Benjamin M. Engle
Benjamin M. Engle, miller; P. O., Dayton. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch is one of the staunch, energeticmen that has made Montgomery County what it is to-day. His father, Jacob, was a native of Lancaster Co., Pa., and possessed a common school education and was brought up to farm labor. He was united in marriage with Anna Moyer, daughter of Benjamin Moyer. They were the parents of eight children, viz.: Benjamin M., Tobias, Abraham M., Jacob M., Elizabeth, Anna, Laah, Martha. Mr. Engle moved to Illinois and located in Stephenson County near Freeport, remaining two years, and on account of having bad health, returned to Ohio and settled near Little York, Butler Township, this county, where he remained until his death in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Engle were both members of the River Brethren Church. Benjamin, the subject of this biography, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., March 3, 1827. He assisted his father until he was 20 years of age, and commenced battling with the world for himself, first engaging in the cultivation of tobacco. He was united in marriage with Catherine Winger, in 1851. Catherine was the daughter of Rev. Christian Winger, a native of Lebanon Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Engle had eleven children, of whom nine are now living, viz.: Elizabeth, Anna, Catharine, Jennie, Effie, John H., Daniel W., Benjamin, Rolla M. He moved to Illinois with his father and engaged in farming. He accompanied his father back to Ohio and again rented of him until he associated himself with John Turner, and engaged in the manufacturing of flour, with remarkable success, soon being able to purchase the interest of Mr. Turner. Mr. Engle started in the world without anything, and by being temperate and industrious in his habits, has accumulated a large amount of property, both personal and real estate, and is now enjoying many of the comforts and luxuries of life which he has earned by the hard toil of the past years of his life.
From The History of Montgomery County, Ohio, W.H. Beers & Co., 1882