MICHAEL MAIER, one of Covington's esteemed citizens, now living retired, for almost a half century was actively engaged in business here, conducting a carriage and repair shop for forty-eight years, and has watched the city develop from a small place. Mr. Maier was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, March 2, 1835, and is a son of Michael and Katrina (Miller) Maier.

The parents of Mr. Maier passed their whole lives in Germany. The father held a responsible office under the Government, being what was termed a forest watchman, a position given only to men of intelligence and good character. Mr. Maier remembers his parents with feelings of great respect and affection, never seeing them after he was eighteen years old, when he came to America.

In his own land, Michael Maier learned the trade of wagon-making and when he reached the United States, in 1853, he easily secured work at this industry in Hartford, Connecticut, where he remained four years. From Hartford he came to Covington, in 1857, buying out a small shop which was doing business on the Troy Turnpike. Later, during the Civil War, he purchased the shop of Charles M. Gross, where he carried on his trade for many years, only retiring on account of an accident, in April 1905. Mr. Maier was temporarily crippled by a fall that resulted in a broken leg. He then sold his shop to W. A. Reed. For many years Mr. Maier's wagon and carriage shop was a landmark and on many occasions important matters concerning the welfare of the town were discussed there by Mr. Maier and other old citizens.

In 1858 Mr. Maier was married to Miss Agnes Maria Neth, who died January 19, 1897. She was a daughter of George Neth and was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, and came from there to America and to Ohio four weeks before Mr. Maier crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Seven children were born to this marriage namely: George E., Judge E.W., John, Michael F., Charles A., Anna and Catherine. The oldest son, George E. Maier, died in 1903, aged forty-eight years. He was twice married, first to Miss Mina Pearson, daughter of Ephraim Pearson. She left one child, Harley, who is engaged in the insurance business at Troy. Judge E. W. Maier, residing at Troy, married Anna Henne, of that city, and they have one son, William. John Maier left home at the age of sixteen years and made his first visit back to Ohio some eight years later, having taken up a land claim in Nebraska. When thirty-one years old he married and has the following children: Michael, Charles, Harley, Agnes, Robert and Anna. Michael P. Maier is a commercial traveler but retains his residence at Covington. He married Mollie Goehring and they have two children: Harman and Lula. Charles A. Maier, residing at Piqua, married Mary Reed and they have two children, Reva and Ruth. Anna Maier married Clark Reed of Piqua. Catherine, the youngest of the family, married Barney Smith, who came from Wurttemberg, Germany, when ten years of age. Mr. Maier has been identified with the Masonic fraternity for a great many years and for thirty-two years was treasurer of the Covington Lodge.