Jacob Henry Shollenbarger

As printed in 1905

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 Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.