Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 360

JOHN REILY - First Postmaster of Hamilton, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on April 10, 1763. In 1780, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Revolutionary army and served in the southern department under General Greene.  Mr. Reily participated in the battle of Guilford Court House, which took place on March 15, 1781.  His second engagement was that of Camden.  He also participated in the siege of the town of Ninety-Six which begun on May 22, and was raised, June 18.  The last engagement in which Mr. Reily took part was the memorable and hotly contested battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, on September 8, 1781.
     Mr. Reily received a certificate of honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of enlistment, under the hand and seal of General Washington. In 1783-84 he left his home in Virginia for the wilds of Kentucky, where he made agricultural implements for the settlers, and taught school during the last year of his residence in the state.  In 1789 he emigrated to the Northwest Territory, locating at Columbia.  Mr. Reily was a member of a company of volunteers that went to the rescue of Dunlap's station, on the Miami river, near the village of Venice.
     In 1790-91, John Reily and Francis Dunlevy opened a school in Columbia, the former taking the classical department, the latter the English. This was the first school taught in the Miami country.
     John Reily moved to Hamilton in 1803.  On March 24, of the same year, the legislature of Ohio, in session at Chillicothe, passed "An act for the division of the counties of Hamilton and Ross."  Immediately following the passage of this act Butler county was organized, and John Reily was appointed clerk of the supreme court of Butler county and retained the office until May 3, 1842.  He was the first Recorder of Butler, resigning in 1811, when he was succeeded by James Heaton.  He held the office of commissioner's clerk from 1803 to 1811. He watched the financial affairs of the county with such wisdom and caution, that he was styled the guardian of the people.
     John Reily died at Hamilton, June 7, 1850, aged 87 years.  His funeral took place on the 9th from the Presbyterian church, conducted by Dr. William Davidson, of the United Presbyterian church.
     Judge Elijah Vance, a member of the constitutional convention of Ohio, at that time in session at the capital, on May 11th, announced the death of John Reily and offered a series of resolutions extolling the character and virtues of the deceased, which were unanimously passed.  A copy of the resolutions was forwarded to the family of the deceased, accompanied by a letter from W. Medill, president of the body, to Mrs. Jane H. Campbell.
Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 119

LEVI P. RICHMOND was born January 29, 1805, in Ross township, this county, and was in his forty-fifth year when he died.  On December 4, 1823, he married Martha Powers Akers.  Six children resulted from this union.  Nearly all his life was spent where he was born.  From April 1835, until October, 1841, he resided in Millville, when he removed to Rossville where he continued to reside up to the time of his death.
Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 131

ISAAC RILEY was born in Wood's Station, Butler county, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1852.  He attended district school and followed farming until 1870, when he came to Hamilton; was clerk in the Butler House for five years.  In April, 1876, he went west, where he remained until 1879.  Upon his return to Hamilton he engaged in the livery business with his father on the West Side.  In 1882 he was employed in the fire department under Chief Boose.  Afterward, he was salesman for H. C. Gray in the agricultural business; was Deputy Sheriff, for three years, under George W. St. Clair; was on the police force during Mayor Getz's administration.  In September, 1890, he was appointed Truant Officer of the public schools, which position he still retains.  He was married June 24, 1890, to Laura L. Rooke.  Mr. Riley is a man of natural ability and perseverance and has won official prominence in the discharge of his duties.
Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 445-446

Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 423

Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 423

Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 376

Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 424

S. L. ROSE - The subject of this sketch was born in Union township, Butler county, Ohio, November 20, 1865.  When he arrived at the age of five years his father removed to the old homestead where Hon. Daniel W. Voorhees was born.  Mr. Rose attended school taught by John C. Slayback until he was seventeen years old; entered Lebanon Normal University September 5, 1882, and graduated from the business and scientific departments; taught the Oak Hill school, one mile from his home; resigned this position November 20, 1886, when he was appointed Deputy Treasurer by F. W. Whitaker.  Subsequently he was employed in the office of the Clerk of Courts; was elected in 1888 principal of the Venice schools; and was forced to resign the following year on account of failing health.  He was a candidate for Recorder in 1886 in opposition to Henry C. Gray.  In a vote of 5,100 Mr. Rose received 2,300; was private secretary to James R. Smedburg, during the construction of the Hamilton gas works.  Afterward he was employed by the B. F. Wade Company, of Toledo, manufacturers of blank books and county stationary.  His territory comprised thirty-five counties in the state.  In 1889, he was elected principal of the Fourth ward schools at a salary of $900.60 per annum, serving in this capacity until January, 1895, when he became editor and business manager of the Hamilton Daily Democrat, at an annual salary of $1,500.  He made the Democrat a newsy, bright and spicy paper up-to-date in every particular; was president of the city Board of Elections.  In the summer of 1895, ^e was elected Superintendent of the Hamilton Public Schools at a salary of $2,300 per year.  Mr. Rose is an able educator, ranks high in his profession and has succeeded in keeping our schools abreast of the times. 
     On December 28, 1894, Mr. Rose was married to Mrs. Ida Wurterman.  Two children grace and enliven a happy home.
Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 117

W. C. ROSSMAN, was born in Eaton, Ohio, July 30, 1835. At an early age he entered the dry goods store of J. & T. E. Rossman - uncle and brother - in Rossville as salesman, and remained in the store until the Civil War begun when he organized the "Hamilton Guards."  This was one of the earliest companies raised. It was attached to the Third Ohio infantry, and known as Company "F."  Isaac Morrow was its colonel; John Beatty, lieutenant-colonel; J. Warren Keifer, major.  The regiment was assigned to the Eastern department, and participated in the fight at Elkwater Junction, Va., September 11, 1861, in which engagement the rebel, Col. John A. Washington, was killed. Gen. Lee was the commander of the Confederate forces in this battle.  On November 28th, the regiment was ordered to Kentucky, when Col. Morrow resigned and John Beatty, of Columbus, was promoted to the colonelcy.
     On April 7, 1863, the Third was detached from the army proper, and in company with the Fifty-first and Seventy-third Indiana, Eightieth Illinois and two companies of the First Hamilton and its Residents. 125
Alabama.  This command was under Col. A. D. Streight, and immediately started out on what is familiarly known as "Streight's raid." The command was first dispatched to destroy the Rome Iron works, the foundries and arsenals.  Later on the entire brigade was captured by Gen. Forrest and sent to Belle Isle, and from there to Libby prison.  The officers were held, but the men were paroled.
     After eighteen months' confinement Capt. Rossman, with a number of other officers, made their escape from the prison through a tunnel. They were persued by rebel blood hounds, captured and returned to Libby, where they were kept until near the close of the rebellion. "Sparta knew the names of the men lost in the cause of Thermoplyae," but we will never know how many of our noble defenders perished in rebel prison pens.  After Capt. Rossman's release from Libby he returned to Hamilton, broken in health, and was appointed postmaster of Hamilton, July 23, 1866.  He was not an applicant for the position, but was held in high esteem by the late Col. L. D. Campbell, who recommended him to President Johnson, and his name was sent to the senate for confirmation, but was not acted upon for several months, owing to the fact that Andrew Johnson and the senate were antagonistic to each other. Capt. Rossman was finally confirmed, but alas, too late, for he was dead.
     Long confinement and cruel treatment had done the work, and on July 11, 1867, at the residence of Judge Gilmore, in Eaton, the spirit of Capt. Rossman returned to its maker.  He was a noble patriot and will long be remembered as one of "Our Honored Dead."
Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 124

JAMES E. ROTHENBUSH was born in this city, Dec. 27, 1867.  He was educated in the schools of Hamilton.  He began the study of dentistry under the tutelage of Dr. H. C. Howells, in 1887, and was graduated from the Ohio Dental college in 1889.  After graduation he opened an office in Manchester, Ohio, where he remained two years.  In 1891, he came to this city, where he had continued his professional work ever since.
     Dr. Rothenbush was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Hites, Nov. 18, 1891.  One child resulted from this union.  Dr. Rothenbush is a close student; has built up a large and lucrative practice.  He is popular and is esteemed in all circles for his social and professional qualities.
Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 379

Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 348

Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 429

Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 428