The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has accomplished, and, as taken in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, there is particular interest attaching to the career of Professor Himes, the subject of this review, since he is a native son of this section of Ohio, where he has passed almost his entire life and so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the representative citizens of Miami county. He is now occupying the responsible position of superintendent of the schools of Covington and is recognized as one of the leading educators in that locality, his methods being along the line of marked advancement that have given the Ohio schools prestige throughout the Union.

It was on a farm southwest of Dayton in Montgomery county that Professor Himes was born, his natal day being April 15, 1850. His father, Martin Himes, was born in Montgomery county, November 13, 1823, received a limited education and entered upon his business career as a farmer. He married Anna Van Cleve, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, June 13, 1825. Her death occurred in 1883, and Martin Himes died at the home of our subject, on January 10, 1897. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian church and people of the highest respectability. In their family were but two children, --Robert W. and Charles M., --both residents of Covington. At an early day in the development of Ohio, the Himes family was established in this state by Samuel Himes, the paternal grandfather of our subject. He was born in Maryland, but emigrated westward in the early part of the century, accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth Himes, and the journey being made on horseback. His remaining days were passed in the Buckeye state and he died in Montgomery county. When only four years of age Professor Himes of this review accompanied his parents on their removal to Alpha, Greene county, Ohio, where be remained for about eleven years. There he began his education in the public schools.

In 1865 the family removed to Newberry township, Miami county, where he continued his studies until 1866, when he entered the Covington high school, graduating in that institution in 1870. During the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the home farm. Determined to devote his life to educational labors, he began teaching in the country schools of Washington township until the fall of 1870, when, desiring to still further perfect his own knowledge, he matriculated in the Heidelberg College, in Tiffin, Ohio, where he remained two years. On the expiration of that period he accepted a position as assistant in the Covington high school, serving in that capacity until 1891, when he resigned in order to accept the professorship of Latin and Greek in the Southern Illinois College. Later he was elected president of that college and served for two years, but in 1894 returned to Covington and succeeded Professor Bennett as the superintendent of the schools of this place. For six years he has been in charge of the educational interests of the city. He is constantly in touch with the progressive trend of the times and is continuously contriving to promote the interests of the schools along various lines. During his incumbency, the present splendid new school building has been erected and a musical course has been introduced. He believes most firmly in higher education, realizing the importance of mental development as a preparation for life's responsible duties. His labors are practical and his efforts consist not of an attempt to make the student familiar with the historical facts and scientific principles merely as such, but are directed toward making these of practical value that they may be of use to the students in the general affairs of business or home life.

In Covington, on the 26th of August, 1873, Professor Himes was married to Miss Laura J. Ullery, a daughter of Aaron and Eliza (Merriwether) Ullery. Six children have blessed their union, but their first born and Edith died in infancy. The others are Clara, Arthur, Ruth and Alice. During his boyhood Professor Himes united with the Evangelical Lutheran church and later became a member of the German Reformed church. He is now a member and elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and takes a very active interest in its work. He is widely known as an earnest Christian gentleman, affable and kindly in manner and highly esteemed for his sterling worth. He is a man of high intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance, and imbued with fine sensibilities and clearly defined principles. Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name, and he enjoys the respect, confidence and high regard of the community.