The name of Mr. Ten Eick is one which has figured conspicuously in connection with the industrial interest of Tippecanoe City. He has not only the ability to plan but the power to execute, and in these qualities lies the secret of his prosperity. Absolute capability, often exists in specific instances, but is never brought into the clear light of the utilitarian and practical life. Hope is of the valley, while effort stands upon the mountain top; so that personal advancement comes not to the one who hopes alone, but the one whose hope and faith are those of action. Thus is determined the full measure of success to one who has struggled under disadvantageous circumstances, and the prostrate mediocrity to another whose ability has been as great and opportunities wider. Then we may well hold in high regard the results of individual effort and personal accomplishment, for cause and effect here maintain their functions in full force. It is along these lines that Mr. Ten Eick has attained to his present enviable position in connection with the business interests of his native county.

He was born in Bethel township, Miami county, on the 14th of July, 1834, and is a son of Henry Ten Eick, who was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, August 14, 1802. The family is of Dutch lineage, the paternal great-grandfather of our subject being Henry Ten Eick, who came from Holland in an early day, taking up his abode in New Jersey. During the Revolutionary war he joined the colonial army, serving under General Washington with the rank of captain, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and other memorable engagements. He died at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His son, Mathew Ten Eick, was born in New Jersey, May 4, 1764, and was also one of the heroes of the Revolution. On the 9th of April, 1796, he married Cornelia Post, whose birth occurred January 4, 1771. With his family Mathew Ten Eick removed from New Jersey to Ohio in 1812, making the trip by team. He located in Montgomery county, near the present city of Miamisburg, where he erected a rude log cabin, beginning life on the frontier in true pioneer style. He soon purchased a farm, and with unflagging industry developed a good home, there spending the greater part of his active business life. He passed the last eight years of his earthly pilgrimage in Bethel township, living with his son Henry, and died in April, 1853, when almost ninety years of age. His wife passed away in May, 1849. They were the parents of four sons and a daughter. Mathew, the youngest son, went to Iowa at all early period in the development of that state, and in connection with Governor Lucas laid out Iowa City. His eldest daughter was the first white child born in the place.

Henry Ten Eick, the father of our subject, was the third son in the family of Mathew Ten Eick. During his youth he experienced all the hardships and trials of pioneer life, but thereby developed a vigorous constitution and a fine physique. In the fall of 1821 he engaged in teaming to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he made the acquaintance of Colonel Johnson, and a warm friendship sprang up between them, which lasted through life. In the spring of 1822 Mr. Ten Eick removed to Shelby county, Ohio, and located on a farm, where he carried on agricultural pursuits and stock raising. His efforts there were attended with signal success, and to his superior foresight as a business man, his industry and economy, may be attributed his prosperity. He remained for six years in Shelby county, and then took up his abode in Bethel township, Miami county, where he remained until 1865, when he came to Tippecanoe City. He started out in business for himself with but limited capital, and through his capable management and unflagging industry he amassed a large fortune. He owned fourteen hundred acres of land in one tract, lying in the Horse Shoe bend of Honey creek, Bethel township. He placed the entire amount under a high state of cultivation. He also owned the model farm of central Ohio, comprising one thousand acres, for which he refused sixty thousand dollars. When the Wyandotte reservation of Ohio was sold he purchased twenty-seven hundred acres, afterward disposing of it in two tracts at a large profit. He was equally successful in stock dealing and established a wide reputation, owing to his excellent judge of horses. His selection of horses was regarded as par excellence. While buying horses in Kentucky he became acquainted with Henry Clay, at whose house he frequently dined. At one time he convinced Clay that the farming implements of the Miami valley were superior to those used in Kentucky and expressed him a patent Wilmington plow, which was greatly appreciated by the Kentucky statesman. Mr. Ten Eick afterward sold Mr. Clay what the latter said was the finest horse he ever owned. During the civil war the father of our subject took out contracts to furnish mules for the government and among the many hundred that he supplied, so well had they been selected, not one was rejected by the government inspectors. In his early life Mr. Ten Eick was connected with the Whig party, and on the organization of the new Republican party he joined its ranks. He was married, May 30, 1821, to Miss Eleanor Barkalow, and fifty years later they celebrated their golden wedding. The lady was born November 19, 1812, and by her marriage became the mother of the following named children: Sarah, who was born January 27, 1823, became the wife of Robert Morrison on the 29th of December, 1842, and died September 20, 1849; Tunis, born January 27, 1825, died June 23, 1865; Derrick B., born June 12, 1827, was married December 27, 1848, to Mary Le Fever, and died March 17, 1849; Mary C., born April 30, 1829, died May 24, 1844; Rachel, born May 30, 1831, is now the wife of David McConnaughey and is living in Tippecanoe City; William B. is the next of the family; David S., born June 12, 1836, was married September 29, 1864, to Hannah J. Smith, and died January 24, 1867; Joseph H., born June 29, 1839, died October 27, 1865; Mathew, born April 1, 1841, and Robert, born July 18, 1843, were the youngest members of the family.

William B. Ten Eick was reared in Bethel township, remaining upon the home farm until twenty years of age, when he went to Wyandotte county, Ohio, to assume the management of his father's stock farm, embracing twenty-seven hundred acres of land. There he remained for four years and on the expiration of that period he returned to Bethel township, Miami county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until after the inauguration of the civil war, when he responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting on the 13th of May, 1864, as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry, being mustered in at Camp Dennison. With his command he was then sent to the defense of Washington and served for four months, after which he returned to his native township, where he carried on farming until 1879. In that year he located in Tippecanoe City, where he has since made his home. In 1883 he became one of the stock-holders in the Tippecanoe Paper Mill, and for four years was the president of the corporation. In 1888 he became the vice-president of the Tippecanoe Whip Company and has since held that office. He also owns a fruit farm of one hundred acres at Georgetown, Indiana, comprising peaches and pears.

Mr. Ten Eick has been three times married. On the 15th of April, 1858, he wedded Louisa Kiser, by whom he had two children: Grace, who died December 21, 1865, and Charley, a merchant of Tippecanoe City. The mother died April 4, 1884, and on the 3d of January, 1885, Mr. Ten Eick wedded Miss Sophia Herrmann, who died July 1, 1890. Their only child, William H., died in infancy. On the 12th of October, 1893, Mr. Ten Eick married Miss Melissa Florence Dye, of Elizabeth township. Mr. and Mrs. Ten Eick have many friends in Tippecanoe City and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of this locality.

In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and is a member of D. M. Rouzer Post, No. 393, G. A. R. He has been a member of the Baptist church since the age of eighteen years and at all times has been loyal to his professions. He possesses resolute purpose and untiring industry and these qualities have enabled him to so conduct his business affairs as to win therefrom a handsome competence. He is very reliable in all matters of business, and his honesty commends him to the confidence and good will of all. His genial and courteous manner make him popular and he is justly regarded as one of the representative, valuable and honorable citizens of this section of Ohio.