AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 601 year later he went to Missouri and there acquired his first farm, a tract of 40 acres in the vicinity of Dawn, Livingston County. He remained in that State for six years. In 1874 he returned to Ohio and after his marriage early in the year bought 80 acres of land in Sugar Creek township, Allen County, on which he and his family resided for 10 years. He then disposed of the farm, which he had greatly improved, and on February 25, 1884, purchased his present farm of 8o acres in section 22. This property has undergone much improvement since Mr. Hughes has been its owner. His commodious barns and large, comfortable house give an appearance of thrift and good management, and his fields and stock, his machinery and general orderliness, show that a careful, competent man has been at the helm. He carries on general farming and stock-raising. In addition to the home farm in section 22, he owns another 80 acres, in section 23, the latter being in charge of a tenant. These farms and all else he possesses have been acquired by Mr. Hughes through personal endeavor. On March 28, 1874, Mr. Hughes was married in Sugar Creek township, by Rev. D. M. Evans, to Margaret Hughes, who was born July 31, 1841, near Vaughnsville, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jenkin and Jane (Morgan) Hughes. The parents, both natives of South Wales, located, prior to the birth of Mrs. Hugh E. Hughes, in Putnam County, Ohio, where the father died in 1887, aged 84 years and the mother in 1886, aged 80 years. They were most worthy Christian people and reared their children carefully. They had nine children, Mrs. Hughes being the seventh in order of birth. Three of her brothers were in the Civil War. David served in Company D, 118th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. ; Evan belonged to the 61st Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. ; and John served in the 151st Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. Mr. Hughes and his wife have had three children—Jennie, Katherine and Jenkin, of whom the last named died in infancy. Mr. Hughes votes with the Republican party, but takes only a good citizen's interest in politics. He is a charter member of the Vaughnsville Congregational Church, one of its deacons and formerly served as the Sunday-school superintendent. Mrs. Hughes has been a member of the church since 1855. CHARLES PUGH, manager of the Pugh Stone Company, conducting of Lima, was born in Oneida County one of the most important industries New York, November 23, 1858, and is a son of the late William Pugh, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page. Our subject's father located in Allen County, Ohio, in the early '60s, and was among the first to engage in the construction of pike roads here. The headquarters of the company have been located in Lima for almost 3o years. William Pugh, born in Wales, November 26, 1832, was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that calling for a few years at Gomer, in this county, after which he engaged in a special line of contracting. He furnished crushed stone for road-ways, and built pike roads for a great many years, later furnishing stone for concrete and cement work. For about 15 years he was also engaged in the ice business. All in all, William Pugh was an influential citizen of the county. He served as a member of the Lima Water Works Board and was holding that position at the time of his death, February 28, 1900. William Pugh was married about 1852 to Mary Evans, a native of Wales, and they had nine children, as follows : William, deceased ; Annie, who married Joseph Jones, of Lima, and has two children—Mary M. and Richard W. ; William C., deceased ; Charles ; Mary ; Lisabeth, deceased ; George, who married Lucile Mumaugh, and has one child, William ; John, deceased, and Elizabeth. William Pugh and wife came to America from Wales, in 1857, after their two oldest children were born. Their third child was born en route to this country. The parents landed in New York City and went directly to Waterville, New York, where they resided about eight years before coming to Allen County, Ohio. Mrs. William Pugh died March 4, 1896, aged 65 years. 602 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Charles Pugh was reared and educated at Gomer, and, upon leaving school, was put to work in his father's stone quarry. He soon became the latter's able assistant, and in 1877 located at Lima, where he has since resided and superintended the interests of the company. Since the death of his father, Mr. Pugh has had the sole management of the business. During recent years the company has done a large amount of cement construction, being especially busy in getting out crushed stone for cement and concrete work and for repairing pike roads. The quarries and crusher of the Pugh Stone Company are located on East North street, within nine blocks of the heart of the city. In 1890, Charles Pugh was married to Clara Miller, who is a daughter of one of Allen County's oldest and most esteemed citizens—Uriah Miller, of Elida. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, namely : Beulah June and Charles Victor, both deceased ; Virgil N. and Gladys E. Mr. Pugh is one of the substantial, reputable business men of Lima, and has a pleasant home at No. 925 East High street. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. E. D. WALLACE, for more than a quarter of a century an esteemed and honored citizen of Lima, was born in 1847, at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of the late John Wallace, who for many years was engaged at Poland in the furniture and undertaking business. Mr. Wallace is by occupation a very successful agent for: a number of insurance companies, while by trade he is a miller, having learned that calling in his early youth at Youngstown, Ohio. After working at his trade in that city and in Sharon until 1870, he entered the store with which he was connected until he located at Lima in 1880. Arriving in Lima on December 1, 1880, Mr. Wallace at once engaged in the general insurance business, with which he has since been identified, having become proficient and emi nently successful in his work. He represents a number of companies, among which are the following : Ohio Farmers ; Eureka, of Cincinnati ; Metropolitan, of Chicago ; Central Manufacturers of Van Wert ; Mutual Life, of New York, and the Maryland Casualty, of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Wallace was married in 1870 to Miss Alice Draa, daughter of Perry Draa, of Trumbull County, Ohio, and a descendant of Sir Francis Drake, the name having been changed from the original spelling "Drake" to "Draa." Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, viz : Glen I., who is in the insurance business at Lima ; Julia L., wife of Orrin Simpson, who is with the Central Gas Company of Columbus, Ohio ; and Frank N., who is associated in business with his father. Mr. Wallace is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, of Lima, in which he takes an active interest. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. DANIEL McKERREN, notary public, who is one of the well-known business men of Lima, conducting a real estate and pension claim business at No. 202 ½ North Main street, has been a citizen here for the past twenty years. He was born November 3o, 1850, in the city of Londonderry, Ireland, and was brought to America by his parents, Daniel McKerren, Sr., and wife, nee Margery Sweeney, both originally from the parish of Clondavodag, in County Donegal, Ireland. The first permanent settlement made by the parents of Daniel McKerren was at Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, where they lived a few years, then removing to near Fort Recovery, Mercer County, Ohio, where they purchased forty acres of land, and lived there a few years. Later exchanging this property for eighty acres in the northern part of Darke County, they removed to the latter county and lived there until they retired from farm life and moved to Lima, where they died, having passed the four-score mark, leaving besides Daniel, two other sons,—James D., and John, both of whom have since married and lo- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 603 cated in the city of Detroit. They also had one daughter, Mary, who married James Costello of Lima ; both have since died. Daniel McKerren, the subject of this sketch, after leaving the farm home of his parents, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in various places until the fall of 1875, when he married Catharine M. Hillen, then a school teacher, the daughter of James and Mary Hillen, who lived a few miles northwest of Sidney, Ohio, where they owned a farm of eighty acres. To this union was born eight children, of whom one died in infancy. The oldest child living, James D., married and resides on North Metcalf street, Lima, being employed as a cigarmaker at the Deisel-Wemmer factory. The second son, John H., married and now lives in Akron, Ohio ; he is a molder by trade. A daughter, Catherine C., married and resides at Sidney, Ohio ; previous to her marriage she was cashier at Feldman's store. The next, a son, Daniel E., deceased December I, 1901, was at the time of his death 19 years old, and was collector for the Metropolitan Bank of Lima. Charles J. is employed as an accountant in the Buckeye Pipe Line Company's office. Mary Agnes, still living at home, will finish her high school course this year. The youngest member of the family, Bernard A., now 13 years old, is going to school. Mt. McKerren is a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and is the financial secretary of the C. M. B. A. SAMUEL M. BURNS. Among the pleasant farm homes of Allen County, that of Mr. Burns is certain to attract the attention of the casual observer. It comprises 88 acres of fertile land, 78 of which are located in section 31, Richland township, with 10 acres adjoining in section 1, Bath township. Mr. Burns was born May 6, 1833, in Chautauqua County, New York, and is a son of E. R. and Katherine (Dull) Burns. The Burns family, as the name implies, is of Scotch origin. Edward Burns, the grandfather of our subject, was first cousin of Robert Burns, the Scotch bard, and was a native of Scotland. He was pressed into the British Navy at Edinburgh and brought to America to help make war, on the Colonies. Reaching Quebec, he, with four others, deserted from the British and joined the Continental Army in time to take part in that engagement. He served all through the war under the immediate command of General Washington, and was fortunate in that he was neither wounded nor taken prisoner. After peace was declared, he settled in Vermont where he married, reared a family of 12 children and lived until his death, which took place before he had reached the prime of manhood. E. R. Burns was the ninth child in his parents' family and was born in Essex County, Vermont. He went to New York where he married Katherine Dull, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and four children were born in that State. In 1837 they left New York for Ohio, making the journey by means pf an ox team. Their first stop was in Lake County, Ohio, where they lived about two years. From thence they moved to Hancock County. Much of their way lay through dense timber which had to be cut away before they could proceed. and their final stopping place was in the heart of the forest, with the nearest neighbor one and a half mile away. Here the father entered 80 acres of land and erected a small cabin 18 by 24 feet in dimensions. Of their five children—John D., Mary Ann, George L., Samuel M. and William—Samuel M. is the only one now living. The parents remained on this property in Hancock County until they passed away, the father aged 84 years and 9 months, and and the mother in her 80th year. Samuel M. Burns remained at home and assisted in clearing and improving the homestead until lie had attained his majority, when lie went to Tazewell County, Illinois, and remained there one year. He then returned home and, with his brother John, rented the farm and cultivated it for four. years, at the same time working at carpentering in the vicinity. In 1856 he went to Nebraska where he spent two years working at his trade—lie also preempted a claim there and made some im- 604 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY provements upon it. Returning home, he was married April 3, 1863, and again rented the home farm, which he operated with his brother William for one year, the brother managing the farm while our subject was engaged at carpentering. In 1864 he crossed the plains with a dozen or so companions and spent a year and a half in California, where he worked at his trade or on a ranch as opportunity offered. The return trip to New York was by way of the Isthmus of Panama. About 33 years ago Mr. Burns came to Allen County and purchased his present farm, also renting land in the vicinity. He has about 25 acres cleared and has erected all the buildings now standing on the property with the exception of the dwelling. In addition to his farming operations, he derives considerable revenue from the 12 oil-wells which are located on his property. Mr. Burns was married in 1863 to Margaret Jane Stratton, who was born in Union township, Hancock County, Ohio, September 15, 1843, and is a daughter of Thomas and Celia ( Jones) Stratton, both of whom are natives of Wayne County, Ohio. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burns, seven of whom are living, namely : Cynthia J., wife of J. C. Elliott, of Bath township; Celia Katherine, wife of Nelson Bassett, of Bath township ; William, of Oklahoma ; Anna Viola, wife of L. E. Bassett, of Richland township ; Harry D., of Orange township, Hancock County ; Edward, who lives at home; and Willard S. Mr. Burns is a Democrat, but was an adherent of the Populist party while it was in existence in Ohio. The family are members of the Disciples' Church.   WILLIAM C. BELL, a member of the well-known business firm of Mosier & Bell, operators of the Mosier Steam Laundry, at Lima, was born in this city, November 24, 1870, and is a son of the late W. M. Bell, who was long one of its active business men. Mr. Bell attended the public schools of Lima and spent three years at the University of Notre Dame, in Indiana. After completing his education, he was associated for 11 years with F. E. Harman, following which he spent one year in the grocery business at Marysville, Ohio, and four and a half years as fireman on the C., H. & D. Railway. In June, 1903, he purchased a half interest in the Mosier Steam Laundry, to which he has since given his undivided business attention, developing it into one of the successful industries of the city. The laundry is well equipped with all modern appliances, and its work is of such a satisfactory character as to necessitate the employment of a large force. The office of the laundry is located at No. 121 West North street. On March 28, 1897, Mr. Bell was married to Stella Craig Jones, and they have one daughter, Alice, attending school. The family home is at No. 211 ½ North Main street, in the Bell Block. The family is c0nnected with the Market street Presbyterian Church, of Lima. Mr. Bell is a member of Lima Lodge, No. 162, B. P. O. E., and Lodge No. 100, K. P., of Marysville, Ohio.   S. G. PARKS, a representative business man of the city of Lima, proprietor of large livery, feed and sale stables, at No. 216 East Market street, was born near Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1864, being a son of Samuel and Sarah A. (Philbee) Parks. The father of Mr. Parks was a pioneer settler of Van Wert County, locating there when the country was a wilderness. He lived into advanced age, dying in April, 1903. He married Sarah A. Philbee and they reared a family of ten children—five sons and five daughters, all of whom survive. For almost a half century both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. S. G. Parks was reared on his father's farm, and was educated in the local schools. He was 24 years old when he left the farm, going to Decatur, Indiana, where for one year he engaged in a livery business. He continued to conduct a similar business at Van Wert for AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 607 two years, and at Wiltshire for two years, and, during the excitement attending the first operations in oil, operated a livery stable at Mendon, Ohio. In July, 1895, Mr. Parks purchased the livery at Spencerville and, in addition to his Mendon barn, operated two establishments at the former place. Later he sold his Mendon interests, but continued at Spencerville until 1899, when he also disposed of his business there and bought the fine establishment, of which he is still proprietor, at Lima. In addition to this prospering business, Mr. Parks has had numerous oil interests, of which he has disposed. He is a large property owner in this city, including business blocks and dwellings, located on East Market street and Central avenue. He is numbered with the city's substantial men. On March 4, 1885, Mr. Parks was married to Hulda Royston, of Wiltshire township, Van Wert County, who is a daughter of Moses Royston, one of the pioneers of that county who still survives at the age of 87 years. Mr. and Mrs. Parks have two children, viz : Orla L., a student at the Lima Business College; and Pearl D., a student at the Lima High School. J. H. WALTER, proprietor of the South Side Planing Mill at Lima, and one of the city's well-known and substantial general contractors, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1853. Mr. Walter came to America when 17 years of age, having been educated and taught the carpenter's trade in his native land. He located in Cattaraugus County, New York, where he lived for a number of years, working at his trade and engaged in general contracting. He also owned and operated a planing and a sawmill. In 1901 Mr. Walter came to Lima and here he has found a good field in his specialties. He has done much in the line of general contracting, and has operated the large plant known as the South Side Planing Mill, which is situated at No. 925 South Main street. This is one of the city's important industrial plants. On September 14, 1875, Mr. Walter was married to Mary Mann, who died without issue, August 16, 1897. On November 10, 1898, he was married to Agnes Brown, who is a daughter of George Brown, of Lima. Politically, Mr. Walter has always been identified with the Republican party. Since coming to Lima he has accepted no political office, but while living in New York served as excise commissioner. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason. He is a member of the German Evangelical Church, but, as no organization of this religious body holds services in Lima, he attends the German Reformed Church. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Walter accompany this sketch. JOHN LUDWIG BEUTNER, a leading agriculturist of Marion township, who carries on general farming and stock-raising on his valuable farm of 110 acres in section 23, was born at Delphos, Allen County, Ohio, February 26, 1860, and is a son of Frederick and Johanna (Frombach) Beutner. Frederick Beutner was born near Sonneberg, in Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, February 25, 1819, and spent the usual time at school required of German children. He learned to be a shoemaker and, after deciding to seek his fortune in America, took passage in 1851 in a sailing vessel, which, after a voyage of three months, landed him in the city of New York, with 50 cents in his pocket. Fortunately for him, the individual to whom he entrusted his money, as pay for securing him employment as a shoemaker, was honest and he worked for a time in New York and then went to Buffalo, where he continued to work at shoemaking for a year. About 1853, after his marriage, Mr. Beutner and wife came to Delphos, Ohio, by way of the Lakes and the Miami and Erie Canal, and opened a shop opposite the parochial house, later removing to Main street. He also bought land. A few years ago he bought his present farm of 120 acres in section 22, Marion township, which he still owns. He 608 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY lives with his two sons, dividing his time between their homes. Haing a good knowledge of land values, he has accumulated considerable property and now enjoys a comfortable competency. At Buffalo he married Johanna Frombach, who was born in Germany, September 4, 1827, came to America in young womanhood and died December 15, 1904. They have four sons, namely : Frederick and Carl, who died in infancy ; and John Ludwig and Frederick Philip. Prior to coming to the United States, Frederick Beutner traveled to many points of interest in his own and other European countries, crossing the Alps and working at his trade through Switzerland and Italy. Although now bearing the weight of 87 years, he still enjoys walking and frequently passes other pedestrians on the road when walking to Delphos, a distance of four miles. He frequently walks as much as 15 miles a day, and in summer often goes afoot to his farm in Van Wert County, west of Delphos. He is a well-known citizen and enjoys a very large measure of public esteem. He was reared a Lutheran but is a man of liberal mind, ready to see good in every religious organization. In his political views he is a Republican. He helped to develop the town of Delphos, always supporting the measures which, in his judgment, were for the welfare of the place. John L. Beutner attended public school at Delphos and learned the shoemaker's trade with his excellent father. He is entitled to the name of self-made man, for from the age of 14 years he has depended for a livelihood entirely upon his own exertions. When he was still a boy at school he always found some profitable way in which to spend his holidays and vacations. He remembers when he was willing to work in the elevators for. 20 cents a day and board himself rather than to be without work. He continued to work at shoemaking until failing health warned him to give it up and his physician recommended the open air and farm work. Hence, in 1883 he came to his present farm, on which at that time there were only a log-hut and log stable. Now all of his 110 acres, with the exception of 15, are under cultivation and he has spent a large amount of money in making improvements. The comfortable residence and substantial farm buildings give a pleasant air of thrift and prosperity, and all the surroundings give evidence of the owner's care and attention. Mr. Beutner has made a specialty of raising driving and draft horses. He feeds a great deal of stock on the farm, deeming this a more profitable plan than to haul his grain and hay away. Mr. Beutner has put down two drains of 16-inch tile on the farm, draining each side separately. In 1898 Mr. Beutner, who is serving his third term, was elected by the Democratic party a justice of the peace, and is probably one of the most popular officials in his section of the county. He has his office in his home, and gives a great deal of his time to performing his important duties. During all the time of his incumbency he has never had a decision reversed and some of his cases have gone to the Supreme Court. He is a friend of arbitration and his efforts at settling disputes, without invoking the machinery of the law beyond his own office, have been remarkably successful. Mr. Beutner was married first, on March 1, 1882, to Rose Poe, of Attica, Indiana, who died March, 1900, leaving four children, viz : Poe, Lilian, Frederick and Harold. His second marriage was to Katie Huijsman, of Putnam County, on November 25, 1900, and they have two bright little daughters,—Marcella and Cornelia. H. B. HALL, of the well-known mercantile firm of Grosjean & Hall, shoe dealers, at No. 55 Public Square, Lima, is a native of Canada, his birth occurring in 1871, just across the river from Port Huron. He was reared and educated in the Dominion, and graduated from a business college there in 1886. Mr. Hall has been connected with the shoe business during almost his entire commercial life. In 1891, after. a training in this line for several years in Canada, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and became associated with the firm of Mabley & Carew. He remained with them for AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 609 three years in their stores at Cincinnati and Detroit, and then located in Lima. After being employed for three years in the shoe store of H. J. Jacobson, he returned to Cincinnati and for one year was associated with The Smith, Kasson Company of that city. He was then recalled to Lima by Mr. Jacobson, of the Columbia Shoe Company, with whom he remained for two years, when he resumed his former connections in Cincinnati. From The Smith, Kasson Company he entered the service of I. L. Fuldheim for a short period. In the meantime. Mr. Netzory had purchased the Columbian Shoe Store at Lima and secured the services of Mr. Hall in whom he had great confidence as a practical shoeman. Mr. Hall again returned to Lima and continued with Mr. Netzory for two years, then establishing an independent business by forming a partnership with Mr. Grosjean. The firm has a favorable location and carries a complete and carefully selected assortment of foot-wear, conducting probably one of the largest establishments in Northwestern Ohio. In January, 1899, Mr. Hall was married to Helen Mumford, who is a daughter of A. W. Mumford, a prominent citizen of Lima, who for a number of years has been connected with the oil industry. They have one child, James R. Mr. Hall is connected with Lima Lodge of Elks. Both members of the firm are identified with the Lima Progressive Association. HENRY M. DILLE, of the F. B. Hover Shoe Company, of Lima, was born in 1865, near the village of Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio. His father, J. M. Dille, now deceased, settled in that locality about 1830, and was one of the foremost agriculturists of the county and a soldier of the Civil War. H. M. Dille, of this article, was reared and educated in Hardin County, and then went to Oberlin, where he took a course in telegraphy. For the following nine years he was engaged as operator for the C. & E. Railroad, coming to Lima, in 1893, to take charge of the office at this point, and resigned the position six years later to become associated with the F. B. Hover Shoe Company. This firm conducts one of the finest shoe stores in Lima, and controls an extensive business. Mr. Dille was married, in 1899, to May Hover, daughter of William U. Hover, a highly esteemed pioneer of this county. They have two children—Mary and Joseph. Mr. Dille is in affiliation with the Knights of Pythias, and is a consistent member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, of Lima.   T. A. COLLINS, one of Lima's prominent citizens, a member of the City Council and one of the leading insurance men, was born at. Troy, Miami County, Ohio, August 6, 1862, and is a son of John and Margaret (Irvin) Collins. The late John Collins was a valued employee of the C., H. & D. Railway for a quarter of a century. He was a man of superior mental attainments, being a thorough English and classical scholar. His death took place at Sidney, Ohio, on February 22, 1898, at the age of 86 years. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Irvin, still survives him at the age of 70 years, and resides with her son, John Collins, a well-known dry goods merchant, of Wapakoneta. During his boyhood the parents of Mr. Collins removed from Miami to Shelby County, locating in the vicinity of Sidney, and there our subject was reared. He obtained his education in the parochial school connected with Holy Angels Church, and also took advantage of the public night schools. His entrance into business was with the Wagner Hardware Company; after three years of clerking he became a passenger brakeman on the C., H. & D. Railway, later being promoted to the position of freight conductor. After five years of railroad work, he resigned and accepted a position in the postal service at Lima, under Postmaster R. W. Melly, during the administration of President Cleveland. He was continued in 610 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY this position for nearly four years, resigning to become associated with The Times-Democrat Publishing Company. He continled with this corporation as circulation manager for 15 years and five months, resigning the position January 1, 1905, for a desirable connection with the O'Conner Brothers Company, with which he is still connected. Mr. Collins has ever been one of the active and intelligent promoters of good government in Lima and has consistently supported Democratic candidates. In the fall of 1905 he was elected councilman from the Second Ward, and has frequently proven his value as a member of that civic body. In September, 1883, Mr. Collins was married to Margaret E. O'Conner, who is a daughter of the late much lamented and highly respected John O'Conner, one of Lima's substantial citizens. They have one daughter, Carrie. Mr. Collins and his wife are members of St. Rose Catholic Church. He is associated with various organizations; is treasurer of Lima Council No. 436, Knights of Columbus, and president of Branch No. 64, Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.   GEORGE L. BREESE, one of the well-known farmers and successful stock- raisers of Shawnee township, was born December 8, 1851, on what is known as the old Frederick Goodwin farm, in section 4, Shawnee township, and is a son of David M. and Mary (Valentine) Breese. The great-grandfather of Mr. Breese was born in Wales and died in Hardin County, Ohio. His grandparents, Griffith and Mary (Mowen) Breese, were born respectively in Wales and Pennsylvania. They were the founders of the family in Allen County, coming here from Butler County, Ohio, in 1832. David M. Breese, father of George L., was born in Butler County, Ohio, February 27, 1825, and was seven years of age when his parents settled in ,Shawnee township, where he lived until his marriage and then settled in section 3, Shawnee township, on the Spencerville road. In 1863 he rem0ved to his present farm in section To. He was a soldier during the Civil War and has always been identified with the Republican party. He married in 1849 a daughter and a granddaughter of pioneers in Ohio. She was Mary Valentine, who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 23, 1827, and still survives. Her father, Crane Valentine, came to Allen County, in 1832 and settled on Elm street, Lima, at a time when that section was still so much of a wilderness that wild animals came out of the forest at night and invaded it. The children of David M. and Mary Breese were : Mary E., wife of Thomas Maltbie, of Lima ; George L., of this sketch, and Emmet, who died aged seven years. George L. Breese was educated in the Shawnee township schools and assisted his father on the farm until his marriage, which occurred in 1876. He then took up agricultural pursuits on his present finely improved farm in sections 9 and 10. In addition to general farming, Mr. Breese has been an extensive stock-raiser, making a preference of Guernsey cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. On September 6, 1876, Mr. Breese was married to Susan Nye, who was born in Shawnee township, and was a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Nye. Mrs. Breese died in 1896, leaving two children, viz : Clarence Nye, born December 13, 1877 ; and Mabel Kerr, born March 13, 1880. Clarence N. Breese is now deputy county clerk. In 1905 he married Mabel M. Kerr, daughter of George S. Kerr, of Lima. Politically George L. Breese is a strong Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the active and enterprising men of Shawnee township, interested in its agricultural development and ready at all times to advance its various interests.   J. W. MOWEN, United States referee in bankruptcy for the district comprising Putnam, Allen and Auglaize counties, with offices in the Holland Block, Lima, was born in this city in 1865, and is a son of the late Jacob R. Mowen, who was a prominent contractor and builder AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 611 at Lima and one of the early settlers in the county. J. W. Mowen was reared and educated at Lima, and after graduating from the High School entered the University of Michigan, where in 1888 he completed the course in law. In the following year he became a member of the firm of Cunningham, Mead & Mowen, at Lima, which combination continued until 1895, when it was dissolved and the new firm of Mead & Mowen was organized, which is still in active practice. Mr. Mowen is serving his second term as a justice of the peace. On January 2, 1905, Mr. Mowen was appointed by United States District Judge Swing, as United States referee in bankruptcy for two years, to succeed S. S. Wheeler. The appointment has given general satisfaction, as Mr. Mowen is recognized as a very able member of his profession and especially well equipped for the duties of this office. In 1902 Mr. Mowen was married at Lima to Ethel Hoover, who is a daughter of J. G. Hoover, of Lima. Fraternally Mr. Mowen belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being very prominent in the latter organization. During 1901 and 1902 he was district deputy grand exalted ruler for Northwestern Ohio, said district embracing some 25 Elk lodges. GEORGE S. KERR, a well-known general contractor and reliable business man of Lima, was born in 1855 in Iowa, and is a son of Frank Kerr, who died in Kansas in 1885. In the Civil War the father of our subject served as a member of an Iowa regiment. George S. Kerr was about nine years old when his parents removed to Knox County, Ohio, from Iowa, and he was reared and educated there. He assisted his father in farming until he was 22 years old and then learned the carpenter's trade which he has continued to follow almost ever since. During two years he operated a wagon and carriage shop at Vandalia, Missouri, but for the past 17 years he has been in a general contracting business and has resided at Lima since 1881. He has built a number of the most substantial buildings in this city; the following is a partial list : Fitzgerald Block ; Funk Block; Hotel Harrod ; 16 houses for Henry Frueh, Thomas Duffield's residence and many other residences of the city. Mr. Kerr has had other important interests in this section, having been connected with oil production and with the Lima Creamery & Cold Storage Company. In 1878 Mr. Kerr was married to Jennie Harrod, who is a daughter of Elijah Harrod, formerly one of the leading men of Knox County, of which he was recorder for 15 years. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have three children, viz. : Mabel M., who is the wife of Clarence N. Breese, deputy county clerk of Allen County ; Fred, who is a student in the Lima High School ; and Robert. Mr. Kerr and family reside at No. 769 West Wayne street, Lima. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. NOAH B. YANT, who was born April 27, 1827, in Rose township, Carroll County, Ohio, has been an honored resident of Allen County since 1864, when he purchased his present farm of 102 acres in section 32, Monroe township. His parents were Henry and Margaret (Stoody) Yant, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and were of German descent. They came to Ohio in 1812 and located at first in Tuscarawas County, later moving to Carroll County where the father was killed by a horse at the age of 49 years. The grandfather of our subject was John Yant, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in the early days of this state and here entered land for each of his children. The ancestors of our subject were all remarkable for longevity, John Yant reaching his 93rd year, his mother passing her 96th year, and his maternal grandfather, who was a native of Germany, also reaching the ripeness of age. A sister of our subject, Mrs. Mary Redman, who resides at Canton, Ohio, is in her 85th year and her hair in which gray threads have not yet appeared retains all the luster of youth. There were 12 children in the 612 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY family, 11 of whom reached maturity. Our subject, one brother and two sisters are the only ones now living. Noah B. Yant lived in the corner of Carroll and Stark counties until September, 1864, when he came to Allen County. Before he came here he had rented a farm and later bought land ; but this was a rough, stony piece, poorly adapted to tilling and he disposed of it before moving to this county. His present farm contains 102 acres, but the railroad cuts off some, leaving about 98 acres of available land. He has built two houses on this property, one of them being occupied by a son. Mr. Yant is a good manager and an excellent farmer, devoting his entire time to this employment. Mr. Yant was married September 11, 1851, to Druzilla Miller, of Carroll County, Ohio, by whom he has a family of seven children, viz : Samantha Ann, wife of Louis Lawrence, of Lima ; Sarah Rachel, wife of Joseph Waltz, of Michigan ; James M., who lives in his father's house on the farm ; William H., who has been superintendent of the schools of Paulding, Ohio, for several years ; Hugh M., a dry goods merchant, of Toledo ; Jonathan K., who is employed in the Lima Postoffice ; and Frank, who died at the age of five years. On November 1, 1897, Mr. Yant was married to Mrs. Margaret Cline, widow of Tobias Cline and daughter of Charles Banks. Mr. Yant is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been trustee of the same for a number of years. He is now and has been for many years a Republican. He was a member of the Know Nothing party during its short life and cast his first Republican vote for John C. Fremont. CLARENCE N. BREESE, deputy county clerk of Allen County, and one of the enterprising and successful young business men of Lima, was born in Shawnee township, Allen County, Ohio, December 13, 1877, and is a son of George L. Breese, and grandson of David M. Breese, of whom sketches appear is another part of this work. Clarence N. Breese obtained his elementary education in the schools of Shawnee township and then spent three years in the Ohio State University at Columbus. Prior to this he had taught school for several years. Immediately after leaving college he entered into business. For eight months he capably managed a large creamery located at Lithopolis, Ohio, and then was connected for six months with the Lima Creamery & Cold Storage Company, to which business he and his father succeeded, his father being a practical dairyman. They increased the plant's capacity and continued associated in the business until our subject was appointed deputy county clerk. He is a young man of business enterprise and has numerous important interests in Allen County. In 1905 Mr. Breese was married to Mabel M. Kerr, who is a daughter of George S. Kerr, one of the leading general contractors of Lima. For eight years Mr. Breese was a member of Company C, Second Regiment, Ohio National Guard, and during the Spanish-American War was in service with his company for 10 months—in camp at Chickamauga and Knoxville, and later at Macon, Georgia, being mustered out as a corporal of his company, on February 1o, 1898. Upon the reorganization of the company after the war, Mr. Breese was appointed 1st sergeant. He is a member of the United Spanish War Veterans, of the Elks and of the Knights of Pythias, at present holding the position of representative of the K. of P. lodge to the Grand Lodge. having formerly been chancellor commander. During his university life he joined the Alpha Zeta Greek-letter fraternity. CHRISTIAN LEHMAN, deceased, who died on his farm of 240 acres, situated partly in German and partly in Sugar Creek township, on March 31, 1901, was one of the honorable and prominent farmers of this locality for a number of years, a man who was respected by all who knew him. He was born May 27, 1828, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Joseph and Catherine Lehman. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 615 The parents of Christian Lehman came to Ohio and settled in Columbiana County, when he was eight years old, and in 1849 the family came to Allen County and settled on a farm of 160 acres in section 23, German township. To this was later added a tract of 40 acres situated in section 3, Sugar Creek township and, still later, 40 acres more in German township, the aggregate being 240 acres of excellent land. The parents passed away on this farm and were laid to rest in the Sugar Creek Mennonite Cemetery. Christian Lehman learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and worked at the same for some 20 years and then turned his attention to farming. He resided on the homestead, which he acquired, until the close of his life. Christian Lehman married Susanna Lehman, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Bookwater) Lehman, who came from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, to Richland County, Ohio, and settled in Allen County in 1848: Mrs. Lehman was born November 16, 183o. Although she is the mother of 13 children, she retains her health and activity and takes an interested part in household affairs and in church work. The children were.: Simon, who died aged five years ; Joseph, who works as a carpenter in Lima ; Elizabeth, who married John Barnes, resides in Kansas and has one daughter, Lydia Belle ; Adeline, who married Peter Zuercher, lives in Sugar Creek township and has these children—Eno, Salome, Leroy, Christian and Cora ; Hosanna, who died at the age of 33 years ; Elzina, who died aged 21 years ; Rachel, who married Christopher Good, formerly of Kansas, but now of Sugar Creew township, and has these children—Ida, Irvin, Jesse and Susanna ; Daniel, who superintends the work on the home farm and in season operates a steam thresher, work in which he has been engaged for six years past ; Lydia, Isabella and Henry, who reside at home ; Kate, who died at the age of 3o years ; and George, who resides at Pandora, Ohio. The family belong to the Mennonite Church, in which Mr. Lehman was a deacon for many years. His life was one of quiet usefulness and he is recalled with feelings of affection and esteem. IRA P. CARNES, vice-president. of The Lima Locomotive & Machine Company and vice-president of the Lima Pork Packing Company, is one of the city's representative business men. He was born at East Barre, Washington County, Vermont, in 1850,. and is the eldest son of John and Mary (Baldwin) Carnes. Mr. Carnes was a child of three years when his parents moved to Sycamore, Ohio, and shortly after to Upper Sandusky, where his father was the owner of a foundry and machine shop. He attended school in both these cities, always being considered a very apt student, especially in mathematics. Like his father and grandfather, he early showed a mechanical talent and from boyhood took an interest in machinery ; after 1869, when his parents settled at Lima, he was constantly employed in the shop of Carnes, Agerter & Company. The father, as related in a sketch which will be found in this volume, was the founder of the Lima Locomotive Works, which succeeded the firm of Carnes, Agerter & Company. When this reorganization took place, Ira P. Carnes became a member of the.firm and since then he has been one of the important factors in shaping the business course of this immense concern. In addition to the important duties pertaining to this office, he has other interests, one of these being the vice-presidency of the Lima Pork Packing Company, another institution of which Lima is justly proud. He has also been connected with the Lima Home & Savings Association since its organization. In all that concerns the welfare of the city he takes an intelligent and public spirited interest and is numbered with the most progressive as well as most popular men of the city. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1880 Mr. Carnes was married to Louisa Wuichet, of Dayton, Ohio, and to them were born two children—Sabine and Walter. Mrs. Carnes died in January, 1885. Mr. Carnes was again married, in 1889, to Anna Robb, sister of Hon. Theodore D. Robb, mayor of Lima. They have one child, John, who is named for his grandfather, John Carnes. A portrait of Ira P. Carnes accompanies this sketch. 616 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY G. CONNER, a member of the wholesale and retail millinery firm of Light & Conner, of Lima, is one of the city's prominent and substantial citizens. He is a native of Perry County, Ohio, born in 1871, and is a son of Rev. William H. Conner, who is the pastor of the First Congregational Church, at Portland, Indiana. E. G. Conner was seven years old when his parents settled in Elida, Ohio, and his education was all secured in the schools of Allen County. When but a youth he learned the printing business and for some To years worked on various newspapers in Ohio and Indiana. In April, 1901, he returned to Lima, and in the July following became a member of the firm of Light & Conner. The house does an immense business, both wholesale and retail, and is recognized throughout the State as absolutely reliable. In 1895 Mr. Conner was married to Irene C. Light, who is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Light, who have been residents of Lima for the past 14 years and are the senior members of the millinery firm of Light & Conner. Mr. and Mrs. Conner have two. children —Helen Isabel and Eugene Frantz. The former is a talented child, a remarkable elocutionist for one of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Conner being a member of the board of trustees and a steward in Trinity Church, Lima. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. J. L. ANDREWS has been a resident of Lima for almost 20 years and during the entire period has been a powerful factor in pushing the various industrial enterprises of the city and, by his own example in kindling the interest and enthusiasm of others until success was assured. Although a careful business man he is, at the same time, progressive and enterprising, and his name may be found among the stockholders of many of Lima's leading institutions. Mr. Andrews was born in July, 1849, in Pittsfield, Warren County, Pennsylvania, and was there educated and developed into manhood. At an early age he engaged in the production of oil in his native State, and continued in business there until 1887. At that time the industry was in its infancy in this county, and Mr. Andrews soon took advantage of the situation by removing to Lima and contracting for the production of oil. He located here in November, 1887, and the oil industry at once began to assume activity, continuing to increase until it has reached its present importance. Mr. Andrews is now operating in the Indiana oil field, but his business interests have extended until they embrace shares in the East Iron & Machine Company, First National Bank, A. B. Klay Company (of which he is director), The National Roofing-Tile Company, and a number of other enterprises. In 1878, Mr. Andrews was married to Rosalia A. Porter, daughter of the late A. V. Porter, of Warren County, Pennsylvania. Two children were born to this union : Blanche, who is the wife of George S. Moffat, D. D. S., of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Orren L., a student of Purdue University, class of 1907. For several years Mr. Andrews was trustee of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, of Lima, of which he is a devout member. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias of this city, and is also prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Lima, Antioch Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Dayton, and Lake Erie Consistory, S. P. R. S., at Cleveland. BERT WOHLGEMUTH, proprietor of the California Wine Company, wholesale and retail dealers in choice wines and liquors, at Lima, occupies. a prominent place among the city's successful business men. He was born in Hungary in 1860. Mr. Wohlgemuth was 15 years of age when he emigrated to America and he is a noteworthy example of a self-made man. After AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 617 reaching the United States he went immediately to Cincinnati, and began his business career by carrying a pack and selling goods throughout the country. In three years he had accumulated a little capital, which he invested in Chillicothe by associating himself with the firm of Feldman & Company, dealers in fancy dry goods, with whom he continued for nine years. In 1886 he came to Lima and, with Mr. Feldman, established the firm of Feldman & Company. For two years he was in sole charge of the business, when his brother, Jonas Wohlgemuth, also became associated in the enterprise. The firm *has continued here for the past 19 years, occupying a local position second to none in its line of business. Seven years ago its scope was expanded and removal was made to the present quarters, Nos. 211-213 North Main street, adjoining the old stand. On November 1, 1905, Mr. Wohlgemuth purchased the business of the California Wine Company, wholesale and retail dealers in fine wines and liquors, at No. 135 South Main street. This is a well-established business and requires the constant services of four traveling representatives to visit the trade in all portions of the United States. In 1898 Mr. Wohlgemuth was married to Martha Schachne, of Chillicothe, Ohio. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Royal Arcanum. Personally he is a man of fine business perceptions and of pleasant, genial nature, and is held in high esteem by the residents of Lima. PETER ZIMMERLY was born in Riley township, Putnam County, Ohio, February 2, 1839, but has been an honored resident of Allen County since 1868, when he moved to Richland township and purchased his present farm of 120 acres, located in section 10. Mr. Zimmerly is a son of John and Anna (Berner) Zimmerly, both of whom were natives of Alsace, France. The father, who was born about 1780, came. to America when a young man, locating first in Wayne County, Ohio, and - 32 - later in Putnam County, where he died in 1855• He had entered a quarter-section of land in Riley township, most of which he had cleared and put under cultivation. It was in this county he met and married Anna Berner, who was born in 1801 and came to this country when a young woman with her mother and a party of emigrants. She passed away on the homestead on March 23, 1895, at the ripe age of 93 years, 11 months and 18 days, leaving three children and a large circle of friends to regret her death. Our subject is the eldest son. John has passed to the higher life. Christopher lives on the homestead in Riley township, Putnam County, and is a preacher of the Mennonite faith. Peter Zimmerly spent the earlier years of his life in his native county where he was married on May 5, 1868, to Annie Bixel, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1842, and was a daughter of Peter and Fannie (Dealer) Bixler. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Zimmerly came with his bride to Allen County to make a home for himself. Three children have blessed their home, namely : John, who resides in Richland township; Lucinda, wife of William Balmer, of Richland township ; and Eli, who lives in Bluffton. Mrs. Zimmerly died in 1881, and in 1882 our subject was married to Mary Ann Kiner, who was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, August 4, 1858, and came to America when a young girl of 17 years, accompanied by two brothers. Her parents were John and Barbara (Zurgher) Kiner. Mrs. Zimmerly has borne her husband seven children, viz. : Ida, wife of Frederick Kratz, of Pandora, Ohio ; Maggie, who lives at home ; Elvina, Llewellyn, Clara, Melvin and Mary Ann. All the members of the family can understand and speak English perfectly ; but when at home they converse wholly in German in 'order that the younger members may be thorough in their knowledge and use of that tongue. Mr. Zimmerly is one of the influential and prosperous farmers of Richland township, and has his farm well improved, the land being all under cultivation except some 12 acres of woodland pasture. He raises large quantities of grain and also deals quite exten- 618 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY sively in stock. He is a member of the Mennonite Church and a good man. A Democrat in politics, he has served as a member of the School Board and also as road commissioner. WALTER E. GRAY, an extensive oil operator in various fields, whose home is in Lima, was born in 1851 at Covington, Kentucky, and is a son of Francis Gray. Francis Gray was a large woolen manufacturer for 50 years, and during half of this period was located at Piqua, Ohio, where he was very prominent in business and public life. During the Civil War he raised a company of Home Guards which was called upon for service. He was prominent in Masonry for half a century. When an infant, Walter E. Gray was taken to Cynthiana, Kentucky, where his parents lived during his boyhood and school days. In 1865 they returned to Covington and subsequently located at Piqua, Ohio. In his father's mills at the latter place, our subject first found employment, remaining there for about five .years. In 1881 he accompanied his father to Lima, and they founded the handle factory which they sold in 1882 to O. B. Selfridge & Company. Mr. Gray then embarked in a mercantile business which he carried on until the fall of 1885, when he disposed of it in order to give attention to the oil industry. These interests have been expanded and he is connected with the Planet Oil Company, which operates extensively in various fields—the Trenton rock of Ohio and Indiana, the Canadian fields and also rich California fields. The company is interested in quite a number of productive wells. Mr. Gray was married October 19, 1881, to Ida N. Dalzell, who is a daughter of Isaac Dalzell, one of the oldest settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one daughter—Mary J., an accomplished young lady, who is a graduate of Mount Vincent Academy, of Price Hill, Cincinnati. Mr. Gray and family belong to the Protestant Episcopal Church. Like his father, Mr. Gray is prominently identified with the various Masonic bodies, being a member of Blue Lodge, Council, Chapter and Commandery. He is one of the city's enterprising men of business, takes part in its various public-spirited movements, and assists in upholding Lima's reputation as a great commercial center. CLAIR B. WELLS, proprietor of livery, feed and sale stables at Lima, St. Marys and LaFayette, Ohio, is a very large buyer and seller of fancy saddle and driving horses, and one of the best authorities in this line in the State. He was born at Wauseon, Fulton County, Ohio, in 1878, and is a son of J. G. Wells, a large real estate dealer of that place. Although Mr. Wells was born in Ohio, his rearing was in the West, his parents migrating to Colorado and to Kansas. When he was about 19 years of age he returned to Ohio, completed his school course in the Lima High School, and in 1900 graduated from the Lima Business College. For some time he was engaged as a stenographer and later associated in a grocery business. From boyhood he had evinced the qualities of a natural horseman. During his residence in Kansas City this tendency had induced him to take lessons in the training of horses and in the teaching of the art of horsemanship, so that, after disposing of his grocery interests in 1903, he established his present business at Lima. From the first he was successful and now has branch stables at LaFayette and St. Marys. He has enlarged the scope of the business, and now owns a garage both at Lima and St. Marys, keeping a large line of automobiles of every description. He is thorough and scientific in his training of fine horses, and his stables are known to turn out only reliable, well-trained animals. At one time he owned a fine Arabian team, which he sold to Cleveland parties. Outside of his stables he has other business interests, and is one of the most enterprising young business men in this section of the State. In 1901 Mr. Wells was married to Ger- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 619 trude Reis, who is a daughter of M. C. Reis, deceased, a conductor on the Lake Erie &. Western Railroad. She is a charming and accomplished lady. Mr. Wells is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Young Men's Christian Association, and is identified with the First Christian Church. REUBEN SHINDOLLER, whose handsome modern home stands within its neat iron fence and surrounded by a beautiful lawn, on a valuable piece of property just outside the corporation limits of Spencerville, where Mr. Shindoller owns a 20-acre farm, in section 11, Spencer township, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, May 25, 1839. His parents were Michael and Frederika (Yager) Shindoller. The parents of Mr. Shindoller were quiet, farming people in Delaware County. - The father died in 1846, leaving his widow to rear as best she could a family of 10 children. Her duty was nobly performed, and the seven who still survive unite in recalling her many virtues and the sacrifices she was willing to make in order to rear them to useful lives. She passed away on October 20, 1878. Our subject and seven of his brothers served in the army during the Civil War. Henry was a member of Company E, 66th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.; John, late a resident of Delaware, Ohio, was a member of the 83rd Regiment, Illinois Vol. Inf., and died January 13, 1906; Louis was a member of Company E, 66th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. ; William was a member of Company H, Fourth Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.; David was a member of the Fourth Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf.; and Samuel was a member of the 171st Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. One sister, Mrs. Loren Miller, of Delaware, Ohio, still survives. There are easier things in life than to be left fatherless at the age of 10 years and, with this, to be almost entirely dependent for life and fortune upon one's own efforts. This was the situation which faced our subject. Necessarily his education was a limited one, but he grew to young manhood strong and stal wart, a trained farmer. The opening of the Civil War turned the attention of our subject and his brothers from the peaceful pursuits which had hitherto claimed their energies. On May 25, 1861, Mr. Shindoller enlisted at Peoria, Illinois, as a private in the 17th Regiment, Illinois Vol. Inf., and bravely, cheerfully and honorably served until May 25, 1866. He was attached to the 17th Army Corps, Army of the Mississippi, a part of the great force which did much of the strenuous fighting of the war. Mr. Shindoller participated in the battles of Fredericktown, (Maryland), Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg and Mobile, and in the miles of weary marching and counter-marching, skirmishing and guard duty which made up a soldier's life. After his return from the army, in the spring of 1868, Mr. Shindoller moved to Auglaize County, where he secured 77 acres of Woodland on the old Ridge road, near the Allen County line. This land he cleared and engaged in farming until he removed, in 1891, to Spencer township. As mentioned above, he occupies a handsome home which he erected here. The substantial barn was already a feature, but the comfortable home was made after Mr. Shindoller's own ideas and is modern throughout. It attracts favorable notice, with its air of comfort and well kept-lawn. In 1864 Mr. Shindoller was united in marriage with Catharine Webb. Although they have no children of their own, they have generously reared a boy and girl, the latter still being an inmate of their household. The former, William Webb, resides in Spencerville. Mr. and Mrs. Shindoller are members of the Christian Church, in which he is a trustee. He is a member of and takes much interest in Fair Post, No. 322, G. A. R., of Spencerville.   M. U. BASINGER. One of the leading business men of Lima is M. U. Basinger, whose large jewelry establishment is situated at No. 63 Public Square, and who is an experienced manufacturer in this line as well as a dealer in cut glass and diamonds. Mr. Bas- 620 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY inger is a native of Putnam County, Ohio, born in 1868. Mr. Basinger remained on the home farm until he had reached the age of 19 years, alternately farming and attending the local schools. He accompanied his mother when she removed to Ada, and remained there three years, coming then to Lima. At that time one $5 bill represented his capital in money, but in addition he possessed youth, health, ambition and persistent industry, and, in time, this strong combination of qualities brought about a large degree of prosperity. For the first six months, after contracting with D. A. McComb, then a leading jeweler of Lima, the young man worked for the sum of $4 per week. By the end of the period, his employer realized that he had secured an honest, intelligent, capable and industrious assistant, and was willing to retain him on a living salary. Mr. Basinger remained until 1893, when Mr. McComb retired and was succeeded by the firm of Basinger & Company, its members being M. U. Basinger and William Melville. This partnership lasted until 1897, when Mr. Basinger sold his interest to his partner and founded an independent business. He continued alone for one year and then associated himself with Mr. Cameron, the firm remaining as Basinger & Cameron until February, 1903. Then Mr. Basinger sold his interest to Mr. Cameron, and in the following May opened his present fine establishment on the Public Square. He conducts a very large business in the manufacturing line, and carries a valuable stock of jewelry, cut glass and expensive gems. He is also interested in other business enterprises, one of these being the Humane Horse Shoe Company. On September 25, 1895, Mr. Basinger was married to Blanche Douglass, who for some five years previously had been a teacher in the Lima schools, and is a daughter of J. C. Douglass, of Forest, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Basinger have two children—Warren and Helen. Mr. Basinger is a member of the Market Street Presbyterian Church. of which he is an elder and the treasurer. His fraternal relations are with the Tribe of Ben Hur, Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of Pythias. J. J. WEADOCK, attorney-at-law, a member of the law firm of Motter, Mackenzie & Weadock, of Lima, was born in this city on September 4, 1873, and is a son of the late Dr. T. M. Weadock. The father of Mr. Weadock was a native of Canada and at the time of his death, January 20, 1905, was one of the oldest practitioners of medicine in Lima. He was a graduate of the medical department of the University of Michigan, and settled at Lima in 1870. J. J. Weadock received his early education in the local schools, the parochial school at Sidney, Ohio, and St. Rose Parochial School at Lima, graduating from the Lima High School, in 1892, and from Assumption College, at Sandwich, Ontario, in 1894. Two years later he graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, and at once passed the bar examination at Columbus, Ohio, which admitted him to practice in this State. He entered into practice alone, but afterward was associated for one year with Kent Hughes, and since 1900 has been a member of the strong firm of Motter, Mackenzie & Weadock. Mr. Weadock was married June 24, 1903, to Mollie Cunningham, who was born and reared in Lima. In political sentiment, Mr. Weadock is a Democrat and has always taken an active in terest in party matters. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Catholic Knights of Ohio, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of St. John. He belongs to St. Rose Catholic Church and is the director of the choir. MADISON EDGECOMB, a retired farmer of Beaver Dam, is one of the substantial, influential men of the county and formerly lived on the old Edgecomb homestead in Richland township. He owns the adjoining farm of 120 acres in section 31. Mr. Edgecomb was born in Bath township, Allen County, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 621 Ohio, June 9, 1850, and is a son of Marquis and Hannah (Everett) Edgecomb. His paternal grandparents were Uriah and Elizabeth (Doud) Edgecomb, both of whom were of English descent. Lord William Henry Edgecomb, of England, is a relative of our subject and his photograph is among the family pictures which adorn the Edgecomb home. The name was originally spelled "Edgcumbe." Marquis Edgecomb was born December I I, 1826, in Trumbull County, Ohio, and was a lad of five years "when his parents settled in Bath township, this county. He was one of 13 children, 12 of whom grew to maturity. By occupation he was a farmer, though he aisle ran a hotel at Beaver Dam for about five years. He was a member of the Home Guards during the Civil War and was at all times a patriotic citizen. His wife, Hannah Everett, was a .daughter 0f Jacob and Betsey (Bush) Everett, and was born November 9, 1826, near Solon, New York. Her parents came to this county when she was a girl of 12 years and she has been a resident here ever since. She has made her home with our subject since the death of her husband on May 20, 1901. The children born to this worthy couple were as follows : Sarah Ann, who died in infancy ; Madison ; Margaret Ann (Phillips), deceased ; Elisha, who died in his 21 st year ; Betsey M., deceased, who married P. R. Bailey ; Sarah Priscilla, who died at the age of five years ; George Washington, of Lima ; and William, born December 25, 1874, who resides on the homestead at Beaver Dam. Madison Edgecomb resided continuously on the same farm from 1857 to 1891. In addition to general farming, he has engaged in the production of oil, having nine wells on his land, which yield a handsome income. In 1900 he bought his present residence in Beaver Dam—a cozy, pleasant home and the most attractive in the village. Mr. Edgecomb was at one time interested in a flouring mill which he, with others, operated for three or four years in Beaver Darn. He has been twice married ; first, on December 19, 1872, to Philena M. Barnhard, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, February 24, 1855, and died February 8, 1882. There were two children by this union, both of whom, Orrin and Virgil, are deceased. On June 5, 1884, Mr. Edgecomb married his present wife, Mrs. Mollie (Frisbie) Fee, widow of the late James M. Fee. Mrs. Edgecomb is a daughter of Lewis and Nancy (Trout) Frisbie, and was born in Licking County, this State, September 6, 1855. They have no children. Mr. Edgecomb does not take an active part in politics, but supports with his vote the Republican party. ADOLPH WEIXELBAUM, one of the leading newspaper men of Northwestern Ohio, publisher of Der Lima Courier, was born in Germany in 1855, and is a son of the late Moses Weixelbaum, formerly a teacher in Germany, who resided in America for 10 years previous to his death. Our subject was 16 years old when he came to America, having already completed the common-school course. At Ironton, Ohio, he entered the printing 0ffice connected with a German newspaper, and there remained four years, in which period he thoroughly mastered the trade. Going then to Akron, he was foreman of a German paper there for another four years, when he removed to Wooster, where he established a German paper which he continued to publish until he came to Lima and purchased Der Lima Courier. Under his management it has become the leading German newspaper in this section of the State, being ably edited and liberally supported. In connection with his newspaper, Mr. Weixelbaum operates a first-class job-printing office. His place of business is located at No. 312 North Main street, Lima. He takes a prominent part in the political discussions of this section of the State and his paper has great influence. Mr. Weixelbaum was married (first) in 1880, to Jennie Stern, who died in 1891, leaving four children, viz : Harry, who is a commercial traveler in the South for a New York business house ; Milton, who is in the cigar business at Lima ; Gertrude, who is a popular 622 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY teacher in the Lima schools; and Martha, who resides at home. Mr. Weixelbaum was married (second) in 1894 to Esther Goldwater, of New York, and they have two children—Selma and Elsie. Mr. Weixelbaum is a member of the Elks and the Maccabees, as well as a number of the local German organizations of a social and charitable nature. He is also identified with the Lima Progressive Association, having always taken an active interest in all public enterprises. In all his relations, whether public, professional or private, he is highly esteemed. ADAM V. PFEIFER, deceased, was a successful farmer of German township, and later a highly respected resident of Elida, where his death took place, after a short illness, on November 23, 1903. He was born at Ash Grove, German township, Allen County, Ohio, January 19, 1853, and was a son of Nicholas and Eva Pfeifer. Mr. Pfeifer was reared on his father's farm and during all his active years carried on agricultural operations. He was married October 31, 1875, to Bertha Crites, a daughter of Daniel L. and Martha ( John) Crites, and a granddaughter of Charles and Sophia Crites. The last named were early settlers in Allen County, coming from Pickaway County, and founded a numerous and prominent family. Daniel L. Crites was one of the leading Democratic politicians of his, day and filled county and town ship offices. He served as deputy under Auditor William Dowling, in the old Court House at Lima, and later was deputy and still later county clerk of Allen County. He died March 30, 1885, leaving a property aggregating 106 acres, 42 acres of which are located in Elida, south of the railroad, the remainder being just beyond the corporation limits. This property was left to his widow and his two daughters—Mrs. Tirzah Sanford, wife of M. J. Sanford, of Lima, and Mrs. A. V. Pfeifer. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pfeifer lived on a farm owned by Mr. Crites, which was situated about a quarter of a mile east of Elida. Four years later they moved to another tract, just across the street, and then established themselves in the residence still occupied by Mrs. Pfeifer and family. This is now a home with modern comforts, having undergone much improvement in the past T0 years. Mr. Pfeifer is survived by his wife and these of his children, namely : Emery Crites, born October 9, 1878, who conducts the home farm ; India L., born April 21, 1884; Mildred, born October 20, 1890 ; and Beulah, born September 15, 1886, who died August 12, 1887. The family are members of the Lutheran Church at Elida, in which Mr. Pfeifer was a deacon and trustee for many years. He was a man of upright character, quiet and unostentatious in manner and commanding the respect of all that knew him.   GEORGE L. DAVIS, who has been a resident of Lima since the spring of 1899, is interested in oil production and also owns some valuable property in the city, as well as in Auglaize County. He was born in May, 1851, near Auburn, the county seat of Cayuga County, New York, and remained there until his 17th year, when he entered the oil field of Pennsylvania. In a short time he was taking contracts for drilling oil-wells, and met with great success in the several States in which he operated. In 1873 he extended his operations to Ecuador, South America, where, for about two years, he was engaged in drilling deep wells to furnish the inhabitants with a much needed supply of water. About 1893 he began operations as an independent oil producer, and has since been thus engaged. In 1899 Mr. Davis moved to Lima and invested largely in real estate. Besides his handsome home on Spring street, he owns the Hotel Manhattan property in the heart of the city. It is the intention of Mr. Davis to remodel this building during the next few months, add a number of rooms to meet the growing demands AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 623 of the business, and make it in every way worthy of the large patronage it now enjoys. Mr. Davis owns a fine farm of 227 ½ acres in Auglaize County, Ohio, which is devoted to stock-raising and has gained him a good reputation as a breeder of fine roadsters and draft horses. He also raises large numbers of cattle, hogs and sheep, and conducts his farming along profitable lines. Mr. Davis was married, in 1877, to Mary Tuller, of Irving, New York. They have two sons—George L., Jr., who resides in Indiana, and Carl L., of Lima. Mr. Davis is a prominent Mason, being a member of Lima Council No. 20, R. & S. M., and Shawnee Commandery; No. 14, K. T., of Lima ; Ohio Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Cincinnati ; and Antioch Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Dayton. PHILIP J. HOFFERBERT was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1858, and three years later came with his parents to Allen County, Ohio, settling in Monroe township where they have since lived. His parents were Peter and Phoebe (Weaver) Hofferbert. Peter Hofferbert was born in Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, in 1834, and when a young man of about 18 years came to the United States, locating in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Here he was married to Phoebe Weaver, who was born in Pennsylvania about 1811 and died in March, 1893. He had learned the trade of butcher in his native land, but after coming to Allen County he devoted his time to agriculture and acquired three farms comprising 280 acres, of which he died possessed in March, 1895, just two years after the decease of his devoted wife. He was a loyal Republican and served nine months in the Civil War. A member of the German Evangelical Church, he endeavored to live consistently in accordance with his belief. He held a high place in the regard of his fellow-men and was trustee of his township for two terms, discharging his duties conscientiously and with ability. His children were as follows : Annie E., who owns 40 acres of land in Monroe township and is a resident of Lima ; John L., who resides in Sugar Creek township where he owns 80 acres ; Philip J. ; William L., who owns 80 acres in Monroe township and a son that died in infancy. Philip J. Hofferbert has resided continuously on his present .farm since 1861, remaining with his parents until his 25th year, and then taking up the cultivation of 80 acres of the homestead in section 18, which he afterward purchased of his father. He was married at this time, in 1884, and at once took his bride to the home he had prepared for her, and which he has since improved and beautified, as only the thrifty farmer ever does, by planting small fruit, shade and fruit trees, and erecting attractive and comfortable buildings. He is engaged in general farming, though he also raises considerable stock. Mrs. Hofferbert, who was. formerly Catherine Bernius, was born November 28, 1862, near the city of Dayton, Ohio.. Her parents were George and Elizabeth (Reitzel) Bernius, both of whom were natives of Germany where they grew to adult years before coming to the United States. They were married soon after their arrival. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hofferbert, namely : Elmer George; Lily Grace; Alta. Malinda ; Naomi A. ; Clarence P. ; and Catherine Elizabeth. Mr. Hofferbert is a member of the German Evangelical Church. In politics he is a Republican and has held a number of local offices. He is a practical, progressive farmer and has recently added to his home farm an adjoining tract of 50 acres, which lies in section 13, Sugar Creek township, Putnam County. R. C. EASTMAN, member of the law firm of Prophet & Eastman, of Lima, was born June 1, 1851, in Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Jonathan Owen and Rachel A. (Huston) Eastman. The father of Mr. Eastman was a native of New Jersey, coming to Licking County, Ohio, 624 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY in 1815, and to Allen County in 1839. He was a blacksmith by trade and also engaged in farming. He married Rachel A. Huston, a daughter of James Huston, who became a resident of this county in 1830, coming from Pennsylvania. Mr. Huston at one time owned the southwestern portion of the farm on which the County Infirmary now stands. He subsequently moved to Lima, and lived and died in the residence an Wayne street, now occupied by D. C. Richmond. James Huston's father was also named James, and was a cousin of Sam Houston, of Texas. R. C. Eastman received his primary education in the district schools of Auglaize township, and in 1874 was graduated from the Ohio Normal University at Ada, with the degree of A. B. He then entered upon the study of the law with Cunningham & Brotherton, of Lima, and taught school at intervals prior to his admission to the bar in 1877. He then went to Michigan, practiced for a few months at Bangor, after which he returned to Lima, where, on February 2, 1878, he entered into partnership with Col. H. S. Prophet. This connection has continued, constituting the oldest law firm in Northwestern Ohio. Ever since locating at Lima and entering upon what has proven a successful professional career, Mr. Eastman has been prominent in civic affairs. From 1882 to 1883 he was a member of the City Council, and for nearly a quarter of a century he has been a member of the City Board of School Examiners. In 1905 he was elected city solicitor of Lima, an office for which he is eminently qualified. For a long period the firm of Prophet & Eastman have been attorneys for the Citizens' Loan & Building Company, and, for the past 22 years, the legal representatives of The Lima Locomotive and Machine Company. In 1878 Mr. Eastman was married to Leah Beery, of Miami County, Ohio, and they have four children, viz : Bessie, who is a teacher in the Lima public schools ; Earl B., who is in the oil fields of Indian Territory ; Fred E., who is at college at Wooster, Ohio ; and Helen, who is a student in the Lima schools. Prior to the adoption of the gold platform by the Republicans at their national convention of 1896, Mr. Eastman was a stanch advocate of their principals, having in the previous year been the choice of his party for Representative ; but since the adoption of the gold plank by the St. Louis convention he has earnestly advocated the policies of what is known as the Bryan Democracy. Mr. Eastman is a member of the Allen County Bar Association and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For a number of years he has been connected with the Market Street Presbyterian Church and has served as a member of its board of trustees and has been an active worker in the Sunday-school. W. B. VAN NOTE, M. D., president of the Allen County Medical Society, a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, is one of the eminent men of his profession in Northwestern Ohio, and the leading specialist at Lima, in. diseases of the eye, ea r and throat. He was born at Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, in 1867, and is a son of the late W. H. Van Note. He comes of Revolutionary ancestry. His great-grandfather, Jacob Van Note, served in the American Army and died in Monmouth County, New Jersey, from wounds received in the service. W. B. Van Note secured his early education in the Lebanon schools and spent one year in the Lima High School. He then passed a few months as clerk in a jewelry store, prior to entering the Chicago Ophthalmic College, from which he graduated in 1888. For a short time he engaged in practice, in connection with the jewelry business, but in 1891 began the reading of medicine under Dr. Brooks, in 1892 entering the medical department of the University of Southern California, at Los Angeles. He opened an optician's office at San Diego, but in 1893 returned to Lima, and shortly afterward entered the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati, where he was graduated with his full medical degree in April, 1895. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 627 Dr. Van Note then went to Europe to pursue advanced studies along the special lines in which he was most interested, and in May, 1895, became a student in the medical department of the Frederick Wilhelm University, at Berlin. During his stay there he became a member of the Berlin Anglo-American Medical Society. Going thence to London, during 1896 he was junior assistant in the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, subsequently becoming one of the fortunate students accepted by Professor Hayek, at Vienna, who is probably the most skilled instructor in diseases of the nose and throat in the world. During his years of residence on the Continent he visited the various clinics in the great cities and also studied various phases of disease in Italy, France and Switzerland. His devotion to his profession has resulted in making him one of its leaders and his reputation is not confined to his native State. Although skilled in every branch of medicine and surgery, following the professional methods of the day, he devotes himself- exclusively to diseases of the eye, ear and nose. Dr. Van Note is consulting oculist to the Lima Hospital and the U. S. Pension Bureau, and lecturer on the eye in the Lima Training School for Nurses. Dr. Van Note was married April 11, 1899, to Margaret B. Ellis, who was born at Randolph, New York, and is a daughter of Col. L. F. Ellis, an officer in the Civil War and a man prominent in military life. They have a beautiful home on Lakewood avenue. Dr. Van Note is one of the city's public-spirited citizens, a member of the Lima Progressive Association and one of the capitalists who donated Faurot Park to the city. He is a member of the Shawnee Country Club, and is identified with the Masons and Knights of Pythias. JACOB HEFNER, who is one of the most extensive agriculturists of this county, owning 365 acres of land in sections 19, 20. 21 and 22, Jackson township, was born in Ross County, this State, April 22, 1832. His parents were Isaac and Mary (May) Hefner, both natives of Pennsylvania, where the former was born in 1809, and the latter in 1807. They were of Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. When a young man, Isaac Hefner accompanied his parents to Ross County, Ohio, making the journey overland by wagon. There he married and lived until 1840, when, with his wife and family, he came to Allen County. Here he entered 80 acres of land from the government, and began to buy and feed cattle, which were disposed of at a good price, the proceeds going to buy more cheap land. Thus, in time, he became one of the largest land-owners of this county, owning eventually about 1,800 acres. Large tracts of this land were cleared by him and his sons. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Reformed Church, donating timber and land for the first log church built here and lending substantial aid toward the erection of the present brick edifice. The land used by the church as a cemetery was also given by him. He passed away in 1884, at the age of 75 years. His wife died in 1901, at the advanced age of 94. The children were : Jacob; Harrison, whose sketch may be found in this book ; Amos, of Auglaize township ; Clarissa, who married Jacob Mowery ; David ; John; and Albert. Jacob Hefner was reared to farm life and lived at home until his marriage, when he moved into the log cabin which stood on his present farm, at that time the property of his father. Here he applied himself to farming and stockraising, and soon had his property cleared and in a high state of cultivation. His residerce is of brick and one of the most attractive in the vicinity, while the large barns and other outbuildings bespeak the prosperous farmer. Mr. Hefner was married December 2, 1855, to Christina Holman, who was born near Delaware, Ohio, September 18, 1838, and died September T0, 1898. She was a daughter of William and Sarah (Frederick) Holman. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hefner are as follows : Isaac, born March 25, 1858, a resident of Lima ; Mary, born April 7, 1860, the wife of Marion Watt ; William, born February 23, 1862, living in Lima ; Jennie, born September 12, 1864, wife of John E. Eversole ; Amos, born February 16, 1867; Walter, born July 6, 628 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY 1869 ; Olive, born August 14, 1872, and deceased December 8, 1874 ; Clara, born October 19, 1875, wife of C. C. Arnold ; Daisy, born June 17, 1878, who married E. N. Hall, and lives in the Indian Territory ; and Marion, born July 5, 1881, who married Bessie Kidd and resides on the farm with his father. Mr. Hefner has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and at one time served as township trustee. He is a member of the Reformed Church. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hefner accompany this sketch. F. J. LONES, the leading wall-paper man of Lima, and one of its representative citizens, was born in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, in 1861, a son of the late A. J. Lones. The father of our subject was one of the early settlers of this county, where he died after a long life entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits. During the Civil War he was a zealous supporter of the Union cause and two of his sons, who still survive, served in the Federal Army—Theodore being a resident of Kansas, and Commodore, of Oklahoma. The mother of these children, whose name before marriage was Mary A. Smith, is a native of Pennsylvania, and is a venerable resident of Lima, having attained the ripe old age of 85 years. F. J. Lones remained at home assisting on the farm, until the age of 21, in the meantime securing his education in the common schools. He then took up his residence in Lima ; for the following five years worked at the carpenter's trade ; and for the next seven years was in the employ of J. M. Heininger, working at Lima, Fostoria, Columbus and Newark. After this he worked for one year with F. E. Harman, but in the spring of 1902 engaged in business for himself, embarking in the wall-paper and paper-hanging line. He has built up a large business and controls much of the best trade, carrying a complete and artistic line of goods and employing only skilled workmen. The business is now located at No. 124 East Market street. Fraternally Mr. Lones is a member of the order of Foresters. In 1893 Mr. Lones was married to Stella Connutte, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and they have three children living, namely : Henen, Ida and Gertrude ; one child, Frank, Jr., was accidentally drowned October 6, 1905, at two years of' age. Mr. Lones and family enjoy the comforts of a pleasant home located at No. 430 North Shawnee street. GEORGE W. GRIFFITHS, postmaster at Gomer, has lived in this, his native place, during his whole life, having been absent only during his college course at the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He was born November 3, 1868, and is a son of Robert W. and Martha (Evans) Griffiths, and a grandson of Robert Griffiths. The Griffiths family belonged to North Wales, where the father of our subject was born in 1829. He was 12 years old when he accompanied his parents to America. They settled in Butler County and Robert W. Grif fiths remained at home until about 1853, when with wife and two children, he came to Allen County. In 1859 he bought a farm north of Gomer and in 1864 he moved to Gomer and founded the mercantile business which his son now conducts. He was a fine business man and an exemplary, respected, useful citizen, who for 28 years was postmaster of the town. He was a consistent, Christian man, one of the pillars of the Welsh Congregational Church. His influence in the community was a very beneficial one. It was known through the village that the neighbors would find a welcome in his place of business, as gatherings of a social and public character were usual in the local stores in his day, but that Mr. Griffiths would tolerate only orderly gatherings and great temperance in speech. He was a man who was consistent and his fellow-citizens held him in the highest esteem. He sold his business to his son and retired to private life some time before his decease, which occurred January 7, 1904, at the age of 74 years. The mother of our subject, Martha (Evans) Griffiths, was born at Paddy's Run, Butler County, Ohio, and died in 1884, aged 51 years. She was a daughter of John Evans. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 629 who was a farmer and weaver and a native of Wales. John Evans had 13 children, 12 of whom lived to maturity. The parents of our subject had a family of 10 children, as follows : Ella J., wife of W. H. Clevenger, of Gomer ; Anna Bell, who died aged seven years; Ida May, of Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Sarah, deceased ; Russell J., secretary of the Dayton Spice Mill Company, of Dayton, Ohio ; Euphemia C., wife of Thomas Peats, of Lima; Nora E., who died in Philadelphia in 1886; Margaret A., connected with the State Hospital for the Insane at Toledo ; George W., and Katharine B., wife of A. E. Seefert, of Los Angeles, California. Since 1892 George W. Griffiths has been postmaster at Gomer during each Republican administration. In the same year, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Thomas Peats, he purchased his father's mercantile business and for two years it was conducted under the firm name of Griffiths & Feats, and then Mr. Griffiths became sole owner. He has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has served four years as township clerk and is serving his second term as township treasurer. He is a member of the Gomer Presbyterian Church, of which he is treasurer. In 1889 Mr. Griffith was married to Susan Davis, a native of Wales, who came here when six years old with her parents, John R. and Ann Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths have these children : Ray, Martha, Ruth, Nora, Gladys, Clayton, Gertrude and Mildred. Mr. Griffiths is one of the enterprising and successful men of the community, one whose public spirit is shown in his hearty interest in movements designed for the general public welfare. His public as well as private life marks him as a man of honor, ability and fidelity to the interests placed in his charge. CHARLES H. MILLER, wholesale and retail dealer in meats, has been in business in Lima for a period of more than twenty years, He is a son of J. J. Miller, a prominent merchant of Lima until his retirement in 1875, who died in 1903. Charles H. Miller was born in Lima in 1870, and was educated in the common schools until he was 15 years of age, when he entered upon his career in the meat business. Opening a retail store, he conducted it continuously and in a very profitable manner until February, 1905, when he increased the business by adding a wholesale department. His establishment is most complete in every particular, being fitted with machinery for the manufacture of alI kinds of sausages, bologna, etc., and also equipped with an ice plant, which has a daily capacity of 10 tons. Great care is exercised to have everything of the best, and his goods have a well-earned reputation for reliability and superiority. In 1891 Mr. Miller was married to Elizabeth Wiermann, and a family of three children have blessed their union, namely; Rosa, Eugene and Harry. They are attendants of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Miller is a Republican, but has never been active in politics, devoting his time and attention to his business interests instead. Fraternally he is a member of the Eagles, National Union and the Knights of Pythias. REV. CHRISTIAN BADERTSCHERT a retired minister of the German Reformed Church, who for more than 30 years was a successful worker in the Master's vineyard, has been a resident of Allen County since 1856, and counts among his friends all those who know him. Born in Signau, Canton Bern, Switzerland, on April 22, 1842, he lived there until his 14th year when his parents, Peter and Annie (Ashlaman) Badertscher, came with their family to America. Landing in New York, they at once came to Ohio, and settled in Allen County where, in less than a year, the mother died. The father survived her several years. He was engaged in the manufacture of spinning wheels—a necessity in almost every family in that time. He was the father of the following children, viz : Barbara (Bucher), of Richland township ; John U., a retired farmer of Bluffton ; Mathias, deceased ; Eliza- 630 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY beth (Amstutz), of Richland township; Peter, now a retired citizen of Lima, after working 4o years for the P., Ft. W. & C. Railway Company ; Christian, Frederick, a machinist of Pickaway County, Ohio ; Annie (Bastinger), a widow, of Lima, and Magdalena (Stager), of Bluffton. After the death of his mother Christian Badertscher lived in the family of the Rev. John Moser until his 21st year. From that time until his marriage, in 1865, he hired out by the month as a farm hand. Following this, he rented a farm one year and then purchased his present farm of 8o acres in section 23, Richland township. He cleared the greater portion of this land and improved it with suitable buildings. Mr. Badertscher has been very successful as a stock raiser, handling horses, cattle and hogs. In 1871 he gave up farming and entered the Wisconsin Mission Home, where he fitted himself for the ministry of the German Reformed Church. He was regularly ordained to the service in 1875, and was given charge of the field at Clayton, Iowa. Two years was spent in the work there, when he was returned to Ohio and stationed at Findlay where he remained 10 years. His next church was at St. Marys, Auglaize County, and he remained with that congregation about 14 years, 'his labor in the various fields being attended with most satisfactory and beneficial results. Returning to his farm at the expiration of that time, he at once began the cultivation of his land, being assisted by his youngest son, Samuel. Being located in the oil belt, he leased the oil rights to Michael Simmerman & Company, who drilled wells and began pumping but later sold out their interest to our subject. Associated with Teter Sebert and David Rosebach, Jr., of St. Marys, the firm of Badertscher & Company was formed for. the production of oil, three new wells being drilled. Later these partners sold their part of the business to Henry Schoneberger, of Chicago, a son-in-law of our subject, and the work was continued under the same name, Mr. Badertscher being manager. Two more oil wells were sunk, making seven wells now in operation, which are a source of considerable revenue to their owners. In June, 1842, Mary Ann Gratz was born in Putnam County, Ohio, to Frederick and Annie (Lugibihl) Gratz, both of whom were natives of Germany. Growing to womanhood she was married to Christian Badertscher and became the mother of the following children : Sarah, wife of John Finke, of St. Marys, Ohio; Noah, a farmer living near St. Marys, Ohio, who married Matilda Roerbach ; Annie, wife of Henry Schoneberger, who owns and conducts a large bakery in Chicago ; John, who married Louisa Cock and is a chair-maker residing at St. Marys ; Daniel, unmarried, a chair maker living at Marion, Indiana ; Silas, who works in the chair factory at St. Marys and is a musician and vocalist of ability, and Samuel, who resides with his parents and con-conducts the farm. Rev. Christian Badertcher is frequently called upon to assist the local preacher and is always found ready to give his aid. His sermons are full of the force and energy which made his ministerial work effective and are listened to with pleasure and satisfaction. He is a Democrat in politics. F. M. BELL, a wholesale merchant of Lima, was born in 1859 at Spring Hill, Champaign County, Ohio, and is the son of the late William Bell, of Lima. William Bell was one of the most enterprising citizens that ever resided in Lima, and his prosperity was of such a nature that the entire community was benefitted by it. He was a stockholder in The Ohio National Bank, and owned much fine residence property, and erected the Bell Block on Main street, adjoining the Opera House Block. This structure is three stories high and 200 feet deep, with a 75 foot frontage—one of the best business blocks in the city. Mr. Bell's death in 1902, was an irreparable loss to the community. The parents of our subject came to Lima in 1864, and it was here he reached man's estate. Having finished the primary schools, he entered Notre Dame University in 1880, graduating from that institution four years later. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 631 He at once entered into partnership with F. E. Harman, for five years conducting a house furnishing establishment under the firm name of Harman & Bell. Mr. Bell then became interested in the production of oil, and was thus engaged for about five years, when the Spanish American War enlisted his sympathies. He was Captain of Company C, Second Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, and was in active service for about one year, being stationed at Columbus, Ohio ; Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Macon, Georgia. He took part in the grand review at Chickamauga and was mustered out in February, 1899. Returning to Lima, Mr. Bell embarked in his present business, and is well equipped to meet almost any call for photographers', jewelers' and dental supplies. He transacts a large volume of business, both retail and wholesale, drawing his trade from an extensive territory about Lima. In 1898 Mr. Bell was married to Lelia Kelly, daughter of Rev. John Kelly, a retired Presbyterian minister, of Chandlersville, Muskingum County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have two children—Eleanor and Harold. They are members of the Market Street Presbyterian Church at Lima. Mr. Bell is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias. He served as chief of police during the mayoralty of Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, who first organized and systematized the force.   JAMES W. GENSEL, assistant secretary of the South Side Building & Loan Association, of Lima, was reared and educated in Lafayette, Allen County. He was born in Jackson township in 1863, and is a son of John F. Gensel, who enlisted in Company I, 46th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and died in a hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1864. James W. Gensel taught school in this county about three years prior to coming to Lima to accept the position of bookkeeper in the Golley & Finley Iron Works. He remained with the company t0 years and left them only to take the office of county treasurer, to which he had been elected in the fall of 1899. Two years later he was re-elected to the office and, at the expiration of his second term accepted his present position with the South Side Building & Loan Association. In 1888 Mr. Gensel was married to Mary Custer, who has borne him five children, viz. Ferne Y., Harold F., Ralph C., Mildred L. and Richard W. Mrs. Gensel is a daughter of Jacob Custer, who formerly operated the stone quarries in Bath township, but is now living in retirement in Lima. He is one of the oldest residents of the county, having been born and reared here. Mr. Gensel is an active Democrat and was formerly a member of the Democratic County Central Committee. He is a member, of Lima Lodge, No. 581, I. 0. 0. F., and served as secretary for two terms.   JACOB DIENSTBERGER, one of the pioneers of the county, was born in Baden, Germany, July 4, 1831, and died in Allen County, August 15, 1904, in his 72d year. The life of Jacob Dienstberger was one of long and continued usefulness. It began in a humble home in Germany, in which he was trained to habits of thrift and industry, and closed in a comfortable home of his own making, surrounded by those who loved him best and honored him most. He was 18 years old when he left Germany for the United States and in Norwich, Connecticut, he completed his apprenticeship as a blacksmith, which trade he had commenced to learn in his native land. In September, 1851, he came to Delphos, Ohio, worked for a short time in an iron foundry and then embarked in the blacksmith business, associating himself with Israel Thornell. He was thus engaged from 1860 until he became a soldier of the Civil War, serving honorably throughout the entire period of hostilities. He returned to Delphos after the war and resumed a business life in which he continued to be active until 1890. For many years he was identified with the coal and iron trade of Delphos and vicinity. The last years of his life were 632 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY spent in retirement in the comfortable home adjoining his place of business on East Second street, which he erected before the Civil War. In his earlier years Mr. Dienstberger was a man of robust health and unusual strength. He continued to retain this robustness until May, 1897, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis which caused him to be a partial invalid. during the remainder of his life. While this was a calamity he was more fortunate than many a sufferer, because of the faithful and loving care shown him by a most patient and devoted wife, during the seven years of his invalidism. On Saturday, August 6, 1904, he suffered from a second stroke of paralysis. The amputation of several of his toes, previous to this, had much lowered his vital powers and nine days after the second paralytic stroke he passed away. Four weeks prior to his death, his only sister had died at Columbian Green, Connecticut, and his decease left, as only survivor of his parents' family, a brother, Nicholas, of Norwich, Connecticut, who also passed away December 12, 1905. A man of excellent business sense, the deceased gained a goodly share of worldly goods, while his strict honesty in business dealings, neighborly kindness and anxiety for the welfare of his family, brought him esteem arid respect from all with whom his life intermingled. His funeral which was largely attended took place on August 18, 1904. The G. A. R. attended in a body and many relatives and friends from out of the city, paid their final respects to the departed. The burial was in the West Side Cemetery, Delphos. His resting place is now marked by one of the finest granite monuments on the grounds. The parents of Mrs. Deinstberger and a brother also rest in this cemetery. The widow of the late Jacob Dienstberger was born in Saxony, Germany, January 15, 1835, and is a daughter of Christopher and Magdaline (Grundmiller) Gessner. The parents emigrated to America in 1841, when the daughter was about five years old, and Mrs. Dienstberger is the only survivor of three children, viz. : Charles, who died aged 77 years, leaving two sons and two daughters living at De Graff, Ohio ; Caroline (Mrs. Dienstberger) , and Adam, who died March 17, 1885, aged 45 years, leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters. Like many other German emigrants Mr. Gessner came to the United States with the idea of securing a comfortable home for his wife and children, but he had little capital except a kit of tools, which he brought from his old home and in the use of which he was very skillful. The little family was made welcome in the log cabin of a neighbor, who had settled previously in Ohio, and Mr. Gessner soon erected a house on a tract between Sugar and Hawk Creeks. There the family lived until he secured a more desirable farm of 80 acres in Washington township, Van Wert County, which he subsequently cleared. He was well-known throughout the country, his faculty for mending clocks, watches and anything broken, bringing many visitors to his place. Mrs. Dienstberger remembers when the family meals were eaten off a German chest, but later the father fashioned an excellent table, made creditable chairs by hand, and even guns, using for the latter iron parts which he had brought from Germany. His other tools, such as pitchforks, he made from crooked forks of trees found in the forest, and while the neighboring farmers were threshing their grain by driving their horses over it, he was using a flail thresher, with a long wooden handle and a piece of leather, fashioned by his own hands. Mrs. Dienstberger's mother was an adept at spinning flax and wool, coloring them and converting then into the plain, sensible garments of that day, while the father made the family shoes. Their evening lamp was a candle, with the exception of an old grease lamp brought from Germany. Cooking was all done at the open fire place, and there are those still living who declare that no present day food has the appetizing flavor. of that cooked in the old Dutch oven. The educational opportunities of the time and place were restricted to the most elementary branches. Religious instruction, however, was not neglected, Rev. Donier, a Lutheran pastor, having charge of a number of scattered congregations, including that at AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 635 Elida, where Mrs. Dienstberger learned her catachism and attended church. On September 26, 1853, Caroline Gessner and Jacob Dienstberger were united in marriage, and in 1903, their "Golden 'Wedding" was celebrated most enjoyably. All the children, the grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were present. No one present on that occasion will ever forget the touching remarks made by Mr. Dienstberger, in which he referred to his boyhcod days in Germany and to the family events of his long and happy married life of half a century. The children of Jacob and Caroline Dienstberger were : Charles, Amelia, Mary and Christopher. Charles Dienstberger was born in 1854 and educated at Delphos. At the age of 16 years he learned the wagon and carriage making trade with his father, and now conducts an extensive business in his fine two-story brick shop, 24 by 66 feet in dimentions, which is fitted with modern machinery for the repair and manufacture of everything in his line, being furnished also with a large stock of horseshoes, bolts and other blacksmith supplies. He also conducts a large coal yard, in 1875- being admitted to partnership in this industry by his father, who had established it. In 1878 he entered into a copartnership with Henry Kalt and thus continued until 1901, when he purchased his partner's interest. He is one of the substantial and representative business men of Delphos. From 1885 until 1889 he was treasurer of the town. For six years he has been a member of the Board of Public Affairs, and carefully and capably managed his own business interests, as well as. those of his widowed mother. He married Rosana Weideman and they have four children, viz. : Cedelia, who graduated from the Delphos High School, May 19, 1900, and is now a student at Lima College, in bookkeeping, stenography and typewriting, being also an accomplished musician ; William, Arnold and Carl. Amelia Dienstberger, who married Tobias Foster of Spencerville, Ohio, has three children, viz. : Laura, who married (first) Edward Dye and (second) Charles Iseman ; Flora, who married Hugo Hummel and has one daughter, Fern ; and Wilbert Foster—all of Spencerville. Mary Dienstberger married Henry Jettinghoff, the leading clothing merchant at Delphos. Christopher Dienstberger married Katie Flaspoehler and has seven children, viz. : Jacob, Nora, who lives with her grandmother, and Nicholas, Amelia, Myra, Effie and Harmon. Mrs. Dienstberger has lived to see the changes of 65 years in Allen county. She is a consistent and valued member of the Lutheran Church at Delphos and is much beloved for her many Christian virtues, her neighborly kindness and the love and service she has so cheerfully given to her family, whether in health or sickness.   CHARLES E. STADLER, M. D., a prominent and popular physician of West Cairo, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, October 19, 1863. His parents are Louis and Dana ( Klickon) Stadler, both of whom are natives of Hanover, Germany. Coming to this country about 5o years ago, they here met and married, settling on the farm in Champaign County which is still their home. Their, five children are : Emma, who lives at home; George W., who travels for the J. I. Case Company and has visited almost every country in their behalf ; Charles E. ; William, who lives at home and manages the farm for his parents ; and Lewis A., a farmer residing in the vicinity of the homestead. Charles E. Stadler was reared on the home farm and was accorded the advantage of a good business education, having been a student in Nelson's Business College, at Springfield. Later, when lie was about 23 years of age, he entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he remained two years and then entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, graduating from the latter in the class of 1896. For a short time he was stationed at Harrison, 636 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY but after a few months located in West Cairo, Allen County, and purchased the business and good will of Dr. Ewing. Here he has since been engaged in active practice. He is a careful, conscientious practitioner and is meeting with deserved success. On May 20, 1896, Dr. Stadler was married to Oma Abbott, a native of Champaign County, Ohio, and a daughter of William J. and Emma (Compton) Abbott. Her father was a native of Shelby County, Ohio, and her mother, of Virginia. To the Doctor and his amiable wife, three children have been born, namely : William L. ; Ralph ; and Lois Marcella. Dr. Stadler is a Democrat, but takes little interest in politics. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and keeps in close touch with the Eclectic Medical associations, both State and national. He was made a Mason at Columbus Grove, joined the Knights of the Golden Eagle at West Cairo, and is a member of the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Lima.   LEONARD WALTHER, leading merchant tailor, and a prominent and influential citizen of Lima, was born in Pennsylvania in 1866. About one year later his parents removed to Lima where he has since resided, with the exception of a short period spent in Kansas. After completing his schooling, Mr. Walther learned the tailor's trade, and, before establishing himself in business, went to Kansas, where he was employed as a cutter in a tailor's shop of Osage City, remaining there two years. In 1888 Mr. Walther returned to Lima and opened a shop himself. He has conducted this business so successfully that he now enjoys the distinction of being the leading merchant tailor of the city, and has a large and well-paying patronage. Mr. Walther was married in 1886 to Elizabeth Nicholas, whose father., the late James Nicholas, was for many years a prominent business man of Lima, being engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. Mr. and Mrs. Walther have two children, both sons. The elder, George B., is taking a commercial course in the Lima Business College, while the younger, James Leonard, is a student in the Lima High School. Mr. 'Walther is a member of the German Reformed Church of Lima and is also prominent in fraternal circles, being identified with the Elks and Odd Fellows. He is deputy grant master of Ohio and grand master-elect of Ohio I. O. O. F. He is also a popular member of the German Musical Society of Lima. BYRON S. FOGLE, one of Lima's leading business men—a wholesale and retail dealer in pianos and organs, with commodious quarters at No. 227 North West street—has been a resident of this city since 1899. He was born in 1867 in Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of John S. Fogle. The venerable father of Mr. Fogle resides with our subject at Lima. With four of his brothers, Ile was a loyal supporter of the government during the Civil War, the brothers serving in the army and he in the provost marshal's office. In politics he was formerly an old-line Whig and is now a Republican. Byron S. Fogle was educated at Lebanon, Ohio, and immediately upon completing his education became connected with the firm of R. C. Munger & Company, the largest wholesale piano house of the Northwest, at St. Paul, Minnesota. He remained there until 1885 when he removed to Chicago, prior to the World's Fair, being connected with George P. Bent and the Newman Brothers, firms of Chicago and St. Louis. During the progress of the World's Fair he handled the "Crown" piano for George P. Bent and attended to the exhibits of this firm. Directly afterward he opened a wholesale and retail piano and organ store at St. Marys, Ohio, where he remained until 1899, when he established his business at Lima. He still has a branch store at the former place and one at Muncie, Indiana, and has 31 dealers in Ohio and Indiana to whom he supplies pianos and organs, thereby conducting a lucrative and extensive business In local AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 637 local circles his instruments have met with remarkable sales, an illustration being that in the Deisel-Wemmer cigar factory alone he has patrons to the number of 124. Many of the public institutions also have secured their musical instruments of Mr. Fogle, recognizing their superior quality and his honorable methods of doing business. In 1895 Mr. Fogle was married to Abbie L. Allison, who is a daughter of John D. Allison, of Titusville, Pennsylvania. For many years Mr. Allison was quartermaster at the' Brooklyn Navy Yard. Mr. and Mrs. Fogle have one daughter, Madeline Patrice. Mrs. Fogle is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and Mr. Fogle is a liberal contributor to all the religious denominations of the city. For many years he has been prominent in Masonry. He belongs to the Chapter and Commandery at Lima, the Council at Delphos, the Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Dayton, and the Consistory at Toledo, and has taken all the degrees up to and including the 32nd. He is district lecturer of the Blue Lodge of the Fourth District of Ohio, in which he is serving his fourth year, having 39 lodges within his jurisdiction, located in Allen, Auglaize, Van Wert, Putnam and Paulding counties. He belongs also to the Odd Fellows, both subordinate and encampment lodges, and is one of the best known men in fraternal circles in this part of Ohio. MRS. CATHERINE KESLER, one of the well-known and highly respected residents of German township, resides on her highly improved farm of 210 acres, which is situated in section 17, one mile south of Elida, on the Elida and Allentown turnpike road. Mrs. Kesler was born March 6, 1839, in German township and is a daughter of Philip and Margaret (Meyers) Herring, who were early pioneers of Allen County. Catherine Herring was reared and educated in German township. On March 4, 1860, she was married to George Kesler, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 22, 1838, and was a son of Abraham Kesler. He was - 33 - two years old when his parents came to Allen County and settled on the farm in German township, now owned by Samuel East. He was reared and educated in German township. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs.. Kesler moved up on the farm then owned by Philip Herring, father of Mrs. Kesler, which was situated directly south of the present home of Mrs. Kesler, on the other side of the road. After living here some years the family moved to the present farm in section 17, and here Mr.. Kesler built the large brick residence now occupied by Mrs. Kesler, which is one of the most imposing homes in Allen County. Mr. Kesler always took a great deal of honest pride in this. beautiful home, but he was not permitted to enjoy its comforts into extreme old age, his death occurring on May 14, 1901, when but 63 years. old. He was laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery. When the Civil War broke out Mr. Kesler felt that it was almost his bounden duty t0 fight for his country. Only the fact that he was but lately wedded and had taken heavy responsibilities upon himself, prevented at that time-but on September 23, 1864, he became a. private in Company C, 179th Reg., Ohio Vol, Inf., and served until his honorable discharge on June 17, 1865. Mrs. Kesler has never had any children, but she has two sisters and one brother, these. being : Eliza, who married Robert Patton, of Sidney, Ohio, and now resides at Indianapo lis, Indiana ; Anna M., who married John Rundio, of Allen County, Ohio, now of Putnam-County ; and W. M., pastor of the Lutheran Church at Canton, Ohio. Mrs. Kesler is a member of the Lutheran Church at Elida and. one of its liberal supporters. EDWARD S. MOWEN, of the firm of Mowen Brothers, general building contractors of Lima, was born in this city October 11, 1857, and is a son of the late Jacob R. Mowen. The name of Mowen has been known in. Lima since 1841 in connection with the business of contracting, the father of our subject 638 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY coming here in that year and for a long period continuing to be a leader in that line. Edward S. Mowen was reared in this city and obtained his education here. Upon leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and as he afterward mastered that of bricklaying, he became a practical and thoroughly informed workman in all that pertains to building. The Mowens have erected -many of the largest, most substantial and attractive structures in Lima, and among these may be mentioned : The Lima Locomotive & Machine Works (three buildings) ; American Straw Works, the Moore Brother Company's wholesale grocery building, Lima College, Lima High School, Pine Street and Spring Street schools, Harper, Bell, Crouse and Commercial blocks, Donze (four blocks), Times Democrat, Applas and Manhattan buildings, Trinity Methodist Episcopal, German Reformed, Presbyterian and First Evangelical Lutheran churches, and the edifice of the Disciples' Church on Wayne and Kibby streets. Mr. Mowen was married December 21, 1888, to Lizzie Cookes, of Columbus, Ohio. They have a pleasant home, while his business -office is in the rear of the fire department building. Mr. Mowen has never been an active politician. He belongs to Lima Lodge, No. 581, and Lima Encampment, No. 62, I. O. O. F.; Modern Woodmen of America, Eagles and Tribe of Ben Hur. He is one of Lima's representative citizens and successful business men. O. L. MOWEN, member of the firm of Mowen Brothers, general building contractors of Lima, and the pioneer firm of Allen County in this line, was born November 5, 1859, in the city named and is a son of J. R.Mowen, a settler of 1841. Mr. Mowen was reared and educated at Lima, receiving his literary training in its schools and his mechanical discipline with his father. Like his brother, the other member of the firm, he almost grew up with tools in his hand, and during his whole business life has been engaged in the building line. The firm of which he is an important member has been a large factor in the building operations of the city, and has built many of the largest manufacturing plants, business blocks, schools and churches of Lima. Some of the most important of these are mentioned in the sketch of the senior member of the firm, Edward S. Mowen. The firm justly claims to be the pioneer in its line in the city. Mr. Mowen was married May 1, 1889, to May Belle Biddinger, of this county, and they have two children : Hugh Lester and Herbert William. Mr. Mowen belongs to Lima Lodge, No. 581, and Lima Encampment, No. 62, I. O. O. F. ; Modern Woodmen of America, Eagles and Tribe of Ben Hur. ALMON E. SWINEHART, vice-president of the Bluffton Turned Goods Company, one of the leading manufacturing industries of Bluffton, was born in Allen County, one mile south of Lafayette, July 20, 1861, and is a son of Charles and Mary E. (King) Swinehart. Charles Swinehart was born near Somerset, Perry County, Ohio, August 14, 1839, and now resides at Carey, Ohio, where he runs several pump stations for the Northern Ohio Railway. He married Mary E. King, who was born near Van Wert, Ohio, January 8, 1844. Their children were : Almon E., Jacob E., of Rockford, O., Emma V., deceased in infancy, and Ella Josephine, who is the wife of P. E. Walborn, of Chicago. When our subject was two years old, his parents moved to Van Wert County. Almon E. remained on the home farm until he was 15 years old and then entered a stave and hoop factory at Middlepoint, Ohio, where he remained until 19 years of age. He then went to Delphos and worked on the Northern Ohio Railway for. twelve years ; at first in the general office of the auditor and then as station agent. In AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 639 1893 he located at Bluffton and embarked in the sawmill business with his father-in-law, Ira M. Townsend, which continued until the development of the present business. The Bluffton Turned Goods Company was first established in 1902, and is one of the leading handle and hardwood manufacturing concerns of the country. It was incorporated in February, 1905. with Ira M. Townsend as president Almon E. Swinehart as vice-president, and Carl Balmer as secretary and treasurer. The company makes a specialty of manufacturing first-grade handles, farming tool handles, pike poles and logging tool handles, and turns out hardwood lumber both for domestic and export use, mostly second growth ash and oak. They cut their own timber and oversee the work personally. All are men of -capital and responsibility. Mr. Swinehart was maried June 22, 1887, to Vanch L. Townsend, who was born in Bluffton and is the daughter of Ira M. Townsend. They have three childen, viz. : Ira H., Harold C. and Ella Josephine. Mr. Swinehart and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In political sentiment Mr. Swinehart is a Republican, although he is more of a business man than a politician. He served one term on the Town Council and has always done his part in promoting the welfare of his fellow-citizens and in developing the resources of Bluffton. He belongs to Bluffton Lodge, No. 371, I. 0. 0. F., Modern Woodmen of America and Tribe of Ben Hur. JOSEPH TAPSCOTT, whose fine farm of 470 well tilled and finely improved acres is situated in Perry township, I belongs to one of the worthy old pioneer families of this section. Mr. Tapscott was born in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, December 11, 1850, and is the son of James and Maria (Rankins) Tapscott. Joseph Tapscott, the grandfather, came from New Jersey to Warren County, Ohio, and lived there until his death. He took up B00 acres of land in Allen County, but never moved here. His long life was spent on his lands in Warren County. which he improved as he had opportunity, and which were divided among his children when he passed away. He was a man of courage and enterprise and possessed many of the characteristics of his hardy Scotch-Irish ancestors which made him a typical pioneer. He married Annie Schenck, of the Schenck family of New Jersey, one which for generations has been prominently connected with the affairs and public life of Southern New Jersey. They reared a family of nine children, the eldest of these being James Tapscott, the father of our subject. James Tapscott was born in 1808 in Warren County, Ohio, and continued to reside on the old homestead until 1848, when he removed with his possessions to Allen County and settled on a 200-acre tract of land, which his father had entered at an early day. He was a practical agriculturist and cleared a large portion of his land, making a comfortable homestead, where he spent a number of years. Subsequently he bought the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son, our subject, who also owns the old place, 470 acres in all. Mr. Tapscott was one of the reliable and intelligent men 0f his community, and was elected to a large number of the local offices by the Democratic party, of which he was a life-long member. He died in 1884. On March 6, 1850, James Tapscott married Marie Rankins, who was a daughter of George Rankins, one of the early settlers of Perry township. Of their four children our subject is the only survivor. Joseph Tapscott spent his boyhood in attending school and assisting in the work of the farm, which finally devolved entirely upon his shoulders. For many years he has been looked upon as one of the township's most successful agriculturists and progressive citizens, his method being those of accepted scientfic value. His large acreage is not only productive under his management in an agricultural way, but the discovery of oil on some portions of the estate 640 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY has given increased value to what was already considered one of the most valuable farms of the township. Mr. Tapscott was married November 28, 1872, to Elizabeth A. Crossley, who is a daughter of Ross Crossley of Lima, and they have these children : Jessie, who married William Hardesty, son of Joshua Hardesty, of Perry township, and has five children : Augusta, who married Oliver Rankins, of Perry township, and has three children ; Mulford, who married Mattie Brown, daughter of Henry Brown ; and William, who married Margaret Brown, daughter of William Brown. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Tapscott has been very active for years, taking a deep interest in both church and Sunday-school, and serving as steward and as trustee. In political sentiment Mr. Tapscott is a Prohibitionist. He has accepted no public office with the exception of a trusteeship of the Allen County Children's Home. Fraternally he belongs to the Foresters. C. S. LATHROP, general contractor, at Lima, was born in 1858, near the city of Topeka, Kansas, and is a son of George D. and Columbia A. (Hover) Lathrop, and a grandson of Rodney Lathrop. The Lathrop family is of English extraction. Its American founder settled in Massachusetts in 1638, having been banished from his own country on account of his religious tenets. He is supposed to have died at Barnstable, Massachusetts, as it is known he lived and preached there. His son, Samuel Lathrop, was one of the founders of the town of Norwich, Connecticut, and from him descended the branch of the family to which C. S. Lathrop, of Lima, belongs. The mother of our subject belongs also to an old colonial family, her ancestor, Thomas Adgate, being a member of the colony at Norwich. Rodney Lathrop, our subject's grandfather, was a master mechanic of the Mad River Rail road at the time of his death from cholera in 1849. George D. Lathrop, son of Rodney, was born in New York City and came to Allen County at a very early date. In 1849 he went to California where he remained five years, and then located at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1856 he settled in Kansas, and as he was a Free State man he became identified with many of the public activities of that period in that section. Always a politician, according to old standards, he was also an abolitionists as far as restricting the extension of slavery. In 1863 he returned to Ohio where he soon became a leader in Allen County, and for 21 years he served as a justice of the peace, being elected to the office in a community which, at that time, was overwhelmingly Democratic. He was a man of sterling character and his fellow-citizens showed that they appreciated his ability and integrity. C. S. Lathrop was five years old when the family left Kansas and returned to the old homestead in the extreme southwestern part of Allen County. This was known as old Fort Amanda, which was built in the days of Indian warfare, and its site was one of the first pieces of ground entered in the county. In this historic old place our subject was reared. He attended the common schools of the county, the Lima High School and enjoyed two terms at the Ohio Normal University at Ada. Then he returned to the old home and remained after his father's death, to rear and educate his younger brother, whom he finally left in charge there. During the time he remained on the home farm, our subject engaged in contract work for the county in the way of bridge-building and road-grading and later worked at the carpenter's trade. His first houses were erected for himself in 1890, at Lima, and since then he has been extensively engaged in contracting and building. Some of the attractive and substantial structures built by him are : Mrs. M. A. Karn's apartment building on the corner of Market and Pierce streets; the Adgate Block ; some of the fine residences on West Spring street ; the A. L. White residence on South Cole street, which is regarded by many as the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 641 finest house in Lima ; and others. He is also interested in a number of other enterprises and also owns a fine farm which is located on the line between Allen and Auglaize counties. Mr.. Lathrop was married on August 29, 1903, to Lelia G. McGuire, who is a daughter of the late Elisha J. McGuire, and they have one son, Rodney. Mr McGuire served four years in the Civil War, was in early life an engineer on the .C., H. & D. Railway, and for 20 years was a trustee of the poor in Allen County. Politically Mr. Lathrop is a Republican. He served 12 years as a justice of the peace while living in the country. He belongs to such leading fraternal organizations as the Masons, Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. As a business man and as a citizen he enjoys a large measure of public esteem. DAVID M. BREESE, the patriarch of one of the old pioneer families of Allen County, was born in Butler County, Ohio, February 27, 1825, and is a son of Griffith and Mary (Mowen) Breese. Robert Breese, the grandfather, was born in Wales and came to America at an early day, settling in Pennsylvania with his children. The grandfather settled in Hardin County, near Round Head, where he died and was buried. The parents of our esteemed subject were married in Pennsylvania, the father having been born in Wales and the mother in Pennsylvania. In November, 1832, they came as pioneers to Allen County, having previously lived in Butler County. The children of Griffith and Mary Mowen were : Nancy, George, John, William D., David M. and Griffith. The father of this family settled where Alva Breese now resides in Shawnee township. He cleared the land and developed a good farm. His death occurred in 1848. David M. Breese was seven years old when he accompanied his parents to Shawnee township. His education was secured in the pioneer schoolhouses of the time and until his marriage he assisted his father in clearing the farm. After marriage he settled in section 3, Shawnee township, on the Spencerville road, and occupied that place for 14 years. He came to the present farm in section 10 in 1863, having previously erected a residence here. This was at the close of his service in the Civil War. He enlisted for the three years' service in the 99th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., but was not accepted on account of a bad knee. In 1864 he enlisted in Company B, 151st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was at Washington, D. C., at the time of Gen. Early's raid. He performed his loyal duty during the term of his enlistment and was then honorably discharged and returned to look after the interests of his family. On January 1, 1849, Mr. Breese was married to Mary Valentine, who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 23, 1827, and is a daughter of Crane and Mary (Harper) Valentine. William Valentine, the grandfather of Mrs. Breese, lived and died near Quincy, Ohio. In August, 1832, Crane Valentine located on Elm street, Lima. His wife died here, and later he removed to Berrien County, Michigan, where he died. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Breese were : Mary E., living in Lima, married to Thomas Maltbie ; George L., who lives on the homestead farm in a house adjoining that of his parents, and has some excellent farm property in sections 9 and 0 ; and Emmett, who died at the age of seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Breese are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Since 1862 Mr. Breese has been a member of Lima Masonic Lodge No. 205, F. & .A. M. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. Visitors at the hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. Breese find them delightful entertainers. They both can recall so many interesting events of a half century ago, when life was a little harder in Allen County than it is to-day, and the listener carries away knowledge that he could scarcely have obtained from other sources. Among other interesting reminiscences, they tell of the days when a cook-stove was enough of a curiosity in their locality to attract visitors from miles away. As corn meal was a staple food and mills were far distant, it 642 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY was the custom to grate corn on a tin grater which, in all probability, had been made at home. No road commissioners had yet looked after the public highways and trips to and from the market towns were difficult to make at some seasons of the year and frequently impossible. Mr. Breese remembers his little Indian playmates to have been just as ready in games as white boys and just as faithful in their attachments. Game was very plentiful and Mr. Breese had the reputation of being a "dead shot." When 16 years of age he had a long-barreled cap gun given him by his father, who had purchased it of a neighbor who did not know its age at that time. It deserves a place among the county's historic archives. Mrs. Breese remembers going to school and also to church, in the old log Court House, built in 1832, just after the organization of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Breese have a number of valuable household properties which lovers of historic treasures would greatly value, one of these being a sugar bowl which her people bought at Urbana prior to coming here in 1832. The old family clock has ticked out the hours for 100 years and there are many articles of homely comfort that suggest an old established family. F. J. BANTA, one of the leading business men of Lima, a member of the firm of F. J. Banta & Son, manufacturers of candy, confectionery and chewing gum, was born at Troy, Miami County, Ohio, in 1857, being a member of one of the old families of that section. Mr. Banta was reared and educated in Miami County, began his business career as a clerk in a grocery store and for five years was interested in that line of business at Troy. In 1881 Mr. Banta came to Lima and here entered the grocery field, but, finding it well occupied, one year later became a wholesale candy manufacturer. He has established an enormous trade based on the superior quality of his goods, the business expanding from a very small beginning until at the present time it averages $150,000 annually. The goods manufactured include choice chocolates and creams—daintily prepared and of fine, pure flavors—and some eight or ten brands of chewing gum, the leader being "Banta's Pepsin." The plant is located at No. 122 West Wayne street, and traveling salesmen visit the dealers in the territory adjacent to Lima. In 1902, Roy Banta, a son of our subject, was admitted to a partnership in the business. Mr. Banta belongs to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is ranked with the city's most enterprising and progressive business men. G. W. HENSLER, one of the proprietors of the Kniseley Shirt Company, at Lima, and an active business man of the city, was born at Carysville,Champaign County, Ohio, in 1871, and is a son of Joseph Hensler, who was an undertaker and furniture dealer for many years at Rosewood, this State. Our subject was reared and educated in his native place, where he also gained a varied business experience. In order to fit himself more completely for a business career he came to Lima, in 1892, and completed a full course at the Lima Business College. After graduation he accepted a position with the Kniseley Shirt Company and continued in their employ until 1902, when, in association with Frank Schlupp, he purchased their business. He has since continued in this line, extending its scope and improving .its output. This well known house does an immense custom trade, keeps 14 salesmen on the road, and thoroughly covers Ohio, Eastern Indiana and Southern Michigan, while orders come from every State in the Union and even from Mexico. Their manufacture of shirts is for the custom trade only and they have also established a large business in the manufacture of underwear, made to order. In 1896 Mr. Hensler was married to Ella Schlupp, who is a daughter of his business partner. They have two children—Dorothy Elizabeth and Phillis Mae. Mr. Hensler is promi- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 643 nent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been identified with that organization since he was 21 years of age. In politics he is a Democrat. F. HARMAN TRUST, the village blacksmith at Allentown, was born in Paris, France, and is a son of William and Katrina (Schwertman) Trust. When our subject was 12 years old his parents moved to Saxony, Germany, where he completed his education. When 14 years of age he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, his father making a contract by which he paid $100 and provided his son with clothes for three years, the youth to have no wages during this period. He was thoroughly instructed and after his training was finished he went out as a journeyman, according to the German usage, and worked his necessary three years at different points, being then considered capable of starting into business for himself. When 20 years old he entered the army, according to German law, and served as a cavalryman for three years in the flying artillery. He took part in the Franco-Prussian War, and was on the battlefield at Sedan, when Napoleon was captured. In 1875 Mr. Trust came to America and reached a strange country without any capital. He was not discouraged, however, and walked the distance between New York and Cincinnati, and from there to Chicago. Subsequently he returned to Dayton, Ohio, and soon opened a shop at Seven Mile, Butler County, Ohio. After one year at that point, he removed to Champaign County, remaining there a year, and then to New Bremen, Auglaize County, for 18 months, and then to Shelby County. Mr. Trust operated his own shop there for nine years and then went back to Germany for a visit. Upon his return to America, he worked for six months in a sawmill in Washington, and then came east to Mercer County, Ohio, where he rented a shop, during all this time having had his Shelby County shop rented. One year later he went back to Shelby County, in a few months closed up his business there, and then came to Allentown, buying his present shop in 1888. He is a fine workman and has a large repair business. Mr. Trust was 32 years old when he was married, April 21, 1881, to Katie Wolff, of New Bremen, Ohio, who is a daughter of Philip and Maragaret Wolff. They have had seven children, the two survivors being: William Philip Frederic, who was born March 15,, 1885, and assists his father in the shop ; and Margaret Augusta Theressa, Who was born April 27, 1888, and lives with her parents_ The family belong to the Lutheran Church at Elida. Mr. Trust is not only a capable, reliable workman, but a well-informed, intelligent man and good citizen. WARREN E. PENNY, hardware merchant and one of the leading-citizens of Lima, was born in 1850, in Miami County, Ohio, but ac companied his parents, in childhood, to Darke County, where he was reared and educated. For a number of years in early manhood, Mr. Penny taught school in Darke and Miami counties, entering business in 1877, when he established a meat store at Van Wert. He continued there for two years and then, for some five years, dealt in agricultural implements, thus becoming connected with the McCormick Harvester Company. Later he became general agent for this large company in Western Ohio, remaining in that capacity for eight years, and then represented the State of Wisconsin for the J. I. Case Thresher Company, of Racine. On June I, 1900, Mr. Penny came to Lima and, in association with a nephew, established the hardware firm of Penny & Penny, one of the city's large and prospering concerns. Politically Mr. Penny is a Republican. He is president of the Business Men's Association of Lima, and stands as a representative citizen. Mr. Penny was first married, in 1874, to, 644 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Francis Brown, who died in 1893, leaving three children, viz : Aaron A., Russell L. and Velma Grace. In 1897 he was married to Mrs. Anna (Bryant) Gillette. His church affiliations are with the Presbyterians. S. K. KRAUSS, one of the prominent citizens of Lima, was born near Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in 1839, and is a son of Jacob Krauss, a native of Lehigh County and a lifelong resident there. Although Mr. Krauss was best known to the citizens of Lima, for a number of years, as -an artistic photographer, he had perfected himself in other crafts prior to entering that field. After leaving school, when about 19 years of age, he learned the carpenter's trade and still later, the machinist's trade at Philadelphia. With a desire to see something of the country and also as a business experiment, he then built for himself a photographic car in which he traveled for about a year, pausing, wherever his fancy led him, to photograph people and landscapes. After disposing of his car, he located in Philadelphia, studied the photographic art more thoroughly and then worked in this line at Allentown and Pittsburg. Thence he removed to Wooster, Ohio, being for a short time connected with the Teeple Brothers, photographers, after which he embarked in the business for himself. In association with William Plummer he opened a photograph gallery in Wooster, and the business was conducted one year under the firm name of Krauss & Plummer, when Mr. Krauss sold his interest and went to South Toledo. There he conducted a studio for seven months. In November, 1866, he bought a gallery at Lima which he operated alone for about 16 years, and then admitted R. H. Ebersole to partnership. This firm continued in business until 1902, and its fine work was thoroughly appreciated all over .the surrounding country. The close confinement of the studio and contact with chemicals impaired the health of Mr. Krauss, and, disposing of his interests to Mr. Ebersole, for some six months he enjoyed the relaxation of travel. He has very extensive property interests, and has dealt in both city and county real estate for a number of years. About this time Mr. Krauss erected what is one of the finest and best located business blocks in the city. It is a three-story and basement brick structure, 25 by 205 feet in dimensions, at No. 234 North Main street, with offices and store rooms below, and flats above. Since retiring from his photographic enterprise Mr. Krauss has been handling, as a means of occupying his spare time, a very popular surgical appliance known as the "Finger-Cushion Pad Truss," which has been the means of curing thousands of afflicted people. He feels that he is doing a good work by calling the attention of the public to such an appliance. He is also -largely interested in the various city utilities, being a stockholder in The Lima Telephone & Telegraph Company. For some years he has been a valued member of the City Council. In 1867 Mr. Krauss was married to Catherine E. Workman, of Wooster, Ohio, who was a daughter of Rev. Morgan Workman. She died in 1885, the mother of one child who died in infancy. In 1889 Mr. Krauss was married (second) to Bertha Haines, who is a daughter of the yenerable Jeremiah Haines, who was one of the pioneer agriculturalists of German township—he has now reached his 88th year and resides with Mr. Krauss. Mr. and Mrs. Krauss are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. EDWIN CLYDE AKERMAN, auditor-elect of Allen County, Ohio, and one of the best known educators in this section of the State, was born June 2, 1864, on a farm located one mile and a half northeast of LaFayette, Allen County, Ohio. He is a son of William Henry and Mary Jane (Ransbottom) Akerman. The grandfather of Mr. Akerman, William Henry Akerman, was a native of Pennsylvania. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 647 He came from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, in 1833, settling first in Morgan County, but removing later to a farm near LaFayette, Allen County, where he lived to a good old age and reared a family of 13 children, giving three of his sons—Samuel, John and Henry—to the service of their country during the Civil War. He died October 9, 1878. William Henry Akerman, Jr., father of our subject, was born in Jackson township, Allen County, Ohio, April 17, 184.0, and almost all his brief life was spent in this locality, engaged in farming and teaching school. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union Army as a member of the 81st Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and was the bugler of the regiment and subsequently was advanced to the rank of captain of his company. After nine months of faithful service, he was honorably discharged. His lamented death took place on October 25, 1868. In commenting upon his decease, a local paper gave expression to the general feeling in these words : "A model young man and the idol of the neighborhood." On January I, 1863, he married Mary Jane Ransbottom, and two children were born to them, viz : Edwin Clyde and Walter Clinton, the latter of whom died aged one year and 10 months. The mother was born in Sugar Creek township, Allen County, Ohio, October 2, 1840, and is a daughter of Wesley B. and Emily (Wright) Ransbottom, natives of Virginia. She still survives, being an esteemed resident of LaFayette. Edwin Clyde Akerman was left fatherless at the age of four years. He was seven years old when he removed from the farm to LaFayette and he remained in that village until 23 years of age, attending school until his 17th year. He then began to teach and has continued in this profession until the present time. In 1887 he became principal of the Bluffton High School and filled the position most satisfactorily. He remained in charge for four years and then resigned in order to complete his college course in the Ohio Normal University, where he was graduated in 1892, with honors. It was in 1892 that he received a High School life certificate and in the same year was elected to the superintendency of the public schools of Elida, Ohio. In 1897 he returned to Bluffton to assume charge of the high school and he remained in that position until 1900, when he was elected superintendent of the schools of Bluffton. For these important positions Mr. Akerman proved to be eminently qualified. Politically, Mr. Akerman has always been identified with the Democratic party. He was elected to the office of county auditor in November, 1905, his election being not entirely a party favor but in large part a token of personal popularity.. He is one of the valued members of the Allen County Teachers' Association, the Northwestern Ohio Teachers' Association and the Ohio State Teachers' Association. Mr. Akerman was married August 27, 1888, to Sarah Augusta Butterfoss, who was born in Hardin County, Ohio, and is a daughter of C. W. and Millie (Roby) Butterfoss. They have two children—Audrey and Opal. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church and since 1895 Mr. Akerman has been secretary of the official board. On January 1, 1901, he assumed the duties of Sunday-school superintendent. In fraternal life he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Woodman. FREDERICK AGERTER. Among the former business men of Lima, who for years was prominently connected with the city's machine interests, was Frederick Agerter, whose portrait accompanies this sketch. He was born in Switzerland, March 3, 1833, and died in Lima, September 15, 1883. Frederick Agerter had not reached his majority when he emigrated to America in search of better industrial conditions than he found in his native land. In 1858 he settled at Sandusky, Ohio, and worked at various points until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enjoyed the honorable distinction of being the first man to enlist from Wyandot County, joining Company C, 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. After the close of his first term of service, he re-enlisted, 648 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY in Company D, 81st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He remained in the service for 15 months, when he resigned his commission as 1st lieutenant, on account of ill health. Upon his return from the war, he was elected county clerk of Wyandot County, and, by a succeeding election, served in that office for a period of six years. In 1869 Mr. Agerter came to Lima, and with four partners immediately engaged in the machine business, the firm being known as Carnes, Agerter & Company. They had extensive machine shops and greatly prospered, Mr. Agerter remaining secretary and treasurer of the firm for 14 years, or until the time of his death. As a business man he was energetic and capable, and noted for his thoroughly honest and upright methods. He began life with good educational advantages but no capital, and through energy and perseverance he accumulated a fortune. Mr. Agerter married Martha J. Brown, a daughter of James Brown, of Virginia, her father being a son of Captain Oliver Brown, of the Revolutionary War. They had these children : Rosa J. (Hill), of Lima ; Sally L. (Mrs. A. D. Cameron) ; Harriet C. (Mrs. E. E. Stoll), of Massachusetts; Martha W. (Mrs. H. M. Jenks), of England ; Caroline J., who resides with her mother in the beautiful home at No. 890 West Market street, Lima, and Frederick Brown, who died at the age of 28 years and left one child, Harry M. In politics Mr. Agerter was a Democrat. Fraternally he was identified with the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He was a man of sterling character, one who commanded the respect of all who knew him. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church.   J. BOYD DOUGLASS, a popular grocer of Lima, was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in 1865, but has been a resident of this city since his seventh year. His father, John C. Douglass, is a resident of Forest, Hardin County, Ohio, where he operates a large flouring-mill. He has been engaged in the milling industry for more than 40 years, 19 of which were spent in running a mill in Lima, where he has many warm friends. J. Boyd Douglass was educated in the public schools of Lima and entered his father's mill while a lad to master the trade. He was engaged in milling about 12 years, finally abandoning the occupation to accept the office of deputy clerk of the Probate Court of Allen County, a position he held for two years. He was also city clerk of Lima two years, after which he again embarked in commercial life. He opened a grocery store and meat market which was located on Spring street for about four years. Then he removed to his present commodious quarters at No. 407 West High street, where he conducts one of the cleanest and best stocked groceries in the city. Mr. Douglass was married in 1897 to Emma Smith, daughter of S. A. Smith, a contractor of Lima. To this union one child, John S., was born. Mr. Douglass is a member of the Market Street Presbyterian Church. EUGENE C. MACKENZIE, manager of the Fidelity Coal & Supply Company, of Lima, was born in 1856 at Kalida, Putnam County, and is a son of Judge James Mackenzie, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume. The family came to Allen County in 1858 and here our subject was educated and grew to manhood. Young Mackenzie had not yet attained his majority when he was chosen deputy clerk of Allen County in 1876, and he was still holding that position in 1882 when he was elected to the office of county clerk. He was reelected in 1885. After serving two terms, he retired from political life and purchased a flouring-mill, which he operated until it was burned down in 1892. After the destruction of his mill, he was tendered a position with the Manhattan Oil Company, and took charge of the shipping department of their refinery in Wood County, Ohio. He remained with them until the Fidelity Coal & Supply Company was organized in 1900, when he returned to Lima to act as their manager, and has been retained in that capacity since. Mr. Mackenzie was married in 1880 to Ella AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 649 Gorton, daughter of one of the pioneer business men of Lima, W. B. Gorton. They have two children, Helen M. and James Gorton, the latter of whom was graduated from the Lima schools and is now studying architecture, preparatory to entering a school of architecture this year. Mr. Mackenzie is a 32nd degree Mason with membership in all the Lima bodies ; he belongs to the Cincinnati Consistory.  W. H. MACKENZIE, a large brick manufacturer of Delphos, was born in Jackson township, Seneca County, Ohio, on the 7th of September, 1848, and is a son of Rev. John T. Mackenzie. When he was four years old the parents of Mr. Mackenzie moved to Allen County, and settled on a farm in Spencer township, where he attended the district schools. When 21 years old he started into business for, himself as a farmer, and until i 5 years ago continued to be interested in agriculture. Since then he has operated one of the largest brick yards in the vicinity of Delphos. The capacity 0f his yard is 20,000 brick in an eight-hour day or nearly i,000,000 in the season—from April to November. Fully two-thirds of the brick manufactured are shipped away. Mr. Mackenzie purchased this plant in 1900 from Bour Brothers and under his management it grew into a large industry. The plant is located right at the clay banks and every facility has been added to ensure the quality of brick and its economic handling. Mr. Mackenzie has been a very useful and public spirited citizen. During several years, when he served on the City Council, he devoted his energies to securing many city improvements, including permanent sidewalks and a fine sewer system. Mr. Mackenzie married Amelia Steiger, daughter of an old pioneer of Allen County, the late George Steiger, who died in April, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie have one daughter, Laura Ann, who is the wife of G. Searles, a funeral director at Delphos. Mr. and Mrs. Searles have three children : Harold, Howard and Gladys. Politically, Mr. Mackenzie has always been more or less active. He is one of the leading members of the United Brethen Church at Delphos, has been its treasurer for many years and has been its representative to the general conference. With his wife, Mr. Mackenzie has visited many parts of the United States from coast to coast. Mrs. Mackenzie has made a most interesting collection of pictures and notes of these travels. M. D. OWEN, of the firm of Palmer & Owen, carriage manufacturers, of Lima, was reared in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, in which place he was born in 1871. His father was James Owen, now deceased, who was a stone contractor and conducted an extensive business at Kenton. Mr. Owen was educated in his native village and then entered the employ of the Champion Fence Company of that place, remaining with that concern one and a half years. Having decided to learn the carriage manufacturing business, he secured work with Pool Brothers, engaged in that line, and two years later, accepted a position with the H. Keiser Buggy Company. During the seven years he was in the service of this company he became proficient in his work, and the succeeding years were spent working at his trade in various towns of the State—Washington Court House, Yellow Springs and Defiance, each being the scene of his labors before he became identified with the Collins Buggy Company, of Akron, Ohio. During his residence in Akron, Ohio, he spent two years at various night schools, studying mechanical drawing and designing, in which branches he became very proficient; also, for several months, he was a student of the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1899 he left the employ of the Collins Buggy Company to establish his present business in Lima, becoming a partner of J. B. Palmer. The firm of Palmer & Owen has been