Lucien C. Overpeck
Lucien C. Overpeck, photographer, was born in St. Clair Township, May 15, 1853. He is the son of Daniel and Rachel (Warwick) Overpeck, both natives of Butler County. His father was a farmer. The son attended common school, and at the age of fifteen began to learn photography at home, in a shed at the rear of the house, making his own skylight out of a window frame. He always had a mechanical turn of mind, and a desire to learn photography. In 1870 he entered a drug store at Trenton, where he remained three years. During his spare moments he practiced photography, and read much relating to the subject. He made a special study of chemistry with the one idea in view of practicing his chosen art. In the Summer of 1873 he rented the old Grant gallery, which had been vacant for some time, where he has continued ever since, his stock and capital being forty dollars. He has made a great success. His pictures are distinguished for clearness and distinctness of outline, harmony, and softness of detail, uniting them with an excellent knowledge of light and shade. He is a member of the Photographers Association of America. After getting his business in good shape, he visited New York, Philadelphia, and other large cities of the East, with a view of ascertaining the true state of photography there, and learning any new things that might have lately originated. In January, 1882, he united with the Odd Fellows. He was one of the charter members of the Hamilton Harmonic Society, and was one of the thirty-five who went from Hamilton to open the great Music Hall in Cincinnati. He is very fond of music, and has attained a great proficiency in it. The family, consisting of four brothers and one sister, each play an instrument. He is now leader of the Hamilton Glee Club.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.