond, where his last days were spent, his death occurring on July 4, 1913. Mrs. Weadick is one of four children born to her parents, the others being Mary. John and Catherine. Mary is a teacher in the schools of Jefferson township, this county : John is farming on the old home place and Catherine is the wife of John Cahill, of Dixon township, this county. Besides these, Mr. O'Dea brought three nephews to America and educated them here. Michael Britt, who is farming near Cleveland, Ohio; John Britt, a telegraph operator at Richmond, Indiana, and Patrick O'Dea, aged fourteen, who is living with his cousin, John O'Dea, on the old O'Dea farm in this county.

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Mr. Weadick owns one hundred and twenty-four acres of fine farm land two and one-half miles northeast of Camden, Ohio. By careful and efficient management he has improved the farm since acquiring possession of it, and has erected on it a fine modern residence and a thoroughly up-to-date barn. In the operation of his farm he specializes in the raising of a fine grade of stock. In politics Mr. Weadick is a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never yet played an active part in the political affairs of his community.

In every respect Mr. Weadick is a worthy representative of the sterling ancestors who founded his family in Preble county. Already a successful farmer, although still a young man, he is forwarding his career in a manner which seems destined to place him among the most prominent and substantial citizens of Preble county.

ADAM EHRHARDT.

Among the solid and substantial citizens of nearly every section of this country will be found many of either German birth or German parentage. In this respect Preble county, Ohio, is no exception to the general rule, as it numbers among the leading residents of its various communities many per- sons of German ancestry. In Preble county one of the most prominent Ger- man-American citizens is Adam Ehrhardt, of Somers township, who has achieved success not only in his calling as a farmer, but also in the local politics of his community.

Adam Ehrhardt was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 22, 1849, the son of Adam and Rebecca ( Nogle) Ehrhardt. Adam Ehrhardt, Sr., was a native of Germany. He came to the United States when he was twenty-one years of age and landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, from which place he went to Cincinnati. He then followed the vocation of a gardener at Clifton, a small place which is now a part of Cincinnati. He married Rebecca Nogle, who was born in Pennsylvania, but who moved to Cincinnati with her parents when she was six years of age. To this union were born six children, all of whom are living. Adam, the subject of this sketch: Henry, who lives in Shelby county, Ohio: Frederick, who lives at Eaton, this county: Margaret, who is the wife of Fred Sellmeyer, of Cincinnati, and Lucy, the wife of George Close, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhardt died in Cincinnati, the death of the former occurring in 1873. Mrs. Ehrhardt sur- viving her husband until 1907. They were both devout members of the Ger-

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man Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Ehrhardt upheld the principles of the Republican party.

Adam Ehrhardt, Jr., had little opportunity to procure an education, as he was early called upon to aid his father in the support of the family, being the eldest son and the health of his father not the best. In March, 1876, Mr. Ehrhardt married Minnie Seeger, who was born on August 11, 1851, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Seeger, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Seeger died on November 19, 1867, and Mr. Seeger died on July 18, 1907.

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History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 77

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

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