USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 41
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On December 16, 1885, Doctor Lyon was united in marriage with Jessie F. Mattoon, a native of Atwater, Ohio, where she was reared and lived until her marriage. Her parents were Sidney and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Mattoon, well-known farmers of Portage County, though Mr. Mattoon had formerly been connected with railroads. They are both now deceased. They were the parents
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Orrin A. Lyon, M. D.
of the following children: Charles, a commission merchant of Cleveland; Carrie, who died at fourteen years of age; Jessie, Mrs. Lyon; Stella, who died at the age of twenty-six years; Edwin Sidney, salesman for a coffee house in Cincinnati. To Doctor and Mrs. Lyon were born the following children: Dr. Edwin S., who graduated from medical college in Cleveland in the spring of 1913; Mareta, and Paul and Virginia, twins, who are at home with their mother. Doctor Lyon's death occurred on June 16, 1910, being the result of an automobile accident, and his death caused general expressions of sorrow and regret throughout the community. He was, indeed, a man among men, "standing four-square to every wind that blows," and his memory remains as a blessed benedic- tion to all who knew him.
Christian Taleber
HE CITY of Miamisburg, Ohio, received a very desirable acquisition to her citizenship when the late Christian Weber cast his lot in this community. It has been said that wealthy Germans seldom emigrate and that it is only the poor of that race who take up their abode in foreign countries. Wealth, however, does not consist entirely of money, and the United States has been greatly enriched by the brawn and muscle, sharp wits and plodding industry that have come to her from the famous empire beyond the eastern ocean. Mr. Weber, only one of many, but a fine type of the industrious and persistent man of affairs, became identified with Miamisburg in the early days of its development and he aided in the subsequent growth of the same in a most commendable manner, being thus eminently deserving of a place among her representative citizens of the past generation. He was a man who looked on the sunny side of life, ever hopeful that the good would rule instead of the bad, and as a result of such a disposition he made it pleasant for those with whom he came in contact in either a business or social way. He was a man of kindly nature, which made him popular with all who associated with him, and he was also a man of high moral char- acter so that he had the confidence and good will of all, his mem- ory remaining a blessed benediction to his relatives and friends.
Christian Weber was born on February 14, 1826, in Ros- heimer, Prussia, and he was the son of Christian, Sr., and Abical Weber. These parents, who were also natives of Prussia, emi- grated to the United States in 1835, bringing with them their fam- ily, then consisting of two sons and three daughters. After a long and tiresome voyage in one of the typical sailing vessels of that period, they were landed at the port of Baltimore, Maryland, where they sojourned but a short time, going then to Buffalo, New York. There they made their home for a number of years, and there both of the parents died during the terrible epidemic of cholera in the late forties or early fifties, the dread scourge also carrying away one of the daughters, then grown to womanhood. All three deaths occurred within a period of two weeks.
Of this family, the subject of this sketch was the youngest, and all have now passed away, all having married and leaving chil- dren. Christian Weber, the subject, secured his education in the
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public schools after coming to this country, supplementing his educational training by a wide range of reading and habits of close observation, so that he was considered a well-informed man, being a good conversationalist on all general themes. When a young man he entered the employ of Mr. Arkenburg, a well-known tobacco manufacturer of Buffalo, with the intention of learning the trade of cigar making. Subsequently, when he was seventeen years old, he went with the firm to New York City, where he followed his trade for some years. He proved a faithful and industrious em- ployee, and held the confidence of his employer to such an extent that before he had attained his majority, he was sent to Miamis- burg, Ohio, to purchase leaf tobacco. He remained here for some time and eventually became a general tobacco buyer for his firm both in Ohio and throughout the Southern States, having proved himself a skilled and shrewd buyer. Soon after the close of the Civil War Mr. Weber came to Miamisburg and engaged as a buyer and seller of leaf tobacco on his own account. Erecting a large warehouse, he bought extensively, and was soon supplying the manufacturers with tobacco in large amounts, becoming thus well known throughout the trade. He was a good business man in every respect, shrewd and sagacious, his business dealings being conducted along absolutely legitimate lines and based on right principles, so that at all times he enjoyed the entire confidence of the houses with whom he dealt. He was eminently successful in a material way, so that in 1898 he was enabled to retire from active participation in business affairs and lived quietly at his pleasant home on Second Street, Miamisburg, until his death, which oc- curred on the 21st of January, 1902. Mr. Weber had for many years been one of the best known residents of Miamisburg, where he was universally held in the highest esteem because of his many excellent qualities of character and his upright and successful business career. Though his life was, in the main, uneventful, as far as stirring incident or startling adventure is concerned, yet it was distinguished by the most substantial elements which go to the making of a successful man in any walk in life. His was a career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable private industry and wholesome home and social relations. It is the record of a well balanced mental and moral constitution, which enabled him always to do that which his conscience dictated to him as the right thing to do, and he had the courage of his honest convictions.
Politically, Christian Weber was a faithful and enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party, though never an office seeker for himself. A member of the Reformed Church, he was a liberal
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giver to its support and to the advancement of all its interests. Indeed, every movement having for its object the advancement of the community's best interests and the welfare of the people, re- ceived his cordial and whole-hearted support.
In Miamisburg, in 1862, Christian Weber was married to Lucetta M. Grove, who was born in the house in which she now lives and which was built by her grandfather, Jacob Kercher. Her birth occurred on October 2, 1842, and thus she has lived under the same roof for more than seventy years. She is the daughter of George A. and Christina (Kercher) Grove, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter born in Miamisburg. George Grove came to Montgomery County in young manhood, and here married his wife, who was the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Gephart) Kercher. Her parents had come to this locality from Pennsylvania in about 1800, purchasing a large tract of land, on which the city of Miamisburg is largely built. Jacob Kercher cleared and improved a large farm, and to him fell the task of lay- ing out the embryo city of Miamisburg. He was a man of many interests, having had a large part in the construction of the canal and other enterprises of a local nature. In 1837 he erected one of the finest residences in the Miami Vallev, which is still in good repair and is, as stated above, now occupied by his granddaughter, Mrs. Weber. He died here when past sixty years of age, being survived a number of years by his widow, who was about seventy years old at the time of her death. They were both earnest Chris- tians, Mr. Kercher being a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife held her membership in the Reformed Church. He was liberal in his attitude to all public and benevolent enterprises and he gave the ground on which the first church was erected and the first burial plot in all the Miami Valley. In many ways he showed his liberality and broad mindedness, so that he was essen- tially one of the "first citizens" of his community. To him and his wife were born eleven children, all of whom are now deceased.
George Grove and his wife spent their entire married life in Miamisburg, the father's death occurring here in January, 1902. George Grove was a prominent man in the city in his active days, having for a number of years been a successful lumber dealer and also engaged in other laudable enterprises. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the First National Bank of Miamis- burg and was an early officer of that institution, contributing by his personal efforts to its success. Politicallv, he was a Democrat, while his religious membership was in the Lutheran Church. In public affairs he took an intelligent interest and was twice elected
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to the state legislature, where he rendered efficient service in be- half of his constituency. George Grove was twice married. His first wife, who was the mother of Mrs. Weber, died forty-six years ago, and subsequently he married Sarah Gephart, who now lives in Dayton.
To Christian and Lucetta Weber were born nine children, as follows: Two died early in life; Robert is married and resides in Terre Haute, Indiana; Amelia is unmarried and remains at home; Edmund, who is a successful lumber dealer in Miamisburg, is mar- ried and has two children; Jane is the wife of Dr. N. B. Hartwell, of Miamisburg; John is a successful physician in Akron, Ohio, is married and has a son; Oliver is also a doctor of medicine, resid- ing in Cleveland, Ohio. All the children have been reared to lives of respectability and honor and are, as is their mother, identified with the Reformed Church. No family in Miamisburg stands higher in general esteem than the one under consideration, for they have long been identified with this locality and have had an active part in its development and upbuilding.
Abel hoober
HE LIFE history of Abel Hoover, one of the venerable, well known and highly esteemed citizens of Miamis- burg, Ohio, shows what industry, good habits, and stanch citizenship will accomplish in the battle of life. His life has been one replete with duty well and conscientiously performed in all its relations. He has not been a man to shrink from any duty, however irksome, in either public or private life, and it is such traits that have been contributing elements to his success. He has come down to us from the pioneer period and has noted the wondrous transformation from that time to this, playing well his part in the drama of civilization. He has been an advocate of wholesome living and has been a constant and potent force in the upbuilding and improvement of his community, so that to-day no resident of his city commands to a larger degree the sincere re- spect and good will of the people. To such as he is this section of the State indebted for much of its present prosperity, for, as a pioneer in the manufacturing industries of this city, he led where others followed and to his sturdy enterprise and progressive ac- tions was due much of the success which attended the enterprise with which he was connected.
Abel Hoover is a son of David Harmon Hoover and Cather- ine (Houtz) Hoover, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandparents were Frederick and - (Harmon) Hoover, also natives of the Keystone State, while the maternal grandparents were John and Mary (Snyder) Houtz, who, in an early day, came to Ohio, their deaths occurring near Troy, Miami County, when well advanced in years. They were farming folk, though in early life he had been a distiller. He freighted his wares down the Miami, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, where he disposed of his cargo and boat and made the return trip on foot or horseback. One of these trips took him to Cuba, and while there he purchased some pitchers for his daughters, several of which are still preserved in the family as heirlooms. In the middle of life John Houtz and wife joined the Presbyterian Church and became devoted Christians. Indeed, so devoted was Mr. Houtz to the welfare of his church that he went all the way to New York City for the purpose of soliciting from Col. John Jacob Astor funds with which to help build a church, a mission, how-
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Mrs. A. thoonen
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Abel Doober
ever, in which he was unsuccessful. The incident throws light on the sterling character and enthusiastic spirit of the man.
Frederick Hoover and wife came from their native State to Ohio about 1820 and settled on a large farm of practically wild land in Miami Township, Montgomery County. There they cre- ated a fine farm and spent the rest of their days, the father dy- ing at the age of about eighty years, and his wife sometime prior thereto.
David Harmon Hoover, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in about 1800, and was still a young man when the fam- ily came to Ohio. He was reared to maturity on his father's farm and for some time ran his father's still. Eventually he came to Miamisburg and entered the mercantile business, also owning a warehouse on the canal. In about 1850 he began the manufacture of threshing machines, in which enterprise he met with large suc- cess, becoming one of the best known and most influential men of this community. He was well fortified in those elements which go to the making of a successful man in any sphere of endeavor and to him the community was indebted for much of its growth and advancement. His death occurred in the autumn of 1870, his wife, who was born in 1800, dying in 1887. He was a Democrat in his political views, while he and his wife were first identified with the Reformed Church, but later joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they remained loyal members the rest of their days. Their children were as follows: Elizabeth, who died some time after her marriage to Charles Allen; Abel, the subject of this sketch; Samantha Ann, the widow of William Gamble, lives in Miamisburg; Ellen died in childhood.
Abel Hoover was born in Miamisburg, Ohio, on September 5, 1832, and was reared under the parental roof, receiving a good education in the common schools. Upon attaining mature years he became engaged with his father in the manufacturing business and thenceforth for many years was one of the most conspicuous figures in the local industrial field. After his father's death, he took over the business, first under the name of Hoover & Son, and later as Hoover & Company, and then as Hoover & Gamble. Sa- gacious and shrewd in discerning the needs of the trade, his enter- prise and progressive tendencies found full scope and lie so con- ducted the business as to give his firm a commanding position in their line. It is worthy of note that Mr. Hoover manufactured and sold the first twine binder-reaper sold in the State of Ohio, and to this branch of the business he gave special attention, his efforts being rewarded with marked success. Mr. Hoover was
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Abel Thoober
also largely interested in the manufacture of binder twine, but sold out his interests to the combine. He also had other invest- ments, being a stockholder and director in the First National Bank as well as interested in other lines. Altogether, during his active connection with the business affairs of Miamisburg, Mr. Hoover was generally recognized as one of its most enterprising citizens, his support and encouragement being given to every enterprise or movement which promised to benefit the community or enhance the welfare of the people, materially, socially, or mor- ally. Though he is now retired from active participation in bus- iness affairs, he is still interested in current affairs and is num- bered among the honored older citizens of the city.
Politically, Mr. Hoover was originally a Whig, but allied him- self with the Republican Party on its organization, to which he has maintained a stanch allegiance. Fraternally, he was formerly an active Mason, in both blue lodge and chapter, and in the Scot- tish Rite. His religious membership is in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member of the board of trustees and an active supporter in various ways.
In Miamisburg, Ohio, on April 7, 1858, Mr. Hoover was united in marriage with Clara E. Hoff, who was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on April 14, 1837. She was but eighteen months old when brought to Ohio by her parents, William and Elizabeth (Leis) Hoff. Here Mr. Hoff engaged in the dry goods business during the remainder of his active life, dying in 1876, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was survived about eight years by his widow, who died at the age of seventy-three. Both were members of the Reformed Church. Besides Mrs. Hoover, the only member of her family now living is a brother, H. C. Hoff, who is now engaged in business in Miamisburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Abel Hoover the following children were born: William D., who received a good education in the public schools of this city, is now representing the interests of his father and others in the sugar milling in the west; he married Rachel E. Hunt and they have two children, Edwin H. and Donald H. The second child, Dr. Charles E., after graduating from Harvard College with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, went to Europe, where he spent five years in medical study and research, three years of the time being spent in Vienna. For several years he has been a professor in the med- ical department of Western Reserve College. He married Cather- ine Frazer and they have a daughter, Catherine. Albert Hoover, who received his education in the Miamisburg schools, is now con- nected with a soda ash company near Wyandot, Michigan. He
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Abel Toober
married Theresa Taylor, of Broome County, New York. Esther Belle is the wife of Oscar Linderholm, an attorney at Monta Vista, Colorado, and they have three children, Clara C., Joan, and Elizabeth.
Abel Hoover has been not only a progressive man of affairs, successful in material pursuits, but a man of modest and unas- suming demeanor, a fine type of the reliable, self-made American, whose watchword was always "Forward." To such as he is the great State of Ohio indebted for that sterling type of citizenship which has given her a high place among her sister States. Now in golden sunset of his well-rounded life, he is able to complacently look back over the years and feel that his life has been well spent and that his lines have indeed been cast in pleasant places. He is truly one of the grand old men of Montgomery County.
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John Taleiser
VERYWHERE in our land men have been found who have worked their way from humble and lowly begin- nings to places of high esteem in the material, civic, and social world, and it has ever been one of the proud- est boasts of our fair country that such men are accounted of thou- sandfold more worth and value to the commonwealth than the aristocrat, with his inherited wealth, position, and distinguished name. "Through struggles to triumph" appears to have been the maxim which has held sway over many of our citizens and, though some fall exhausted by the wayside, others, by their in- herent force of character and strong mentality, rise paramount to environment and all which sought to hinder them. Thus it was with the late John Weiser, for years one of the best known and most progressive business men of Montgomery County, Ohio, his residence and principal scene of his operations being at Miamis- burg. He is remembered as a man of great energy and rare judg- ment, which he carried into all affairs in which he was interested. He possessed a high degree of intelligence, few of his compeers ex- celling him in the possession of a fund of general information, which, coupled with his amiable disposition and companionable manner, made him one of the successful and popular men of his city. He was indeed a manly man, and the honor and esteem in which he was held by all who came in contact with him, whether in a business, public or social way, was but the just tribute to his worth.
John Weiser was a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born on February 24, 1832, and was the son of Jacob Weiser, who also, with his wife was a native of the Keystone State, both being of German ancestry. They lived and died in their native State. The father was never very prominent in a business way, having been mainly a man-of-all-work, though eminently respectable as to per- sonal character. He died when past the age of sixty years. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church.
John Weiser was one of twelve children born to his parents, of whom the survivors now are Sallie and Lavina, unmarried, who live at Sunbury, Pennsylvania. John Weiser received his educa- tion in the common schools of his native State, where he remained until after attaining his majority. He was industrious and ambi-
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John Weiser
tious, carefully conserved his finances so that, desiring wider op- portunities for labor and investment, he came to Ohio, locating at Miamisburg, where, soon afterwards, he promoted and organ- ized the Miamisburg Twine Company. To his indomitable energy and sound judgment much of the splendid success which attended this enterprise was due, it having the enviable reputation of hav- ing made money for all who were interested in it in a financial way. In this enterprise Mr. Weiser remained an active and in- fluential factor until his death. He also became interested with other business enterprises, in all of which he evinced a soundness of judgment which made him invaluable as a business associate and partner. He became an extensive dealer in tobacco, in part- nership with William Strope, and for some years handled a great deal of grain. He assisted in the organization of and became a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank, owned two good farms, and a good tobacco warehouse. In this brief recital it is thus seen that Mr. Weiser was an important fac- tor in the commercial life of Miamisburg, where so many of his years were spent, and but few enterprises of magnitude were promoted there without his assistance or co-operation. He was eminently public spirited and any movement having for its ulti- mate object the progress or welfare of his city or community re- ceived his hearty endorsement and unselfish support. He was a man of sterling character who followed only high ideals, and thus his actions were characterized by a loftiness and purity that placed them above suspicion. He despised hypocrisy or sham in others and his own word was as good as a bond.
John Weiser was united in marriage to Sophia M. Ridenour, who was born in the State of Maryland on January 4, 1833. She was but a child when brought to Montgomery County by her par- ents, George and Susan (Unger) Ridenour, and here she met and married Mr. Weiser. Her parents, who also were natives of Maryland, lived on the line between that State and Pennsylvania. After the birth of their fourth child they came to Montgomery County, locating about ten miles from Miamisburg, where they spent the remainder of their lives, both dying under the age of forty years and but a few years apart. They were faithful mem- bers of the Reformed Church. They were the parents of seven children, of which number Mrs. Weiser was the second in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Weiser were born two daughters, namely: Sarah J., who was born, reared, and educated in Miamisburg, be- came the wife of W. H. Albrecht, now a retired business man of that city, and they are the parents of six children, three sons and
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three daughters, namely: Herbert, Ada, Carrie, John, William and Dorothy. The younger daughter, Clara, is the widow of the late William C. Lehman and now lives with her mother. She has two children, James W. and Margaret R.
John Weiser died at his home in Miamisburg on April 27, 1892, and his departure was considered an irreparable loss to the community in which he had lived and labored. He had so im- pressed his personality on the community that it seemed that he could ill be spared, while to those who were so fortunate as to be numbered among his personal friends, his loss was keenly felt. Religiously, Mr. Weiser was an earnest member of the Lutheran Church, as is the eldest daughter, while Mrs. Weiser and the younger daughter are affiliated with the Reformed Church. Polit- ically Mr. Weiser voted in harmony with the Democratic party on national issues, but on local elections he maintained an indepen- dent attitude, always voting for the men whom he considered best qualified for office. He left to his family the rich memory of an unstained name and to the city he loved so well the record and ex- ample of an honorable and well-spent life.
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