Personal Sketches G-J

German [Township]

George S. Gebhart, son of George and Margaret Gebhart, was born in German Township, April 12, 1817. Mr. Gebhart's parents were from Berks County, Pennsylvania. They came to this County, and settled on Bear Creek, about the year 1810.

George S. was the ninth child. In the year 1839, July 7, he entered into the matrimonial state, by taking to wife Magdalene, daughter of John and Julia Gephart, of Miami Township. The result of this union was fifteen children, eleven of whom are still living. On account of his father's death, which event happened when the subject of our sketch was a mere child, his opportunities for learning were slender. He was obliged to rely on his own exertions for a living, and, for the fabulous sum of six and a quarter cents per day, he commenced work and life's hard battle. By untiring industry and economy, Mr. Gebhart has obtained his broad acres and convenient and handsome houses. He indeed owns one of the best farms in the County. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and takes a strong interest in the cause of religion and education. He is a liberal donor to the Lutheran Academy that is to be erected in Germantown. He is widely and favorably known by a large circle of friends, and one in whom all have implicit confidences.

He has been a member of the Democratic party from the time he cast his first vote. He commenced life in a log cabin. That cabin still stands, and serves as a landmark to exhibit the contrast of the present time and the days of yore. May we all profit by his good and Christian example.

Albertus Geiger, M.D., was born on the 23d day of February, 1817, in Franklin County, Penn. His parents were Henry Geiger and Julia Rudebush. The early education of the Doctor was obtained by his own exertions. In 1849 he graduated from the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati. His first course of lectures was obtained at the Medical College in Cincinnati. His first course of lectures was obtained at the Medical College in Cleveland, in 1847. He came to Dayton in 1849, and began the practice of medicine. He has continued to practice in Dayton up to date (1874) and has acquired a large practice, and a reputation as a thinking and practical physician. He has found time to devote a portion of his attention to contributions to leading medical journals of the world, and attracted great attention and commendation.

He was married to Catharine Bartges, of Pennsylvania. Politically, he is a Democrat, and was the intimate friend of the lamented Vallandigham. Religiously, he is a Lutheran. He is the father of four daughters. His parents had eleven boys and one girl, concerning whom the following is interesting:

Henry D. lives near Warsaw, Ind., as a farmer
Hezekiah lives at Springfield, Ohio. Professor in Wirtemburg College.
Jeremiah lives at Millville, Butler County, Ohio. Physician.
Levi lives at Urbana, Ohio, as Attorney at Law.
John died young.
George died young, while attending College at Springfield, Ohio.
Charles died at Lima, and was a tailor by trade.
Andrew M. lives at Vanwert, Ohio. Minister of the Lutheran Church.
Washington M. lives at Springfield, Mo. Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
Urilla lives in Dayton.
Frank lives at Rolla, Mo., as Attorney at Law.

George Getter, born in Pennsylvania and residing in Jefferson Township

Miamisburg

George A. Grove, a citizen well and favorably known in this County, was born on the 25th day of August 1817, in Berks County, Pa. The time of his youth, which he spent in his native State, was chiefly applied to the acquisition of a good practical business education. He emigrated to the State of Ohio, and came to this County in the year 1836, and was employed for the first three years as a clerk in a business house.

In the year 1839, he was joined in marriage to Miss Christina Kercher, a daughter of Mr. Jacob Kercher, one of the original proprietors of Miamisburg, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to this State and County, 1808, and died in Miamisburg, 1855.

Mr. Grove first entered into business for himself in the aforesaid town, in the produce trade and shipping, which he carried on for a number of years with gratifying results. In 1855, he united with Messrs. H. Groby and E. Shultz in forming the present favorably known and successful firm of H. Groby & Co., of Miamisburg,--formerly in the lumber trade, and now in the business of banking,--a co-partnership which has existed for twenty years without any interruption, and still continues with favorable prospects for the future. Besides, Mr. Grove is largely interested in the "Miamisburg and Carrollton Hydraulic," and the extensive "Cutlery" of Hunter & Co., also located in Miamisburg.

He served his County on the Board of its Commissioners for six consecutive years, being elected to that office by a handsome majority, in 1865, when every other candidate on his (the Democratic) ticket was decidedly defeated; and he was re-elected to the same office in 1868, while his party was still in the minority. Among the other public acts and works of the Board of Commissioners, during his connection with it, which bear the impress of his influence and counsel, he looks with especial satisfaction upon the "Orphans' Home of Montgomery County," an institution to which he gave much careful attention and his utmost support, as a public officer, from its inception to its complete and successful establishment.

But the year 1866 was one of sore affliction and bereavement to the subject of this sketch. Having slowly recovered from a dangerous illness himself, his excellent and in every respect most estimable Christian wife, who had been his faithful companion for more than twenty-seven years, was stricken down with disease, and, after enduring much suffering for many months, departed this life in peace, on the 25th of September of the aforesaid year, and the fifty-first of her age.

Mr. Grove lived a widower six years, and was then again united in marriage, on the 16th of October, 1872, with Miss Sarah J. Gebbart, his present accomplished lady. Any may the grace and blessing of God attend them during a long life, is the prayer of the writer of this sketch.

James H. Hall was born on the 15th day of June, 1836, in Dayton. His parents were James Hall and Mary E. Hill. The early education of James was merely elementary. At the age of eighteen he began life for himself as an instructor of youth. He was elected County Recorder on the 14th day of October, 1873. On the 22d of September, 1856, he was married to Bridget Houlihan. Politically, he is a Democrat. Socially, he is pleasant and affable; is a man of quiet and determined manners.

Harrison [Township]

This gentleman is a namesake of his father, and now occupies the homestead upon which that father settled forty years ago. He was born in the year 1814, in Cumberland County, Pa. In 1835, Miss Sophia, daughter of William and Susanna Patton, became his bride. Their only child, Dora, at marriageable age became the companion of Mr. C. B. Mumma, who still resides a near neighbor to her father.

For thirty years the sea of life ran smoothly; but ten years ago death snatched from him his wife Sophia. But the fates decreed that he was not to remain alone. Three years later, he joined his fortunes to those of Miss Mary Creider, and the 3d of January, 1867, they sealed the nuptial bond. It is her face that is found by the side of her husband's portrait, among the illustrations of their Township. [referring to another page in L. H. Everts 1875 Combination Atlas Map] The fruits of this union have been two daughters, Ann Nora and Effie, born respectively, December 10, 1867, and January 26, 1874.

In possessions of this world, Mr. Heikes is eminently independent; the same having been achieved by hard toil and judicious management. Socially, he knows only to respect, and is known only to be respected.

Jackson [Township]

Dr. George C. Henkel, son of Rev. Andrew and Margaret Henkel, Germantown, was born July 2, 1834. His educational advantages were good. Mr. Henkel graduated in Oxford, in 1856; attended medical lectures at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and commenced the practice of his profession at Salem, in the year 1858. He moved to Farmersville in 1859, and has pursued the practice of medicine from that time until the present. He has been favored with an extensive practice. December 28, 1860, he married Catharine, daughter of John and Eliza Martin, of this County. The result from this union was four children,--three daughters and one son. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and a liberal supporter of the Gospel; he likewise takes an active part in the dissemination of learning.

Miami [Township]

The subject of our present sketch is the son of Michael and Margaret Hubler, and was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, Septemer 28, 1795. He moved with his father's family, when a child, to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. In 1814, he removed with his father to Miami Township, then Jefferson, and settled on Bear Creek, in sight of the farm on which he now resides. At the age of twenty-one, he married Miss Margaret Gephart, daughter of George and Margaret Gephart, of Jefferson Township. He lived near Bear Creek four years. The result of this marriage was six children, three of whom are now living. Mr. Hubler came here when the country was almost a wilderness. The family has been large land-holders. They have a beautuful farm, on which they now reside. Mr. Hubler was formerly a Democrat, but finally joined the Whigs; but a change came over the political spirit of his dream, and he is now a faithful Republican, and expects to die in the faith. He has been a member of the German Reformed Church since childhood. The old gentleman has lived past the Psalmist's allotted time of threescore years and ten, being now in his eightieth year. Two of his sons, George and Andrew, did good service in the late Rebellion, but George, after escaping dangers by flood and field, has surrendered to the invisible hand of death.

Miamisburg

The gentleman whose name heads this biography is the seventh son and eleventh child of Philip and Elizabeth Huiet. Simon was born August 13, 1802, in Lincoln County, North Carolina. With his father, he removed to Utica, Indiana, in the year 1806, in which place he lived one year. His health failing, he went, in 1807, to Preble County, Ohio; at this place he arrived on Christmas Eve. He moved to Miamisburg May 22, 1812, and bought land with the intention of erecting a grist- and saw-mills; erected a mill the same year, which was the second one in the Township, on Miami River; this was about six years before the present city of Miamisburg was laid out. There was then but one school-house, called "Gephart," which was a great distance from any other. Young Simon received the principal part of his education in that school-room, at which place both German and English were taught. It is said that now the same structure would hardly be considered a fit abode for pigs. They had employed a good teacher, who was paid by subscription. But Simon got but a limited education, as he had only the privilege of attending the winter terms. At the age of sixteen he had completed his studies. In the year 1823, he commenced business for himself, by hiring a saw-mill in Warren County. He started with a capital of two dollars and a half, and was obliged to very nearly rebuilt the mill and dam. He slept on the floor very often when first engaged in his work here, and ate corn-bread for this daily fare.

By the time the year 1824 came round, he came out of his mill speculation a trifle ahead.

In 1825, Mr. Huiet rebuilt his father's mill, and continued in the business two years with good success. It was about this time he entered into the bonds of marriage, by uniting himself with Miss Ellenor Syms, of Miamisburg. This pleasing event occurred October 5, 1829; from this union ten children were born, two sons and eight daughters, six of whom are now living. His next business transaction was a canal contract. He had very poor luck, and retired from it about even with the world. In 1830, he commenced boating on the canal, which occupation he pursued for five years. Now fortune condescended to smile on him; he became Captain, and came out five thousand dollars better off than at the commencement. He built a distillery in Miami, and continued to run it for five years; but now capricious is Dame Fortune! At this time he again discovered himself only even with the world. Tough times then for Simon, but his heart quailed not. He again commenced a boating life, and followed it up during twenty years, and with splendid success. In 1858 he bought a farm and tried his genius at tobacco-raising. He was favored with success. In 1862 he commenced mercantile business, and made considerable thereby; then, in 1864, he again went to farming. He removed to Miamisburg in 1865, and has resided there ever since. He now takes the world easy, and is one of the few remaining pioneers. In politics, formerly a Whig, now a strong Republican. He is a member of the German Reformed Church. He is eminently respected by his neighbors. He is now seventy-three years of age, and is hale and hearty. Mrs. Huiet is the picture of health, and she and her husband have lived nearly half a century together.

Captain George W. Jackson, born in Virginia and residing in Dayton