Gary King, I have appreciated your efforts in putting the various lookups from the subject book on this site for all of us to read. When you can find the time, would look up the following for me: Conarroe p371, Connaroe p365, Connarroe p782, Goebel p134, Keller p102, 369, 370, 371, 372, 618, 763, Mendenhall p147, 371, 476, 477, 784, Theiss 708, 709 and Thiess p368. I realize that is a rather extensive list but I would appreciate anything that you can lookup, as your time permits. Respectfully, Don Goebel

Surnames: KELLER, CONARROE, SMITH, MENDENHALL, INMAN, GARRETT, FALK, KAPP, WINTERSTEEN, CONARROE, CONOROE, HOOD From Memoirs of the Miami Valley, Vol. III, 1919. Conarroe p371/372: Oliver Keller. Preble county is largely agricultural, but its prosperous towns, its many manufactories, its schools and its churches prove that a vigorous life underlies every activity, although here, as in every section of the earth, dependence is naturally placed upon the products of the land and the labor of those who cultivate it. It makes no difference in what way men toil, or how much they achieve in any direction, they must all be fed, and it is the farmer, in the background, who furnishes the food products. In Preble and the other counties of the Miami valley country, there are found numerous contented owners of land, who intelligently and willingly carryon the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. They are usually men of strong intellect and sturdy body, qualified for public service, for the proper cultivation of the soil and a realization of its utmost yield require knowledge of many subjects. One of the younger generation of agriculturists of Preble county, who how! ever makes his home at Somerville, in Butler county, is Oliver KELLER. Mr. KELLER was born on a farm in Milford township, Butler county, Ohio, September 22, 1871, a son of Henry KELLER. His paternal grandfather was John KELLER, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., who was an early settler of Milford township, Butler county, and there passed the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits. His children were: John, Jacob, Solomon, George, Henry, Samuel and Sarah. Henry KELLER grew to manhood in Milford township, where he married Sarah CONARROE, also of that township. After their marriage they located on a farm near Seven Mile section 6 Milford township, but subsequently went to Preble county. Three years later they returned to Milford township, but finally located at Somerville, where the mother died in 1906, at the age of sixty years, while the father passed away in June, 1911, when sixty-seven years of age. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Kel! ler was a Democrat in his political adherence. There were six childre n in the family: John, born in 1869, a farmer in Milford township, who married Cora SMITH; Oliver; Oscar, born in 1884, a farmer of Preble county; Iva, who married Edward MENDENHALL, a farmer of Wayne township, Butler county; Lela, the wife of Edgar L. INMAN, an undertaker of Somerville; and Ruth who married Charles GARRETT and lives near Gratis, Ohio. Oliver KELLER received his education in the public schools of his home community, and resided with his parents until reaching the age of twenty years. At that time he and his brother, John, took over the management and operation of the old home place, which they conducted for one year, and then spent a like period in farming for their father. They then went to Preble county, one mile north of Somerville, and farmed in that community from the spring of 1896 until 1908. At that time Oliver Keller took up his residence at Somerville, where he has since made his home. January 30, 1901, he married Nettie, daughter of Charles a! nd Letty FALK, of Preble county, and a granddaughter of Jacob and Louisa FALK, natives of Germany and early settlers of Somerville. The grand-parents had three children: Jacob, Sallie and Charles. Charles FALK was a farmer in Preble county, where he passed his career, and died in September, 1895, his widow surviving until 1909. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and Mrs. Keller their only child. To Mr. and Mrs. KELLER there has come one daughter, Martha, born May 6, 1907. While he has made his home at Somerville since 1908, Mr. Keller still is the owner of a valuable farm of 160 acres in Preble county, on which he carries on mixed farming and stock raising. Naturally progressive and capable, he brings to his work energy, enthusiasm and the kind of ability that has been developed through study and experience, and modern methods and ideas govern his actions. He has put good improvements on his property and his farm presents an attractive appearance, as well ! as being made more valuable by the presence of substantial buildings. Mr. KELLER is a director in the Somerville National bank. He votes the Democratic ticket at elections, and has discharged the duties of citizenship when called upon to serve in public office, having acted for several years as a member of the local board of school directors, and is also a member of the city council. Mrs. KELLER is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Connaroe p365, in bio on George S. KAPP, it mentions "Mr. KAPP was married in 1897 to Cassie, daughter of Cornelius and Sarah CONNAROE, of Somerville, who had four other children: William, Katurah, Lillie and one who is deceased." Connarroe p782, in bio on Lewis G. WINTERSTEEN, it mentions "Mr. Wintersteen was married in 1905 to Myrtly, daughter of George G. and Catherine (CONORROE) HOOD, of Somerville, and to this union were borne on son: Vernon, aged twelve years, who is attending public school. Mrs. Wintersteen's father died August 8, 1904, and her mother August 9, 1912." Gary King Batavia IL -----Original Message----- From: Don Goebel <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, 7 Apr 2005 17:03:44 -0700 Subject: [OHBUTLER-L] Memoirs of the Miami Valley I have appreciated your efforts in putting the various lookups from the subject book on this site for all of us to read. When you can find the time, would look up the following for me: Conarroe p371, Connaroe p365, Connarroe p782, Goebel p134, Keller p102, 369, 370, 371, 372, 618, 763, Mendenhall p147, 371, 476, 477, 784, Theiss 708, 709 and Thiess p368. I realize that is a rather extensive list but I would appreciate anything that you can lookup, as your time permits. Respectfully, Don Goebel

Surnames: CORNTHWAITE, SCHUL, GOEBEL, BURKHARDT, KELLER, SPANGLER, SPOON, MEREDITH, GRIMES, GREENFIELD, TOOKER, GEER, STEELE, MOORE, McCORMICK, MURRAY, SHIRE, MYERS, COULTER, BRYANT, MENDENHALL, SCHIRM, WAGNER, WEILAND From Memoirs of the Miami Valley, Vol. III, 1919 Goebel p134, in bio on Harrys Edson CORNTHWAITE, it mentions "Mr. Cornthwaite was married September 15, 1891, to Emma Elisa, daughter of Martin and Ann (SCHUL) GOEBEL, farming people of Madison township, Butlr county, who lived southeast of Hamilton, where both died." Keller p102: in bio on August W. BURKHARDT, it mentions his daughter "Louisa, who married Cecil KELLER, a farmer of Oxford township." on page 369: C. R. KELLER, M. D., of Hamilton, Ohio, was born in this city, and is the son of John A. and Cami M. KELLER, both natives of Hamilton. John A., the father, is a mechanical engineer for the Black-Clawson company of this city. Doctor Keller received his early education in the schools of Hamilton, graduating from the high school in 1902. He then entered the Miami Medical college, finished the four year course and received his degree from that institution in 1906. Entering the general hospital of Cincinnati he served as an intern for eighteen months. After leaving the general hospital he became first medical assistant at the Long View hospital, which position he held for one year. In 1909 he came to Hamilton and opened an office for the practice of his profession, which practice he has continued with increasing success. In 1913, he married Grace Evelyn SPANGLER of Cincinnati, and to them were born three daughters: Carolyn, Jane and Dorothy. Doctor KELLER is a member of t! he Butler county, Ohio, State and American Medical societies, a member of both the Masonic and K. of P. lodges and of the United Presbyterian church. He has no political affiliation, being an independent voter. on pages 369/370/371: Jacob KELLER. While twenty years have passed since the death of Jacob KELLER, this sterling citizen and industrious farmer of Milford township is still well remembered by many of Butler county's older residents. For thirty-one years he lived and labored on the old Keller homestead, and during that period established a record for upright living and good citizenship. He was born in Milford township, May 20, 1836, a son of Jacob and Sarah (SPOON) KELLER, of Lancaster county, Pa. His parents had come to this locality in true pioneer style, making the journey in a wagon and arriving at their destination after a trip of several weeks. Settling in the woods, they erected a log cabin and small log stable, set about clearing the land, and eventually established a valuable property and a comfortable home. In their declining years they retired and moved to Somerville, where the father died at the age of seventy-two years, Mrs. KELLER having passed away some time previously. They! were members of the German Reformed church, and the parents of nine children: John, who married Elizabeth MEREDITH and made his home at Stanford, Ind.; Samuel, who spent most of his life in Milford township, but died at Somerville, in 1914, married, first, Rebecca GRIMES, second, Mary GREENFIELD, and third, Elizabeth TOOKER, the last-named being at present a resident of Somerville; Solomon, who lived for many years at Oxford, Ohio, but died at Somerville, married, first, Elizabeth GEER and second, Mrs. Catherine STEELE; Susan, deceased, who was the wife of the late Reuben MOORE; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Levi McCORMICK; Kate, who died young; Jacob; George, deceased, who married Mary MURRAY, also deceased, and lived for years in Preble county, Ohio; and Henry, the father of Oliver KELLER of Somerville, a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this volume. For his second wife, Jacob KELLER, sr., married in March, 1888, Barbara, widow of Philip SHIRE. Her fi! rst husband was born in Germany and in young manhood came to the Unite d States and located at Trenton, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming. Later in life he drove through to Iowa in a wagon and after a trip of four weeks arrived at his destination near West Point. There he secured a farm and settled down to agricultural pursuits, but died one year later. Mrs. KELLER was born in Germany and was a young woman when she accompanied her father to the United States. The family settled at Miltonville, Ohio, in which locality Mrs. Keller's father continued to be engaged in farming during the rest of his life. He had two daughters: Mrs. KELLER; and Margaret, the widow of Lewis MYERS, of Kokomo, Ind. Jacob KELLER, the younger, received his education in the home schools, which he attended only during the short winter terms, the summers being passed in assisting his father on the home farm. He was married in August, 1859, to Elizabeth SHIRES, who was born near Trenton, Ohio, and after marriage they located east of Somerville, Ohio, where they res! ided for nine years. In 1868 they removed to the old Keller homestead in Milford township, and there Mr. KELLER continued to be engaged in farming until his death, April 21, 1899, he being buried at Oxford cemetery. In politics Mr. KELLER was a Democrat, and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he attended at Oxford. He was a man of high principles and excellent character, and well merited the respect and confidence in which he was held. He and Mrs. Keller became the parents of three children: Emma M. Annie Mary and George W. Emma M. KELLER married Samuel Coulter, who was born in Milford township, a son of John COULTER, and always lived as a farmer in that township, where his death occurred in August, 1899. There were two children in the family: Roy E., a farmer of Oxford township, who married Mabel BRYANT; and Lynn Nelson, who died at the age of three and one-half year; Annie Mary KELLER has never married, and continues to make her hom! e with her aged mother on the homestead in Milford township, a devoted daughter and excellent housekeeper. George W. KELLER has always been a farmer on the homestead, where he now resides, a good manager and skilled agriculturist. He married Carrie MENDENHALL, and they have three children: Glen Mendenhall; Frank Donald, who served in the 72d Field Artillery, at Camp Knox; and Lois Elizabeth. Mrs. Jacob KELLER, who survives her husband and lives on the homestead, is an old and well-known resident of this community and during her long residence here has made and maintained numerous friends. The Oliver KELLER bio was posted in a previous e-mail. on page 618: in bio on John Andrew SCHIRM, it mentions he "attended the public schools of Amanda, O., and lived at home until his marriage, in February, 1889, to Mary WAGNER, of New York state, a daughter of Peter and Caroline (KELLER) WAGNER. The parents of Mrs. SCHIRM wereborn in Germany and came to the United States in 1861, and to Middletown, O., in 1869." on page 763, in bio on Philip WEILAND, it mentions "in 1895, Mr. WEILAND married Anna, daughter of Joseph and Emma KELLER, of Hamilton, where Mr. KELLER followed the trade of cooper for some years. There were eleven children in the KELLER family." Gary King Batavia IL -----Original Message----- From: Don Goebel <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, 7 Apr 2005 17:03:44 -0700 Subject: [OHBUTLER-L] Memoirs of the Miami Valley I have appreciated your efforts in putting the various lookups from the subject book on this site for all of us to read. When you can find the time, would look up the following for me: Conarroe p371, Connaroe p365, Connarroe p782, Goebel p134, Keller p102, 369, 370, 371, 372, 618, 763, Mendenhall p147, 371, 476, 477, 784, Theiss 708, 709 and Thiess p368. I realize that is a rather extensive list but I would appreciate anything that you can lookup, as your time permits. Respectfully, Don Goebel

Surnames: MENDENHALL, REEVES, JOHNSON, ROBERTS, PUGH, WILSON, SMITH, WITHROW, HART, BENNETT, CRIST, KELLER From Memoirs of the Miami Valley, Vol. III, 1919 Mendenhall p147: in bio on Francis M. CRIST, it mentions "he was married in 1886 to Nora M., daughter of Nathan MENDENHALL of Wayne township, and following his marriage took up his residence one-half mile from his present place in Wayne township." on page 371: in bio on Jacob KELLER, it mentions George W. KELLER "married Carrie MENDENHALL." Pleease see the bio of Jacob KELLER previously posted. on page 476/477: Elmer Mendenhall. It is not worth while here to expatiate in cant phraseology upon the well known reputation of Quakers for honesty, integrity and reliability, but it may be justifiable to state that perhaps the mental and moral constitution of Elmer MENDENHALL is an inheritance from the fine old Ouaker stock from which he is descended. Mr. MENDENHALL, who is engineer at the plant of the Sorg Paper Manufacturing company, was born at West Elkton, Ohio, a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (REEVES) MENDENHALL. The family was founded among the earliest of this section of the Miami valley by the great-grandfather of Elmer, Elijah MENDENHALL, who came to Ohio from Georgia and settled at West Elkton. There he rounded out an honorable career, was laid to rest in the Mendenhall private burial ground. Marmaduke MENDENHALL, son of Elijah, married Elizabeth JOHNSON; and they became the parents of the following children: Elijah, the father of Elmer; Nathan and Martha, who are deceased; Ha! nnah who is now Mrs. Walter ROBERTS, of Somerville; Joseph, deceased; William, a resident of Camden, Ohio; and three children who died in infancy. There were five children in the family of Elijah and Elizabeth MENDENHALL, namely: Elmer; Harvey, who resides in Indiana; Lindley, living at Gratis, Ohio; Martha, who is deceased; and Etta, the wife of Charles PUGH, of Gratis. Elmer MENDENHALL obtained a public school education at West Elkton, and when just past boyhood began to learn his trade. He proved an apt pupil and mastered his vocation, since which time his advancement has been consecutive and satisfying. For several years past he has been engineer at the Sorg Paper company's plant at Middletown, where his services have been highly appreciated by his employers. Mr. MENDENHALL is rather retiring in disposition, but that he enjoys the friendship and comradeship of his fellows is shown in the fact that he holds membership in several fraternal organizations, among them t! he Knights of Pythias, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics a nd the Modern Woodmen of America. His political adherence is with the Republican party. Mr. MENDENHALL was married June 19, 1895, to Emma Elizabeth, daughter of James WILSON and Marietta (SMITH) WITHROW, of Seven Mile, Ohio. Her grandfather, Robert P. WITHROW, was one of the early settlers near Seven Mile, where he donated the ground for the Methodist church, and he and Mrs. MENDENHALL's great-uncles built the structure. Mrs. Mendenhall's mother died March 23,1895, and she, as the only daughter, assumed the mother's duties in bringing up the boys in the family. Three brothers had died in infancy, but there were six living: Robert, a resident of Somerville, Ohio; Fred, who lives at Middletown; Minor, living at Darrtown; Carl, whose home is in South Dakota; Tony, who resides at Hamilton; and Herschel, who succumbed to the influenza epidemic in December, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. MENDENHALL there have been born three sons: Earl DeWitt, Shirley Elijah and Lindley Clifford. Ea! rl DeWitt MENDENHALL possesses much musical talent and prior to enlisting in the United States Navy, where he was assistant band master on the battleship Arkansas, was particularly active in church work. He married Mary HART, of Houtzdale, Pa. Shirley Elijah MENDENHALL entered the United States Aviation Corps, and after training at San Antonio, Texas, was sent in July, 1918, to France, as corporal in the 107th Photo Section, U. S. Air Service, A. E. F. While home on a furlough from San Antonio he was united in marriage with Malvina BENNETT. Lindley Clifford MENDENHALL is attending the Middletown High school. The family resides in its splendid home on Eleventh street. They are members of the Methodist church. on page 784: in bio on John T. WITHROW, it mentions his sister "Susan, now Mrs. John MENDENHALL." Gary King Batavia IL -----Original Message----- From: Don Goebel <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, 7 Apr 2005 17:03:44 -0700 Subject: [OHBUTLER-L] Memoirs of the Miami Valley I have appreciated your efforts in putting the various lookups from the subject book on this site for all of us to read. When you can find the time, would look up the following for me: Conarroe p371, Connaroe p365, Connarroe p782, Goebel p134, Keller p102, 369, 370, 371, 372, 618, 763, Mendenhall p147, 371, 476, 477, 784, Theiss 708, 709 and Thiess p368. I realize that is a rather extensive list but I would appreciate anything that you can lookup, as your time permits. Respectfully, Don Goebel

Surnames: THEISS, COOPER, WEIMAN, BRUCKS, EMSFIELD, FLIN, HOLDEN, MAIER, STENGEL, STORCK, GLICK, KAUTZ From Memoirs of the Miami Valley, Vol. III, 1919: Theiss 708/709: Jacob THEISS, superintendent of the Butler County Infirmary, has occupied this important post since 1913, and during this period has established a splendid record for public service of a capable and conscientious character. Mr. THEISS was born at Hamilton, Ohio, March 19, 1864, a son of Jacob and Barbara (COOPER) THEISS. His parents, natives of Germany, came to the United States as young people and settled at Hamilton, where the father followed his trade of maltster until his death in 1879, at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. THEISS, who survives her husband, still resides at Hamilton, and is a member of St. John's Evangelical church. There were seven children in the family: Carrie, who died in 1915 as the wife of Fred WEIMAN; Lucy, of Hamilton, the widow of Charles BRUCKS; William, connected with the Cincinnati Brewing company, at Hamilton; Jacob; John, who followed the trade of boiler maker until his death in 1906; Minnie, the wife of John EMSFIELD of Hamilton; and Mo! llie, who died unmarried. After attending the public schools of Hamilton, Jacob THEISS learned the trade of moulder, which he followed for seven years. Having been industrious and thrifty, he accumulated sufficient capital to establish himself in business as a retail liquor dealer, and conducted a buffet for twelve years, finally disposing of his interests therein to embark in the cement contracting business. He was thus engaged for five years, when, in 1913, he received the appointment as superintendent of the Butler County Infirmary, a position which he has since filled with rare ability and sagacity. He has evidenced excellent administrative and executive capacity and during his incumbency numerous reforms have been made at the infirmary, which is now accounted one of the best governed institutions of its kind in the state. He centers his interest in the welfare of the wards of the county under his care and is constantly accomplishing things for their comfort. Durin! g his long residence in Butler county he has become widely acquainted and numbers among his many friends a number of men of prominence. Mr. THEISS was first married to Miss Mamie FLIN, of Butler county, who died in 1882, having been the mother of two children: Mamie, who is connected with a hotel at Hamilton; and Carrie, who married G. R. HOLDEN, of Walla Walla, Wash., and has three children, - Richard, Mamie and Glen B. In October, 1892, Mr. THEISS was again married, being united with Miss Anna B. MAIER, who was born at Hamilton, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Anna (STENGEL) MAIER. Her parents were born in Germany and came to the United States as young unmarried people, meeting and marrying at Hamilton. Mr. MAIER was a stone mason by trade, but for many years followed farming in Butler county. There were nine children in the MAIER family: John, a mason and farmer; Anna R., now Mrs. THEISS; Joseph, a stone mason, who died in December, 1917; William, employed as a teamster at Cincinnati; Mary, the wife of Nick STORCK of Dayton; Christ and A! ndy, teamsters at Hamilton; Margaret, who resides at Hamilton; and Celia, the wife of John GLICK, of Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. THEISS have five children: Robert J. A.; Clarence J.; Thelma M., who is attending Notre Dame university; Walter C., attending public school at Hamilton; and LeRoy M. The family belongs to St. John's Evangelical church at Hamilton. Thiess p368: in bio on Edward J. KAUTZ, it mentions "in 1906 he married Frances M. daughter of Frank THIESS, of Georgetown, and they have two children: Samuel, a sturdy little lad of six years; and Margaret, who is nine months old." Gary King Batavia IL -----Original Message----- From: Don Goebel <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, 7 Apr 2005 17:03:44 -0700 Subject: [OHBUTLER-L] Memoirs of the Miami Valley I have appreciated your efforts in putting the various lookups from the subject book on this site for all of us to read. When you can find the time, would look up the following for me: Conarroe p371, Connaroe p365, Connarroe p782, Goebel p134, Keller p102, 369, 370, 371, 372, 618, 763, Mendenhall p147, 371, 476, 477, 784, Theiss 708, 709 and Thiess p368. I realize that is a rather extensive list but I would appreciate anything that you can lookup, as your time permits. Respectfully, Don Goebel