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    WILLIAM W. WHITMER

    WILLIAM W. WHITMER, one of Covington's representative business men, conducting a furniture store and undertaking business, was born at Covington, Ohio January 4, 1854, and is a son of John and Sarah (Lenhart) Whitmer.

    John Whitmer was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. In 1840 he settled at Pleasant Hill, Ohio, where he established a general store, conducting it for a time and then selling out in order to locate at Covington. Here he entered into partnership with John Mikesell and Col. J. C. Ullery and conducted a general store until 1860, when he returned to Pleasant Hill, and until he retired in 1873, was interested in a general store at that point. He lived into advanced age, his death taking place January 2, 1907, when he had almost reached his ninety-fifth birthday. He married Sarah Lenhart, who died December 1, 1905, aged eighty-six years. They had eleven children.

    William W. Whitmer was reared at Pleasant Hill. In 1886 he first engaged in the undertaking business, and in partnership with his brother-in-law, J. A. Yount, bought out Fred Deeter, at Pleasant Hill. The partners continued together for four years in that line and then traded for a tract of land in Mercer County, Ohio, which they later sold. In June, 1891, he embarked in the undertaking business at Covington, and in 1902 added furniture dealing, having a partner in his nephew, R. R. Whitmer, although the business style continues Whitmer Bros. The firm carries a fine line of furniture, and for its undertaking business has every necessary equipment.

    Mr. Whitmer married Miss Flora A. Shephard, a daughter of David C. Shephard, of Darke County, Ohio, and they have four children, namely: Cora B., who married W. B. Lyle; Gertrude, who carries on a millinery business at Covington; J.P. who is a graduate of the Ohio State University at Columbus and is in business in Oregon; and Margaret, who resides at home. Mr. Whitmer and family are members of the Christian Church, in which he is a deacon. He is one of the active members of this body and for ten years served as church clerk. His fraternal connections include the Masons, both branches of the Odd Fellows, and the Red Men.

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