Subject: A.J. Eminger Date: 07/12/1917 Source: Miamisburg News [Miamisburg Ohio] Researcher: Lester Wead Title: Capt. A.J. Eminger, July 23, 1836 -- July 6, 1917 Miamisburg has lost one of its foremost and best citizens in the death of Captain Agustus [sic] J. Eminger, who passed away Friday night after a few days of severe illness. Although over four score years, his 81st birthday would have been on July 23rd, he preserved all the mental keenness of a young man, and the possession of physical strength that enabled him to maintain his ordinary business relations. For nearly sixty years he was an active and interested citizen of Miamisburg. Ever alert and ready to advance each worthy plan and project for the advancement of the community. In the fraternal life of the town he was a leader, and was ever an ardent supporter and friend of the schools. In the church he loved so well he was untiring and faithful in its service, and for years was associated in the extensive and large business of Hoover & Gamble. Probably no citizen of Miamisburg in his long life touched the community in so many interests more than Captain Eminger, and he leaves a splendid record of merited endeavor for all good things and blameless life and honorable manhood. His spirit of progressiveness assisted much in upbuilding the town, and his high character brought him the general esteem of our citizens, and his death will be sincerely mourned. He was born July 24, 1836, on a farm in Silver Creek township, Cumberland county, Pa., and was the last surviving member of a large family of children. He spent his early boyhood at Mechanicsburg, Pa., and enjoyed one academic year at school at Carlisle, Pa. He came to Miamisburg in April, 1855, and in October entered the Commercial College at Cincinnati. After the completion of his commercial course, he was connected with what is now the R.G. Dunn & Co. Mercantile Agency of Cincinnati until 1858, when he married and located in Miamisburg. He was engaged with the Schroeder & Deckert Drygoods and General store until 1862. In 1862, he assisted in recruiting Company E, 93rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and enlisted in the service July 30 of that year as First Lieutenant of the Regiment. He served in the army of the Cumberland, first, under General Buell, then with General Rosencrans, and later with General Geo. H. Thomas; also in the army of Ohio under General Schofield in a whole winter's campaign in east Tennessee, 1863-1864. He was promoted to captain January 24, 1864, having refused promotion in 1863 because he could not be assigned to his own company. He was discharged June 8, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. by order of the War Department, after a service of nearly three years. He was the last surviving commissioned officer of his regiment. During his service in the Civil War he engaged in the following battles: Stone River, Liberty Gap, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob, Rockey Tree Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, and Kenesaw Mountain. Captain Eminger was a prime mover in the organization of the Ninety-third Regiment Association, and never missed its annual meeting, and was the efficient and permanent secretary of the Regiment. After the war he returned to Miamisburg and entered the office of D.H. Hoover, manufacturer of agricultural implements, and was active ever since his return from the army in the service of several companies succeeding Mr. Hoover, the firm being known as Hoover & Gamble, and later Hoover & Gamble Company, of which he was has long been an officer and director. He was active both as a member and officer in the various branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for nearly fifty years has been recording secretary of the Encampment of the Order at Miamisburg. He was always an active member of Al Mason Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and one of the charter members. He was also a member of the Loyal Legion. As evidence of the confidence and esteem in which he was held by the public, he held the office of mayor of Miamisburg shortly after his return from the army, being twice elected mayor; he was a member of the city council of Miamisburg for a number of years, and was clerk of the board of education for more than twenty years - 1868 to 1890. He was also postmaster of Miamisburg for twelve years - 1898 to 1910. He was a faithful and devoted member of the Methodist church, and for nearly fifty years never missed attending the services of the church and Sunday school, and for forty-eight years was secretary of the Official Board - a record probably unequaled in Methodism. Captain Eminger married Maria South Hall, March 4, 1858. His wife [and] Four children survive him, namely: Mrs. J.F. Vogel, Toledo; Mrs. Wm. Heinfeld, Miamisburg; Charles F. Eminger, San Francisco, Cal.; and Robert L. Eminger, Memphis, Tenn. Three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive him. A son, Chester Douglas Eminger, died in infancy, and another son, William T. Eminger, died April 19, 1906. The funeral, Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church was largely attended. Rev. Addyman Smith and Dr. W.H. Wehr, District Superintendent of the Dayton District, officiated. The Official Board of the M.E. church attended in a body. The members of Al Mason Post, and a large delegation of the old Ninety-third boys from Dayton and surrounding cities and towns, the Odd Fellows and Encampment were also in attendance. The floral tributes were unusual in number and beauty, mute testimonials of affection and regard. The music was unusually good, a feature of the church worship in which the deceased always took great delight.