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CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO
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BIOGRAPHIES
Source: 
HISTORY OF
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES, OHIO
— VOLUME II —
1913

A B C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ
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  CAPT. JOHN EMERY EDGINGTON.  One of the most highly respected men of Washington township, Clermont County, is Capt. John Emery Edgington, in the government employ as captain of the "Guyandot," on the Ohio river.  He has been on the river several years, and has steadily progressed by reason of his steadfast attention to duty and his reliability.  He was born in Manchester, Ohio, Mar. 18, 1870, and is a son of George E. and Nannie (Scott) Edgington, the father always a river man.  George E. Edgington was born in Manchester, Ohio, Dec. 22, 1851, and lives in Augusta.  He has filled every position on a boat, from that of deck hand up, and is one of the best known captains on the Ohio.  He owns and conducts a ferryboat at Augusta, as he has passed the age when he can keep in any other service.  He takes very good care of his ferryboat, which is known as the "Whisper."  The mother, who is a second cousin of President Harrison's wife, was born near Aberdeen, Ohio, in 1850.
     They had eight children, all born in Adams county, Ohio, except the two youngest sons, who were born in Kentucky: John Emery, of this sketch; Archibald, a pilot on a Cincinnati and Chilo packet and a resident of the latter place; Robert Winifred is moving from Pittsburgh to Louisville, and will be a captain on the steamer, "Steel City"; Morris Andrew is a resident of Chilo, and captain of a steamer; Roy is a pilot on his father's ferryboat; Ernest, greatly gifted in vocal and instrumental music, with a fine voice and able to play any instrument, died in 1900, at the age of ten years; Edna, wife of Dr. Smith, of Augusta; Estle, wife of Robert Hedges, died in 1902.  Both parents are members of the Methodist church and are highly regarded by all.
     Mr. Edgington began his education at Manchester, Ohio, and attended business college in Wichita, Kan.  His first work in his profession was as purser on a stream boat, and he learned the duties of the various men aboard ship, from deck hand up, through the direction of his father, who required him to fire in the engine room, learn cooking, act as mate, deck hand, and in other capacities, so that he is one of the most thorough steam boat men on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, receiving his license when he was twenty-one year old.  He is one of the most popular men on the river and counts his friends by the hundreds.  He is thorough-going and conscientious and has always taken an active interest in his work.  He thoroughly deserves the honor of an appointment to a government position and performs his duties with a methodical thoroughness that insures their being satisfactory in every way.  He has the respect of the men employed under his charge and is considerate in their interest.  He was employed by such large boats as the "Tacoma," and was for six years captain of the "Courier," and also worked on the "Princess," a Coney Island boat, and a tow boat known as the "Douglas Hall."  He is held in affectionate regard by one and all, and when he left the tow boat to accept the honor of his present position, his employees much regretted losing his company.  He is well liked by the government and has made rapid progress in his chosen field of fields.  He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally is an Odd Fellow.  He is a member of the Christian church, and for several years, while living at Chilo, was superintendent of the Sunday school.
     On Nov. 19, 1889, Mr. Edgington was united in marriage with Miss Jesse E. Forsythe, who was born in Vanceburg, Ky., on June 18, 1870, daughter of John A. and Mary B. (Adams) ForsytheMr. Forsythe was born in Adams county, Ohio, Dec. 19, 1840, is retired from active life and lives in Moscow, Ohio, and Mrs. Forsythe was born in the same county, June 12, 1844.  Her great-grandfather, John Adams, was the first settler of Adams county, was of Irish decent, and secured land from the government, and this land is still in the possession of the Adams family, the house he built being still standing, the oldest house in the entire county.  He married Nancy Ford, of Ford's Ferry, Va.  Mrs. Edgington's grandfather, Moses Adams, was born in Virginia, of Irish descent, and came to Adams county, Ohio, from Virginia.  He was a farmer and married Sarah Stockup, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, of Scotch parents, and immigrated first to Redburn, Pa., afterward coming to Kentucky.  John A. Forsythe farmed two years in Kansas, and had a cab and transfer business in Wichita, that State, for a time.  While a resident of Vanceburg, before going west, he was chief of police for nine successive years, and was well known in that part of Kentucky.  He was a Republican in politics and was city revenue collector for some time.  He held office much of his life and was town marshal of Moscow.  He located in Clermont county in 1907.  He and his wife had seven children: Mrs. Edgington, born in Vanceburg, Ky.; John M., born in Adams county, Ohio, is unmarried and lives in Mexico; Edith M., born in Lewis county, Ky., is the wife of Edward Raike, of Covington, that state; Katherine, born in Seward county, Kansas, lives with Mrs. Edgington, who reared her.  Mr. and Mrs. Edgington have one son, John Clyde, born in Wichita, Kan., who attends school in Moscow.
     Mrs. Edgington's father was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, also fought in the battles of Chickamauga and Atlanta, serving in Company K, Ohio volunteer infantry, Seventieth regiment, and one of his uncles served in the Revolution.  Mrs. Edgington's paternal ancestors were furnace blowers of Kentucky, and one of her ancestors, Abraham Forsythe, married a girl who was born at Pensacola, Wales, and came to the United States at the age of six months, growing to beautiful womanhood.  He saw her when he was a youth of sixteen, and she but an infant, and was so impressed with her beauty that he kissed her and vowed he would some day return and marry her, which he did when he was thirty-two years old.  At her death he was nearly broken-hearted and never looked again on the face of a woman.  He reared his family in Adams county, Ohio, and his sons joined the Union army.  His wife died when she was thirty-five years of age.  The grandfather of Mrs. Edgington's mother, Lewis Calvin, was one of the earliest white men in Kentucky and became a noted Indian fighter.  He carried mail from Gallipolis to Maysville, Ky., in a bark canoe, and killed the last Indiana in the State of Ohio.
     John A. Forsythe had a coal yard in Vanceburg, Ky., and lost it in the flood of 1883-84.
     Mr. Edgington's ancestors on his father's side, the Hunts and Jacobses, were of English birth and became early settlers of Maryland.  They leased land along the Baltimore river for a period of ninety-nine years, and their contract was written on parchment, with the first seal of Maryland.  This land was for the purpose of business buildings on the water front of the Baltimore.
     Mr. and Mrs. Edgington were playmates in childhood, in the age when he delighted in pulling her curls, and were separated at the time her parents moved to Wichita.  After her return their acquaintance was renewed, and their friendship ripened to a warmer feeling.  They are devoted to one another and work for a common interest.  Mrs. Edgington is as much of a business woman as her husband is a business man.  Both are proud of the part taken by their ancestors in the earlier history of the State and Nation, and both are intelligent and ambitious.  They moved to their present beautiful home on the hill on Mar. 7, 1907, and have one hundred and seventeen acres of choice land, most of it devoted to fruit.  They have twenty acres of apple orchard and twenty-five hundred choice peach trees, besides pears, plums, cherries and berries, theirs being considered one of the finest orchards in Southern Ohio.  They have had a dairy and creamery business, which yields a good income, and all this is managed by Mrs. Edgington while her husband is away.  She gets the highest prices for her product, which finds a market in Cincinnati.  She is an excellent manager, and although she came to the place heavily in debt, she and her family now have every comfort.  She is a reader and student and profits by the advice freely given by the government in the management of her place.  There is probably not an abler business woman in the county and she is justly proud of her husband and his achievements.  She has a very good memory and is able to make good use of her knowledge in every day life.  She is a woman of culture and good judgment, and is charitable and public-spirited in her thought and deed.  She is a member of the Christian church.
Source: History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio - Vol. II - by Byron Williams - Publ. 1913 - Page 197
  EDWIN C ELY, one of the most prominent attorneys of Clermont county, Ohio, whose intense and well directed efforts have brought him into connection with many lines of activity of so far-reaching effect that it is almost impossible to determine the most important chapter of his life history, was born at Savannah, Mo., October 1, 1864, a son of Rev. William R. and Lavina (Weaver) Ely.
     Rev. William R. Ely was born at Batavia, Ohio, May 9, 1827, and died September 13, 1903, at the home of his birth. He was a minister of the Methodist church and for over twenty years was active in the conference. He lived at Batavia until 1852, when he removed to Acton, Ind., remaining there until 1863. At this place, Rev. Ely buried four of his children in three days, of a malignant epidemic of flux.  Mrs. Ely was also taken with the same affliction and it was thought best to change climate, which they did, returning to Batavia until she should have recovered her health. While they were away from their home, it and all the contents were burned. This was a great loss to them and they remained at Batavia for a time, and then went to Savannah, Mo., in 1864, where he was in active service in the Methodist Episcopal conference until 1884, when he was retired, returning again to Batavia, where he spent the remainder of his life.
     Rev. William R. Ely was known all over the states of Missouri and Ohio as a horticulturist, knowing every tree, flower, grass and bird, their habits and nature. He was a great lover of Nature, and taught his son the love of all things beautiful. He did much to beautify his home and city.
     Mrs. Lavina (Weaver) Ely was also a native of Clermont county, Ohio, being born in 1827, and died in 1907. She was buried by the side of her husband in the Batavia cemetery. They had five children born to them, all of whom, with the exception of our subject, Edwin C., died in childhood.
     William Mount Ely, the father of the Rev. William, and the grandfather of Edwin C., was born in New Jersey, in 1802, and came with his parents to Clermont county in 1804. He was a son of George Ely, who was a native of New Jersey, and two years after he came to the county, 1806, purchased a tract of land under the James Johnson Survey, number 1,776. He had other lands also, and in 1814 he, with D. C. Bryan, laid out the town of Batavia, which comprised sixty-two and one-half acres. He was probably the first sheriff in the county, and was a Democrat. He had four children: Matilda, Rebecca, William Mount and George.
     William Mount Ely, who was a farmer and stock raiser, also kept a hotel in Batavia, where he acquired the name of "Laughing Bill," on account of his hearty, whole-souled laugh. He was a big man, with great broad shoulders and fine physique. He was a great lover of horses and dogs, and it was considered a treat to ride one of his fine horses. He was generous to a fault and although, at one time he was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land, he owned but forty acres at the time of his death, by reason of his liberality. He was the father of seven children, all of whom were born in Clermont county:
     Harriet, married D. C. Everhart, of Batavia and Newtown. She died in 1852.
     William, the father of our subject.
     George, who lives in Chicago, is past eighty years of age.
     Mary, who was the wife of William H. Hardin, died near Savannah, Mo., in 1871.
     John, died in Chicago in 1899.
     Daniel J., whose death occurred at Savannah, Mo., in 1890.
     Achsah, married William T. Eddy, a grandnephew of the husband of the noted Christian Science leader, Mrs. Baker Grover Eddy. Their home is at Templeton, Cal.
All four of these sons were in the Civil war, enlisting from Indiana. William Mount Ely passed from this life in 1881, at Maitland, Mo. His wife's death occurred in 1870, and she is buried in Savannah.
     Mr. Edwin C. Ely received his education in the public schools of Batavia, and graduated from the high school of Chillicothe, Mo., then studied law under C. H. Mansur, of Chillicothe, who was then general counsel for the Wabash & Pacific Railway Company, also second comptroller of currency, under President Cleveland.
     At the age of nineteen years, Edwin Ely passed the competitive examinations at West Point, ranking first in them. He also passed examinations for admission to the bar the following year, but on account of his age was compelled to wait until his majority.
     In 1887, Mr. E. C. Ely returned to Batavia, where he taught school for nine years, still reading law under E. Q. Crane and Mr. J. R. Woodlief. He was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, in 1896, and ranked third in a class of fifty-two students. He began the practice of law at Batavia at once, where for nearly seventeen years he has carried on a general law business, with offices in the Clermont Hotel Building.
     From 1900 to 1909, Mr. Ely served the community in which he lives as mayor, demonstrating with characteristic energy a spirit of devotion to the public good. With the co-operation of such gentlemen as Mr. Nichols, Mr. Speidel, Mr. Parrot and others, he was enabled to make many improvements in the town, such as the putting down of good cement walks all over the town, the installation of electricity, city water, and telephone, in fact advocating any and all measures that were for the good of the people and the beautifying of the town in which they live. Although not now in office, Mr. Ely still displays an interest in the welfare of his towns-people.
     Mr. Edwin C. Ely was married, November 6, 1887, to Miss Patience Brown, also a native of Batavia, and was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Brown) Brown, farmers of the county. She was one of a large family, but all have passed from this life but Mr. Frank Brown, of Batavia. To this union one child was born:
     Miss Daisy, who was born at Batavia, July 17, 1894. She is in the senior class of the Batavia High School. Mrs. Ely died in 1898, and was buried in the Batavia cemetery. She was a devoted member of the Methodist church.
     Mr. Ely's second marriage took place in 1899, to Miss Lou Medaris, who was born in Owensville, Ohio, in 1872, and is a daughter of Charles and Phoebe (Hill) Medaris, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Mr. Medaris was a prosperous farmer and stock raiser. There are two children: C. E. Medaris, who lives at Harveyville, Kan., and the wife of Mr. E. C. Ely. Mr. Ely is the father of two children by his second marriage:
     Forrest Edwin, born at Batavia, April 1, 1901. He is an extremely bright boy and has made a fine record in school for one of his years. He does all of his father's banking business, and drafts mortgages, being an all round help to his parents. He won a pony, cart and harness as a prize for selling the largest number of Saturday Evening Posts in ten weeks, for the Curtis Publishing Company, of Philadelphia. He also owns the agency of the White Star Laundry, and has a bank account of over two hundred dollars.
     Louise, who was born June 20, 1907.
     Mr. and Mrs. Ely are members of the Methodist church, of which they are active workers, the former being on the official board and a teacher in the Sunday school, teaching the men's class of thirty-five members. Mr. Ely started this class some years ago, with a few members, and has devoted much thought and time to the enlarging of the class roll. He has been connected with the Sunday school for years as superintendent and teacher.
     Fraternally, Mr. Ely is a Mason, and has filled all of the offices of the Blue lodge. Mrs. Ely is a member of the Eastern Star, and both are very popular both fraternally and socially.
     Mr. Edwin C. Ely has been local counsel for the Bell Telephone Company for nine years, and is a Republican in politics. He still owns the farm of one hundred and four acres that belonged to his mother, and is what is considered a self-made man. Mr. Ely is a great reader of history and fiction, and is in possession of several poems of which his father, William R. Ely, was the author. Among them are "The Land of Somewhere," "The Reveries of Spring," which have been printed.
     Mr. Ely is a man of deep feeling and sympathy, a man of pleasing address, who always has a good word for every one, and stands for all that is good, noble and true. He usually delivers the annual address at the Weaver Reunion, which is most interesting and entertaining.
Source: History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio - Vol. II - by Byron Williams - Publ. 1913 - Page 21

J. W. EMERY
Loveland, Ohio
JOSEPH W. EMERYMr. Joseph W. Emery is the owner and operator of a splendidly improved farm of twenty-seven and one-half acres in Miami township, just outside of Loveland, Ohio, where he carries on general farming and stock raising.  His present home was started by his father in 1859 and was completed during the Civil war.  It has been improved and added to from time to time and is now a beautiful home surrounded by fine trees, many of them the natural timber.  Some pine trees have been set out which adds to the beauty of the place.  Joseph W. Emery was born in Indiana, at Knightstown, Dec. 9, 1847, and is a son of Capt. Andrew Barton and Julia Ann (Weller) Emery.
     Andrew Barton Emery
was born at the old homestead of his father, John Emery, which is situated just across the road from the home of the subject of this mention.  At the time of the Civil war, in answer to the country's need, Andrew Barton Emery organized one company of infantry and the First Ohio cavalry, mainly from Clermont county, being first lieutenant in the infantry, but as the quota of seventy-five thousand was full, did not go out.  Later, he organized Company G, First Ohio cavalry, which he took out as captain.  For five months prior to his death, he was acting major, commanding Company A, G, and B, of the First Ohio cavalry, and his commission was made out but not delivered when he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Russellville, Alabama, and five days later, July 10, 1862, passed to the great beyond, there to receive the soldier's reward.  Capt. Andrew Barton Emery was a physician and surgeon, graduating from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, in the class of 1846.  He was a practicing physician for over twenty years besides securing and improving his farm.  His wife, Julia Ann (Weller) emery, was born near Simms station, Hamilton county, Ohio, and her death occurred in 1901.  Andrew Emery had three brothers and and four sisters, all now deceased.
     John Emery, the grandfather of Joseph W., was born New Jersey and came to Clermont county as a young man, bringing his wife and children overland and residing here until his death, in 1856.  He was county judge, a member of the Ohio legislature, and was a large land owner, raising fancy stock.  He was a prominent man and was highly esteemed.  Hi wife was Miss Deborah Waters, a native of England.
     Joseph W. Emery is the eldest of four children, the others being:
     Charles R., of Seymour, Ind.
     Randolph.
     Clara
, who is the widow of R. B. Brock, and had one son, William Bruce, who died at the age of nineteen years.
     Mr. J. W. Emery has always resided at the old home and his marriage to Miss Evangeline Rose occurred in 1880.  Miss Rose and born in Dublin, Ireland, a daughter of Arthur and Clara (Lindley) Rose, who came to America in the fall of 1864, locating at Cincinnati, where Mr. Rose was engaged in the drug business for many years.  Later, he became the cashier of the United States Baking Company.  He died, Apr. 28, 1911, in the eighty-second year of his life and his wife died July 7, 1893, aged sixty-four years.  Mrs. Emery is one of six children, the others being residents of Arkansas.
     Mr. and Mrs. Emery have had nine children:
     Mima L., married Dan Myers, of Carthage, Ohio, and her death took place Feb. 28, 1910.
     Barton died at the age of twenty-two months
     Julia A., wife of Cecil Irvin of Cincinnati, who has one daughter, Beatrice.
     Edna
became the wife of Don English, residing near Loveland. 
     Andrew, at home.
     Erma, wife of Dr. W. D. Howe, prominent surgeon of Carlisle, Ky.
     Arthur died at eight years of age.
     Evangeline, at home.
     Clara Barton, at home.
     Politically, Mr. Emery is of the Republican persuasion, and has acted in the capacity of assessor of the township.  Mrs. Emery is a member of the Eastern Star of Loveland.  The Masonic lodge, of Loveland, is named for John Emery, and the G. A. R. Post is named for Capt. Andrew Barton Emery.
     Mr. Emery
is warm-hearted and of inflexible integrity, possessing in the fullest degree the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and with all with whom he is associated in business.
Source: History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio - Vol. II - by Byron Williams - Publ. 1913 - Page 336
  HON. EARL E. ERTELOne of the leading young business men of Clermont county, Ohio, who has attained more than local prominence in both commercial and political circles, is Mr. Earl E. Ertel, a man of versatile talent, whose business activity and energy combined with great intellectual ability, have been the salient features of his successful career.  Mr. Ertel is a member of the mercantile firm of Flinn & Ertel, of Loveland, this association having existed for the past ten years.  He is also connected with the Reading Iron Company, of Reading, Pa., as salesman, with offices in the Pickering Building, at Cincinnati.  Mr. Ertel has, in addition to his many other business interests, done some journalistic work for the local papers and for the "Commercial Tribune."  Mr. Ertel is a native of Clermont county, his birth having occurred at Loveland, June 13, 1883, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Erma (Prather) Ertel.
     Mr. Earl E. Ertel
is a descendant of German ancestors, his paternal great-great-grandfather, who was a noted physician, was born in Germany, and came to America when a young man, locating in Pennsylvania, where, after a useful and successful professional career, passed to his eternal reward, some years before the beginning of the Nineteenth century.
     Daniel Ertel, a son of the founder of the family in America, was born in Pennsylvania, and there grew to young manhood, and after reaching man's estate, married Catherine Myers, who came with him to Ohio, June 25, 1795, settling at Columbia, near Cincinnati. Daniel Ertel was a farmer by occupation and became the owner of the first farm on record in what is now Warren county, Ohio, purchasing this land from Colonel Paxton, who secured it by a land warrant for services in the War of the Revolution. The first orchard established in Warren county was probably planted by Mr. Daniel Ertel, from seed, and is remembered by the older residents of that locality.
     Jacob Ertel, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Myers) Ertel, was born in Warren county, August 29, 1810, and was a progressive farmer, making a specialty of sweet potatoes and plants, being extensively engaged in this line of work. He was also an expert stone mason, which occupation he followed in connection with his farming interests. He was united in marriage with Miss Malinda Borum.
     Benjamin F. Ertel, a son of Jacob and Malinda (Borum) Ertel, was born in Warren county, Ohio, October 4, 1846, and from his father learned the trade of stone mason. For a period of thirty-six years Mr. Ertel followed this trade and worked in twenty-seven states. In 1868, Mr. Ertel traveled through the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, finally returning to Illinois, where he located at Lincoln for four and one-half years, engaging in the grocery business. Mr. Ertel returned to Ohio in 1874, and in Newport, Ky., August 29, 1876, was united in marriage to Miss Emma G. Prather, who was born in Covington, Ky., June 23, 1856, her parents being Joshua Pigman Prather, born at Chilo, Clermont county, Ohio, and Mary Frances Crupper, born at Maysville, Ky.
     By this union three children were born:
     One child died in infancy.
     Earl E., the subject of this mention.
     Elma M., who is Mrs. O. D. Walker, of Loveland, Ohio, has one child, Maxine.
     For a few years, Mr. Benjamin F. Ertel made a specialty of raising sweet potatoes and plants, after which he engaged in the contracting business. Benjamin F. Ertel cast his first presidential ballot for S. J. Tilden, in 1876, and has always been a Democrat. He has served his party, satisfactorily, in the capacity of justice of the peace and clerk of the council of Loveland.
     Mr. Earl E. Ertel acquired his education in Loveland, graduating from the high school, at the head of the class of 1901, and the following year entered upon his business career in the employ of the Reading Iron Company, of Reading, Pa., and the next year became a member of the firm of Flinn & Ertel.
     On June 21, 1911, Mr. Earl E. Ertel was united in marriage to Miss Mabel N. Blair, of Madisonville, Ohio, a daughter of William H. Blair, formerly county commissioner of Hamilton county, Ohio.
     Mr. Ertel, as an intelligent citizen, has always taken an active interest in politics, giving his support to the Democratic party. It-is almost impossible for a man of the character and ability of Mr. Ertel to avoid prominence in politics, and in 1913 he was elected by his party to the office of State representative in the Ohio General Assembly.
     Fraternally, Mr. Ertel has membership with the Masonic order, of Loveland, and the Modern Woodmen of America, of Loveland. He is also a member of the Loveland Board of Education, and takes an active interest in school affairs.
     Mr. Ertel is a regular attendant of the Methodist church, and gives liberally to the support of that denomination and to all worthy enterprises.
     Mr. Ertel has made steady progress toward his objective point, his career being characterized by unremitting industry, laudable ambition and successful accomplishment. Moreover, the principles of his manhood have been such as to command the respect and confidence and Loveland numbers him among the representative citizens who are worthy of the trust and good will of their fellow men.
Source: History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio - Vol. II - by Byron Williams - Publ. 1913 - Page 19
NOTES:

 


 

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