W. S. EBY secretary of the Piqua Granite & Marble Company, doing business at No. 521 West Wood Street, Piqua, was born at Piqua, Ohio, in 1858, and is a son of the venerable William Eby.

William Eby was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1825. He learned the carpenter trade and after coming to Piqua, in 1852, did a large amount of work in his line in this city, much of which endures. He has reached the age of eighty-four years and still resides here, one of the oldest and most esteemed citizens.

W. S Eby grew to manhood in his native place and obtained his education in her schools. For about three years in his early business life he was interested in broom making and then went into the marble and granite business with J. F. Hummel, with whom he continued for nine years. Following this, Mr. Eby carried on a stone contracting business for ten years, after which he formed a partnership with J. A. Flatz, under the style of Flatz & Eby. This partnership existed for six years, when Mr. Flatz was succeeded by Mr. Hank, and the style became Eby & Hank, which continued for four years, when the present organization was effected. The Piqua Granite & Marble Company was formed, with a capital stock of $25,000, and the success of the concern is indicated by the almost immediate intention of advancing the capital stock to $35,000, and the erection of a plant, which in construction and equipment, will be one of the most complete in the State. The new plant is to be located on the corner of College and Water Streets, one of the best sites for the purpose that could be secured. The officers of the company are all men of substance and reliability: C. N. Adlard, president; P. Hank, manager and treasurer; and W. S. Eby, secretary. The board of directors is made up of the following capitalists: C. N. Adlard, J. H. Clark, Paul Hank, J. A. Flatz and W. Eby. The products manufactured by this concern include everything from the marble plaything to the most expensive mausoleum. They give constant employment to twelve men and this force will be greatly increased when their new quarters are completed. Mr. Eby has additional business interests, one of these being the Piqua Furniture Company.

In 1881 Mr. Eby was married to Miss Rose C. Duncan, a daughter of George Duncan, of Piqua, and they have four children: Grace D., who is the wife of Paul B. Flack, who is in the coal business in this city; and Edna, Florence and Carroll. Mr. Eby is a mason and an Odd Fellow, belonging to the higher branches in both organizations.