USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 80
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Mahlon Morris, the father of William, was reared in Union county, while his wife was reared in Franklin county, Indiana. They married and located in Union county, Indiana, where they spent their lives. Mahlon Morris was active in the ranks of the Republican party. He died in College Corner, Indiana, in March, 1914.
Reared as a farmer boy in Union county, Indiana, William Morris was educated in the district schools and in the Central Normal College, at Ladoga, Indiana. He went to Colorado, in which state he spent some time working at the carpenter's trade and at railroading. He returned to Union county. Indiana, and began farming. On September 20, 1906, he bought the farm of one hundred and twenty acres of fertile land, located in section 14 of Dixon township, this county, on which he now lives.
On January 27, 1891, Mr. Morris married Julia Riggs, who was born in Eaton, Ohio, the daughter of Eli and Emma Riggs, the former of whom is a resident of College Corner, Indiana. To this union two children were born, Clarence C., born on February 6, 1892, who was graduated from the common schools and lives at home, and Charlotte, born on March 8, 1902.
Mr. Morris is a member of Eaton Lodge No. 30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand. He represented the
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grand lodge of Indiana when he lived in College Corner. Politically, he is a Republican and is the trustee of Dixon township, an office the duties of which he is administering faithfully and well. Mr. Morris is widely and favorably known because of his genial nature and sterling character and is held in the highest regard throughout that section of the county.
WILLIAM H. THOMAS.
Great credit is due that man who, under discouraging circumstances, wins his way to the top by sheer courage and ability, as did William H. Thomas. A comparatively poor boy, Mr. Thomas early decided to make his life a success, and, with this in mind, manfully met each difficulty and overcame it. He now owns one hundred and eighteen acres of fertile, well- improved land five and one-half miles southwest of Eaton, Ohio.
William Thomas was born in Carroll county, Maryland, on December 10, 1849, the son of Henry and Magdalena (Beard) Thomas, who were reared and educated in Germany, coming to America before marriage, and settling in Maryland, where they were married. In the fall of 1864 they came to Preble county, Ohio. Henry Thomas served three years in the Union army during the Civil War, two of his sons also being enlisted. The eldest son, John, was killed in the war. William H. Thomas is one of a family of nine children, of whom but two are now living, the subject of this sketch and Mary, who married August Schwedtfeger, of Dayton, Ohio.
Coming with his father to Preble county, William H. Thomas went to work by the month at the age of twelve years, his wages going to the support of his family until his marriage. Accordingly, his education was neglected, although he obtained a meager schooling in subscription schools. That he was undaunted by these difficulties is proof of the high courage which actuated him.
On January 24, 1867, Mr. Thomas married Maria C. Duggins, the daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Hunter) Duggins, who was born on Janu- ary 7, 1847, in Preble county. Benjamin Duggins was born in Washington township, this county, near Eaton, on February 5, 1819, the son of William A. Duggins. Jane Hunter also was born in Preble county. To Benjamin Duggins and his wife were born twelve children, but three of whom are now living, Sallie, the wife of William E. Kinsey, of Eaton, Ohio; Emma D., the wife of Sevier Booker, and Maria C., who married Mr. Thomas.
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To Mr. Thomas and wife were born the following children: Emma J., the wife of James E. Potter; Benjamin H. married Nettie Dillman and lives in Dixon township; Sallie is the wife of George Holman, of Eaton, Ohio; Luvena is unmarried and lives in Dayton, Ohio; Minnie married William Miles; John F. is single and lives in Dayton, Ohio; William J. is single and lives in Dixon township, and James E. married Mary E. Koontz.
In his political belief Mr. Thomas is in sympathy with the Republican party. He is an unassuming man who is devoted to his family and who finds his chief pleasure in life to be the planting, cultivating and reaping of his crops, and the raising of his fine, well-groomed cattle. Industrious, public-spirited, and conscientious, Mr. Thomas is a gentleman whose life is well worthy of emulation.
ELMER E. DUGGINS.
The prosperity of Preble county increases or lessens in exact proportion to the prosperity of her farmers, as agriculture is the foundation of the county's commercial structure, as it is of all commerce. Therefore the county is proud to include among her citizens such men as Elmer E. Duggins, who are not only intelligent and progressive farmers, but public-spirited men, who hold the common welfare close to their hearts.
The birth of Elmer Duggins occurred on the farm where his son now lives, in Dixon township, Preble county, on June 14. 1861, the son of William N. and Sarah ( Runyan) Duggins, the former of whom was born in Wash- ington township. Preble county. the son of William Duggins. Sarah Run- yan was born in Gasper township, this county, the daughter of Robert Run- yan. The father of Elmer Duggins was also the father of five other chil- dren. James H., who lives in Hamilton county ; William T., a barber of the same county ; Mary is the wife of Finler Kincade, and lives on a Washington township farm: Robert I. is a retired farmer of South Whitney, Indiana. and Cora married John A. Bailey. of Dixon township.
Reared on the home farm and educated in the schools of Dixon town- ship. Elmer Duggins was unconsciously developing a love of rural life which well fitted him to engage in farming for himself. He lived at home until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he began farming for himself, and now owns a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres in Dixon town- ship, this county, on which he raises general crops.
In 1880 Mr. Duggins married Georgie M. Kelley, a daughter of Frank
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and Ella (Ryan) Kelley. She was reared on her father's farm in this county and was educated in the district schools. Her father lives on a place of eighty-two and one-half acres, and is a general farmer and stock raiser. To the union of Mr. Duggins and Georgie Kelley were born two children, Josie, who is the wife of Hilbert Oler, an agriculturist of Gasper township, and Victor E., who married Jennie Burkett and lives on a farm in Dixon town- ship.
Mr. Duggins is a member of Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are both members of the Rathbone Sisters. Mr. Duggins is a Republican, though he is not a politician and has never sought office, pre- ferring to give his whole attention to his work. He is intelligent, well-in- formed, and socially inclined. Always willing to oblige, Mr. Duggins has earned a well-merited popularity in the community in which he lives.
FRANCIS A. MITCHELL.
No farmer in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, is more highly respected than Francis A. Mitchell, who, by dint of long and hard toil and careful, frugal management, has acquired a substantial competence and is respected for his splendid character and is admired for the success he has achieved in life.
Francis A. Mitchell was born on October 30, 1866, in Washington town- ship, the son of Lewis and Catherine ( Hunsicker) Mitchell. Lewis Mitchell was born near Camden, Ohio, the son of Nathan Mitchell, who was a native of Maryland. Catherine Hunsicker was born in Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of George Hunsicker, who was a native of Pennsylvania.
Lewis Mitchell was married in Hamilton, Ohio, and lives on a farm. He was a bookkeeper in his younger days at Camden, Ohio, and a teacher in the country schools. He also was a justice of the peace for a great many years. He was not a man who possessed a great amount of property, but was active in the community in which he lived and was an influential citizen, especially in political matters and in the church of which he was a member. In every sense he was an honorable and upright man. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living, Laura, the wife of Isaiah C. Price, of Eaton, Ohio; T. W., of Washington township, this county ; Ella, the wife of John D. Beard, of Dayton, Ohio; William C., of Hamilton, Ohio, and Charles, of Elwood, Indiana.
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Francis A. Mitchell was reared on a farm in Preble county. His edu- cation was neglected on account of defective eyes. At the age of thirteen he began working for himself by the month. He gave his parents all his wages until he was nineteen years old. After that he saved his money until, at the age of twenty-eight, he had two hundred dollars.
Francis A. Mitchell was married on March 8, 1896, to Lizzie Sanders, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, November 12, 1869, a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Heinzelman) Sanders, both of whom were born in Germany and both of whom are still living. Henry Sanders was born on June 17, 1830. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, John, George, Lizzie, Minnie, August, Henry, Edward, Walter, Homer and Lawrence.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell one son has been born, Robert S., born July 9, 1897, who was graduated from the common schools and lives at home, where he assists on the farm.
In 1911 Mr. Mitchell built a splendid modern house and now has a beautiful home, equipped with every modern convenience. He has a farm of eighty acres and is engaged in general farming. Mr. Mitchell is a Repub- lican. His wife is a member of the Concord Christian church in Dixon township. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are popular in the community where they live and are among its most influential and respected citizens.
GEORGE W. HARDIN.
Among the highly respected citizens of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, during his time, and among the most successful farmers of that township was the late George W. Hardin. Although not a native of Preble county, Mr. Hardin spent most of his life here, where he lived a high- minded and honorable life, devoted primarily to the interests of his family, but at no time unmindful of his duties to his neighbors and fellow citizens.
The late George W. Hardin was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 31, 1866, the son of J. G. and Mary (Hadley) Hardin, and died at his home, three and one-half miles southwest of Eaton, this county, on March 6, 1915, and is buried in the Eaton cemetery. J. G. Hardin was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 14, 1842, and died May 27, 1894, in Butler county. He was the son of James and Susan (Withrow) Hardin. J. G. Hardin's wife was a daughter of Elias and Lucinda (Carter) Hadley, and was born in Hend-
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ricks county, Indiana, September 16, 1844. She is now a resident of Rich- mond, Indiana, and was the mother of four children: Clara, the wife of Jerre Truster, who is a resident of Butler county, Ohio; the late George W., the immediate subject of this review; Lucinda, the wife of R. T. Finlay, who lives in Butler county, Ohio, and Lee, who is unmarried.
George W. Hardin was reared on a farm in Butler county, Ohio, and received his education in the common schools of that county. He remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age, assisting his father with the farm work, and in this way learned all the rudiments of successful farming, which calling he chose as his life work.
Mr. Hardin was married on December 14, 1892, to Catherine D. Conar- roe, the daughter of Robert and Margaret (Williams) Conarroe. Her father was born in Butler county, Ohio, near Judsonburg, in 1838, and came to this county, locating at Camden, where he married. He later located in Cambridge City, Indiana, where he remained for two years, after which he returned to Camden, remaining in the latter place several years, at the end of which time he went west to Missouri, returning from that state about 1904, and died on September 12, 1912. His widow is still living in Wash- ington township, this county. Robert Conarroe was one of the finest mechanics of his day, and it is said that he could make anything out of wood or iron. He had in his possession some of the best tools known in his day and was an adept in the use of them. He and his wife were the parents of three children : Anna, the wife of Walter Summers, now living in Missouri; William E., a mechanic living in Washington township in this county, and Mrs. Hardin, the widow of the subject of this memorial tribute.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Hardin, Robert and Elizabeth (Tracy) Williams, were both natives of Maryland, who came to Ohio in an early day and located in Camden, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Her paternal grandparents were Caleb and Anna (Carter) Conarroe, both of whom died in Camden, Ohio. Mrs. Hardin was educated in the common schools of Bellville, Illinois, finishing in the high school of that place, and for some time was engaged in teaching.
To George W. and Catherine D. (Conarroe) Hardin one child was born, Clyde L., who was born on September 2, 1894. He was graduated from the Eaton high school with the class of 1913, being president of the class, and lives at home with his mother on the home farm in Washington township.
Mr. Hardin was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Eaton, and was a member of the official board of the local congregation.
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Mrs. Hardin also is an earnest member of the church and takes an active part in the work of the Ladies' Aid Society of the church. Mr. Hardin was an ardent Republican and ever took an active interest in public affairs in this county. He served five years as superintendent of the Preble county chil- dren's home, and Mrs. Hardin, during this same period, was matron of the home.
HENRY SANDERS.
Those citizens of German birth who served in the Union army during the Civil War rendered an invaluable service, as they were of good physique, brave, and, most important of all, many of them had served in the German army and were thus enabled to act as drill masters. One of these patriots was Henry Sanders, who came to America in 1858, landing at New York, the trip from Hamburg to New York consuming forty-five days. He worked in a saw-mill until the war broke out, when he enlisted in Company K, Sixth Maryland Volunteer Infantry, and was in the Army of the Potomac, serving till the end of the war.
Henry Sanders was born in eastern Prussia on June 17, 1830, his par- ents being John and Margaret (Sember) Sanders, who were life-long resi- dents of Germany. and were the parents of eleven children, of whom Henry alone came to America. As a boy Henry Sanders attended the schools of Germany, also learning the dyeing trade, making colored patterns on calicoes, linens, and other cloths. He was three years in learning this trade, at which he worked four years in Germany. He also served four years in the army, coming to America after being discharged. During his service in the Civil War he was wounded in the right leg, above the knee, during the battle at Fisher Hill, and, being disabled, was discharged on May 25, 1865. He now receives a monthly pension of thirty dollars.
After the war Henry Sanders returned to Pennsylvania, where he worked as a farm hand for several years. After marriage he moved to Richmond, Indiana, and then to Union county, where he began farming. Coming to Preble county in 1883, he bought fifty acres of the farm on which he now lives, afterward buying an additional thirty acres. This land is fertile and well improved and Mr. Sanders applies modern ideas to its cultivation.
On November 13, 1864, Henry Sanders married Hannah Heinzelman, whose father and mother were of German birth. Ten children have been born to this union, one of whom died at the age of four, the others being.
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George; Lizzie, the wife of Frank Mitchell; Minnie, the wife of Lee Larsh, of Dixon township; August, who married Flora Miller and lives in Dixon township; Henry, who married Eva Druly and also lives in Dixon township; Edward, who farms the home place; Walter; Homer, a painter, and Law- rence. The four last named are single.
Mr. and Mrs. Sanders are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. San- ders is a Democrat. He is honest, upright and enterprising and is regarded as among the foremost men in his part of the county.
WILLIAM HUBER.
The Union soldiers during the great war between the states builded more wisely than they knew. Through four years of suffering and hardships, through the horrors of imprisonment and the shadow of death, they laid the superstructure of the greatest temple ever dedicated to human freedom. The world looked on and called those soldiers sublime, for it was theirs to reach out the mighty arm of power and strike the chains from off the slave, to preserve the country from dissolution and to unfurl to the breeze the only flag that ever made tyrants tremble. For all their unmeasured deeds, the living present can never repay them. Pensions and political power may be thrown at their feet; art and sculpture may preserve upon canvas and in granite and bronze their unselfish deeds; history may commit to books, and cold type may give to the future the tales of their sufferings and triumphs, but to the children of the generations yet unborn it must remain to accord the full measure of appreciation and undying remembrance of the immortal characters carved out by the American soldiers in the dark days of the early sixties, numbered among whom was William Huber, who served in Company A, One Hundred and Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and who was in active service until the close of the war, except during two weeks when he was a prisoner in the hands of the enemy.
William Huber, a highly respected farmer and citizen of Washington township, Preble county, Ohio, was born in Cincinnati, January 10, 1846, the son of William and Sybilla ( Bosense) Huber. William Huber, Sr., was born in Germany and came to the United States at the age of eighteen. He went directly to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was engaged in operating a tannery, he being one of the partners in the business, and spent the rest of his life there. His wife, Sybilla Bosense, was born in France and came to the
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United States, locating in Cincinnati, where she grew to womanhood and was married. To her union with William Huber, Sr., nine children were born, those now living being, William, Jr., the subject of this sketch; Catha- rine, the wife of Henry Neideraur; Mary, the widow of Andrew Schwartz, of Columbus, Ohio; Charles, of Columbus, Ohio; Henry, of Texas, and Toney A., also of Columbus, Ohio.
William Huber, Jr., was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, and learned the tanner's trade there. He enlisted in the Civil War in Company A, One Hundred and Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was out until the close of the war, but was taken prisoner near the close and held for two weeks. After the war he came back to Cincinnati and resumed work at his trade.
At Evansville, Indiana, on May 14, 1869, William Huber was married to Catharine Moser, who was born in Pennsylvania and was the adopted daughter of a Mr. Moser. To Mr. and Mrs. Huber were born fourteen children, nine of whom are living: Edward, of Newport, Kentucky; Mamie, who lives at home; Walter, of Eaton, Ohio; Sybilla, the wife of James Beatty, of Eaton, Ohio; Jeannette, the wife of Ollie Bailey, of Detroit, Michigan : Carl, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Anna, the wife of John Quinn, of Eaton, Ohio; Bessie, the wife of Grover Dunlap, of Lewisville, Indiana; and Robert, who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Huber also reared Clara Lease, who married Earl Kuntz. Mrs. Huber died on September 1, 1910.
Mr. Huber is a Republican and has been active for a long time in the councils of his party. He is a man of rather wide influence and his counsel is much sought. Mr. Huber is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public post at Eaton, Ohio, and of the Methodist Episcopal church at Cin- cinnati, Ohio. He is the owner of a fine home and a farm of one hundred acres.
THOMAS O'LEARY.
Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the worthy citizens of Preble county, Ohio, who has figured in the growth and development of the educational and agricultural interests of this favored locality and whose interests have been identified with its progress, contribut- ing in a definite measure in his particular sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Earnest purpose and tireless energy, combined with good judgment and everyday common-sense, have been among his most
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common characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem which are accorded him by all who know him.
Thomas O'Leary, who successfully conducts a well-improved farm in Gasper township, is a native of Preble county, having been born in Dixon township, March 25, 1875. His parents, Cornelius and Mary (Kearney) O'Leary, were natives of Ireland, whence they came to the United States, locating at Cincinnati, Ohio, where they were married. About 1867 they came to Preble county, locating in Dixon township, where they lived for a number of years and then, in 1885, moved to Washington township, where they resided the remainder of their lives. Cornelius O'Leary was entitled to great credit for the progress he made in material affairs, for when he landed in Cincinnati he was entirely without funds, but, by dint of persistent energy and sound judgment, he acquired a comfortable home for himself and family. To himself and wife were born four children, three of whom are now living, Prof. John O'Leary, superintendent of the Eaton public schools; a sister, Ella, who married John Lally, of Union City, Indiana, and Thomas, the immediate subject of this sketch.
Thomas O'Leary was educated partly in Dixon and partly in Washing- ton townships, this county, receiving his education in the district schools and the high school at Eaton, where he was graduated in 1895. He there- after followed the pedagogical profession for ten terms, being successfully engaged in teaching in the public schools of his home county, acquiring an excellent reputation as an efficient and popular teacher. After his marriage in 1905, Mr. O'Leary lived one year in Dixon township and in 1906 moved to Gasper township, where he has since resided. He is the owner of the southwest quarter of section 28 in that township and has a well-improved and well-drained farm, which is numbered among the best agricultural tracts of that locality. Mr. O'Leary gives proper attention to the rotation of crops and other up-to-date ideas conducive to successful agriculture and is numbered among the intelligent and progressive farmers of Preble county. He also gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock, which he has found a profitable source of income. He is well-informed in every phase of agriculture and gives thoughtful direction to his work.
In February, 1905, Thomas O'Leary was united in marriage to Jennie Weadick, a daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Yost) Weadick, and to this union have been born three children, Martha, Mary and Joseph.
Mr. O'Leary is allied with the Republican party and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, though not aspiring to office for himself. He and the members of his family are adherents of the Catholic church at Eaton.
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Because of his friendly manner, business ability, interest in public affairs and upright living Mr. O'Leary is regarded by all as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of Preble county and enjoys a large and favorable ac -. quaintance.
EDWARD F. WRIGHT.
Edward F. Wright is a farmer of Gasper township, Preble county, Ohio, who has figured in the growth and development of the agricultural interests of his locality and whose interests have always been identified with its progress. In his particular sphere he has contributed a definite measure to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Earnest purpose and tireless energy, combined with mature judgment and everyday common sense have been among his most prominent characteristics. He thoroughly merits the respect and esteem accorded him by the people of Gasper town- ship.
Edward F. Wright was born on February 25, 1850, in Gasper town- ship, Preble county, Ohio, the son of Samuel and Margaret (Runyan) Wright, the former a native of Preble county and the son of Samuel Wright, Sr., who came to the United States from Ireland and who, after coming to this country, lived in Gasper township, this county, the remainder of his life. Margaret Runyan was a native of Kentucky, who came to Preble county with her parents, Richard Runyan and wife, who lived in Preble county for many years.
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