The Shollenbarger Family of Butler County, Ohio

WILLIAM F. SHOLLENBARGER. The name introducing this narrative is that of an agriculturist of more than ordinary skill and ability. A man of quick, keen perceptions, and possessing a clear insight into the best methods of tilling the soil, he knows well how to apply these principles so as to produce the best results, and in his harvest fields larger crops of grain are grown to the acre than is usual, even in this highly productive region. His farm is situated on section 5, Milford Township, and comprises one hundred and fifty-six acres of as desirable land as may be found in Butler County. To its cultivation he devotes his entire attention, and with the most flattering results, for through the proper rotation of crops and fertilization of the soil he has increased the moneyed value of the land.

A native of this county, Mr. Shollenbarger was born in Ross Township, January 31, 1836, being the eldest of the family of nine children born to the union of Daniel and Elizabeth (Smith) Shollenbarger. His boyhood years were uneventfully passed on the home farm and in the neighboring school, where he was the recipient of the somewhat limited educational advantages common to that day. After attaining his majority he continued to reside in the parental home until he was twenty-eight, when he established domestic ties. February 10, 1862, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Kapp, an estimable lady residing in Milford Township. She was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Elizabeth (Ream) Kapp, who in an early day removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled on section 8, Milford Township, Butler County, where she was born and reared and where her parents remained until death. Her birth occurred September 7, 1842, and she continued a resident of Milford Township, well known in its social circles, and highly esteemed for her many noble qualities, until she passed from earth, July 9, 1891, when forty-eight years old. While all mourned her loss, it was in her home that she was most deeply missed, for her happiness had centered in the welfare of her family. Her children, three in number, are Kate E., wife of George Phares, a farmer residing in Preble County, Ohio; William Luther, who is a student in Miami University at Oxford, belonging to the Class of ’96; and Bertha Belle, a brilliant young lady of fifteen, who remains with her father.

After his marriage Mr. Shollenbarger rented a farm for a period of ten years, and meanwhile, saving his earnings, he was enabled to purchase his present place, which is known as the “old Greenwood farm.” The firmness of his character and the fidelity with which he clings to what he believes to be the right, are proved by the fact that, though his township gives a large Democratic majority and his neighbors are, with very few exceptions, allies of that political organization, he never serves from his allegiance to the Republican party, but ever supports its doctrines and cases his ballot for its candidates. Township and community value him for his good citizenship. He is a man of excellent sense and wise discretion, and has a thoroughly practical knowledge of his work. He is never behind his fellow-citizens in contributing his quota to the material improvement of the township, and has been of great assistance in bringing about its present high reputation as an agricultural center. In religious belief he is a Lutheran and holds membership in the church at Darrtown. In 1862 he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is now a member of Covenant Lodge at Somerville, in which he has passed all the chairs.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DAVID S. SHOLLENBARGER. One of the most attractive rural abodes of Butler County is that owned and occupied by the gentleman above named. It is situated in Milford Township, one-half mile west of Darrtown, and comprises one hundred and ninety acres of fertile soil under excellent cultivation, and supplied with a complete line of substantial farm buildings. Having been for years under the control of one who has made agriculture his life work, it bears in every part the appearance of a well regulated estate.

Both the paternal and material ancestors of our subject were represented in Butler County at an early period in its settlement. His grandparents, Daniel and Catherine Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio some time during the ’20s, and settled in Hanover Township, Butler County, near the northeast corner of the township. Later they removed to Oxford Township, where their closing years were passed. Grandfather Smith departed this life February 20, 1861, aged eighty-four years, six months and twenty days. His wife died August 6, 1847, aged sixty-eight years, seven months and ten days.

Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Smith, became the wife of Daniel Shollenbarger about 1834. He was born January 9, 1809, in North Carolina, to which state his father, Frederick, had removed from Pennsylvania. In 1815, when he was six years old, the family came to Ohio and settled in Butler County, three miles west of Hamilton, where the grandparents remained until death. In 1850 Daniel removed from that place to Oxford Township, and in 1857 came to the farm where our subject now resides. Here he died in October of 1868. His widow survived him thirteen years, her death occurring in 1881, at the age of seventy years. He followed the trade of a carpenter until advanced in years, when he was afflicted with rheumatism to such an extent as to prevent active manual labor.

The family of which our subject is a member consisted of nine children, of whom eight attained years of maturity and seven are now living. One brother, Daniel, died in Tipton, Ind., in 1890. A sister, Sophia, married John Keil, and both died here soon after the war. Her family now resides at Ft. Wayne, Ind. Her son, Capt. Fred Keil, has recently published a history of the noted regiment, the Thirty-fifth Ohio. Our subject was born in Ross Township, Butler County, two miles west of Hamilton, where his grandfather, Frederick, settled in 1815. The date of his birth was July 27, 1837. In youth he was trained to farm work, and arriving at man’s estate those agriculture as his life occupation. He was a young man when the Rebellion broke out and calls were made for volunteers who would defend the Old Flag and preserve the Union. He enlisted at Hamilton, August 18, 1862, his name being enrolled as a member of Company C, Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry. With his regiment he marched to the front and participated in a number of hard-fought contests with the enemy. At Chickamauga he was wounded in the right cheek and shoulder, and was captured by the enemy, who held him for fifty-seven days, three weeks of the time being spent on the battlefield and the remaining days in Libby and other prisons. His health was seriously injured through his sufferings in the damp and cheerless prisons, and he was obliged to spend about two weeks in a hospital at Richmond. On his return to the Union army he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company D, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, at Larkinsville, Ala., and at Chattanooga was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, in which capacity he rendered valiant service from April 19, 1865, until his discharge at Columbus, September 30, 1865. The months immediately preceding his discharge had been spent in doing guard duty between Chattanooga, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga., he being on post duty at the latter place some time.

February 6, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. Shollenbarger and Miss Emma Beckett, a native of Hanover Township, and daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hill) Beckett. They have had four children, namely: Elizabeth, who died at the age of six years; Paul Daniel, whose death occurred at four years of age; Edith, an accomplished young lady of seventeen years; and Ralph, who is in his thirteenth year. The family holds membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Darrtown, in which Mr. Shollenbarger is an Eider. He exercises the right of suffrage in favor of the principles and candidates of the Republican party. He and his wife have many warm friends, and their pleasant home is a favorite gathering place for the best people in the neighborhood.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JACOB H. SHOLLENBARGER.

Among the representative citizens of Butler county the subject of this sketch can be appropriately numbered, as he has long enjoyed distinctive prestige in business circles and for many years was one of the leading agriculturists of the township in which he made his home. As the name indicates, Jacob H. Shollenbarger is of German lineage, not only on the paternal side, but also on the material, his mother's ancestors coming to America many years ago from Geisen, Germany, and settling in the state of North Carolina. The subject’s grandfather was Frederick Shollenbarger, and his grandmother, before her marriage, was Mary C. Scholanch, her grandmother, Mrs. Klein, being the native of Geisen referred to above.

Frederick Shollenbarger immigrated to the United States in 1815, and settled near Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, where he purchased land and developed the farm on which he continued to live until death called him hence. His son Daniel, who was reared on this place, cultivated it until 1850, when he moved to Oxford township, his death occurring in Milford township in the year 1868. He married Elizabeth Smith, of Butler county, and became the father of nine children, seven of whom survive, the subject of this review being one of the number. Daniel Shollenbarger and wife were devout members of the Lutheran church at Darrtown and are remembered as a most excellent and praiseworthy couple, whose influence was potent for good and whose lives exemplified, the purity and great practical values of the religious faith which they professed.

Jacob H. Shollenbarger, the sixth of his parents’ nine children, was born in Ross county,. Ohio, April 28, 1845, and received his early training at the family homestead in Milford township, the time during his childhood and youth being divided between work in the fields and attending the public schools. He acquired a good practical education and at the early age of seventeen entered the service of his country, enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry, with which he experienced the fortunes and vicissitudes of war until honorably discharged in November of the year 1864. His command operated chiefly in Virginia and its principal service consisted of guard duty, which was discharged so faithfully and efficiently as to elicit honorable mention from President Lincoln, who at different times had occasion to compliment and praise the soldiers on their bravery and gallantry.

At the expiration of his period of enlistment, Mr. Shollenbarger resumed farming in Butler county and continued the same until 1889, since which time he has devoted his attention principally to buying and shipping grain and live stock, doing an extensive and lucrative business. He also owns a half interest in a large general store at Collinsville, which has a lucrative and far-reaching patronage, and in addition thereto is a heavy stockholder in the Miami Valley National Bank, of which he was one of the founders and to the success of which he has contributed ever since its organization went into effect. From the establishment of this solid and popular financial institution to the present time Mr. Shollenbarger has been a member of its board of directors and today there is but one man besides himself connected with the bank who assisted in its organization.

Mr. Shollenbarger has been a leading spirit in the town of Collinsville, every enterprise for the improvement and upbuilding of the place, materially or otherwise, receiving his sanction and support. He was appointed postmaster in 1879 an(* has served as such ever since, conducting the office in an able and straightforward business-like manner, and proving at all times not only an efficient and judicious but an exceedingly courteous and popular official. Financially he has met with success commensurate with the energy, intelligence and good judgment manifested in all of his undertakings and he is today one of the well-to-do reliable men of the county, his fortune being among the largest in his part of the country and his influence in monetary and general business circles far-reaching and second to that of few of his contemporaries. Mr. Shollenbarger’s many conduct and honorable dealings have given him a wide reputation throughout Butler county and other parts of southeastern Ohio and wherever known his name is as good as his bond, while among his immediate neighbors and friends he stands a conspicuous example of the sterling business man and enterprising citizen of the times. Resourceful, as he is energetic, far-seeing and progressive, he keeps in mind the future in present action, and has the satisfaction of knowing that few if any of his well-laid plans have failed and that, in the fain. abundant success has crowned his efforts. Like all broad-minded men, he has not been unmindful of the claims of religion or neglectful of his duty and obligation to his Maker, being a firm believe in the Holy

Scriptures and a consistent followed of the Man of Nazareth. He was blessed with pious parents who reared him according to the rather strict teachings of the Lutheran church, and the influence of this training had much to do in forming his character and fitting him for effective service in the earnest Christian life he has since led. He has held membership with the church at Darrtown for a number of years, and at the present time is an elder of the congregation, also one of its most influential workers and liberal supporters from a financial point of view. Mr. Shollenbarger's activity in business circles and his continued interest in public affairs naturally led him into the domain of politics and, like every intelligent citizen with the welfare of his county. state and nation at heart, he is well grounded in his principles and an earnest supporter of the party with which identified. A reader from his youth and a student of political history, he was early convinced that the Republican party had a great and important mission, consequently he gave it his allegiance and ever since attaining his majority has been one of its zealous adherents. He has represented his township at different times on the county central committee, where he rendered valuable service as an organizer and untiring worker, has been a delegate to a number of nominating conventions and other public assemblage, but has persistently refused to run for office, although well qualified to fill with credit any position of honor and trust within the gift of the people.

Elizabeth Alice Young, who became the wife of Mr. Shollenbarger in 1873. was born in August, 1855, a,1(l received her education in the public schools and the female college at Oxford, Ohio. She is a lady of intelligence, culture and refinement, enjoys worthy prestige in the best social circles of the community and, like her husband, is a consistent and respected member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shollenbarger, the oldest of whom, a son by the name of Harry \V., entered the Miami National Bank of Hamilton, at the early age of thirteen years, and has been connected with the institution ever since, by successive promotions working himself from a subordinate clerkship to his present responsible position of assistant cashier. He is a young man of fine attainments and splendid business ability, an accomplished accountant and by honorable and upright course of conduct has won the confidence and esteem of his employers. Albert Y.. the second son, also an intelligent and thoroughly reliable young man, is proprietor of a livery barn in the city of Hamilton, and doing a prosperous business: Nellie, the third in order of birth, married \Y. G. Jones and lives at Collinsville, where her husband has charge of the railroad station, being agent and operator, also assistant postmaster under his father-in-law; Earl, the next in succession, is a carpenter and builder,. working at his trade in the town of Glasgow, Montana: Mary is deceased, while Valora and Ruth, the youngest members of the family, are with their parents.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALBERT Y. SHOLLENBARGER.

The subject of this sketch is junior member of the firm of Shollenbarger Brothers, who conduct a well-equipped and popular livery in the city of Hamilton, and not only is he known as one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of the place, but he is also a schon of one of the sterling pioneer families of the county.

Albert Young Shollenbarger was born in the village of Collinsville, this county, on the 2d of September, 1875. and is a son of Jacob H. and Alice (Young) Shollenbarger, both of whom were likewise born in this county, and they still reside on the farm, m Milford township. The subject of this review passed his boyhood days on the homestead farm, and his educational discipline was secured in the public schools of Collinsville. At the age of nineteen years he engaged in the livery business at Oxford, this county, where he continued in this line of enterprise for the ensuing six years, being successful in his efforts. On the ist of June. 1899, he came to Hamilton and formed a partnership with his brother Harry in the purchase and equipment of a fine livery stable at 328 Maple avenue, where they Had a large and valuable stock of horses and vehicles and controlled large and remunerative business, the enterprise being under the management of our subject, who is thor-. oughly familiar with all its details and able to maintain the same at the highest standard. On the Toth of May. 19O3, this barn was destroyed by fire, together with all its contents, including forty-eight horses, about seventy-five carriages, together with other vehicles and equipments and a large amount of feed, entailing a loss of fifty thousand dollars, with but little insurance indemnity. The loss was divided between the two interested principals and a number of patrons whose horses and carriages were kept in the stables, the loss on the two sides being about equal. The fire occurred on Sunday, and on the following Friday the firm purchased the present stock and resumed business, their present stables being located at No. 22 South Second street. The equipment is thoroughly modern and complete and the firm has still further added to their prestige through the misfortune which drew general attention to their business. Mr. Shollenbarger is a stanch Republican in his political ( proclivities but has never sought or desired official preferment, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

Oil the 1 2th of January, 1897. was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Shollenbarger to Miss Emma Gerber, who was born ami reared in Collinsville, this county, and of this union have been born three children, Fern. Hugh and Louis.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.