William Anderson

As printed in 1894

WILLIAM ANDERSON, Vice-President of the Second National Bank of Hamilton, was born in Winchester, Va., January 6, 1812, being a son of Jacob and Jane (Summerville) Anderson, also natives of the Old Dominion. His paternal grandfather, Adam Anderson, was a native of Sweden, but emigrated thence to America in early manhood and served as a soldier during the Revolution. At the close of the war he settled in Virginia, where he and his wife reared a family of five children, viz.: Jacob, John, Adam, Peter and Hannah, the latter being the wife of Alfred Windel.

In Winchester, the town where he was born, Jacob Anderson learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed for a time. Later he settled on a farm near that city, and there he continued to reside until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty-five years. His wife departed this life when seventy-five years old. They were the parents of ten children, the eldest of whom died in childhood. Nine attained years of maturity, as follows: John, who died at the age of thirty-one; Jacob, James, Henry and George, who died in Virginia; Eliza Jane, who married Barnett Van Horn and died in the Old Dominion; William, of this sketch; Mary Ann, Mrs. Isaac Dick, who died in Virginia; and Isaac, who passed away at the age of twenty-one. The mother of this family was a devoted Christian and a sincere member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the long period of fifty-two years. The father, while not a church member, was a man of exemplary character, thoughtful and considerate in his family, and generous to those in need.

The subject of this sketch was reared in Winchester, and during his boyhood days worked on a farm. He was the recipient of meager educational advantages, owing to the comparatively low and defective system of education that then prevailed, and did not have the facilities afforded him that the children of the present day enjoy. Nevertheless, possessing an active and inquiring turn of mind and a taste for reading, he has in a great measure remedied the defect in his early training and is therefore a well informed man, who converse fluently and intelligently upon the current topics of the day.

Early in life Mr. Anderson learned the trade of a saddler. March 29, 1836, he married Miss Rachel, daughter of James Carter, proprietor of the Red Bud Paper Mill. In June, 1836, he went to Marysville, Ky., and in November of the same year removed thence to Butler County, Ohio, where he was employed at his trade for the ensuing five years. Some time afterward he engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business at Hamilton, first alone, and later in partnership with Samuel Snively, the firm name being Anderson & Snively. The junior member being a tanner by trade, the firm erected and carried on a tanyard. They also engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, operating the first wholesale factory of that kind in Hamilton, and giving employment to thirty hands. Some time later they sold out the store, then disposed of the factory, and afterward retired from the tannery business and dissolved the partnership. Mr. Anderson then became interested in milling, being a member of the firm of Tanquary & Anderson. In 1864 the mill was destroyed by fire, entailing a gross loss of $31,000 and a net loss of $20,000, but, undaunted by the misfortune, the firm at once purchased another mill and continued business. A few years ago Mr. Anderson gave his interest in the mill to his son-in-law and withdrew from all active connection with the enterprise.

Of the Second National Bank Mr. Anderson was one of the original stockholders, also became a Director early in its history, and in 1872 was chosen Vice-President, which position he has since occupied. In politics he is a Republican, but takes no more active interest in party matters than to cast his ballot at local and national elections. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and for eighteen years has been an Elder. His residence is pleasantly located on the northwest corner of Ross and E Streets. It is tastefully furnished, one of its principal attractions being a large and choice library of carefully selected books.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had two children, but have been bereaved by the death of both. Alberta J. married Rev. Henry M. Richardson and died in Oswego, N. Y. Virginia C., who became the wife of George K. Shaffer, died m Hamilton in October, 1888, after having had four children, namely: Bertie E., Lee A., Rachael C. (who died in October, 1888), and Virginia M. Mr. Anderson has now reached a time of life when he can reflect with pleasure upon the events of his active and useful career; when, in the twilight of existence, he can mediate upon the past without remorse, but with the feeling° that he has done his duty to his fellow-men and his God. He is highly esteemed by the people among whom so many years of his life has been passed, and is deserving of his wide popularity.

HENRY STAMY EARIIART derives both pleasure and profit from the management of his estate, located about one mile and a quarter from College Corner, in Oxford Township. He manifests much energy and good judgment in business matters, together with the kindliness and general intelligence which command the respect and honor of all with whom he comes in contact.

The date of our subject’s birth in Preble County, this state, was February 15, 1847. His parents were Benjamin and Elizabetli (Search) Earhart, the former having been born January 31, 1821, in Lancaster County, Pa., and the mother in Somerville, this state, in 1829. They were married in the above place on Christmas Day, 1845. There Benjamin Earhart engaged in the mercantile business, carrying on a very profitable trade until about thirty years of age. He then disposed of his interest in the business, and decided to devote his time and attention to farm* pursuits. His first and second experiences in this line were not successful, and each time he returned to his mercantile business, recuperated himself financially, and again tried his fortune as a farmer. His last venture, however, was an eminently successful one, and he is to-day one of the wealthy agriculturists of this section.

A peculiar circumstance in the Earhart family was the fact that the grandfather was four times married, and by each of the first three unions there were born one daughter and two sons; by the fourth was born one son, making him the father of ten children. Our subject’s father was the second child of the second marriage, and, like all the members of the family, is ripe in years and hale and hearty. He lives on the Richmond Pike, Milford Township, Butler County. By his marriage with Miss Search there were born thirteen children, seven of whom are still living. Henry S. of this sketch was the eldest of the family; Mary became the wife of William Booth, and makes her home at Rushville, Ind.; Laura married Aaron Ridenou, and lives in College Corner; Ann was the next in order of birth; Emma is the wife of James Shera, and is living on a farm near College Corner; Catherine became Mrs. Isaac N. Smith, and makes her home in Union County, Ind.; Sallie died at the age of eleven years; Allie, who is also deceased, passed away when in her ninth year; James and John, twins, died in infancy; Benjamin F., Jr., lives in Preble County, this state; and Rosa, whose twin sister died in infancy, is the wife of William Falk, and resides near Somerville, on the old homestead, where the parents still live.

The original of this sketch received a good education in the schools of this county, and in 1869 went to Kansas, where he spent one year at Burlingham. On the expiration of that time he returned home, and the following spring formed a partnership with R. A. Young, and engaged in the hardware business at Casey, Clark County, In. This proved a successful enterprise, and for nearly three years Mr. Earhart gave his attention to the business. Then having an opportunity to sell his interest to good advantage, he did so, and returning home engaged in farming, in which pursuit he has been engaged ever since. His estate includes sixty-seven and one-half acres near College Corner on which he has done much work in the way of development, and in due course of time has accumulated a comfortable competence.

The marriage of Mr. Earhart with Miss Maggie Stroud was celebrated September 12, 1876. The lady was a native of Madison County, Ind., but at the time of her marriage was living in Casey, Ill., where she was reared from a child. Her father, James Stroud, was a soldier during the late war, and died in a hospital at Little Rock, Ark., from typhoid pneumonia fever. Her mother, formerly Eunice Gordon, is still living at Casey, Ill.

To our subject and his most estimable wife there has been born a family of seven children, one of whom, an infant, is deceased. Those living are James M., Daisy, Sina, Maude, Eunice, and an infant. Mr. Earhart located upon his present estate December 3, 1877, and consequently is well known throughout this locality. With his wife, he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church at College Corner, of which he has been Trustee and Steward during his residence here. The building is located on a portion of his farm, and was the first erected by that denomination in this section. Mr. Earhart is well informed on political questions, and until four years ago voted for Democratic candidates. He is now a Prohibitionist.

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.