Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    EBERHART W. MAIER

    EBERHART W. MAIER, probate judge of Miami County, to which office he was first elected in 1905, was born in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, January 14, 1861, son of Michael and Mary (Neth) Maier. He is of German parentage, his father, Michael Maier, having been born in Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1835, his mother being also a native of the same place, and a daughter of George Neth. Michael Maier was a wagon-maker by trade, and after coming to the United States in 1853 found employment at this industry at Hartford, Connecticut, where he remained for four years. He came to Covington, Ohio, in 1857, and for some years conducted business in a small shop on the Troy turnpike. Afterwards, during the Civil War, he purchased the shop of C.M. Gross and carried on his trade for many years, retiring on account of an injury, in April, 1905. His shop was a well known landmark for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Maier had six children: George E., Eberhart W., John, Michael, Charles A., Anna, and Catherine. George E. died in 1903, aged forty-eight years. He was twice married; first to Miss Mina Pearson, of which union there was one child, Harley, who is now a resident of Troy. John Maier left home at the age of sixteen years and subsequently took up a land claim in Nebraska. He married at the age of thirty-one and had six children. Michael F. Maier, who is a commercial traveler has his residence at Covington. He married Mollie Goehering and they, have two children. Charles A., who resides in Piqua, married Mary Reed, and they also have two children. Anna Maier married Clark Reed of Piqua. Catherine became the wife of Barney Smith, who came from Wurttemberg, Germany.

    Eberhart W. Maier, the direct subject of this sketch, began his education in the public schools of Covington, and on completing the usual course, entered the High School. Here, however, he remained but until the end of his freshman year on account of an accident to his father being compelled to leave school. He accordingly worked for a year and a half at carriage blacksmithing, but not liking it he gave it up at the end of that time to enter a paint shop, where he remained for three years. He then went to Cincinnati and learned ornamental and fresco painting. Finding, however, that painting did not agree with his health, he found himself obliged to give it up in turn, and under Cleveland's first administration he entered the railway mail service, running between Indianapolis and Pittsburg, and also for a time, between Indianapolis and St. Louis.

    He followed this occupation for about three years and at the end of that time entered the employ of the Troy Buggy Works as a traveling salesman, also working for them as draughtsman for ten years. During his last six years on the road he studied law, carrying his books with him, and studying late at night, early in the morning, and on Sundays. As the result of his arduous application, he was admitted to the bar in December, 1900, and in the same month of the following year began the practice of his profession in Troy. He was first elected to the office of probate judge in 1905, taking the oath of office February 9, 1906. Although a Democrat and the county being usually Republican by about 1,500, Mr. Maier was elected judge by 545 majority on this occasion. In the fall of 1908 he was re-elected by a majority of 1,644, evidence conclusive that his administration of the office, had been preeminently satisfactory.

    Judge Maier was married in 1887, October 9th to Anna M. Henne, a daughter of John and Margaret A. Henne. They have one son, William Henne Maier, who was graduated from the Troy High School in 1909. Judge Maier is the only Democrat of the Troy Board of Education, on which he has served four years, being now president of the Board. He is also judge of the Juvenile Court of Miami County, and was one of the five members of the commission which met at Columbus and at Springfield and drafted the new Juvenile Court law of Ohio, which was passed April 23, 1908. He has been an Odd Fellow twenty-five years, is also an Elk, a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and a member of the Ancient and Honored Order of Gobblers, of Covington, Ohio.

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