In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1905) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1824, Reilv township
From Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905), Memorial record of Butler County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of representative citizens of the county together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States (1894)
AMES W. FYE. Almost the entire life of this gentleman, covering a period of more than three-score years and ten, has been passed in this county, and naturally he has a very large circle of acquaintances among the residents of this part of the state. His life career has been characterized by industry, perseverance and energy. He commenced without means, and his first work on a farm brought him only the meager sum of eighteen cents per day. But he was young, ambitious and determined, and success came to him in an ever-increasing measure as the years passed by. As the result of judicious management, he was enabled some years ago to purchase one of the finest farms of the county, a valuable property, for which he paid $17,000, and which he still owns. He occupies an elegant residence in Hamilton, in which he expects to spend his remaining years.
In Riley Township, Butler County, the subject of this biography was born April 29, 1824. His parents, John and Catherine (Baugher) Eye, were born, reared and married in Rockingham County, Va. The father, after engaging for some years as an agriculturist of the Old Dominion, removed to Ohio, and settled in Butler County about 1814, becoming one of the early settlers in that locality. His death occurred when James W. was very young. His wife, who survived him for many years, died at the age of eighty-nine. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and reared her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. There were nine in the family, but at present only three survive, namely: Samuel, of St. Charles; James W.; and David, a resident of College Corner.
Our subject’s father dying when lie was young, he has never been able to gain the genealogical record of his paternal ancestors. His maternal grandfather was named John Baugher and was a native of Germany. On emigrating to America he made settlement in Rockingham County, Va., where his death occurred at an advanced age. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and a loyal citizen of his adopted country.
Reared in Butler County, our subject worked on a farm until he was fifteen years of age. On account of his father’s death he was obliged to leave home when thirteen and begin the battle of life for himself. Saving his earnings, he went to school, and at the age of fifteen received a certificate to teach. His first term was taught in Morgan Township, this county, and in return for his services he received $40 for three months, of which he paid $10 for board, leaving him $30 for his quarter’s work. For eight successive winter seasons he taught school, the intervening summers being devoted to carpenter work. He then bought a general store in the village of Scipio, which he conducted for three years. Afterward selling out, he removed to Peoria, Ind., where he was similarly engaged for eight years. On his return to Butler County, he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres, five miles west of Hamilton, for which he paid $17,000, as above stated. He continued actively engaged in farm pursuits until 1874, when he retired from the business, rented his farm and came to Hamilton. Here he purchased a grocery business, which he conducted successfully for fourteen years, and since selling out lie has lived in retirement.
In October, 1852, Mr. Fye was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Brundrett, daughter of Robert and Catherine Brundrett. Five children were born to them, Albert R., Walter James, John Harvey, Eugene Monroe and Florence Adelaide. The eldest son lost his life in a street car accident at St. Joseph, Mo., where he was in business. His wife, who is also deceased, was Miss Adel Manning, and they had one child, James W. Walter, whose home is in Avondale, Ohio, is a traveling salesman for a tobacco house in Chicago. He married Miss Ada Knott, and they have three children, Louise, Hart and Genevieve. John married Miss Hattie Staley, and they live in Clarksburg, Va.; they have one son, John Harvey. Eugene Monroe married Miss Mary Hall Keeley, and they have three children, Cornelia, Florence Adelaide and Eleanor K.; they reside in Oxford, this county. Florence Adelaide, the only daughter, is the wife of Thomas H. Whettemore, of Cincinnati.
The religious membership of our subject and his wife is in the Presbyterian Church, in which he officiated as Trustee. Prior to the war he advocated Democratic principles, but the condition of public affairs at that time caused him to change his views, and he has since given his influence to the Republican party. He owns, besides his residence, five other houses in Hamilton, and the value of his realty is steadily increasing. As a citizen he takes a warm interest in everything tending to the development of the place, and gives his hearty co-operation to public-spirited measures.
As printed in Memorial record of Butler County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of representative citizens of the county together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JAMES W. FYE was born in Reilv township, Butler county, Ohio, April 29, 1824. His parents were early settlers of Butler county, having emigrated from Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1814. When James was fifteen years of age he received a teacher’s certificate and. afterward taught school in the winter and farmer in the summer until the year 1852. In October, 1852, he was married to Miss Sarah Brundrette, of Mt. Carmel, Franklin county, Indiana. Shortly afterward he purchased a farm near Hamilton, Ohio, on which he resided for about ten years. He then removed to Hamilton and embarked in the grocery business, in which he had had experience for a time at Scipio some years earlier. He continued in business in Hamilton for nearly thirty years, or until 1892, when he retired from active life. Mr. Fye's grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier and his father fought in the war of 1812. After the death of Mrs. Fye, Mr. Fye gave up his residence in Hamilton and resided with his children until his death, July 7, 1903, aged seventy-nine years, two months and eight days. Mr. Fye was a devout Christian and was universally esteemed for his noble qualities. He is survived by four children, three sons and one daughter.
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.
Named in this biography: David Crawford
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.