We begin our sketches at 1851, as prior to this date, and in some subsequent cases the data from which to write the historical sketches of the commissioners is lost beyond recovery.

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     The first Board of Commissioners met in Hamilton on the second Monday in June 1804.  John Reily was clerk.  Auditing bills was their first transaction.  The total taxes collected for 1804 amounted to $1,135.26.  On June 10, 1805, John Reily was appointed clerk tothe Board of Commissioners.  Agreeably to law the Commissioners licensed ferries and taverns in Hamilton at twelve dollars per year and fixed the rates of farriage across the Miami river as follows: Single person, six and one fourth cents; man and horse, twelve and one-half cents; loaded wagon and team, one dollar; any other four-wheeled carriage, seventy-five cents; an empty wagon and team, or a loaded cart and team, fifty cents; empty cart and team, or sled or sleigh and team, thirty seven and a half cents; every horse, mare, mule, ass, or head of neat cattle, six and one-fourth cents; every sheep hog, or goat, three cents.
     On Aug. 4, 1814, John Hall, of Rossville, was appointed Commissioner vice John Withrow, who refused to serve.  Mar. 1, 1819, it being found that the moneys then in the treasury, together with the moneys due to the county, and which money it was expected would be collected, would be sufficient to defray the ordinary expenses of the county for that year, it was therefore, ordered that no tax under the act entitled "An act regulating county levies" be levied on the county for the year, and that notice thereof be given to the listers by publication in the Miami Herald.

 
JOHN W. ERWIN.

     JOHN W. ERWIN, for many years a prominent and respected citizen of Hamilton was born in New Castle county, in the State of Delaware, on Sept. 8, 1808, and died at Hamilton, Ohio, on Apr. 17, 1889.
     John Wardell Erwin, the subject of this sketch was of Quaker stock, was raised as such, and although he did not remain a member of that sect, he always admired and loved the members of that religious persuasion.  The bare facts in the

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life of Mr. Erwin are contained in the "Biographical Cyclopaedia and Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Men, with an Historical Sketch of the State of Ohio." We quote from it as follows:

     "His parents and grand parents were natives of New Jersey and belonged to the Society of Friends.  In the summer of 1828, he crossed the Allegheny mountains on foot, and stopped at Richmond, Indiana, where having previously prepared himself for the profession, he received and filled for five years, an appointment as assistant civil engineer on the eastern division of the Cumberland, or national road, extending from Indianapolis to the State line east.  This work was, for most of this time, in charge of Captain Brewerton of the United States Engineer corps.  In the winter of 1835-36 he was employed to locate the Hamilton, Rossville, Somerville, Newcomb and Eaton turnpike, which was the first public work of the kind built with gravel, west of the mountains.  Hon. John M. Millikin was President, and Hon. Lewis D. Campbell.  Secretary of the company. In 1837-38, Mr. Erwin located the Dayton and Eaton; the Hamilton and Darrtown; the Venice and Scipio, and the Greenville and New Paris turnpikes, all in Ohio.  The hydraulic work at Hamilton, Middletown, Franklin and Troy, were also located by him.  He likewise located the hydraulic works at Goshen, at Elkhart and at Bristol in Indiana, and superintended their construction, all of which are in successful operation.  He both located and built by contract, the hydraulic works at Constantine, Michigan, and holds a considerable interest in the same.
     Since 1837, Mr. Erwin, has, a greater portion of the time, been resident Engineer on the Miami and Erie canal, extending from the Ohio river, at Cincinnati to Toledo, a distance of nearly three hundred miles; and he is now (1879) in charge of the third division of these public works.
     In 1839, he was employed by the state to superintend the reclaiming of a large tract of land in the southern part of Butler county, known as the "Big Pond," or swamp, which land is now the finest in the county.  He has been identified with nearly all the public works, also with many private enterprises of the city of Hamilton, his present residence.  He was a party to the erection of the first paper mill there, in 1847-48, that property being now owned by John C. Skinner & Co.  In connection with his father, and William Hunter, he built the first flouring mill run by water furnished by the hydraulic company at Hamilton.  He also made the preliminary surveys for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton; the Eaton & Richmond, and Richmond & Chicago railroads.  He superintended the construction of the hydraulic works at Middletown, and in company with his brothers, erected two paper mills at that place.
     In connection with a few liberal and enterprising citizens of Hamilton, he aided in procuring the land for "Greenwood Cemetery," now one of the finest north of Cincinnati.
     On May 12, 1833, he married Ann Eliza Chadwick, a native of New Jersey.  His liberality toward all charitable institutions has been marked, one monument of which is found in the edifice of the Universalist society in Hamilton, for the erection of which, Mr. Erwin contributed about four-fifths

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of the funds.  He is a gentleman of refined sensibilities, and retiring manners; a Republican in politics, and adheres to the religious faith of his ancestors."

     Such is the estimate of Mr. Erwin as found in the Biographical Encyclopaedia.  In the early "forties" Mr. Erwin was admitted into the ancient and honorable fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, and became a member of Washington lodge, No. 17, F. and A. M. Hamilton Chapter, No. 21, Royal Arch Masons, Hamilton Council, No. 19, Royal and Select Masters, and Cincinnati Encampment, No. 3, (now commandery) No. 3, Knights Templars.  He was well versed in Masonic lore, and was a worthy exponent of the principles of the ancient craft.  In days gone by, Mr. Erwin would occasionally give lectures on the Masonic Mysteries to his brethern, when the Masonic hall was located on the corner of Third and Dayton streets not far from his home.  His funeral was under Knights Templars auspices.  He was also a member of Harmony lodge.  No. 14, I. O. O. F. and Butler Encampment, No. 7, I. O. O. F. of this city.  With a few other Odd Fellows, members of Old Harmony lodge, he organized Hamilton lodge No. 17, and was one of its charter members.  He took an active interest in the affairs of the order, and served as district deputy grandmaster and as one of the officers of the Grand lodge of Ohio.
     Mr. Erwin was one of the best educated men in this section and was an authority on the history of the western country and the pioneer traditions.  His knowledge in regard to the Indian races of North America was most extensive, and he always had a great sympathy for them, feeling that they had been grievously wronged in many respects.  He was a great reader and was a thorough master of his profession.  One of his favorite. studies was geology.  In the course of years he built up a splendid library.
     In 1883, Mr. Erwin and his good wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.  The occasion will never be forgotten by those who attended.  Many were the tokens of esteem presented to the happy old couple and they were congratulated on all sides.  An address signed by the members of the oldest

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and best families of the city, was read by Hon. H. L. Morey, and presented to Mr. and Mrs. Erwin.  Mr Erwin's father, John Erwin, was a member of the Senate of the State of Delaware, and he was a contemporary of the Hon. Henry Clayton.  Mr. Erwin was always attached to his native State of Delaware and would often speak of the old city of Wilmington.
     John W. Erwin was an ardent Democrat of the old Jacksonian type, up to the time of the Civil War, when he became what was then known as a War Democrat.  He was one of the editors of "The Free Soil Banner," a paper published in Hamilton, and one night a rope with a hangman's knot in it, was hung on Mr. Erwin's front door, as a warning.  This only served to increase his zeal, and he was known throughout this section of Ohio, and elsewhere as a friend of the colored race.  He warmly espoused the cause of freeing the slaves, and condemned the traffic in human flesh, most fearlessly.  When Fort Sumter was first fired upon no one denounced that act of treason more than he, and during the war he was an ardent supporter of the Union. Uniting with the Republican party he remained in that party until his death. Mr. Erwin belonged to the "old regime," and was a gentleman of the old school.  His sympathies were with the common people, and he was a true friend to all who lived uprightly.  No man in Hamilton, was more respected than John W. Erwin.  He died as he had lived, an honest, Christian gentleman with a high sense of honor and an exalted idea of his duty as a citizen.  His purse was ever open to the cry of the needy, and he often relieved the necessities of the poor.  Plain, simple, even severe in his tastes, he was a prince among his equals.  His "yea" was "yea" and his "nay" "nay" and he was never, in the course of a long and useful life known to break his word when once given to another.  Such was John W. Erwin, and his life was indeed an example for us all to imitate.
     Of his union with Ann Eliza Chadwick, five children resulted, Henry, Charles, Frank, Lutie and Mary.  All are dead, including Mr. Erwin and his wife, but they are remembered with affection by all who knew them.  Mrs. Mary Erwin

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Brandt was the last member of this family to pass to the great beyond, and her son Frank Erwin Brandt who is still living, is the sole representative and heir.
     William Dean Howells in his book, "A Boy's Town," refers to a visit he made when but a youth to the Erwin home.  The name of the family is not given, but Mr. Howells has since stated that the residence mentioned was the Erwin homestead.  It seems that the youthful Howells came to spend the night with one of Mr. Erwin's sons, but grew home sick during the night and wanted to get back to his father's house.  Mr. Erwin arose, lighted a lantern, and although it was late at night, took the little fellow to the Howells residence.  One of the illustrations in "A Boy's Town," pictures a man leading a little boy through the darkened streets of the town, carrying a lantern to guide them on their way. 
     Mr. Erwin was a most hospitable host, and entertained many friends at his home on North Third street.  He was once quite wealthy, but met with some reverses.  He died however in the enjoyment of a moderate income.  No history of Hamilton or of Butler county would be complete without a reference to John W. Erwin.  The world was the better because he lived, and when he died he left a vacancy which was hard to fill.  With the members of his immediate family, he sleeps in peaceful Greenwood cemetery.  He needs no epitaph as his virtues are engraved on memory's tablets, and the records of his good deeds are transcribed in the Book of Life, which is read and approved by the Almighty God.

     JOHN W. SOHN was born in Windsheim, Germany, May 23, 1815.  Mr. Sohn's parents were Wilhelm Ludwig Sohn and Catherine Daehner.  Without being possessed of wealth, they were able to give their children good educations.  There was an excellent Latin school and gymnasium in Windsheim, and until the lad was seventeen years of age he steadily attended them, making good progress.  His father, whose trade was that of a brewer, lived in the city, and also carried on a vine yard.  At seventeen he became an apprentice to his father as a cooper and brewer, and served two years diligently at his

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trade, but when nineteen concluded to remove to America.  Mr. Sohn embarked for our shores, at Bremen, in 1834, landing at Baltimore.  He came West on foot, with an occasional ride on a canal boat.  In Hamilton, which he reached in November, 1834, he finally found employment at chopping wood at twenty-five cents a cord.  After a little he went to work in a brewery, and then in a pork-house, and after nearly a year went to Cincinnati, working as a brewer, remaining there three years.  Returning to Hamilton in June, 1839, he bought a small brewery with the savings of his previous labor.  The business gradually extended, and his sales became larger, until in 1846, he embarked also in tanning.  This enterprise assumed extensive proportions, and he had two large tanneries, one in Hamilton, and one in Waverly, Pike county.  As a convenience to those who dealt with him, he also opened a leather findings store.  His brewery did a large business, and he was also extensively engaged in the manufacture of malt for other brewers.  He had the largest vineyard in Butler county, and had great success in the growing of native wines.  To these he added the packing of pork, and was interested with his son-in-law, Captain William C. Margedant, in the manufacture of the Universal Wood-working Machine, which is of decided utility in the manufacture of scroll and other kinds of wood-sawing and dressing.  He was also a farmer, having a great deal of land that he owned and had cultivated under his own instruction.  He was a director of the First National bank.
     In 1840 he was married to Miss Catherine Rosenfeld, a native of Saxony, and daughter of the Rev. Charles Ernst Rosenfeld, pastor of the German Luthern and Reformed Church of Hamilton.  Mr. and Mrs. Sohn had nine children, three sons and six daughters.  His first vote was cast for Martin Van Buren, and he adhered to the Democratic party till the war.  After that time he was a staunch supporter of the unity of the nation.  His first political office was that of member of the city council.  He was a member of the school board that introduced the union school system in Hamilton, and supported

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the measure with all his ability.  In 1849 he was elected county commissioner.  In 1872, the supporters of Horace Greely nominated Mr. Sohn for the position of member of congress, and that nomination was indorsed by the Democracy, although he had for many years been opposed to them.  Unfortunately, he was defeated.
     After his arrival here he was the leading German citizen of the town.  Few public enterprises were begun in which he did not taken part, and of nearly all those in which the Germans were concerned was the originator.  He was instrumental in organizing the first Benevolent society of his countrymen in Cincinnati, in 1836, which is still in existence.  For many years he was president of the United German society, which did much to aid and improve those who came here from the Rhine and the Danube.

     DR. W. W. CALDWELL

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     DAVID MARTS

     SAMUEL M. LONG

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     DAVID SAMPLE was born in Reily township, Butler county, January 17, 1828.  He was educated in district schools.  He was a successful farmer and business man.  He was a member of the Board of County Commissioners from 1875 to 1881.  In the business and political world his name was synonymous with the highest principles of integrity.  Mr. Sample was a member of the Knights of Honor.  He died Dec. 8, 1881.

     JOHN WEIDENBORNER

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     THOMAS SLADE was born in Liberty township, Butler county, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1824.  His parents came to Butler county from Maryland in 1818.  His mother was a sister of Rev. Arthur Elliott, the noted Methodist divine, and a sister to Hon. Daniel W. Voorhees, United States Senator from Indiana.  Mr. Slade moved to Fairfield township, in 1849.  He was married Dec. 18, 1845, to Rosana Vinnedge; and five children four sons and one daughter, blessed their union.  Mr. Slade was a self-made man; was a practical and successful farmer, starting in life with comparatively nothing, he died the possesor possessor of six hundred acres of land in Fairfield township.  As a man and citizen he was always first in every work for the improvement of his fellow-men.  He was strong in both church and state, and contributed liberally to erect and maintain churches of every denomination in Butler county; donating eight hundred dollars for the erection of the church and parsonage at Jones', which church he attended.  He filled many positions of honor and trust in his township and county, with credit to himself and honor to his fellow-citizens.  For sixteen years he was trustee of Fairfield township, and for many years a school director and supervisor at the same time.
     He was a man of strong convictions and firm will, and having once made up his mind to the proper course to pursue, nothing could swerve him from it.  He was elected County Commissioner in 1879 and re-elected in 1882, serving the county six years, during which time many improvements of a lasting character, involving a great outlay of money, were made; among them our present court house.  The same may be said for the county infirmary, which was planned and constructed under his administration.  Mr. Slade was regarded as the "Strong man," the leader of the Board, during the stormy period attending the employment of the architect, adoption of plans and settlement of other questions growing out of the construction of these buildings.  These are his monuments; his descendants may well be proud of them and his achievements in connection with them.

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     Like all men of strong will and in power, he had his detractors and enemies, persons whose schemes he had frustrated and selfishness exposed.  He lived to see his vindication; to see all differences obliterated and an honest, right-thinking, sober second-thought public opinion prevail.  Mr. Slade died Apr. 20, 1891.

     ELI LONG

     A. G. McKEON was born in Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Sept. 6, 1832.  He received a common school education in his native town.  He came West and located in Butler county in 1848, and has followed farming ever since in Hanover and Ross townships.  He was County Commissioner from 1882 to 1887, during the building of the new court house.  He is a representative citizen, is always prompt and reliable in every respect, is a courteous and pleas ant gentleman.

WILLIAM MURPHY

     WILLIAM MURPHY

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     M. B. HATCH, one of Middletown's representative business men was elected County Commissioner in 1887.  The Butler County Democrat bolted the regular party nominee, Fred. Engle and helped elect Mr. Hatch, who was the first Republican to occupy this important office.  Mr. Hatch, as Commissioner,

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was a thorough, practical business man and commended himself to the favor of the citizens of the county.

     FREDERICK BERK was born Jan. 22, 1827, in Lauterbach, Hesse Darmstadt, and came to this country in 1852 at the age of twenty-five years.  He lived in Middletown for a short time, resided for thirty-one years in Seven Mile and the last eight years of his life in Fairfield township.  In June, 1854, he was united in marriage to Katherine Maria Schoenhals who died twenty-five years ago leaving six children.  One year later he married Katherine Elizabeth Schul, the union being a happy one.  The family united with the Evangelical Protestant St. John's church a number of years ago and all have been faithful members.  Twice Mr. Berk was honored with the responsible office of County Commissioner.  Mr. Berk was stricken with paralysis Saturday, Oct. 3, 1896, at three o'clock in the morning and died Friday, October 9, at noon, aged sixty-nine years eight months and eleven days.

     CHARLES BECK, JR., was born in Venice, in this county, June 8, 1845.  He attended the common schools in the country, and afterward 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 afterward attended the business college in this place.  In 1869, 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 Sept. 14, 1869, to Catherine Tabler.  Mr. Beck was County Commissioner from 1890 to 1893.

DANIEL M. SHELEY

     DANIEL M. SHELEY

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MICHAEL ZOLLER

     MICHAEL ZOLLER

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MARTIN McLAUGHLIN

     MARTIN McLAUGHLIN was born in the county of Sligo, Ireland, May 26, 1841.  On May 3, 1859, he sailed from Liverpool, England, for the United States, landing in New York City one month later.  He immediately came West, locating in Lemon township, Butler county.  At the out break of the Civil War, Mr. McLaughlin was one of the first to enlist and for three years he served in the Eleventh Ohio battery.  He was taken prisoner by the Confederates and confined for ten months in the stockades at Tyler, Texas.  Upon being exchanged he returned to his battery, and, in April, 1865, was honorably discharged.  His record was that of a good soldier.  On his return to Butler county he engaged for a time in agricultural pursuits, and eventually became a public contractor.  He also conducted saw mills in various localities in this county and from a small beginning grew prosperous.  He was elected trustee of Lemon township for seven consecutive years, per forming his duties with ability and fidelity to the public interest.  In 1893, he was nominated and elected to the office of County Commissioner; was re-elected in 1896.  In September, 1897, he enters upon his second term.  He is a man of excellent natural business qualifications, and as one of the commissioners, carries on the public business upon accurate and honorable methods, which commends him to the favor and confidence of the public.  His career is an object lesson as it proves conclusively that one can rise from the humblest walks of life to a position of trust and honor.