memoirs of the miami valley, vol iii, butler county biographies
DESCRIPTION
Memoirs of the Miami Valley, Vol III, Butler County BiographiesTRANSCRIPT
Butler County- Biographical
Adam Adrion. In the period of more than a quarter of a century, the grocery business owned by Adam Adrion , at Ninth street and Yankee road, Middletown, has grown into what is considered one of the community's commercial necessities. The proprietor' of this establishment, now one of the leading and successful men of the community, has built up the business from modest proportions, and has had the necessity of making his own way in the world, having arrived in this city with little save his ambition and his knowledge of a useful trade. He was born in 1857, in Germany, and was but fifteen years of age, a youth with a common school education, when he arrived in the United States. His first place of residence was at Indianapolis, Ind., where he learned the blacksmith business and resided for about three years, then coming to Middletown, which has continued to be his home. For three years after his arrival at .Middletown, he worked in the blacksmith shop of Charles Greter, ;md after leaving his employ was associated for eleven years with Martin Sheets. It had always been Mr. Adrion's ambition to be come proprietor of a business of his own, and when he left Mr. Sheets it was to embark in the grocery business, a line with which he had had little experience, but in which he soon showed his worth . His business was founded at the corner of Ninth street and Yankee road, with a small but well-selected stock of staple and fancy groc eries. It was several years before he was firmly established as one of the merchants of the community, but this object once attained and the fact recognized by the people, his business began to grow and develop, and under his care and watchful management has con tinued to do so. This is now one of the most prosperous business stands of its kind in the city and the credit for its well-being all rests with Mr. Adrion, who has never been compelled to call for out side assistance, but he has relied upon his own abilities and resource. In 1880 Mr. Adrion was married to Miss Louise Schulze, daughter of William Schulze, a native of Germany, who immigrated to Amer ica at an early age and subsequently came to Middletown. where he was engaged in business until his death. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Adrion: Leona and Herman, who are both now deceased; and Mrs. John T. Williamson, formerly Minnie Adrion, who died September 9, 1919, leaving father, mother, hus band and a little daughter, Martha Jane, aged five, to mourn her loss. Mrs. Williamson was an exemplary Christian woman, a de voted daughter, wife and mother and was loved by all who knew her. She was buried from her home, B. J . Brinkema, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Williamson was a most devout member, officiated at the burial and Mrs. Williamson was
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6 MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY
laid to rest amid sorrowing family and friends. Mr. Adrion is fra ternally affiliated with the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Foresters. He is a Democrat, and he and Mrs. Adrion belong to St. Paul's German church. It was in this church Mrs. Adrion was confirmed and has been a consistent member of it for forty-seven years. Her father, William Schulze, was one of its founders and a member of the choir till his death. Mrs. John T. Williamson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adrion was baptized, confirmed and mar ried in this church.
Perry Akers. One of the most highly honored residents of But ler county of whom this volume furnishes a record is the cordially esteemed Perry Akers, who is now living in honest retirement at Oxford. It can also be truthfully said of him that, during his active career, he was a typical 'representative of the best and highest class in the agricultural element of the population of the Miami valley. Intelligent, practical, systematic, diligent, persevering and provid ent in his farming operations, he was absolutely just in his dealings with all who had transactions with him, and his career as a farmer reflected credit upon that vocation. Mr. Akers was born on a farm in Oxford township, Butler county, Ohio, December 31, 1851, a son of James and Hannah (Hansel) Akers, the former a native of Frank lin county, Ind., where his family had been pioneers and where for many years they followed the pursuits of the soil as husbandmen. They had four children: Lucinda, Asa, ·william and James. Han nah (Hansel) Akers was also born in Franklin county, Ind., where her parents had been early settlers, and she had two brothers and three sisters. James Akers was educated in the public schools of Franklin county, Ind., and was reared in Bath township, where he married Miss Hansel. After a few years devoted to farming there they moved to a property situated west of Oxford, In Oxford town ship, Butler county, and there continued to do general farming and stock raising until they passed away, being laid to their last rest in the vicinity to the north of the College Corner graveyard, in Preble county. Their children were as follows: Mary, who died in Ox ford township, was the wife of John Dukes, of Randolph County, Ind., a farmer by vocation; Armanella, who died in infancy; Wil liam Riley, whc married Emma Van Ausdall, deceased, and resides at College Corner; and Perry. Perry Akers' educational training was confined to the common schools of his native community, and when he laid aside his school books it was to take up the tools and instruments of the home farm, in assisting his father to cultivate the tract and develop the property. At the age of twenty-three years he was united in marriage with Sarah Adeline, daughter of Mahlon Flint, of Union county, Ind., and after their marriage lo cated in that county and engaged in farming. Later he returned to Butler county and bought 105 acres of land in Oxford township, to which he subsequently added fifty-five acres by purchase. He became one of the successful and substantial farmers of his com munity, but at the time of his retirement sold out and moved to the city of Oxford, where he bought a handsome brick residence at No. 815 S. College avenue, his present home. Mr. and Mrs. Akers have
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BUTLER COUNTY-BIOGRAP"!ICAL 7
been the parents of five children: two who died in infancy; Clifford, educated in the public schools, married Edith Bourne of Franklin county, Ind., moved to that community, and died one year later; Wilfred, who taught in the country schools and the Danville Normal school, and died at the age of twenty-six years; Daisy, the wife of Orner Dare, of Franklin county, Ind., with four children, Herbert, Ralph, Melvin and Loren. Herbert Dare married Bessie White, of Franklin county, Ind. Mr. Akers is a Republican and a sub stantial man of his community. ·calmly resting now in the evening of life, he is thrice fortunate in being able to look back upon an honorable and useful career, and, conscious of the affectionate re gard of relatives and friends, to gaze forward in serene expectation to the reward of the future.
Ernest J. Alexander has been a resident of Middletown, Butler county, since he was a youth of eighteen years, and as an employee of the American Rolling Mills company he holds a responsible position, that of heater. He is a skilled and valued artisan, with an accurate technical knowledge of the work to which he gives his attention, and he owns and occupies one of the fine modern resi dences of Middletown, attractively situated at 638 Garfield avenue. Ernest James Alexander was born in Indiana, and is a son of John Jones Alexander and Belle (Wynkoop) Alexander, the latter of whom died, at Middletown, in 1909, and the former of whom still resides in this city, where he is employed by the American Rolling Mill~ com pany. John J. Alexander is a native of the state of Virginia, but prior to his removal to Middletown, Ohio, he had been for a number of years a resident of Indiana. His seven children all reside at Middletown, and of the number the eldest is Lena, ~ho is the wife of Clarence Speidel; Ernest J., of this review, was the next in order of birth ; Florence is the wife of Harry Moore ; Ruth is the wife of James Snody; Elsie is the wife of Albert John; and Clarence is the yocngest of the number. Ernest J. Alexander is indebted to the public schools of Indiana for his early educational advantages, and, he was a youth ·of eighteen years when ke became a resident of Middletown, Ohio, where he found employment with the American Rolling Mills company, one of the prominent corporations of the iron and steel manufacturing enterprises in the state of Ohio. His ability has gained him advancement and he is one of its valued em ployees. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, and both he and his wife hold the faith of the Baptist church. On account of impaired health l'vlr. Alexander went to the state of Maryland, and there, on the 8th of November, 1891, he wedded Miss Edith Bauck man, daughter of George W. and Mary Catherine (Moran) Bauck man, of Ashburn, Virginia, where they still maintain their home, their children being six in number: Carroll, Thomas, Nettie, Mrs. Harry Cookney; Belle, Mrs. Ernest Trail; Edith, wife of the subject of this review, and Hattie, wife of Elmer Lewis, of Washington, D. C. Mrs. Alexander continued her studies in the public schools of Ashburn, Virginia, until she had been graduated in the high school, and thereafter she pursued a higher course of study in a college at Washington, D. C. She is a popular factor in the social
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8 MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY
activities of Middletown and is the gracious chatelaine of the attrac tive family home. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have four children : Mal colm and Milford (twins), Milan and Olga. It may be stated that the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Alexander served as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war.
Erhard Allen. Since his arrival at Hamilton, Erhard Allen has been identified with several important concerns at this place, the duties of which have been discharged with credit to himself. He is a native of Sweden, born January 8; 1883, a son of Erik Tolf, who died in Sweden, in which country Mr. Allen's mother still makes her home. Erhard Allen was given a good education, both literary and mechanical, in his native land, for after leaving his school books he was trained as a machinist, tool maker and mechanical draughts man. He was seventeen years of age when he emigrated to the United States and first located in New York city, where he remained for six years during which he was identified with a number of con cerns, gradually gaining practical experience in his trade and fitting himself for a career of further advancement. Upon leaving the metropolis, Mr. Allen went to Wisconsin and for the next few years traveled through that state, and eventually came to Ohio and found employment with the National Cash Register company, with which ~reat concern he spent five years. While at Dayton, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Helen Agnes Grave of that city, and not long after their union came to Hamilton, where he joined the work ing forces of the Republic Motor Car company. During the period that he remained with that company he received several promotions, finally being made assistant superintendent. a position which he resigned in 1915 to become associated with the Bonham Recorder company, of which firm he is now superintendent. Mr. Allen is a thorough master of his trade in all its particulars and is also pos sessed of marked executive ability which makes him valuable in the handling of large working forces of men. He is fraternally affiliated with the local lodge of the Order of Elks, and his political support is given to the candidates of the Democratic party.
Leslie Allison, heater at the American Rolling Mills plant at Middletown, has been engaged with this plant ever since he entered upon his independent career. He belongs to the enterprising, pro gressive class of young men who have made their own way, and has made excellent progress in establishing himself as a substantial citizen of his community. Mr. Allison was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, a son of Henry Allison, who still resides at Cleveland, Ohio, the mother of Mr. Allison also surviving. After attending the public schools of Portsmouth, Leslie Allison took up steel work as his vocation, and in '1912 came to Middletown to accept the position of heater's helper at the plant of the American Rolling Mills company. a post from which he was advanced to heater which position he now holds. He is a reliable, steady and industrious workman, who has the confidence of his employers and the friendship of his fellows. His thrift is evidenced in the ownership of an attractive and com fortahle home on Sutphin avenue. In politics he maintains a liberal stand, and he and Mrs . Allison are members of the Methodist church .
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BUTLER COUNTY-BIOGRAPHICAL 9
September 20, 1911, Mr. Allison married Dora E. Rankin , who was born November 25, 1890, near Paris, Ky ., a daughter of Henry and Anna (Hollar) Rankin. There were four other children in the family, namely: Fletcher M., born November 27, 1886; Walter Cray, born March 7, 1893; Georgie, born October 28, 1895; and Russell Harvey, born November 29, 1898. Henry Rankin, who fought as a soldier during the Civil war. died at Millersburg, Ky., March 8, 1902, and following his death the family removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, where the children were reared. Mrs. Rankin still survives and resides at Middletown with her daughter and son-in-law, at the Sutphin avenue home. Two children have been born to Mr. and :\Irs. Allison : one who died in infancy; and Dorothy Louise, who died when seven months of age.
Clinton Alston, the village blacksmith with a well equipped shop at Symmes Corner, in Fairfield township, Butler county has applied himself so vigorously and with such marked skill to his trade that he ably controls a substantial and profitable business. Mr. Alston is a representative of the third generation of the family in Butler county, and this statement implies that he comes of fine old pioneer stock. He was born in Fairfield township, the place of his birth having been the farm of his father, who long held vantage place as one of the representative agriculturists of Fairfield town ship, where he was born and reared, his wife also having been born in Butler county. Clinton Alston, who is associated with his brother Cassius in the blacksmith business, is junior member of the firm, both members of which are skilled artisans and well known and popular citizens. They are sons of M. P. and Elizabeth (Herr) Alston, and grandsons of Wallace Alston and Henry Herr, both of whom were pioneer settlers in this county, whither they came from Pennsylvania. The children of M. P . and Elizabeth Alston are : Montgomery P., a prosperous farmer in Butler county; Cassius. who is a bachelor, and is associated with his brother Clinton in the blacksmith establishment at Symmes Corner; Clinton, the subject of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; and Minnie and Al bert. Clinton Alston is indebted to the public schools of Butler county for his education, and as a young man he served a practical apprenticeship to the trade of blacksmith, which has gained him reputation and success in his chosen vocation. He and his brother have been conducting the business for some years, and their prowess as artisans does not obscure their loyalty and liberality as citizens. in which connection it may be stated that during the late World war they gave liberal support to the various agencies that upheld the go\'ernment in its war activities. The utmost fraternal and business harmony marks the relations of the two brothers, but in politics their are divided in sentiment, Clinton being affiliated with the Re publican party and Cassius with the Democratic party. Clinton Alston was united in marriage to Miss Alice Van Natta. who was born and reared in Butler county, and they have two sons: Gordon and Clinton, jr. Gordon was one of the gallant young Americans who went forth as a soldier with the American Expeditionary Force in France , where he was a member of the 83d Division, 322d Field
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10 MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY
Artillery, with which he was in the great campaigns and terrific conflicts at Argonne and Chateau Thierry, France.
Henry Anderson is well and favorably known at Middletown, where for some years he has been employed in the plant of the American Rolling mill. He was born at Mount Sterling, Ky., Feb ruary 23, 1886, a son of Newton Anderson, who still survives and re sides at Mount Sterling, where the mother died in 1908. The par ents had a family of five sons and three daughters: Henry, of this review; Newton, jr. I, who died as a small lad; James, Lee and New ton, jr. II, residents of Lexington, Ky.; Joseph, of Middletown; Lillie, the wife of Walter Reffitt, of Mount Sterling, Ky. ; Rettie, the wife of Herbert Baker, of Kokomo, Ind.; Mollie, the wife of Sim Curran, of Lexington, Ky. Newton Anderson the elder enlisted from Kentucky in the Civil war, through which struggle he fought bravely, receiving his honorable discharge when peace was declared. Henry Anderson was educated in the public schools of Mount Ster ling, Ky., where he received the training that fitted him for work at his present vocation. For some years he was variously employed in mills at different places, but eventually settled at Middletown, where he has since been employed as a heater in the American Roll ing mill. Mr. Anderson is liberal in his political views and a mem ber of the United Brethren church. He was married August 8, 1907, at Indianapolis, Ind., to Bessie Hamilton, born September 12, 1887, daughter of Andrew and Emma (England) Hamilton, the former of whom still resides at Middletown, while the latter died at this place, June 12, 1907. Mrs. Anderson had two sisters: Maud, who died as the wife of Dee May; and Gay, who is now Mrs. Lee Wolff, of Middletown. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have one son, Stan ley Woodford Anderson, born June 4, 1908, and now attending the Middletown public schools. A daughter, Gladys May, died at Kokomo, Ind., at the age of sixteen months. The pleasant family home of the Andersons is situated at No. 537-1-2 Young street.
Allen Andrews was born in Delaware county, Ind., August 11, 1849. He was educated in the common schools of that state and at the National Normal a t Lebanon , Ohio, and at Liber college, Liber, Ind. When he was eighteen years of age he became a teacher and taught in the common schools and was superintendent of the schools at New Madison and a teacher in the high school at Greenville. He afterwards studied law, was admitted to the…
Adam Adrion. In the period of more than a quarter of a century, the grocery business owned by Adam Adrion , at Ninth street and Yankee road, Middletown, has grown into what is considered one of the community's commercial necessities. The proprietor' of this establishment, now one of the leading and successful men of the community, has built up the business from modest proportions, and has had the necessity of making his own way in the world, having arrived in this city with little save his ambition and his knowledge of a useful trade. He was born in 1857, in Germany, and was but fifteen years of age, a youth with a common school education, when he arrived in the United States. His first place of residence was at Indianapolis, Ind., where he learned the blacksmith business and resided for about three years, then coming to Middletown, which has continued to be his home. For three years after his arrival at .Middletown, he worked in the blacksmith shop of Charles Greter, ;md after leaving his employ was associated for eleven years with Martin Sheets. It had always been Mr. Adrion's ambition to be come proprietor of a business of his own, and when he left Mr. Sheets it was to embark in the grocery business, a line with which he had had little experience, but in which he soon showed his worth . His business was founded at the corner of Ninth street and Yankee road, with a small but well-selected stock of staple and fancy groc eries. It was several years before he was firmly established as one of the merchants of the community, but this object once attained and the fact recognized by the people, his business began to grow and develop, and under his care and watchful management has con tinued to do so. This is now one of the most prosperous business stands of its kind in the city and the credit for its well-being all rests with Mr. Adrion, who has never been compelled to call for out side assistance, but he has relied upon his own abilities and resource. In 1880 Mr. Adrion was married to Miss Louise Schulze, daughter of William Schulze, a native of Germany, who immigrated to Amer ica at an early age and subsequently came to Middletown. where he was engaged in business until his death. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Adrion: Leona and Herman, who are both now deceased; and Mrs. John T. Williamson, formerly Minnie Adrion, who died September 9, 1919, leaving father, mother, hus band and a little daughter, Martha Jane, aged five, to mourn her loss. Mrs. Williamson was an exemplary Christian woman, a de voted daughter, wife and mother and was loved by all who knew her. She was buried from her home, B. J . Brinkema, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Williamson was a most devout member, officiated at the burial and Mrs. Williamson was
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6 MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY
laid to rest amid sorrowing family and friends. Mr. Adrion is fra ternally affiliated with the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Foresters. He is a Democrat, and he and Mrs. Adrion belong to St. Paul's German church. It was in this church Mrs. Adrion was confirmed and has been a consistent member of it for forty-seven years. Her father, William Schulze, was one of its founders and a member of the choir till his death. Mrs. John T. Williamson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adrion was baptized, confirmed and mar ried in this church.
Perry Akers. One of the most highly honored residents of But ler county of whom this volume furnishes a record is the cordially esteemed Perry Akers, who is now living in honest retirement at Oxford. It can also be truthfully said of him that, during his active career, he was a typical 'representative of the best and highest class in the agricultural element of the population of the Miami valley. Intelligent, practical, systematic, diligent, persevering and provid ent in his farming operations, he was absolutely just in his dealings with all who had transactions with him, and his career as a farmer reflected credit upon that vocation. Mr. Akers was born on a farm in Oxford township, Butler county, Ohio, December 31, 1851, a son of James and Hannah (Hansel) Akers, the former a native of Frank lin county, Ind., where his family had been pioneers and where for many years they followed the pursuits of the soil as husbandmen. They had four children: Lucinda, Asa, ·william and James. Han nah (Hansel) Akers was also born in Franklin county, Ind., where her parents had been early settlers, and she had two brothers and three sisters. James Akers was educated in the public schools of Franklin county, Ind., and was reared in Bath township, where he married Miss Hansel. After a few years devoted to farming there they moved to a property situated west of Oxford, In Oxford town ship, Butler county, and there continued to do general farming and stock raising until they passed away, being laid to their last rest in the vicinity to the north of the College Corner graveyard, in Preble county. Their children were as follows: Mary, who died in Ox ford township, was the wife of John Dukes, of Randolph County, Ind., a farmer by vocation; Armanella, who died in infancy; Wil liam Riley, whc married Emma Van Ausdall, deceased, and resides at College Corner; and Perry. Perry Akers' educational training was confined to the common schools of his native community, and when he laid aside his school books it was to take up the tools and instruments of the home farm, in assisting his father to cultivate the tract and develop the property. At the age of twenty-three years he was united in marriage with Sarah Adeline, daughter of Mahlon Flint, of Union county, Ind., and after their marriage lo cated in that county and engaged in farming. Later he returned to Butler county and bought 105 acres of land in Oxford township, to which he subsequently added fifty-five acres by purchase. He became one of the successful and substantial farmers of his com munity, but at the time of his retirement sold out and moved to the city of Oxford, where he bought a handsome brick residence at No. 815 S. College avenue, his present home. Mr. and Mrs. Akers have
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BUTLER COUNTY-BIOGRAP"!ICAL 7
been the parents of five children: two who died in infancy; Clifford, educated in the public schools, married Edith Bourne of Franklin county, Ind., moved to that community, and died one year later; Wilfred, who taught in the country schools and the Danville Normal school, and died at the age of twenty-six years; Daisy, the wife of Orner Dare, of Franklin county, Ind., with four children, Herbert, Ralph, Melvin and Loren. Herbert Dare married Bessie White, of Franklin county, Ind. Mr. Akers is a Republican and a sub stantial man of his community. ·calmly resting now in the evening of life, he is thrice fortunate in being able to look back upon an honorable and useful career, and, conscious of the affectionate re gard of relatives and friends, to gaze forward in serene expectation to the reward of the future.
Ernest J. Alexander has been a resident of Middletown, Butler county, since he was a youth of eighteen years, and as an employee of the American Rolling Mills company he holds a responsible position, that of heater. He is a skilled and valued artisan, with an accurate technical knowledge of the work to which he gives his attention, and he owns and occupies one of the fine modern resi dences of Middletown, attractively situated at 638 Garfield avenue. Ernest James Alexander was born in Indiana, and is a son of John Jones Alexander and Belle (Wynkoop) Alexander, the latter of whom died, at Middletown, in 1909, and the former of whom still resides in this city, where he is employed by the American Rolling Mill~ com pany. John J. Alexander is a native of the state of Virginia, but prior to his removal to Middletown, Ohio, he had been for a number of years a resident of Indiana. His seven children all reside at Middletown, and of the number the eldest is Lena, ~ho is the wife of Clarence Speidel; Ernest J., of this review, was the next in order of birth ; Florence is the wife of Harry Moore ; Ruth is the wife of James Snody; Elsie is the wife of Albert John; and Clarence is the yocngest of the number. Ernest J. Alexander is indebted to the public schools of Indiana for his early educational advantages, and, he was a youth ·of eighteen years when ke became a resident of Middletown, Ohio, where he found employment with the American Rolling Mills company, one of the prominent corporations of the iron and steel manufacturing enterprises in the state of Ohio. His ability has gained him advancement and he is one of its valued em ployees. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, and both he and his wife hold the faith of the Baptist church. On account of impaired health l'vlr. Alexander went to the state of Maryland, and there, on the 8th of November, 1891, he wedded Miss Edith Bauck man, daughter of George W. and Mary Catherine (Moran) Bauck man, of Ashburn, Virginia, where they still maintain their home, their children being six in number: Carroll, Thomas, Nettie, Mrs. Harry Cookney; Belle, Mrs. Ernest Trail; Edith, wife of the subject of this review, and Hattie, wife of Elmer Lewis, of Washington, D. C. Mrs. Alexander continued her studies in the public schools of Ashburn, Virginia, until she had been graduated in the high school, and thereafter she pursued a higher course of study in a college at Washington, D. C. She is a popular factor in the social
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8 MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY
activities of Middletown and is the gracious chatelaine of the attrac tive family home. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have four children : Mal colm and Milford (twins), Milan and Olga. It may be stated that the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Alexander served as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war.
Erhard Allen. Since his arrival at Hamilton, Erhard Allen has been identified with several important concerns at this place, the duties of which have been discharged with credit to himself. He is a native of Sweden, born January 8; 1883, a son of Erik Tolf, who died in Sweden, in which country Mr. Allen's mother still makes her home. Erhard Allen was given a good education, both literary and mechanical, in his native land, for after leaving his school books he was trained as a machinist, tool maker and mechanical draughts man. He was seventeen years of age when he emigrated to the United States and first located in New York city, where he remained for six years during which he was identified with a number of con cerns, gradually gaining practical experience in his trade and fitting himself for a career of further advancement. Upon leaving the metropolis, Mr. Allen went to Wisconsin and for the next few years traveled through that state, and eventually came to Ohio and found employment with the National Cash Register company, with which ~reat concern he spent five years. While at Dayton, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Helen Agnes Grave of that city, and not long after their union came to Hamilton, where he joined the work ing forces of the Republic Motor Car company. During the period that he remained with that company he received several promotions, finally being made assistant superintendent. a position which he resigned in 1915 to become associated with the Bonham Recorder company, of which firm he is now superintendent. Mr. Allen is a thorough master of his trade in all its particulars and is also pos sessed of marked executive ability which makes him valuable in the handling of large working forces of men. He is fraternally affiliated with the local lodge of the Order of Elks, and his political support is given to the candidates of the Democratic party.
Leslie Allison, heater at the American Rolling Mills plant at Middletown, has been engaged with this plant ever since he entered upon his independent career. He belongs to the enterprising, pro gressive class of young men who have made their own way, and has made excellent progress in establishing himself as a substantial citizen of his community. Mr. Allison was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, a son of Henry Allison, who still resides at Cleveland, Ohio, the mother of Mr. Allison also surviving. After attending the public schools of Portsmouth, Leslie Allison took up steel work as his vocation, and in '1912 came to Middletown to accept the position of heater's helper at the plant of the American Rolling Mills company. a post from which he was advanced to heater which position he now holds. He is a reliable, steady and industrious workman, who has the confidence of his employers and the friendship of his fellows. His thrift is evidenced in the ownership of an attractive and com fortahle home on Sutphin avenue. In politics he maintains a liberal stand, and he and Mrs . Allison are members of the Methodist church .
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BUTLER COUNTY-BIOGRAPHICAL 9
September 20, 1911, Mr. Allison married Dora E. Rankin , who was born November 25, 1890, near Paris, Ky ., a daughter of Henry and Anna (Hollar) Rankin. There were four other children in the family, namely: Fletcher M., born November 27, 1886; Walter Cray, born March 7, 1893; Georgie, born October 28, 1895; and Russell Harvey, born November 29, 1898. Henry Rankin, who fought as a soldier during the Civil war. died at Millersburg, Ky., March 8, 1902, and following his death the family removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, where the children were reared. Mrs. Rankin still survives and resides at Middletown with her daughter and son-in-law, at the Sutphin avenue home. Two children have been born to Mr. and :\Irs. Allison : one who died in infancy; and Dorothy Louise, who died when seven months of age.
Clinton Alston, the village blacksmith with a well equipped shop at Symmes Corner, in Fairfield township, Butler county has applied himself so vigorously and with such marked skill to his trade that he ably controls a substantial and profitable business. Mr. Alston is a representative of the third generation of the family in Butler county, and this statement implies that he comes of fine old pioneer stock. He was born in Fairfield township, the place of his birth having been the farm of his father, who long held vantage place as one of the representative agriculturists of Fairfield town ship, where he was born and reared, his wife also having been born in Butler county. Clinton Alston, who is associated with his brother Cassius in the blacksmith business, is junior member of the firm, both members of which are skilled artisans and well known and popular citizens. They are sons of M. P. and Elizabeth (Herr) Alston, and grandsons of Wallace Alston and Henry Herr, both of whom were pioneer settlers in this county, whither they came from Pennsylvania. The children of M. P . and Elizabeth Alston are : Montgomery P., a prosperous farmer in Butler county; Cassius. who is a bachelor, and is associated with his brother Clinton in the blacksmith establishment at Symmes Corner; Clinton, the subject of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; and Minnie and Al bert. Clinton Alston is indebted to the public schools of Butler county for his education, and as a young man he served a practical apprenticeship to the trade of blacksmith, which has gained him reputation and success in his chosen vocation. He and his brother have been conducting the business for some years, and their prowess as artisans does not obscure their loyalty and liberality as citizens. in which connection it may be stated that during the late World war they gave liberal support to the various agencies that upheld the go\'ernment in its war activities. The utmost fraternal and business harmony marks the relations of the two brothers, but in politics their are divided in sentiment, Clinton being affiliated with the Re publican party and Cassius with the Democratic party. Clinton Alston was united in marriage to Miss Alice Van Natta. who was born and reared in Butler county, and they have two sons: Gordon and Clinton, jr. Gordon was one of the gallant young Americans who went forth as a soldier with the American Expeditionary Force in France , where he was a member of the 83d Division, 322d Field
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10 MEMOIRS OF THE MIAMI VALLEY
Artillery, with which he was in the great campaigns and terrific conflicts at Argonne and Chateau Thierry, France.
Henry Anderson is well and favorably known at Middletown, where for some years he has been employed in the plant of the American Rolling mill. He was born at Mount Sterling, Ky., Feb ruary 23, 1886, a son of Newton Anderson, who still survives and re sides at Mount Sterling, where the mother died in 1908. The par ents had a family of five sons and three daughters: Henry, of this review; Newton, jr. I, who died as a small lad; James, Lee and New ton, jr. II, residents of Lexington, Ky.; Joseph, of Middletown; Lillie, the wife of Walter Reffitt, of Mount Sterling, Ky. ; Rettie, the wife of Herbert Baker, of Kokomo, Ind.; Mollie, the wife of Sim Curran, of Lexington, Ky. Newton Anderson the elder enlisted from Kentucky in the Civil war, through which struggle he fought bravely, receiving his honorable discharge when peace was declared. Henry Anderson was educated in the public schools of Mount Ster ling, Ky., where he received the training that fitted him for work at his present vocation. For some years he was variously employed in mills at different places, but eventually settled at Middletown, where he has since been employed as a heater in the American Roll ing mill. Mr. Anderson is liberal in his political views and a mem ber of the United Brethren church. He was married August 8, 1907, at Indianapolis, Ind., to Bessie Hamilton, born September 12, 1887, daughter of Andrew and Emma (England) Hamilton, the former of whom still resides at Middletown, while the latter died at this place, June 12, 1907. Mrs. Anderson had two sisters: Maud, who died as the wife of Dee May; and Gay, who is now Mrs. Lee Wolff, of Middletown. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have one son, Stan ley Woodford Anderson, born June 4, 1908, and now attending the Middletown public schools. A daughter, Gladys May, died at Kokomo, Ind., at the age of sixteen months. The pleasant family home of the Andersons is situated at No. 537-1-2 Young street.
Allen Andrews was born in Delaware county, Ind., August 11, 1849. He was educated in the common schools of that state and at the National Normal a t Lebanon , Ohio, and at Liber college, Liber, Ind. When he was eighteen years of age he became a teacher and taught in the common schools and was superintendent of the schools at New Madison and a teacher in the high school at Greenville. He afterwards studied law, was admitted to the…