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** RETURN TO BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX ** ** RETURN TO HISTORY CONTENTS **   MARTN BAILOR - Page 570 - Milford Twp.   EPHRAIM BAKER - Page 492, Liberty Twp.   JOHN BAKER - Page 492, Fairfield Twp.   DAVID BANKER - Page 601, Madison Twp.   DAVID W. BANKER was born April 1, 1821, in Madison Township.  His parents were David Banker and Mary McDill, who came to this county in 1819.  They are now dead.  He was married Oct. 9, 1842, to Julia Lucas, daughter of Samuel Ludas and Hannah McCray, born in Madison township, Feb. 3, 1821.  They have had three children. Samuel L. was born Nov. 22, 1843; Charles D., Nov. 23, 1859; and Harvey, Nov. 10, 1862.  The second of these is now dead.  Mr. Banker is a farmer. - Page 602, Madison Twp.   JACOB BANKER (Madison Twp.), farmer and stock raiser, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 13, 1818, and was brought to this county in 1819.  His father was David Banker, and his mother's name was Mary McDill.  The former was the pioneer of that branch of the family which came to Ohio, and was born in Frederick County, Maryland, March26, 178, coming to Ohio in 1800, and settling in Ross County.  There he married his wife, coming to Butler County in 1819, where he bought a part of fractional Section 12, Township 2, and Range 4, east, upon which was a mill-site where Elijah Mills, a soldier of the Revolution, had erected a corn-cracker, called a mill, about 1800, for building which he received a pre-emption right to Section 1 and fractional Section 12, Township 2, Range 4, east, in Madison Township, comprising a tract of about eleven hundred acres of the best land in Butler County.  He subsequently transferred his claim to John Lucas, who received a patent for it from the government soon after the land was thrown open for sale.      David Banker erected a fine mill on the property where the present Mr. Banker now resides, that was long known as Banker's mills, and had at an early day customers from near Richmond, Indians, and from near Greenville on the north.  He continued to reside on this property till his death, which happened on the 25th of Jan., 1862, at the age of eighty-four.  He came into the world the second year of the Revolutionary War, and died in the second year of the Revolutionary War, and died in the second year of the great Rebellion.  When he first came to Ohio he brought with him, in a large pair of saddle bags, the metallic park of the set of carpenter's tools, with which to carve out his fortune in this new country, and carried them in that way on horseback over the mountains.  Jacob Banker has now in possession, as a relic of early days on the Miami, the millstone used by Elijah Mills when he erected the first mill on the Ohio River.  It is a curiosity.  It is sixteen inches in diameter and four inches thick, and weighs less than one hundred pounds.      Jacob Banker was married Nov. 8, 1840, to Catherine Selby, daughter of Middleton Selby and Rachel Coon, who came to this county in 1797 and 1802.  They have had ten children.  Rachel B. Marsh was born Aug. 23, 1841; David, May 8, 1843; Mary E., May 14, 1845; Ferdinand V., May 27, 1847; Martha J., Jan. 13, 1850; Sarah L. B. Chamberlain, June 16, 1852; Laura C. Conover, March 27, 1854; Emma J., Sept. 3, 1856; James E., March 6, 1859; and Elmer L., July 31, 1862.  David Banker, his son, was in the military service from Dec. 25, 1863, until after the close of the war.  He was a member of the Seventh Indiana troop of cavalry, and was detailed on duty as an orderly at the White House at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln.  Mr. Jacob Banker was a justice of the peace in Madison Township from 1847 to 1853, six years. - Page 602, Madison Twp.   JOHN C. BARCALOW, the landlord of the Central House, was born in this county April 11, 1830. His parents were John and Nancy Barcalow, both now dead. He was married in Warren County on the 29th of October, 1851, to Elizabeth A. Emley, daughter of David and Sarah Emley. She is a native of Warren County. Mr. and Mrs. Barcalow have had twelve children. Anna E. Schaffer was born April 24, 1855; Ada E. Spitler, August 15, 1856; Georgetta, July 11, 1858; David E., May 15, 1860; Kate E., May 12, 1862; John B., March 4, 1864; C. M., November 17, 1866; Sallie E., January 3, 1869; Harry and Carrie, March 31, 1871; Louraine R., July 31, 1873, and Richard E., September 10, 1875. Mr. Barcalow was a member of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the hundred days' call in West Virginia without hearing a gun fired. . FRANK J. BARNARD, (Lemon Twp.) superintendent of schools in Middletown, was born in Medina, Ohio, March 26, 1852.  He is the son of Judge S. G. Barnard and Malvina M. Barnard.  His great-grandfather, Samuel Barnard, served in the Revolutionary War.  He prepared for college at Kenyon Grammar School, Gambier, Ohio, on attaining the age of fourteen, then entering Cornell University, at Ithaca, New York, at sixteen years of age.  In the beginning he was in the classical course, but changed this to the course of philosophy, graduating in 1874.  After his return to this State he began teaching in country schools in Medina County, boarding around among those who sent their children to him, afterwards being engaged as superintendent of schools in Brooklyn Village, Cuyahoga County, for two years.  At Celina, Ohio, he acted as superintendent the next two years.  He has now completed his fourth year as superintendent of schools in Middletown, and by a unanimous vote of the board of education has been elected for three years longer.  He was married in Cleveland, November 28, 1877, to Anna L. Fish, daughter is now dead.  His daughter was born in Brooklyn Village, Sept. 30, 1852, and has given her husband one child, Clem T. Barnard, born July 10, 1880.   HECTOR BASSON - Page 478, Fairfield Twp.   MRS. NANCY BAUGHMAN was born in New Jersey, Feb. 23, 1814, and came to this county in 1818.  Her parents were Michael Mattix and Mary Rutan.  She had one son, James, who was born in 1842, and died in 1857.  Her grandfather was Samuel Mattix, was in the Revolutionary War, and her uncle, William Mattix was in the War of 1812, dying while in the service, on the shores of Lake Erie.  He was a drum major.  Mrs. Baughman came here with her parents when she was a could of four years old, her father beginning a farm from the virgin forest.  She worked at spinning when she was only eight years of age, and had but six months' schooling in her life.  During the Revolutionary War Mary Mattix, her grandmother, and her baby had to be carried to the fort on the Delaware River, as the Indians were destroying every thing, and killing all they found.  Mrs. Baughman is still living on the same farm her father cleared, and has with her William A. Pogue and Sarah A. Mattix.  Daniel Mattix is supposed to have  killed the last bear in that part of the county.  His children saw it, and told him there was a big black dog up a tree.  He knowing what it must be, took his gun, and went out and shot it.  It proved to be a very large animal. - Page 602, Madison Twp.   REASON R BAXTER, (Hanover Twp.) the son of Sill and Mary Baxter, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, Nov. 15, 1829.  He settled in this county in 1877.  He was married on the 22d of December, 1860, at Winchester, Kentucky, to Clara French, daughter of Charles and Alice French, who was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, in 1840.  They have had three children:  Anna was born March 17, 1863; Carrie, April 26, 1868, and Lewis H., March 15, 1871.  Mr. Baxter was a member of the Fifty United States Cavalry, serving two years.  He is a farmer.   JAMES BEARD - Page 478, Fairfield Twp.   HENRY BEARDSLEY was born in Fairfield County, Connecticut, April 17, 1812. His parents were Abram and Hannah (Raymond) Beardsley, who died in Connecticut. Mr. Beardsley learned the trade of a hatter, and came out to Ohio, settling here in 1836, on the 20th of June. He has followed manufacturing and dealing in hats. He has been married three times. First, in 1840 to Isabella Gibson; second, in 1847 to Laura O'Connor, and the last time in Batavia, Ohio, to Sarah E. Moore. The last is a daughter of John B. Moore, of Clermont County. He has had five children. Emma (Mrs. F. Martindell), was born in 1847; William Henry, in 1850; Abbey Jane, in 1852; Edward Moore, in 1858, and George in 1863. Edward is a physician, and lives in San Francisco, and George resides in the same place. Mr. Beardsley was a member of the school board for about five years, from 1856 to 1861, the First Ward building being erected about that time. He was also a member of the common council for about four years, from 1846 to 1850. The right of way was given to the railroad during that time. During the late war Mr. Beardsley was a member of the military committee of this county. He went into business upon his arrival here, and has been in it ever since. He is now the oldest merchant in trade in the town. . DANIEL P. BEATON - Page 529, Oxford Twp.   JAMES BEATTY, a wealthy banker and well-known land owner of Butler County, died in March, 1880, at his residence, near Jones Station, of paralysis. Mr. Beatty was a native of Ireland, and about sixty-five years of age. He accumulated considerable wealth, most of which was made in the pork business. He owned one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight acres of land, and was estimated to be worth about $800,000. He was for a number of years vice-president of the First National Bank of Hamilton, and one of the principal stockholders.   BEAUGUREAU, Adrian - Page 528, Oxford Twp.   CHARLES BECK, senior, was born in Germany on the 15th of February, 1812. He was educated in Germany, and became an apprentice to the shoemaker's art in Vienna in 1825, serving three years. He worked as a journeyman in Prague for some time, and was in the army for six years, from 1832 to 1838. When discharged he left Germany, and arrived in America January 4, 1839, where he was married on the 3d of February, 1839, to Theresa Stark, who was born in Germany, December 25, 1808. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are living. Henry E. is a resident of Hamilton; Harriet is the wife of A. Winter, of this place; Charles, Jr., is also a well-known resident, and Katy is the wife of Alexander Getz. Mr. Beck arrived in Ohio in the Spring of 1839, coming direct to Hamilton, still employed at shoemaking, and residing in Venice for some eight years. He then engaged in farming, purchasing a place in Boss Township, and staying there for eight years. In Hanover Township he was one year, returning to Hamilton in 1857, and beginning mercantile business in 1859. -In 1860 he entered the firm of Beck & Winter, keeping a general store. Of late he has been out of business. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. / CHARLES BECK, JR., was born in Venice, in this county, June 8, 1845. He is the son of Charles and Theresa Beck, natives of Wellenberg, Germany. He attended the common schools in the country, and afterwards in Hamilton. He began at fourteen, to learn the shoemaker's trade with his father, and was at this for eight years. He then began clerking in his father's store, and afterwards attended the Business College in this place. In 1859, he began business in the boot and shoe trade, which he continued till 1879. He has been trustee of his ward, and overseer of the poor. In 1876, he was elected infirmary director for the county, and again in 1879, acting as clerk of the board. He is a Democrat in belief, and a member of the Catholic Church. He was married on the 14th of September, 1869, to Catherine Tabler, daughter of Henry and Catherine Tabler, of Hamilton, both now being dead. He has four living children and three dead. Charles Henry, Clara C, William A., and Frank C. are the names of those living. . JOHN PETER BECKER - Page 492, Liberty Twp.   WILLIAM BECKETT, son of Robert Beckett and Mary Crawford Beckett, was born in Hanover Township, in this county, on the 17th of March, 1821. He graduated at Miami University in 1844. In 1845 he came to reside in Hamilton, and began the study of the law in the office of Hon. John Woods, whose second daughter he married in September, 1846. On his admission to the bar he commenced practice with Mr. Woods.  It is a fact pretty well known in the Miami Valley that Mr. Beckett is possessed of a tongue which, when engaged in conversation, works very smoothly and quite effectively; but he soon ascertained that when he arose to address a jury or a public audience, that member utterly refused to perform its proper function, but rather clove to the roof of his mouth.  Thereupon he promptly abandoned the idea of practicing law, and took the position of a general business operator—buying and selling real estate, manufacturing, assisting in the management of the hydraulic works, etc.      After the death of Mr. Woods, in 1855, Mr. Beckett, his executor, took his place as director in the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad, and also in the Cincinnati and Indianapolis road, known as the Junction. From that day to the present time he has been an active and liberal supporter of every movement to advance the interests and promote the prosperity of the city and county. He is largely interested in the manufacturing industry, and any event which would deprive the city of his efficient capacity and energy would be severely felt by the whole community.      There are few men in Butler County more widely known personally than Mr. Beckett. During a considerable portion of his life he was a man of large means, and his hospitality was fully commensurate therewith. Public men when in this vicinity commonly gravitated to his home, and some of his well-known political influence may have been promoted in this way.   ELIPHALET BECKLEY - Page 584, Union Twp.   MRS. MARY L. BELCH - Page 584, Union Twp.   WILLIAM BELCH - Page 581, Union Twp.   EDGAR A. BELDEN, attorney and counselor-at-law, was born in Hamilton, November 28, 1855. He is the son of Samuel C. and Mary (Fitton) Belden, and was educated in the schools of Hamilton, graduating at the high school in 1872. He then engaged in the insurance business in Cincinnati for five years, but in 1879 began reading law in the office of Thomas Millikin. He was admitted to the bar in February, 1881, and immediately began practice in Hamilton. He is connected with the Methodists, and is the president of the Irving Literary Club, a pleasant and agreeable society. . JAMES H. BELL (Hanover Twp.) was born in Hanover Township, Oct. 17, 1826.  He is a retired farmer, and is the son of James Bell and Nancy Hall.  His father was in the War of 1812, coming up to the county in 1811.  He was born in Philadelphia, Dec. 2, 1779, and died May 29, 1828.  Mrs. Bell was born in South Carolina, May 5, 1792, and died Aug. 24, 1871.  They raised a family of seven children, five daughters and two sons, of whom two sons and two daughters are still living.  All but James H. Bell are married.  He now controls and resides upon the farm where he was born.  For the past five years he has been unable to get around much, owing to a stroke of paralysis.  Mrs. Rhoda Bugg, who is and has been his housekeeper the thirteen years last past, was born in Clayton, England, Nov. 17, 1824.  She was married Mar. 4, 1848, to John Henry Bugg, who died in 1855.  In the year 1869 she embarked for his country and located in this county.   ROBERT JACKSON BELL, of Morgan Township, was born in Butler County, Ohio, May 15, 1815. His father was David and his mother Margaret Bell, who -came to this county in 1809. On the 23d of November, 1843, he married Ann W. Lyle, daughter of Benjamin Lyle. She was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 5, .1816, and married in this county. This union resulted in David, born June 30, 1844; William H., born June 12, 1847; Francis W, born December 28, 1848; Margaret Jane Woodruff, born November 13, 1850; John Wesley, born March 18, 1853; Robert Fulton, born May 23, 1854; Washington, born December 30, 1858.      Robert J. Bell is one of the most prominent citizens of Morgan Township, as is shown by his having held the office of justice of the peace for twenty-one years. He is now a notary public. David Bell was in the War of 1812. . During the year 1834 Mr. Bell's father, mother, and one sister died, in less than twenty days, of cholera. Robert Bell is an active member of the Washington Methodist Episcopal Church. . SAMUEL BELL (Madison Twp.) was born in Germany, and after arriving in this country was married to Sarah Gebhart, born in Madison Township, Aug. 23, 1843.  His parents were John and Elizabeth Bell, and hers Daniel Gebhart and Christina Lingle.   They have seven children.  Flora A. was born July 11, 1868; William N., Mar. 31, 1870; David D., Feb. 15, 1872; Christina, Feb. 26, 1874; Johhn L., Jan. 31, 1876; Edward C./, Feb. 9, 1848; and Elmer E., Oct. 16, 1881.  Mr. Bell was in the service three years. - Page 602, Madison Twp.   ADAM BENDER - Page 492, Liberty Twp.   JACOB BENDER was born in Prussia, August 18, 1837. He is the son of F. W. and Catherine (Diehl) Bender. He was educated in the public schools in Germany, and brought up to farming until coming to America with his parents in 1853. His first location was in Cincinnati, where he was one year, coming up to Hamilton in 1854. He received something of an English education after arriving in. this country, and worked at the carpenter's business for some time. He began to learn -the trade of hatter in 1856, serving an apprenticeship of four years with Henry Beardsley, with whom he afterwards worked as a journeyman. He was in his employment until enlisting in 1864, in the hundred-day troops. He served out his full term of enlistment, in West Virginia, and returned home and was mustered out at its close. He resumed his former situation on his return, and remained with Mr. Beardsley until July, 1870, when he began business for himself. He is doing an extensive trade in hats, caps, furs, gloves, umbrellas, etc. He is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. . JOHN BENDER born in Prussia, December 13,1848. He is the son of F. W. and Catherine (Diehl) Bender, who came to this country in 1853, bringing their son with them. He was a carpenter by trade, arriving in Hamilton in 1854, and worked at this till about 1865, when he organized the firm of F. W. Bender & Sons, purchasing the property where his sons are, and also the planing mill of Miller & Campbell. For a short time the firm was Bender & Brown. He reared a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, all residents of Hamilton. He was a successful man, and by the aid of his sons laid the foundation of a large and successful business. He was a member of the Evangelical Protestant Church. His death occurred on the 20th of October, 1867. The business was continued under the firm name of J. F. Bender & Brothers, the members being J. F., E., F. W., H., and John. The latter was educated in the common schools in Hamilton. In 1864 he attended one term at the commercial college in Cincinnati. He was in the employment of John Stilwaugh for some two years, and then entered the business of his father and brother in 1865. He takes charge of the office and financial matters, the rest of the firm being all practical mechanics. He also does the estimating and contracting. Mr. Bender was married in 1873 to Miss Lena Morton, and is the father of three children—J. F., Matilda P., and Elsie. They are attendants of the Zion Lutheran Church. . JOHN FREDERICK BENDER was born in Germany, September 28, 1830. He is the oldest son of F. W. and Catherine Bender, and was instructed in the government schools. He learned the trade of a carpenter from his father, and remained employed at that till he was twenty-one. He was conscripted in the Prussian army in 1851, and served three years, and on the expiration of his term, followed his parents and family to America, in the Spring of 1855, coming direct to Hamilton. He assisted his father in laying the foundation of the present business, of which he is the head. Mr. Bender married in March, 1857, Miss Mary Elizabeth Hardegen, born in' Germany. They have a family of two daughters and one son. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Bender enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio National Guard, of which regiment he was major under Colonel Moore. He served out his term, and was mustered out at Hamilton in 1864. . PETER BENNETT  was born in Germany about 1815.  His parents were John and Magdalena Bennett, and they came to this country in 1831, bringing their son with them.  He was married in July, 1839, to Susan Iutzi,, daughter off Christian and Mary Iuuuutz, who came to this county in 1832.  They have had five children.  Amelia Auspurger was born Aug. 9, 1840; Helen Kintzinger, April 21, 1842; Mary, Jan. 14, 1844; Bertha, June 23, 1848, and Rahdolph, Nov. 24, 18955.  Mr. Bennett first settled in Milford Twp., remaining there but a short time.  He then moved to St. Clair Township, and the on what is known as the Hagerman farm, where he stayed about fifteen years.  He finally moved on the farm called the Snider farm, in Madison Township, where he has since resided.  He has increased his worldly store until he now owns six hundred acres of as fine land as there is in the county, all lying in Madison Township. - Page 602, Madison Twp.   S. B. BERRY, late county auditor, was born Nov. 29, 1838, near Miltonville, and is a son of Thomas G. Berry, also born near Trenton, Mar. 18, 1808.  He lived in the township until his death, Sept. 28, 1848.  Thomas G. was the son of Thomas Berry, who came to Ohio from Virginia about 1793.  He was about fourteen years old at the beginning of the Revolution, entered the service while a boy, and continued to the close.  Thomas Berry married Hester Grey in Virginia, coming to Ohio with two children, settled on the east bank of the Miami River, below Middletown, and raised eleven children.  The mother of S. B. Berry (still living) was  Susan, daughter of George Bennett, a New Jersey mill-wright, who together with John Allen, whose daughter he afterwards married, built a grist mill on the east bank of the Miami River, about four miles north of Hamilton, near the present site of Augspurger's bridge.  George Bennett, after marrying Nancy Allen, moved to Miltonville, and erected a saw and grist mill, still in operation. - Page 620, Madison Twp.   THOMAS G. BERRY was chosen to and served with credit in many positions of public trust, and had just closed a term in the Legislature the Winter preceding his death.  S. B. Berry was less than ten years of age at his father's death in 1848, and was compelled to leave the parental roof to earn a living o aid his other in providing for the other children younger thank himself.  He attended school a few weeks in the Winter season only until November, 1853, when he was apprenticed to Jacob Simpson for four years, a Virginia blacksmith, then working at Lesourdsville, in Lemon Township.  In 1858 Mr. Simpson retired, leaving his apprentice in charge of the shop, with the good will of his customers his only stock in trade.  By energy and industry he retained these until he changed his place of business by moving to Hamilton in 1874.      In October, 1871, Mr. Berry was elected to the Legislature from Butler County, following in the steps made by his father twenty-four years before.  He served two years with honor to himself and credit to the county.  The Hamilton Telegraph, the opposition paper, near the close of his term, said: "Were Mr. Berry a candidate for re-election, he would have no opposition from either party." Business and domestic affairs would not permit him to do so, and in the Summer of 1873 he wrote and published a letter of declination.  In the year 1874 he was nominated for county auditor; but, owning to the divided condition of the Democracy, caused largely by rival newspapers in the party, was defeated by H. H. Wallace by a few votes only.  Continuing to work at his trade, he was again, in 1876, nominated for and elected to the same position over the same competitor.  After serving acceptably in this very important position, he was again, in 1878, re-elected for three years, having a majority of 2,487 votes.  The Hamilton Telegraph,  the Republican paper, said of him near the close of his first term: "Mr. Berry has announced himself as a candidate for re-election.  It is due Mr. Berry to say that he has proved himself to be an energetic, efficient, and trustworthy official, accommodating to those having business in his office, exact in the discharge of his official duties, and a vigilant opponent to extravagance in every shape.  His administration will compare favorably with those of the best auditors who have filled the office in Butler County.  His route to a second term will be over and a road strewn with roses."  His second term has now closed, and the condition of the records of the office reflects credit upon Mr. Berry and his very efficient corps of clerks.      During the last five years Mr. Berry has taken an active interest in the "Ancient Order of United Workmen," a beneficial order, serving one terms as one of the representatives from Ohio to the Supreme Lodge, and is at this time (1882) a member of the Supreme Lodge Finance Committee, supervising the affairs of the entire order, embracing twenty-three States and 125,000 members.  He has now returned to Madison Township, near the place of his birth, and is actively engaged in farming. - Page 602, Madison Twp.   MRS. JANE BETZ was born in Morgan Township, March 27, 1812, being the daughter of David and Margaret (Rainey) Bell. David Bell settled in Morgan Township at an early day. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Bell of Ireland. They reared five children, two of whom are living, Robert J. and Mrs. Betz. Mr. and Mrs. Bell died in 1834, from cholera. Their daughter was educated in the common schools, and was at home till the death of her parents. She was married to Ludwick Betz about this time. Mr. Betz was then deputy auditor, under James B. Cameron, and afterwards was elected to the same position for two terms. He was also county surveyor from 1836 to 1842. He died September 2, 1847. He was a successful business man and an esteemed citizen. Mrs. Betz is a member of the Universalist Church, and has resided in Hamilton since 1835. . JOHN BETZ  - Page 556, St. Clair Twp.   ROBERT H. BISHOP - Page 528, Oxford Twp.   F. D. BLACK, sheriff of Butler County, was born September 12, 1849, at Hamilton, Ohio, being the third son of Peter P. and Mary (Kirbel) Black, who were both immigrants from Europe. The former was born in France and the latter in Prussia. They came to America in 1839, the mother in company with her parents, but Mr. Black being alone. He was then twenty-one years of age. His father had served under Napoleon in all his wars, and was one of the survivors of the terrible experiences at Moscow and the subsequent retreat. A brother of Mr. Black, who accompanied him to this country, while on a visit to France in 1860, was also a soldier under Napoleon III, and in 1861 went out as captain of a company under General Siegel, and was wounded at Pea Ridge. Peter Kirbel, the maternal grandfather of Sheriff Black, lived to the advanced age of ninety-six, having been a resident of Butler County ever since 1839, and for the thirty years prior to his death, in 1873, dwelt with his daughter, Mrs. Black, in Hamilton. Peter Black has been a resident of Hamilton for some forty-three years, and for the greater portion of that time has been known as one of the largest manufacturers of the county. He has been one of the active founders of several of the largest establishments in Hamilton, among which is the large institution now carried on by Messrs. Long & Alstatter, of which he was the original projector and in which he was interested for many years. He is at present senior member of the large establishment of Black & Clawson, engaged in the manufacture of machinery for paper manufacturers.      F. D. Black, after attending the schools of Hamilton, entered at the age of thirteen St. Mary's College, at Dayton, where he remained till eighteen years of age. Having acquired a liberal education, he now turned his attention to business affairs. In the Fall of 1868 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, in charge of a branch house of Long, Black & Alstatter, engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, of which his father was a partner. In 1870 Mr. Black withdrew from business affairs, in consequence of his father's disposing of his interest in the above firm.      He immediately turned his attention to politics and public affairs, and was appointed by Sheriff R. N. Andrews as his deputy, which position he filled with credit, so that upon Mr. William H. Allen succeeding Mr. Andrews he retained Mr. Black in the position he had so well filled. He was also appointed by Mr. Marcellus Thomas, who retained him during his term. Upon looking for a candidate for sheriff in 1879 the Democrats I wisely chose Mr. Black. Ten years' experience as deputy recommended him as highly qualified to fill the of­fice, and consequently he was elected by a decided majority over his opponent. Mr. Black had during his first term so well performed the duties of his office, and secured the approbation of the public, that he was nominated in 1881 for a second term, and elected by a large majority. Since he assumed the duties of his position he has acquitted himself with great credit, and deserves special commendation for his vigilance and success in the capture of the notorious Jones and Vanderpool, indicted and held for trial on a charge of forgery. Three months were spent by Sheriff Black in tracing them through Ohio, Michigan, and Canada. They were finally arrested about forty miles from Toronto, and extradited. Mr. Black has the honor of having in his possession the only extradition warrant in existence signed by President Garfield. By the arrest of these chiefs of forgery and swindling he effectively broke up that system of robbery in this part of Ohio.      Mr. Black was married to Miss Mary Riffle, of Liberty Township, Butler County, who bore him three children, two girls and one boy. The son, Paul, is now being educated at St. Mary's College, at Dayton, where his father formerly attended, and the two daughters are about to enter Cedar Grove Seminary, in Hamilton County. Mr. Black is a young man of superior native powers, and a mind with proper training capable of filling high positions.   FRANK X. BLACK, manufacturer of paper-mill machinery, was born in Hamilton, in 1848. He is the son of Peter P. and Mary A. Black. He was married, April 14, 1874, to Henrietta C. Hurm, daughter of Philip J. and Anna Stacia Hurm. She was born in Hamilton in 1848. They have three children. Louisa E. was born May 19, 1875; George F., March 9, 1879; and Frank J., December 9, 1879.      In 1872 he was urged by the paper-makers of this valley to start in the roll-grinding business, and enable them to get their calender rolls reground without shipping them East, which caused extended delays and great outlays for freight. He visited the shops of J. Morton, Poole, Wilmington, Delaware, where he found it necessary to learn the grinding business before they would furnish him with the machine. He accordingly began with them, and worked for one dollar per day until he was told he was competent enough to take charge of the grinder when he was furnished with one. The firm continued to grind rolls until 1876, when the firm was changed to Black & Clawson, and to the grinding business they added other branches, until they began the manufacture of complete machines for making all kinds of paper. They now are making' a specialty of this class of work.   PETER P. BLACK was born in France, on the 29th of June, 1817, and was there educated. When he was thirteen he commenced an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith's trade, and worked as a journeyman for two years in Metz. On coming to America he located in Saugerties, New York, for some time, working in the stone-quarries for nine months, and then coming to Cincinnati, where he commenced blacksmithing on his own account, at Newtown, Hamilton County! On the 17th of August, 1841, he was married to Mary Carbel, born in Germany, October 13,. 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Black are the parents of five children, of whom three are living. Frank X. is a well known manufacturer of Hamilton; F. D. is the present sheriff of the county; and Mary is the wife of George Schroder. Mr. Black lived in Newtown some time after his marriage, being engaged as a blacksmith, but in 1844 came to Butler County, locating in Jacksonburg, and carrying on his occupation there for nine months. In the Fall of that year he came to Hamilton, where he has since been. He worked at twenty dollars per month for Isaac Tobias, for three years, and then began as a manufacturer of plows. In 1856 and 1857 he organized the firm of Long, Black & Alstatter, manufacturers of reapers, mowers, etc. This firm existed until 1872, since which time he has led a retired life. . JAMES BLACKBURN - Page 478, Fairfield Twp.   JOHN BLOCK - Page 583, Union Twp.   THE BOATMANS (Hanover Twp.) were one of the earliest families in the county.  Jeremiah W. Boatman, now living in this township, is a descendant of this family.  He was born in Hamilton, Sept. 7, 1840, and is the son of Mark M. Boatman and Cythia Warwick.  The great-great grandfather Boatman was of French descent, enlisting as a soldier under Lafayette, and taking part in many of the actions of the Revolutionary War.  He remained in America at the close of the war where he had married, and raised a small family, of which the members were nearly all massacred by the Indians, in Pennsylvania.  James Boatman was born in Northumberland County, in that State, about 1771, as nearly as can be told.  On the 22d of August, 1799, he was married to Anna Mills, daughter of Colonel James Mills was of Irish descent.  He emigrated from Berks County, Pennsylvania, and settled at Hamilton.  He had seven children: Reed, Mark, James, Anna, Abbie, Julia, and Eliza.  When the colonel started from the East he had three fine-blooded horses.  These he sent on in advance, in charge of a man who was going that way, but when he arrived, either owing to the Indians or to the duplicity of his agent, he found neither horses nor man, and was obliged to content himself with his loss.  Colonel Mills came down by boat, as did Mr. Boatman, who carried his family in a canoe, landing at Cincinnati, where his family in a canoe, landing at Cincinnati, where there were then only a few cabins.  From there he went to Hamilton.  It was at that time a common thing to mark a road by little sticks and stones, to indicate the route; they followed these for a long time, and then discovered that some person had maliciously changed the little end, which indicated the right way so as to point out another and entirely wrong direction.  This cost them several days' lost labor.      As soon as the land was surveyed on the west side of the river, he located one hundred and sixty acres four miles north of Hamilton, on Four-Mile Creek.  Here he built a small cabin, in which he lived until he became easy in money matters, when he erected a commodious farm house, which is still standing.  At the time he took up his settlement here there were only three families in his neighborhood - one opposite the Flenner Mills, one on the farm now owned by Andrew Flenner, and one on William Brooks's present farm.  The two former lived in block-houses.   JAMES BOATMAN (Hanover Twp.) resided on his farm till his death, at which time he was eighty years old.  He reared a family of thirteen children: Claudius, James M., Mark M., Sarah M., Mary A., Ann, Jane, Reed M., William, John M., Nathan C., and Jeremiah N., eight boys and five girls.  In Pennsylvania they would go out hunting many miles from home and remain for weeks.  The game was bears, raccoons, deer, and turkeys, besides small fry.  They were often chased by the Indians, having many narrow escapes.  On one occasion, while he and his sister were hunting, they were pursued by Indians, and the sister was caught, scalped, and left for dead.  She escaped, recovered, and afterwards married and lived to a good old age, although without a forelock, which was artificially supplied.      Being penniless at the time of his marriage, he and his wife apprenticed themselves to a farmer for one year to get the means necessary for housekeeping.  His wife, besides faithfully attending to her household duties and enduring the hardships of frontier life, acted as an herb physician, in which she was very successful.  She was a fine horsewoman and a good marksman.  One night they had a visitor.  The meat was out, and there was no way of getting any more except by shooting it.  So she rose early in the morning, built a fire, put on the pot, and went out.  Guided by her knowledge of the habits of deer, she soon found one, brought her rifle to her shoulder, and fired.  The animal fell, and she soon had a large piece of it in the pot.  Her breakfast was soon got ready, and by the time the family was awake and dressed it was upon the table.   FREDERICK BOHLENDER - Page 464, Ross Twp.   JACOB BOLI was born in Germany, December 30, 1819, and was educated in Germany. When young, he learned his father's trade, that of a baker, and worked at it as journeyman for some time, coming to America in 1838. He just escaped conscription. He first located at Massillon, Ohio, where he was employed as a baker and confectioner for two years, and then going to Cincinnati. He was married there about 1842, and is the father of ten children, only two of whom are living. L. A. Boli, who was born January 16, 1846, is a well-known merchant of Hamilton, and Caroline, born April 10, 1849, is the wife of Alexander Dilg, a resident of this place. After marriage he went to Indiana, and engaged in farming, then going to Louisville, Kentucky/ where he remained ten years in the grocery trade. In May, 1855, he came to Hamilton, beginning the grocery trade on the west side, and coming to his present location on Front Street about 1860. He is now doing a prosperous business in general family groceries, and is a large owner of real estate. He is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. William E. Brown was born in Xenia, Ohio, on the 13th of November, 1825. His father was a mechanic of moderate means, and his son was obliged to obtain an education by his own exertions. He was early taught to labor, and at the age of seventeen was in Northern Mississippi as a tramping journeyman shoemaker. He subsequently passed eighteen months in New York City. At the age of twenty-one he commenced the study of law in Xenia. He completed his preparatory legal studies in Dayton, and was admitted to the bar on the 29th of March, 1849. The following Spring he settled in Hamilton, with very little money. Up to this time he had worked at his trade to pay expenses. Before the expiration of his first year's practice in Hamilton, he had business enough to support himself. He married the daughter of Robert Beckett in 1852. In 1855 he was elected an elder in the United Presbyterian Church of Hamilton. He gave up the practice of law for a while on account of impaired health, but afterwards resumed it. He was elected president of the Second National Bank of Hamilton in 1870. Under his able management this institution has nearly trebled its business. It was, in a great measure, through his advice and direction that the handsome building of this bank was built. The Second National Bank of Hamilton is one of the safest and most conservative banks in the country. . L. A. BOLI, jeweler, was born in Washington, Indiana, January 16, 1848, and is the only son of Jacob and Caroline Boli. He was educated in Hamilton, where he came with his parents in 1856, graduating at the. high school. He was in delicate health in his youth, and began his present business in 1869 in a modest way. He has since learned the trade, and is now a practical jeweler, having the largest business in that line in Hamilton. He is a dealer in watches, jewelry, silverware, clocks, and optical goods. He was married on the 10th of May, 1869, to Miss Carrie Buckle, daughter of Jacob Buckle. They are the parents of five children, of whom three are living—Lewis J., Edward O., and Carrie. Mr. Boli was elected a member of the school board for the Third Ward in the Spring of 1882, and has done good work there. He is a supporter of all Christian and worthy objects, and is a member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor, and the American Order of United Workmen. He succeeded to the business of William E. Drayer, one of the oldest jewelers in Butler County, from whom he bought the property where his business is located. He is also one of the firm of L. A. Boli & Co., of the Miami Valley Soap Works, a new concern, doing a promising business in laundry and toilet soaps. . L. N. BONHAM - Page 529, Oxford Twp.   WALES B. BONNEY - Page 530, Oxford Twp.   CHARLES BORGER - Page 464, Ross Twp.   STEPHEN D. BOWERS was born in Fairfield Township, in this county, August 16, 1845, being the youngest son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Thorp) Bowers. The father was long a resident of that township, but died in September, 1845, a month after his son was born. Mrs. Bowers, who was the daughter of C. C. Thorp, reared her family of three little children successfully, only one of them now, however, surviving. She died October 18, 1878. Stephen D. Bowers was educated at home, in the common schools. When sixteen he began learning the trade of machinist, and worked as a journeyman for two years. He was connected with a life insurance company for a year, in Cincinnati, and then traveled for a manufacturing shoe house some three or four years. April 28, 1868, he began in the boot and shoe business for himself, in a modest way, and has built up a large and valuable trade.      Mr. Bowers was married May 19, 1870, to Miss Susan Elizabeth Walton. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters—Gertrude, Cornelia, George W., and Walton S. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Odd Fellows. His brother, G. W. Bowers, enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers in 1861, and was wounded at the siege of Atlanta. He died in hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, July 1, 1864. His sister Cornelia was married to Cyrus Pottenger, of Camden, Ohio, and died July 11, 1880. . HEZEKIAH BRADBURY - Page 570 - Milford Twp.   CHRISTIAN BRADY was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, October 13,1812, coming to Ohio with his parents in the same year. They settled in Reily Township. He is the oldest son of Joseph and Mary (Shipman) Brady. The father was a pioneer, and raised a large family of twelve children, six of whom- are living. Christian was educated in the common schools in Reily Township, and was brought up to farming until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began learning the carpenter's trade. At this he worked for eleven years, then purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres iu that township. He was married in 1844 to Maria, daughter of Benjamin Sortman. They are the parents of two children, one now living, Ada, the wife of Dr. J. B. Scott. Mr. Brady came to Hamilton in February, 1865, and engaged in the grocery business for two years, afterwards leading a retired life until December, 1881. In company with his brother-in-law, D. Sortman, he began the manufacture of grain cradles. He is a member of the Christian Church, . BENNETT BRANCH is a native of Butler County.  He is a farmer, and lives near Millville.  He was married May 20, 1860, and has had fourteen children, only six of whom are living. His wife's name is Eliza. - Page 464, Ross Twp.   JOHN BRELSFORD was born in Wayne Township, Aug. 9, 1822, being the son of John Brelsford and Nancy Ann Page, who came to this county in 1803.  He was married on the 5th of January, 1845, to Jane Wolverton who was born in Hamilton County, Jan. 1, 1825, and by her had three children.  John C. Brelsford was born Jan. 19, 1853; Catherine Ann Brelsford was born Feb. 7, 1856, and died Oct. 17, 1857, and Elizabeth J. Phares was born Jan. 16, 1858.  Mrs. Brelsford died Jan. 16, 1882.  Mr. Brelsford was brought up on a farm, and has always followed the business.  He was quarter-master of a rifle regiment for six years, while he lived in Preble County, Governor Bartlett giving him the appointment. - Page 615, Wayne Twp.   PIERSON BRELSFORD, son of John, was born June 24, 1831, and was married, in 1859, to Sarah Ann Annspaugh, born Apr. 3, 1840, in St. Paul, Indiana.  Eight children were born to bless this union, seven of whom survive.  William S. was born Jan. 29, 1861; James A. was born Oct. 17, 1852; Ida L., Aug. 13, 1864; Elmer P., Oct. 30, 1866; Samuel L., Sept. 3, 1868; John H., Jan. 25, 1871; Frances J., Mar. 21, 1873; and Clara M., May 4, 1875.  Samuel L. died July 2, 1870.  William S. was married July 3, 1881, to Anna Haizman, born Apr. 20, 1860, in Hamilton.  He is living at home.  Mr. Pierson Brelsford owns and farms two hundred and forty-five acres, and has also managed a threshing machine for about sixteen years.  He has been township trustee for seven years, and still holds the office.  He was one of the party mustered and sent to Hamilton during the Morgan raid.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.- Page 615, Wayne Twp.   OWEN C. BREWER was born in Liberty Township, Butler County, February 4,1851, being the younger son of Peter K. and Mary (Flenner) Brewer, the former a native of Maryland, where he was born in 1809. He came to Ohio in 1831, settling on the place in Liberty Township, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was married in 1837 to a daughter of David Flenner, and reared a family of five children, all living and residents of this county. He was a successful farmer, dying September 1,1871. His wife, who was born in 1807, is still living, at the age of seventy-four.      Owen C. Brewer was educated in the public schools until he was eighteen years of age, being brought up to farming, and then engaged in teaching for some four years. In 1872 he was appointed to a position in the auditor's office, and in 1873 was made a deputy auditor, holding that position until June, 1874, when he received the appointment of secretary of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home, at Xenia, with W. D. Kerr as superintendent. While there Messrs. Kerr and Brewer introduced the industrial branches, which made the institution self-sustaining. He was there until the end of Governor Allen's term, when he returned to Hamilton, there acting as a clothing salesman until March, 1882, when he began the clothing trade in his present location.      Mr. Brewer was married, in 1875, to Miss Diana Stark, of Xenia. They have two children, Paul K. and Earl C. Mrs. Brewer is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Brewer is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and also of the Knights of Honor. He was elected a member of the board of education from the Fourth Ward, in 1879, and re-elected in 1881, both times without opposition. He. was clerk of the board for two years and a half, and became its president in April, 1882. . MATTHIAS BROOKLEY (Madison Twp.) was born Oct. 30, 1836, in Germany.  His parents were Matthias Brookley and Mary Hecklurey.  Their son came to this county in 1857, settling in Madison Township.  On the 1st of May, 1873, he was married in Trenton to Elizabeth Ebel, born in Cincinnati, Apr. 10, 1853.  Her parents were Adam Ebel and Elizabeth Fallenstein, who came to this country in 1853.  Mr. Brookley was elected supervisor in April, 1879, and held the office one year.  He is a boot and shoe manufacturer.   DANIEL A. BROSIER - Page 529, Oxford Twp.   DANIEL BROSIUS - Page 464, Ross Twp.   JAMES BROWN - Page 570 - Milford Twp.   DR. JOHN R. BROWN is the grandson of Joseph Brown and his wife Margaret, who came here from Virginia about 1797, and about the .beginning of the century locating in Rossville. In August, 1800, their son, Israel Brown, was born in that town, and in the Winter of 1801 Mr. Brown died. Eighteen months afterwards his widow married again. Her new husband was John Thompson. In 1804 their son, Joseph Magie Thompson, was born— the year of the great freshet which made the New River. Israel Brown left Butler County at an early age, going to Hamilton County, where he learned the trade of a carpenter. He was three times elected to the Legislature, and was a member of the State Board of Equalization from the day it was formed till the date of his death, which occurred December 16, 1860. He married, in Hamilton, Jane Robinson, who still survives at the age of eighty-two, and resides a quarter of a mile from her old home. They had several children, the only one of whom now living in Hamilton is John R Brown. At the time Mr. Brown moved to Hamilton County his mother and step-father, John Thompson, remained here, where their two children were born. Joseph Magie Thompson, as is said above, was born March 10, 1804, No record exists of Daniel. Mr. Thompson enlisted in the War of 1812 three times, serving throughout the entire struggle. He was captured seven times by the British, and on one occasion was taken with six others. They were given several days in which to swear allegiance to the king of Great Britain, four of the party finally consenting. Mr. Thompson, however, was made of sterner stuff, and, with two others, refused to do this, and resolved to escape, which they did. They were three days without any thing to eat, but finally managed to reach the American lines. He was Scotch by birth, as was also his wife, and was a man of wealth for those times, and a prominent pioneer. He died in Hamilton about 1816, his widow surviving him many years. She died in 1862 aged eighty-seven years.      Of his children, Daniel is now residing in Richmond, Indiana, and Joseph Magie married, March 8, 1826, Mary Ann Messick, who was born February 10, 1807, in Delaware. They had six children. Theodore was born September 10,1827, and died in Memphis in 1879, He was a captain of the One Hundred and Seventy-second Regiment, O. V. I., in the late war, under Colonel Luzbeek. Alonzo H. was born May 10, 1829, and resides in Hamilton. He was a soldier of the late War, in Company H, Eleventh Missouri V. I., and served through most of the struggle. He was wounded several times, and at the battle of Atlanta was so badly injured that he was discharged, crippled for life. Freeman B. was born July 29, 1831, and is now a resident of Hamilton. Miles L. was born October 26,1833, and lives at Columbus, Indiana. He is married. Martha J. was born May 27, 1836, and is the wife of A. J. Gaither, and lives in Jersey County, Illinois. Joseph W. was born September 7, 1838, living at East Memphis,. Tennessee, and is married. . ZEBEDEE BROWN - Page 570 - Milford Twp.   WILLIAM BROOKS  - Page 556, St. Clair Twp   WILLIAM BRUCK was born in Hamilton, November 14, 1848, and is the son of J. P. and Mona (Kline) Bruck. He received a fair education in private schools in Hamilton, and when thirteen began learning the trade of printer, in an office conducted by his father. He worked as a journeyman in Cincinnati and Indianapolis until 1876. He was chosen as policeman that year, and served for four years. In the Spring of 1881 he was elected city marshal, a position that he still occupies. Mr. Bruck was married in July, 1869, to Miss Barbara K., daughter of John Musch. They are parents of two sons, William L. and Edward. They are members of St. John's Lutheran Church. He is a member of the Knights of Honor. . JOHN M. BUHL - Page 556, St. Clair Twp.   JOSEPH BURKART, who is a carriage-blacksmith, was born in Cincinnati, June 10, 1850. He is the son of John and Pauline Burkart, natives of Germany.     NOTES: