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     Hamilton is one of the best newspaper towns west of the Alleghany mountains.  It is represented by three dailies, all of excellent merit and of the best type of modern journalism.  They are edited with exceptional ability and by bright and talented young men who are rapidly making a mark in their profession.

HOMER GARD

     HOMER GARD was born in this city Jan. 9, 1866.  He was educated in the Hamilton public schools.  He graduated from the High school in1884.  Afterward he entered Amherst College, Massachusetts, where he remained three years, taking the freshman, junior and senior years.  Shortly after his return home from college he entered the field of journalism and began work on the reportorial staff of the daily News.  In 1890, Mr. Gard accepted a call from the Daily Democrat as reporter, which position he creditably filled until the death of J. K. Aydelotte, Jan. 21, 1891, where he was installed as editor and business manager.  At this time the paper had deterioated, had little or no influence and but a small subscription list to back it up.  To put the Democrat on the top wave of success was not an easy task, but Mr. Gard was equal to the emergency.  He instituted needed reforms in the management of the paper; made it bold, fearless and aggressive and refused to come under the party lash at the dictate of incompetent office-seekers...  From this time onward the Democrat was a paper for the people, and its course was rapidly in the ascendant.  For four year he continued to improve the Democrat and enhance the value of the plant.  During the management the paper was sold to a syndicate for $38,000, this being $24,000,in excess of the original price paid for the plant.  Here we have a practical illustration of Mr. Gard's ability as a successful newspaper man.  He may well feel proud of his achievements.  In January, 1895, Mr. Gard purchased the News Democrat at Canton, Ohio, which was soon afterward incorporated.  He was elected managing editor.  In a year and three months' time he more than doubled its circulation and put the plant on a paying basis, when he sold out and returned to Hamilton.  Mr. Gard became managing editor of the Daily News June 15, 1896.  He has made a marked improvement in the tone of the paper and his administration has been a brilliant success.
     Mr. Gard was united in marriage to Miss Lutie Matthias on June 1, 1892.  They are prominent in society circles.

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WALTER L. TOBEY,

     WALTER L. TOBEY. - The subject of this brief sketch was born in Upshur, Preble county, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1870.  He received the rudiments of an education in the schools of Winchester, Ohio.  At the age of fifteen years he entered Miami University, graduating from this famous institution in 1891, with the degree of A. B.   On June 24, 1894, the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him.   While a student at Oxford, he established the Miami Journal, a monthly publication.  After the revival ofthe Miami Student he became its managing editor continuing in that capacity for three years.  After graduation he entered into the field of journalism. His first work was on the Dayton Daily Evening Herald.  Later, he became editior editor of the Dayton Sunday World.  On July 18, 1892, he was elected editor of the Daily Republican.  Eighteen months afterward, Mr. Tobey was made managing editor of the paper, with entire control of the plant.  In this position he soon gained a foothold as an energetic and successful business man.  As a journalist he is active and influential, maintaining a warm interest in everything pertaining to his profession.  He is liberal in the support of every worthy measure for the best interest of Hamilton and Butler county.  He is a valued citizen and has a bright field before him.  Socially he is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 17, F. and A. M., Hamilton Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M., Hamilton Council, No. 69 R. and S. M., and Hamilton Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templars, Hamilton Lodge, No. 93, B. P. O. E., and Lone Star Lodge, No. 39, K. of P.  He was appointed Trustee of Miami University by Governor McKinley in December, 1895.  Served three years 1893-96, as the director of the Beta Theta Phi fraternity.
     On Dec. 19, 1894, Mr. Tobey was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Douglas Smith.

PORTRAITS:

HOMER GARD,     C. H. ZWICK,     CLAYTON LEITER,
ALBERT DIX     LE ROY R. HENSLEY.

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     CHARLES ALF. WILLIAMS became editor of the Hamilton Daily Democrat, June 1, 1896.  He was born at Rochester, New York, Mar. 16, 1857.  He received a common school education and entered Transylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky, but remained only a year, when called home by the illness of his father.  He entered a newspaper office and learned the printer's trade at Muncie, Indiana.  Afterward he became a reporter.  He was city editor of the Rome (Ga.,) Tribune, then of the Kansas City Journal, then of the Minneapolis Tribune and in 1884 became managing editor of the Minneapolis Tribune and remained such until 1892.  He became a special writer on the St. Louis Republic, assistant city editor and city editor respectively, leaving there in 1894, to become managing editor of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
     Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Stella Teel, at Minneapolis, Oct. 20, 1891.  Two children have been born to them.  Mr. Williams is an able newspaper man of great force with which he combines two excellent qualities, energy and tact.

     THOMAS MOORE, city editor of the Hamilton Daily News, was born in Hamilton, Ohio, Nov. 3, 1855.  He was raised and educated in this city and graduated from the Hamilton High school in the class of 1874.  He attended college at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, for one year, subsequently read law for a short time, and in 1879 he became identified in a reportorial capacity with the News, in which occupation he is still engaged.

     CLAYTON LEITER, city editor of the Democrat, was born in Middletown, Ohio, Apr. 23, 1872, and is the youngest son of Frederick Z. and Louisa M. Leiter.  During his younger years he lived with his parents in Jacksonborough and Symmes Corner, where his father taught school.  In 1876 he removed to this city with his parents and in September, 1879, entered the public schools from which he graduated June 19, 1891.  On Aug. 1, 1891, he accepted a position as a reporter on the Democrat, with which paper he has been connected

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ever since.  On April 19, 1894, he succeeded Frank E. Brandt as city editor of that paper and although the paper has changed hands several times since his connection with it his position has never been interfered with.
     Outside of the field of newspaper work, Mr. Leiter has devoted considerable time to the study of music, being a pupil under Prof. Will Huber, Jr., for several years.  He has been organist of the First Baptist church, the Church of Christ, and is at present musical director of the First Reformed church.  He is a member of the First Baptist church and for a church.  He is a member of the First Baptist church and for a number of years was the secretary and treasurer of the Sunday school of that church.
     At the organization of Hamilton tent, No. 317, Knights of the Maccabees, in May, 1896, Mr. Leiter became a charter member of the organization and was unanimously elected commander of the tent.  He is also a member of Court Fort Hamilton, No. 1472, Independent Order of Forresters.  He is also a member of the Hamilton High School Alumni association and during 1892 and 1893 was treasurer of the Association.  In politics Mr. Leiter has always been a Democrat, coming from a family whose devotion to the principals of that party has always been very marked.

     CARL RICHARD GREER was born in Oxford, Butler county, Ohio, Feb. 29, 1876.  He is the son of Thomas F. and Elizabeth Greer.  He attended township district school and afterward the Oxford High school.  In the fall of 1889, he left high school in the senior year and entered the preparatory department of Miami University, graduating therefrom June 18, 1894.  He was one of the three commencement speakers elected by the faculty.  After graduation he did reportorial work on the Cincinnati Tribune, and on Jan. 8, 1896, became reporter on the Hamilton Daily Republican.  Upon the retirement of F. E. Brandt, in September of that year, he became city editor.

     JAMES SUTHERLAND McNEELY was born in Hamilton, Jan. 6, 1866.  He was educated in the public schools of this city, and at the Wooster University. He has been engaged

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on the reportorial staff of the Daily News for five years and has been the Hamilton correspondent of the Cincinnati Enquirer for two years.  Mr. McNeely is a faithful and painstaking news gatherer.

     THOMAS D. TEMPLE was born in Hamilton, Nov. 30, 1869.  He was educated in the public schools of this city and at Miami University.  He has been in the newspaper business in his native city for four years, being employed during that time on the Daily News, and Daily Republican.  He was city editor of the News, from January to June, 1896.  He is now on the reportorial staff of the Republican.

     WILLIAM C. A. DE LA COURT was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mar 30, 1855.  He attended parochial school, taught by his uncle, Rev. L. P. Heintz, at Carrolton, Louisiana, and the third municipality school in New Orleans.  After coming to Hamilton he entered the Hamilton Public schools, beginning in Miss Martha Young's room.  He was a pupil in the High school for one year, under Miss H. H. Ringwood and Prof. August Goehring.  Afterward he began the art of printing in his father's office.  On June 9, 1880, Mr. DeLaCourt was wedded to Miss Ettie M. Mathes, of this city.  In January, 1885, Governor Hoadly appointed Mr. DeLaCourt Supervisor of Public Printing of Ohio, for a term of two years.  In June, 1887, he returned to Hamilton, and engaged in the printing business.  In 1890, he was appointed a local representative of the Cincinnati Volksblatt; and in March, 1895, was made the Hamilton reporter for the Cincinnati Post.  He is at the present time on the reportorial staff of the Daily Democrat.

     SOCIETY REPORTERS, Daily News. -

     Daily Democrat. - - Mrs. W. L. Toby was the first lady reporter on this paper, serving for three years.  Miss Lillian Matthias, occupies the position for a short time. Miss Nellie Brock is the present reporter.

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     Daily Republican - Miss Ollie Brock began reporting on July 18, 1892, the date of the establishment of the Republican.  She was succeeded by Mrs. W. L. Tobey.  Miss Nettie Fox is employed at present as the society reporter

ALBERT DIX

     ALBERT DIX was born in Portage county, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1845.  His boyhood days were spent upon a farm . In the winter he attended district school.  At the age of fifteen he began to assist his father, who was a stone cutter and mason by trade.  After two years' work, he was enabled to enter Hiram College, where he remained one year.  He afterward taught school for two terms; was employed in a general store at Edinburg, Ohio, for twelve years.  Mr. Dix always had a desire to enter the newspaper business.  In December, 1879, he and C. M. Campbell came to Hamilton to look over the field, with a view of establishing a daily paper in this city.  After a thorough investigation, Mr. Campbell purchased the Weekly Telegraph then owned by Fred. Egry.  Albert Dix was made business manager.  On Dec. 22, 1879, the first edition of the Daily News made its appearance.  At this time it was predicted that the paper would run its course in three months' time.  But the enterprise was a success, which was largely due to the fine executive ability of Mr. Dix.  In July, 1888, the News passed into the hands of a company, of which Mr. Dix was one of the partners.  In 1889, the paper was incorporated, he being one of the stockholders.
     On Sept. 1, 1869, Mr. Dix was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Luke, of Portage connty county, Ohio.  Two children have been born unto them, one of whom died in infancy.  The surviving son, Emmett, is now a student at Hiram College.  Mr. Dix is a pronounced Republican, having frequently been honored by his party as a delegate to local conventions; has served as a member of the city council.  Religiously, he is a devoted and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church; is a trustee of the First M. E. church.  He is a broad and liberal minded citizen; has always taken an earnest and active interest in all measures for the welfare of Hamilton.

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He is highly regarded and has the respect and esteem of the community.

C. H. ZWICK

     CHARLES H. ZWICK was born in Williamsburg, New York, in 1850.  During this year his parents moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where they resided for eight years, and at the expiration of that time came to Hamilton.  Here Mr. Zwick attended school for three years; worked on a farm for two years; afterward accepted a position in Snider's paper mill as a machine boy.  Later, he went to the Owens, Lane & Dyer shops to learn boiler making.  After three weeks' work, holding rivets for the strikers, he  found the work was not congenial and he entered the painting department, where he remained two months.  Finally, he concluded to learn the machinists' trade, working at his occupation for one year, when, meeting with an accident to one of his fingers, he abandoned learning the trade.  He was next employed at Gwynn & Campbell's gun factory, where he worked for one and a half years.  Here he was from time to time advanced until he operated the largest machine in the factory.  During the John Morgan raid, in 1862, he was on watch one night ready to sink the finished guns in the hydraulic upon the approach of the rebel raider.   After the closing of the gun factory Mr. Zwick accepted a clerkship in a large store in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he remained several years.  Subsequently he entered the employment of Fitton Bros., now D. W. Fitton & Co.  In 1873, he engaged in business for himself, continuing until 1892, when he retired.  Mr. Zwick is one of the largest stockholders in the News company.  In September, 1895, he was elected general manager of the plant, which position he now fills.  Politically, he is a pronounced Republican; in religion, a Methodist.  In September, 1871, he was united in marriage with Rosena D. Ruoff.  Mr. Zwick is one of Hamilton's active and foremost business men.  He deserves the success he has achieved.

Le Roy R. Hensley

     LE ROY R. HENSLEY was born in this city, Sept. 11, 1868.  He received a public school education, graduating from the Hamilton High school, June 22, 1888.  After grad-

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uation he accepted a position with the Middletown Gas Company, as book keeper, where he remained one year.  Upon his return to Hamilton, Mar. 14, 1890, he was employed as book keeper for the Daily News, which position he held until May 25, 1896.  At this date he purchased stock in the company and was elected secretary and advertising manager.  He is a member of the Lone Star Lodge Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum, the Foresters, and the High School Alumni Association.
     Mr. Hensley was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Smyers, Oct. 9, 1895.  He is a wide awake, hustling and energetic young business man, and success will surely crown his efforts.

     GEORGE E. HOLDERFER was born in Hamilton, July 18, 1870.  He is the second son of George and Anna M. Holdefer.  He was educated in the public schools.  Afterward he clerked in the Art Emporium; attended night school, where he learned the profession of book keeping, after which he accepted a position with his brother Jacob in the grocery business, where he remained one year.  He then became associated with the Hamilton Daily Democrat, serving as office man for five years.  In 1895, he became business manager of the Canton, Ohio, News Democrat.  In the spring of 1896, he returned to Hamilton and became book keeper for the Democrat company.  In religion, he is a member of St. Paul's German Evangelical church.  Mr. Holdefer was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Brannon, Oct. 24, 1894.  He is a young man of strict probity in his dealings, as well as push and untiring industry.