O. L. HARTLE, manager of the Covington Lumber Company of Covington, Ohio, an important business combination dealing in lumber, coal, oils, paints and cement, is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of this place. He was born on a farm in Newberry Township, Miami County, Ohio, in 1872, and is a son of James and Catherine (Lehman) Hartle.

Owing to the death of his father when the subject of this sketch was but twelve years of age, the latter was very early left to provide for his own necessities and to make his own choice of a business career and his preparation for it. To secure a comprehensive education was his first ambition and in 1893 he graduated from the Covington High School and then entered Juniate College at Huntington, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1895. In the meanwhile he had taught school and also engaged for a time in a dry goods and grocery business at Bradford. Mr. Hartle came to Covington to engage in the lumber business in connection with Joseph Murphy, February 17, 1901, the yards being at the location on Piqua Avenue now utilized by the Covington Lumber Company, organized on April 1, 1906. Mr. Hartle is a stockholder in this concern and is both manager and treasurer. A large business is done and a considerable force of men kept at work.

Mr. Hartle married Miss Margaret Mikesell, a daughter of Jacob Mikesell, of Covington, and they have had two children: Mellie, who died when aged eighteen months; and James Lowell. Mr. and Mrs. Hartle are members of the Brethren Church. Mr. Hartle is known as an honorable, upright business man and good citizen.