History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 83

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 83

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n he has held for the past eight years. Mr. Flora is also president Gasper township school board. In every respect he deserves to rank of the representative citizens of Preble county. A man of large ss interests, active in the civic and political life of the county, he en- ne confidence and esteem of all the citizens thereof.

FRANK BATDORF.

he office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest esti- of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the rec- le verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion held ghbors, friends and fellow citizens. The life of Frank Batdorf has uch as to elicit just praise from those who know him. He always has oyal to the trusts reposed in him, has been upright in his dealings with low men, and at the same time has lent his support to the advance- of any worthy public cause which presented itself.

rank Batdorf, the superintendent of the Preble county infirmary, orn in Montgomery county, Ohio, February 17, 1877, the son of Dan- I Rachel (Donnier) Batdorf. Daniel Batdorf was born in Mansfield,. a son of John and Mary ( Emery) Batdorf. John Batdorf was born insylvania, and Peter Donnier, the father of Rachel (Donnier) Bat- was a native of Germany, coming to the United States when a young nd locating in Ohio, near Miamisburg.

Daniel Batdorf was married in Montgomery county, Ohio. He was a aker by trade, and farmed to some extent while working at his trade. w makes his home in Dayton, Ohio, his wife having died in 1897. as the mother of nine children, seven of whom are still living: Will- :sides in Canada: Harry is a farmer in Preble county : Mary is the of John Woltja, of Washington township in this county; Clara is the · of Frank Timmerman; Emma is the wife of Irvin Deem, of Wash- township; Daisy is the wife of Samuel Lee, of Darke county, Ohio, rank, the subject of this sketch.

rank Batdorf was reared in Montgomery county, Ohio, where he intil nineteen years of age, attending the public schools of that coun- le came to Preble county about 1897, and for a time worked as a hand, after which he began working at the county infirmary, remain- ith that institution nine summers, in that time becoming thoroughly nted with its needs and the method of administration.

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Mr. Batdorf was married on November 9, 1904, to Minnie Swartz, who was born in Virginia, March 31, 1876, the daughter of John W. Swartz, who came to Preble county, Ohio, from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Batdorf have no children.

Mr. Batdorf was appointed superintendent of the county infirmary on March 1, 1911, and has been reappointed each year since that time. Po- litically, he is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in political af- fairs. Mr. Batdorf is enterprising in his private affairs, and is an honor- able citizen of Preble county, being held in high regard by all who know him.

GEORGE H. BROUSE.

George H. Brouse is a plain, honest man of affairs, who, by his cor- rect methods and strict regard for the rights of his neighbors and friends, has made his influence felt in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, where he lives. These qualities have won for Mr. Brouse a distinctive prestige in the agricultural circles of his community. He is one of those men whose integrity and strength of character must force them into a place of promi- nence which their modesty never seeks, a place where they leave the im- pression of their individuality and their good works.

George H. Brouse, a farmer living in Dixon township, Preble county, Ohio, was born on January 20, 1851, in Dixon township, the son of Will- iam and Catherine (Norman) Brouse. William Brouse was born on April 22, 1823, in Canton, Stark county, Ohio, and was the son of John Brouse, who was the son of Michael Brouse. Michael Brouse was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and lived to be one hundred and six years old. His son, John Brouse, moved with his family to Montgomery county, Ohio, locating near New Lebanon, where he lived until his death. He was the father of eight children, Cain, John, Henry, George, William, Polly, Sarah and Elizabeth.

Larkin Norman, Mr. Brouse's maternal grandfather, was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, from which point he moved to New Lebanon, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he kept a store. He came to Preble county in an early day and kept a store in Sugar Valley and finally went to farming, purchasing a farm near West Alexandria. He later moved to Dixon township, near where Mr. Brouse now lives, and followed that oc-

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GEORGE H. BROUSE AND FAMILY.

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cupation the remainde Dunkard church. He cemetery. He was fir four children. After William Brouse and learned the pott later came to Preble ( to Dixon township : tract of land. In la of land, all of which ber of the Four Mil his wife were the 1 Martin N., who ma Union county, India in Indiana; George Risinger; Pierce W Marker, of Washir ler; Elizabeth H., of the Somerset, K

George H. B1 Dixon township. in the Eaton high at Lebanon, Ohio, county, Ohio, for brothers and one tice of the peace township assessor last two terms.

In April, 18 Bruce, a grandda to which union three living chil mond, Indiana; wife of Rev. Ec church. Mrs. E years, four mor George H. splendid success

1 (54)

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ion the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Brethren or ard church. He died on May 6, 1875, and was buried in Sugar Hill ery. He was first married to Magdalene Miller and to them were born children. After her death, he married Elizabeth Greer.

Villiam Brouse was reared to manhood in Montgomery county, Ohio, earned the potter's trade. There he married Catherine Norman and :ame to Preble county, Ohio, locating near Lewisburg. He later moved xon township and after living there a short time, purchased a small of land. In later years he owned one hundred and fifty-eight acres d, all of which he had acquired by his own efforts. He was a mem- the Four Mile Dunkard church and a Democrat in politics. He and ife were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, N., who married Lydia Creek and lives near East Germantown in county, Indiana; Mary M., the wife of Fletcher Highley, who lives iana; George H., the subject of this sketch; Mattie, the wife of John er; Pierce W., who married Della Gray; Joseph L., who married Ollie r, of Washington township; Douglas L., who married Edith Strick- lizabeth H., who is still single, and J. P. W., who is superintendent Somerset, Kentucky, public schools.

eorge H. Brouse was born and reared in school district No. I, of township. He attended the district schools and later spent one year Eaton high school. He then attended the National Normal School anon, Ohio, and became a teacher. He taught in the schools of Preble , Ohio, for twenty years, mostly in two school districts. All of his rs and one sister have been teachers. Mr. Brouse was elected jus- the peace of Dixon township and served two terms. He was also lip assessor for two terms and served as land appraiser during the o terms.

1 April, 1881, George H. Brouse was married to Sarah Catherine a granddaughter of William Bruce and a daughter of Hardin Bruce, ch union four children have been born, one dying in infancy. The iving children are Mary, the wife of Dolph Rinhart, of near Rich- Indiana; Ernest, who is single and lives on the farm; and Susie, the f Rev. Edwin Flory, of Covington, Ohio, a minister of the Christian

Mrs. Brouse died on November 28, 1906, at the age of fifty-three . four months and twenty days.

:orge H. Brouse is a breeder of Duroc-Jersey hogs and has made a d success in this business. Mr. Brouse owns a splendid farm of two (54)

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hundred and sixty-one acres in Dixon township and is in every way a repre- sentative citizen of Preble county.

Mr. Brouse and his family are members of the Christian church at Con- cord, Ohio, and Mr. Brouse at one time served as superintendent of the Sunday school. Throughout his life he has been active in church work. Politically, Mr. Brouse is a Democrat.

FRANK JOHN.

Representing one of the oldest and best-known families of Preble county, Ohio, and a man of enterprising and sterling worth, Frank John is well entitled to mention here among the substantial farmers of Preble county. It is with much satisfaction, therefore, that the story of his life and of his family is accorded a place in these pages.

Frank John was born in Union county, Indiana, August 22, 1861, a son of Enoch and M. E. (Swafford) John, the former of whom was born in Butler county, Ohio, near Millville, November 4, 1828, a son of Jehu and Catherine (Hasty) John. Jehu John also was a native of Butler coun- ty. The John family is of English descent, its lineage dating back to the coming of the "Mayflower" to this country, three John brothers being mem- bers of the immortal band that landed from that vessel, and descendants of these men constitute the John family of Preble county.

Enoch John was reared on a farm in Butler county, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools. By home reading and study he acquired a good education. He remained with his father until he was thirty years of age. In 1858 he married Mary E. Swafford, who was born in Union county, Indiana, November 4, 1841, a daughter of Arch and Sarah (Bur- roughs) Swafford. Arch Swafford was a son of Isaac and Sarah (Arm- strong) Swafford. Enoch John and wife were the parents of seven sons, five of whom are still living: William, who married Mina Deem; Frank, the immediate subject of this brief review; Edward, unmarried, lives in Eaton, Ohio; A. L., who married Retta Llewellyn, lives in Eaton, Ohio, and Everett, who married Mamie Huber. The two deceased sons were Daniel and Charles. Enoch John was a man well known in Preble county as an honorable and upright citizen. He died on May 28, 1906, and his widow survived him until October 30, 1911. Mrs. John joined the Chris- tian church at West Florence, Ohio, in 1885, later uniting with the church

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of the same communion here to the time of her in her home community. icarly loved by all who dren, nine sons and twc

Frank John was r in the district schools o winters in the high sch early age and has con owner of one hundred Eaton. Ohio, on the w the breeding of high- success, Duroc-Jersey

Frank John has with the Republican [ ling character and h

Preble county that measure of su farmers should be splendid attainmen to be accepted as a ure of success aw

John A. Will a son of Joseph ! iams was born in hiser ) Williams. and this county a he spent the res lives in Thomas ents of three c E., the wife of and lives with John A. 1 in the public s

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same communion at Eaton, continuing her membership faithfully o the time of her death. She was one of the best women of her day home community. Her life was devoted to her family and she was loved by all who knew her. She was one of a family of twelve chil- line sons and two daughters and one half-brother.

'ank John was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education district schools of his home neighborhood, after which he spent two ; in the high school at Liberty, Indiana. He took up farming at an ige and has continued ever since in this vocation. He is now the of one hundred and fourteen acres, five and one-half miles west of Ohio, on the west road, and, besides general farming, specializes in beding of high-grade live stock, in which he has achieved enviable , Duroc-Jersey hogs and Shorthorn cattle being his specialty.

rank John has always been active in local politics, and is identified ne Republican party. He is well known in Preble county for his ster- laracter and honorable, upright business methods.

JOHN A. WILLIAMS. !

reble county has many young farmers who are prospering far beyond measure of success their ages would appear to warrant. Among these 's should be mentioned the name of John A. Williams, a man of id attainments for the vocation he has chosen. If his past success is accepted as a criterion, it is only natural to assume that a larger meas- success awaits him.

ohn A. Williams was born on March 27, 1877, in Preble county, Ohio, of Joseph E. and Mary A. (Aukerman) Williams. Joseph E. Will- vas born in Butler county, Ohio, a son of John S. and Susan (Lite- Williams, natives of New Jersey. Joseph E. Williams was married is county and in 1901 located on a farm in Washington township, where nt the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1904. His widow now n Thomasville, Georgia. Joseph E. Williams and wife were the par- of three children: John A., with whom this narrative deals; Virgie : wife of Daniel Coffman, of Eaton, and Jessie M., who is unmarried ves with her mother.

ohn A. Williams was reared on the farm and received his education public schools. He was graduated from the Eaton high school, and

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after leaving school became a teacher for one year, after which he took up farming. Mr. Williams rents, from his mother, the farm he operates, and specializes in the breeding of Poland-China hogs, owning a splendid herd, headed by "See Expansion II," out of "A Wonder."

John A. Williams was married in March, 1906, to Elma Maier, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1885, a daughter of George Maier and wife. To this union has been born one daughter, Josephine A., born in 1908, who is now a student in the common schools.

Mr. Williams is a Republican, although not especially active in politi- cal affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to Eaton Lodge No. 30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Williams is a quiet, unassuming man, and al- together is an honorable citizen of the county in which he lives.

GEORGE A. LAIRD.

Unceasing industry, sound business judgment and wise management have been the elements which have contributed to the success of George A. Laird, for many years an enterprising and progressive farmer and fruit grower of Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio. Mr. Laird's farm, known as "Sunrise Farm," consisting of eighteen acres, situated four miles east of Richmond, Indiana, on the Ohio electric traction line, is well im- proved and highly productive. Mr. Laird is a man of splendid character and unquestioned integrity and enjoys to a marked degree the sincere respect of the community in which he lives.

George A. Laird was born in Franklin county, Indiana, March 1. 1866. the son of James and Elizabeth (Keeley) Laird, the former a native of Ireland, born March 19. 1825, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. James Laird is still living at Fairhaven. He came with his parents to the United States in 1833, locating in Butler county, Ohio. He worked as a carpenter for many years in Preble and Butler counties.

James Laird and wife were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are living : John F., a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the Springfield, Ohio, conference, who was graduated from the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio: James W .. a farmer in Preble county: William G .. a farmer in Preble county ; George A., the subject of this sketch : Charles F., a farmer of Preble county: Albert M., also a farmer of this county;

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Mary, the wife of J. and lives with her fat the wife of Edward A

George A. Laird counties, Indiana, anc the common schools a taught six terms of s

Mr. Laird was Mildred, was born to school and the wife ( Sadie Laird died a: which union three cl year of high school the Patterson exam county board of exa who is six .

Mr. Laird is profitable market fı progressive and pr Mr. Laird is a Rej board, holding thi: the people of this of the Friends cht people, well resper of the community leaders.

Progress m uel Cotterman, able retirement interested in th has been felt il Cotterman has keep abreast 0 found him fur with an increa

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the wife of J. J. Lee, of Union county, Indiana; Ella, who is single ves with her father; Hattie, the wife of I. N. Morrow, and Emma, fe of Edward Anderson.

jeorge A. Laird has lived in different places in Franklin and Union es, Indiana, and in Butler and Preble counties, Ohio. He attended mmon schools and the normal school at Camden, Ohio, after which he six terms of school in Preble county and in Van Wert county, Ohio. Ir. Laird was married in 1893, to Sadie Brown and one daughter, ed, was born to this union. She is a graduate of the New Paris high and the wife of Earl Maddock. They live near Camden, Ohio. Mrs. Laird died and Mr. Laird married, secondly, Marjorie Smith, to union three children have been born, Russell E., a student in the first of high school at Campbellstown, having taken the highest average in itterson examination in this county, being awarded a silk flag by the · board of examiners; Florence, who is ten years old, and Earnest A., six.

[r. Laird is an extensive grower of fruit and truck and finds a ble market for everything he is able to produce. He is enterprising, ssive and prosperous, a man of wide influence in his neighborhood. aird is a Republican and is a member of the Jackson township school holding this position with rare credit to himself and satisfaction to ople of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Laird and family are members Friends church at New Westville. The Lairds are quiet, unassuming , well respected in Jackson township and devoted to the best interests community in which they live and in which they are well-recognized ;.

SAMUEL COTTERMAN.

rogress may well be said to form the keynote of the career of Sam- ›tterman, a well-known and influential farmer now living in honor- etirement in Lewisburg, Preble county, Ohio. He has not only been ited in the work of improving his personal fortune, but his influence en felt in the progress and prosperity of this community. Samuel man has been an industrious man all of his life and has striven to ibreast of the times. As a result, every mile-post in his career has him further and further advanced, more prosperous and possessed in increasing number of friends.

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Samuel Cotterman, a well-known retired farmer of Lewisburg, Preble county, Ohio, was born on May 11, 1849, in Washington township, Preble county, Ohio. He is the son of Jonathan and Margaret (Kisling) Cotter- man, to whom nine children were born. Two of them are now deceased. Jonathan Cotterman was born on September II, 1817, in Montgomery county, Ohio, and was a chairmaker by trade. He came to Preble county in pioneer times and engaged in farming until he died, on February 1, 1894, aged seventy-six years, four months and twenty days. His wife, who, be- fore her marriage, was Margaret Kisling, was born about 1821, in Preble county, Ohio, where she died on February 17, 1888, aged sixty-seven years, one month and fifteen days.

Samuel Cotterman was reared on the farm and attended the public schools of Preble county, Ohio. At the age of twenty-four he was em- ployed in a flour- and saw-mill, and, later, owned and operated the mill on what is now known as Price's creek, in Preble county. He sold out and moved to Darke county, Ohio, about 1878, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres of land, only thirteen acres of which was cleared of timber and shrubbery. There was only a small shack on the farm at that time, but Mr. Cotterman, later, made extensive improvements, including fencing, drainage, the erection of out-buildings, after which time he operated the farm until 1902, when he came to Lewisburg. Here he purchased an ele- vator and operated it until 1905, when he sold out. He is now retired and lives in his comfortable home in Lewisburg. He has a share with his son, Francis, in three hundred and nineteen acres of land.

Samuel Cotterman was married, in 1874, to Isabella Rex, who was born on March 18, 1854, in Jay county, Indiana. She is the daughter of Herman and Diana (Shields) Rex. Herman Rex was born on February 20, 1818, in Preble county, Ohio. He was a farmer, in Jay county, Indi- ana, and died on January 22, 1901. His wife, who was Diana Shields be- fore her marriage, was born on November 21, 1825, in Virginia, and died in 1878. Two children have been born to this happy union, Francis E., who is a well-known farmer of Harrison township, and Alva I., who is a grain dealer in Eaton, Preble county, Ohio.

Mr. Cotterman is not identified with any particular party. He consid- ers himself an independent voter and supports measures and men rather than political parties. He and his wife are active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cotterman is held in high esteem by his neighbors, and has a host of friends in Lewisburg and vicinity, where he is well known for his upright character and many good traits of head and heart.

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The history of a a chronicle of the lives upon society. The w its representative citiz those whose work an perity and pride. ¿ Preble county, Ohic farming, is John J. Campbellstown.

John J. Gartlar May 13, 1866, a som Gartland was born 1 came to the United for six years. He He later came to ( He then married ir locating on a farn spent the remainder of Ireland, having at an early age, lan Gartland and his 1 Ellen, deceased ; ] wife of Augustus

John J. Gart and attended the reached his majo month. He rece estate, and now one-half miles n

Mr. Gartlar was born in Pr daughter of Th To this union } now a student i: a student in the student in the t Religiously

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JOHN J. GARTLAND.

The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly nicle of the lives and deeds of those men who confer honor and dignity society. The world judges the character of a community by those of presentative citizens and yields its tribute of admiration and respect to whose work and actions constitute the record of a community's pros- and pride. Among the prominent farmers of Jackson township, : county, Ohio, who are well known because of their success in ng, is John J. Gartland, a farmer living on rural route No. I, out of bellstown.

ohn J. Gartland was born in Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, 13, 1866, a son of Michael and Margaret (Foley) Gartland. Michael und was born near Dublin, Ireland, in 1829, and at the age of twenty to the United States, landing in New York City, where he remained x years. He was in the employ of Horace Greeley while in that city. ter came to Ohio, and worked in Butler county until he got a start. en married in New York City, after which he came to Preble county, ig on a farm of fifty-three acres in Gratis township, on which he the remainder of his life. His wife, Margaret Foley, also was a native land, having been born in County Cork, who came to the United States early age, landing at New York City, where she was married. Michael ind and his wife were the parents of five children, William, Mary and deceased; John J., with whom this narrative deals, and Jennie, the of Augustus Daub, living at West Middletown, Ohio.

ohn J. Gartland was reared on his father's farm in Gratis township, ttended the district schools of his home neighborhood. When he :d his majority he began life for himself, working on a farm by the

1. He received three hundred and ninety dollars from his father's and now owns one hundred and sixty-three acres of land, five and ilf miles northwest of Eaton.

Ir. Gartland was married on April 30, 1895, to Mary Kennedy, who. orn in Preble county, Ohio, and educated in the district schools, a ter of Thomas and Anna (Lett) Kennedy, both natives of Ireland. is union have been born three children, Marie, born on July 6, 1898,

student in the high school; Marguerite, born on July 12, 1899, is also lent in the high school, and Loretta, born on December 8, 1906, is a it in the third grade of the common schools.

Religiously, Mr. Gartland and family are all devout members of the

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Catholic church at Eaton, while, politically, Mr. Gartland is independent, preferring to cast his vote for individual men rather than for political parties. The Gartland family are highly esteemed in the community where they live. Mr. Gartland has not only been a successful farmer, but he has found time always for public movements and is thoroughly and deeply in- terested in the welfare of the community in which he lives.

CLIFFORD C. GARD.

The success of business men depends upon character as well as upon knowledge. Business demands confidence and where confidence is lacking, business lags. In every community some men are known for their upright character, strong common sense and moral worth, rather than for their wealth or political standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them and the younger generation follow their example. Clifford C. Gard, a stock buyer and shipper of Campbellstown, this county, is a man of this type. He is a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, well informed and a fine type of the reliable, self-made American, a friend to the poor and charitably disposed to the wants of his neighbors.

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History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 83

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

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