USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 81
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Samuel Wright, Jr., the father of Edward F., was married in Preble county and was the father of nine children, William, born on November 12, 1841, who lives with Edward F .; Samuel, who was married on April 16, 1840, and died on May 11, 1886; Tabitha J., the wife of Jacob Stude- baker : Pauline Ann, the widow of William Girten; Benjamin F., who married Sarah Miller, of California, and resides in that state; Edward F., whose history is here presented; Sallie, the wife of C. T. Wilkerson, and Elmer E., James A. and Mary T., the last three named of whom are de- ceased. The Wrights are earnest Methodists and their children were brought up in that faith.
Edward F. Wright was reared on a farm in Gasper township and was educated in the common schools, remaining at home with his father until he was twenty-one years old. He then began farming and lived on
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the home place for one year, working by the month. After this he farmed for himself for one year and was then married.
Mr. Wright was married on September 15, 1875, to Maggie McDonald, who was born in Gasper township, this county. To this union three sons were born, Charles S., born on June 5, 1878, who is married and lives in Dayton, Ohio; Alonzo, born on February 15, 1880, who also is married, and Everett E., born November 18, 1882, who is married and lives in Lanier township. The mother of these children died on October 4, 1885, and on November 4. 1888, Mr. Wright married, secondly, Mary A. Watson, who was born in Jay county, Indiana, June 27, 1863, the daughter of George B. and Catherine (Hoover) Watson. Mrs. Watson is still living at Portland, Indiana, but her husband died in 1898 in that city.
George B. Watson was born in Vermont, August 30, 1818, and came west when a young man, locating at Richmond, Indiana. He was employed in the woolen mills at Richmond and was married there in 1841. He pur- chased eighty acres of land in Jay county, Indiana, in 1842, all of which was woods. He cleared a spot and built a cabin four miles northwest of Portland, then a village of six or seven houses. He and his wife lived on this farm until 1881, in which year they moved to Portland, where he died in 1898. His wife was born on June 12, 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Watson were the parents of nine children, five of whom are still living, Sarah, the wife of Samuel Carson; Ernest, who married Rebecca Collett; George W., who is unmarried and lives at home: Mary A., the wife of Mr. Wright, and Mrs. J. B. Gibson, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The four deceased children were Abigail, Ira, Ella and Francis. The Watsons were prominent members of the Friends church in their community.
To Edward F. Wright, by his second marriage, two children were born, Eula M., born on February 26, 1892, who is at home, and Clara O .. born on March 17. 1896, who was graduated from the Eaton high school in 1913 and is a teacher in Twin township, this county.
The Wright family are all members of church and active in church affairs. Mr. Wright is a Republican and for years has been active in local politics. He has been the justice of the peace in Gasper township for about eight years.
Mr. Wright is a substantial citizen in the locality where he lives. He owns seventy-five acres of land, which he has acquired by his own labor. It is a good farm and located on the Franklin road, three miles southeast of Eaton, Ohio.
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DAVID M. KING.
Agriculture has been an honorable vocation since the earliest ages and, as a usual thing, men of honorable and humane impulses as well as those of energy and thrift have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterize true manhood. No truer bless- ing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the health- ful, life-inspiring labor of the field. From the fruitful soil has sprung the bone and sinew of the country and the majority of our nation's great war- riors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and are indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained. Many of the prominent citizens of Preble county not only derive their sustenance from the soil, but the healthful out-door life and vigorous toil have made them leaders among men. Among these respected farmers of Preble county is David M. King, of Washington township.
David M. King was born near Palestine, Darke county, Ohio, July 22, 1870, the son of C. C. and Barbara (Lavengood) King. His mother was born in Darke county, Ohio, the daughter of Peter and Peggy (Peck) Laven- good. The great-grandparents on both sides of Mrs. King's family were na- tives of Germany.
C. C. King was born in Maryland and, when a mere lad, both his parents died and he was taken by John Bowman to be reared. He came with the Bowman family to Ohio when he was six years old and grew up on a farm, receiving his education in the district schools. Mr. King married Barbara Lavengood and settled in Madison township, Darke county, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1895. His widow is now a resident of Darke county, this state. C. C. and Barbara (Lavengood) King were the parents of Elvina, the widow of Lloyd Akins, lives in Darke county; Henry, who married Phoebe Near, is a farmer in Arkansas; Noah C. is still single and lives with his mother; Ella, the wife of Owen Montgomery, lives near Dayton, Ohio, and David M., the subject of this sketch.
David M. King was reared on the old homestead in Darke county, Ohio, and was educated in the district schools. He attended school in the winter and in the summer he worked on the farm until sixteen years of age. He then began working for himself and for sixteen years worked by the month. During this time he accumulated the money with which to buy sixty-three acres in Washington township, Preble county, two and one-half miles west of .Eaton, known as "Kingston Farm," where he now resides.
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On January 8, 1902, David M. King was married to Katie E. Miles, who was born in Lanier township, this county, in 1878, the daughter of Preston and Lucinda Miles, who received her education in the common schools. To Mr. and Mrs. King four children have been born, Virgie I., born on March 10, 1904; Dora O., born on March 17, 1905; Mary L., born on September. 9, 1908, and Chester D., born on July 21, 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. King attend the Universalist church. Mr. King is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and has served in some of the offices of this lodge. He is a Republican. Mr. King keeps a good grade of live stock of all kinds and makes a specialty of pure-blood white Plymouth Rock chickens.
David M. King has been an honest and upright man. He owes his present success to painstaking industry and prudent, careful management. Mr. and Mrs. King enjoy the esteem of a large circle of friends.
HENRY B. KELLEY.
Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Preble county, Ohio, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow men than Henry B. Kelley. He has long been actively engaged in agriculture in this county, and the years of his residence here have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his neighbors and friends. He has led an honorable life and has set a worthy example to the younger generation.
Henry B. Kelley was born in Lagro township, Wabash county, Indiana, September 17, 1870, the son of Edward A. and Ursula H. (Bond) Kelley. Edward A. Kelley was born in the same township, county and state, while his wife was born in Jefferson township, Huntington county, Indiana, March 7, 1848, the daughter of Aaron and Amy (Wight) Bond, natives of Wayne county, Indiana, born near Richmond.
Edward A. Kelley, who was born on June 25, 1845, in Lagro township, Wabash county, Indiana, died there. He served during the Civil War in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for a period of nine months. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, two of whom are living, Alfred W., who lives at Detroit, Michi- gan, and Henry B. Edward A., Matthew, Amy A., Albert and Franklin are deceased. Following the death of Mr. Kelley, his widow married Henley James, to which union one son was born, Grant, who lives in Detroit, Michigan.
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On September 5, 1907, Henry B. Kelley was married to Emma Bloom- field, the daughter of Reuben and Amanda ( Harbison) Bloomfield, the former of whom was born on November 10, 18c9, on the farm where Henry B. Kelley now lives, a son of David and Rachel (Barklay) Bloomfield. Reuben Bloomfield died on March 3. 1885. By a second marriage he was the father of five children. two of whom are living, Julia, the wife of Jonas Markey, and Elizabeth, who is the widow of Pearson Pugh.
Mrs. Kelley was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools of the county. She became a teacher and followed this occupation for seventeen years. On Mrs. Kelley's maternal side there were two an- cestors in the Revolutionary War. One was Thomas Morgan, born in Cumberland county, Virginia, in 1749, and the other was Robert Harbison.
Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have no children. Mr. Kelley is a member of Waverly Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past chancellor of the former lodge. He is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah at Eaton. Mrs. Kelley is a member of the Chris- tian church. Politically, Mr. Kelley is a Republican. He owns one hundred and fifty-three acres in Washington township, three and one-half miles southwest of Eaton.
ROBERT EATON LOWRY.
Robert Eaton Lowry, the historian of this volume, is an attorney of the Preble county bar, and has been a resident of that county since August, 1873. He was born on November 2, 1846, in Delaware county, Ohio, and through his own efforts and earnings, was educated at Central College Academy, eleven miles northeast of Columbus, Ohio, after which time he attended and graduated from Miami University, in the class of 1871. During the winters, while attending the academy and university, he taught school in Delaware, Franklin and Butler counties, and, after his graduation, he taught until 1885, being employed seven years at Gratis, Ohio. when he was honored by the people of Preble county, who elected him to the office of county surveyor, for six years, since which time he has been employed as an attorney.
During the Civil War he enlisted no less than four times, in various regiments, but, on account of his age, was dismissed and sent home, because of the opposition of his father, the last time after muster in Company B, Forty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from which he was dis- charged. Upon his return home. his father went in the One Hundred and
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R. G. Lowry
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Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, so that every member of the family, by blood or marriage, carried Uncle Sam's honorable discharge, if old enough. The subject of this sketch served as mayor of Eaton for two years, from May, 1896, and has been for ten years a member of the Eaton public library, and also served as treasurer of the law library.
The father of the subject of this sketch, Andrew J. Lowry, was born in the state of Virginia, near the mouth of James river, in January, 1822. His parents, Andrew Lowry and Mary Lowry, came from County Down, Ireland, about sixteen miles southeast of Belfast, to that state in 1820, and with the great-grandfather, Andrew Lowry, came to Delaware county, Ohio, with their families in 1828, when they settled in Liberty township, where Andrew Lowry and his wife died, in 1836 and 1838, respectively. Andrew J. Lowry grew to manhood and lived in Liberty township all his life, own- ing a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres. He died on the farm in Janu- ary, 1893. Andrew Lowry had five brothers, John, Samuel, Robert, David and Crosby, and one sister, Ann, who married Philo Thomas.
The mother, Elizabeth (Cunningham) Lowry, married Andrew J. Lowry in January, 1844, and to them six children were born: Joseph C., who died in boyhood; Robert E .; Julia E., who married Lawrence E. Gren- nan, of Oxford, Ohio, both now deceased; Phoebe L., who married William Dixon, now deceased; Mary E., who married Edward O. Randall, both of whom are since deceased, and Philo J., now of Amarillo, Texas. The parents of Elizabeth Lowry were Barnett and Mary (Eaton) Cunning- ham, who were natives of Connecticut, and came with their parents to Delaware county, Ohio, about 1805. Mary (Eaton) Cunningham's father was the government surveyor of most of the land in Delaware county, and a direct descendant of that John Eaton who landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1624, and emigrated to the colony of Con- necticut, in 1636, as related on his tombstone in the Berlin cemetery. To Barnett and Mary Cunningham were born eleven children, John, Joseph, Hugh, Elizabeth, James, Jane, Margaret, Phoebe, Mary, Barnett and one who died in infancy. All are deceased except Margaret. Elizabeth Lowry was born in December, 1821, and died in September, 1903. Robert E. Lowry married Mary Emily Hamilton on December 29, 1872, the daughter of Robert and Mary Hamilton, who was born on October 16, 1846, near Som- erville, Ohio. The father, Robert Hamilton, was a native of Kilmarnock, Scotland, coming to this country when a young man, to Connecticut. The mother was the daughter of Joseph and Amy Cornish Fuller, who lived and
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died in the Farmington valley, about fifteen miles west of Hartford. Con- necticut. Robert and Mary Hamilton were the parents of seven children, Joseph, Martha, Amy, Mary Emily, William, Thomas B. and Sarah A. Robert Hamilton died in 1869, sixty-one years old; Mary Hamilton died in 1902, eighty-five years old. Both were buried at West Elkton, Ohio, they having come to Butler county, in 1838, shortly after their marriage.
Robert E. Lowry and wife moved to Eaton, Ohio, in 1885. After serving a term as surveyor, he was admitted to practice law, in 1892, and practiced by himself until 1900, when he formed a partnership with Judge J. W. King, and, later on, Harry G. King became a member of the firm of King, Lowry & King, which so continued until Judge King's death, March, 1908, after which the firm became Lowry & King, and has so continued.
Mr. Lowry belongs to Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons, to Eaton Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, to Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, and to Mulharen-O'Cain Post No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry belong to the Presbyterian church, of Eaton, in which he officiates as a deacon. In fact, both were educated and reared as Presbyterians, and as Republicans, and still hold the faith of their childhood, both religiously and politically. They each have, during their married lives, tried to be loving, cheerful and ca- pable helpmeets to each other, and good and respectable citizens of the county, who tried to help push the car of progress along, although at times fate has seemed to have dealt with them somewhat harshly. They have endeavored to remember the motto:
"When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
Then rain's my choice,"
as the proper spirit for those who pray, "Thy will be done."
ORANGE MARKEY.
The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has accomplished. An enumeration of those men of the past generation who were successful in their life work and who at the same time left the mark of their strong personality upon the community, men who won honor and recognition for themselves and, at the same time, conferred honor upon the localities in which they resided, would be incomplete were there failure to- make specivc mention of Orange Markey, for, although he is now sleeping
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ir skep of the just, his ir » fortunate as to enjoy za the pages of Preble c( wier allowed anything t achful performance of xe of sturdy effort for grandeur of Christian p! san character. Pure, co s and illumined the mc perficial observer only sible. His face was sing was with him the mortal life.
The late Orange ) Ohio, the son of Josep de common schools Ohio Northern Univ University at Columb tok up farming and vid the most successi At the time of his d and Mr. Markey ha having been gradua having entered this
On March 3 Barnhart, who was daughter of Henry Preble county. Ohi Mrs. Markey was
1 in the public schox ington county and wife were the par the widow of M Montgomery cou
. Huntington coun Markey, moving life. Mrs. Mar county, Ohio. and received so
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p of the just, his influence still pervades the lives of those who were unate as to enjoy his acquaintance. His name is deeply engraved pages of Preble county's history. His life was a busy one, but he allowed anything to interfere with his Christian obligations or the performance of his church duties. His entire Christian life was sturdy effort for the worth of Christian doctrine, the purity and ir of Christian principles, and the beauty and inspiration of Chris- tracter. Pure, constant and noble was the spiritual flame that burned illumined the mortal tenement of the late Orange Markey. To the ial observer only a small appreciation of his intrinsic spirituality is His face was fortified by the lines of deepest study. Christian vas with him the utmost concern among the changes and chances of rtal life.
le late Orange Markey was born on March 9, 1864, in Preble county, he son of Joseph and Barbara (Hart) Markey. He was educated in nmon schools of Preble county and later became a student at the Northern University at Ada, Ohio, and then attended the State sity at Columbus, Ohio, eighteen months. Early in life, Mr. Markey , farming and at the time of his death, in 1911, was considered one most successful and enterprising farmers of Preble county, Ohio. time of his death most of his children had been reared to maturity r. Markey had been able to give them splendid education. one son been graduated from the Ohio State University and another son entered this great institution.
On March 22, 1888, the late Orange Markey was married to Ida rt, who was born in Huntington county. Indiana, April 1. 1865, the er of Henry and Zylpha (Bond) Barnhart, the former a native of county, Ohio, and the latter a native of Huntington county. Indiana. larkey was reared in. Huntington county, Indiana, and was educated public schools of that county. Her father lived for a time in Hunt- county and later removed to Henry county. Indiana. He and his ere the parents of four children. Mary, who died when young; Ida, low of Mr. Markey: Florence, the wife of Charles Zehring, of omery county; and Clara, deceased. Mrs. Markey's father died in gton county, Indiana, and her mother afterwards married Christian 7. moving to Preble county, Ohio, where she spent the rest of her Mrs. Markey was ten years old when she was brought to Preble Ohio. She had attended the schools of Huntington county, ceived some additional education in the schools of Preble county.
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Mr. and Mrs. Orange Markey were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are still living, Paul, a graduate of the Eaton high school, who later was graduated from the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio; Joseph, also a graduate of the Eaton high school, is now completing the course at Ohio State University; Ruth, who is a student in the sophomore year at the Eaton high school; Ethel, who also is a student in the Eaton high school; Ray, a graduate of the Eaton high school; Robert, deceased; Hugh and Stanley, students in the country schools of Preble county.
Mr. Markey died on March 22, 1911, leaving Mrs. Markey with a splendid modern home, the best in the township in which she resides. She was left well provided for at the death of her husband and owns one hundred and seven acres of land, four and one-half miles south of Eaton. The late Orange Markey was a man who enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all with whom he ever had relations. His death is lamented today as one of the distinct losses to the civic and social life of Gasper township, where he lived. Mrs. Markey is one of the noble-minded and large-hearted women of Preble county, who is eminently deserving of recognition as an important factor in the wholesome conditions of life in the community where she has lived. She is a devoted member of the German Baptist church, a kind mother and a woman who was sincerely devoted to the work and the interests of her departed husband.
EZRA M. CREAGER.
One of the enterprising and successful farmers of Preble county, who has succeeded in his chosen vocation altogether by his own courage, in- dustry and good management is Ezra M. Creager, of Washington township, the proprietor of "Fairview Farm," consisting of one hundred and four acres and situated on the Franklin road, one mile southeast of Eaton. Mr. Creager is a man who believes in lending what aid he can to his neighbors and the general public while advancing his own interests. He has acquired a substantial competence, owns a fine, modern country home and deserves to rank as one of Preble county's best citizens.
Ezra M. Creager was born in Washington township, three miles north of Eaton, Ohio, February 4, 1867, the son of John R. and Sarah (Risinger) Creager. John R. Creager was born six miles north of Eaton in 1839, the son of Ezra and Delilah (Ford) Creager, both of whom were born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in which county they were married, after which
der came to Preble cour Exated north of Eaton, o spent the rest of their li' meers of that section.
John R. Creager w schools. After his marı later on the Risinger fa . Beam farm north\ Later he moved to th the latter, caring for h back to this farm, whe the grave, her death ( je parents of three cl township; Ezra M., the Craig, of Monroe tow
Ezra M. Creager schools. On Novemt of Francis M. and Cl the son of John Claw come to this county Francis M. Clawson xife of E. L. Davis is unmarried and 1 'n Eaton, and Eli: of Mr. and Mrs. I had accumulated : quarters acres nort land and added thi specialty of raisin - house in which he with electric lights
Ezra M. Cre Carl C., John E. 1 1
school and has ta versity, at Colun from the Eaton schools.
Mr. and M at Eaton, in wh
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me to Preble county, being among the earliest settlers here. They north of Eaton, on a farm now owned by Daniel Pence, where they le rest of their lives, being among the most honored and influential ; of that section.
an R. Creager was reared on this farm and educated in the public After his marriage he lived on a rented farm west of Eaton and t the Risinger farm until he purchased the farm known as the John am farm northwest of Eaton. He lived there for eleven years. he moved to the farm occupied by his father and remained with er, caring for him in his old age until his death. Later he moved this farm, where he died in 1894. His wife had preceded him to ve, her death occurring in 1882. John R. Creager and wife were ents of three children, Alice, the wife of John Waldren, of Monroe p; Ezra M., the subject of this sketch, and Anna, the wife of Charles of Monroe township.
ra M. Creager was reared on the farm and educated in the common
On November 29, 1888, he married Eliza B. Clawson, daughter icis M. and Christena (Mettert) Clawson. Francis M. Clawson was of John Clawson, who was an early settler in Preble county, having › this county when the Indians were yet in possession of the land. M. Clawson and wife were the parents of five children, Mary, the E. L. Davis; Sarah A., the wife of Aden H. Schell; Henry T., who arried and lives in Eaton; Laura A., who is unmarried and lives on, and Eliza B., the wife of Mr. Creager. After the marriage and Mrs. Creager, they rented land for four years. When they cumulated a few hundred dollars, they bought seven and three- s acres northwest of Eaton. In the meantime Mr. Creager rented d added thirty-one acres to his farm in 1892, all this time making a y of raising tobacco. He bought his present farm in 1908. The n which he now lives, which is a modern ten-room house, equipped ectric lights, hot water and a private heating plant, was built in 1912. :ra M. Creager and wife are the parents of four sons, Edward L., , John E. and Abel L. Edward L. is a graduate of the Eaton high and has taught school. He is now a student in the Ohio State Uni- at Columbus, Ohio. Carl C. is a farmer. John E. was graduated he Eaton high school. Abel L. is a student in the Eaton public . r. and Mrs. Creager and family are members of the Lutheran church on, in which Mr. Creager is one of the deacons. Politically, he is a
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