Oscar B. Eikenbury is the leading merchant of Eaton. It is not an uncommon thing to find that they who at one time occupied humble positions in the business world have attained to places of leadership. America is justly proud of her self-made men, for in this land where opportunity is not hampered, people of worth, ambition and enterprise can steadily gain advancement through diligence and resolute purpose. This Mr. Eikenbury has done, and to-day he stands as one of the leading members of the commercial interests of Preble county. He is a native of Lanier township, born January 20, 1854, his parents being Reuben L. and Catherine (Geyer) Eikenbury, also natives of Preble county. The father was a practicing physician and followed that profession for about fifteen years. He obtained his education in the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, and devoted his energies to the hearing art until his death, which occurred in Huntsville, Indiana, when he was thirty- seven years of age. His widow is still a resident of Randolph, that state.

Mr. Eikenbury, of this review, is the eldest in the family of three sons and one daughter, and all are yet living. His brother, A. L. Eikenbury, is connected with a department store at Greenville, Ohio, carrying on that business in connection with his brother-in-law, D. O. Christopher, and his brother, W. H. Eikenbury. Our subject obtained all academic education in Lebanon, Ohio, pursuing his studies in the normal school there. Subsequently he engaged in teaching for ten years, following that profession in the district and graded schools of Preble county and of Indiana. He took a commercial course in order to prepare himself for mercantile life, and was engaged in general merchandising at West Alexandria, Preble county, for eight years. In 1881 he came to Eaton and erected the building in which he is now conducting his business. He has a fine, two-story brick building on Main street, valued at twenty-five thousand dollars. It is 64x75 feet, and is well-equipped for the purpose used. Mr. Eikenbury conducts a department store and has the largest and most complete stock of general merchandise in Preble county. His business is steadily increasing in volume and importance, and his establishment would do credit to a city of much larger size than Eaton. Throughout the year twenty employees are found in the store, and during busy seasons twice that number are employed. The store is conducted under the firm name of O. B. Eikenbury & Company, the partner being A. Edward Schlingman, who gives his time to the business.

Mr. Eikenbury was married, in West Alexandria, in 1877, to Miss Caroline Schlingman, a native of Preble county and a daughter of A. Schlingman, a retired manufacturer and a wealthy and influential citizen of West Alexandria. Three daughters have been born of their union, Bertha, Stella and Carrie, the eldest being a graduate of the city high school, while the others are still students there. Mrs. Eikenbury died July 8, 1899. She was an estimable lady, a devoted wife and mother and her untimely death occasioned deep regret among her many friends. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and occupy a leading position in social circles in Eaton. Mr. Eikenbury has certainly attained an enviable position in the business world. "We build the ladder by which we rise" is a truth which is certainly applicable to him. He is a type of the progressive spirit of the age, a spirit which has given America pre-eminence along its various business lines; and the undaunted enterprise, indomitable perseverance and resolute purpose which have ever characterized him have been the means of raising him from a position of comparative obscurity to an eminence which commands the admiration of the commercial world.