550 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY his services. He enlisted in a company of the 33rd Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., which came to constitute a part of the army of General Sherman and with him made that glorious "March to the Sea." He was one of that victorious company which participated in the Grand Review at Washington. After the close of the war, Jacob Long put aside his sword, figuratively turning it into a pruning-hook, and returned to the peaceful pursuits from which he had been called by the danger of the dismemberment of his country. He was elected by his fellow-citizens to a number of the local offices, including that of trustee of Marion township, and during his whole life there were numerous evidences shown of the high esteem in which he was held by his neighbors. He was a man ever ready to forward every movement of public value and his hand was open to the call of charity. Minor T. Long, our immediate subject, is a most worthy representative of ancestors whose honorable lives have been pictured above. He was reared among conditions which were still more or less of a pioneer character, and he remembers well the old log schoolhouse, with its slab seats for benches and its great open fireplace, where he first received instruction. Before his school days were ended, however, a neat frame building took the place of the log structure, and many improvements were introduced. From early boyhood Mr. Long had duties to perform about the farm. He now reaps the benefit of his boyhood labors. Few farmers have met with more pronounced success than has Mr. Long, in cultivating his land ; but he has given more attention in later years to the raising of Shorthorn cattle and fine Percheron horses. He is a fine judge of stock of all kinds and is a familiar figure at agricultural fairs. He has had the satisfaction of bearing off the blue ribbons for his fine Percheron stock at several expositions, notably the Allen County and the Putnam County fairs, for several years. In the fall of 1867 Mr. Long was married to Nancy J. Tucker, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, and is a daughter of G. W. Tucker. Her father was a pioneer of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Long have four children : Cora E., wife of E. E. Truesdale, assistant postmaster at Delphos ; Dane D., who was married in June, 1905, to Hazel Bradley; Dawn C., unmarried, who assists on the home farm ; and Charles Clifford, also at home. Mr. Long and family belong to Morris Chapel and he is one of the board of trustees. During the Civil War, our subject, like his ancestors, gave loyal service to his country. He was a member of Company B, McLaughlin's Squadron, and was all through the Atlanta campaign, marching with Sherman's forces to the sea. He is a member of the Reul Post, G. A. R., at Delphos, and has been commander. Mr. Long has served as trustee of Marion township for two terms ; after having been connected with the School Board for a long period, he is now serving as its president. He is also president of the Mutual Insurance Company of Allen County, which carries nearly $3,000,000 of risks. He is also treasurer of Walnut Grove Cemetery, which, without doubt, is one of the most beautiful and well-arranged burial places in the county. As one of the officials Mr. Long gives close and careful attention to the constant improvement and beautifying of this spot. R. L. BATES, who is prominently identified with the oil interests of the State, has been a resident of Lima since 1886. He was born in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, February 3, 1852, and is a son of the late Norman R. Bates, who was a well-known oil producer. R. L. Bates was educated at the well-known Walkill Academy, at Middletown, New York. and at Flushing, Long Island. He was first introduced to the oil business at Titusville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, Almost from the beginning of his business life he has been associated in some way with different oil fields, including Bradford, Pennsylvania, and other points. He came to Lima as agent of the Buckeye Pipe Line Company, which was organized and incorporated in April, 1886. The present local officers of this company are : AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 553 John O'Brien, general superintendent; M. Moran, assistant general superintendent, and R. L. Bates, agent. This office is the Lima branch of the great transportation and storage oil company, and their pipe lines run through the Ohio and Indiana oil fields. Mr. Bates is also agent for the Indiana Pipe Line Company, of Indiana, which operates in the oil field of that State. In addition to carefully looking after the interests of these great companies, Mr.: Bates is interested in other enterprises and stiff. finds time and takes pleasure in furthering corn-mendable public movements, and is a factor in social, political and fraternal life. In political sentiment he is a Democrat. Prior to leaving Pennsylvania, he was a member of the Democratic Central Committee of McKean County and was chairman of the Democratic City Committee, of Bradford. Mr. Bates was married December 15, 1874; to Evelyn Hazzard, who is a daughter of the late Hiram Hazzard, at one time the leading merchant at Titusville, Pennsylvania. Mr: and Mrs. Bates have one daughter, Mrs. George A. Straw, who is in the telephone business at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The family belong to the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Bates is prominent in Masonry and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Council, Chapter and Commandery at Lima. He has been a member of the board of directors of The Masonic Hall Company since its organization, and was a member of the organizing board of directors which conceived and carried to completion the building of the stately Masonic Temple here. He continues to be secretary, treasurer and superintendent of The Masonic Hall Company. His intelligence, business acumen and public-spirit have been brought to bear in cooperating with other financiers and men of affairs, and the result has been of large benefit to Lima. LOUIS F. LAUDICK, M. D., one of the leading medical practitioners of Lima, with well-appointed and convenient offices at No. 49 ½ Public Square, stands very high in this city, both personally and .professionally. He was born in Wayne township. Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Louis and Clarissa J. (Miller) Laudick The paternal grandfather of Dr. Laudick was John Laudick and the maternal grandfather was John Miller, both men of character and of substance. Louis Laudick, father of Dr. Laudick, was born in Pennsylvania, Where he learned the trade of a carpenter and followed the same for a time, but subsequently became a farmer in Allen County, Ohio, where he died March 6, 1869. He reared a family of 10 children. Dr. Laudick was educated in the public schools of Allen County and was graduated at the Lima High School. In this city he studied medicine under the tutelage of well-established physicians, and then entered the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, where- he was graduated March 6, 1890. He located at Lima,. which has since been his home almost continuously; the period interrupted only by three years of 'travel in Colorado and Utah. The year, of 1893 was spent at the great Mormon city of Salt Lake, and 1895 at Cripple Creek. He has established a large. and lucrative practice at Lima and ranks with the county's best physicians and surgeons. Dr. Laudick was married to Nettie McClure, who is a daughter of James A. McClure. They .have a very pleasant home at No. 525 West Market street. Dr. Laudick is very prominent in fraternal life, being a Mason of high degree; belonging to the. Blue Lodge, Chapter. and Council at Lima, and to Syrian Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S:, Cincinnati. He is also an Odd Fellow. He keeps closely in touch. with modern medical thought, having membership in the Allen County Medical. Society, Ohio State Medical Society, Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and American Medical Association. His portrait accompanies this sketch. SOLOMON D. SNIDER was born in Thorn township, Perry County, Ohio. April 30, 1842. and came to Allen County in the spring of 1865 when he bought 80 acres of land in section 25. Jackson township. took possession in April of that year, and has lived upon it ever since. His 554 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY parents were Daniel and Mary (Greenawalt) Snider, and his grandfather was also named Daniel Snider. The grandfather of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio, entering land in Perry County, where he died March 3, 1866, at the age of 93 years, 7 months and a few days. He was a Whig, while his son and grandson (our subject) became Democrats. He took an active part in reform work and was a leader in the German Baptist or Dunkard Church, being one of the preachers of that body and holding services in his house and barn until they were able to build a house of worship. Daniel Snider, the father of our subject, was born in Thorn township; Perry County, Ohio, June 28, 1808. During his younger days he engaged in teaching school, and afterwards bought a farm of 18o acres in Perry County, where he devoted his time to agriculture until his death November 3, 1861. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. He was married to Mary Greenawalt, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, in 1811 and died in Perry County, March 6, 1895, at the age of 83 years, 3 months and 20 days. Her parents, Mathias and Mary (Coon) Greenawalt, came to this State from Maryland, and were of German descent. She was the mother of the following children, viz : Lucinda (Boyer), deceased; John Henry, who resides on the homestead in Perry County ; Mary Katharine (Clum), deceased ; Solomon D.; Sarah Elizabeth (Anspach), of Jackson township ; and Eliza Ann ( Humberger), deceased. Solomon D. Snider was reared in his native county where he was married August 31, 1863, to Katharine Zartman. She was a daughter of Henry and Mary (Swinehart) Zartman, of Perry County, and was born February 18, 1844. She died May 4, 1902, leaving two children, Mary Aretta, wife of R. C. Klingler ; and Clarence Franklin, both of Hardin County. Mr. Snider came here with his wife and one child and at once set about improving his new home. He erected buildings, planted an orchard and made many other improvements from which lie is to-day reaping the benefits. He has been an industrious, frugal man and in addition to caring for his farm ran a threshing machine for some time. He has been assessor three times and made a most efficient officer. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and served as deacon and elder for many years. FRANCIS M. ROBERTS, an influential farmer of Allen County, owns a well-kept farm of 61 acres in sections 16 and 22, Bath township, where he has resided for the past 18 years. He is. a son of Warren and Mary (Rumbaugh) Roberts, and was born October 8, 1851, in Jackson township, Allen County, Ohio. Both parents were natives of this county, the father dying-here in 1853. The mother reached her loth. year and was living in Kansas at the time of her death. Their, family consisted of six children, namely : William S., who died in Indiana after serving almost five years in the Civil War ; George W., who died in the army at Nashville, Tennessee ; Milo, a successful farmer of Bath township ; Anna Jane, deceased; Francis M. ; and Warren, deceased. Francis M. Roberts has been engaged in farming all his life and has also worked at the carpenter's trade considerably. He moved to. Kansas about 1877 and farmed there about two and a half years before entirely making up his mind that Ohio was hard to beat as a farming State. . He then returned to Allen County and again took up agricultural work in Bath township, where he has since resided. In 1887 he purchased his present farm, where he raises considerable grain each year, the greater part of which is consumed by the stock which he fattens for market. Mr. Roberts was married in 1872 to Emma Roush, who was born May 7, 1850, in Juniata. County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Henry and Susannah Roush, who came to this county when Mrs. Roberts was a child of about two years. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, namely : Charles, born December 6, 1872, and residing in Lima, who served in the Spanish-American 'War ; Almenta, born August 8, 1874, who married Emmett AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 555 Fisher, of Lima ; Maggie Jane, born January 26, 1876, deceased February 1, 1903; Francis Ephraim, born January 16, 1878, who is now a resident of Oregon ; Anna Jane, born December 8, 188o; Bertha May, born November 21, 1882 ; Cora, born August 1, 1885 ; William Theodore, born March 19, 1888; Ruth L., born July 14, 1893 ; Oliver Ray, born October 22, 1890 ; and Gertrude, born July 19, 1895. The family home is one of the neatest and most commodious in the township, and bears evidence of the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner. Mr. Roberts has been a lifelong Republican. For more than 3o years he was a zealous worker in the Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren churches, but during the past three years he has not been active in church work, although retaining all his old-time interest. ALEXANDER SHENK, president of the National Bank of Delphos, was born in Prussia, July 19, 1842, and is a son of Martin and Christine (Kern) Shenk. The parents of Mr. Shenk were also natives of Prussia. The father carried on a mercantile business in Prussia, and was a tailor by trade. He was the father of five sons, all of whom, when reaching the proper age, were subject to military duty if they remained under the home government. Mr. Shenk decided to avoid, if possible, the expense and what he felt was a great loss of time to his boys, in giving three years of their young lives to the army, and in October, 1853, he emigrated with his family to America. The first stage of the long journey brought them to Paris, thence they traveled to Havre, where the party was obliged to wait a month before securing a passage. Finally accomodations were secured on a vessel, and after a voyage of 42 days they were safely landed in New York City in January, 1854. The destination of the family was the settlement at Ottville, Putnam County, Ohio, six miles from Delphos, where a number of their old friends, formerly from Prussia, had already established themselves. The winter of 1853-54 was one of un- - 29 - usual severity, and Martin Shenk was compelled to locate temporarily at Williamsburg, New York, where the family remained for six. months. In September, 1854, Mr. Shenk ar-- rived with his family at Delphos and was so,- pleased with the prospects of the place that he decided to locate here permanently instead of at Ottville, as originally intended. He secured work as a tailor at Delphos with Frank Byres, with whom he continued for five years,_ and was later connected with the firm of Lye & Marble, also a tailoring firm, for the same-length of time. A few years after locating at Delphos, Mr.. Shenk purchased a small farm of 10 acres which adjoined the corporation, and he lived. on it until 1863. The death of his wife oc curred in February, 1867, and his own in April, 1872. Alexander Shenk began his education in Prussia and completed it at Delphos. He was only a boy of 12 years when he began to make-his own way in the world, becoming a clerk in the drug-store of J. VAT. Hunt in Delphos, with whom he remained for seven years. During this time he learned the drug business very thoroughly, and in 1861, with his brother, the late Saffron Shenk, he opened a drug-store in-the lower end of Delphos. After a partnership of two years, our subject bought his brother's interest and continued the business alone for the next three years, adding to his business by the purchase from Mr. Hunt, of the drug-store in which he had been an apprentice. After the completion of this business deal, he took. John Walsh in as partner, and they conducted the two stores, in different parts of the city, for about a year, after which Mr. Shenk disposed of his interest to his former employer, Mr. Hunt. Within four months, however, he was again actively engaged in the drug business in partnership with Michael Britain, and two years later he bought Mr. Britain's interest and then admitted to partnership his old clerk, George F. Lang. The firm of Shenk & Lang continued until 188o, when the partners. sold the business. The Union Flouring Mills began business-at Delphos, in 1873, and for five years the concern was conducted as a stock company ; but 556 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY business misfortunes came upon it, and in the fall of 1879 it was sold at sheriff's sale. Mr. Shenk bid in the property, acting as the agent of what was then the First National Bank, the main creditor of the old company. In the same year Mr. Shenk and another director of the bank were instructed to remodel the property and put it into operation, and as a result, on April 1, 1880, the mill was started. -While acting as one of the committee to look after the mill, Mr. Shenk saw that under good management it might be converted into an excellent paying property, and after selling their drug business, the firm of Shenk & Lang purchased the mill property. In 1882 the mills were entirely remodeled, and a full roller system was put in at a cost of $9,000. A second remodeling took place in 1892, when new and improved machinery was installed, and the mill made modern in every particular. The mills did business under the name of the "Eagle Flouring Mills" and became the most important in the county, having an output of 15o barrels of flour per day. The firm did an extensive business, becoming the largest wheat buyers in Allen and Van Wert counties. Their average annual shipment was over 200,000 bushels of wheat. The partnership continued until 1895, when Mr. Shenk sold his interest to Mr. Lang and the business is now conducted by the heirs of the latter, who died some years since. In 1872 Mr. Shenk became a director in the First National Bank and he continued as such until the expiration of the bank's charter. In 1883 the National Bank of Delphos was organized as a successor to the First National, by the same capitalists and Mr. Shenk continued on the directing board. Upon the death of President Theodore Wrocklage, in 1891, Mr. Shenk was elected as his successor, a position he still holds. Ever since coming to Delphos, he has taken an interest in the city's various enterprises and he has given encouragement and assistance to every worthy cause, He has been vice-president of the Delphos Electric Light & Power Company, and from its organization he has been president of the Delphos Building & Loan Association. Not only in business circles has Mr. Shenk been prominent ; in spite of the responsibilities of a personal nature resting upon him, he has found time to respond to the calls of his fellow-citizens and to serve most efficiently in a number of township and county offices. For 12 years he was clerk of Marion township. For two years he served in the office of township trustee, and at the close of his term was elected township treasurer, an office he held continuously for i o years, retiring from that office in 1892. In the latter year he was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners a member of the board of trustees of the Allen County Children's Home. He has been equally prominent as a member of a number of civic boards and charitable and benevolent institutions. In 1863 Mr. Shenk was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wrocklage, who was a daughter of the late Theodore Wrocklage, formerly president of the National Bank of Delphos, and one of the city's leading financiers and prominent men. Mr. Shenk was reared in the Roman Catholic Church, and from boyhood has taken an active part in its various channels of religious work and social life. In 1878 when the building of the present stately structure of the Church of St. John the Evangelist was commenced, he was a member of the board of trustees and its treasurer, and he had charge of the finances and handled the contracts until completed. Its cost under his careful management was $100,000, a sum he was mainly instrumental in raising. CALVIN OSBORN, one of the old-established business men of Lima, a dealer in granite and marble monuments, is also an honored survivor of the Civil War, having given three years of his young manhood to the service of his country. Mr. Osborn was born in Lordstown township, Trumbull County, Ohio, April 5, 1841, and is a son of William and Sarah (Jordan) Osborn. The father of Mr. Osborn was born at Redstone, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents in childhood to Stark County, Ohio, where he was reared and where AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 557 he married. The mother of our subject was a native of Scotland. Both parents died in Trumbull County. For many years William Osborn was a prominent farmer and dairyman of Trumbull County and was a leading citizen, interested in both political and educational affairs. He was a stanch Abolitionist long before the Civil War settled the question of human slavery. He reared a family of five sons and six daughters, as follows : Henry M., who died in Coffey County, Kansas, where he was a prominent agriculturist ; John, who is a retired farmer of North Jackson, Mahoning County, Ohio ; Josiah S., who has been a bookkeeper in rolling and wire mills at Cleveland, Ohio, for over 40 years ; James L., a retired farmer of North Jackson, Ohio ; Julia, deceased in 1873, who was the wife of Josiah Duncan, of Trumbull County ; Mary, deceased in 1851, who was the wife of Milo Beard, of Mahoning County ; Susan, who died in 1856; Sarah, who died in 1851 ; Jennie (Dalzell), who resides in Oklahoma; and Alice, deceased in 189o, who was the wife of W. J. Hull, of Allen County. Calvin Osborn came first to Lima in 186o, a young teacher of 19 years. He continued to teach in this city until 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company C, 84th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He was mustered into the army at Camp Chase, Columbus, and immediately afterward accompanied the command to Cumberland City, Maryland, his mettle being tried first at New Creek, where the enemy was routed. Minor engagements followed as the Union forces pursued the Confederates through the mountains of West Virginia and Maryland, and his regiment was also utilized to convey prisoners from one point to another. During his three years of service, Mr. Osborn's record shows that he was never missing from the post of duty and at all times was a cheerful, brave and efficient soldier. He was mustered out of the service at Camp Delaware. Mr. Osborn returned then to Lima and taught school for some years, and then went into a milling business for some six years, after which he went on the road as traveling salesman for J. D. Halter, of Lima, in the granite and monument line. Since closing out that contract, he has been engaged in the same line for himself. He has resided in the same home, at No. 325 West Wayne street, since May 5, 1865. On December 21, 1864, Mr. Osborn was married to Frances A. Barber, a daughter of the late John and Nancy (Ferguson) Barber, who was born in Pennsylvania and were early settlers in Bath township, Allen County, coming here in 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have two sons—Grant C. and Clifton A. The former is manager of the Cleveland-Berea Stone Company, for the Western States, with headquarters at Chicago, and the latter is associated with F. E. Harman, of Lima. Mr. Osborn and his wife are members of the Disciples' Church. Politically he is a Republican and has frequently served as a delegate to conventions. He is a member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R. FREDERIC ALTSTAETTER, one of the prominent farmers of Monroe township, whose 200 acres of well-improved land are situated in section 29, was born in this township, January 26, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Bucher) Altstaetter. The father of our subject was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, February 21, 1811, and came to the United States in 1832. He spent a year in Maryland, where he followed his trade of cabinet-making at Fredericktown, and then removed to Dayton, Ohio, in 1833. In 1835 he came to Monroe township, Allen County, where a long, busy and useful life was spent. He owned a very large body of land at one time, but prior to his death he gave his children all but 200 acres. He learned to speak the English language intelligently, but the German tongue was the one usually heard in the home. He was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party but never cared for political office. He was a man of integrity of character and was one of the leading Germans of his locality. It was through his efforts and generosity that the German Evangelical Church was founded in Monroe town- 558 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ship. At Dayton, Ohio, he was married to Catherine Bucher, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 26, 1816, and died in Monroe township, in December, 1903. On the paternal side her people came from Switzerland and settled first in Pennsylvania. Our subject is one of 13 children, namely : Elizabeth, deceased ; Frederic ; John, deceased ; Susannah (Haas), of Lima ; Sarah (Zulinger), of Lima ; George L., of Monroe township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work ; Michael, of Lima ; Mary (Rummel), of Monroe township; Louisa, Catherine and Bertha, deceased ; Philip Jacob, living on the old homestead, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this work ; and Abigail, deceased. In 1866 our subject was married to Elizabeth Krouse and they resided on her father's farm in Putnam County for 12 years. Then Mr. Altstaetter bought his present well-improved farm, where he has carried on general farming and stock-raising ever since. Mrs. Altstaetter was born in Richland County, Ohio, August 18, 1847, and was 20 years of age when she accompanied her parents to Putnam County. They were John and Margaret ( Stein) Krouse, natives of Germany, but both of them had come as children to America. Mr. and Mrs. Altstaetter have three sons, viz. : John, a merchant at Cairo; Charles, who operates the home farm ; and George F., who farms in Monroe township. Mr. Altstaetter and wife are members of the German Reformed Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. W. B. CRAIG, manager of The Crystal Ice & Coal Company, of Lima, Ohio, was born in Sidney, this State, and is a son of Samuel R. Craig, who for more than 35 years has been an engineer for the C., H. & D. Railway. Samuel R. Craig was born about 1847 in Butler County, Pennsylvania, but came to Lima with his parents when a lad of five years. The grandfather of our subject, Milton C. Craig, now deceased, was also well known in railroad circles, as he assisted in the building of the Pennsylvania road from Allegheny City to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and held a responsible position with the company for 15 years. Later he was identified with the C., H. & D. road for 18 years, when he retired from active work. He served two terms on the board of directors of the Lima Water-Works and was a man well liked by everyone. W. B. Craig has spent the greater part of his life in Lima where he was educated, being graduated from the Lima High School in the class of 189o. Securing work with the C., H. & D. Railway, he was employed first in their offices in Lima, and later went on the road, remaining in their service about three years. The two years following were spent with the Solar Refining Company, and he then engaged in the ice business for one year. Being tendered the management of the Lima Ice & Coal Company, he served in that capacity two years and was then identified with the Pure Ice Company. This company built a plant in Lima and was afterward succeeded by The Crystal Ice & Coal Company, Mr. Craig remaining with the new management, and one year later being placed in charge of the business. He is a shrewd business man and well fitted for the place, having shown marked ability in looking after the interests of the company. W. B. Craig was married in 1896 to Mary Thompson, daughter of Frederick Thompson, a retired railroad man of Lima. They have one child, Isabelle. Mr. Craig has but recently been elected to a seat in the City Council of Lima, and it is certain that the interests of the city will lose nothing by having so careful and conscientious a gentleman to look after their advancement.   WILLIAM NAPIER, one of the old pioneers of Shawnee township, after a long, busy and useful life, passed away on his large farm in section 14, on March 15, 1900. Prior to his marriage William Napier had bought .property at Pulaski, Pennsylvania, and was married in that State while his bride was temporarily residing there. She was Sarah Huff, born in Hubbard township, Trumbull County, Ohio, April 7, 1818, and a AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 559 daughter of Adam and Anna (Hall) Huff, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter, in New Jersey. The children born to William Napier and wife were : Adelia, who died aged two years ; Amanda, who died aged six years ; Charles, who died aged two years ; Hanlon, who died at Toledo, in 1899, who had been a member of the 54th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in the Civil War ; Harriet B., wife of Silas Reed, of Shawnee township ; Elizabeth Adelia, wife of Salem Reed, of Shawnee township; Hillary C., a prominent citizen of Lima and a member of the City Council, who married Emma Bird ; .Susan, who married Freeman Reed, of Lima ; Sarah, who married William A. Smith ; and Mary, who married John Striff. On October 7, 1843, Mr. Napier started with his family from Trumbull County to make a home in Allen County, which was then almost a wilderness. The great wagon, with its household goods and the family, lumbered along through the unbroken forests, not a road having yet been cut, crossed dangerous streams and had numerous adventures ; but after a journey of two weeks Mr. Napier reached Shawnee township and settled first on a farm south of the one now occupied by his family. Later he moved to the farm in section 14 on which he lived for 46 years. He graded and constructed the road in front of his home, and in the year following the Civil War erected the present comfortable brick house in which Mrs. Napier still resides. Although he had not been reared to agricultural. work, being a shoemaker and tanner, he cleared and put under cultivation two farms, developing them from the forest. At one time he owned 200 acres of land, but subsequently sold 80 acres to his son-in-law, Salem Reed. For many years Mr. Napier was identified with the Republican party ; but in later life, realizing the crime and curse of intemperance, he cast his influence in favor of the Prohibition party. He was a man of principle and always had the courage of his convictions. He was a worthy and valued member of the Disciples' Church at one time ; but later united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. To all denominations he was liberal as became a Christian man, and he was a generous contributor to the erection of Darling Church, the first Methodist Episcopal edifice in his locality. Until infirmities prevented, he was active in church and Sunday-school and no more thorough teacher of the Holy Scriptures could be found. He had studied them carefully, and was frequently called upon to make clear some obscure subject. During the entire period of his active life Mr. Napier took an interest in developing the township, assisting in framing good laws and in forwarding movements for the building of churches and school-houses and the construction of good roads. His venerable wife survives him ; and in spite of her burden of 88 years retains her active mental faculties and enjoys the visits of her neighbors and devoted children. E. M. BOTKINS, a resident of Lima who for years was the leading liveryman of the city, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1858. He was reared and educated in his native county, taking a course in the schools of Sidney, after which he began working by the month on a farm. He continued this work until about 1878 when he came to Lima and secured a position as fireman on the C., H. & D. Railway under Engineer John Black. Later he was promoted to the more responsible position of engineer and had charge of an engine for 14 years, after which he gave up railroading and engaged in the livery business with his brother W. S. Botkins. Botkins Brothers had the misfortune to be burned out after they had been conducting their business but two and a half years, and from that time until August, 1905, E. M. Botkins continued the business by himself. He did a large business and accumulated sufficient means to enable him to retire from active work at that time. He has since employed his time in looking after his various business interests. Mr. Botkins was married October 20, 1885, to Nellie Lepsit, daughter of the late William Lepsit, who was a well and favorably known conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad up to the time of his death in the winter of 1895. 560 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Botkins : Carrie, who graduated from the Lima High School, in the class of 1904, and Ruth, who is yet attending school. The family are members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and take an active interest in the church work. Mr. Botkins is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. During the 27 years of his residence in Lima he has made a host of friends by his honorable and upright demeanor. SAMUEL EAST, one of German township's pioneer farmers and leading citizens, township trustee and school director, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, December 2, 1830, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hufferd) East. Christopher East, the paternal grandfather, was a Hessian soldier in the British Army during the Revolutionary War, who later located in Pickaway County, Ohio, followed agriculture and died there. His son, John East, father of Samuel, was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1794, and later moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, and died in Allen County, September 20, 1862. On April 3, 1817, he married Elizabeth Hufferd, who was born in 1799. Their children were two daughters and three sons, namely : Mary, who married Jacob S. Baker ; Elizabeth, who married Samuel Clutter ; Isaac, who married Barbara Burkholder ; Abraham, who married Jane McMillen; and Samuel, of this sketch, who is the only survivor. Samuel East was reared on a farm and has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. When prepared to take upon himself domestic responsibilities, he chose for his wife Elizabeth Mumaw, the estimable daughter of Frederick and Elenora (Loughe) Mumaw, old residents of Knox County, Ohio. These children were born to them : Marion, born September 25, 1856, deceased September 23, 1857; Monroe M., born March 13, 1858, who married Priscilla Alice Crider, daughter of Isaac Crider, November 1, 1877; Albert and Alfred (twins), born January 1, 1860-the former deceased February 14, 1860, and the latter, who married Emma Kauffman, October 29, 1881, still surviving; Melissa Ellen, born July 23, 1861, who married Newton K. Ransbottom, November 29, 1877, and died May 27, 1879 ; Marietta, born October 16, 1862, who married Isaac D. Crider, March 25, 188o; Irene, born March 23, 1864, deceased December 3, 1872 ; Duley Iona, born November 15, 1865, who married S. T. Crites, September 13, 1887, and died November 19, 1896 ; and Sarah Princes, born October 26, 1869, who married Henry F. Desenberg, December 7, 1889, and died March 21, 1900. R. M. TAYLOR, secretary, treasurer and manager of the McKibben Gas Engine Company, of Lima, stands among the city's representative business men, although scarcely yet in the prime of life. He was born in England, in April, 1881, and is a son of George Taylor. The father of R. M. Taylor is one of Allen County's best known men. He graduated as a civil and as a mechanical engineer in England and came to America in 1886. He has served as county surveyor and is a professional civil engineer. One brother of our subject, Joe Taylor, graduated from the Lima Business College, taking the world's record in shorthand. He received the degrees of A. B. and B. S. from Lima College where he taught for a time. Later he took an A. B. degree at Wooster and still later received an A. B. at Harvard University. He is now manager of the Uncas Paper Mills, of Norwich, Connecticut. Still another brother, George Taylor, a graduate of the Lima High School, received the degree of A. B. from the Western Reserve University, and is assistant chief draughtsman for the Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsburg. R. M. Taylor was five years old when his parents came to America and located at Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, where he lived until 1893, when he came to Lima. He attended the Lima High School when Prof. Charles C. Miller was in charge. Immediately after graduating, he entered the shops of the C., H. & D. Railway, where he remained three and a half years, gaining a thoroughly practical edu- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 561 cation. He next spent a short season with Charles W. Angell, in his electrical works, after which he was appointed inspector of locomotives for the Chicago, Cincinnati — Louisville Railroad. He performed the duties of this office for six months ; when the road changed hands, Mr. Taylor bought an interest in the McKibben Gas Engine Company. This company was incorporated April 1, 1901, with a capital stock of $10,000, with C. A. Moore, president; Fred E. Herold, vice-president, and R. M. Taylor, secretary, treasurer and manager. The business is the manufacturing of gasoline engines, repair work on steam and gas-engines and all kinds of boiler work. Mr. Taylor is also a stockholder in the Bower Roller Bearing Company, of Dayton, Ohio. He was made treasurer of the Lima Paper Stock Company, November 15, 1905. For some 14 years Mr. Taylor has been a member of the Market Street Presbyterian Church of Lima. He takes an active interest in public matters and political contests, but not to the exclusion of his own business interests. He is in every way qualified for the positions he holds and is fast becoming one of the city's successful business men. F. P. & J. J. HARDIN, whose extensive agricultural operations and large stock-raising enterprises are carried on in section 35, Perry township, are experienced men in their line of activity. The firm which is made up of Franklin Pierce and James J. Hardin, brothers, began the raising of Chester-White hogs in 1895. It is probable that no exhibitors at fairs ever met with greater success, year in and year out, than has this firm. They have exhibited at county, State and international fairs, meeting the very best in competition, and have frequently captured every first prize offered, and on all occasions have secured the lion's share of the honors. At the St. Louis Exposition in 1904, they carried off $1.235 in prizes, and it is a remarkable and unusual fact that at all the various fairs where they have exhibited, their prizes have been far in excess of the shipping charges and expense of exhibiting. This enviable reputation has been made in a period of six years and it is of so stable a character as to have brought a demand for their Chester-Whites from every section of this country and from Canada. The hogs bring fancy prices and are mainly used by buyers for breeding and exhibition purposes. The first exhibition made by the firm was in 1898, at the Ohio State Fair, and the exhibit won four first and a second prize and two sweepstakes. In this year the firm lost 92 head so in 1899 they exhibited but two hogs and received one first and one second prize, and in 1900, three sweepstakes and four first, four second and three third prizes. At the Indiana State Fair in 1900, they were awarded five first premiums, one second, one third and one championship. In 1900 at the Illinois State Fair they were awarded I0 firsts, three seconds, one third and one sweepstake. In the same year, at St. Louis, they received to firsts and three thirds. In 1901, at the Pan-American Exposition they took six firsts, six seconds, three thirds, three fourths, one fifth and one sweepstake. In this same year, at the New York State Fair held at Syracuse, they received two championship„ 10 firsts out of a possible 11, and three seconds. In 1901, at the Michigan State Fair, they were awarded 11 firsts out of a possible 12, three seconds and two thirds. In 1902, at the Iowa State Fair, held at Des Moines, they received one first, five seconds and one third prize. In 1902, at the Nebraska State Fair held at Lincoln, they received eight firsts, six seconds, four thirds and one fourth, and at the Kansas State Fair, they received 11 firsts and six seconds. In 1903 they exhibited at the Ohio State Fair and were awarded 11 first, all they were entered in, four seconds and one third. At the Indiana State Fair held at Indianapolis, in 1903, they received eight firsts, two seconds, two thirds and one championship. In the same year, at the Kentucky State Fair held at Owensboro, they were given seven firsts, six seconds and seven thirds. At the Illinois State Fair held at Springfield in 1903, they were 562 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY awarded six first and six seconds. At the International Fair held at Chicago, they were .awarded 10 firsts, six seconds, two thirds and two championships, this remarkable record of .exhibitions and successes being completed at the St. Louis Exposition, as above mentioned. Their prize winners at the St. Louis Louisiana Purchase Exposition were as follows : Junior yearling boar, first prize; senior under year boar, first and second prize ; junior under year boar, first prize; aged sow, 19th and loth prizes ; senior yearling sow, second and fourth prizes ; junior yearling sow, second prize ; senior under year sow, first and fifth prizes ; junior under year sow, seventh prize. At the same exposition the championships were : Champion boar under year, first and reserve ; champion sow under one year, first prize ; champion sow, any age, first prize; get of one sire, four animals, first and fifth prizes; four animals, produce of one sow, first prize ; boar and three sows over one year; first prize; boar and sow under one year, first prize; best showing of Chester-White swine in class ring, first prize ; best showing of Chester-White bred by exhibitor, first prize ; boar and three sows, one year and over, bred by exhibitor, first $200 prize ; champion fat barren, one year and under, two first prizes ; champion barren, any age, first prize. In addition to hog raising the firm engaged in general farming, and they feed, buy and sell cattle, horses and mules, also raise seed corn. They keep all kinds of machinery necessary for their work and include in their possession a full complement of carpenter and blacksmith tools so that they can make most of their own repairs. They also operate a sawmill on one .corner of the farm. A large, handsome modern home is surrounded by all the necessary buildings, which are made use of in the conduct of such extensive business operations. FRANKLIN PIERCE HARDIN, the senior member of the well-known firm of F. P. & J. J. Hardin, was born February 16, 1865, in Allen County, a half mile east of South Warsaw, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Hardin. Jesse Hardin, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a son of John Hardin, who also was a native of the Keystone State, and moved with his family to Ohio, first settling in Knox County, but locating in 1837 with the pioneers in Auglaize County. Jesse Hardin married Mary Brentlinger, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel Brentlinger, also a pioneer in Auglaize County. They had the following children :John, Martha, Louisa, Martin, Catherine, Joseph, all deceased ; Lucinda, wife of S. D. Focht ; Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph H. Lusk, also deceased ; Frank P., of Union township, Auglaize County; Melissa, deceased ; and Marietta, wife of Dr. Peter Van Trump. John Hardin, father of Franklin P., was born January 31, 1840, in Auglaize County, was educated in the common schools and remained at home until the age of 23, when he was married on September 14, 1863, to Elizabeth Jacobs. She was a daughter of Cadwallader and Sallie (Lepley) Jacobs. They had the following children : Franklin P. ; James J.; Willett L., who is taking up coal leases for the Symmes Creek Coal Company ; Eli B., of Lima ; Baxter S., who was drowned July 19, 1902, while on a fishing excursion in British Columbia ; Charles S., who died in infancy; and Mary Sally, who died September 7, 1900. In 1863 John Hardin settled in section 26, Perry township, and five years later moved to section 35. He cleared and improved the larger part of this farm and resided upon it until 1894, when he went to California for a year, returning to Ohio in 1895 and settling at Lima, where he died August 20, 1900. In 1880 he embarked in the lumber business. After the discovery of oil and the necessity for oil machinery arose, he engaged in the manufacture of sucker rods until 1894. His sons, who compose the Hardin firm, still continue the business. Prior to this, in 1881, he engaged in the drain tile business with G. Jennings and D. L. Umbaugh. In 1890 he bought out his partners, and in 1896 he was in partnership with J. A. Jacobs, a brother-in-law, in the Lima Coal & Sewer Pipe Company, and still later he was interested in the sale of farm implements, carriages and wagons, continuing an AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 565 active business man until his death. In politics he was a Democrat and on several occasions he served in township offices. Franklin P. Hardin was three years of age when his parents came to the present farm in section 35, Perry township, on the Auglaize County line, on which he has resided for 37 years. His education was acquired in the local schools and all his interests have centered around this farm and its many possibilities. In 1890 the father formed the firm of John Hardin & Sons and in all his enterprises the sons assisted. After the father gave up his lumber interests, Franklin P. and James J. continued the business until 1901. Since 1901 his time has been mostly devoted to promoting the farming and hog interests of the firm of F. P. & J. J. Hardin, mentioned above. On November 1, 1894, Mr. Hardin was married to Belle Bowyer, who was born in Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio, June 2 I , 1867, and is a daughter of Henry and Emeline (Eastman) Bowyer. Her father was a son of Madison and Rachel (Largent) Bowyer. Four children have been born to this marriage, namely : Celila Lawrie, born March 6, 1896 ; Roena Ilo, born June 7, 1898 ; Avis Anil, born September 24, 1900; and Milba Hale, born January I, 1904. Politically, Mr. Hardin is a Democrat. As the above record has told, both Mr. and Mrs. Hardin belong to old established families of this section. Mr. Hardin is proud of these ancestral lines, as he has reason to be, and he has in his possession two pictures which will doubtless be highly valued by his descendants. These may be termed four-generation groups and those presented on one picture are his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Bentlinger Hardin, his father, John Hardin, himself and a daughter. The other, more interesting, represents Mrs. Hardin, her mother, Mrs. Emeline (Eastman) Bowyer, her grandmother, Mrs. Rachel Bowyer, and her own two daughters, besides all those in the first group and the mother of our subject. There are many families who would consider these priceless treasures had their ancestors been thoughtful enough to preserve family pictures in this way. ROBERT HILL, one of Lima's retired citizens, who for 22 years was one of her most active business men, was born in 1840 in Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a son of John Hill. The father of Mr. Hill was born in Pennsylvania. In addition to farming he worked at the shoemaker's trade, and, being a natural mechanic, was able to turn his hand to almost anything. He lived for a time in Ohio, but later returned to Pennsylvania and died there. Our subject has one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Standiford, widow of John F. Standiford, who is a resident of Perry township, Allen County. Robert Hill was reared and educated in Columbiana County, Ohio, and Beaver County, Pennsylvania. In 1859 he visited Owen County, Indiana, for a short time, coming to Lima in the spring of 1860. At the opening of the Civil War, in 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Colonel Martin's Independent Rifles, which went to Missouri, being in the Army of Gen. John C. Fremont. Later the organization became Company E, First Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., which participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and Corinth. It participated in the campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and Mr. Hill's time of enlistment expired just after the fall of the latter city, his honorable discharge being given at East Point, Georgia. After the close of his army service, Mr. Hill returned to Lima and soon engaged in farming and stockraising, in which lines he continued until 1872, when he located in Lima. For several succeeding years he hauled straw for the Lima Paper Company, and for 22 years was in the house-moving business. He also served one term as street commissioner. For the past few years he has devoted his time to the superintendence of his investments and to the general enjoyment of life made possible by his long previous years of industry. In 1867 Mr. Hill was married to Lavina Crossley, who is a daughter of Ross Crossley, one of the early pioneers of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have four children, viz : Annabel, who is a clerk in R. T. Gregg & Company's store in Lima ; Pheba Gertrude ; Charles C. ; and Araminta May, who is the wife of Floyd 566 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Patton, of Lima. Mr. Hill belongs to Mart Armstrong Post; No. 202, G. A. R., of Lima. His portrait accompanies this sketch. H. A. MOORE, retired merchant of Lima, and for many years one of its leading men of business, was born in Butler County, Ohio, a son of one of the early pioneers of this section. Mr. Moore was a babe in arms when his parents came to Lima and he lived near this city until about seven years of age, when the family removal was made to Warren County. From the public schools he entered Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and thus secured an excellent training for business. His earliest inclinations turned to merchandising and his first independent work was as a clerk in a grocery house in Cincinnati, where his salary was on the basis of $75 per annum. His industry and intelligent interest in the affairs of his employer soon advanced him, and by the time he was 18 years of age he was invited into partnership with M. C. Adams, of Eaton, Ohio, in a wholesale and retail grocery business. The firm of Moore & Adams established a store on Court street, Cincinnati, and during the first year did a business of $68,000. At the end, Mr. Adams offered Mr. Moore a good bonus to sell to him, which was accepted and Mr. Moore went to Cambridge City, Indiana, where he engaged as clerk in a dry goods business for two years. After a short time Mr. Moore returned to Lima where his early childhood had been spent, secured a partner and went into the retail grocery business under the firm name of Moore & Lisle, which continued three years. Then our subject turned his attention to dry goods and established himself in business on the Public Square, Lima, where for 19 years he was one of the leading dry goods merchants. Since retiring from active business life, Mr. Moore has enjoyed the recreation of travel, and with his family, has visited most of the interesting points in the United States. He has large real estate investments which require attention, though they do not absorb his time to such an extent as to preclude such enjoyment as ample means makes possible. In 1856 Mr. Moore was married to Emaline Underwood, of Allen County, and by this union there were four children, the only one surviving being Eva, wife of Walter S. McNairy, of Lima. Mrs. Moore died in 1866. In 1868 Mr. Moore was united to E. Matilda Jacobs, a daughter of Thomas K. Jacobs, an old pioneer of this county. The following children were the fruit of this marriage, viz. : T. K., a physician, of Akron, Ohio ; E. K., of Lima ; Annie, who has been a successful teacher in Chicago ; W. Cloyd, in the office of the Chicago & Erie Railroad Company at Chicago ; and H. Stewart, of Lima. Mr. Moore has long been a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, of Lima. His business methods have given him a high standing in the business world, and he has constantly shown his public spirit in the promotion of various civic movements looking to the public welfare. JOHN E. PATTERSON, general merchant, at Beaver Dam, was born in Bath township, Allen County, Ohio, March 13, 1873, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Driver) Patterson. John Patterson, father of J. E. Patterson, was a native of Allen County. He was a farmer and for some years operated a threshing machine. In 1873 he moved with his family to Nevada, and then returned to Ohio, settled on a farm and died in 1885, aged 45 years. He married Elizabeth Driver, who died at Lima, aged 65 years. She was born in Virginia. Their children were : Mary Jane, born in 1861, deceased in 1871 ; Emma C., born July 26, 1867, deceased December 28, 1871 ; Samuel, born June 5, 1870, deceased January 14, 1872 —all three children victims of an epidemic of diphtheria ; John E., our subject ; Hallie (Mound), of Lima, born October 22, 1876; and Franklin D., born September 11, 1879, deceased January J0, 1881. John E. Patterson was a babe when his AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 567 parents moved to Nevada and was two years old when they settled on a farm near Lima. He attended the country schools until he was eight years old, when his father moved to Lima, where he died when John E. was a lad of 12 years. The death of the father made changes in the family, and our subject came to Beaver Dam and worked for a cousin until he was 19 years old, and as opportunity offered attended school, passing one term at the Ohio Normal University at Ada. Then he taught one term and for some years following he was variously employed, working in a sawmill, clerking for one year and then went on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad for three years, after which he bought a grocery, which he conducted for two years, and then farmed for three years. In 1902 Mr. Patterson embarked in his present general mercantile business, one in which he has met with success. In 1893 Mr. Patterson was married to Mina Criblez, who was born in Allen County ' and is a daughter of Samuel and Lucy (Curtis) Criblez, natives of Ohio. The Criblez family originated in France, in which country Mrs. Patterson's grandparents were born. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have twin daughters, Della and Nellie, who were born March 24, 1894. Politically Mr. Patterson is identified with the Republican party. He is one of Beaver Dam's intelligent and enterprising men and is a member of the Board of Education of the village. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. CONSTANTINE SCHERGER, a well-known business citizen. of Delphos, the head of the firm of C. Scherger & Sons, marble dealers and monument workers, was born October 1, 1842, in Germany, and is a son of Anton and Josephine Scherger. The parents of Mr. Scherger were both born in Germany. In 1845 they came to America and settled first in Seneca County, Ohio, where the father followed agricultural pursuits for a number of years. The death of the mother at the age of 37 years, in 1851, was occasioned by her accidentally falling into a well. Anton Scherger died in 1875 aged 73 years. Both were consistent members of the Catholic Church. Their four children were : A child that died in infancy ; Anton, who lives on the old homestead ; Constantine, the subject of this sketch; and John, who died at Delphos January 10, 1902. The last named was born in 1847 in Seneca County, Ohio, learned the blacksmithing business at which he worked for two years at Delphos, and then formed a partnership with William Hankins, with whom he continued in business for four years. John Scherger then bought his partner's interest and continued until 1875, when he entered into partnership with his brother Constantine in the marble business. In 188o he began building wagons, carriages and buggies and continued in the manufacture of all kinds of vehicles for over 10 years. After 1890 he did a large amount of repair work. In 1887 he built a two-story brick business house on Main street, Delphos, which was burned on July 4, 1891 ; but he rebuilt and in the same summer his property was a second time destroyed by fire. John Scherger was married in 1872 to Eva Sorg, daughter of Peter Sorg, of Seneca, Ohio, and they had a family of to children. He was a member, of the Church of St. John the Evan- gelist at Delphos. A self-made 'man, he was one who commanded the respect of all who knew him. Constantine Scherger remained at home until 1858, and then spent a year in Hancock County, Ohio, after which he entered into a two-years' apprenticeship to the wagon-making trade at Tremont, Sandusky County, Ohio. After completing this, he worked for a short time at Lima and then located at Delphos, where he worked for a year prior to his enlistment in the Union Army. On June 28, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained in the service until the close of the war, being mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, in June, 1865. After four months' service with the 99th Ohio, he became a member of the engineer corps of General Rosecrans' command and did duty in that branch of the service during the remainder of the war. 568 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY After his return to peaceful pursuits, Mr. Scherger spent a month in his old home in Seneca County and then went to work with Samuel Stuter & Son, his previous employers. He remained with that firm for about one year, for three months of that time being in partnership with them, and then began the wagon-making business for himself at Delphos. He continued in this business for four years and then spent two years farming for his brother in Van Wert County ; but failing health brought him back to Delphos. Here he was given the position of foreman in Kollsmith's wood-working shop, but ere long he found his health would not stand this strain. About 1874, he associated with his late brother, John Scherger, in purchasing the marble shop of James Tolan ; they remained together about two years, and then our subject bought his brother's interest and continued in the business by himself. It was commenced in a small way, but through Mr. Scherger's industry and ability it continued to grow from year to year until at the present writing (1905) he has the largest marble works in Delphos and one of the largest in Allen or Van Wert County. Formerly he also owned a shop in Ottawa ; but that he sold ; he still maintains a branch of his business at Defiance. Mr. Scherger gives constant employment to six skilled workmen, keeps three salesmen on the road and sells his work over a very large territory, covering the greater part of several counties in every direction. The present firm name was adopted on January 1, 1892, when our subject's son, John A. Scherger, became a member of the firm. On. Jan- uary I, 1905, two other sons, Barney T. and Joseph, became active partners. The firm of C. Scherger & Sons, therefore, is made up of Constantine Scherger, John A. Scherger, Barney T. Scherger and Joseph Scherger. The business is conducted as the Delphos Marble & Granite Works, dealers in all kinds of marble and granite monuments. Their shops are well equipped with all necessary machinery of a modern kind and all their lettering, tracing and carving is done with pneumatic tools. The head of the firm may be said to have practically retired from the business after his long years of continuous activity. In 1868 Mr. Scherger was married to Fannie Fischer, who was born in Huron County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Saffron Fischer. Her death occurred February 10, 1883. She was the mother of nine children, the survivors being : John A., Barney T, Theresa, Anna and William. On April 22, 1884, Mr. Scherger was married to Mrs. Mary (Dolt) Suever, who was the widow of Frank Suever and a daughter of Joseph Dolt, who was one of the old pioneer settlers and respected citizens of Delphos. To Mr. and Mrs. Scherger were born these children : Joseph, Leo, Ida and Anthony. The parents and all the children are members of the Church of St. John the Evangelist at Delphos. Mr. Scherger has taken an active part in public and political matters at Delphos and has been more or less a leader in the Democratic party. He has been a member of the City Council for a number of terms, where he is valued for his excellent judgment. In all his decisions he has the welfare of the city at heart. He has served also in other offices of responsibility, one of these being that of city treasurer, to which he was appointed. He can look back over a long and successful business life; one which has brought him material prosperity and has added to the prestige of Delphos as a commercial center. JOHN A. SCHERGER, the eldest of our subject's sons, was born August 6, 1869, at Delphos. He was reared here and was educated in the parochial schools and in both the German and English departments of the public schools. He was 17 years old when he entered his father's marble shop and he has continued in the business ever since, being at present general supervisor 0f the work. He understands the selling and the mounting of monuments and looks after that department, besides having general charge of the clerical work. On August 9, 1892, John A. Scherger was married to Agnes Weible, daughter of Henry and Mary Weible, the former of whom was county commissioner and a member of the Board of Public Works in Van Wert County for 4o years. Mrs. Scherger died May 19, 1893, after the birth of twin sons, Constantine and Henry, named for their grandfathers. The AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 569 former lives with his grandfather Scherger. The latter died August 27, 1893. In 1897 Mr. Scherger married, for his second wife, Mary G. Goebel, a daughter of John Goebel, and they have two daughters—Leona and Ruth. Mr. Scherger and family reside in a very handsome home on West Fifth street, Delphos. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Knights of America and Catholic Knights of Ohio. He is a member of the Delphos volunteer fire department, and is now serving his third term of city councilman. BARNEY T. SCHERGER was born March 8, 1871, in Delphos, and was educated in the parochial and public schools. At the age of 19 he learned the trade of marble worker. On October 22, 1892, he was married to Lizzie Behm and they have had two children—Elmer (deceased) and Erwin. In 1894 he took charge of the firm's marble business at Ottawa, Ohio, where he remained ten years and six months. He then returned to Delphos as a resident partner of the firm. He belongs to the Knights of St. John and Catholic Knights of Ohio, and, like his brother, is a member of the Delphos volunteer fire department. E. N. ZETLITZ, an esteemed resident of Lima, has won a high reputation as a florist, not only in Allen County but throughout this section of the State. Mr. Zetlitz was born in 1856 in Norway, and has been accustomed to the care of plants since his childhood. Coming to America when a young man, he first secured a position in Toledo, Ohio, as florist at the State Asylum for the Insane, remaining there two years. After some time spent in Toledo, Tiffin and Bryan, Ohio, he came to Lima where, in 1898, he purchased the greenhouses and business of Swan Brothers, which he has since conducted. Having devoted 33 years to this work, it was to be expected that he would succeed ; but few people realized, at that time, the importance of the transfer, as Swan Brothers were then the leading florists of Lima. Mr. Zetlitz soon produced flowers of such exquisite beauty and in such profusion that the attention of plant lovers was attracted to his greenhouses, and the number of his patrons was increased until today he has one of the leading greenhouses in this section of the State, his flowers finding a ready market in many distant cities. Some idea of the magnitude of the business may be formed when it is known that over 10,000 square feet of ground are under glass. Mr. Zetlitz was married in Norway in 1880 to Emilie Berner, of that country. They have four children, Barghild, Randi, Rolf and Thor. The family stand high in the estimation of their neighbors, and are members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in which they are active workers. Mr. Zetlitz is a member of the Elks, the Maccabees and the Knights. of Pythias, and commands the highest confidence of the general public. SAMUEL A. POST, deceased, was a leading citizen of German township for many years, a substantial farmer and a representative man. Mr. Post was born November 22, 1856, and died March 24, 1899. His parents were L. H. and Elizabeth J. ( Stewart) Post. Mr. Post was reared on his father's farm and attended the local schools where he prepared for college, subsequently entering the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He spent but one term here on account of delicate health, returning to farm work, the out-door life suiting him better than the confinement of the schoolroom. In 1880 Mr. Post was married to Sarah A. Crites, who is a daughter of Jacob and Emily Crites. Mrs. Post was born in German township and has passed her life in Allen County. Five children were born to this marriage, as follows : William Stewart, born October 19, 1881, who was married January 23, 1901, to Clara Carey, of Shawnee township, and has one child, Helen, born in January, 1902 ; Cora Ethel, born November 22, 1882, who was married to Alva Benedum, of German 570 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY township, August 8, 1902, and has one child, Ruth Evelyn, born December 2, 1903 ; Louis Crites, born November 10, 1884 ; Charles B., born December 8, 1888, and Clarence B., born December 7, 1892. The last three are at home and take all the responsibility of the farm work. They are capable young men, worthy representatives of their excellent father. The death of Mr. Post occurred very suddenly. He was stricken with spinal meningitis and survived the attack but four days. He was laid to rest in the Allentown cemetery. He was the kind of man to be much missed, both in his household and in his neighborhood. Honest and upright in all his dealings with others, he secured friendship and esteem. He was intelligently interested in all public matters in his township and served for a long time as school director. In politics he was a Republican and at the time of his death was his party's candidate for township treasurer.   THE J. M. SEALTS COMPANY, wholesale grocers, is one of the large and important business combinations of Lima. It was established in 1883 by the late J. M. Sealts, under his own name. In 1888 the firm name of J. M. Sealts & Company was adopted and in 1891 the company was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000, the corporation name being the present one. The first officers were as follows : J. M. Sealts, president ; M. E. Sealts, vice-president, and C. T. Sealts, secretary and treasurer. J. M. Sealts died in the spring of 1904 and was succeeded as president by his brother, M. E. Sealts. The latter's death in December, 1904, made another change necessary, and since then Sturgis S. Sealts, son of the founder, has been president ; M. M. Sealts is vice-president and C. T. Sealts is secretary and treasurer. It requires the assistance of three traveling men to handle the extensive business done by this company outside of Lima, while their local connections are large and valuable. The late J. M. Sealts was born in Knox County, Ohio. He removed to Mansfield, Ohio, in 1878, and became a member of the 'grocery firm of Bissman & Sealts. In 1883 he sold out to his partner and came to Lima, where he established, as above mentioned, the grocery business of J. M. Sealts. Until his death, 21 years later, he was one of Lima's upright, honorable business men and prominent citizens, taking a part in her business life and promoting her best interests in every way. In Sturgis S. Sealts, who is now president, the company has also an able man at the helm. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1868. and was reared and educated at Mansfield. Almost his whole life has been associated with the wholesale grocery business, as he was only 15 years old when he first became so connected. He has an intimate knowledge of the business along all lines. He was for 12 years one of the firm's representatives on the road. In 1904 he was married to Louise Black, a daughter of Thomas Black. Mr. Sealts belongs to the United Commercial Travelers' Association. JOHN R. MARSHALL, the proprietor of "White Haven Farm," is a representative agriculturist of Monroe township. He was born near Poland, in Mahoning County, Ohio, February 22, 1851, and has been a resident of Allen County since the autumn of that year, his parents, Cyrus and Mary (Reed) Marshall, having located here at that time. His great-grandfather was born in County Down, Ireland, and was of Scotch descent. He emigrated to Pennsylvania, where James Marshall, the grandfather of our subject, was born. The remainder of his life was spent in Lawrence and Beaver counties as a large farmer and stock-raiser. Cyrus Marshall, father of John R. Marshall, was born near Mount Jackson, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, June 22, 1826, and remained there until after his marriage. His wife, Mary Reed, was a daughter of Samuel and Margaret Reed and was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, December 24, 1826. After AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 573 marriage, they resided in Mahoning County about one year, and then, in the fall of 1851, came by wagon to Allen County and took up their residence in a small log house in the timber. Here Mr. Marshall entered land which he cleared and turned his attention to the tilling, of his soil and to stock-raising. He was successful and had accumulated, at the time of his death in 1891, about 50o acres of land by his own industry and good management. He left a widow, who still resides on the homestead first entered here, and two sons—John R. and Albert H., who lives in Richland township. Cyrus Marshall was a man of upright character who strove always to attain the high standard of living which was his ideal. He was quiet and domestic in his taste, finding his greatest enjoyment at his own fireside and in his labors for his church, which lost one of its strongest members when he was called to the life beyond. John R. Marshall has passed his entire life in Richland and Monroe townships, where he has devoted his time and attention to farming and more particularly to stock-raising and feeding. He remained with his parents until his marriage when he moved to his present farm, which consists of 270 acres, located in section 13, Monroe township and in section 18, Richland township. Like his father and grandfather before him, Mr. Marshall is engaged in breeding stock and also buys large numbers which he feeds, in addition to those raised on the place. He makes a specialty of Delaine sheep. Mr. Marshall has been prominently identified with many of the leading interests of his township and is always ready to aid when the best interests of the community demand his services. He has been a director in the Commercial Bank & Savings Company of Bluffton since its organization ; was school director for many years and for the past four years has served as township trustee. On December 24, 1874, Mr. Marshall was married to Ida Irene Boyer, who was born on the adjoining farm August 4, 1854, and is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lippincott) Boyer, formerly prominent residents of Lima. The mother was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1816, and the father was born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1811. Mr. Boyer was one of the earliest settlers of Lima, coming on foot to that place when it was yet a village and there opening a tailor-shop—the first to be established in the village. Later he moved to a farm in Monroe township where he and his wife resided when the final summons called them to the higher life. To Mr. and Mrs. Marshall six children have been born, namely : Earl, who died at the age of 18 years ; Lois, wife of J. 0. Cupp, of Monroe township; Mary, wife of J. C. Begg, of Monroe township ; and Elnora, John Harold and Herbert B., who reside at home. Mr. Marshall is a Republican. He is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church of Rockport and has served as elder for 30 years. ALONZO SMITH BOWER, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, conducts the leading bakery and confectionery of Lima. He was born at Piqua, Ohio, in October, 1855, and is a son of Robert Bower, who died in this city December 3, 1903, in the 81st year of his age. Robert Bower came to Allen County when he was a lad of 12 years, about 1835, and from that year, with the exception of eight years spent in Piqua, was a resident of Lima until the time of his death. He first learned the trade of a saddle-maker and followed it for several years, part of the time at Delphos. Later he engaged in the manufacture of carriages, and in 1858 established a shop in Lima, which he conducted until his permanent retirement from active business. A. S. Bower has been a resident of Lima since his third year. He attended the public schools and worked in his father's carriage shop during his boyhood. At the age of 20 he secured work with Mr. Heffner, who conducted a bakery, and finding the employment to his liking, continued in his service until 1884, when he opened a small establishment himself. He has succeeded beyond his expectations, and now has the finest bakery and confectionery in Lima, 574 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY making a specialty of superior ice cream and producing about 1,800 loaves of bread daily, his "Nox-em-al" brand being the local favorite. He has been in his present location about 18 years and is one of the substantial citizens of Lima. Mr. Bower is a stockholder in The East Iron & Machine Company, and has other business interests here. In 1881 Mr. Bower was joined in marriage to Clara Bowyer, a daughter of Madison L. Bowyer, a venerable and esteemed citizen of German township. Mr. Bowyer still owns the land which his father entered from the government in 1829, when his son, Madison, was a child of four years. Mr. and Mrs. Bower have three children, viz : Robert Sidney, who is associated with his father in business ; and Helen and Ruth, both at home. Mr. Bower and his wife are members and active workers of the First Congregational Church, he himself being a trustee of the church, while Mrs. Bower has served as president of the Ladies' Circle for the past four years. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason and a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. EDWARD J. FORD, a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of Allen County, resides on a well-developed farm of 93 acres in section 34, Marion township, on the east side of the Auglaize River, situated on the Lima turnpike and the Delphos road. Mr. Ford was born December 19, 1853, near Urbana, on his father's pioneer farm in Champaign County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Isabella (Moore) Ford. Joseph Ford, the venerable father of our subject, who had his 89th birthday on September 17, 1905, was born on a farm situated one and a half miles southeast of Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Snell) Ford. Joseph Ford, the grandfather of Edwin J. Ford, was born March 4, 1781, near Hagerstown, Maryland, where he lived in peace and plenty on his lands after the close of the Revo lutionary War. On April 12, 1803, he married Catherine Snell, who was a daughter of Samuel Snell. She was born May 4, 1781. After marriage, Joseph and Catherine Ford joined the army of pioneers who sought homes in Kentucky, but soon left the rich valleys there, which then were overrun with Indians, and came to the more peaceful settlements in Ohio. Grandfather Ford located in Champaign County, which then, with the exception of scattered clearings, was a dense forest, and cleared a farm situated four miles from Urbana. He was also an old-time teamster and engaged in hauling freight between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and likewise did teaming for General Wayne's army. The children born to Joseph and Catherine Ford were : Sarah, James, Christiana, Nancy, John Harrison, Joseph, William, Mary and a babe which died in infancy. For 18 consecutive years Joseph Ford served as a justice of the peace and he also was captain of a rifle company. He owned a fine farm of 134 acres in the vicinity of Ur-. bana. He died in Champaign County at the age of 72 years. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and for many years was a deacon. His wife was equally devoted to this denomination. Joseph Ford, father of our subject, the seventh child of his parents family, is the only survivor, and what a vast gulf of history his long life has covered ! He was educated in the primitive subscription schools, the sessions of which were held in little log cabins, with none of the luxurious surroundings which the modern child expects both at home and at school. However, these early schools taught thoroughly the elemental principles and turned out able men and women. Mr. Ford, like his father, began to assist in teaming when but a stripling, easily managing the four and six-horse teams which were attached to the immense freight wagons. He recalls one of his early trips which took him through Allen County, when the present flourishing little city of Lima was erecting its first log cabin in the woods. He continued to follow teaming until 1843 and then entered into general farming. In 1844 he married and continued to live in Champaign AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 575 County until 1854, and then removed to Allen County, settling on a tract of 160 acres, right in the woods, which he had purchased in 1849, the land being situated in a desirable part of Marion township. This farm he cleared from the forest and increased its acreage to 200 acres. In his efforts he was assisted by his admirable wife whose frugality and excellent management provided a cheerful, happy home, in which a family of worthy children were reared to respected and useful maturity. On January 5, 1844, Joseph Ford was married to Isabella Moore, who was a daughter of Maj. Thomas and Martha (Dodson) Moore. Major Moore, who was an early settler in Kentucky and a farmer, drover, teamster and soldier, obtained his title in the War of 1812. He was surrendered with the garrison at Detroit by Gen. William Hull, having cut his way through 200 miles of forest to Detroit from Urbana. Major Moore was the first man to plant an orchard in his county. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss McConkle, and five children were born to the union. The second marriage was to Martha Dodson, and the following children were born to this marriage : Jesse, Samuel, William. Isabella and Martha J. The death of Major Moore occurred during one of his teaming trips, his lifeless body being found in his wagon. He was 5o years of age. The children of Joseph Ford and wife were : Dora, deceased, who was the wife of Irenus Stooky ; John C., a farmer of Marion township, who is also in the stone business ; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Edward Tucker ; Anna, the wife of Henry Boroff, of Hardin County, Ohio ; Thomas, deceased ; Edward J., of Marion township ; Frances, deceased, who was the wife of Sheldon Sarber ; Alice, the wife of Rev. George W. Mell, pastor of the Christian Church at Delphos ; Maly, a farmer on the old homestead, who married Emily Lee ; and Ollie, who married Charles Morgan and resides on the homestead. The mother of the above mentioned children, full of years and possessed of all the Christian virtues, passed away in the old home in section 2, Marion township, on January 13, 1902. Since - 80 - 1885 Mr. Ford has lived retired. He has always been identified with the Democratic party and for a number of his active years served as township trustee. His venerable age causes him to find the larger part of his enjoyment in the associations of the home and hearthstone, and he still deeply mourns the loss which bereaved him of his companion of so many happy years. He is held in the highest respect and greatest esteem by the residents of Marion township. Edward J. Ford, our immediate subject, was only three months old when his parent& came to Allen County and settled on the farm; in section 2, Marion township. Mr. Ford was reared on the farm where the summer seasons were filled with agricultural labor, while the winters were given over to attending school., About two years after his marriage, in association with his brother, John C. Ford, he opened up a stone quarry business in section 9, Marion township, and was interested in this business for four years. Then he started in business alone on his own farm. Following his marriage, he located on a tract of 35 acres of land which had been partially improved and cultivated, and later he came to his present productive farm, settling here in March, 1889. He carries on general farming in connection with his stone business, having ditched and tiled his land and improved it with excellent buildings. Much of his time, however, is still demanded by his stone interests. The capacity of his stone-crusher is from 5o to 60 yards a day, the average product being the former quantity, and sales are made all over the county. He is a member of the township School Board and is one of the directors of the beautiful Walnut Grove Cemetery. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias. In January, 1880, Mr. Ford was married to Lovina Phillips, who is a daughter of Isaac and Polly (Crites) Phillips. The former was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and. was a son of Daniel Phillips, who moved to Ohio at a very early day and settled near Dayton for a short period and then removed to Fairfield County. There he bought 80 acres of land and spent the rest of his life upon it. He 576 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY reared seven sons and five daughters. The father of Mrs. Ford learned the blacksmith's trade in Fairfield County. In 1855 he moved to Allen County and settled on a farm in Marion township, one mile east and south of Mr. Ford's place. He remained on this farm in section 3 for a number of years. His wife died some years before he was accidentally killed by a train on the P., Ft. W. & C. Railway, at Scott's Crossing. HON CARLOS HENDERSON, an attorney of the Allen County Bar, was born at Tranquility, Adams County, Ohio, February 13, 1862. He is a son of Dr. James Kyle and Susanna Henderson, who now reside at Weston, Ohio. Dr. James Kyle Henderson, now of the age of 82 years, is a graduate of the New York College of Medicine, and for many years was one of the leading physicians of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. Don Carlos Henderson attended the public schools at Bucyrus, Ohio, and completed his course of studies at the Ohio Normal University in the year 1887, at which time he received the degree of A. B. The year following he attended college at Delaware, Ohio, and later studied law, completing his course of reading in the office of Hon. Moses A. Hoagland, of Lima, and being admitted to the bar in October, 1889. After admission to the bar, he began practice with Mr. Hoagland as the junior member of the firm of Hoagland & Henderson. This partnership continued for a period of one year, and since that time Mr. Henderson has practiced alone. On the 14th of May, 1892, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Minnie W. Kahle, a daughter of Frederick and Isabelle Kahle, both of whom are still living, and reside at Franklin, Pennsylvania. Mr. Kahle was one of the early operators of the Pennsylvania oil field. Two children, Dudley Kahle Henderson, aged 12, and Marjorie Isabelle Henderson, aged 11, have been born of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are members of the Market Street Presbyterian Church. Mr. Henderson was elected city solicitor in the spring of 1897 for a period of two years and was reelected in the spring of 1899. From the beginning of his business career he has been recognized as one of the leaders in city and county affairs, and has been active in local and State politics. He is an untiring worker, and, to his great credit, is one of those who believe that his chosen profession should receive his undivided time and energies. Mr. Henderson is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of Essenees and Royal Arcanum. While yet young in years, he is prominent in his profession, and in the social and business interests of the community. THOMAS S. HANTHORN, one of the good citizens of Bath township, where he is a very large land-owner and has the reputation of raising and handling the best draft horses put upon the market, is also a survivor of the Civil War, having given three years and more of his young manhood to the defense of his country. Mr. Hanthorn was born December 17, 1845, in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hardesty) Han-thorn. The grandfather was George Hanthorn, who was probably of Irish birth and parentage. He was a very early pioneer in Perry County, Ohio. Thomas Hanthorn, the father, was born March 17, 1810, in Perry County, Ohio, and was still a youth when his parents moved to Allen County. His first purchase of land was a tract of 4o acres, the same on which a portion of the city of Lima now stands. He subsequently owned 200 acres, and spent his whole life here with the exception of eight years, during which he lived in Branch County, Michigan. He died at the age of 68 years. He was one of the early organizers of the First Baptist Church, at Lima. He married twice ; first, Myrea Daniels, who lived but two years; in 1840 he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Hardesty) AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 577 Colvin, who was born May 29, 1814, on the way between Connecticut and Ohio, when her parents, Henry and Elizabeth Hardesty, were making their pioneer journey hither. She was reared in Allen County near Westminster, married (first) William R. Colvin, and died May 1, 1893. The children of Thomas and. Elizabeth Hanthorn were: Nancy Caroline, who died young; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Rowlands, of Lima; James Milton, born in 1843, who died aged three years; Thomas S., of this sketch ; Frances Emeline, wife of John Crumrine, of Lima ; George L., born in 1850, who died in Nebraska in 1895 ; Sarah Alice, wife of James Frost, of Lima; Howard and Harmon (twins), the latter is deceased, the former a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Viola Bell, wife of James McGuire, of Lima. Thomas S. Hanthorn remained at home until the opening of the Civil War. He then began preparations to enter the Union Army ; in September, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 12th Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav., under Captain Monroe, and during his long service of three years he participated in 24 engagements, including the battles of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Saltville, Virginia, and Cumberland Gap, Maryland. For three months he was con:- fined in the hospital at Knoxville, suffering with typhoid fever. He did not receive any injury in battle and on his return home resumed farming. In the following spring he accompanied his parents to Branch County, Michigan, and remained there for seven years, engaged in farming. Upon his return to Perry township, Allen County, Mr. Hanthorn for some 16 years worked a sand-bank on the west side of the corporate limits of Lima, and with his numerous teams supplied almost all of the sand used for building purposes in the city. He then bought 55 acres which he later traded, and then purchased 182 acres north of Lima, on which are situated two excellent dwellings now occupied by his sons. He formerly owned town property and still retains as a homestead a farm of 156 acres, which is admirably improved, with two sets of farm buildings. Mr. Hanthorn gives his attention entirely to dealing in horses now and lives with his grandson, who rents his farm. Mr. Hanthorn was married on June 21, 1866, to Hester A. Shannon, who was born near Fremont, in Clark County, Ohio, September 7, 1847, and is a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Hollinger) Shannon. They have three children, namely : Emma, who married O. J. Fields, of Lima, and has four children; William Henry, who has six children; and Rollie, who has two children. The two sons live on our subject's farms in Bath township. Mr. Hanthorn has always been identified with the Republican party, but has never been very active politically, his other interests absorbing his time and attention. He is a good citizen and is always ready to lend a helping hand in movements for the public welfare. WALTER C. BRADLEY, one of the leading business men of Lima, treasurer of the Lima Pork Packing Company, was born in Cayuga County, New York, in 1866, and is a son of Daniel Bradley. Daniel Bradley was born at King's Ferry, New York, where his ancestors had been pioneer settlers. He still resides in Cayuga County, New York, where he is a large farmer and extensive stock dealer. Two of his brothers served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Walter C. Bradley was reared in Cayuga County. He had good educational opportunities, being for a considerable period a student at the Sherwood select school, a private academy of note in that locality. When about 18 years of age he left school and taught through one year, after which he entered into the produce business, in the interest of a New York commission house. He also engaged in farming and did quite a successful business in the sale of agricultural implements. His financial success was sufficient to procure him the position of local manager for Swift & Company, of Chicago, when but 29 years old. He was 578 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY located first at the branch house at Springfield, Ohio, then spent a year at the branch house at Lima ; the following year he was at Toledo ; after a short time at Erie, Pennsylvania, he came back to the important branch house at Lima, and continued here as manager of Swift & Company's business for three years. Then Mr. Bradley entered into business for himself, in association with B. F. Thomas, Ira P. Carnes, D. W. Leichty and A. R. Thomas, incorporators of the Lima Pork Packing Company, with a capital stock of $20,000, which, in 1903, was increased to $60,000. The officers of this company are : B. F. Thomas, president ; Ira P. Carnes, vice-president ; W. C. Bradley, treasurer, and D. W. Leichty, secretary. This board of officers has remained intact since the incorporation of the business. They moved from the old stand on North Elizabeth street, near the P., Ft. W. & C. Railway tracks to their present fine quarters on South Central street, occupying Nos. 215-217-219-221-223 where they do a general packing business, their specialty being the manufacture of all kinds of sausages. The company requires the assistance of two traveling men to cover Ohio territory ; exclusive of these and the office force, they employ about 3o men. This business promises to be a strong competitor with the great pork packing concerns already in the field. Mr. Bradley was married September 9, 1885, to A. Luella Price, who is a daughter of the late David Price, of New York. They have three children, viz. : David R., who is a graduate of the Lima public schools and the Lima Business College; Violet Luella ; and Anna Maybel. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Bradley having been a member of this religious body since young manhood. JOHN B. SEVERNS, a farmer of section 28, Perry township, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, June 21, 1850. His parents were Simon and Catherine ( Schaffer) Severns, the former of whom was born in Knox County, Ohio, October 13, 1820, and the latter, in Maryland, September 14, 1819. The paternal grandfather came from Virginia at an early day and settled in Ohio. In 1852 Simon Severns brought his family to Allen County and located on the farm now occupied by Jonathan McPheron, where they continued to reside during the remainder of their lives. He met his death April 2, 1879, by the explosion of a boiler at a sawmill, at which he had stopped for a moment while passing. His wife survived him many years, dying. April 14, 1890. Their children were as follows : Samantha R. (Budd), of Colorado; Merriman, unmarried, who resides in Colorado; Sarah Ann, who died young; Llewellyn A., a resident of Van Wert, Ohio ; John B.; Franklin P., who died in Van Wert County;. and Stephen D., who died in early life. John B. Severns was educated in the dis trict schools of Perry township and remained at home until the death of his mother, when he went to Colorado. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for several years during early manhood, but finally abandoned it and turned his entire attention to agriculture. He remained in Colorado from September, 1890, until February, 1895, when he came back to Allen County and purchased his present farm. Mr. Severns has been twice married ; first, on September 4, 1879, to Sarah J. Hanthorn, a. native of Perry township and a daughter of James A. Hanthorn. She died April 26, 1883, leaving two children : Roscoe, born July 21, 1880, and Florence R., born March 30, 1883, who married George W. McClain, a farmer of Perry township, and has two children-Viola P. and Lawrence S. On July 20, 1889, Mr. Severns was married to Hattie E. Cummings, who was born in Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio, January 3, 1867, and is a daughter of W. E. and Mary A. Cummings, pioneers, of Perry township. Five children have blessed this union, namely : Hazel M., born May 13, 1890, in Perry township ; Etta I., born June 19, 1891, in Colorado ; Frances E., born April 26, 1893, in Colorado ; Velma P., born July 9, 1895, who was born in Ohio; and Simon E., who was born in Ohio May 27, 1902. They are members of the Disciples' Church. Mr. Severns is a Democrat and has served the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 579 township both as clerk and treasurer. He is a prominent Knight 0f Pythias, being a member of Uniopolis Lodge, No. 685. WILFORD E. HEATH, mayor of Harrod, is one of the most capable and efficient officials that has ever presided over the affairs of that village, and has been equally successful in looking after his bakery and confectionery business. Mr. Heath was born in Medina County, Ohio, February 18, 1863, and is a son of Thomas E. and Martha (Aldrich) Heath. The paternal grandfather was a native of Vermont but of Scotch descent. He moved to Pennsylvania at an early day and secured 200 acres of land, which is now in the heart of the anthracite coal field. This land, together with all his property, was lost through his going bail for some merchants of Philadelphia ; but no word of complaint was ever made by his noble wife, whose property was also swallowed up in the misfortune. Thomas E. Heath was born February 20, 1820, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, near Pottsville, and was eight years of age when his parents moved to Medina County, Ohio, where he lived until his death. He learned the trade of carpenter and became one of the most -successful contractors in Medina County. He took an active interest in politics, was a stanch Republican and for several years served as constable. A member of the United Brethren Church, he was a man of noble principles-and consistent deeds. His death in 1898 resulted from a stroke of paralysis and terminated an upright and useful life. His wife, Martha A. Aldrich, was born January 6, 1832, and was 'of Scotch-English origin, her immediate ancestors being Roswell and Eva Aldrich. She died at the age of 47 years, leaving three children : Leonard M., a farmer residing near Kenton, Ohio ; Rosa, who married F. D. Marble and resides at Ravenna. Portage County, Ohio ; and Wilford E. Mrs. Marble is the mother of four children, only two of whom are now living. Frank B. Marble, her son, graduated from the Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland, Ohio, and then entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, being employed as an engineer in bettering the grades for the heavy freight traffic of that road. Later he accepted the position of chief engineer of the American Steel & Wire Company, and is still retained by them at a large salary. He married Loie Davis, of Cleveland, and their little daughter, Helen, is the youngest of four generations of Marbles. The family have a photograph of this group of four generations which is highly prized. Eva Marble, daughter of Mrs. F. D. Marble, lives at home and is an accomplished musician. Wilford E. Heath remained at home until his 13th year when the death of his mother occurred, after which he made his home with his sister. He attended the schools of Medina County and also was a student in the sch0ols of Bedford. Leaving school, he secured work in the hardware store of J. B. Haines, and for two years was not only the bookkeeper but a handy man in the store. The next three years were passed in the employ of the A. L. Shattuck Chair Company, after which he went to Galva, Illinois, and, in partnership with his cousin, engaged in the bakery business. The continued ill health of his father necessitated his return home, where he remained four years until his father's death, when he located a.. Harrod, Allen County. Erecting a suitable building, Mr. Heath opened a bakery, adding also a line of confectionery, patent medicines, tobacco and groceries. He has built up a good business and has endeavored to merit patronage by having everything of the best. His bakery is well equipped, all his mixing being done by machinery operated by steam power, and everything entering into the composition of his goods is the purest and cleanest that can be procured. Mr. Heath is a Republican and has given his hearty support to the success of his ticket, whenever the men nominated were those whom he could conscientiously endorse. He believes in a clean administration and before being elected to the mayoralty, in 1903, he was one of the most energetic and efficient members of 580 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY the Council and of the School Board of Harrod. Mr. Heath was married December 21, 1892, at Galesburg, Illinois, to Clara A. Frisinger, of Lima, Ohio. Mrs. Heath was born April 4, 1874, in Allen. County, Ohio, and is one of 10 children—seven sisters and three brothers—born to Thomas and Hannah Frisinger. Mr. and Mrs. Heath have one daughter, Hazel A., born July 8, 1896. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, and have made many warm and enduring friendships since moving to Harrod. Mr. Heath is a member of LaFayette Lodge, No. 846, I. 0. 0. F., and of Lima Lodge, No. 91, K. of P. W. E. RUDY, the veteran automobile dealer of Lima, was born in Allen County 38 years ago and has been a resident of the city of Lima for the past 15 years. Mr. Rudy established a new line of business for Lima when he opened his garage and entered into the sale of automobiles, bringing the first machine to this county. He carries, in addition, a complete line of bicycle sundries and a good line of bicycles. Mr. Rudy grew to manhood in Allen County and enjoyed the advantage of a college education, having taken the scientific course in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, from which he was graduated. Two years of practical work in teaching followed, when he became a "knight of the grip" and for five years was salesman for a bicycle company, traveling over Ohio, Pennsylvania, and a part of New York in his Eastern territory, and through Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma in the West. In 1890 he settled in Lima and engaged in retailing automobiles and bicycles, his business growing to such an extent that it necessitated enlarged quarters, when he erected his garage, a large building 100 by 50 feet, which is located on Elizabeth street, near the Postoffice—a splendid site and a splendid business. Mr. Rudy was married in 1892 to Anna Doolittle, of Pennsylvania, by whom he has two bright children—Mildred and Marcus. Mr. Rudy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church while his wife is a Presbyterian. He was a member of the Lima City Council for two years and is always ready to lend his hearty support to any movement of utilitarian import. Fraternally, he is connected with the Elks, the Red Men and the Odd Fellows. L H. ROGERS, a prominent attorney and one of the leading citizens of Lima, was born February 28, 1865, in Wirt County, West Virginia, and remained in that State until about 20 years of age. He is a son of the late Charles W. Rogers, and has fought life's battles single-handed, having worked his way through college t0 his present eminent position with an ardor that insured success. Mr. Rogers first secured employment in the lumber business but, having a desire to find more congenial employment and also to acquire an education, he entered the Ohio Normal, now the Ohio Northern, University, at Ada, Ohio, and was a close student for five years, graduating in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Having been elected principal of the Franklin School, at Lima, he at once entered upon his duties, and for nine years was the capable and efficient executive who inspired both teachers and pupils to put forth their best efforts, and made the school one of the best in the State. During this period all his spare time and his summer vacations were devoted to reading law, and' the same optimistic nature which overcame the obstacles in his college days now enabled him to disentangle the knotty points and master the intricacies of legal lore. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1897; but he continued to hold his position in the Lima schools until 1900 when, much to the regret of the patrons, he gave up school work and began the practice of the law. He was first associated with D. C. Henderson, the firm of Henderson & Rogers continuing until 1902, when Mr. Rogers was elected mayor of Lima. He served in that capacity AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 581 one year, retiring when the new code, which was passed by the Ohio Legislature for the government of cities, went into effect. Since then Mr. Rogers has practiced law alone and has built up a large and lucrative practice, which places him among the leading attorneys of Allen County. While engaged in school work, he was also one of the members of the City Board of School Examiners, and continues to take a deep interest in the schools and, indeed, in any question of import to the municipality. In 1902 Mr. Rogers was nominated by the Republican party for Representative in Congress from the Fourth Congressional District. Although the district was overwhelmingly Democratic, Mr. Rogers succeeded in greatly reducing the normal Democratic majority. In 1892, 0ur subject was married to Lucile E. Everett, daughter of the late M. A. Everett, of Trumbull County, Ohio. Four children have blessed their home, namely ; Margaret, Everett Lewis, Josephine and William Addison. Mr. Rogers is quite prominent in fraternal circles, being past chancellor of Lima Lodge, No. 91, K. of P. ; a member of Solar Lodge, No. 783, I. O. O. F. ; D. O. K. K. ; Woodmen of the World ; and Lima Tent, No. 142, K. O. T. M. HON. ROBERT MEHAFFEY, who has been identified with the financial interests and public affairs of Allen County for many years, and has been a leader in educational and temperance work, was born August 23, 1833, in County Tyrone, Ireland, and is a son of James and Martha (Clark) Mehaffey, who spent their entire lives in Ireland, where James Mehaffey was a farmer. The parental family consisted of five sons and one daughter. Two of the sons, James and Robert, came to the United States. Robert Mehaffey was reared on his father's farm until he was 13 years of age. Then the death of "the mother broke up the family to some extent, and Robert left home and went up to London with a friend. In 1849 he took the step which, in a great measure, settled his future career. Taking passage at Liverpool on the sailing vessel, "Albert Gallatin," he was landed at Philadelphia in December of that year. He had an uncle who was a farmer at Beaver Dam, Allen County, Ohio, and after many experiences by land and water and pauses at Wheeling, Cincinnati, and other points, he reached Lima, in February, 1850,. and joined his uncle shortly afterward. He worked for his uncle and another farmer until April, 1852, when he located in the village of LaFayette, which has since continued to be his home. Accepting a position in a store with an idea of only remaining long enough to earn sufficient capital to take him still further West, Mr. Mehaffey remained with that employer for seven years ; but at one time during this period he. actually started for California, going as far as. . Council Bluffs, Iowa ; he turned back on account of the threatening activity of the Indians-at that time. He bought a tract of 28 acres of land, but after farming for a short time decided to enter into the mercantile business for himself, as the town offered at that time an excellent field. He therefore purchased a stock of general merchandise to the value of $520, and started in, doing all the work incident to the new venture, and for the 1 1 succeeding years he sold goods over his own counters, giving full weight and running over, and making a friend of every customer. For a number of years Mr. Mehaffey had taken an active interest in politics before he accepted any office. His first elective office was that of county clerk ; he was elected in 1869 on the Democratic ticket and was reelected three years later, being in office six years in all. He then became prominent also in financial affairs, as president of the First National Bank, of Lima. Later he sold his interests and was succeeded by Dr. S. A. Baxter. His next enterprise was handling cattle, and this proved very lucrative and he continued in this business for a number of years. Mr. Mehaffey gave great assistance in the organizing of the Merchants' National Bank of Lima, of which he was elected president, a position he continued to fill until: 582 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY the bonds were all called in and the corporation went out of business. Mr. Mehaffey took charge of the concern and ran it as a private bank for the accommodation of merchants, and continued until he was called to take so prominent a part in State politics that he found it expedient to dispose of many of his private business interests. With very little effort on his part, Mr. Mehaffey was nominated and was subsequently elected to the State Senate from the 32nd District, which included Allen, Van Wert, Auglaize, Mercer, Paulding, Defiance and Williams counties, and in this honorable position he served through two terms. As a member of the Legislature, Mr. Mehaffey met the expectations of his constituents and fellow-citizens and retired from public life with their increased confidence and added respect. When Mr. Mehaffey returned to his home from the arena of politics. it was with the expressed intention of giving the remainder of his life to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, finding on his extensive estate enough to occupy his time and fulfill his ambition. However, this was not accepted by his fellow-citizens. and when the capitalists of this section of the State found a field open for the establishing of another financial institution at Lima, they called upon Mr. Mehaffey to accept the presidency of the Metropolitan Bank, a position of honor, trust and responsibility which he still fills. During his service in the Senate he was appointed one of the trustees of the institution for the feeble-minded youth of the State and has served for the past 19 years. His first appointment was made by Governor Foraker and he has been continued in the office by every succeeding Governor and during the most of the time has been president of the board, although its composition is Republican and he has been a life-long Democrat. Mr. Mehaffey was married on August 19, 1856, to Mary Elinor Richardson, who was born in 1834 in Green County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph H. and Edith (Whitworth) (Smith) Richardson, natives of Wythe County, Virginia. They were married there and came to Greene County, Ohio, and in 1836 to Allen County, and settling near Lima on land which is now within the corporate limits of the city, but at that time was covered with timber, excepting a little space which had been cleared, only sufficient for a small garden plot. Mrs. Mehaffey remembers the old log house and that blankets were hung over the openings to exclude cold; and she also recalls the long nights when bright fires were kept burning outside the cabin to protect the inmates from the wolves who howled in the near-by forest. Where this took place the prosperous citizens of Lima now hurry through busy streets and carry on traffic and pursue their social and- busy life interests. Mrs. Mehaffey had more educational advantages than were afforded many of the children of her time and locality. Her father was a scholarly man, had collegiate training in Virginia, and taught the first public school in German township. When four years old, she was carried on his back- to the little log schoolhouse and there laid the foundation for the perfected education and culture of later years. She was one of six children and the family has been identified with the educational interests of this section since her infancy until 1904, when a sister resigned from her long connection with the public schools of Lima. The magnificent new school edifice, completed at Lima in the fall of 1904 and bearing the name of the Richardson School, was so named in honor of her father, Joseph Hicks Richardson, and a handsome picture of this well-known educator adorns its walls. One of the pleasant avenues of the city was named Charles street, in honor of Mrs. Mehaffey's brother, Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Mehaffey have had four children, viz : William R., a graduate of Kenyon College, Ohio, who is now editor of the Lima Times-Democrat; George E., assistant cashier of the Metropolitan Bank, of Lima, who was educated at the University of Tennessee; Alice, who died in infancy ; and Eda Alice (Hill), a resident of LaFayette, who is a graduate of the Cincinnati Wesleyan College. Mrs. Mehaffey has long been interested in missionary work in connection with the Methodist AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 585 Episcopal Church. Since December, 1873, she has been identified also with that noble organization, the W. C. T. U., and it was mainly through her efforts that the saloon element was overcome in LaFayette. She is a member of the State executive board and for a number of years has been county superintendent of the press-work carried on under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. Mrs. Mehaffey is a lady of literary tastes and accomplishments and has written more or less continuously for publication since she was 14 years old. For the past 10 years she has devoted her pen exclusively to the interests of temperance and in her work has the support and approbation of her husband. In addition to other honors shown him, Mr. Mehaffey was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of militia, during the Civil War, by Governor David Tod. He is a Royal Arch Mason, having been a member of the fraternity since he was 21 years of age. He belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church. SOLOMON BINKLEY resides on a farm of 117 acres in section 35, Jackson township, in one of the most attractive and desirable country homes in Allen County. Through his labors his farm was converted from a wilderness of trees and underbrush to its present highly cultivated state. Mr. Binkley was born October 10, 1829, near Thornville, Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Snyder) Binkley. His great-grandfather, Christian Binkley, who was a native of Maryland, was among the pioneers of Perry County, Ohio. He was of German ancestry and from the German inscription on his monument in Reading township, Perry County, it is learned that he died in 1832, at the age of 91 years. Henry Binkley, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in Maryland, and came with his father to Ohio in 1801. He died in 1825. Emanuel Binkley was born in Reading township, Perry County, Ohio, December 27, 1806, and there reached manhood and married. He came to Allen County in October, 1841, and remained here until his death on February 17, 1891, aged 84 years, four months and 20 days. He was a member of the Reformed Church. In politics he was a Democrat. His wife, Elizabeth Snyder, was born in Thorn township, Perry County, Ohio, June 28, 1808, and died in Allen County, March 9, 1894, aged 85 years, 8 months and 11 days. Her father was Daniel Snyder, an extensive land-owner and the father of a large family. Our subject is the eldest of 12 children, namely : Solomon ; Katharine (Hulinger), who died in 1904; Samuel, who died in 1892 ; Simon, who died in May, 1904 ; Mary, who died in childhood ; Millie C., who died in 1898 ; Daniel, who resides in Lafayette ; Henry, of Richland township ; Emeline (Mowery), of Henry County ; Matilda (Sherman), who died in 1902 ; Saloma (Friedly), of Dunkirk, Hardin County ; and Elizabeth (Shaw), of Hancock County. Solomon Binkley was 12 years old when the family located in Jackson township, on the Marion road, where he lived for several years. In November, 1851, he purchased 40 acres of land adjoining his father's farm, for which he was to pay $5 per acre. He had worked three months for Dr. Newton Sager for $11 per month, and out of his earnings he had saved $30, which he applied on his purchase. By 1853 he had built a log cabin and began clearing the land, continuing its cultivation until the fall of 1862, when he sold the property for $1,200. He immediately purchased 120 acres of unimproved woodland, for which he paid $1,500. Here, after building a cabin, he began clearing his land as before, and in 1869 purchased an adjoining 4o acres, which gave him a quarter section of land. He cleared and cultivated about 120 acres, and in 1875 erected a magnificent brick residence. Four years later he erected his barns, and other outbuildings to correspond, and now enjoys the comforts of a model home. He has allowed his son a portion of the farm, and retains only 117 acres. Mr. Binkley was married April 29, 1852, to Anna Holman, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 27, 1834, and lived in Delaware County until 1848, when she located in 586 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Allen County with her parents, William and Sarah (Frederick) Holman. To this union have been born five children, namely : Cloyd, born August 2, 1853, who lives at home ; Sarah, born July 24, 1855, wife of Mark Guyton, of Auglaize township ; John H., born May 21, 186o, who is a resident of Hardin County ; Amos, born October 5, 1862, who lives on an adjoining farm ; and Ida B., born March 29, 1869, who lives at home. Mr. Binkley is a Democrat and has served as trustee of Jackson township for two terms. He united with the Christian Church at LaFayette in 1855, and has served as a deacon of that body for more than 4o years. He takes a lively interest in all that pertains to agriculture, and is one of the most prominent members of Jackson Grange. On a preceding page, in connection with this sketch, appears a family group, in which four generations of the Binkley family are represented. JOSEPH C. ROSS, superintendent of the handle works of the O. B. Selfridge Company, at Lima, was born in Chautauqua County, New York, in 1848, and is a son of Gilbert Ross, who is a resident of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and is in his 85th year. The family moved to Erie County, Pennsylvania, when our subject was seven years old, and he received his education in the common schools of that county. He was reared on a farm, remaining there until he was 21 when he struck out for himself. When our subject was 16 years of age, his father was drafted into the army and young Ross took his place, serving three months, until the close of the war, in Company A, 102nd Reg., Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., and taking part in the campaigns of West Virginia. In 1870 young Ross went to McKean, Pennsylvania, where he obtained work in the handle factory of F. Lamson, with whom he remained three or four years. He then went to Corry, Pennsylvania, and for about seven years was employed in the handle factory at that place. Removing from there to Ohio, he entered the factory of Lamson & Cleveland at Leip sic. Four and a half years later he moved to Edgerton, Ohio, and after three years at that place accepted a position in the factory of Selfridge, Woods & Company, of Lima, where he is still employed. Upon the death of Mr. Selfridge about 17 years ago, Mr. Ross was made superintendent of the works, and has given to the work his most careful and conscientious efforts. In 1870 Mr. Ross was married to Mary E. Cleveland, a daughter of the late Pliny Cleveland. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Nellie Ross, whom they are giving the advantages of a good home and parental love. They are members of the Market Street Presbyterian church. Mr. Ross was a member of the Edgerton School Board while residing there; but has devoted his entire attention to his business since coming to Lima. He is a member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., and of Solar Lodge, No. 783, I. O. O. F. JOHN DEPPLER, well-known both as a contractor and farmer of Richland township, is a Swiss by birth and an American by long residence and sym pathies. He was born October 10, 1847, in Tagerfelten, Canton Bern, Switzerland. His parents were John and Fannie (Shifferly) Deppler, both of whom were natives of Bern. The father was a contractor and met his death a short time before the birth of our subject by the caving-in of a sand-bank. He was the father of two children, Elizabeth, who died in Paulding County, Ohio, and John. The mother married a second time, her second husband being Rudolph Smith, who brought the family to America in 1853. After remaining in Wayne County, Ohio, for a couple of years, they came to Allen County and settled in Richland township. Later they moved to Paulding County, Ohio, where the mother died in her 63rd year. By her second marriage she had two daughters and one son, all of whom have passed to the life beyond. John Deppler resided in Allen County about AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 587 10 years, being 18 or 19 years of age when he went with his parents to Paulding County. He was a carpenter and worked at his craft .after returning to Allen County in 1869. Later he also engaged in contracting and continued this business until about five years ago, when he gave up the more arduous work and now enjoys the comforts of his pleasant home in well-earned ease. In 1889 Mr. Deppler purchased a small farm of 6o acres, to which he afterwards added an adjoining tract of 85 acres, the land lying in sections 11 and 12, Richland township. This he has converted into a most desirable home by erecting a good comfortable house and remodeling and building the outbuildings to suit his needs. He carries on general farming, the work having been in charge of his son while he was engaged in carpentering and contracting. Mr. Deppler has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Huber, daughter of Charles and Nancy Huber, of Richland township. She left two sons—Albert, of Bluffton, and Eli. In 1888, Mr. Deppler was married to his present wife, who was Anna P. Garber, a native of Wayne County, Ohio. Her parents, Peter and Anna (Shiverly) Garber, were natives of Switzerland. Peter Garber died in Wayne County. After his death, his widow and daughter came to Allen County where the latter met and married John Deppler. Three children, all sons, have been born to them, namely : John Calvin, who lives at home and looks after the farm ; and Daniel Walter and Harry Edison, who are attending school. Mr. Deppler is a Democrat in politics. In religion he is a consistent member of the Mennonite Church. HENRY VAN GUNTEN, who was elected sheriff of Allen County in November, 1905, is the proprietor of the large piano and organ house which is located at the southwest corner of the Public Square in Lima. Here he carries a complete line of instruments of the best and most approved makes, and does a volume of business which not only embraces Lima, but extends far out into the surrounding country. He was born July 29, 1864, in Richland township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Anna (Snitter) VanGun'ten. His father has been a resident of this county since 1834 and is a prosperous farmer of Richland township. Henry VanGunten was one of eight children and his early life was spent on his father's farm. In winter he attended school and assisted with the farming in summer. He learned harness-making and worked at this trade for about four years, until 1889, when he came to Lima and engaged in the sale of musical instruments, in which business he has been eminently successful. Determined to conduct a business to satisfy the most critical taste, he has stocked his store with only the most desirable instruments and those that he feels assured will meet the requirements of his patrons. He has the satisfaction of knowing that when a really superior article is wanted it is pretty sure to be VanGunten who makes the sale. Assisting him in his work is C. F. Woolery, who has charge of the piano tuning. Mr. VanGunten married Amelia Beeler, daughter of the late David Beeler, of this county, and they are the parents of three bright boys —Avery L., Verrel D. and Leon F. The family are members of the German Reformed Church. Mr.. VanGunten was elected sheriff of Allen County on the Democratic ticket on November, 1905. He .is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of the Maccabees, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Eagles. W. C. PELTIER, whose farm of I60 acres is situated in section 4, Marion township, is now numbered with the retired residents of this locality, who have earned the esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens, together with a comfortable amount of this world's goods. Mr. Peltier was born August 16, 1837, in Sugar Creek township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a grandson of Anthony Peltier and a son of James and Jane (Clark) Peltier. Anthony Peltier was born in Canada, but was of French extraction. He located at Detroit, Michigan, in early manhood and became 588 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY a successful Indian trader, continuing his residence there during the War of 1812. Conditions having changed on the frontier there, he removed to Maumee City, which is now denominated South Toledo, and there he continued trading with the Indians up to the time of his death. He was trusted by them and dealt honestly, being a devoted member of the Catholic Church. James Peltier, son of Anthony and father of our subject, was born at Detroit, Michigan, in August, 1806, and died at Bluffton, Ohio, at the age of 83 years. He spoke both the French and English languages, understood two or three of the Indian dialects, and became a trader like his father. In 1830, at Findlay, Ohio, he married Jane Clark, who was a daughter of John and Sarah Clark. They had these children : Louisa, wife of S. J. Brand, of Bluffton ; William C., of Marion township ; John W., of Lima ; Enos, of Marion township ; Joseph O., deceased ; and Charles W., of Michigan. Four of his sons served in Ohio regiments during the Civil War. In 1834 James Peltier and wife moved to Lima, and in 1835 settled in Sugar Creek township, one and a quarter miles north of Elida, where he cleared a farm from the forest, on which he resided until 1863. In that year he removed to Marion township and set:. tied on the farm now owned by his son, William C. Peltier. James Peltier was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, but after his marriage he changed his opinions, became identified with the Methodist bodies and for 20 years was a local Methodist preacher. In political sentiment he was a Republican. William C. Peltier was reared on his father's farm and after completing a good, common school education began to teach. He became well known through Allen County as a teacher, his experience covering 23 winter terms in Sugar Creek and Marion townships. The opening of the Civil War aroused his patriotic feelings and he began to make preparations to enter the army. These culminated in his enlistment on August 1, 1862, at Lima, in Company E, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. C. Walters. Three years of the best portion of his life were devoted to the service of his country, his honorable discharge taking place in July, 1865, at Salisbury, North Carolina. Ohio people do not need to be told of the doings of the gallant 99th Ohio during that period. Mr. Peltier participated in almost all of the battles, skirmishes and long marches which this body was called upon to endure. He was one of those who so bravely fought on the bloody field of Chickamauga. At Lookout Mountain he was wounded in the side by a rifle ball, but took part in the Atlanta campaign from Dalton to Atlanta, participated in the battles of Pumpkinvine Creek, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. He was with General Thomas at Nashville and fought through the two days of battle there, December 16-17, 1864. He was in every battle of his regiment with the exception of Stone River, when he was in .a hospital. Mr. Peltier has every reason t0 feel proud of such a record. After his return from the army, he resumed farming and school teaching. He has always been interested in agricultural pursuits. His farm is divided into two equal portions, 80 acres being on each side of the road. The tract on which his residence stands he cleared from the forest, living in the meantime in a log cabin. Through ditching, draining- and tiling he has made his property one of the best in the township. He has done much in the way of encouraging public improvements and has always supported movements looking to the making of good, substantial, permanent roads. On August 16, 1866, Mr. Peltier married Leah A. McBride, who was born September 18, 1842, in German township,. Allen County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Alexander and Leah (Wolf) McBride. Alexander McBride was of Scotch-Irish extraction and was a pioneer in Allen County. He had 10 children, Mrs. Peltier being the seventh in order of birth. Four-of her brothers served in the Civil War. Alexander McBride died on his farm, aged 70 years. He was a member of the Christian Union Church. In politics he was a Democrat. Mrs. Peltier died November 18, 1887. She was a most worthy member of the United Brethren Church. The children born to our subject and wife were : A babe which died in infancy ; AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 589 Cora, born June 22, 1868, who married Rev. J. J. Richards, and at her death, September 22, 1897, left a son ; H. M., born September 7, 1871 (a well known educator and one of Allen County's Board of School Examiners), who married Callie Baxter, a daughter of Levi Baxter ; Nelson, born March 23, 1876 ( formerly a teacher, now a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana), who married Nettie North of Van Wert, and has one daughter, Leah Janette ; James, born December 14, 188o (residing on the home farm and teaching the district school), who married, on August 16, 1905, May Edwards, of Delphos. Mr. Peltier has given his sons 8o acres of land, which they have divided among themselves. Politically, Mr. Peltier is identified with the Republican party. In religious belief he is a Methodist and is a member of Morris Chapel. During the period of its building he was one of the trustees and is now a steward and class-leader. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic post, and to Hope Lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., both of Delphos. JOSEPH HESLIP HARBISON. Among the honored residents of Spencerville, whose residence here for almost a half century has been marked with uprightness of life and sterling business qualities, is Joseph Heslip Harbison, a worthy representative of a pioneer family of the State. The earliest records of the family have been lost, but it can be traced three generations back, through the family Bible, to the time of the grandparents, who lived and died near a little village named Ballamany, in the North of Ireland. The little home was the shelter of a large family, many sons and one daughter—the names of the sons that have been preserved were Mathew, John H. and Robert. The birth of the last named, who was the father of our subject, took place in Ireland, whence he came to America about the year 1780. He settled at Baltimore, Maryland, where he entered into business as a flour merchant, and became one of the prosperous men of his city. In the great panic of 1827 he, with many others who had been considered men of capital, lost all his possessions and in a short space of time was reduced from affluence to poverty. In this extremity Robert Harbison turned his thoughts to relatives who were of the same lineage, and were settled in the Western part of Pennsylvania. It became necessary to found a new home and it is possible that the first idea of Mr. Harbison was to locate with his relatives, but this plan was evidently abandoned. About 1830, with his wife and seven children, Mr. Harbison, with the family possessions packed in wagons, left Baltimore and headed for the Western country. We may well believe the month of journeying was a long and weary time, but without serious accident they finally arrived on the banks of Wills Creek, in Coshocton County, Ohio. Here Mr. Harbison took a life lease of his brother-in-law, Joseph Heslip, on some 80 or Z00 acres of land in Linton township, which had been originally entered by his father-in-law. He did not live long enough, however, to develope this land or to place his family in comfortable circumstances. He was a soldier at North Point, in the War of 1812. His death took place December 1, 1833, and his wife survived him less than five years. Both were victims of consumption. Two of their children died in 1883, a son in February and a daughter in March. Robert Harbison was married November 29, 1810, to Mary Heslip, whose death took place April 25, 1838. Her family were early settlers in Coshocton County, Ohio, where they owned vast tracts of land at one time. The children of this marriage were : Robert, Eliza Ann, Margaret, John Heslip, William, Susan, Mary, and Joseph Heslip, of Spencerville. The eldest son of the family was born May 1, 1812, and served in the Mexican War. He was on his way home when stricken with mortal illness and died at Cerralvo, Mexico, aged 35 yetrs and 23 days. Eliza Ann (Platt) was born September 25, 1814, and died May 12, 1861. Margaret (McCune) was born December 27, 1817, and died December 27, 1865. Dr. John Heslip Harbison, a pioneer merchant and phy- 590 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY sician, was born April 19, 1819, and died February 7, 1883, at Spencerville. He married Harriet Webb, sister of his business partner, and they had three sons and three daughters, two of the latter being twins, one of whom is Mrs. H. M. Ashton, wife of the postmaster at Spencerville, and the other, Kitty, is the wife of Dr. M. E. Renner, of Urbana, Indiana. William Harbison was born November 17, 1821, and died November 6, 1860, at Caledonia, Illinois. He married Harriet Cowgill ; they are survived by a son and daughter—James and Mary. Susan ( Julien) was born March 13, 1824, and died March 1, 1883, at Old Plainfield, Ohio, leaving no issue. Mary was born August 20, 1829, and died April 1o, 1876. She first married J. C. Platt and was survived by a daughter, Luella, who is now deceased. Her second husband was a Mr. Ferguson. Joseph Heslip Harbison was the youngest member of his parents' family of eight children and is the only survivor. The others were all born in Maryland, but his birth took place in Coshocton County, Ohio, December 26, 1832. When he was but one year old his father died and when five years old he was bereft of his mother. They both rest in Linton township, Coshocton County. The orphan child was taken by his maternal aunt, Nancy Vance, a most estimable woman, of whom Mr. Harbison entertains a grateful memory, who reared him carefully for the next To years. She lived on a farm near Morristown and two miles from Bethesda. He attended the local schools and enjoyed a short season in a small academy at West Bedford. Encouraged by his practical 2unt, he learned the cooper's trade in order to make himself independent. He was naturally inclined to be studious and, while working at the trade, continued to study by himself and in this way acquired enough education to receive a certificate to teach. In 1858 he came to Spencerville, a village then of some 400 dwellers, encouraged to do so by his brother, John H. Harbison, who then conducted the only mercantile establishment in the place. At that time the beautifully situated hamlet bore the name "Acadia," but this was subsequently changed to the present one of Spencerville. During 1859 he taught school and clerked for his brother, and continued to be identified with mercantile interests here until 1884. His school teaching, beginning at Acadia (now Spencerville) covered in all some four years. From the opening of the Civil War, Mr. Harbison had taken a deep interest in its issues and the determination to do his part in the suppression of rebellion culminated in his enlistment, on July 21, 1862, in Company A, 81st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., 16th Army Corps, the regiment being later transferred to the 15th Army Corps. He served, with the rank of sergeant, under Lieut. David S. VanPelt and Col. William H. Hill, and participated in the following engagements : Town Creek, Lay Ferry, Rome, Cross Roads, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain. He took part in the Atlanta campaign, accompanied Sherman in the "March to the Sea," was present at the taking of Savannah, Columbia, Lynch Creek, Bentonville, was present at the surrender of Johnston, was in the march to Richmond and then was in the Grand Review at Washington, which was particularly pleasing to him as there he was commissioned a lieutenant by Governor John Brough, of Ohio. He was finally mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 13, 1865, and was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, July 21, 1865. Through this long .period he had served his country with a fidelity which was recognized and suitably rewarded. After his return to Spencerville, Mr. Harbison was admitted to partnership by his brother, under the firm style of J. H. Harbison & Company. This continued a few years, and then our subject purchased the stock and the real estate of Mr. Fogle and opened a mercantile business of his own. He was appointed postmaster by President Hayes, succeeding N. Meeker. He continued in this office for seven years. Mr. Harbison's connections with almost all that has served to develop Spencerville has made him one of the most prominent figures in the life of the town for many years. He was one of the early members of the Town Council and had much to do with the measures which have AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 593 caused its development from a hamlet into its present prosperous activity and place among the small cities of the State. Realizing the importance of good transportation, Mr. Harbison was one of the early promoters of the railroads and to his advice, assistance and encouragement are due many of the public utilities and successful commercial connections which are enjoyed by every citizen. On March 21, 1866, Mr. Harbison was married to Sarah H. Patterson, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, of Irish descent. She was a popular teacher in the neighborhood of Spencerville at the time of her marriage. The eldest of a family of six children, she, with one brother, is the sole survivor. The brother, H. M. Patterson, was formerlv associated in the mercantile business with Mr. Harbison, at Spencerville, but for 25 years has been a funeral director at Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Harbison have two sons, Willis Grant and Charles Post. The former was named for the poet, N. P. Willis and for General Grant, for both of whom his father entertains a great admiration. He was graduated from the Spencerville school, attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and for 19 years has been connected with the C. & E. Railroad. Charles Post was named for Mr. Post. one of the pioneers of Amanda township, a friend of his father. He also attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, later married Mary Koepling, and for some years has been the traveling representative of a large wholesale drug firm of Chicago. Mr. Harbison has always been a supporter of the public schools, and introduced many of the best-known text-books here, notably the "Appleton Reader." Had his early education been different and his life a more leisurely one, Mr. Harbison would probably have developed his talent for poetry. He is a lover of good literature and is well acquainted with the best poetry, being able to recite many of the gems of Robert Burns, his favorite poet. Mr. Harbison was made a Mason in 1856 and has always been an active member of the fraternity. He belongs to Lodge No. 306, F. & A. M. and the Order of the Eastern Star. For 19 years he was worshipful master of the lodge at Spencerville. He is known in this connection all over the State. Since he was 16 years old, Mr. Harbison has been a church member. In 1881 he united with the Baptist Church of Spencerville and shortly afterward was elected a deacon, an office he still fills. He has also served as clerk and as trustee. Mr. Harbison owns considerable valuable property at Spencerville. He has seen every house but one built on the Lima turnpike, where his own handsome residence is located. He is known to everyone and by the younger generation is affectionately greeted as "Uncle Joe." WILLIAM H. STEPHENS, one of the best known fire insurance men of Lima, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, was born in Washington County, Tennessee, in 1842, but has been a resident of Lima since 1865. His parents were Rev. Samuel and Eliza (Strain) Stephens. His maternal grandfather, Robert Strain, was a soldier of the War of 1812 and his maternal great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Rev. Samuel Stephens was born in Virginia and in his youth served an apprenticeship to the trade of carriage-making. He was a devout Methodist and preached the Gospel for several years. After the birth of his son, William. H., he removed to Arkansas, where, under contract with the government, he engaged in the manufacture of wagons for the Indians. He died within two years of his arrival in Arkansas. After the death of his father, the subject of this sketch accompanied the family to the old home in Washington County, Tennessee, where he obtained his education through attendance in the common schools. Later in life he moved to Indiana. He worked on a farm for some time in his youth and later was clerk in a store until he came to Lima, when he secured employment on the C. H. & D. Railway. He continued on the road for nearly 20 years and rose to the position of passenger conductor. He 594 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY was a trusted and efficient employee, and only left the service of the railroad company because of an accident that deprived him of the use of his right limb and forced his retirement from railroading. Since that time he has been engaged in various lines of business and is at present successfully representing a number of fire insurance companies. Mr. Stephens was married in 1870 to Lucy Havil, whose father was born in Maryland and moved to Lima about 1856, where he became a prominent brick and stone contractor. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have two children : Bert R., who is located at Springfield, Illinois, traffic manager of the Illinois Traction Company ; and Mary E., who recently married Louis W. Laudick, son of J. W. Laudick, of Lima, a well-known dealer in agricultural implements. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are by faith Presbyterians. Mr. Stephens has taken a leading part in all movements that pertain to the welfare of the city. He has served as director on the board of two banking institutions of the city, was councilman two years, was a member of the board of trustees of the Lima Water Works four years, and a member of the Sinking Fund Trustees two years.   J. N. FLETCHER, the genial proprietor of one of the most complete and up-to-date harness and saddle shops in Lima, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 186o and is a son of John Fletcher, who was a harness-maker and conducted a shop in Dalton, Wayne County, for more than 4o years. Our subject was born and reared in Dalton and learned his trade in his father's shop. When about 20 years old he struck out for himself by opening a harness shop in West Salem, Wayne County. He was reasonably successful and remained there 10 years ; but seeing the advisability of locating in a wide-awake, flourishing city, he removed in 1890 to Lima where he has since been engaged in the same line of business, and enjoys a fine trade and the confidence and good will of his patrons and neighbors. Mr. Fletcher was married in 1880 to Miss Luginbuhl, daughter of John L. Luginbuhl, a prosperous farmer of Wayne County. Five children have been born to them, viz : Howard, who is bookkeeper for the Lima Electric Light Company ; Clair, a student in the Lima High School ; Ethel ; Hazel and Madge. The family are adherents of the Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Fletcher is a trustee. He is a modern Woodman of America and an Odd Fellow, being a member of both lodge and encampment in the latter order. Mr. Fletcher is now serving his third year in the City Council of Lima, having been elected to the office by a flattering majority, the largest given to any man on the ticket. He takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the city. His home is situated at No. 415 South Cole street MINER C. CROSSLEY, one of Lima's leading citizens, extensively engaged in the buying and shipping of stock and a large owner of valuable real estate, is a native of Allen County, where he was born in 1857, in Perry township. He is a son of Ross and Phoebe (Apple) Crossley. The father of Mr. Crossley was born in Lebanon County, Ohio, and came to Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, in 1832, with his parents who were among the pioneer families. At that time the present prosperous city of Lima, with its population of about 22,000, had but five houses. He was a brick manufacturer and made the first brick ever used in house construction in the city. About 1890 he moved to Lima and built a fine brick structure on South Main street, 50 by 70 feet in dimensions. He also owned a handsome home on the corner of West Market and Baxter streets, where he died in 1899. He married Phoebe Apple, whose death preceded his own. Their children were: Henry, deceased ; Isaiah, of Paulding County, Ohio ; Cloyd, of Montana ; Miner C., of this sketch ; Elmer, deceased ; Eddie, of Lima ; Lavina, wife of Robert Hill, of Lima; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Tapscott, of Perry AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 595 township ; and Viola and Araminta, both residents of Lima. Mr. Crossley was a lifelong Democrat, but had many interests outside politics. He owned a great deal of real estate in this locality and in many ways was one of the city's most representative citizens. Miner C. Crossley was reared and educated in Perry township and engaged in farming and stock buying until 1889, when he came to Lima. Here he was engaged in a meat business until 1902 and for some years was largely interested in oil. He, has disposed of all of the latter interests and is now engaged in extensive operations in the buying and shipping of stock. In 1892 he built the Crossley Block, a magnificent two-story building at Nos. 713-715-717 South Main street, and he owns other valuable property. In 1878 Mr. Crossley was married to Rachel V. Cochrun, who is a daughter of J. C. Cochrun of German township, one of the first pioneers of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Crossley have one son, Clifford, who is engaged in the cigar business at Lima. Politically, Mr. Crossley has always been identified with the Democratic party and has been in close touch with party leaders for a number of years. In 1902 he was his party's choice for county treasurer ; he has served on the Democratic County Executive Committee many times. F. W. ZEITS, one of Allen County's representative men and one of Beaver Dam's leading business citizens, recently elected county recorder, was born in Perry township, August 7, 1874, and is a son of John and Phillipena (Kock) Zeits. John Zeits was born in Nassau, Germany, in December, 1835, and was 18 years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States. His father settled in Allen County, Ohio, near Westminster. John Zeits has lived in Perry township for the past 35 years. He married Phillipena Kock, who was born near Wittenberg, Germany, and died in November, 1904, at the age of 58 years. She was also 18 - 31 - years old when she came to the United States. They had three children, namely : Mollie, wife of Rufus Creps, of Westminister ; Lewis, of Perry township ; and F. W., of Beaver Dam. F. W. Zeits remained on his father's farm until he was 25 years of age, attending the local schools until 17 years old, and spending two years of this period at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. After leaving school, he taught several terms. At the opening of the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company C, Second Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, under Capt. Frank M. Bell, and was mustered into the United States service. He spent three months in camp at Chickamauga Park, went then to Knoxville, Tennessee, and to Macon, Georgia, and was mustered out February 1o, 1899. After his return from the army, Mr. Zeits remained one year longer on the farm and then located in Beaver Dam. This was during the oil boom and he worked in the oil field for six months, after which he embarked in his present grocery and shoe business. On June 10, 1900, Mr. Zeits was married to Lena Franklin, who was born in Allen County, Ohio, and is a daughter of J. A. Franklin, of Perry township. They have one child, Vera. Mr. Zeits is a stanch Democrat and was honored with election to the office of county recorder in November, 1905. He has efficiently served in a number of official capacities and in 1898 was elected township clerk but did not serve on account of enlisting for service in the Spanish-American War as above mentioned. He belongs to Beaver Dam Lodge, No. 689, I. O. O. F., to Rainbow Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Bluffton ; to LaFayette Lodge, F. & A. M. ; and to Lodge No. 39, United Spanish War Vererans, of Lima. He was confirmed in the German Reformed Church. WILLIAM H. MATTINGLY, a leading undertaker and embalmer of Lima, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1854 and is a son of Francis Mattingly. The grandfather, William Mattingly, came from Maryland in 1812, making the journey from that 596 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY State to Ohio on horseback, and settling in Muskingum County, where the father of our subject was born in 1822. Francis Mattingly was reared to manhood there and became one of the substantial farmers of that section. William H. Mattingly was reared and educated on his father's farm. As soon as he was old enough to make his own way in the world, he went to the coal field of lower Perry and Hocking counties, where he soon became engaged in opening up the mining industry there, being employed by the Straitsville Mining Company. He continued with this company -six years, making his home at New Straitsville, Perry County, until 1876, when he located in Zanesville, Ohio, and entered the undertaking business. He was a member of the firm of Brenholts & Mattingly for 12 years, and then disposed of his interests in the company and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Two years later he opened his present undertaking and embalming rooms in Lima, and has been steadily increasing his business since. He has taken advantage of every opportunity to perfect himself in every detail of the work, being a graduate of the Clarke Cincinnati College of Embalming, Myers', of Springfield, and the Egyptian and Sullivan schools of embalming. Mr. Mattingly is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors' & Embalmers' Association and is chairman of the finance committee. Mr. Mattingly was married in 1878 to Mary E. Carr, of Lancaster, Ohio, a daughter of James W. Carr, who was for years employed in the bridge department of the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad. Mr. Mattingly is a stanch member of the St. Rose Catholic .Church of Lima, of which he is secretary. He is financial secretary of Branch 23, Catholic Knights of Ohio and a charter member of Lodge No. 436, Knights of Columbus. GEORGE DILLER was born March 23, 1862, in German township, Allen County, Ohio, and has passed his entire life almost within a stone's throw of his birthplace. He owns 60 acres of fine land in German township and is one of the intelligent, up-to-date farmers of this county. He is a son of Samuel Diller, who was an early settler in German township, where he purchased a farm and built a log cabin. The six brothers and three sisters which composed the family were : Andrew, George, Samuel, Henry, William, Barbara, Lydia (deceased), and Nancy (deceased). A remarkable fact concerning this family is that four of the brothers married Brenneman girls, Andrew, Henry and George marrying sisters. Samuel married a Lydia Brenneman, who was in no way related to his brothers' wives. He has four children. Andrew Diller married Nancy Brenneman and is the father of three children. Henry married Caroline Brenneman and has three children, while George married Lydia Brenneman. William married Anna Shank and has a family of three children. Barbara married John Powell, of Virginia, who died leaving five children. George Diller has been a farmer since his earliest boyhood, when he performed his share of the work on his father's farm. He was married in November, 1885, to Lydia Brenneman, who is a daughter of John Brenneman, of Marion township. They have an only child, Lesta May, who was born January I, 1887, and is still living at home. Soon after marriage, Mr. Diller purchased 4o acres of land which, with 20 acres recently added, comprise his present holdings. In 1899 he built his new residence, a modern frame building, at once comfortable and convenient. He has remodeled his barns and made many minor improvements to his property. Mr. Diller is a member of the Mennonite Church and a man who stands well in the community. JOHN BLACK, a retired master mechanic of Lima, is also one of the city's old and honored citizens. He was born in Scotland in 1848. and is a son of John Black, whose ancestors as far back as can be traced were of Scotch birth and rearing. John Black, the father, emigrated to America in the early '50's and commenced his business career as a locomotive builder in the Niles Locomotive Works, at Cincinnati, Ohio. There AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 597 he continued until he secured a position as an engineer on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, being thus employed for several years and later being connected in the same capacity with the C., H. & D. Railway, running between Cincinnati and Richmond, Indiana. He then became a master mechanic in the C., H. & D. Railway shops, at Richmond, and when that road gained control of the D. & M. Railroad, in 1863, he was appointed master mechanic of their shops at Lima, and continued as such, and as general master mechanic, for a period of 23 years. His death took place in 1893. During his entire residence in Lima he had been a prominent and useful citizen, serving frequently as a member of the City Council and supporting and assisting in formulating ordinances for the general welfare. Politically he was a Democrat John Black, our immediate subject, was reared through youth in Scotland, attending school and serving his apprenticeship to the machinist's trade prior to coming to America in 1869. He joined his father in Lima, and immediately commenced work in the machine shops of the C., H. & D. Railway, remaining there for a period of 20 years and two months. From the most subordinate position, through careful and persistent work, he was promoted to be engineer, and foreman and finally; in 1889, general foreman. He then became connected with the "Nickle Plate" Railroad as general foreman in their Chicago shops, where he remained one year, after which he served for three years as master mechanic of the Rock Island shops at Chicago. The death of his father at Lima recalled John Black to this city, when he abandoned the railroad business altogether. He had accumulated property, both in Chicago and Lima, and has since devoted his time and attention to his investments. In 1900 he built the Black Block in Lima, this being a fine four-story brick building of Bedford stone front, with dimensions of 185 by 5o feet, and containing stores, offices and apartments. It is occupied by leading business men, and is the scene of much of the city's commerce. Mr. Black also 'built other fine buildings, and owns valuable real estate in Chicago. He is one of the stock-holders in The Ohio National Bank of this city. In 1876 Mr. Black was married to Kate Hardesty, who is a daughter of the late Reuben Hardesty, one of the pioneers in the lumber trade of Lima. The four sons of the family are : William G., who is general foreman of the "Nickle Plate" Railroad shops at Fort Wayne, Indiana ; John, a graduate of the University of Chicago, later serving two years as a chemist with Parke Davis & Company, of Detroit, then a student in mechanical chemistry at Cornell University, and at present assistant professor in that department ; Charles H., a graduate of the Englewood High School, Chicago, served an apprenticeship in the C., H. & D. shops, and is now a machinist at the Lima Locomotive & Machine Works ; and Robert C., a recent graduate of the Lima High School, who has entered Purdue University to pursue a course in mechanical and electrical engineering. All of Mr. Black's sons are practical young men, who know how to apply the education they have been given by an indulgent father and reflect credit upon him and his generous thoughtfulness. CLARK L. HOYT, of Myers & Hoyt, grocers of Lima, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, in June, 1858. He is a son of William Hoyt. who came to Ohio in 1832 and located at Kenton, Hardin County, where he engaged in farming until 1862, at which time he moved to Lima, where he lived until his death, 12 years later. Clark L. Hoyt, since he was four years old, has always resided in Lima. After leaving school, he entered the shops of the C., H. & D. Railway, and had been there two years when he went on the road as fireman for the company. Five years later he took charge of his first engine, and for 21 years was one of the most trusted and esteemed engineers on the road. By this time he was tired of the work and desired to engage in some business in which he might have regular hours and more 598 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY time with his family. He therefore purchased an interest in a grocery store in partnership with Mr. Myers, taking possession in tine, 1904. They have a nice, clean store and carry a full line of staple and fancy groceries. Mr. Hoyt is equally at home at the throttle of an engine or behind the counters of his store, and is well pleased with the change. He was married in 1888 to Nora V. Copeland by whom he has three children—Eldean, Lenore and Lucile. The father of Mrs. Hoyt was Willis Copeland, who was for many years engaged in the dairy business in Lima, and ran the first dairy wagon in the city. He died in 1894. Mr. Hoyt is a prominent Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is a Republican in politics, and was at one time a member of the City Council of Lima. NELSON WILBER CUNNINGHAM, cashier of the Commercial Bank & Savings Company, of Bluffton, was born at Lima, Ohio, February 24, 1856, and is a son of Col. James and Martha (Kennedy) Cunningham. The late Col. James Cunningham was a pioneer in Allen County and for years was one of its most prominent men, serving two terms as a member of the State Senate and filling many offices with honor and efficiency. Extended mention of Colonel Cunningham will be found in the historical portion of this work. Nelson W. Cunningham was a student in the local schools until 14 years of age and then entered another school, a printing office. For the following five years he worked in the office of the Allen County Democrat, which was then under the editorial charge of D. S. Fisher, at Lima, after which he came to Bluffton, then a village, and founded the Bluffton News, which he ably conducted for the succeeding 16 years. In 1893 Mr. Cunningham purchased a half interest in the Commercial Bank, a private banking institution which had been founded at Bluffton in 1887 by Frank Scott. Mr. Scott and Mr. Cunningham continued sole owners until June 3, 1902, when it was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, commencing business as a State Bank on July I, 1902. At this time Mr. Scott became president and Mr. Cunningham, cashier. The institution is one which commands the confidence of the public. It is under the management of men of proved business integrity. There is probably no sounder, safer banking institution in Allen County than the Commercial Bank & Savings Company, and the citizens of Bluffton and vicinity readily give it support and reap accruing benefits. In 1883 Mr. Cunningham was married to Eva A. Ballard, who was born in Allen County. HUGH E. HUGHES, a prominent farmer and successful stock-raiser of Sugar Creek township, who resides on his well-improved farm of 80 acres which is situated in section 22, was born November 2, 1839, in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, and is a son of Evan and Catherine (Evans) Hughes. Both parents of Mr. Hughes were born in Wales and their death occurred in 1852, separated by one month, the mother being aged 44 years and the father, 6o years. Their children were : Susan, Hugh E., William, John and David. Our subject and his two brothers, John and David, all came to the United States and the two brothers mentioned live in Missouri. Hugh E. Hughes, like many others of his countrymen who have contributed largely to the State's prosperity, came to American shores in young manhood, poor in purse but rich in health, energy and stability of character. Industry had been considered a cardinal virtue in his home and he was prepared to work hard in the new land to which he had come, accepting-that necessity as a stepping-stone to future independence. Mr. Hughes reached the United States shortly after the close of the great Civil War, in 1866, and settled first in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, where he worked one year and then came to Gomer, Allen County, Ohio. A