W. R. ELY, who is engaged in a commission brokerage business at Piqua, has been a resident of this city for the past six years, and in this time has shown himself an enterprising and progressive man of business. He as born in 1881 at Washington Court House, Ohio, and was educated in the schools of his native place.

After qualifying as an expert telegrapher, Mr. Ely worked two years as an operator in the railroad service, and then took up the brokerage business. His methods are careful and conservative and he has a very satisfactory number of clients.

Mr. Ely was married in 1903, to Miss Grace Surgeon, of Jamestown, Ohio, and they have two children, Hope and Ruth. Mr. Ely is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, and the Elks' Club and of other organizations.