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150 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Lizzie L., the wife of Isam Eley, of Amanda township; and Ira E. Ira E. Coon was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools, and at the time of the death of his mother inherited eighty acres of land, to which he subsequently added forty acres by purchase. For some years he applied his energies to carrying on general farming, but eventually took up cattle breeding, and of recent years has devoted his attention almost exclusively to the raising of Guernsey registered cattle. At this time he has a splendid herd, headed by May Rose, a noted sire, and the animals from the Coon farm bring top-notch prices at sales and in the market. Mr. Coon has made a thorough study of his business and is acknowledged to be an excellent judge of cattle. As a business man he is noted for his fair dealing and fidelity to contracts. Mr. Coon married Daisy Rusler, who was born in Allen county daughter of William and Anna (McClintock) Rusler. She was formerly a teacher in the public schools. To this union there have been born five children: Myron R., William I., Eva M., Gale R., and Anna B., deceased. Mrs. Coon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and an active worker therein. Her husband belongs to Acadia Lodge No. 306, F. & A. M., and Spencerville Chapter, R. A. M. His political support is given to the candidates and policies of the Republican party. JOHN ROSCOE HARROD. Lying as it does in the center of a rich agricultural region, Elida has heavy livestock interests, and one of the men who is finding it profitable to devote his time and attention to this branch of commerce is John Roscoe Harrod, who is also interested in farming and stock raising in the vicinity of Elida, his operations being carried on, on his fine farm of seventy-seven acres. John Roscoe Harrod was born near Westminster, Ohio, 1876, a son of Ferdinand and Ruth (Smith) Harrod. The Harrods come from English stock, and all of them are interested in farming and stock- raising, and have been for some generations back. Of the four living children of Ferdinand Harrod and his wife John Roscoe is the second one. Growing up in his native county, he attended the district schools during the winter months, and assisted his father in the summer ones. For some time he was engaged in farming and handling stock in conjunction with his father, who is still in the business, but about twenty-two years ago he branched out for himself and has been eminently successful in his ventures. In 1898 Mr. Harrod was married to Esta Davis, a daughter of Anthony and Hannah (Eaton) Davis, and they became the parents of three children: Elbert William, Horma Orlo and Lena Alretta. A man of strong convictions, Mr. Harrod has always wanted to select his own candidates and votes independently of party lines. The United Brethran Church holds his membership and benefits from his liberal donations. It is safe to say that no project of public interest is ever carried to successful completion that he has not given it his hearty and effective support, for he has the welfare of Elida at heart and is ready and willing to do a good citizen's part to advance it in every way possible. As a farmer he has done much to encourage better production, and is a strong advocate of good roads, better schools and community interests. Such men as he are valuable assets to their sections, and are deserving of the confidence and respect they always command. CHARLES STALTER. The well-cultivated farms of Allen county are the pride of its residents and a valuable asset to the owners, one of whom is Charles Stalter of American township, owner of fifty-five acres of land. He was born on his present farm March 23, 1870, a son of Christian Nathaniel and Mary (Steman) Stalter, and a grandson of Christian Stalter, who brought his family from Pennsylvania to Allen county. He had seven sons and three daughters, and of them all his namesake son was the youngest. The farm now occupied by his grandson was secured by him from the Government, and here he reared his large family and became prosperous. On this same farm Christian N. Stalter spent his entire life and here he passed away in 1913 his widow surviving him until 1917. They had nine children, of whom Charles Stalter is the sixth in order of birth. Growing up on the family homestead, Charles Stalter learned at an early age to make himself useful, and during the winter months attended the country schools until he was seventeen years old. Until his marriage he worked on the home farm, but after that rented land for eight years, doing general farming. In 1914 he returned to his present farm, and is an extensive buyer of cattle, hogs and sheep, which he ships all over the county. His stock operations are heavy and he is a very successful business man as well as a farmer. Mr. Stalter owns stock in the Equity Exchange Elevator of Elida, and also in the Co-operative Threshing Company. He was married to Lula M. Beiler, a daughter of Adam Clark and Mary Jane (Davis) Beiler, who lived on the adjoining farm. Mr. and Mrs. Stalter have three children, namely: Mary Lenore, Chester Clayton and Robert Edgar. Independent in his political views, Mr. Stalter prefers to vote for the man rather than to bind himself down with party lines. For years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Elida. THOMAS WILLIAM GREENLAND. Of the follower of any of the important trades no better recommendation is required than the credit of long employment under a reliable management. For thirty years Thomas William Greenland, Sr., has been identified with the Solor Refining Company at Lima, and since 1904 has been general forman of the machine shop of this concern. He was born at Cochran, Indiana, February 2, 1865, a son of Thomas and Isabel Greenland. Thomas Greenland was born at London, England, where in his youth he assisted in the construction of a part of Windsor Castle. He was still a young man when he went to Canada, and was there married to his first wife, a native of the north of England. Subsequently they came to the United States and settled in Indiana, residing first at Cochran where Mrs. Greenland died June 14, 1874. The father later married Anna Morris and resided at Lafayette, Indiana, until the spring of 1880, when he came to Lima and here continued to follow his trade of master car builder until his death, January 27, 1911, his wife having passed away July 12, 1910. Thomas Willam Greenland, Sr., attended the grammar schools of Lafayette, Indiana, and took one year at high school, but at the age of sixteen years ac- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 151 companied his father to Lima, where he secured employment in the machine shop of the L. E. & W. Railroad, where he spent six years and learned the trade of machinist. Subsequently he worked in other shops at Lima and Delphos for several years, and in January, 1891, became a machinist for the Solor Refining Company of Lima, being advanced to the position of general foreman of the machine shop in 1904, a post which he still retains. Mr. Greenland is a thorough master of his trade and has shown excellent executive ability, being considerate of his subordinates at the plant, yet maintaining an effective discipline. He is popular with his fellow-workers and has the respect and esteem of the officials of the company, as well as the friendship and good will of his neighbors. He and his family belong to the Market Street Presbyterian Church and Mrs. Greenland is a member of the Ladies Aid Society and the Missionary Society. His political faith is that of the Democratic party, and his fraternal affiliations with Solor Lodge No. 783, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Lima Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Greenland was married December 25, 1888, to Miss Bertha E. McCormack, who was born at Cerro Gordo, Illinois, and educated in the grammar and high schools, daughter of Newton W. and Martha L. (Cunningham) McCormack, the former born in Fairfield county, Ohio, and the latter at Lima. The grandparents of Mrs. Greenland were Robert and Ruth (Morris) McCormack, natives of Fairfield county, and James and Martha (Kennedy) Cunningham, the former a native of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Nelson, Portage county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham were among the earliest settlers of South Lima, owning the land on the south side of the Ottawa River, where South Main street now starts. To Mr. and Mrs. Greenland there have been born the following children : Ruth, the wife of Seth B. Adgate, an agriculturist of Shawnee township, and they have two daughters, Mary Bess and Ruth Emily; Bess, the wife of E. A. Hall, of Forsyth, Montana, with two sons, Roger Irwin and Thomas Newton ; and Thomas W., a graduate pharmacist, residing with his parents. Thomas W. Greenland, Jr., attended the Pelham Bay Training School, and June, 1917, was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy, and later promoted to Junior Lieutenant, being assigned to active service on the U. S. S. Susquehanna, a transport. He made fifteen round trips between the United States and France in transporting troops, and was in active service throughout his enlistment with the exception of a period during October and November, 1918, when he was confined by illness to the Naval Hospital at Brest, France. The father of Mrs. Greenland died June 2, 1912, but her mother still survives and is a resident of Colombus, Ohio. FRED S. BEADE. Beaverdam, while accounted one of the smaller communities of Allen county, is a town of some commercial importance, owing to its position in the midst of a richly fertile farming community. The greater part of its business is done, naturally, with agriculturists, who supply and are supplied by the outside world, and it is in this connection that Fred S. Beade occupies a place of preference in business circles as a wholesale shipper of poultry and eggs. Mr. Beade was born at Rockport, Monroe township, Allen county, March 5, 1882, a son of D. N. and E. A. (Fleming) Beade, the former born near Dayton and the latter in Richland county, Ohio, where they were married. Following their union the parents came to Monroe township Allen county, and settled in the vicinity of Rockport, where D. N. Beade engaged in the poultry and grocery business, and where he served as postmaster for a number of years. In 1910 he took up his residence at Beaverdam, where he has lived even since, and where he is one of the highly respected members of his community. He is a Republican in politics, and by virtue of brave service as a soldier of the Union during the war between the North and the South holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He and Mrs. Beade are the parents of three children : Nora, the wife of Ernest Pharo, of Detroit, Michigan ; Docia, the wife of Chris Lora, an Allen county agriculturist ; and Fred S. Fred S. Beade received his primary education in the public schools of Rockport, this being subsequently supplemented by a commercial course in the Lima Business College. His first experience in a business way was as an employe of the traffic department of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, first at Lima and later at Chicago. On April 20, 1901, he was united in marriage with Miss Ocie Cornelius, of Lima, who was born at South Whitley, Indiana, and educated in the graded and high schools there. After graduating from the Lima Business College she became a stenographer in the superintendent's offrce of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, and continued to be so engaged until her marriage to Mr. Beade. They are the parents of three children : Helen, Dorothea and Howard. In 1910 Mr. Beade embarked in business on his own account as a shipper of poultry and eggs, and this enterprise he has built up to large proportions. He does an excellent business with the agriculturists and consumers, and ships the product to various large points, where his goods always meet with a ready sale. He is the owner of his own office at Beaverdam and is accounted one of the substantial and rapidly advancing young business men of the community. Mr. Beade is a Republican. He has not sought public office, but is a supporter of all measures which promise to be of benefit to his community. OLIVER KIES, senior member of the law firm of Kies & Garling, was born at Spencerville, Allen county, Ohio, January 29, 1867, and is a son of James Michael and Mary (Volz) Kies. The father of Mr. Kies was born in Germany and came to the United States alone when fifteen years old. He learned the shoemaking trade, and in working through the country as a journeyman went to Spencerville, Ohio. He located there and married, and subsequently reared a family of eight children, of which Oliver was the second born. His death occurred in 1899, but the mother of Mr. Kies survives and lives at Lima. Oliver Kies attended the public schools at Spencerville, and after finishing the high school course entered the Ohio Northern University. For some years afterward he taught school and read law as opportunity offered, at the same time taking an active interest in politics. He became identified with civic affairs at Spencerville, and three times was elected and served as mayor. 152 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY In 1906 Mr. Kies came to Lima to assume the duties of deputy recorder of Allen county, to which office he was appointed by Recorder Zeitz, and he con- tinued to serve in that office until 1911, when he was called to Columbus to become chief clerk in the office of the secretary of state at the capital. During the four and a half years that this position kept him at Columbus he also served as corporations clerk. He could scarcely have had a more thorough period of training in the law, and in 1914 was admitted to the bar. In August, 1915, he returned to Lima and opened a law office, entering into partnership with H. E. Garling, under the style of Kies & Garling, general practitioners. In 1914 Mr. Kies was united in marriage to Miss May Estelle Gill, who was born at Port Clinton, Ottawa county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Thomas N. and Dora (Smith) Gill, well known residents of Port Clinton. Mr. Kies has always believed that political questions should be studied and accepted as a part of good citizenship his convictions placing him in the ranks of the Democratic party. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Spencerville and also to the Odd Fellows in the same city. WILLIAM PERRY ANDERSON. A lawyer of sound judgment and breadth of view, and a citizen of honest purpose and enterprising effort, William Perry Anderson is one of the representative men of Lima. The good fortune has been his of having had birth, schooling, professional field and happy home in one of the most favored commonwealths of the Union, and he has so silived and achieved that Ohio as a parent may take pride in so worthy a son. William Perry Anderson was born on his father's farm in Orange township, Hancock county, Ohio, March 22, 1877, a son of Harrison and Margaret (Rambo) Anderson. They were of Scotch extraction. The father was born at Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1840, in manhood moved to Hancock county, and died on his homestead in Orange township in 1914. The mother survives and lives at Bluffton in Allen county. Of their two children William Perry was the first born. He has a sister, Mrs. Fred Bliss, who resides at El Dorado, Kansas. In noting the success that has attended many men in every line of effort it is not unusual to find that a large proportion were nurtured on a farm. Its discipline of hard, physical labor has not always been considered a disadvantage for unformed youth, even when natural inclination and decided talent indicated some other vocation. From boyhood Mr. Anderson cherished the hope of becoming a lawyer, and kept the ambition through his country school days and later when teacher instead of pupil, finally finding his way clear to entering the Ohio Northern University, where he was graduated in both literature and law and received his LL. B. degree in 1902. Mr. Anderson entered into practice at Bluffton, Ohio, where he remained through one year, in October, 1903, moving to Lima. Here he has built up a wide general practice, with offices in the Citizens Building, and is legal adviser of some very important business corporations, one of which is the Citizens Loan and Building -Company. In the political field Mr. Anderson is an uncompromising Republican, and as far as professional ethics permit is an active party man. In 1916 he was his party's candidate for judge of the Criminal court of Lima, but was defeated at the polls through one of those political combinations that frequently disturb well laid plans. His superior qualifications for this judicial office were so generally recognized that Mayor Simpson's appointment of Mr. Anderson to the Criminal court of Lima in the fall of 1917 met with hearty approval, and he was again appointed to the bench in 1918 and served with careful discrimination and utmost efficiency for eight months. Judge Anderson is identified with many movements that are beneficial to Lima, taking an interest in educational work and in benevolent enterprises, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Order of Moose, lodge No. 199 at Lima, of which he served officially as director for three years. H. E. GARLING. The Garling family, of which H. E. Garling, of the prominent law firm of Kies & Garling at Lima, is a worthy representative, belonged to the pioneer history of Logan county, Ohio. When the grandfather of Mr. Garling who is now city solicitor of Lima, came first to Logan county much of the present well cultivated land was yet timbered and the present thriving industries were in their infancy. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and left sons who also became farmers there or in other sections. H. E. Garling was born at Port Jefferson, Shelby county, Ohio, October 10, 1881, and is a son of William and Anna B. (Hicks) Garling of German and New England parentage respectively. The parents of Mr. Garling still live on the old homestead in Logan county. He grew up on the home farm and attended the common schools until sixteen years old, when he secured a teacher's certificate and during the next year he attended the Ohio Northern University during the summers and taught country schools during the winters, in this way providing the capital that enabled him to take the courses he desired in that institution, where he received his B. S. degree in 1903 and his LL. B. degree in 1906. After admission to the bar he opened a law office, and for two years was associated with Charles Fess, and for eighteen months with John Ernans, following which he practiced alone until 1915, when he entered into partnership at Lima with Oliver Kies, the firm style being Kies & Garling, general law practitioners. This firm has been entrusted with many important cases of litigation, which it has handled so successfully that both as a firm and as individual practitioners general confidence has been secured, one proof of which was shown when Mr. Garling was elected on the Republican ticket, in 1919, city solicitor of Lima. In 1916 Mr. Garling was defeated when asking nomination for the office by only 99 votes, and later through appointment filled out the unexpired term of the successful candidate. Although one of the younger members of the bar of Allen county, he has displayed on many occasions the ready decision and sound judgment of the veteran practitioner. In 1908 Mr. Garling was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Huber, who is a daughter of Isaiah and Emeline (Fuson) Huber. and they have one child, Eugene Huber Garling. As a citizen of Lima Mr. Garling takes an active interest in her welfare, both officially and otherwise, and commands respect both professionally and personally. RUFUS AARON KERR. One of the substantial and representative men of Allen county, who is identified HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 153 with many important business enterprises, including agricultural, banking and automobiles is Rufus Aaron Kerr, vice president and treasurer of the Lima-Cadillac Company at Lima. Few citizens of the county are better known, as he has spent his life here, an unusually busy and useful one. Mr. Kerr was born in Auglaize township, Allen county, Ohio, in July, 1855, and is a grandson of Alexander Kerr, who came from Ireland to the United States in early manhood settling in Knox county, Ohio, as a farmer, a vocation he followed all his life. Of his seven children the youngest was Alexander, who became the father of Rufus Aaron. He married Jane McCoy, and of their seven children Rufus A. was the second born. Alexander Kerr spent his life as a farmer in Auglaize township, Allen county, where his death occurred in 1906. his wife having passed away two years earlier. They were people of worth and were held in high regard by all who knew them. Rufus A. Kerr attended the district schools near his father's farm during the winter seasons until he was seventeen years old, and continued to assist his father until he was twenty-two, when he married and then settled on a farm of eighty acres in Perry township, Allen county. Although he owns valuable realty at Lima, he has always maintained his home on this 80-acre tract of land, to which he has added seventy acres. Until 1910 Mr. Kerr worked his 150 acres himself, but- since then he has hired assistance. He has enjoyed great prosperity as a farmer and in the stock business. For thirty-eight years he fed western cattle, buying by car load from the Chicago stockyards and feeding for market. During twenty years he was one of the leading dealers in blooded stock and Poland China hogs. He shipped his hogs to every state in the Union and even to Australia. His blooded stock commanded fancy prices and he exhibited them in twelve different states, being pretty sure to carry off blue ribbons from these exhibitions. Although other interest now mainly claim his attention, he has never lost his interest in farm life, the benefits of which he is ever ready to extol. In 1913 Mr. Kerr became interested in and helped to organize the Lima-Cadillac Company, taking the agency for Cadillac cars for fifteen counties in Ohio. The business in these standard cars is constantly on the increase. Mr. Kerr is a director of the Citizens Banking Company at Waynesville, Ohio, and also a director of the Equitable Insurance Company of Columbus. Mr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Arabella Smith a daughter of J. L. and Rebecca (Neally) Smith, of Westminster, Ohio. They have had three children but the only survivor is Ethel Clara, who is the wife of O. C. Plummer, who is president of the Lima-Cadillac Company Mr. and Mrs. Kerr make no claim to being philanthropists, but they must take a large measure of pleasure from the fact that the two orphan boys they took into their home and reared as their own, sending one to college, are now successful men and good members of society. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church near their country home, Mr. Kerr being church treasurer. He has always been a Republican in politics, and formerly for many years served on the school board in Perry township. MAJOR CLIFFE DEMING, who has rendered important service and won many honors in the Ohio National Guard, and was an American officer in France during the World war, is a resident of Allen County, though for many years his professional duties have been with the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Major Deming is a son of William Treat and Mary (Wilson) Deming. The Demings came originally from France and one branch of the family was identified with the pioneer settlement of Ohio. They are also related to the Oliver Wendell Holmes family. Major Cliffe Deming graduated from the Kenton High School in 1896 and is also a graduate of the Ohio Northern University at Ada and of the Emerson College of Expression at Boston. During his career he has been a clothing merchant, but is most widely known for his service as dean of College of Expression at the Ohio Northern University. While he now resides in the country near Lima he continues his teaching at Ada. His military record begins with his enlistment in June, 1891, in Company G of the Second Ohio Infantry. He was commissioned second lieutenant and battalion adjutant in 1896, and served in that capacity with the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Spanish-American war. He was promoted to captain in November, 1899, and to major in April, 1904. During his National Guard experience he served on different military boards and with the Second Regiment on the Mexican border, 1916-17. Major Deming was in service for more than two years during the World war period. May 27, 1917, he was inducted into the service at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as major of infantry of the National Guard. In August of that year he was ordered to Camp Sheridan, and transferred to the One Hundred and Forty-Eighth Infantry, Thirty-Seventh Division. July 11, 1918, he embarked from Newport News, Virginia, on the "Aeolus," arriving at Brest July 21, and then proceeding to Baccarat. He was on active duty in the trenches during the progress of the great campaigns in the summer of 1918. From October 15 to November 15, 1918, he was in special training at the Inter-Allied School for Regulating Officers at St. Dizier, France. This school was conducted by French officers, while the students were drawn from the French, Belgian, English, Italian and American forces. Leaving St. Dizier, Major Deming was sent to Bettomburg, Luxemburg, thence to Esch, Luxemburg, and to St. Jean Les Buzy in May, 1919. He sailed from Brest for Hoboken July 13, 1919, on the S. S. "Imperator" in command of the Eight Hundred and Fourth Pioneer Infantry. Major Deming was mustered out at Camp Gordon, Georgia, and discharged from service at Camp Sherman, Ohio, August 7, 1919. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, Knights of Pythias and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1914 he married Miss Okla Riley, daughter of S. J. Riley, and he and Mrs. Deming and their two children, Willis Riley and Mary Elizabeth Deming, reside on the old Riley homestead near Lima. MRS. OKLA (RILEY) DEMING is a granddaughter of one of Allen County's distinguished pioneers, Rev. George Riley. Before her marriage she had an 154 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY active part in the social and college life of Ada, and was a teacher. She is a daughter of the late Samuel J. Riley and was liberally educated, graduating in 1911 from Ohio Northern University at Ada. She then taught until 1914 when she became the wife of Major Cliffe Deming of Ada. They have two children named Willis Riley and Mary Elizabeth Deming. For several years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Deming continued to reside at Ada, where she took an active part in the social side of the university and town and belonged to a number of clubs. Since then her interests have been largely those of the home and the careful rearing of her children. Mrs. Deming, who is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is properly proud of the military record made by her ancestors. Not only were representatives of the Riley family in the American Revolution, thus giving her eligibility to the Daughters of the American Revolution, but her honored father was one of the first of the young men to enlist in defense of the Union during the war between the two sections, and he served bravely as a member of the First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Mrs. Deming is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ERNEST M. BOTKIN. The legal profession in Allen county has an able representative in the person of Ernest M. Botkin of Lima, one of the leaders of the younger members of the bar, whose success since entering upon the practice of his profession has won him many warm friends and admirers in the city and county. Mr. Botkin was born near St. Marys, Ohio, on October 20, 1888, the son of George and Mary (Lutterbein) Botkin. Both of his parents were natives of the Buckeye state, the father having been born in Shelby county and the mother near St. Marys. George Botkin was a farmer by vocation until 1902, when he came to Lima and went to work in the shops of the L. E. and W. Railroad. His wife died in 1893. They became the parents of the following children: Emma, the wife of A. J. Frey, of Toledo, Ohio; Sophia, the wife of Lloyd Hinkle, of Toledo; and Ernest M., the immediate subject of this sketch. George Botkin was married a second time, to a Mrs. Stant, and they have one child, Edith, now the wife of A. R. Derrickson, of Lima. Ernest M. Botkin remained at home until his father moved to Lima, when he went to live with an uncle on a farm near St. Marys' where he remained until he had attained his majority. He had received his elementary education in the common schools, and he then entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1913. In June of that year he was admitted to the bar of Michigan, and in the following December was admitted to the bar of Ohio, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of law. By close application to his profession he has built up a large and remunerative clientele and enjoys a high reputation as an able and successful lawyer. Mr. Botkin served judge of the Criminal Court during the years 1917-19, and in the fall of 1919 was elected justice of the peace for Ottawa township, which includes the city of Lima. In October, 1917, Mr. Botkin was married to Thelma Dunham, who was born and reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Rev. W. J. and Grace (Cooper) Dunham. Her father is a well-known minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now district superintendent of the Dayton district of that church Mr. and Mrs. Botkin are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Botkin is a trustee and also a teacher in the Sunday School. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Lodge No. 199 Loyal Order of Moose, of Lima. Politically he gives his support to the Democratic party. He takes a deep interest in the promotion of all movements for the welfare of the city, and because of his professional standing and his excellent qualities of character he is deservedly popular throughout the community. LEON PETER WALTERS. The city of Lima gives Mr. Walters credit as being one of the very enterprising merchants and business men, with a wealth of public spirit and a wholesome co-operation in everything connected with the welfare of the community. Mr. Walters was born at Kettlersville, Ohio, October 18, 1879, son of John and Louise (Hilgeman) Walters. His maternal grandparents were natives of Germany, but were married after coming to the United States and spent their lives on an Ohio farm, John Walters, who was the third in a family of five sons and five daughters, was for many years engaged in brick manufacture at Kettlersville, but since 1915 his home has been at New Bremen, Ohio. Leon Peter Walters grew up at Kettlersville, acquired a public school education there, and on leaving home found employment at Barney & Smith's car shops at Dayton. He was one of the industrial workers of that important manufacturing city for six years. Leaving Dayton he went to Belmont, Illinois, and for a time was manager of a brick yard, a business he had learned as a boy. When Mr. Walters came to Lima he learned the grocery and meat business by a period of employment with the Hawisher Brothers until 1915. In that year, associated with August Kettler and H. A, Hawisher, he opened a grocery and meat store at 133 South Main street. After selling his interests in the firm he and his brother Henry became associated, and through their partnership and enterprise they have steadily maintained a splendid service for the supply of high class groceries and meats to the city of Lima. Their first location was at Jameson and West North street, later at South Elizabeth street, after which they bought their old business at Jameson and West North street, and remained there until they established their present fine store on West Wayne. Mr. Walters has always been successful in his business affairs, is owner of valuable city real estate, and is a stockholder in the Cleveland Discount Company and in other interests. His family attend the Lutheran Church and in politics he is independent. In 1907 he married Miss Minerva Wilkes, a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Wilkes. Mrs. Walters is a native of Indiana. They have one daughter, Mildred, born August 14, 1908. OLIVER BOSTON SELFRIDGE. Many years of activity as a publisher, manufacturer and banker make Oliver Boston Selfridge one of the best known citizens of Lima. He has lived in Lima since childhood. While he would never consent to hold a public office, he has always worked with others and at times has been a leader in movements for the welfare and advancement of his home city. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 155 Mr. Selfridge was born at Millersburg, Holmes counly, Ohio. His father, also named Oliver Boston Selfridge, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, September 12, 1825, son of Neal and Martha (Hilman) Selfridge. The family is of Irish origin, but settled in New England several generations ago. O. B. Selfridge, Sr., in Jefferson county, Ohio, married Eliza Ellen Camp, of Wellsville. For a time they lived in Steubenville, then at Millersburg, and in 1864 came to Allen county. The senior O. B. Selfridge died in 1888, after a successful business career as a manufacturer. The widowed mother survived until 1917. Their children besides Oliver B. were Charles C.; Florence, Mrs. W. H. Standish; and Ellen, Mrs. N. D. Keys. Only two are now living, O. B. Selfridge and Mrs. Standish. O. B. Selfridge was reared and educated at Lima, attending the common schools and the Lima High School. He left school to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Lima Gazette, then owned by Cornelius Parmenter. Work at the trade of printer was an opportunity to acquire a general knowledge of the newspaper publishing business, and in 1879 he founded the Democratic Times, a weekly paper which at once became the county Democratic party organ. During the first Cleveland presidential campaign in 1884 the Times was published as a daily, and was so continued until 1889, when it was consolidated with the Allen County Democrat as the Times-Democrat. Mr. Selfridge remained as manager of the consolidated paper, and altogether was a newspaper publisher in Allen county for thirty-five years. Due to the burden of other affairs he withdrew from the active management in 1914 and subsequently sold his interests. Since then the Times-Democrat has been merged with the Lima News. His father many years ago established at Lima a factory for the manufacture of D-Shovel handles. Both father and son were associated in this business, known as the O. B. Selfridge Company, and after the death of the senior partner the son assumed its active management. This was one of the first concerns to make Lima known internationally as a center of industry, since millions of handles were exported to other countries, principally to England. The closing and dismantling of the factory was due to the exhaustion of the supply of second growth ash used in making handles. Mr. Selfridge was for a number of years a director and is now president of the First National Bank of Lima. He is a stockholder and director in the Metropolitan Bank and ,was also identified with the Merchants National Bank during its existence. For a number of years he has also owned extension farm lands, and has proved his faith in the future of Lima by investing heavily in real estate. For several generations the Selfridge family has been prevailingly affiliated with the Democratic party in politics. Mr, Selfridge for many years gave active support to that party through the columns of his newspaper. He is a member of the Lima Chamber of Commerce, the Lima Club, the Shawnee Country Club, the Rotary Club, is a Mason and Knight of Pythias and a member of Lima Lodge No. 54 of the Elks. To the public spirited leadership of Mr. Selfridge and D. W. Morris Lima is chiefly indebted for the newly installed boulevard lighting system in the business distrrct. The family are members of the Market Street Presbyterian Church, and their home is on West Market. Mrs. Selfridge is well known socially, a charter member of Lima Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and has been a Red Cross worker and active in church and club affairs. Mrs. Selfridge is a sister of the late Senator Calvin S. Brice, one of Ohio's most distinguished sons, whose home for many years was at Lima. Senator Brice was a national figure not only for his work in the United States Senate but as a financier and railroad promoter and builder. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee of 1888 and was one of the strongest influences in his party until his death in New York in 1898. Mrs. Selfridge, whose maiden name was Anna Brice, is a daughter of Rev. William K. and Clemantine (Cunningham) Brice. Besides Senator Brice she had three brothers, William L. Jonathan K. and Herbert L. Brice, and also one sister, Mary, Mrs. Edwards Ritchie. The only other survivor of this family is I. K. Brice. Mr. and Mrs. Selfridge were married November 9, 1887, and they became the parents of two sons and a daughter. The daughter, Anna, died at the age of two and a half years. The sons are Oliver Brice and Calvin Frederick Selfridge, who live with their parents in Lima. Both are graduates of the Lima High School, of the University of Wooster, and received their degrees from the law department of Harvard University and are now practicing law under the firm name of Selfridge & Selfridge in the Savings Building at Lima. The sons are ex-service men, Oliver Brice being kept in training camps on this side of the ocean, while Calvin F. Selfridge was a lieutenant of Field Artillery and spent fourteen months in France. Both are members of the Lima Post of the American Legion, and also belong to the Wayfarers Club, the Elks Club, and the Allen County Bar Association. Calvin F. Selfridge in 1920 was Democratic county chairman of Allen county. WILLIAM RUSLER. In the various activities which have made up the life and history of Allen county during the past half a century, William Rusler, of Shawnee township, has taken an interested and helpful part, more particularly as an agriculturist, a friend of education and a public official who has been before the people constantly in one or another office during a long period of years, during which time he has never been found wanting in any of the qualities that make for able and public-spirited citizenship. Mr. Rusler was born in Shawnee township, Allen county, Ohio, March 7, 1851, a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Anthony) Rusler. His grandparents were George and Elizabeth (Ellenbarger) Rusler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany, and David and Nancy (McGrady) Anthony, natives of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Rusler were children when they accompanied their parents to Jackson county, Ohio, where they were married, and in 1838 came to Allen county, entering a tract of forty acres of timber land in Shawnee township. There they passed their lives in the pursuits of agriculture. Philip Rusler was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, October 17, 1825, and was twenty-three years of age when he came to Allen county, where he married Elizabeth Anthony, born December 17, 1830, in Jackson county. After their marriage they bought a farm 156 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY of forty acres in section 17, Shawnee township, but a few years later sold out and traveled overland by wagon to Iowa. A short experience in that wild country sufficed, and they returned to Ohio and bought sixty acres of land near St. Mary's, Auglaize county, on which they resided three years, Mr. Rusler then selling that tract and buying eighty acres in Shawnee township, Allen county. While residing there the Civil war came on, and Mr. Rusler enlisted in Company C, 192nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being sent to Camp Chase. While there he contracted illness and was transferred to Camp Denison, and was soon honorably discharged because of disability and returned to his farm, on which his home was made until his death, August 8, 1873. His widow survived him until April 29, 1904. They were the parents of five children: William; Mary C. and David A., who died in infancy ; one who died unnamed; and David Franklin, born April 16, 1858, who died June 9, 1898. After attending the public schools of Shawnee township William Rusler spent one year in the Lima High School, and at the age of twenty-one years was elected township clerk, a position which he held for three years. On October 1, 1874, he married Anna McClintock, who was born in Auglaize county, Ohio, February 23, 1853, a daughter of Charles and Mary McClintock, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Rusler died April 27, 1884, leaving four children: Tessie Jane, born September 1, 1875, the wife of D. A. Bowsher, of Shawnee township ; Maud Zurmehly, born November 28, 1877, married to Charles A., of that township ; Eva May, born October 22, 1879, the wife of John Sereff, also of Shawnee township ; and Daisy, born November 21, 1881, the wife of Ira E. Coon, of Amanda township. Mr. Rusler was married September 1, 1884, to Sophronia Wiesenmayer, born September 17, 1862, in Shawnee township, daughter of George and Eva (Haas) Wiesenmayer, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and to this union there was born on August 31, 1885, one daughter, Bessie, who died soon after her marriage to Guy Culp, of Shawnee township. Following his marriage Mr. Rusler began agricultural operations on a farm of eighty acres of his father's old homestead in section 17, Shawnee township, which he cleared of the timber and on which he made improvements, also adding to his land from time to time until he now has 180 acres, of which 150 acres are under cultivation. During his active years he was successful as a general farmer and raiser and feeder of live stock, but since 1910, because of poor health, has been retired from hard labor and rents his property to his son. He and the members of his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Rusler is a Democrat. From young manhood he has been a stanch advocate of public education. In his younger years he spent a great deal of his time in teaching and since then has been for many years a member of the Board of School Directors and the Board of Education, as a member and president of which bodies he has contributed materially to the advancement of educational standards in Allen county. His public services have been numerous, and important. In the winter of 1885-86 he went to Sawyer county, Wisconsin, where he became United States Government farmer in charge of the Lac Courte d'Orielles Indian Reservation. On December 11, 1888, he was appointed Indian agent in charge of the LaPointe Indian Agency, which included seven Indian reservations remaining there until a change of administration and he, then returned to his home farm. In November, 1893, Mr. Rusler was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, and served two continuous terms in that body, after which he served two terms each as appraiser and assessor of Shawnee township. On December 17, 1908, he was appointed by Governor Harris a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio State Hospital for the Feeble-Minded, to fill out the unexpired term of Senator Mehaffy, and was then appointed to a full term of six years by Governor Harmon. He served in that capacity about three years, when, through legislation, all state institutions were placed under a single management. Mr. Rusler was chief deputy of the Allen county Board of Elections for five years; was appointed by Governor Cox a member of the commission which built the monument at Fort Amanda; was a member, and president of the Allen County Fair Board for several years; served as township treasurer of Shawnee township by appointment to complete the unexpired term caused by the death of the incumbent; and was a member of the State Board of Charities, He was the first organizing deputy for Allen and Auglaize counties of the Patrons of Husbandry, a capacity in which he organized eighteen subordinate lodges or granges of that body, of which he is still a member. Likewise he belongs to Lima Lodge No. 91, Knights of Pythias, and to the Allen County Historical Society, and has been vice president of the Elida Pioneer Society since 1910. During the period of the World war, Mr. Rusler served Shawnee township as president of the Liberty Loan drives, in each of which the township "went over the top," and was one of the fifteen members of the Allen County War Chest Committee. Altogether his public record is an admirable one and one which has been characterized by faithful and conscientious performance of duty. While a member of the Legislature he introduced a bill making primary elections compulsory, the first of its kind, which a few years later became a law with but few unimportant changes. His "Antishoddy" bill was cussed and discussed all over the state, passing the House of Representatives by seventy for it to ten against it, but it failed in the Senate. A measure similar to this is now before Congress, called "The Truth in Fabrics" bill. Mr. Rusler is a good roads booster. He is known over the county as "The Sage of Shawnee," "Colonel" and "Uncle Bill." THOMAS R. HAMILTON. Among the successful lawyers and representative citizens of Allen county no one enjoys to a greater degree the confidence of the public and the respect of their colleagues than he whose name appears as the caption to these paragraphs. Mr. Hamilton has for a number of years stood in the front rank of the legal profession in his county and has been retained in many of the most important cases which have been tried in this and adjoining counties, his success as a trial lawyer being readily admitted by all who are familiar with his record. Thomas R. Hamilton was born in Orange township, Hancock county, Ohio, on February 26, 1867, and is the son of Jonathan and Sarah Ann (Anderson) Hamilton, the former a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and the latter of Hancock county. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 157 The paternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Shaw) Hamilton, both of whom were natives of Columbiana county, and his maternal grandfather was William Anderson. Both the families from which Mr. Hamilton is descended were numbered among the early settlers of Hancock county, and in that county his parents were married and settled on a farm. Both are now deceased, the mother dying on July 17, 1900, and the father on February 20, 1906. In August, 1862, Jonathan Hamilton enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he took part in many of the most hotly contested battles of the Civil war. In the battle of Chickamauga his regiment was praclically destroyed and the survivors were consolidated with the Fiftieth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Mr. Hamilton becoming a member of Company F. After faithful service to the end of the war he was honorably discharged. He was of sterling Scotch-Irish descent, as was his wife, and they were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of the following children: Thomas R., the subject of this sketch; Della, the wife of James G. Tressel, of Hardin county, Ohio; John S., of Cleveland, Ohio; Ada J., who died in infancy; Amanda, the wife of Sylvester S. Tressel, of Allen county; Jesse H., of Lima; Osa E., the wife of Andrew Motter, of Hardin county; and Harry H., of Lima. Thomas R. Hamilton was reared on the home farm, where he lived until he had attained his majority, and during his youth he received a good public school education. When twenty-one years old he began teaching school during the winter months, while during the summers he attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, continuing this program for seven years. During this period he taught district school for four years, and for three years was superintendent of the high school at Beaver Dam. On October 4, 1894, Mr. Hamilton was admitted to the bar of Ohio and, coming to Lima, he began the practice of his profession in the office of Ridenour & Halfhill. Six months later he opened an office of his own, and has ever since been engaged in the practice of law, in which he has taken front rank, being numbered among the leading members of the Allen county bar. On August 14, 1895, Mr. Hamilton was married to Leta McBride, who was born at Beaver Dam, Ohio, the daughter of William and Lillie (Gates) McBride, natives of Geauga county, Ohio. They are the parents of two children, Ruth A. and Helen M., both of whom are at home. Mr. Hamilton and his family are members of the Central Church of Christ, of which Mr. Hamilton has been chairman of the official board since 1911. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party, while fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been through the chairs of the local lodge, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Sons of Veterans. He is recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its advancement along material, civic and moral lines, and stands as one of the progressive and representative men of his locality. JAMES ALLEN JACOBS. A long life, filled with industry, the enduring of hardships, combating the disadvantages of pioneer times, and with many years of enjoyment of the results and fruits of his activities have been given to James Allen Jacobs, one of Allen County's oldest residents, an octogenarian who lives on his farm in Perry Township. Mr. Jacobs was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 4, 1833. His ancestry combines some of the most substantial elements of old American stock. He is a son of John P. and Elizabeth (Hazard) Jacobs, the former born in Warren County, Ohio, June 3, 1802, while the mother was born in New York State. The paternal grandparents were Jehu and Elizabeth (Critzer) Jacobs, natives of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Kreitser) Hazard, who settled in Warren County, Ohio, in 1802, where both of them died. The great-grandfather, John Jacobs, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and was of English Quaker stock, his forefathers having come to America with William Penn. John Jacobs, though of Quaker ancestry, was a gallant soldier in the American Revolution. He finally came to Ohio and located in Miami County in 1812, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-five. Mr. Jacobs' paternal grandmother was born and reared in Holland. February 14, 1834, when James Allen Jacobs was less than a year old, his parents left Clinton County and with a wagon drawn by an ox team and an old mare passed through what is now Allen County and located on land in Union Township, now Auglaize, but then Adams County. John P. Jacobs afterward bought 360 acres of timbered land in Perry Township of Allen County, and during his lifetime improved a portion of it. He was one of the well known citizens of Auglaize County, and died in 'February, 1888, his wife having died in 1880. Their children included Elizabeth, who died in infancy; James A.; Phoebe D., deceased wife of William Harrod; and Ann, Mrs. John Harrod. James Allen Jacobs is the only survivor of the family. His early life was spent in Northwest Ohio at a time when school advantages were restricted, and he learned more of practical woodcraft and pioneer farming than formal book knowledge. In 1851, when he was about eighteen years of age, he left the farm and went to Lima, where he was employed in the general store of E. S. Linn, who later was succeeded by Taylor & Cowles. After a brief employment at Lima. Mr. Jacobs returned home, following which he spent two terms in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1854 he began teaching, having a school for one term in Union County, another in Allen County, and two terms in Auglaize County. It was during his teaching experience that he established a home of his own. His marriage was celebrated April 17, 1856. His bride was Martha Bitler, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Rumer) Bitler, who subsequently moved to Union Township of Allen County. After his marriage Mr. Jacobs rented a portion of his father's farm in Auglaize County, but in 1859 moved to 120 acres of the place his father owned in section 21 of Perry Township, Allen County. This district was still new and unimproved, and he had to clear a space in the wild timber as a site for his log cabin home. On this land Mr. Jacobs Settled down to a life of well ordered industry, and in time had all his land improved and in cultivation. He also bought from a sister 120 acres in section 28 and 158 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY retained the active management of the entire body of land for many years. Subsequently he sold forty. acres to a son, but is still owner of 199 acres. He continued to perform all the heavy work of farming and stock raising until 1910, since which year his sons have relieved him. Mr. Jacobs has also been active in local affairs, filled the office of justice of the peace three years, and was land assessor and land appraiser. He is a democrat, and has been continuously affiliated with Lima Lodge No. 205 of the Masonic order since 1858. On August 24, 1918, occurred the death of his wife and companion of his youth and old age. They had been married over sixty years. She was laid to rest in the Fairmount Cemetery of Auglaize Township. The children of Mr. Jacobs were six in number : Elwin is Mrs. Thomas P. Leatherman of Auglaize Township, Allen County : John C. lives in Perry Township ; Samuel D. is a factor in the management of the home farm; Charles D. died in 1890, at the age of twenty; William H. is also one of the sons who look after the farm for their father ; and Olive O. is Mrs. H. C. Franklin of Lima. RICHARD R. BAXTER, mayor of Elida and super- intendent of the George T. Kocher Lumber Company mill, is one of the responsible men in the community and one who draws the attention of his friends and the gratitude of his constituents by reason of his public-spirited ideas and actions. Under his able supervision Elida has taken on a more metropolitan aspect, and all of his work is of a constructive character. As a business man he is sound and reliable, and the utmost dependence can be placed on all that he does. Mr. Baxter was born at Elida, Ohio, March 4, 1891, a son of James J. and Jeanette (Richards) Baxter, and grandson of Smith Baxter, who was one of the pioneers of Allen county. Smith Baxter located in Marion township, Allen county, where he lived the remainder of his life, and of his seven children James J. Baxter was the second in order of birth. The death of Smith Baxter occurred in 1915. James J. Baxter is living at Elida, but his wife died November 13, 1902. They had five children, of whom Richard R. is the second. Growing up at Elida, Mayor Baxter attended its schools until he was thirteen years of age, and then began working on a farm in the vicinity of Elida, and was thus engaged for two years. He then commenced his apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, and after he had completed it he engaged with the George T. Kocher Lumber Company, and is now superintendent of its mill, to which position he was appointed February 4, 1917. One of the stalwart young Democrats of the county, Mr. Baxter has long been active in his party, and in 1918 was the successful candidate on its ticket for mayor of Elida, and made so excellent a record that he was re elected to the office in 1920. In 1919 he was elected a justice of the peace of American township, and still holds that office. He belongs to Elida Lodge, I. O. 0, F., and to Lima Encampment of that fraternity. A member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he is a man high in the councils/ of his denomination. In 1915, Mr. Baxter was married to Gladys P. Kennedy, of Allen county, a daughter of James and Bertha (Penedum) Kennedy, and they have three children, namely : Richard Woodrow, James Everetl and Wilma Jeanette. Mr. Baxter is active in charitable enterprises, is in the forefront of civic and moral movements, and is often called upon as an advisor in the troubles of others. Such a man is necessarily a valuable adjunct to any community, and when he occupies the office of chief executive his sphere of usefulness is greatly broadened. ROSS C. KEPHART. It is seldom that there is found in a community men as ambitious to reach still higher success, whether in business or political life, as in Elida, and one there who has contented himself only with bringing into a perfect system the duties devolving upon him so as to command the confidence of the people and the respect of his associates is Ross C. Kephart, manager of the Elida Farmers' Equity Exchange Company. Whatever work he has undertaken he has done well; every duty cast upon him has been efficiently discharged; no one who has resposed confidence in him has been disappointed, and his accomplishments present in example worthy of imitation by all who are destined to follow in his footsteps. Mr. Kephart was born in Amanda township, Allen county, Ohio, in 1881, a son of O. P. and Minnre (Bailey) Kephart, and grandson of Orman Kephart, The Kepharts have been mainly interested in farming. O. P. Kephart survives and is now living at Spencerville, Ohio, having retired from his former pursuit of farming. He and his wife had six children, of whom Ross C. Kephart was the eldest. Remaining at Spencerville, Ohio, until he attained to his majority, Ross C. Kephart attended its public schools and was graduated from its high-school course. For the subsequent two years he was a thresher engineer, operating with an outfit in Amanda township, and for a year was on a farm as a hired man. For the subsequent four years he was employed as stationary engineer in the Kephart Handle Company factory at Ada, Ohio, owned by an uncle, and in 1911 came to Elida, and buying a restaurant, operated it very successfully for two years, at the expiration of which time he sold at a profit. He then engaged with the Elida Elevator Company as handy man, and was so occupied for two years. For the next three years he rented a farm in the vicinity of Spencerville, and made a success of that venture, and all of this time was gaining an experience which was to prove very valuable to him in his present undertaking. In 1918 the Elida Farmers Equity Exchange was organized by E. C. Humphreys, J. W. Cotner and C. F. Baker, with Mr. Kephart as !tanager, and this venture has proved such an excellent one that the company is now erecting a new mill at Elida. In 1903 Mr. Kephart was united in marriage with Minnie Carr, a daughter of Abia and Curlila (Bowers) Carr, of Amanda township, and they have two children, Norine Doris and Lois Curlila. In politics Mr. Kephart is a Republican. He belongs to the American Insurance Union. Interested in good causes, he early joined the Baptist Church, and is high in the councils of his denomination. ARTHUR T. BALDWIN has a record of more than forty years in the drug business, thirty-eight years in Ohio and the remaining ones in California. A few years ago he bought the oldest drug house in the city of Lima carrying a full line of drugs, surgi- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 159 cal goods and appliances. This well known store, now conducted by Baldwin and Son, is in the Badeau Block on the Public Square. Mr. Baldwin a son of Isaac L. and Betsy (Bacon) Baldwin, of Washington county, Ohio, where he spent his young manhood on a farm. He acquired his education, in part, at Beverly Academy, teaching school in the vicinity at, intervals. After a course of study at the Ohio Wesleyan University he studied medicine under Dr. Parker, the home physician. In N. U. Starr's store, Delaware, Ohio, he learned the drug business and continued there as drug clerk for a period of five years. Having started in business for himself he purchased a store in Washington Court House, where he conducted business for a quarter century and there laid the basis for his prosperity. He sold this store and after a vacation in California invested in the Cunningham store, as above mentioned. In 1884, Mr. Baldwin married Emily E. Malster, a daughter of Moses A. and Emily J. (Dunsmoor) MaIster, of Washington county. Their only child is Emmett H. Baldwin, now associated with his father in business and the active manager of his store. Mr. Baldwin is a member of. the Elks Lodge in Washington Court House. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and has long been prominent in the order. He is affiliated with Scioto Consistory, Valley of California, Scottish Rite, and is a member of Aladdin Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of Lodge No. 107, Royal Arch Chapter No. 103 and Council No. 100 of Fayette. In those bodies he is past master, past high priest, past thrice illustrious master, past commander, and served the order as prelate for seventeen years. Of the Eastern Star he is past patron. Mr. Baldwin took a spirited part in all local affairs at Washington Court House and for twelve years was a member of the Board of City School Examiners. THE POST FAMILY is one of the oldest families, of which we have any authentic records. It is mentioned as early as 980, A. D., when Nettelburg, which later became known as Schaumburg, was besieged and taken by a Von Palingsleben, who became founder of the great and important family the Counts Von Schaumburg. He assumed the Nettle- burg arms while Herron Von Post, who had taken an active part in the attack on Nettleburg, assumed the Von Palingsleben arms. Adolph Post, a knight, was a member of the Reichstag of Minden in 1030, and Heinrich Post appeared in 1272 as a witness to a deed by which several mansions were sold near Hildesheim. Heinrich Post was the progenitor of a prominent family. One of his descendants, Goossen Post, in 1376 was one of the most prominent citizens of Arnhem, Netherlands. He married Jantje Van Zul, daughter of Peter Van Zul and Jane Rapalje. One of their sons, Peter Post, had land at Elspet in 1399. He married Annatie Suydam, daughter of George Suydam and Else Meyers. Their son George emigrated to England, settling near Sandwich Kent about 1473, but his brothers Peter and Jan remained in Holland for some time. Peter Arnold Post was born in 1500 and married September 13, 1539 Marragrietji Bogert, daughter of Jan Bogert, and had two ,sons, Jan and Panwell. Panwell later went to England and on February 7, 1571, married Susannah, daughter of Abraham Van Gelder in the Dutch Church in London. Their fifth son, Arthur, born August 26, 1580, married Bennet Lambe, daughter of Richard Lambe, born February 4, 1617, and came to America, settling at Southampton, Long Island in 1640, having been for a time at Lynn, Massachusetts. He was disinherited by his father, who died in 1644. In 1650 Richard was chosen sergeant of the band, and later constable and marshal. At a town meeting May 2, 1657, there being divers apprehensions what way or means was best to be taken for safety and preservation of the town it was concluded by the majority to allow seven men to have the managing of the town, and one of the seven was Lieutenant Richard Post. At a town meeting November 25, 1659, it was ordered by the majority that Richard Post and eleven others were to regulate the town papers and writings, to keep what in their best judgment were to be kept and to cashier those that were unnecessary. He married Dorothy Johnson. He died in 1689. John, youngest son of Richard, died in 1687, leaving three sons and five daughters. The youngest child Richard II was born about 1684. He later moved to Hempstead, Long Island, and became a Quaker. His wife was Phebe. Their second son, Joseph was born on Long Island in 1720, and died in Washington county, Pennsylvania, about 1794. He married Mary Smith (not a Quaker) of Suffolk county, New York, in 1739. She was born in 1723 and died in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1790. They had a large family and three of their sons fought in the Revolutionary War. One son, Jeremiah, served in the War of 1812. His first wife was Martha Cracraft, daughter of Major Charles Cracraft, a Revolutionary soldier, and Eleanor Atkinson Cracraft. Their eldest son, William Atkinson Post, was born November 12, 1795. He died in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1866. He married Margaret, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel Logan Lindley. Their youngest son, Clark C. Post, born December 16, 1840, died November 18, 1918, at Claysville, Pennsylvania. He was married December 26, 1867, to Nannie R. McNay, daughter of Smith and Jane Bell McNay. Their second daughter, Etta M., born November 9, 1869, is now the wife of Charles C. Post at Spencerville, Ohio. Another son of Jeremiah and Eleanor Cracraft Post is Charles born July 27, 1800, and died March 28, 1884. He married Elizabeth, daughter of David and Catherine Woolley Bryant, at Fredericktown, Ohio, on April 22, 1824, and later they made their home in Allen county, Ohio. Their third child, Leonidas H. Post, was born August 9, 18,32, and died October 4, 1904. On August 2, 1854, he married Eliza Jane, daughter of Samuel and Mary Thomas Stewart. Their third son was Charles C. Post. CHARLES C. POST. Maple Crest Farm, the home of Charles C. Post, is three miles east of Spencerville. It is one of the larger farms of Allen county, containing 307 acres, and its general appearance and productiveness reflect the rare skill and judgment of its owner. Mr. Post was born in Amanda township October 8, 1858, son of Leonidas H. and Eliza (Stewart) Post. 160 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Eliza Stewart was born in Amanda township, Allen county, October 13, 1830, the Stewarts having been among the earliest pioneers of this section of Ohio. Her father, Samuel Stewart, came to Ohio from Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, first settling in Champaign county, Ohio, and in 1824 moved to Allen county and entered Government land eventually owned 343 acres. He died in Allen county in April, 1873, leaving .a record not only as a pioneer but as a man of splendid character. Eliza Stewart was only four years old when her mother died, and she grew up and received her education at the home of her aunt, Jane Stewart, in Champaign county. She lived there until her marriage to Leonidas H. Post in 1854. They then located on a farm in Amanda township, this homestead being now occupied by their son Leonidas, Jr. Leonidas H. Post, Sr., and wife spent the rest of their years in this community, and he died October 4, 1904, and his wife September 16, 1912. They were active members of the Baptist Church, and she served as a church trustee. Leonidas Post was a charter member of Arcadia Lodge No. 306, F. and A. M. and a stanch Republican in politics. Of the family of seven children three are still living: Charles C.; Edward G who is in the sheep business on a large ranch in California ; and Leonidas H., of Amanda township. Charles C. Post was liberally educated, beginning in the common schools and later attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He received a teacher's license, but through nearly all his active years his interests have been farming. After his first marriage he moved to the old Post farm, which he rented for three years and in 1886 bought a hundred seventy-one acres where he lives now, and has increased his holdings to 307 acres. He is one of the successful men of Allen county who have gained their prosperity almost altogether from the soil. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Union Elevator and has identified himself with various progressive movements in his community. November 19, 1884, Mr. Post married Ida Crites, who died less than five years later, on March 24, 1889. She was the mother of two children : Clare B., born August 19, 1885, who is married and lives in Alberta, Canada, and Ida G., who graduated from high school and Eastern College in Virginia, and is the wife of Ed Baxter, Superintendent of Public Schools Westerville, Ohio. For his present wife Mr. Post married Etta M. Post, a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children : Helen, fourteen years of age and a high school student at Lima, and Clarke, born July 28, 1908, attending the common schools. Mr. Post is affiliated with Arcadia Lodge No. 306, F. & A. M., with the Royal Arch Chapter No. 169, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Post was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1869, daughter of Clark C. and Nannie (McNay) Post, both natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was born in Washington county December 16, 1840, and her mother in Greene county May 7, 1847. They were married in Washington county December 26, 1867, and her father died November 18, 1918, her widowed mother now living at Claysville, Pennsylvania. There were four children BeIle, widow of S. F. Hunter, of Warrensburg, Missouri ; Mrs. Charles C. Post: Dr. Frank S., a physician at Portland, Oregon ; and John L., who lives near Claysville, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Post was a very successful educator for a number of years. She graduated from a Pennsylvania normal school, was also a graduate and a teacher of the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Missouri, was vice principal of the schools at Carnegie, Pennsylvania, and for three years in Washington county was on the Permanent Certificate Committee. REUBEN PETER STEINER. That congenial work bears with it large possibilities of success is emphasized in the career of Reuben Peter Steiner, for many years a well-known auctioneer and more I recently a real estate operator of Lima. His business life has been characterized by enterprise, perseverance and tenacity of purpose, and in working out his success he has relied solely on his own initiative, natural ability and resource. Mr. Steiner was born on a farm in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1873, and is a son of Peter T. and Verenia (Schumacher) Steiner. The Steiner family originated at Belfort, Alsace Lorraine, whence came Christian Steiner, the great-grandfather of Reuben P., in 1835 to the United States, settling in Richland township, Allen county. He was the first minister of the Swiss Mennonite faith in Allen county or northwest Ohio, and was a man universally revered and esteemed. His son, the grandfather of Reuben P. Steiner, was a farmer of Riley township, Putnam county, and a home-taught veterinarian. He reached the advanced age of ninety-three years, and when he died in 1901 left three sons and three daughters. Peter T. Steiner, the father of Reuben P., was the third of his parents' children and has been a life long farmer in Putnam county, where he still makes his home in Riley township, Mrs. Steiner having passed away in 1911. They had twelve children, of whom Reuben P. is the eldest. Christian Schumacher, the maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Steiner, was one of the largest millers and wine dealers in Switzerland. His son, Peter Schumacher, came from Basle, Switzerland, to the United States in 1835 and settled at Riley Creek, Richland township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was the father of sixteen children who lived to maturity and married, and all had large families. Reuben Peter Steiner attended the Beach Tree School in Riley township, Putnam county, for a few months each winter and in the summer months worked on the home farm, pursuing this routine until he reached the age of fourteen years. At that time he began to devote his whole time to farm work, and was so engaged until 1905, when he embarked in the butcher business at Bluffton and conducted an establishment of his own for five months. It was while thus engaged that he first became assured of his possession of the qualifications for a successful auctioneer, and from that time to the present he has been engaged in calling sales, now having a large and regular patronage in this connection. He accepts any kind of an honorable commission and has held some of the largest sales that have been called in the communities in which he has been a resident. In 1909 Mr. Steiner was made manager of the Bluffton branch of the Rock Island Butter Company, a position which he retained for seven years. March 3, 1919, he came to Lima and established himself in the real estate business in the Savings Building, and has not only developed a good business as a really operator but has met with continued prosperity as an auctioneer. Mr. Steiner is inclined to he inde- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 161 pendent in his political preference, but when all else is equal gives his vote to the Democratic candidate. He is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bluffton and the Knights of Pythias and Loyal Order of Moose at Lima. On September 15, 1909, Mr. Steiner was united in marriage with Cora B. Orne, daughter of David R. and Jennie Rebecca (Brewer) Orne, of Gilboa, Ohio, and to this union there has come one son, Frederick Brewer, born in 1912. ROBERT EVANS DAVIS. One of the men who is responsible for much of the healthy activity in the realty market of Lima is Robert Evans Davis of 409 Opera Building. He is a son of D. D. and Eliza (Evans) Davis, the former of whom was born in Montgomeryshire. Wales, where he lived until he reached his majority, in the meanwhile learning the slone mason trade. When twenty-one years old he came to the United States and obtained employment at Evansburg, Pennsylvania. Later he came to Ohio and was engaged in farming at Paddy's Run, Butler county. In 1856 he came to Allen county, and here continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits. In lhe meanwhile, in 1848, while a resident of Paddy's Run he had been married to Eliza Evans, also of pure Welsh stock. She was connected with the Nichols family who, coming to the American colonies, cleared off the land later known as Mount Vernon, which became the home of George Washington. Mr. Davis has a number of interesting relics of this old American family. He is the third in order of birth of the five children born to his parents. During his earlier years Robert Evans Davis attended the public schools of Gomer, Allen county, and later went to the Ash Grove Academy in American township, Allen county, but his school days ended with his thirteenth year, and young as he was lhe lad began earning his own living by working on neighboring farms, and continued in that kind of employment until he was seventeen, or in 1870, in which year he located at Lima. For the first four years of his residence at Lima Mr. Davis worked as a clerk for J. H. Dague, and then went with J. C. Thompson, another early merchant of Lima, and continued with him as clerk for the same length of time. Having saved some money and acquired considerable experience, Mr. Davis formed a partnership with J. B. Morris, tmder the name of Davis & Morris, and the two established a store at West Cairo, Ohio, and conducted it for four years. Mr. Davis then bought the interest of Mr. Morris, and eighteen months later took into the business with him W. W. Johnson, the firm becoming Davis & Johnson, and this association continued for two years, when once more Mr. Davis became the sole proprietor. He continued alone until 1886, when he sold the business to J. F. Ferguson and returned to Lima, and for a year was one of the salesmen in the dry-goods house of W. W. Williams. Mr. Davis then went on the road for the Dolphin White Lead & Color Works of Toledo, Ohio, his terrilory being northern Ohio and Indiana. Later he held the same position with the Buckeye Paint & Varnish Company, also of Toledo, Ohio, and he covered the same ground for them, remaining on the road for four years as their representative. Coming back once more to Lima, Mr. Davis found congenial employment for his capabilities with O'Connor & Sons, representatives of the Northwestern Life Vol. II-11 Insurance Company, and for eight years remained with this firm as assistant western agent. In 1904 he established his present business, and has since carried on a general real estate enterprise, handling both city and country property, and owns forty acres of valuable farm land in Allen county. In 1875 Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Esther M. Neff, a daughter of John G. and Catherine (Faucet) Neff, of Lima, and they became the parents of three children, as follows : Elsie W., who died in 1895, at the age of eighteen years ; Donald N., who married Laura Pegan, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and they have three children, Esther, Robert and Laird ; and Nellie K., who married Carl C. Boop, of American township, an extensive raiser of hogs. Mr. Davis has other interests and is a man of considerable means. He is a Republican, and served as a member of the City Council of West Cairo, Ohio, and he was also mayor of the city and a member of its school board for four years. For many years he was a member of the Township Union School of Monroe township, has been a member of the Lima City Council, and served as its president for two years. The Congregational Church holds his membership and he is one of its trustees and its treasurer. In fraternal matters he belongs to Lima Lodge, B. P. 0. E., and served it as a trustee for three years. In every line of endeavor in which he has engaged Mr. Davis has endeavored to improve his own powers, for he believes that to be a man's duty to himself and his associates, and he has rendered efficient public service, for he is able and willing to do good work of all kinds, steadfastly, devotedly and thoroughly, and has set a high standard of helpfulness and integrity. JULIUS HENRY CALLAHAN. The great responsibility of what is termed the Juvenile Court, which hears and disposes of cases brought before it under the act to regulate the treatment and control of dependent, neglected and delinquent children, includes jurisdiction in other equally necessary directions, but the sad plight of otherwise defenseless children has always been a matter of deep concern to Julius Henry Callahan, who was chief probation officer of the Allen County Juvenile Courts. Mr. Callahan, is a man of tender human sympathies, but he possesses also the qualities of stern, inflexible justice that must accompany the administration of the office. Julius Henry Callahan was born at Lima, Ohio, in September, 1885, and is a son of John T. and Mary (O'Keefe) Callahan, both of worthy Irish ancestry and throughout life devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church. John T. Callahan was born in County Kerry, Ireland, and was thirteen years old when he accompanied his father to the United States. The grandfather of Mr. Callahan was a building contractor, and after coming to Lima was employed in the installation of the first water works system of the city and afterwards did a large amount of construction work here. John T. Callahan, who died in 1899, survived his father only four years. He was a locomotive engineer for many years on the C. H. & D. Railroad. The mother of J. H. Callahan died in 1902, both parents having been highly respected. Julius Henry Callahan attended St. Rose parochial school at Lima, and when fourteen years old started to learn the backsmith trade, at which he worked for a year and a half. He then went with the Lima Gas Company for three years, and after 162 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY that was connected for a considerable length of time and in different capacities with the Lima Locomotive Company. Subsequently he became a salesman for Swift & Company, Chicago packers, being called from that line by his appointment as court bailiff of the Common Pleas Court presided over by Judge Cunningham, at that time being one of the youngest men ever shown such preference. Nevertheless he proved particularly efficient, his good judgment, patience, unfailing courtesy and general understanding of necessary duties impressing all court officials very favorably. In 1918 he was appointed by Judge _Becker chief probation officer of the Allen county Juvenille Courts, and seemingly no wiser or more satisfactory official selection could have been made. He acceptably filled the position until February 8, 1921. Mr. Callahan became interested in politics as a very young man, and has followed in the footsteps of his father, who was a zealous Democrat. He is a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and is a very active member of the Knights of Columbus. He belongs also to the order of Elks, to the Commercial Travelers Association and to the Kiwanis Club, all at Lima. Considering his age, he is one of Limals best known citizens and has a host of friends. FRED ALBERT HOLLAND was the type of business man and citizen recognized as an invaluable asset in any community. He was as public spirited as he was prosperous, and his former associates and friends at Lima pay a high degree of esteem and admiration to his memory. Mr. Holland was born at Tiffin, Ohio, April 16, 1854, son of Samuel Kent and Adeline (Buskirk) Holland, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Seneca county, Ohio. The family moved from Tiffin to Lima in 1858. Samuel K. Holland became interested with B. C. Faurot and G. G. Hackedorn in conducting the Lima paper mill. Later he was interested in banking, owned and operated a grocery and hardware store, and out of his varied undertakings achieved success and was one of the influential men of the city. Both he and his wife are now deceased and lie side by side in Woodlawn cemetery, Fred Albert Holland lived at Lima from the age of four years, attended the local schools for his early education and later a business college at Sandusky. When barely eighteen years of age he was entrusted by the wholesale grocery house of Moore Brothers with the responsibility of traveling salesman, and he soon demonstrated that he had in him the qualities of a real business man. After an apprenticeship as a representative of this firm for several years he used his capital and credit to engage in the grocery business on his own account and was one of the leading merchants of Lima for a number of years. Later he was associated with other prominent men of the city in organizing the Allen County Savings & Loan Bank and was one of the Board of Directors of that institution the rest of his life. He made his capital at Lima and kept it at home in useful investments. On property owned by him at the southeast corner of High and North Main streets he built a large block which bears his name, and is one of the finest buildings for store and office purposes at Lima. September 18, 1878, Mr. Holland married Miss Jessie Shafer, who was born at Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio, daughter of James K. and Rosenna (Weiler) Shafer, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. After their marriage in Wayne county Mr. and Mrs. Shafer moved to Lima in 1864, and as an expert mechanic he was employed in a machine shop that is now the Lima Locomotive Company, and continued in its wood working department for many years. Mrs. Holland, who survives her husband, was educated in the grade and high schools of Lima and is an active member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Her two children are Rolla B., of Lima, and Adda, Mrs. Daniel Morris, of Lima. The late Mr. Holland was a member of the official board of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Republican, and in the line of public duty especially responded to the needs of education, and he was also one of the first members of the Board of Public service. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias and passed all the chairs in that order and was a cotonel on the Major General's Staff of the Uniformed Rank. He also belonged to Lima Lodge No. 52, B. P. O. E. When they were married Mr. and Mrs. Holland moved to a frame house which occupied the site of the present brick bungalow of modern design which Mr. Holland built in 1909. This is still the family home, and in its comforts it represents the satisfaction of one of the great ambitions of the late Mr. Holland, to provide wisely and liberally for his wife and children. In that home Mr. Holland lived nearly seven years, and died there January 27, 1916. CLIFF HARROD has been a farmer resident of Perry township for over thirty years, and by good management and persistent industry has achieved that prosperity represented in a high class modern farm with all the improvements and productive facilities. Mr. Harrod, whose daily mail comes to him over rural route No. 6 out of Lima, was born in Auglaize county in February, 1867. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Reese) Harrod, and his grandparents, Levi and Martha Harrod, were natives of Knox county, .Ohio. Levi Harrod was a pioneer in Auglaize county, entering the land from the Government and living on it until his death. Thomas Harrod was born in Auglaize county, while his wife was a native of Allen county. After their marriage they settled on a farm entered by Levi Harrod, but Thomas Harrod had only a few years in which to realize his ambitions in life, and died on the old homestead in January, 1868, when his son Cliff was about a year old. The widowed mother reared her children and died in St. Johns, Ohio, at a good old age in February, 1908. She was the mother of three children ; Eva, wife of Frisby. Flemming, of Wapakoneta, Ohio ; Bell, who died at the age of twenty ; and Cliff. Cliff Harrod grew up on the home farm of his mother and had the advantage of the common schools in his neighborhood. Soon after reaching his majority he married on December 28, 1888, Dora Nans, who was born in Auglaize county, where her parents, Charles and Imelda (Metz) Nans, were also born. About a year after his marriage Mr. Harrod came to Perry township of Allen county, and soon bought thirty-three acres of land in sec- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 163 tion 33. Most of it had been cleared. . About two years later he bought thirty adjoining acres in the same section. This new purchase had a small house and old stable, but he used those facilities only until he could supplant them with better construction. His building improvements now are of the very best. With the land he bought and with eighty acres owned by his wife and with another tract of eleven acres, all in Section 33, Mr. Harrod has a good sized and well proportioned farm, highly productive and representing a modest fortune. Mr. Harrod is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife have four children; Edna, Mrs. Lee Martin, of Lima; Vona, wife of Paul Smith, of Lima ; Jesse, who lives at Westminster, Ohio, and by his marriage to Lula Gray has a daughter, Wilmajean; and Richard, the youngest, still at home. PHILIP AINSWORTH KAHLE, an attorney at law of Lima, was born July 4, 1874, in Plummer, Pennsylvania. He is a son of Frederick Peter and Isabell (McCutcheon) Kahle, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Kahle came to Lima in 1888, and read law in the office of Prophet and Eastman, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. Remaining three years with the firm of Prophet and Eastman, he opened an office for himself. In 1895 Mr. Kahle became a general insurance agent, and later he engaged in the real estate business, building several apartment houses and many homes in Lima, carrying the two in connection with the practice of law. On May 5, 1897, Mr. Kahle married Rose McKibben, of Lock Haven, Center county, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of John and Mary Jane (Darrow) McKibben. Their oldest daughter, Roween Kahle Allgire, is the wife of William Allgire, a prominent young merchant and business man of Lima. Dorothy, their second daughter, is attending Sullins College, Bristol, Virginia; and Ainsworth, Jr., attends Miami Military Institute at Germantown, Ohio. Mr. Kahle votes the Republican ticket. In a social way, he holds membership in the Lima Club, Shawnee Country Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, B. P. O. E., and the Merchants Association, and in many other organizations formed for the betterment of Lima. WILLIAM LEONARD MACKENZIE, the prominent Lima Lawyer, has for many years been deeply interested in historical affairs, has served as a director of the Allen County Historical Society and was named by Governor Cox as a member of the Commission for the building of the Fort Amanda Monument. Nearly forty years a member of the Allen County Bar, he was born at Lima July 10, 1859. His father, Judge James Mackenzie, brought his family to Allen county from Putnam county, Ohio, in 1858. W. L. Mackenzie acquired a public school education, and studied law in his father's office, being admitted to the bar in 1882. While he early attained a reputation as an able lawyer, much of his professional energies have been employed in the direction of large business interests, and for many years he has been officially identified with Lima banks, building and loan associations, and other corporations. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association, and belongs to the Lima Club, the Shawnee Country Club and the Elks. June 12, 1884, he married Miss Florence H. Holmes, daughter of Branson P. Holmes of Lima. There are two sons, William H. and Ralph P., who comprise the third generation of this prominent family of Allen county, eacn generation being represented in the legal profession. William H. Mackenzie and his brother were both prepared for college at the famous preparatory school of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and are graduates of Yale University. William H. MacKenzie after coming out of College took up a career as a banker at Lima, while Ralph graduated from the law school of the University of Michigan in 1913, and at once joined his father in law practice. HARRY CARLIN HORNER. Among the progressive business men of Lima few have made greater strides recently than has Harry Carlin Horner, senior member of the firm of Homer & Steinle, retail dealers in shoes at 121-123 West Market street. Not alone has Mr. Homer secured an acknowledged position in business circles, but since his discharge from the United States army has continued to be active in military affairs, and was the main factor in the organization of Troop E, First Ohio Cavalry, which is rapidly becoming one of the best-drilled troops in the state. Mr. Horner was born at Ada, Ohio, in 1892, a son of J. F. and Daisy L. (Lowry) Horner, and belongs to an old American agricultural family of Scotch-Irish origin. He comes of good military stock, his paternal grandfather, John Horner, having lost his life as a Union soldier during the Civil war, while his maternal grandfather, the Hon. J. E. Lowry, was a probate judge of Hardin county. J. F. Horner, his father, was for many years a grocery merchant at Lima, but of more recent years has been identified with the Cleveland Discount Company at Lima. Harry Carlin Horner is the only child of his parents and was educated at the public schools, graduating from high school in 1910. In 1911 he entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, from which he was duly graduated with his degree in 1914, and at that time began to work regularly for J. E. Grosjean, a Lima shoe merchant, in whose employ he had been irregularly for some time. In March, 1915, at Columbus, Ohio, he enlisted in Troop B, Ohio State Cavalry, with which outfit he served on the Mexican border for one year and two months, with headquarters at El Paso, Texas. After two months in the service he was made corporal and three months later was promoted to sergeant, having that rank at the time of his discharge, July 11, 1916. Mr. Horner went to Columbus, Ohio, July 13, 1916, as a member of the Thirty-seventh Division Headquarters Troop, and after four weeks was sent to Camp Sheridan, Montgomery, Alabama, and was promoted to first sergeant. In January, 1917, he was sent to the Officers' Training School at Camp Stanley, Texas, and after three months of intensive training was commissioned second lieutenant and sent to Camp Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina, where he was commissioned first lieutenant September 22, 1917. He was next placed on detached service as inspector of overseas troops, stationed at. Camp Jackson, where he remained six months, and then for thirty days went to Camp Perry, Ohio. Next he was sent to Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, where he remained two months, then being transferred to the 164 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Twenty-fifth Infantry, Regular Army, at Nogales, Arizona. There he was commissioned captain in November, 1918, a rank which he retained until his honorable discharge January 14, 1919. Returning to Lima, Mr. Horner formed a partnership with Harold Steinle in the firm of Horner & Steinle, buying out his old employer, Mr. Grosjean. The retail shoe business at 121 and 123 Market street has been developed to important proportions and is rapidly becoming one of the large enterprises of the city. Mr. Horner, since his return, has organized Troop E, First Ohio Cavalry, made up of seventy-five young men of Lima. This troop has been furnished with horses and equipment by the Government, and is rapidly rounding into a crack organization, doing its training at the Allen County Fair Grounds. Mr. Horner is a Republican his political allegiance. He belongs to the Elks and the Kiwanis Club, and has a number of civic and business connections. In January, 1918, he married Miss Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of John and Elizabeth Stewart. of Macon, Mississippi, and they have one child, Betty Avanell, born in June, 1919. They are consistent members of the Lima Presbyterian Church. JOHN J. ROBERTS. It would be difficult to find a finer class of men in Allen or any other county in Ohio than those who are devoting their talents to the cultivation of the soil and the developing of the natural resources of this region, and among them one worth•- of special mention is John T. Roberts of Spencer township, whose valuable farm is located one and one-half miles west of Spencerville. He was born on the farm he now owns on August 13, 1882. a son of Simeon and Elizabeth Roberts, the former of whom was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on February 17, 1848, and died at Spencerville, Ohio, in 1914. His wife was born in Spencer township, Allen county, Ohio, on September 14, 1846, and died at Spencerville on April 11, 1920. When he was nine years old Simeon Roberts came to Allen county and, locating near Spencerville, lived on his farm until shortly before his death. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Spencerville. A Democrat, he was elected on his party ticket to the offices of supervisor, school director and township trustee, and was a man of high character and excellent. principles. The children born to Simeon Roberts and wife were as follows: John J., Stewart D., who is a farmer of Spencer township; May E., the eldest, who married John J. Davies of Spencerville; Tena M., who married Leroy Wilkin, of Osborne, Ohio; Harriet A., who married J. P. Davies; Radnel R., Lema A., and Ichens. Until he was twelve years old John J. Roberts remained at home and atentded the district schools, but at that tender age went with a threshing machine outfit, and later conducted one of his own, and still operates it in season. Ever since his marriage he has lived on his present farm, and is specializing to some extent in breeding Duroc hogs. In addition to these interests Mr. Roberts is a stockholder of the Farmers' Union Elevator Company of Spencerville, the officers of which are: John Whetstone, president; John Wright, vice president; Ust Loveman, treasurer, and Elmer Willkins, secretary. In addition to these officials, the Board of Directors has the following members: Harry Bowen, Joseph Bock, M. Doarty and W. W. Rupert. On November 4, 1905, Mr. Roberts was married to Emma P. Purdy, a daughter of John E. and Mary (Miller) Purdy. Mrs. Roberts was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, on February 7, 1886, and was educated in the common schools of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have two children, namely: Hulda J., who was born August 20, 1906, and Ora K., who was born November 8, 1912, and both are attending school. The United Brethren Church holds the membership of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts. In politics he is a Republican, but has not taken any active part in public affairs. Having spent his life in Allen county, naturally he is deeply interested in its progress and willing to do his part in bringing about further improvements. JACOB HENRY SMITH was for many years a worker in the oil fields of the Lima districl, About fifteen years ago he bought a farm in Perry township, but death overtook him before he was able to realize his plans for its improvement. Mrs. Smith as his successor in the ownership of the farm has proved a very capable manager, and with the assistance of her children has made the place notable as a scene of well ordered industry and one of the fine country homes of Perry township. The late Mr. Smith was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, June 6, 1862, a son of William and Barbara (Conrad) Smith. He was educated in the common schools, and after his marriage located at St. Mary's, where he was employed as a pumper in the oil fields. Two and a half years later he moved to Elida, Ohio, and six months after that bought some property in Lima. He continued his occupation as an oil pumper until 1905, when he traded his city real estate for a seventy-acre farm in section 30 of Perry town. ship. After that he gave all his time to the cultivation of his land, but died November 8, 1909. In addition to operating the farm with systematic thoroughness Mrs. Smith had added to its value by many improvements, including the rebuilding of the barn, the building of silos, and other farm buildings. In 1917 she had a modern frame residence erected, with cement milk house and garage, and with these facilities she and her children at home have a very reliable and comfortable income. The late Mr. Smith was a Republican voter, and Mrs. Smith and family are members of the Lutheran Church. The maiden name of Mrs. Smith was Anna Kruse. She was born at Elida, Ohio, and she and her husband were married January 20, 1891, Her parents, Henry and Doretta (Bowman) Kruse, were natives of Germany, but came to the United States separately and when about twenty years of age. Henry Kruse was born in Prussia, Germany, July 24, 1833, and crossed the ocean on a sailing ship, being on the sea for eight weeks. Her mother was born in Hanover, Germany, November 24, 1833, and came to this country with her father, who was looking for a home for his family. Henry Kruse and wife were married at Urbana, Ohio. and in 1865, after a journey by wagon, settled in German township of Allen county. Mrs. Smith's mother died September 16, 1915, and her father May 3, 1907, Mrs. Smith has five children. Paul, the oldest, HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 165 lives at Lima. He married Vona Harrod. Ellis, the second son, is a resident of Perry township, and by his marriage to Oril McCormick has three children, named Helen, Roger and Robert. The three youngest children, at home with Mrs. Smith, are Gladys, Dean and Floy. RALPH ELBERSON NEIDHARDT. It is when the biographer essays the consideration of the character and deeds of unusually brave, noble and unassuming men who have really done great things in the past and are now quietly following in the path of everyday duty that he feels most deeply his sad limitations. Life at best is something of a struggle, and the ordinary individual is undoubtedly entitled to much more credit than he ever receives from his indifferent comrades on lhe way, but now and then the achievements of a few are so notable that they command attention and admiration. Such thoughts arise in connection with the name of one of Allen county's well-known young men, Lieutenant Ralph Elberson Neidhardt, who is now serving as sealer of weights and measures for Allen county. Lieutenant Neidhardt is an overseas veteran and one of the heroic survivors of the great war. Ralph Elberson Neidhardt was born at Spencerville, Allen county, Ohio, July 28, 1886, and is a son of P. F. and Mary E. (Elberson) Neidhardt, the remote ancestry being German and Scotch, farming or merchandising being the main vocations for generations back. For a time in his earlier years P. F. Neidhardt conducted a hotel at Spencerville, but for an extended period has been a grocery merchant and substantial citizen. Until he was seventeen years old Ralph E. Niedhardt pursued his studies in the public schools of his native place, and then became a clerk in his father's store, and continued as such for eight years, during which time he became a dependable business man and a thoroughly respected citizen. On June 17, 1909, at Spencerville, he joined the Ohio National Guard, becoming a private of Company F, 2nd Ohio infantry. He took a deep interest in the organization and his promotion was rapid. He was appointed quartermaster-sergeant June 25, 1909; commissioned second lieutenant, October 21, 1909, and on July 20, 1916, was commissioned first lieutenant, his regiment having been called to suppress trouble on the Mexican border in June, 1916. He did military duty there for nine months. After returning to Spencerville Mr. Neidhardt and his brother, Walter J. Neidhardt, went into business as road building contractors, with every prospect of doing well, but they had not more than completed a road to Fort Wayne when Lieutenant Neidhardt was recalled to military service, on July 14, 1917, and on reporting at Camp Sheridan was assigned to Company G, 146th Ohio Infantry, the old 2nd Regiment having been reorganized. The regiment remained at Montgomery, Alabama, until the first of June, then moved to Camp Lee, Virginia, and from there were transferred to a point of embarkation, on June 15, 1918, setting out for France and landing at Brest on June 22, following. The first month was passed in training camps in areas assigned for the purpose, then the 146th moved to the Luneville sector for twenty days, when Lieutenant Neidhardt was detailed to the 2nd' Corps School at Chatillon sur Seine, where he spent a month of practice in the musket and bayonet department, rejoining his regiment September 22, 1918, as it was on its way to the Argonne Front. Of the results of that fearful drive in the face of enemy machine guns Americans know well. In many darkened homes of this land because of it a memory only remains of the gallant band that so valiantly pushed forward in the face of almost certain death. Six days later, on September 28, 1918, Lieutenant Neidhardt fell with his left forearm shattered. Then followed days of agony before Evacuation Hospital No. 114 was reached, for surgeons operated and then sent him on to Base Hospital No. 53 at Longres, where he was cared for for five days and then transferred to Base Hospital No. 120 at Royat. On November 20, 1918, the badly wounded officer was considered well enough to pass on to make way for another unfortunate. After his discharge from the hospital he was ordered to the First Depot Division at St. Aignau-Noyers and assigned to the St. Aignau Casual Company, No. 402, where he remained until December 13, when he left for St. Nazaire on the coast, from which point he set sail for home on December 22, reaching Newport News, Virginia, on January 3, 1919, and Spencerville four days later, on leave, and was honorably discharged at Camp Sherman on January 20, 1919. The time may come when a faithful record of the exploits of American soldiers in France may be given to the world, but in the meanwhile it seems only fitting that their own countrymen should not prove lacking in appreciation of what they did and how they suffered. On May 8, 1910, Lieutenant Neidhardt was united in marriage to Miss Mae E. Tone, a daughter of J. F. and Hepsibah (Davis) Tone. While he was lying wounded in a French hospital, on November 1, 1918, his beloved wife passed away, leaving four children motherless, the youngest of whom he had never seen. After a period of recuperation and readjustment Mr. Neidhardt accepted the position of deputy clerk of the Board of Election of Allen county and served as such from June 9, 1919, until October 20, 1919, when he was appointed sealer of weights and measures by County Auditor C. R. Phillips. Politically he is a Democrat, but prior to his overseas service had accepted no political office. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and to the Knights of Pythias at Spencerville, in which city he makes his home. He is a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. EDWARD M. UMBAUGH. Allen county is the home of numerous excellent citizens who have employed themselves in tilling the soil, and in this class is found Edward M. Umbaugh, of section 12, Amanda township, who is the proprietor of the valuable and attractive property known as Elmhurst Farm a tract of 108 acres situated on the Spencerville and Lima road, seven miles west of Lima. Mr. Umbaugh has passed his entire career in this county, as he was born on a farm in Amanda township March 31, 1874, a son of John and Hannah (Ridenour) Umbaugh. John Umbaugh was born in Carroll county, Ohio, November 14, 1843, and when about twenty years of age left the community where he had been reared and educated and came to Allen 166 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY county, settling in Amanda township, where he met and married Miss Ridenour, who had been born in this county in 1853. During his earlier years, when he was struggling to get a start in agriculture, he aided his income by teaching in the public schools, but later became a substantial farmer, and is now living in retirement in Fulton county, Indiana. He is a Democrat in politics and formerly served as clerk and treasurer of Amanda township, and belongs to the Lutheran Church, the faith in which Mrs. Umbaugh died April 1, 1874, the day following the birth of her son Edward M. They had two other children: Sarah D., the wife of Arthur Wilkinson, of Peru, Indiana, and Frank E., cashier of the Bank of Argas and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Marshall county, Indiana. Edward M. Umbaugh was reared in Amanda township, where he acquired his educational training in the public schools and at the Lima Lutheran College. He was reared in the home of his grandparents, Elias and Amanda Umbaugh, the former of whom was born in Carroll county, Ohio, August 14, 1821, and died July 11, 1896, and the latter born in Greene county, Ohio, near Xenia, and is living in Allen county. Grandmother Umbaugh was first married to Joseph H. Riley, with whom she went to Iowa during the early '50s. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army from that state and gave his life to his country. After having been in Iowa for nine years Mrs. Riley returned to Allen county. On November 15, 1899, Edward M. Umbaugh was united in marriage with Effie Eley, who was born in Allen county June 24, 1873, a daughter of C. C. and Louise Eley. Following their marriage they settled on their present farm, and here have continued to carry on successful operations in farming and cattle raising. Mr. Umbaugh has a good grade of cattle, sheep, hogs and horses, and is known as a capable farmer and a good judge of live stock. His business record is an excellent one and his standing is high as a man of integrity and sound principles. Mr. Umbaugh is a member of the Board of Directors of the Auglaize County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In politics a Democrat, he has taken a keen interest in local affairs, and has served capably as a member of the board of township trustees. Fraternally he is a valued and popular member of Acadia Lodge No. 306, A. F. & A. M.; Spencerville Chapter No. 169, R. A. M., and the Commandery, K. T., at Delphos. Mr. and Mrs. Umbaugh have no children of their own, but are rearing an adopted daughter. They are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where Mr. Umbaugh is serving as a member of the Board of Trustees. MARTIN E. MONFORT. Among the strong and influential citizens of Allen county, the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above has exerted a beneficial influence throughout the community where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and everyday common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own, interests but also to largely contribute to the material and moral advancement of the county. Martin E. Monfort, a well-known retired farmer living in Spencerville, was born in Amanda township, Allen county, on March 11, 1859, and is the son of James and Jane (Stull) Monfort. James Monfort, was born in Warren county Ohio, on March 20, 1832, and was reared in Warren, Hamilton and Franklin counties. He came to Allen county in young manhood and settled in Amanda township. Here he married Jane Stull, who was born in Amanda township in October, 1838, the daughter of Thomas Stull. After the marriage 'Mr. Monfort rented the Stull farm for about a year, and then bought eighty acres of land in Amanda township, putting into it every cent he had in the world. But he was strong, industrious and ambitious, and as time passed he prospered, and as he prospered he added to his landed possessions until eventually he became the owner of 345 acres of land. The first purchase was a timber tract, which incurred a vast amount of hard labor to put it in shape for cultivation. He built a large log cabin and in 1873 built a new residence, his death occurring there in 1920. He was always a hard working man, and managed his business affairs so as to reap the largest results from his efforts. From boyhood he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics gave his support to the Republican party. To him and his wife were born four children, namely: Alice, who became the wife of Samuel Miller, is deceased; Margaret is the wife of Clarence B. Harris, of Amanda township; Martin E. is the subject of this sketch, and Gilbert is a farmer in Amanda township. Martin E. Monfort was reared on the paternal homestead in Amanda township, and attended the common schools of that neighborhood. He has always followed farming and has been eminently successful in that vocation. He is now retired from active participation in the operation of his farm and is living in Spencerville, though he maintains a general oversight of the farm. He is the owner of 208 acres of splendid land in Amanda township, which is highly improved and which is among the most productive farms of that locality. Mr. Monfort has been successful financially and is also a part owner of the Citizens Bank of Spencerville. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he belongs to the Official Board. Mr. Monfort has been twice married, first, on March 13, 1879, to Emma Exby, the daughter of Tobias Exby. To this union were born three children, namely: Bertha, who became the wife of David E. Berryman; Alfred, of Amanda township, who married Elsie Carr, and they have three children;, and Howard of Amanda township, who married Carrie Poling. Mrs. Emma Monfort died on November 6, 1917, and on November 9, 1918, Mr. Monfort was married to Mrs. Alice Robinson, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, on June 3, 1861, the daughter of Dennis and Anna (Keeler) Thayer, but who came to Amanda township in childhood. Here she was reared in the home of Calvin Harris and received a good education in the common schools. On January 1, 1890, she was married to Charles Robinson, and to their union were born two children, Lester, born on January 9, 1902, and now deceased, and Althea, born June 25, 1899, both children being born in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 167 Monfort move in the best social circles of the community and are most highly esteemed by all who know them. They give their earnest support to every worthy benevolent object and Mr. Monfort lends his influence to all enterprises looking to the advancement of the community along legitimate lines. EMMIT E. EVERETT. Only those who come into personal contact with Emmit E. Everett, of Lima, descendant of one of the worthy old families of Allen county, and one of the popular and successful attorneys of this section of the Buckeye state, can understand how thoroughly nature and training, habits of thought and action have enabled him to accomplish his life work and made him a fit representative of the profession to which he belongs. He is a fine type of the sturdy, conscientious, progressive American of today—a man who unites a high order of ability with patriotism, clean morality and sound common sense, and who stands in the front rank of those who represent the best thought and action in the locality in which he lives. Emmit E. Everett was born in Monroe township, Allen county, Ohio, on May 21, 1876, and is the son of Jasper and Margaret (Reeder) Everett. Both of his parents are also natives of Allen county, the father having been born in Monroe township and the mother in Jackson township. His paternal grandparents were Jacob Doty and Elizabeth (Bush) Everett, natives of Pennsylvania, and his maternal grandparents were Henry and Sarah (Hawk) Reeder, also natives of the Keystone state. Henry Reeder walked all the way from his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Allen county, Ohio, in about 1837, blazing his way through the dense timber and locating in Jackson township. The Everetts came to this county at about the same time and settled in Monroe township. There Jasper Everett was born and reared, and after his marriage he settled on a farm in Monroe township, where he and his wife still live, at the respective ages of seventy and sixty-nine years. They are the parents of the following children; Elzie, of Monroe township; Emmit E., the subject of this sketch; Vacie, the wife of Charles Lamb, of Monroe township; Alzadie, the wife of Frank Stockler, of Monroe township; and Lester and Grover, both of whom also live in Monroe township. Emmit .E. Everett was reared on the home farm and secured his elementary education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he began to teach school, teaching two years in Montgomery county, Ohio, and one year at Eldora, Hardin county, Iowa. He then attended and graduated from the Lutheran College at Lima. He had given considerable attention to the study of law, and in 1905 was admitted to the bar. He entered the law department of the Ohio State University in 1903, where he was graduated in 1905, and immediately thereafter entered upon the active practice of his profession in Lima. He holds the following college degrees: Bachelor of Pedagogy, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws. Mr. Everett has been very successful in the practice, and is conceded to be one of the keenest and most sagacious attorneys practicing at the local bar, and has been employed in many of the most important cases tried in the courts of Allen and adjoining counties. From 1908 to 1916 he served as justice of the peace, giving general satisfaction because of the prompt- ness with which he dispatched the matters coming before him and the impartiality and fairness of his decisions. On August 26, 1900, Mr. Everett was married to Gracia Crum, who was born in Tiffin, Ohio, but was reared in Lima. She is the daughter of Henry G. and Belle (Myers) Crum, both of whom were natives of Seneca county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Everett have been born two sons, Paul and William Howard. Politically Mr. Everett is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, while his religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He takes a deep interest in fraternal matters and is a member of the Free and Accepted ,Masons, in which he has filled the chairs in the Blue Lodge, the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Council, and the Commandery of Knights Templar, and has attained to the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Lodge No. 52, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Lodge No. 142, Knights of the Maccabees; Lodge No. 199, Loyal Order of Moose; and Camp No. 3290, Modern Woodmen of America, all at Lima. Mr. Everett holds a position of unequivocal confidence and esteem in the community where he has labored to so goodly ends, ever discharging his duties, whether public or private, in a most conscientious manner, and winning the confidence and esteem of all who know him. AARON J. OSMON is an old soldier, an honored veteran of the Civil war, a native of Allen county who has lived here nearly fourscore years, and for upward of a half century has discharged his duties as a farmer and good citizen with the same fidelity he displayed in fighting for the flag of the Union. He was born in Bath township February 16, 1844, but for the greater part of his life has lived in Perry township. His parents were Abraham and Charity (Tunget) Osmon. Both the Osmon and Tunget families were identified with the early pioneer period in Allen county, coming here when all was a wilderness nearly nmety years ago. His grandfather, Berzelia Osmon, served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and his grandfather Tunget was also in that war. Berzelia Osmon came with wagons and teams to Warren county, Ohio, in 1830, and in the following year moved to Allen county, settling in Bath township, where he entered a tract of timbered land. The Tunget family arrived in 1832 and were also settlers on Government land in Bath township. Only two houses stood in the village of Lima when Berzelia Osmon reached the county. He lived to improve a large part of his hundred sixty acres of wooded land, and died an honored and respected pioneer in Lima at the age of eighty-five. He was the father of eleven children. Abraham Osmon was a young man when he came to Allen county and entered forty acres where the East Lima reservoir is now located. He subsequently entered eighty acres in Bath township, improved a farm and lived there until his death on December 15, 1852, at the age of forty-eight. His widow survived him until June 28, 1877. A brief record of their children is as follows : John J., who died at the age of seven years; Mary E., who died on her eighty-seventh birthday February 22, 1920, married for her first husband Levi Spyker, who died while a Union soldier in Andersonville prison, and her second husband was Joseph Bressler ; 168 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY William C., who was a Union soldier in the 83rd Ohio Infantry and died in 1902; Martha J., who died in the spring of 1917, the wife of J. H. Atmur ; Elizabeth A., who died in infancy; Francis M., who became a member of the 32nd Ohio Infantry and died in 1862 at Petersburg, Virginia;. Aaron J.; George R., of East High street, Lima; Harrison H., who died in childhood; and Lewis L., of Perry township. Aaron J. Osmon grew up on his father's farm, had a common school education, and was about seventeen years of age when the Civil war broke out. He remained at home while some of his older brothers entered the service, but in May, 1864, he enlisted in Company F of the 151st Ohio Infantry, for a hundred days' service. Later he was in the 192nd Ohio Regiment. He was one of the twenty single men and six married men who enlisted from Special School District No. 1 in Perry township, Allen county. This school district was well represented in the Union army, especially by the members of one family, Wyre Champion, who with his five sons all went out from this district of Perry township to fight for the Union and two of the Champion boys died in the army. Mr. Osmon during his service as a soldier was stationed at Fort Beards, Fort Sumner, Fort Stevens, Fort Reno and Rockville, and received his honorable discharge in August, 1865. In the meantime, in 1864, he had bought a small place of sixteen acres, and after his release from the army he began farming that. Subsequently he bought other land, and he and his wife together now own a valuable farm of two hundred forty-eight acres in Perry township. It is all under cultivation except twenty acres of timber. Mr. Osmon personally performed the labors that were involved in the improvement of this land, including ditching and fencing, the reconstruction of the buildings and the erection of a commodious new home. Since 1904 he has lived practically retired, renting his farm to his son. December 20, 1866, fifty-four years ago, Mr. Osmon married Amanda Augusta Hungerford. She was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, daughter of Asa and Mary Angeline (Bond) Hunger ford. Her father was born at Frankfort, Herkimer county, New York, and her mother at Middlebury, Addison county, Vermont. The paternal grandparents were Asa and Phoebe (Wood) Hungerford, natives of Vermont. Her maternal grandparents were Elijah and Catherine (Whipple) Bond, natives of Vermont, who on coming to Ohio first settled in Cuyahoga county and afterward in Allen county. Elijah Bond reached Allen county in 1841, and the first year rented land for farming purposes including the present site of the Woodlawn Cemetery at Lima. He then bought a. hundred twenty acre farm in Perry' township and moved to it m 1842. In 1871 he moved out to Lisbon, Indiana, and died in 1876, his wife passing away in 1880. Mrs. Osmon attended the common schools at Independence, Ohio, and was a successful teacher for five years. She is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. and Mrs. Osmon had the following children: Francis Hill, born December 19, 1867, and died October 1, 1916; Martha Ellen, born July 14, 1869, wife of J. Lindsley Foote, of Brooklyn Heights, Ohio; William Herbert, born March 26, 1871, a resident of Perry township; Emma Lenore, born June 1, 1873, wife of Albertus Blair, of Lima ; Lewis Hungerford, born February 15, 1875, a resident of Haskill, Okla homa ; Alton Lawrence, born April 2, 1876, who lives in Lima ; Royal Edwin, born November 8, 1878, was a soldier in the World war, in the 10th U. S. Regulars, and he is also in Lima; Charity Augusta, born January 23, 1881, died October 15, 1899; Asa H., a twin brother of Charity A., now connected with the Lima postoffice; Ralph Waldo, born July 26, 1884, who has charge of a portion of the old homestead; and an infant daughter born April 25 and died May 5, 1885. Harold Blair, a grandson, is also a veteran of the World war. Mr. Osmon is a Republican in political affiliations. He served one term as a county commissioner. He is a member of the Lodge No. 581, I. O. O. F. He was at one time commander of Westminster Post of the G. A. R., and after that post was abandoned became a member of Post No. 202 at Lima. He is a member of Auglaize Grange No. 347, Patrons of Husbandry, and all the relations of a long life have been such as distinguish him as one of the best citizens of Allen county. GEORGE HENRY ALLEMEIER, owner of a sixty-acre farm in American township, is one of the prosperous agriculturalists of Allen county, and a man who stands well in public esteem. He was born in Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio, April 30, 1871, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Seiglar) Allemeier, and grandson of Henry Allemeier, both of whom were born in Germany, from whence they came to the United, States and settled in Jackson township of Putnam county, Ohio, on land which was unbroken. They cleared a valuable farm, and worked on the Cincinnati and Toledo canal, in this way making some money. Both grandparents died in Putnam county. Frederick Allemeier also died on the old Putnam county farm, but his wife died in Allen county. They had seven children, of whom George Henry was the second in order of birth. Up to the time he was thirteen years old George Henry Allemeier attended the country schools a few months during the winter, but after that had to put in all of his time on the farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-three years old, and then, in 1894, he was married to Mary Blunk, a daughter of Frederick and Katherine (Ulrich) Blunk, of Putnam county, and they became the parents I of five children, namely : Norman F.; Arnold John; Pearl Catherine, now Mrs. Carl Klingler, of Allen county, and has a daughter, Catherine; and Lucinda Henrietta and Lola Marie, both of whom are at home. After his marriage Mr. Allemeier rented the home farm of 120 acres for three years, when he bought sixty acres of woodland in Washington township, cleared it and, lived on it for nine years. He then sold this farm and moved to Putnam county where he bought seventy-nine and one-half acres and farmed it for seven years. Once more he sold, and then, coming to Allen county, bought his present farm in American township, where he has since been engaged in general farming. On account of ill health he has turned the responsibility of management over to others, but keeps himself occupied. He is a stockholder of the Equity Exchange Elevator of Elida, Ohio, and also of the Co-operative East Town Threshing Company. Mr. Allemeier is independent in his political views. The Zion Lutheran Church of Lima holds his membershin and receives his contributions. All his life he has been a hard worker, and has known how to make his HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 169 efforts count for much, so that today he is a man of ample means. At the same time he has gained the respect of his associates, and stands exceedingly well in his neighborhood. RALPH F. ARMSTRONG. Within recent years the handling of automobiles and their accessories, together with the carrying on of a general repair business, have assumed large proportions and are altracting the attention and enlisting the capabilities of some of the most alert young men of the counlry, especially those who have had a practical training as machinists, and among them is the firm of Armstrong Brothers. Ralph F. Armstrong, who was the senior member of this firm until his death October 21, 1920, was born at Lima, Ohio, July 13, 1887, a son of W. W. and Josephine (Makley) Armstrong. The Armstrongs are of English stock, the originators of the family in the New World settling in New England, from whence they later spread to other parts of the country. The grandfather established the family in Ohio, and at Fort Wayne, at a time when that present flourishing city was only a railroad crossing. During the war between the states he gave sympathies and services to the Union. He and his wife became the parents of eighteen children, and W. W. Armstrong was one of the younger members of the family. All of his life a railroad man, W. W. Armstrong met his death in an accident at Ellwood, Indiana, while he was working for the Lake Erie Railroad. At that time his son Ralph F. was only sixteen years old. His widow survives him and is making her home at Lima. She and her husband had four children, of whom Ralph F. Armstrong was the second in order of birth. At the time of his father's death Ralph F. Armstrong was attending the public schools of Lima, but his mother then needing his assistance, he relinquished his ambition of securing further educational training and became a delivery boy for a grocery store at Lima, and worked as such until the opportunity arose for his beginning an apprenticeship to the trade of a machinist with the C. M. & D. Railroad Shops, and he remained in them for five years, and for the last two years he was a journeyman machinist. For the subsequent two and one-half years he worked for 0. L. De Weese, of Lima, as auto mechanic. It was then that he and his brother Clyde L. Armstrong founded the Armstrong Garage Company on North Main street, but six months later they came to the present address, 112-114 North Elizabeth street, right downtown in the best business district. Here these young men built up a large and constantly increasing trade and the firm is recognized as being one of the leading concerns of this kind in the country. A general repair business in automobiles is carried on, and a full and varied stock of supplies of all kinds is on hand. In 1910 Ralph F. Armstrong was married to Miss Mabel Johnson, a daughter of Shaw and Viola (Wood) Johnson, of Lima, Ohio. There is one daughter, Marcile Pearl. In his political convictions Mr. Armstrong was a Republican. Both the Elks and Moose had in him an enthusiastic member. Cavalry Reformed Church afforded, him a medium for the expression of his religious faith. As a skilled mechanic Mr. Armstrong had few equals. As a citizen he proved his worth to Lima-, and as this city was the city of his nativity he was naturally especially interested in its advancement along all lines, and ready and willing to do his share to bring all of this about. HAROLD CUNNINGHAM, one of the Advisory Board for this history of Allen County, is an old resident of Lima himself, and grandson of one of the very earliest settlers of that town. His grandfather was Dr. William Cunningham, who reached Lima January 15, 1831, and was at the time the fifth inhabitant of the town. He had brought his family to the little settlement from Apple Creek in Wayne County, Ohio. Harold Cunningham was born at Lima July 1, 1858, son of Theodore Ewalt and Elizabeth Sarah (Hyatt) Cunningham, the former a native of Allen County and the latter of Knox County, Ohio. They were married in Knox County in 1853, and they traveled to Lima by the only available means of passenger transport, a hack. Theodore E. Cunningham was one year of age when his parents located at Lima. He was editor of the Lima Argus during the early '50s, was admitted to the bar, and became a prominent Ohio lawyer. He was appointed one of the first members of the Ohio Pardon Board by Governor Foraker, and served as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1872. Harold Cunningham graduated from the Lima High School in 1877 and subsequently received his diploma from the School of Pharmacy of the University of Michigan. For three years he was a druggist's clerk and in May, 1887, established the Cunningham pharmacy, a business he continued with growing patronage and increasing facilities for thirty-three years at the same location. He sold out and retired in December, 1919, being at that date recognized as the oldest merchant from point of continuous service at one location in the city. Mr. Cunningham at different times has taken an active interest and part in various organizations. He is a director of the old National Bank. He served five years in the Eleventh Regiment Ohio National Guard as color sergeant, being discharged by Governor Foster. He was also a charter member of Melancthon Light Guard at Lima, which was organized by Gen. L. M. Meiley, adjutant general of Ohio under Governor Bishop. In 1891 he was president of the City Council of Lima. That year is memorable in the history of municipal improvements because Mr. Cunningham then circulated the petition for and had legislation passed permitting the first permanent paving in the city. The pavement was laid on the public square, being completed after two years involving much delay and discussion. Mr. Cunningham is a Democrat, a member of the Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Country Club and the Presbyterian Church. February 2. 1891, at Toledo, Ohio, he married Miss Jennie Potter, daughter of George and Nancy Potter. THOMAS H. BOWDLE was born in Allen County eighty years ago, was one of the volunteers from this county in the Union army, serving and fighting all the way from Shiloh until the Grand Review, and for half a century discharged full well the responsibilities of an industrious farmer and a public spirited citizen of his community in Perry Township. Mr. Bowdle was born in Wayne Township of Allen County January 11, 1841, son of Jesse L. and 170 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Elizabeth (McCoy) Bowdle, his father a native of Ross County, Ohio, and his mother of Greenbrier County, in what is now West Virginia. The paternal grandparents were Joseph and Lucretia (Brown) Bowdle, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Delaware. They were married in southern Ohio. The maternal grandparents were Andrew and Sarah (Ocletree) McCoy, natives of Virginia, who came at an early day to Fayette County, Ohio, and subsequently moved to Auglaize Township of Allen County. Jesse L. Bowdle after his marriage settled in Wayne Township, then a part of Allen County but now in Auglaize County. On December 2, 1852, the parents moved to another farm in sections 35 and 25 of Perry Township. Jesse Bowdle owned 198 acres there, mostly timber, with a log cabin home, and many of those acres he cleared up with the assistance of his son Thomas. Jesse Bowdle died in 1892, an honored pioneer, and his widow was living with her son Thomas when she died in May, 1907. Her children were: Miriam, widow of Andrew Ice, living in Auglaize Township ; Thomas H.; Sarah, deceased; Ann, living in Perry Township, widow of Andrew J. Chapman; Elmira, widow of George Beach, living at Frankfort, Indiana ; and Freeman A., whose home is at 717 West Market street in Lima. Thomas H. Bowdle studied his first lessons in a log cabin school, and he learned to do the work of a farm when there were practically no modern implements and appliances. He was not yet twenty-one when he answered the summons to preserve the Union, and enlisted September 10, 1861, in Company D of the Fifty-Fourth Ohio Infantry. He was trained in Camp Dennison and on February 10, 1862, went to the front. Most of his service was under Gen. W. T. Sherman. He was at the battle of Shiloh, and altogether was a participant in twenty- two major actions of the war. He was with Sherman on the march to the sea, went up through the Carolinas, and was in the Grand Review at Washington at the close of the war. He received his honorable discharge at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 16, 1865, nearly four years after his enlistment. He was always deeply interested in his old comrades of the war, is a member of Musser Post No. 329, Grand Army of the Republic, at Waynesfield, Ohio, and has served as chaplain of his post since 1917. The war over, he returned to the home farm, and on November 25, 1866, married Martha E. Crabb. She was born in Darby Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, a (laughter of Washington and Sarah (Dick) Crabb, both natives of the same county. After his marriage Mr. Bowdle moved to a partly cleared farm of eighty acres. It contained a small three-room house. Half a century has effected many changes through his labor and enterprise. The farm has one of the more modern and commodious country homes, there are many other farm buildings, and all the land has been put in cultivation except eighty acres of wood pasture. Mr. Bowdle continued the tasks of general farming until the fall of 1916, and for the past four years the farm has been rented to his son Merle. Mr. and Mrs. Bowdle were happily married just half a century. Mrs. Bowdle died January 10, 1916. They were the parents of four children: Alma C., widow of Ross Sidener, living in Hardin County, Ohio ; Jesse A., who is cashier of the Farmers Commercial Bank of Waynesfield in Auglaize County; Lenore, Mrs. James Schooler of Perry Township; and Merle, on the home place. Mr. Bowdle is a republican in politics. For eleven years he was a director of his home school district. WILLIAM AARON MOWERY. For many years William Aaron Mowery was engaged in operating his valuable farm in Shawnee Township, but for the past fifteen years has rented his land and lived in practical retirement, having during the time he was actively employed accumulated a sufficient competency to justify his taking things easier. He was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, July 31, 1853, a son of Amos and Catherine (Meffley) Mowery, natives of Pickaway County, Ohio. Jacob and Catherine Mowery, the paternal grandparents, were born in Germany, but came to the United States, and after a stay in Pickaway County, Ohio, moved to Allen County, making the trip on horseback. Peter and Mary (Dotson) Meffley, natives of Germany, first lived in Pickaway County, Ohio, but came to Allen County at an early day. Amos Mowery was born January 20, 1833, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Stapleton) Mowery, who came to Shawnee Township in 1854. They had seventeen children, all of whom reached maturity with the exception of one who died in infancy. On October 10, 1852, Amos Mowery and Catherine Meffley were married. Her parents had settled in Shawnee Township in 1843, and there her father carried on tailoring until his death, which occurred in 1849. When he was eight years old William Aaron Mowery was brought to Shawnee Township by his parents, and here he was reared on the farm they bought, and on which they lived until claimed by death. Their children were as follows : William Aaron, who was the eldest born ; Mary Alice, who is Mrs. M. P. Myers of Kansas City, Missouri; Sarah L., who is Mrs. L. A. Boysel of Cridersville, Auglaize County, Ohio; and Ella, who is Mrs. George A. Baker of Delaware, Ohio. On November 1, 1899, Mr. Mowery was united in marriage with Jennie Myers, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1867, a daughter of Solomon E. and Hettie (Shrum) Myers, the former born September 18, 1838, and the latter in 1840, and both being natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hettie Myers died April 18, 1891. After his marriage Mr. Mowery settled on the homestead of his father, which comprised eighty acres, and he bought out the interests of the others heirs to this property. On this farm he has erected up-to-date buildings and made other improvements, thus increasing the value very materially. Here he was engaged in carrying on general farming until 1905, when he retired. He also owns twenty acres and forty-three and one-half acres in two pieces, all of his land being in Shawnee Township. Mr. and Mrs. Mowery became the parents of one daughter, Evalyn M., who was born May 19, 1902. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mowery were educated in the district schools and Mr. Mowery has always been a friend of the public school system, serving very capably as a school director of his district for some years. His political convictions make him a democrat, and he lives up to his beliefs. The farm owned by Mr. Mowery is known as "The Happy Creek Farm," and is regarded as one of the best cultivated and improved rural properties in this part of the county. Both he and his wife stand very high in their neighborhood, and are people of fine HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 171 character and are always to be found in the foremost ranks of local enterprises. HENRY HEFNER. It is ninety years since the Hefners came to Allen County and set themselves to the task of clearing, improving and homebuilding. Three or four generations of the family have contributed their energies to 'the good citizenship of the county, and representing the third generation is Mr. Henry Hefner, owner of one of the high-class farms of Perry Township. Mr. Hefner was born in Bath Township of Allen County June 9, 1866, a son of Amos and Mar}) (Galispie) Hefner. The Galispie family were also settlers in Allen County during the early '30s. Henry Hefner's grandparents, David and Fannie (Fredericks) Hefner, were natives of Pennsylvania, and came with wagon and team across the country in 1830 to Allen County. They first located in Auglaize Township, but soon entered a tract of land in seclion 1 of Perry Township. David Hefner was a man of great energy, and his personal labors were effective in clearing up a large portion of his land in Perry Township. He lived there many years., subsequently bought a farm, including the site of the Lima Locomotive Works, lived for several years in Lima, and later built a fine house in section 1 of Perry Township where he spent his last days. Amos Hefner was a child when brought to Allen County from Pennsylvania, and after his marriage he settled on a 140-acre farm in Bath Township, in section 36. He was one of the prominent farmers and citizens of the township, and lived there until his death on August 20, 1900. His wife died August 21, 1897. Their children were : Jennie, deceased ; Daniel of Bath Township; Fannie, Mrs. William Bechtol of Toledo; William of St. Louis, Missouri; Nancy, deceased; Henry; Clara, Mrs. Sumner Mason of Lima; and Allen, who lives in Lima. Henry Hefner grew up on the home farm and attended the district schools. In August, 1888, at the age of twenty-two, he married Hannah Highline, a native of Hancock County, Ohio, and daughter of Edward and Catherine (Helfer) Highline. After his marriage Mr. Hefner lived with his parents during the remainder of their lives, carried on the operations of the home farm, and about twenty years ago came to Perry Township and has since occupied his farm of 157 acres in section 1 Here he ha busied himself with general farming and stock raising, and has all his land under cultivation except thirty acres of wood pasture. The farm has a complete equipment of up-to-date buildings and all this construction work has been done since Mr. Hefner acquired the farm. He is an active member and trustee of the Christian Church and votes as a democrat. The oldest of his children is Bessie, wife of R. W. Osman of Perry Township. The next in age. Edward, was one of Allen County's boys who went overseas during the World war and never came back. He was a member of the Engineer Corps, and died in France October 10, 1918. The third of the family is Hattie, Mrs. Walter Swaney, of Lima. The younger children are Bert, John, who lives at Lima and also a soldier of the World war, Arthur, Laura, Charles, Roy and Gilbert, all at home. Henry Otis died at the age of three years. JACOB LEWIS FETTER is one of the capable young farm managers of Allen County, and has made his efforts count in a high degree of productiveness since he has been handling his father's extensive farming interests. He was born in Bath Township August 9, 1890, son of Jacob E. and Martha (Swain) Fetter. His father was a native of Bath Township, while his mother was born in Michigan and died June 26, 1900. Jacob Lewis Fetter had a good education, was well trained for farming under his father, and after his marriage six years ago moved to one of his father's farms near the old homestead. September 20, 1918, he moved to another farm of 120 acres in section 36 of Bath Township. He lives there, carries on an extensive program as a general farmer, and though only thirty years of age is regarded as one of the most progressive men in this rich agricultural district. Mr. Fetter is a member of the Christian Church and a democratic voter. February 15, 1914, he married Muriel Rydman, who was born in Shawnee Township of this county, daughter of Clarence Rydman, also a native of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Fetter have one daughter, Elnora Rydman Fetter, born June 11, 1915. WILLIAM ALBERT HARDESTY is a Perry Township citizen who has always gone in for good farming, but in addition to keeping up the productive end of his business has likewise identified himself with community affairs, in whch he has played a sustaining part. Mr. Hardesty represents one of the old and honored family names of Allen County. He was born in Perry Township December 19, 1872', son of Joshua and Sarah J. (Comestock) Hardesty. His father was born in Greene County, Ohio, son of Steven and Nancy (Ellis) Hardesty, natives of the same county. Steven Hardesty came at an early day to Allen County. Sarah J. Comestock was born at Lima, where her parents, Charles and Philena (Bond) Comestock, were early settlers. Joshua Hardesty after his marriage settled on the old farm of his father in section 12 of Perry Township, and much of the land in that section has been farmed by the Hardestys for more than half a century. Joshua Hardesty and wife lived out their lives in that community, where he died September 30, 1910, and his wife in January, 1912. They had a family of seven children : Clora, Mrs. H. W. McCoy of Union Township, Van Wert County ; Leola, Mrs. J. A. McDonel of Perry Township; William Albert ; Minnie, who, died at the age of eighteen months ; Lena M., wife of A. T. Richards of Bath Township; Edna, Mrs. R. W. McPherson of Trumbull County, Ohio ; and Charles Walter, who also lives in Trumbull County. William Albert Hardesty was educated with his brothers and sisters in the district school near the home farm and from an early age he acquainted himself with the duties of an agriculturist. On February 27, 1895, at the age of twenty-three, he married Jessie Tapscott. Mrs. Hardesty was born in Perry Township December 15, 1874, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth A. (Crossley) Tapscott, natives of the same locality. For a year after his marriage Mr. Hardesty lived on the home farm, then spent a year in Auglaize Township, and after returning to the homestead bought a few acres of his own and improved it with a good house and barn. He farmed most of the acres of the home place and after the death of his father he acquired that property of 110 172 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY acres. Since then he has sold twelve acres, but still retains the remainder and has made it a very valuable property. Mrs. Hardesty has a happy household of nine children, the oldest twenty-four and the youngest six. Their names and dates of birth are : Grace L., April 28, 1896; Edith E., July 27, 1898; Joseph J., September 24, 1900; Floyd E., September 1, 1903; Letha O., August 11, 1905; Minerva A., December 29, 1907; Laura V., November 3, 1909; Byron T., February 20, 1912; and Elizabeth J., October 10, 1914. For many years Mr. Hardesty has been an active member of the Perry Chapel Methodist Epis copal Church, and his wife and children all join him in that relationship. The Hardestry do much to keep up this church. Mr. Hardesty served as its trustee about nine years, is treasurer of the Sunday school, while Mrs. Hardesty is president of the Ladies' Aid Society, and their daughter Grace is steward and a teacher in the Sunday school and superintendent of the cradle roll and treasurer of the Centenary Fund. The daughter Edith is secretary of the Sunday school, Minerva is assistant librarian and Letha is assistant pianist. Mr. Hardesty also served one term as township trustee, and in politics is a republican. Joseph J., the eldest son, married Ola I. Motter October 12, 1920. The other children are all at home. CORNELIUS RIDENOUR is one of the honored old- time citizens and home makers of Allen County, has spent all his life in Perry Township, and is still living on the homestead which his labors and efforts reclaimed from the woods. He was born in Perry Township December 17, 1843, son of John and Lydia (Ridenour) Ridenour. His mother was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, daughter of Michael and Hannah (Shots) Ridenour, natives of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Michael Ridenour being a son of John and Christine Ridenour. Michael Ridenour was born August 4, 1784 and was a soldier in the War of 1812. In the fall of 1831 he moved with his family to Allen County and entered Government land in section 2 of Sugar Creek Township, and lived there until his death on July 19, 1839. He had a family of eleven children and his daughter Lydia was born July 18, 1813, and died April 20, 1864. John Ridenour, father of Cornelius, was born in Perry County, son of John and Hannah (Spoon) Ridenour. He died April 25, 1855. John Ridenour and wife after their marriage settled on land his father had entered from the Government in section 6 of Perry Township and was an industrious farmer there the rest of his days. His children were : Sarah, deceased ; Cornelius ; Amelia, Mrs. Christ Lehman of Shawnee Township ; Isabel, widow of Wilson Winters of Delphos, Ohio ; William, deceased ; Mathias Henry of Lima; and Mahala, Mrs. John Tailor of American Township. Cornelius Ridenour grew up on the farm and attended a district school. He was only twelve years old when his father died and he lived with his mother until her death. in 1864. On December 10, 1868, he married Nancy Bowman, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 8, 1835, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Garretson) Bowman, natives of Pennsylvania. After his marriage Mr. Ridenour remained on the old homestead for three years and then bought forty acres in section 9 of Perry Township. Only two acres of this land has been cleared from the woods, and on this clearing he built his first home. In that one locality he has in recent years been able to witness the fruits of his long continued industry, and he was active as a farmer until 1918, since which year he has rented out his land. He served two terms as township trustee, is a democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ridenour has two children: Nettie, Mrs. Frank Cummings, of Lima ; and Samuel B., of Lima. WALDO FRANCIS LACKEY has accomplished a great deal for a man of his years, is rated as one of the progressive and prosperous young farmers of Bath Township, and for the past two years has operated a farm of his own of eighty acres on Lima rural route No. 8. Mr. Lackey was born in Monroe Township of Allen County September 28, 1896, son of Henry F. and Sarah (Martz) Lackey. His grandfather, William Lackey, came from Tuscarawus County, Ohio, when a young man to Allen County. He had married in his home county of Tuscarawas and reared a family of six children. The youngest was Henry F. Lackey, who has spent his active life as a farmer. Waldo Francis Lackey is the sixth in a family of nine children. He acquired his early education in Monroe Township, attending the Prairie school four years and the Cook school six years. At the age of sixteen he began doing regular work on his father's farm, and helped operate that place of 120 acres four years, gaining thereby valuable experience and training to fit him for his independent work. In 1916, at the age of twenty, he married Miss Lou B. Freet, daughter of Benjamin and Diana (Miller) Freet of Monroe Township. They have one son, Francis Donald, born in 1917. Mr. Lackey after his marriage rented a ninety-six acre farm in Monroe Township one year, the second year lived on a rented farm of .100 acres in Bath Township, and in the spring of 1919 purchased and moved to his present place of eighty acres. He is a member of the Belhel Grove Methodist Church, and in politics is independent. ARTHUR C. ROUSCULP is a merchant and business man, has had a continuous mercantile experience for thirty years, beginning in boyhood, and for a long time has been proprietor of a busy country store in Perry Township on rural route No. 6 out of Lima, Mr. Rousculp was born near Glenford in Perry County, Ohio, December 12, 1873, son of Philip Melancthon and Martha (Meckling) Rousculp. His father was born in Perry County, Ohio, a son of Jacob and Eliza (Brocious) Rousculp, natives of Pennsylvania; who were early settlers in Perry County. Arthur C. Rousculp was educated in the public schools of Perry Township in Allen County, whither his parents removed when he was a child. On December 22, 1891, at the age of eighteen, he became associated with his father in the mercantile business. At the death of his 'father on October 19, 1894, he and his brother Charles continued the enterprise, but in January, 1897, dissolved partnership. Mr. Arthur Rousculp then built a business structure in section 29 of Perry Township, and since January 12, 1897, has been proprietor of a general store which largely meets and serves all the demands of an extended patronage in that section of Allen County. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 173 Mr. Rousculp is a republican, and for four years was a member of the local School Board and has responded to all the demands of civic duty and patriotism. Mrs. Rousculp is a member of the Disciples Church and of the Aid Society. September 20, 1902, Mr. Rousculp married Mary Winona Scott, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 12, 1880, daughter of Winfield and Jennie (Burns) Scott. Her father was a native of Carroll County and her mother of Perry Township, Allen County. Mrs. Rousculp's paternal grandparents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Harris) Scott, natives of Carroll County, while her maternal grandparents were Hiram and Emma (Ulery) Burns, both born in Perry Township of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Rousculp have two children: Avis Juanita, born April 17, 1908, and Winfield Melancthon, born May 10, 1914. ELMER EARLY is a stock farmer, a very progressive young man, and has made his home in Bath Township a source of production for some of the high- class cattle and hogs in this section of Ohio. Mr. Early, who was born May 29, 1881, has never called any other place home but the farm on which he was born. He is a son of Jacob B. and Mary (Miller) Early and is of German ancestry. He is the third of the four children of his parents. Up to the age of twenty he attended winter terms of the Sugar Creek country schools, and at the same time learned agriculture under the supervision of his father. When his father retired he took over the farm. His parents now live at Beaver Dam. In 1911 Mr. Early married May St. John, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Landis) St. John, of Michigan. Four children were born to their marriage: Ruth Elizabeth, William Arthur, Thelma May and Howard Leroy. The son William A. died in July, 1919, at the age of three years. For more than ten years Mr. Early has had the management of his farm of 160 acres. He makes a specialty of raising Shorthorn blooded cattle and prize winning Duroc hogs, having usually between forty and fifty Durocs on the farm all the time. Much of his high-class stock is shipped to special customers all over the country. He is a member of the Farmers Co-operative Threshing Company and is a republican in politics. JOHN KIRTLEY BANNISTER, D. D. S. For almost twenty years Dr. John Kirtley Bannister has been engaged in the practice of dental surgery at Lima, and few men of his profession in the state are held in higher esteem. During this time he has seen his profession advance step by step in the field of science and, keeping fully abreast of the times, understands why modern dentistry now stands in the front rank of remedial medicine. John Kirtley Bannister was born in Grant County, Kentucky, September 22, 1875, and is a son of E. N. and Martha J. (Sayers) Bannister, natives of Kenton County, Kentucky, where his father yet resides. The mother of Doctor Bannister died at Lexington, Kentucky, in December, 1917. The Bannister family is an old and substantial one in the State of Kentucky, coming from Virginia many years ago. Doctor Mannister enjoyed educational advantages in boyhood and youth, and after completing the common school course entered the Kentucky State University at Lexington, and subsequently the Ohio College of Dental Surgery at Cincinnati, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1898. He entered into practice at Cincinnati and continued there for two years. In 1901 he came to Lima and established himself in the Opera House Block, where he has maintained his offices ever since. Doctor Bannister not only has had long professional experience, but, as indicated above, has continued to be an enthusiastic student of dental science, and in the interest of his patients has taken advantage of every new discovery of which his own judgment approves. He has a fine library and a thoroughly equipped laboratory. He numbers among his patients a large proportion of the leading people of Lima. On December 19, 1900, Doctor Bannister was united in marriage to Miss Willie Chambers, who was born at Warsaw, Kentucky, and is a daughter of Turpin and Sallie (Bond) Chambers, prominent people of that section. Dr. and Mrs. Bannister have two children, namely : Turpin C., who was born October 1, 1904; and William K., who was born June 24, 1910. Doctor Bannister and his family belong to the First Baptist Church at Lima and are active in its many avenues of usefulness, the doctor being on its official board. While never particularly active in the political field, and too closely engaged in professional work to ever accept any political honors, Doctor Bannister was reared in a strong democratic family and section and still preserves his faith and affection for the old party. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and belongs to the National, State and Northwestern Dental societies. GLEN C. WEBB. Active, prominent and influential not only in the business life of Lima but in the fraternal, social and political circles of the city, Glen C. Webb is eminently worthy of representation in a work of this character, his connection with bonding and insurance having brought him in contact with people in all parts of Allen and surrounding counties. A son of Oren W. and Etna Jane (Arhood) Webb, he was born April 6, 1892, in Marysville, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish stock, his ancestors on both sides of the family having settled in the United States in Colonial days. Receiving his early education in Marion, Ohio, Glen C. Webb left the high school when but thirteen years old to begin life as a wage earner, and for a year was timekeeper for the Crucible Casting Company of Marion. Coming to Lima in 1904, he was timekeeper for the local telephone company for seven months. Entering then the employ of his uncle, Elmer D. Webb, a real estate dealer and insurance agent, he remained with him thirteen years, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business, for which he seemingly had a special aptitude. Embarking in business on his own account on February 1, 1919, Mr. Webb has since won an extensive patronage as an insurance agent. He represents the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company of Baltimore, his territory covering seven Ohio counties. He also represents several other insurance companies, and is a director of the Wagner Loan Company and is financially interested in the Webb Company, the Chalmers Pump and Manufacturing Company, the Lima Sheet Metal Product Company, the Lima Foundry and Machine Company, the Potter Motor Equipment Company, the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company and the National Union Fire Insurance Company. 174 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY In 1914 Mr. Webb was united in marriage with Catherine J. Furman, daughter of Harry Furman of Steubenville, Ohio. Politically he is a stanuch republican, supporting the principles of his party by voice and vote. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and to the Shrine. He is likewise a member of Lima Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Loyal Order of Moose. Socially he belongs to the Lima Club, the Lima Country Club and to the Rotary Club. Religiously he is an active member of the First Baptist Church and of the Young Men's Christian Association. FRANK ELLISON BAXTER. From the village days of Lima into and through the modern industrial growth and development members of the Baxter family have been prominent in its banking, commercial and manufacturing affairs, and have been equally notable for their unselfish citizenship prompting them to any effort or sacrifice that would promote the welfare of the community. While Frank Ellison Baxter also earned prominence as an Ohio banker, he has for a number of years past given most of his time to the automobile business. He was born at Lima July 30, 1868, a son of Samuel A. and Deborah (Ellison) Baxter. His maternal grandfather was William P. Ellison, while his paternal grandparents were Samuel A. and Nancy (Meason) Baxter. The Baxters came to Lima more than eighty years ago. Grandfather Samuel A. Baxter was a hatter by trade, a business he had learned in Maryland. He came from that state to Ohio, and at Lima made hats for a number of years. He then studied law, was admitted to the bar, and served six or seven terms as mayor. Samuel A. Baxter, Jr., was born at Lima October 26, 1839, grew up in the village days of the town, and at the beginning of the Civil war enlisted in the Union army as a surgeon. Soon after the war he married Deborah Ellison, who was born at Marlboro in Stark County, Ohio. Samuel A. Baxter for many years was a citizen naturally looked to for leadership in the progressive life of the town. Soon after the war, with A. C. Baxter, his brother, and with their father and A. G. Frick, he engaged in the banking business under the name of the City Bank. He also organized the gas company, and was instrumental in securing the important industry of the Lafayette Car Company for Lima, later known as the Lima Car Works. For a quarter of a century he was president of the First National Bank. Samuel A. Baxter and wife had four children: Frank, Don, Clem and Frederick. Frank Ellison Baxter was born at Lima July 30, 1868, attended the public schools of his native city, and received his higher education in Miami University. After leaving college he was associated with his father for five years in the plumbing and heating business, and after selling his interests became a clerk in the First National Bank. With his father and his brother Clement S. in 1900 he established the Commercial Investment Bank of Lima. They were associated in the management of this institution about seven years, and then sold it to I. T. and H. M. Moore. This is now the American Bank. In April, 1910, Mr. Baxter was appointed assistant superintendent of Ohio State Banks and in July of the same year was promoted to superintendent. He thus became widely known among the bankers of Ohio, and continued his official duties until he resigned in February, 1913. In March of that year he and his brother Clement organized the Baxter Brothers Automobile Company, commercial distributors, with a large aggregate of annual sales. November 8, 1905, Mr. Baxter married Elma Burton, a native of Westminster, Ohio, and daughter of Dr. E. G. and Emma (Brown) Burton, also natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter have two children, Helen and Samuel. Politically he is a democrat, is a Knight Templar Mason and past exalted ruler of Lima Lodge No. 54 of the Order of Elks. He was one of the organizers and is past president of the Lima Club, and has been active from the time of organization to the present in the Lima City Hospital Society, of which he is vice president. PAUL S. MAYER. A number of the enterprising and solid men of Allen County have found it profitable to invest their earnings in farm land so that when they desire to retire from work at one or other of the trades they would have a nice property which would yield them a comfortable income. Paul S. Mayer of Shawnee Township did this while he was working at his trade of a carpenter, and a few years ago retired from carpentering to devote all of his time to his farm, which now comprises seventy-seven acres of valuable land. Paul S. Mayer was born in Delaware County, Ohio, March 1, 1860, a son of John and Barbara Margaret (Hinderer) Mayer, natives of Germany and Columbus, Ohio, respectively. John Mayer came to the United States in young manhood and located at Columbus, where he was married. Subsequently he and his wife moved to Delaware County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1860 moved to Allen County, buying a farm in Shawnee Township. Only a baby when his parents moved to Shawnee Township, Paul S. Mayer was reared here, attended the common schools and learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked until recently. In 1883 he went to eastern Iowa, and there was married in November of that year to Elizabeth Hoffman, born near Galion, Ohio, a daughter of Michael and Barbara (Hopp) Hoffman. Following his marriage Mr. Mayer returned to Allen County and bought thirty-seven acres of land in Shawnee Township, on which he settled. He has added to his farm until he now has seventy-seven acres, all under cultivation with the exception of ten acres which he keeps in timber and pasture. He does general farming, managing all of the operations, but having others to do the actual work. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer became the parents of the following children: Etta Esther, who is at home; Frederick T., who is also at home; William D. who lives in Shawnee Township, married Mary Loyer; Wilma E., who is connected with the Metropolitan Insurance Company, lives at home ; and Wilbur V., who is the youngest. Mr. Mayer is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. In his political affiliations he is independent, not caring to bind himself down to any one party, but casting his vote for the best man. For one term he served his township very capably as assessor. A man of progressive spirit, he is in favor of good schools, improved roads and other local signs of advancement, but he does not approve of a waste of the taxpayers' money in sensational methods. Having worked hard all his life, he is entitled to his present prosperity and the HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 175 respect and good will of his fellow citizens, which he now enjoys. C. L. ACKERMAN has been an Ohio business man for thirty years or more, and is president and active head of the Lima Sheet Metal Company, a growing industry of Allen County manufacturing an important line of parts for automobile trucks. Mr. Ackerman was born at Mansfield, Ohio, July 13, 1866, a son of Michael and Margaret (Rindfuss) Ackerman. His father, a native of Germany, came to this country about the time of the German Revolution in 1848, and for many years was in the saloon and restaurant business at Mansfield. Both he and his wife are now deceased. C. L. Ackerman grew up at Mansfield and remained in public school until about fourteen, when he went to work, and ever since has been dependent upon his own resources and enterprise. For a time he worked in a grocery, clerked for one year in a hotel at Bellefontaine, then was clerk in a shoe store at Mansfield one year, and after that engaged in the restaurant business, which he continued actively until 1903. In the meantime for ten years, beginning in 1893, he was also in the wholesale liquor business. Having become interested in the Lima Sheet Metal Company, Mr. Ackerman for a number of years past has given practically all his time and energies to the promotion of that local industry. He is president of the company, A. W. Wheatley is vice president, H. W. Falk, secretary, and S. M. Churchill, treasurer. This company has a well equipped plant, and furnishes sheet metal parts for motor trucks. Mr. Ackerman has closely identified himself with the live and public spirited organizations of Lima, including the Chamber of Commerce, Lima Automobile Club, Lima Club, Rotary Club, and is affiliated with Richland Lodge No. 161 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mansfield and for six years served as a trustee of Lima Lodge No. 54 of the Elks. He is an independent democrat in politics, and is a trustee and active member of the Lutheran Church. January 17, 1896, he married Miss Kate Ziegler, who was born at Wapakoneta, Ohio, a daughter of Gottfried and Louise (Burke) Ziegler. They have one daughter, Louise. WILLIAM HENRY TREMPERT, one of the well-established business men of Lima, has had an active career of work and business and for a number of years was a railroad man. He was born in West Cairo in Allen County June 29, 1868, a son of Charles and Minnie (Schuman) Trempert. Charles Trempert came from Saxony, Germany, at the age of eighteen years and settled in Lima, Allen County, Ohio. Mrs. Minnie Shuman Trempert came from Saxony, Germany, at the age of fourteen years and settled in Dayton, Ohio, with her parents. They were married at Dayton in November, 1864, and located on a farm in Allen County. Mr. Trempert was a farmer in Van Wert County about twenty- three years, and then retired to Delphos, where he died in 1901. His wife passed away in 1908. To this union were born nine children, three of whom preceded them in death. Six are living, as follows: William H. of Lima, George E, of Lima, Louis 0. also of Lima, Herman A. of Delphos, Mrs. Nora Trempert Hume of Lima and Mrs. Ida Trempert Rice of Lima. William Henry Trempert had a district school education and from the age of twenty was a farm worker about three years. At Tiffin, Ohio, he was fireman in the electric light plant a year, was employed on a dray line two years, and for four years drove an ice wagon. Coming to Lima in 1905, he was employed for seven years at the roundhouse of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, and for another five years was with the Lima Locomotive Works. Uninterrupted employment and work for many years ended with impairment of health, which kept him practically disabled for a year. March 8, 1920, Mr. Trempert and Fred Hoverman entered the feed business, and they have a well located and prosperous establishment at 213 North Central avenue. In 1895 Mr. Trempert married Sarah Moorhead, a native of Indiana. Her mother is Mary (Ginter) Moorhead. Mr. Trempert is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Loyal Order of Moose. FRANCIS L. DIXON for about a quarter of a century has been associated with the commercial affairs of Lima in various capacities and with different concerns, and is a man of thorough education and exceptional attainments. He was born in Shawnee Township of Allen County March 20, 1866, a son of Joseph and Ellen (Monninger) Dixon, who came from Fairfield County and settled in Shawnee Township at an early day. That township was then a district covered with tall timbers, and some of the trees had to be cleared away before Joseph Dixon found space for his log cabin home. He improved his first tract of land; later sold and bought another partly improved farm in Shawnee Township, also improved that, and was one of the sturdy and independent farmer citizens of that locality for many years. He died in July, 1914, just a week after the death of his wife. They had been married more than half a century. They had a large family of children : John, now deceased ; Mary, Mrs. A. E. Brown, living in Oregon; Laura, widow of Shephard Franklin, of Lima; Clara, who died at the age of thirteen years : Melvin H. of Lima ; St. Clair, who was killed in Oregon; Francis L.; William C., who lives in one of the northwestern states ; Orvil of Bartlesville, Oklahoma ; Harvey L. of Trumbull County, Ohio ; and Clarence, whose home is in California. Francis L. Dixon at the age of twenty years became a teacher. He secured his own education in the district schools near his father's farm, and also spent two terms in the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He taught five winter terms in Allen County and one term in Fulton County, Indiana. This was followed by a course in the Lima Business College, and after that he was engaged to teach bookkeeping in a business college at Kenton, Ohio. In 1896 Mr. Dixon became office manager for the firm of Newson, Deakin, Bond Company, a well-known house furnishing store of Lima. He was actively associated with that business until 1914. In that year he entered the service of the Lima Tea Company, and during the next four years acquired a comprehensive knowledge of that business. Since then he has been bookkeeper and business adviser of W. L. Russell, the well known oil producer. Formerly his offices were at 202 North Main street, but they are now over the First National Bank in the Collins Block. 176 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Since July, 1919, Mr. Dixon has also developed a good business in handling automobile, accident, health and fire insurance. Mr. Dixon might also be classified as one of the farmers of Allen County. Some years ago he bought thirty-four acres of the old homestead where he was born. Ten acres of this he has developed intensively to fruit, apples, peaches and small fruit, and has made the place very valuable. Mr. Dixon owns a fine modern residence at Lima, which he erected some years ago at 314 Lincoln avenue. October 6, 1897, he married Ida M. Ohler, who was born in Hardin County, Ohio, a daughter of William and Martha L. (Lusk) Ohler. They have one daughter, Margery, at home. Mr. Dixon is a republican, a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with Solar Lodge No. 783 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. EGGERT NANDRUP ZETLITZ. While an ordinary individual possessing industry may be able to so till the soil that growths of various kinds may result, it requires a long period of patient study and practical experience to qualify as a real florist. For twenty years Lima has had in Eggert Nandrup Zetlitz not only a good and useful citizen, but an expert grower of plants and flowers, his success in this line giving him a wide reputation. Mr. Zetlitz was born March 27, 1856, at Stavanger, Norway, a son of H. O. and Bolette (Jaeger) Zetlitz. His father and grandfather were physicians and surgeons, and the former was also president of the Norwegian State Bank at Stavenger. He was afforded educational advantages, and in the high school was prepared for college, but by the time he was eighteen years old he had decided upon his vocation. He went then to Christiania and entered upon the study of floriculture in the University Botanical Garden, working through an apprenticeship of three years without pay. From there he went to Germany and worked as a florist in the Ruhr district, between Mulheim and Essen, later went to Hamburg and during the entire seven years that he spent in Germany he came under the instruction of many scientific specialists in this line of work. Mr. Zetlitz returned then to Stavanger and remained two years in his native city. In 1892 he came to the United States and located first at Toledo, Ohio, where he was a florist at the State Asylum for three and a half years, removing then to Tiffin and later to Bryan, Ohio. In 1898 he came to Lima and, finding favorable business conditions and a very appreciative public, established a permanent business which he has expanded into a very large enterprise. He has a farm of thirteen acres just outside the city, in Shawnee Township, and his greenhouses cover much space. With his natural love of plants and flowers and his thorough training in their propagation and scientific culture Mr. Zetlitz develops not only the ordinary blooms in their highest perfection but has equal success with rare and beautiful floral and plant products of other lands. With modern equipments and appliances he is prepared to supply greenhouse products for any occasion and at any season of the year. In 1880 Mr. Zetlitz was married to Emelie Berner, a daughter of S. and Marie (Kastrup) Berner of Stavanger, Norway, and they have had four children, namely: Rolf, who is a wholesale florist at Dayton, Ohio; Thor, who entered the United States army for service in the great war September 26, 1917, was sent to Camp Sherman for training, but was taken ill with pneumonia and was sent home, where his death followed in the same year; Mrs, Barghild Fletcher, who married Carl Fletcher of Lima, and their one son, Ernest, is associated with Rolf Zetlitz in the wholesale flower business; and Mrs. Randi Croy, who is a widow living at Lima, has one daughter, Corinne. Mr. Zetlitz and his family belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Zetlitz is a member of the American Florist Association and also of the International Florist Association. In politics he is an independent voter, but his influence is always directed to the preservation of law and order. He has a wide fraternal connection at Lima, being a valued member of the Elks, the Moose, the Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias and other organizations. D. C. R. KOCHER. In some men the business sense is remarkably developed, and through it they reach an eminence not attained by those who try and control affairs for which they have no aptitude. It is now generally recognized that no one reaches unusual success who works against his natural inclinations, and when competition is so strenuous men need every assistance that developed talent can give in order to take profitable advantage of offered opportunities and be able to develop legitimate business chances. Especially is this true in a community like Elida, where competition is intense, and only the able succeed. D. C. R. Kocher, junior member of the firm of George T. Kocher Lumber Company of Elida, with yards at Elida and Lima, illustrates these facts. D. C. R. Kocher was born at Fairview, Fayette county, Ohio, in 1872, a son of George T. and Nancy H. (Rea) Kocher, and a member of an old-established American family of Pennsylvania-Dutch and Welsh stock. The majority of the Kochers were mechanics, while the Reas were more generally interested in farming. Five children were born of the marriage of George T. Kocher and Nancy H. Rea, and of them all D. C. R. Kocher was the first born. D. C. R. Kocher attended the public schools of Bluffton, Indiana, to which place his parents had moved when he was a child, and was graduated from its high school course in 1891. He then took a two-term course at the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana. Having fitted himself for the profession of teaching, he was engaged in teaching in the country schools of Wells county, Indiana, for two terms, following which he read law at Bluffton, Indiana, with Wilson & Todd, and was admitted to the bar in the state of Indiana in 1894, and the following year was graduated in law from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the degree of Doctor of Laws. Immediately thereafter he established himself in a general practice at Bluffton, Indiana. With the outbreak of war between this country and Spain Mr. Kocher responded to his country's call and enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry as regimental quartermaster sergeant. Prior to that he had had four years' training on the regimental staff of the Indiana National Guard. His command was mobilized at Indianapolis, from whence it was sent to Chickamauga Park at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and later to Newport News, from whence they expected to HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 177 sail for Porto Rico, but the end of the war coming, they were sent to Lexington, Kentucky, and on to Columbus, Georgia. The next change was when they were sent to Cuba as a part of the Army of Occupation, and remained there for four months. They were then shipped to Charleston, South Carolina, and discharged May 30, 1899. Returning home, Mr. Kocher resumed his law practice at Bluffton, but becoming interested in securing a homestead, he registered in the Oklahoma land drawing in 1901 and secured a homestead of 160 acres, on which he lived until he proved up his claim. He then returned to Indiana and was made tax adjustor with J. B. Workman & Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, for a time. It was when he severed his connection with that firm that Mr. Kocher entered the line which was to prove his life work, for he then went into the retail lumber business with Messrs. Mercer and Brannum at Montpelier, Indiana, as bookkeeper, and during the two years he was with this concern he learned the details, so that he was able to assume added responsibilities when he went to the Gary Lumber Company at Gary, Indiana, at the time that town was being built. Returning to Oklahoma, Mr. Kocher was connected with the G. H. Block Lumber Company of Lawton, Oklahoma, in general office work for five years. From there he went to Wichita, Kansas, and was in the office of the Rounds & Porter Lumber Company for five years as chief accountant. Mr. Kocher then came to Elida, Ohio, and formed a partnership with his brother, George T. Kocher, and since May, 1915, has been engaged in conducting the George T. Kocher Lumber Company. The brothers carry a general line of lumber and builders' supplies, and have been so successful they have opened a yard and office at Lima, where since September, 1919, they have been doing business. In March, 1919, Mr. Kocher was married to Vera I. Rugh, a daughter of H. F. and Molly Rugh, of Lawton, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs, Kocher have one son, John R. In politics Mr. Kocher is an independent Republican, voting for the man he deems best suited for the office in question. He is a Mason and belongs to Bluffton Lodge No. 145, F. & A. M., and Lawton Lodge, B. P. 0. E. Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Lima holds his membership and benefits by his generous support. A man of scholarly attainments, Mr. Kocher has found his knowledge of affairs and men a distinct aid to him in his business, and is proud of the fact that, while he was successful in the law, he has also been able to acquire distinction in commercial circles as well. WALTER W. WRIGHT. There are a number of high- class establishments at Lima, devoted to the handling of foodstuffs, and the men owning and operating them are finding out that the people of the city appreciate honorable methods and reasonable prices in the increased trade they are enjoying as a result of their right conception of the tastes of their customers. One of these men is Walter W. Wright, sole proprietor of Wright's Cash Markets at 134 East High street and 1101 West North street. Walter W. Wright was born at West Cairo, Allen County, Ohio, April 24, 1892, a son of Frank C. and Elizabeth Wright, and grandson of James L. and Aseneth (Britton) Wright, the latter still surviving and making her home at West Cairo, Ohio. The grandparents were farming people for many years. Frank C. Wright was originally a farmer, and while operating his farm served on the local School Board as a trustee. Later he became a merchant, and erected one of the buildings now occupied by his son. While still a resident of Allen County he served as a county commissioner, but for some years past has been living retired at Beaverton, Michigan. Walter W. Wright is the eldest of the five children born to his parents. Growing up in his native place, he attended its public schools, and then entering the Lima High School took the regular course and was graduated therefrom in 1912, standing third in a class of 103 graduates. For a time succeeding his completion of his school days Mr. Wright assisted his father in an implement business he was then conducting, and then was appointed postmaster of West Cairo by President Wilson and held the office for four years. In the fall of 1918 he went into a dairy business at Defiance, Ohio, under the name of the Defiance Dairy Company, and after putting it on a firm foundation he sold it and opened his present business June 3, 1919, and a little later opened the branch on West North street, both of the markets being successful ventures from the start. Mr. Wright has other interests and owns considerable real estate at Lima. His fraternal affiliations are with the Loyal Order of Moose. In 1915 Mr. Wright was married to Freda Altstetter, a daughter of George and Margaret Altstetter of West Cairo, Ohio. They have two children, namely : Dorothy Marie and Donald Frank. In politics Mr. Wright is a democrat. He belongs to the Christian Church. A young man of more than ordinary energy and acumen, he has made considerable progress on the road which leads to success and is regarded as one of the representative dealers in his line in Allen County. WESLEY L. NEVILLE, M. D. The medical profession in northwestern Ohio has an able practitioner in the person of Dr. Wesley L. Neville of Lima, Allen County, whose reputation has transcended the immediate locality where he lives, and no work of the nature of the one in hand would be complete without a resume of his career. In every relation of life he has proved signally true to every trust. He possesses a strong social nature, and by his genial and kindly attitude to those about him he has won the undivided confidence and esteem of all classes. Wesley L. Neville was born at St. Johns, Auglaize County, Ohio, on September 14, 1867, and is the son of John S. and Mary J. (Dinehart) Neville, the former a native of Virginia and the latter born in Shelby County, Ohio. Doctor Neville's paternal grandparents were Samuel and Maria (Murphy) Neville, natives of Virginia, who in 1837 traveled overland by horse and wagon to Ohio, locating in Bellefontaine. The husband was a saddler by trade, following that vocation there and at Roundhead, Ohio, to which place he later moved. The maternal grandparents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Schaeffer) Dinehart, were natives, respectively, of Germany and Pennsylvania. They became early settlers of Shelby County, Ohio, where he followed his trade, that of cabinet-maker. John S. Neville was a physician by profession, which he followed at St. Johns until 1875, when he moved to Roundhead and practiced there until his death, which occurred in 1906. His wife had passed away in 1895. They were the par- Vol. 11-12 178 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ents of two children, the subject of this sketch and an older sister, Belle, who became the wife of Capt. Henry J. May, both of whom are deceased. Wesley L. Neville received his elemental training in the public schools and then attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. He then matriculated in Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1891. During the following fifteen years he was engaged in the practice of his profession at Roundhead. Ohio, but in 1906 he came to Lima, where he has since been numbered among the able and successful physicians, of this community. A close reader of professional literature, Doctor Neville keeps in close touch with the latest advances in the healing art and enjoys a large and representative patronage, his well equipped offices being located in the Holland Building. In 1892 Doctor Neville was married to Dora North, who was born and reared in Auglaize County, Ohio, the daughter of Orin and Elizabeth (Cline) North,. natives of Ohio. To Dr. and Mrs. Neville have been born two children, Carl H., an attorney in Lima, and Wesley, who remains at home. Mrs. Neville and her children are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Doctor Neville gives his support to the democratic party, and takes a commendable interest in local public affairs. He has served as trustee of the Lima State Hospital and was pension examiner for Allen County under President Cleveland's administration. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained to the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed through the chairs of the lodge at Lima; Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Allen County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Northwest Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. His career has been that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life and energies have been devoted, and today no citizen of his community enjoys to a more marked degree the confidence and good will of all who know him. FELIX STEINLE. Among the prominent citizens of Delphos, Ohio, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this paragraph, and who was the founder of the Steinle Brewing Company. This well- known institution was organized in 1883 by F. Steinle and Henry Eysenbach, who took it over from a stock company and ran it for about six months. Then Mr. Eysenbach sold his interest to Charles Schmidt, who remained associated with Mr. Steinle until his death. His interest was assumed by H. L. Leilich, and they ran the plant until Mr. Leilich's interest was taken over by his son, William, who engaged in the business. Finally the concern was reorganized as a stock company, as it is at present. The officers of the company are: Arnold B. King, president ; Joseph Roth, vice president; Felix Steinle and Charles G. Steinle, the latter now practically managing the business. Felix Steinle was born in Germany in 1847. He was reared and educated in his native community, and in 1868, when twenty-one years of age, came to the United States. He first located at Sandusky. Ohio, moving from there to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and still later settling in Fremont, Ohio, where he remained until 1883, when he came to Delphos and, as before related, organized the brewing business here. He also started a brewery at Fremont, Ohio, and altogether was interested in five different breweries. He was a good business man and gained the good will of all with whom he was associated. Mr. Steinle has been twice married, first to Mary Small, and to their union were born four sons, namely : William J., who is cashier of The National Bank of Delphos, who was married to Meta Vetter; Charles, who is actively connected with the Steinle Delphos Company, was married to Wilhelmina Fortner ; Felix, who remains unmarried, was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, and during the recent World war served in the Aviation Department of the United States army, serving in England, and he is a captain and is now assigned to duty in Washington, D. C.; and Edward, who lives in Delphos, was married to Anna Rinnes, of Delphos. Mrs, Mary Steinle died, and subsequently he married her sister, Augusta Small. To this union were born six children, namely : Elsie, the wife of John C. King, of Toledo, Ohio ; Arthur, who is married and lives in Duluth, Minnesota ; Emma, who is now deceased, was the wife of Edward Fortner, of Delphos; Meta is unmarried and remains at home; Elmer, who was married to Mannia Brady, is the owner of the Lion Clothing Store at Delphos ; and Lena is the wife of Joseph Kipp, of Delphos. Mr. Steinle is a faithful member of the Catholic Church in Delphos. Politically he is an adherent of the democratic party. He takes a live interest in local enterprises and is a stockholder and director in the Commercial Bank of Delphos. He is a man of kindly heart and generous impulses, and enjoys a host of warm and loyal friends throughout the community in which he lives. ISAAC MCCLAIN Allen County presented an almost unbroken picture of the typical wilderness when the McClains arrived in the .early '30s after a tedious overland journey through the woods from Fairfield County. Not long after the family settled here Isaac McClain was born, and this venerable citizen of Perry Township is today one of the oldest living native born sons of Allen County. His own life has been one of productive energy and good citizenship. Mr. McClain was born at the original family seat in Bath Township December 19, 1836, eighty-four years ago. His parents were Andrew and Nancy (Reese) McClain, both natives of Fairfield County, Ohio. When they came to Allen County they settled in the north part of Lima as it is today, but at such an early date that they were able to enter land direct from the Government. It was on this land that Isaac was born, being next to the youngest in a large family of nine children. He was only five years of age when his father died in 1841, but the widowed mother lived many years. Isaac McClain had such advantages as the pioneer district schools were able to offer, and circumstances were such that he had to exercise his independent spirit to earn a living when quite young. The year before his marriage he moved to the home of his brother-in-law, James I. McDonald, in Perry Township, and has lived in that township for considerably more than half a century. After his marriage he lived for a time on his mother's old place and then settled on forty acres in Perry Township, given HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 179 him and his wife by her parents. He also bought forty acres more, and at once undertook the difficult labor of making a farm. The land was timbered and he had to clear the site on which he erected his first log cabin home. This log cabin served as a habitation for several years, and in the meantime his work of improving and clearing continued. Later from timber cut on the farm and converted into lumber at a nearby sawmill he erected a substantial frame house. The next step of progress was the addition of eighty acres more of cleared land, giving him a tract of 160 acres in one body. However, three acres of the land were taken as right-of-way for the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railway. With the responsibilities of active farming Mr. McClain continued to be occupied until 1910, when with his son Roscoe F. he entered a formal partnership, and this son has since been active manager of the home place. This Perry Township farm is known as the Riverdale Farm, and from it many fine horses, cattle, hogs and Shropshire sheep have gone to market. January 10, 1864, Mr. McClain married Mary Crumrine, who was born in Perry Township September 20, 1841. Crumrine is an old and prominent name in western Pennsylvania, and her parents, Martin and Catherine (Proshus) Crumrine, came out of that state and established themselves as pioneers in Perry Township. Mr. and Mrs. McClain became the parents of nine children : Lucinda A., widow of Ulysses Apple of Perry Township ; William Leonard of Lima ; Charles E., whose home is in California; Henry' E. of Goldfield, Nevada ; Florence M., Mrs. Philip Ulrey of Perry Township ; J. T. at home; George W. of Bath Township ; Minnie, Mrs. Fred Bradley of Lima ; and Roscoe F., who is the seventh in age among the children. Mr. Isaac McClain is a republican in politics. While always a very busy man, he has considered it a duty to act in public capacity when his services were required and he served as township land assessor and township treasurer. He helped build the Methodist Church in his community, and has ever since been one of its trustees. MINOR EVANS, sole proprietor of the Minor Evans Coal and Builders Supplies Company, is recognized as one of the reliable and responsible men of Allen County. He was born at Paddy's Run, now Shan- don, Butler County, Ohio, May 16, 1872, a son of Robert W. and Margaret (Davis) Evans. The Evans family is of Welsh stock, and its members have always been noted for their industry and thrift. John Evans, the American founder of the family, came from North Montgomeryshire, Wales, to the United States at the age of twenty-one years, landing here in April, 1817, and within a year settled at Paddy's Run, buying ninety-six acres at that point, and later increasing it. His death occurred in 1890. He was married after coming to this location to Sarah Nicholas, born on this farm. They became the parents of fourteen children, of whom Robert W. was the eighth in order of birth. Robert W. Evans was a farmer and contractor until his death, which occurred at Hamilton, Ohio, in 1909, his wife having passed away the year previously. She was born in Sugar Creek Township, Butler County, Ohio, and was one of nine children. Minor Evans was one of twelve children, eight of whom are still living, and of them all he is the seventh in order of birth. He acquired a common school education at Paddy's Run. From the time he was twelve years old he alternated working in a general store with attending school, and kept up this practice until he was seventeen years old, at which time he went to Hamilton, Ohio, and, young as he was, embarked in a grocery business and conducted it very profitably for two years, but desiring a wider field and better opportunities for development, he went into the clothing store of Kreb Brothers as salesman, and continued with them for a period of fifteen years. In the meanwhile he had become a well known figure in Butler County, and in March, 1910, was appointed superintendent of the infirmary, and held that position until March, 1913. In that same year he came to Lima and embarked in the manufacture of pies at 119 West West street, and conducted it with gratifying results for six and one-half years under the name of the Evans Pie Bakery, but then sold and bought the business he is now conducting from F. W. Drake, taking charge of it on September 15, 1919, and changing its name to the one he is now using, the Minor Evans Coal and Builders Supplies Company. His trade comes from all over Allen County. In addition he has other interests and is a man of ample means and considerable prestige in his community. In August, 1894, Mr. Evans was united in marriage with Josephine Faber, a daughter of John P. and Mattie (Miller) Faber of Hamilton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have five sons and one daughter. Mr. Evans is a democrat and while living in Hamilton he was elected on his party ticket a member of the City Council. Since coming to Lima he has taken a public-spirited interest in the local affairs of his new community just as he had in his old one, and is rightly numbered among the really worthwhile citizens of Allen County. His relations with the business world are of such a character as to reflect credit upon his methods and gain prestige for this locality by attracting to it a large and valuable trade. JOHN W. REED, for eighteen years associated with his brothers, H. M. and J. F. Reed, in the Reed Brothers Electric Company, 125 East Market Street, February 3, 1921, withdrew from the concern, his interests being taken over by his brothers. The retirement of Mr. Reed from the firm marks the first change in ownership of the company since the three brothers organized the concern, which is Lima's pioneer in the electrical line. Only two other electrical companies were in business here when Reed Brothers was established, and these have long since passed from the local field. When the Reed brothers arrived in Lima, the electrical business was only slightly past the infant stage. The electric light company was doing business in a small way back of the Opera House Block, and was wiring houses free of charge to increase business, it is said. Builders were suspicious of electricity, and H. M. Reed relates one instance where the irate owner of a new home drove him from the place, declaring that he would not have his house wired, as he did not want his residence burned up with those new-fangled electric lights. Despite the discouraging outcome of the first year's business, the three brothers continued their efforts and built up a thriving trade. 180 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY John W. Reed was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in January, 1875, a son of Westley and Adeline (Walters) Reed. The Reed family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and its members have either been merchants or members of the different professions. Westley Reed was a railroad man and connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad for many years. His death occurred in 1898, but his widow survives. Mr. Reed attended the public schools until he reached the age of fourteen years, and he later took courses in electrical engineering in the Lippincott and Scranton schools. In the meanwhile, when only fourteen years old, he began to be self-supporting as light trimmer for the Cantine Light Company at Crestline, Ohio, and remained with that company for four years, rising within two years to be light engineer. Leaving his first company, Mr. Reed engaged with the Peltow Engineering Company of Cleveland, Ohio, as erection man, and held that position for six months, and then left it to take charge of the underground work for the Cleveland Illuminating Company, which position he occupied with capable efficiency for a year, and then received and accepted a flattering offer from the Alliance Cantine Light Company to construct the entire lighting system of Alliance, Ohio, and engine room, and after he had been working on the job for nine months a sale was made to the Edison Company. Mr. Reed then went into the electrical business for himself at Cleveland and for two years held and carried out some of the important contracts in his line in that city. Disposing of his interests at Cleveland, Mr. Reed then engaged with the American Ship Building Company at Lorain, Ohio, and was engaged in installing electric lights on boats, and his ability received almost instant recognition as he was made boat foreman within two weeks of his entering the employ of this corporation. Following a connection with it of two and one-half years Mr. Reed went to Bay City, Michigan, as electrical engineer to build five boats and reconstruct 'the yards there. After giving this work his constant attention for a year, he came to Lima, Ohio, and in 1894, in partnership with his brothers, Frank and H. M. Reed, he organized the firm of Reed Brothers Electrical Company at the present location. In 1902 Mr. Reed was united in marriage with Anna E. Pilgrim of Galion, Ohio, a daughter of Melvin and Tamzon (Miller) Pilgrim. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have four children, namely: Rita Adaline, Eugene Pilgrim, Marion Wesley and Nellie Elizabeth. Mr. Reed belongs to the Elks, the Lima Gun Club, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and he is an adept at trap shooting and big game hunting. A democrat, Mr. Reed was elected on his party ticket as a member to the City Council from the Third Ward of Lima in 1919 for a two-year term, and has taken an important part in that body ever since, being now chairman of the city light committee and a member of the bridge and paving committee and four other committees of less importance. The Methodist Church holds his membership and benefits from his liberal contributions toward its support. A very carefully trained man of wide experience, he is giving his community the result of his specialized knowledge and is rightly enumerated among the best men of his community and county. CHARLES C. SIFERD. One of the leading business man and best known citizens of Lima is Charles C. Siferd, who is very successfully conducting an undertaking and embalming establishment at 726 South Main street. He has succeeded in his chosen lrfe work because he has been persistent and energetic and honorable in his dealings with the public, and he has therefore had the confidence and good will of all, which are indispensable factors if one succeeds in any line where the public has to be depended upon. Charles C. Siferd was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on May 3, 1880, and is the son of David Adam and Elizabeth (Barlow) Siferd, the former a native of Virginia and the latter born and reared near Cridersville, Ohio. Mr. Siferd's paternal grandfather was a native of Germany. His maternal grandparents, James and Elizabeth (Mauk) Barlow, were natives of Pennsylvania, but became early settlers of Ohio, locating west of Cridersville. James Barlow was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived at Cridersville for about twenty years. Later he moved to Wapakoneta, where he spent the remainder of his years, having retired from the active work of the ministry some time prior to his death. David A. Siferd took up the business of contracting while still in young manhood, specializing in road building and well digging, but finally he ceased that line of work and engaged in the undertaking business, which he followed up to the time of his death in 1916. He is survived by his widow, who resides in Wapakoneta. They were the parents of the following children : James, deceased; D. A., of Wapakoneta; Eliza, the wife of Charles C. Hossellman of Lima; Lulu, the wife of William Osborn of Illinois; Cora C., deceased; Charles C., the subject of this sketch; Willis S. and Edward A., both of Lima. Charles C. Siferd was reared under the parental roof and attended the ̊public schools until thirteen years of age. He then went to work for his brother in the undertaking business at Wapakoneta, remaining with him for sixteen years. He then went to Montpelier, Indiana, where for three years he was engaged in the undertaking business on his own account. At the end of that period he sold out there and on February 10, 1914, came to Lima and opened an office for undertaking and embalming. As a funeral director Mr. Siferd possesses those qualities which are especially desirable and necessary in thal work, and he has by his thoughtful consideration and courtesy won many friends since becoming identified with this community. In September, 1901, Mr. Siferd was married lo Hattie H. Jacobs, who was born in Wapakoneta, the daughter of Otto W. and Antoinette (Traueze) Jacobs, who were natives of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Siferd have been born two children: Theodore W. and Lucile C., both of whom are at home. Mr. Siferd and family are members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of which Mr. Siferd is a member of the Board of -Stewards. Politically he is an earnest supporter of the democratic party, while fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association, the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and the Indiana Embalming Association. Because of his generous disposition and kindly nature he has won and retains the good will and esteem of all who know him. CHARLES FRANKLIN SPRAGUE. The beautiful rural property known as "The Indianwold Farm" in Shaw- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 181 nee Township is owned by Charles Franklin Sprague, one of the most enterprising and progressive agriculturalists of Allen County, and his success, especially in the breeding of Duroc-Jersey swine and Holstein cattle, has brought him into prominence. He was born at Wapakoneta, Ohio, June 12, 1872, a son of Sidney and Amanda (Ritchie) Sprague. He was born at Fort Amanda, Auglaize County, Ohio, and she at Harrisonburg, Virginia. Henry and Margaret (Tyson) Sprague, the grandparents, were born near Marietta, Ohio, and William and Mary M. (Fulk) Ritchie, the maternal grandparents, were born in Rockingham County, Virginia. After their marriage the parents located in Auglaize County, Ohio, but moved to Allen County, and he died at the home of his son, Charles F. Sprague, where his widow continues to reside. After completing his course in the public schools Charles Franklin Sprague attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, for two years, and for seven years was a student of the Ohio State University, from which he was graduated in law. For the subsequent seventeen years Mr. Sprague was engaged in a general practice of his profession at Lima, and for fifteen years served as secretary of the Lima Home & Savings Association. In the meanwhile he has purchased a farm of 329 acres in Shawnee Township, in sections 16, 17 and 18, and moved to it in 1912, since which time he has been extensively engaged in breeding and raising Duroc-Jersey swine and Holstein cattle and carrying on a general line of farming. Since owning this farm he has made a number of fine improvements, and has developed it into one of the most valuable ones of the county. On June 14, 1900, Mr. Sprague was united in marriage with Mabel Elizabeth Walter, born in Zanesville, Ohio, a daughter of George and Catherine (Fisher) Walter of Zanesville. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague have three children: Charles Walter, Lenore Amanda and Dorothy Mae, all of whom are at home. Mr. Sprague and his family are consistent and valued members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Lima, of which he is vice president and deacon, and he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary for years. In politics he is a republican. He belongs to Lima Lodge No. 51, Knights of Pythias, and has passed all of the chairs ; is a member of the Kappa Sigma Greek letter college fraternity, is president of the International Federation of Duroc Breeders, which includes the United States, Canada, South America and Mexico, is president of the Ohio Duroc Breeders Association and president of the Allen County Holstein Association. When a man of the education and intelligence of Mr. Sprague turns his attention to agriculture the results are bound to be satisfactory, for the mind which has been carefully trained to solve legal problems knows how to grapple with those presented in the new line of endeavor. Such a man is not content to follow old lines of procedure, or use methods which are antiquated, but is ever experimenting and bringing to bear upon each phase of his work an intelligence which never fails him. He does considerable lecturing on breeding problems all over the United States. LOUIS PETER LOTTER, proprietor of the Lotter Grocery and Meat Market on South Main street, Lima, is a man of long and capable experience in the meat industry and that has been practically his life work. His parents were Samuel and Minnie (Prrce) Lotter. His father came from Bavaria, Germany, when a young man, and was married at Van Wert, Ohio, where he followed the butcher's trade. Louis P. Lotter, third among five children, was born at Willshire in Van Wert County in February, 1873. His father conducted a general store and market at Willshire, and the business is still owned by the family. Attending public school at Willshire to the age of seventeen, he then went to Dayton and for twenty years busied himself with acquiring every detail of the butcher and general packing industry. In December, 1919, Mr. Lotter came to Lima and took over one of the old established stores of the city, and his enterprise has been amply rewarded with a large and profitable business. In 1917 Mr. Lotter married Amelia Lear of Lima. Politically he is a republican, is a member of the Lutheran Church and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. WILLIAM TELL AGERTER was for nearly thirty-five years closely identified with Lima's greatest and most distinctive industry, the Lima Locomotive Corporation, and at the same time has been prominent in other lines of business and as a thoroughly progressive and public spirited citizen of the community. Mr. Agerter was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, October 16, 1859, a son of John and Dorothy E. (Hottle) Agerter. His father was a civil engineer by profession. The son acquired a public school education at Upper Sandusky, attended a business college, and in January, 1881, entered the employ of the Lima Machine Works as a bookkeeper. The Lima Machine Works had been established about twelve years before for the manufacture of general sawmill machinery, and it was still building the original type of logging locomotives when Mr. Agerter became connected with the firm. In 1884 Mr. Agerter became secretary and treasurer of the Lima Locomotive Works, as then reorganized, and from that time forward the business of the company was broadened to include locomotive engines for every type of railroad service, as well as logging and tram engines. He was an active official in the corporation through its successive growth and development, until it became one of the largest independent locomotive plants in the United States, sending its product to every country on the globe. When the company's name was changed to the Lima Locomotive Corporation he was retained as secretary and treasurer, and so continued until he sold his interests in the corporation in December, 1915. Other important business affairs which have claimed a share of Mr. Agerter's time and attention have been as a director of the Old National Bank, director of the Citizens Loan and Building Association, as president of the A-C-W Realty Company. He has been president of the Woodlawn Cemetery, was for many years on the Lima School Board, was one of the original members of the Lima Progressive Association, later the Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Lima Club, Shawnee Country Club, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Elks. Mr. Agerter married Carlotta Disman, whose father, George W. Disman, was a pioneer in the iron and machinery industry at Lima, and an expert who helped establish on a firm basis the original 182 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Lima Machine Works. Mr. and Mrs. Agerter have two children, Rose E. and William Tell, Jr. HERMAN F. KERN. A man of unquestioned business ability and worth, talented and cultured, Herman F. Kern, of the firm of Kern Brothers, located at 732 South Main street, Lima, has recently opened a most modern and up-to-date store, and as a jeweler and druggist is winning a fair share of the community's patronage, having already gained to an eminent degree the confidence and good will of the people. A son of Peter and Bertha Elizabeth (Hartenstein) Kern, he was born December 10, 1891, in Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio, of German lineage. Both his paternal grandfather, Leo Kern, and his maternal grandfather, Herman Hartenstein, were natives of Germany, and both came to the United States in boyhood, the former having settled permanently in Ohio, and the latter living first in Pennsylvania and later in West Virginia. Laying a substantial foundation for his future education in St. John's parochial school in Bellaire, Herman F. Kern subsequently attended the Wheeling, West Virginia, High School, and the Ohio State University at Columbus. Going then to Peoria, Illinois, he studied watch making and engraving at the Bradley Polytechnic Institute, where he was graduated in 1911, and where in 1914 he took a post-graduate course of four months. Returning then to Bellaire, Mr. Kern worked as a jeweler for awhile, and was afterward in Columbus, Ohio, for a year, having charge of the Weible Company's store. Going from there to Montana, he first located at Butte and then at Great Falls, where he was engaged in the jewelry business eight months. Coming back to his native state, Mr. Kern assumed charge of the decorating department of the Excelsior Commercial Body at Columbus, and retained the position until October, 1917, when he enlisted in the United States army at Camp Sherman, and for eight months thereafter served as corporal in the One Hundred and Fifty-Eighth Brigade, Sixth Training. Battalion. Receiving his honorable discharge in the early summer of 1918, he resumed his former position with the Excelsior Commercial Body, and remained in Columbus nearly two years. Forming a partnership with his brother, Peter Everett Kern, M. D., he opened his present store at Lima in the spring of 1920, and as a member of the firm of Kern Brothers is carrying on a substantial business as a druggist and a jeweler in his store at 732 South Main street, his drug department being complete in every respect, and his stock of jewelry being choice and very attractive. Mr. Kern has never married. He is independent in politics, both national and local, and is a member of St. John's Catholic Church. JOHN CLARENCE ATKINSON. The wholesale handling of fruits and vegetables in a large city like Lima is likely to be confined to men of experience in the produce business, for it is one that requires careful management to prove successful. Attention must be paid to easy transportation, for in case of belated shipments immense loss might follow. Public taste and fluctuating markets are factors to be considered, as are also the offerings made by competitors in the same line of trade. One of the thoroughly reliable men in the business at Lima is John Clarence Atkinson, proprietor of the J. C. Atkinson Wholesale Produce Company, located at 557-559 South Main street, Lima. Mr. Atkinson was born at Waynesville, Ohio, his grandfather, who was of English ancestry, having settled in Wayne County many years previously. The family removed later to Lima, and there Peter Atkinson, the grandfather, became a successful commission man. He died in 1912, but the grandmother survives. For many years E. S. Atkinson, father of J. C., was also in the wholesale commission business in this city. Until he was eighteen years old Mr. Atkinson devoted the greater part of his time to his school books, then gave his father occasional assistance and later for a year and a half was associated with him in the wholesale commission business as a salesman. For two years afterward he was with Levi McCarty in the same business, then bought him out and established his own produce business at the present location, his father acting as his manager. Thus for three generations the Atkinsons have been in the same line of business here and the same honest standards have always prevailed. Mr. Atkinson not only has a wide city trade but it extends over a radius of fifty miles in the country. Politically Mr. Atkinson is a republican. Although business has always been more attractive to him than political life, he is too intelligent to lose sight of its importance in the life of the nation, and as a private citizen exerts his influence accordng to his convictions. He belongs to the Benevolent and Prqtective Order of Elks, and is a member of the United Brethren Church. LAWRENCE ELWOOD CARTER. The qualities of industry, adaptability, intelligence and progressiveness have prevailed in the energetic life of Lawrence Elwood Carter, winning for him a substantial position among the agriculturists of Shawnee Township. Mr. Carter was born February 20, 1867, in a log house in Union Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, the same home in which his father was born, and on land which his grandfather, William Carter, of Pennsylvania, entered from the Government, and is a son of Charles and Harriett (Sellers) Carter. Following their marriage the parents of Mr. Carter settled on the old home place, where they carried on agricultural operations for many years, but during the last twenty years of their lives resided at Wapakoneta, where the father died in 1909 and the mother in 1918. They were highly respected people of their community and the parents of six children: Adeline, the wife of Charles Forbus of Lima ; Della, who died as the wife of the late J. H. Jams; Lawrence Elwood; Etta, the wife of G. W. Winks of Auglaize Township, Allen County; Dora, the wife of William J. Burden of Wapakoneta ; and Calvin, of Lima. Lawrence E. Carter was educated in the district school in the vicinity of his boyhood home in Union Township, Auglaize County, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, November 24, 1890, to Anna M. Wittie, who was born at New Bremen, Ohio, daughter of Herman and Catherine Wittie, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. Following his marriage Mr. Carter secured employment in the wheel works at Wapakoneta, where he remained nine years, then renting a farm in Duchuquet Township, Auglaize County. He spent three years on that property and two years on another farm in the same township, and then purchased a farm in HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 183 Shelby County. Two years later he traded this for a livery barn at Cridersville, which he moved to Lima, but one year later sold this business and rented a farm in Auglaize County, where he remained three years. Mr. Carter came to Allen County in 1890 and bought his present farm of ninety-five and one- half acres in section 24, Shawnee Township, and this has continued to be his home ever since. He has made numerous improvements, including new buildings, and now has a valuable, productive and attractive estate, in addition to which he farms fifty-five acres of rented land. He carries on general farming, and his industry and modern methods have combined to gain him a worth-while success. Mr. Carter holds stock in the Farmers Elevator at Hume. While a resident of Auglaize County he served as supervisor of roads for two years, and January 1, 1920, was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of Shawnee Township. He is a democrat in politics and is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees at Wapakoneta. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carter : Charles, of Shawnee Township, who married Goldie Graymire and has two children, Donnie and Margaret ; Della, Mrs. Roscoe Porter, who resides with her father and has one child, Dorothy ; Harry, who is his father's assistant on the home place; and Leota, the eldest, who died in the fall of 1916, aged twenty-eight years. PETER EVERETT KERN, M. D. Well fitted for the medical profession, not only by his high mental attainments, but by his native talent and temperament, Peter Everett Kern, M. D., is numbered among the active and skillful physicians and surgeons of Lima, where his patronage is rapidly increasing. A son of Peter Kern, he was born in 1888 at Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio, coming from thrifty German ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Leo Kern, was born and educated in Germany. Coming to America as a youth of fourteen summers, he grew to man's estate in Ohio, and during his earlier life was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was subsequently engaged in the banking business at Bellaire, Ohio, and was connected officially with the Savings and Loan Company of that city, living there until his death in 1915, at the age of seventy-seven years. Peter Kern was engaged in the livery business at Bellaire, Belmont County, during his active career, which was comparatively brief, his death having occurred when he was but forty-three years old, in 1906. He married Bertha Hartenstein, who is still a resident of Bellaire. Her father, Herman Hartenstein, spent the first fourteen years of his life in Saxony, immigrating from there to the United States as a boy. He lived for several years in Pennsylvania, later moving to West Virginia, where he was first employed as a steel maker, and afterward as superintendent of the mail department of the Carnegie Steel Company. He attained the advanced age of eighty-eight years, dying in 1918. The eldest child in a family of three children, two of whom are living, Peter Everett Kern obtained his elementary education in the parochial school connected with the Bellaire Cathedral, and afterward attended the Xaverian Brothers Military School at Wheeling, West Virginia, there being graduated as second lieutenant in 1906. The following year he attended the Ohio State University in Columbus, taking the long course in pharmacy and in the winter of 1907-8 completed the course at the Notre Dame University in Notre Dame, Indiana, and in 1909 was graduated from the Ohio State University, obtaining his degree as Graduate of Pharmacy, and finishing his first year as a medical student. The ensuing two years he served as clerk in a dry goods store at Columbus, and then visited different parts of the west, spending two months in Butte, Montana. Returning to Ohio, Mr. Kern entered the sophomore class of the Ohio State University and was there graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1915. He had previously, in 1911, won the second prize bestowed by the State Board of Pharmacy for efficient work as a pharmacist, which he had practiced for three months in Akron, Ohio. Locating as a physician in Glencoe, Ohio, Doctor Kern remained there three months, and then moved to Gibsonburg, Ohio, where he continued in practice until 1917, being quite successful. On August 1, 1917, the doctor enlisted at Cleveland in the Medical Corps, and received his commission as first lieutenant. Being called to the colors, he went to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, on May 7, 1918, and was there stationed until receiving his honorable discharge from the service on December 24, 1918. Immediately locating in Toledo, Ohio, Doctor Kern was there actively engaged in the practice of his profession until March 1, 1920, when he located in Lima, where he has already acquired a fine reputation as an able and skillful physician and surgeon, his services being in demand throughout the city and its suburbs. Doctor Kern married, in 1916, Electa Azalia Bowser, a daughter of Peter and Anna Rebecca (Beigle) Bowser, of Gibsonburg, Ohio, and into their pleasant household two children have made their advent, Peter Everett and Anna Elizabeth. The doctor is independent in politics, belonging to no party. Fraternally he is a member of Lima Court, Independent Order of Foresters. He also belongs to the Allen County Medical Association, and religiously he is a valued member of St. John's Catholic Church. EARL C. DORSEY. The younger generation of capable business citizens at Lima is worthily represented by Earl C. Dorsey, who within the period of a few years has won his way to a position of promise in commercial 'circles. The junior member of the firm of Dorsey & Dillow, proprietors of the City Feed Store on the Public Square, is a progressive and enterprising business man and is typical of the element that Lima depends upon for the furtherance of its commercial interests in the future. Mr. Dorsey was born at Lima November 14, 1889, a son of E. H. and Ella (Anspach) Dorsey, the Dorsey family being of Irish origin. His father, formerly a business man of California, now has an interest in the Automatic Sales Company of Lima, with the operations of which he is actively identified. The eldest of three children, Earl C. Dorsey, attended the graded schools of Lima, spending two years also in high school, and then went to Los Angeles, California, where he completed his high school training by a course of two years. He acquired his first commercial experience with his father, who at that time was conducting a feed and fuel business in California, but in June, 1916, returned to Lima, where, with his father, he started a feed 184 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY business under the style of E. H. Dorsey & Son. In July, 1919, Mr. Dorsey took over his father's interest by purchase, and subsequently went into partnership with Frank Dillow, under the present style of Dorsey & Dillow. A large and lucrative city trade has been developed, while the country patronage extends over a radius of fifteen miles from Lima. Mr. Dorsey was married July 4, 1914, to Miss Clara Wehmeyer, daughter of John and Katherine (Keppler) Wehmeyer, of New Bremen, Ohio, and they are the parents of one son, Earl Emery, born in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dorsey is a republican, and his fraternal affiliation is with the Lima Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which body he has numerous friends. ELMER ASHTON BROWN. The Browns have been an important agricultural family in Allen county for several generations. One of them, Elmer Ashton Brown, owns and occupies the old Brown homestead on the Allentown Road out of Lima in American township. Mr. Brown has spent forty-eight years there, and has long been a successful farmer and dairyman. The Brown family came, to Allen county from Franklin county, Ohio. The first occupants of the homestead mentioned above were Abner G. and Kesiah (Ashton) Brown. They had four children: Laura E., living at Alliance, Ohio, widow of W. W. Johnston and the mother of two children, Goff B. and Watson; Roscoe W., a resident of Lima, married Lottie Smith, and their four children are Hillis R., Laura Hilda, Abner G. and Idamae. Swan W., a physician practicing at Detroit, Michigan, married Martha Clippinger and has one daughter, Florence Malvola; and Elmer Ashton. Elmer Ashton Brown, youngest of the four children, was born near Salem in the Dutch Hollow community of Allen county, December 10, 1872. He acquired his early education in district school No. 11, close to the old homestead where he grew up. This farm, called "Maple Grove," contains fifty acres and since early manhood Mr. Brown has had an active share in its cultivation and management. For a number of years he has been in the dairy business. In 1895 he married Effie May Ferrall, daughter of George K. and Matilda (Tustison) Ferrall, of Bath township. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have one daughter, Gladys Irene, a highly educated young woman and a successful teacher. She spent two years in the normal department of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and during 1916 spent a term in Bethany College. Since 1919 she has been assistant principal of the Grelton High School in Henry County. Mr. Brown and family are democrats in politics and members of the Church of Christ. Mrs. Brown has five sisters and four brothers : The brothers are James L. Ferrall, of Lima, and the father of six children, named Walter B. James, Howard, Margaret, Charles, and Mary Ellen ; Edmund H., of Tiffin, Ohio, whose four children are: George K., Robert, Wilbur, and Frank ; Chester A., also of Tiffin; and Russell V., of Lima, whose daughter is Dorothy. The sisters are Alice K., Mrs. Joseph Cox, of Continental, Ohio; Myrtle Irene, Mrs. Oscar Byerly, of Fostoria, and the mother of nine children, named Nellie, Lucile, Harold, Raymond, Eva, Georgia, Lenore, Kenneth and Robert ; Ada Belle, unmarried ; Martha Ann, Mrs. Harry Kollars, of Lima; and Grace Lavina, Mrs. J. E. Stevenson, of Lima, and the mother of three children, named Alice Margaret, Frances L. and Martha. FRANK E. DILLON. The supplying of the various needs of a large city is a very important factor in the business life, and the men who do this efficiently are not only acquiring a comfortable income, and oftentimes wealth, but they are also rendering a public service not easy to over estimate. The firm of Dorsey & Dillon, proprietors of the City Feed Store, is one of the reliable concerns of Lima, and Frank E. Dillon, the senior member, is numbered among the dependable business men of Allen County. Frank E. Dillon was born on a farm in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1871, a son of Thomas and Emily J. (Ragon) Dillon, and grandson of James Dillon, who came from Clermont County, Ohio, to Logan County, Ohio. James Dillon married Miss Mary Waits, an English lady, born in London, and they had two children. Thomas Dillon and his wife had five children, and of them Frank E. Dillon is the third in order of birth."' Growing up in Logan and Shelby counties, Frank E. Dillon learned to make himself useful on his father's farm, and attended the local schools until he was ten years old. At that early age he began working at Payne in an undertaking and furniture establishment, but after a year left it to go into a brick yard in Paulding County, where he spent two years. His next employment was secured in a stave factory at Grover Hill, Paulding County, Ohio, and he remained there for eight years. He then spent ten months at Traverse City, Michigan, and then, on April 1, 1899, came to Lima and went with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, as yardman, but later went into the shops and for three years was employed in learning the machinist trade. Leaving the railroad, he went with the Lima Locomotive Works, and was there for thirteen years as a machinist. The Gramm-Bernstein Truck Company next had his service as a machinist for two and one-half years, and for a similar period he was with the Ohio Steel Company, still working at his trade. Having been careful in saving his money, Mr. Dillon was then able to buy a half interest in his present business, taking his place in the firm on July 1, 1917, and this venture has proven to be an excellent one and he has been very successful in it. In 1889 Mr. Dillon was united in marriage in Paulding County. Ohio, to Ellen E. Anspach, a daughter of William and Kate (Fisher) Anspach, and they became the parents of the following children : Carl J.; Thomas, a resident of Marion, Ohio, was killed at the Atlas factory of that city August 31, 1917, leaving a widow ; William T., who lives at Lima, married Temple Morgan, and has one child, Dorothy May; and Ola May, who married Ralph Lachhead, of Lima, has a daughter, Margaret. In politics Mr. Dillon is a republican. He belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose of Lima. Both he and Mrs. Dillon are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Dillon is a man who not only was successful in his trade, of which he had expert knowledge, but he also has achieved a well deserved prosperity as a business man. Considering the fact that he had practically no educational ad- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 185 vantages and has had to earn his own living from childhood, his advance has been remarkable and a great deal of credit should be accorded him. PAUL NORMAN WHARTON. In this changing world of ours new lines of business are constantly coming into being to meet the requirements of an advanced civilization. The myriads of automobiles owned and operated by the people of the United States have created an imperative demand for first-class repair work and specially constructed storage room for those not owning a garage, and some of the most energetic men of the country are now turning their attention to satisfying this demand, with very gratifying results. There .is no community, however small, today which does not have its garage and repair shop, and in a place of any size there are a number of these establishments, presided over by practical men who know their business. At Lima there are a number of these, but none is more reliable than that conducted under the name of the Wharton Auto Repair and Garage Company by Paul Norman Wharton. The birth of Paul Norman Wharton occurred at Lima, Ohio, and he is a son of B. F. and Mary C. (Heffner) Wharton, both of whom come of English stock. Mr. Wharton was reared at Lima and here he attended the grammar and high schools, and after he had completed his educational training, he went to work for the De Weese Garage as repairman, remaining with it for two years. For the subsequent three years he was with the Maxwell Garage, and during all of this time learned the business thoroughly. He was a prudent young man and saved his money, and when he saw a desirable opening was able to take advantage of it. In 1916 he opened his garage and repair shop at his present location, and has been very successful. Mr. Wharton is also interested in real estate to a considerable extent, and is a man of ample means. In 1916 he was united in marriage with Marie Routson, a daughter of R. D. and Jennie (Walker) Routson, of Lima. A man of strong convictions, Mr. Wharton prefers to select his own candidates, and votes independently of party ties. He has served as judge of the Board of Elections upon several occasions, and is looked upon as a reliable and dependable man. His fraternal relations are confined to those which he maintains as a member of the Lima Maccabees. Both he and Mrs. Wharton are valued members of the United Brethren Church. SAMUEL FREDERICK COLEMAN, president, secretary and treasurer of the Coleman-Bresler Company at 142 South Main Street in Lima, has spent nearly all his mature years in the shoe and rubber goods busi ness, for many years as a traveling salesman, until he entered business for himself at Lima. He was born in Livingston County, Kentucky, January 3, 1853, son of Robert William and Martha Anne (Green) Coleman. The Colemans were colonial American settlers in Virginia and the Carolinas, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and Mr. Coleman's grandfather, John Edwin Coleman, brought his family from North Carolina to Livingston County, Kentucky, in early days. The Colemans through most of the generations have been planters and farmers. Mr. Coleman's mother was a direct descendant of the distinguished General Sullivan, one of the heroes of the Revolutionary battle of Bunker Hill. Robert William Coleman, who spent practically all his life in Livingston county, Kentucky, until he died in 1870, at the age of forty-nine, was a Methodist minister and farmer. Samuel F. Coleman was second in a family of eight children and as a youth lived in the rural districts around Smithland, Kentucky, attending country schools, and also Smithland Academy. At the age of eighteen, having chosen a commercial career, he went to work in a general store at Smithland, the county seat of Livingston county. At the age of twenty-one he sought a wider horizon at Evansville, Indiana, and for fifteen years remained a faithful employe of a clothing and dry goods business establishment. He left there to go on the road as a traveling salesman representing a clothing and shirt house, and for a year and a half sold these wares over Illinois and Indiana. Next, with his brother- in-law, Frank Rudy, he engaged in business at Anderson, Indiana, under the name Rudy and Coleman, dealers in men's furnishing goods. He was there two years, following which for a short time he was in the shoe business at Anderson, Indiana, and at Danville, Illinois, and then made his first location at Lima, where he remained six months. Mr. Coleman was for fourteen years on the road as a salesman for footwear manufactured by the Marion Rubber Company and the Marion Shoe Company of Marion, Indiana, covering the territory of northern Indiana, southern Michigan and western Ohio. Another three years he spent as a traveling salesman over Ohio territory for William F. Mayo and Company of Boston. Mr. Coleman in 1914 bought a controlling interest in the Lima shoe business of Clapper & McKay Company, and six months later Charles F. Bresler acquired the remaining McKay interest and the name was changed to Coleman & Bresler and has since been incorporated as the Coleman-Bresler Company. This is one of the leading institutions of the kind in Allen County, and the patronage of the store is drawn from a territory thirty miles around Lima. Mr. Coleman is a democrat in politics and a member of the Trinity Methodist Church. He married Bertha M. Johnson, widow of Ernest Johnson, and daughter of Levi Coggshell, of Marion, Indiana. Mrs. Coleman by her first marriage had two children : Zora Pauline is the wife of Steen G. Sorenson, of Norwood, Ohio, and has a' daughter, Sylvia Pauline. Ernest Johnson is in his junior year at the Ohio State University. GEORGE P. CONNER is widely and favorably known as one of Lima's leading real estate operators. His business experience has covered a wide field both in Ohio and elsewhere. He began his career as a painter, and for a number of years was a building contractor. He was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1852, of English and Irish ancestry and a son of James Alexander and Elizabeth (Pickels) Conner. His parents were also born in Armstrong County. His father was the first commissioned pilot on the Allegheny River, and was pilot of the steamboat Belle, which carried the first consignment of mail up the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh to Oil City. He died in 1866, when George P. Conner was fourteen years of age. The latter attended country schools in Armstrong County, and as a youth learned the trade of house 186 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY painter at Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania. Later he went to Philadelphia, and graduated in 1872 from Pierce's Academy. He then remained in the city, learning the art of sign painting with Isaac Newton, Taylor. Thus equipped for a business of his own, he followed painting until 1877, when he moved to Ada, Ohio, where the family for four years conducted the Commercial Hotel. In 1880 Mr. Conner married Fannie L. Funk, daughter of Randolph Mitchell and Eliza (Harford) Funk, of Lima, where her people were early settlers. 'Mr. and Mrs. Conner have two daughters. Rhea Lillian, the older, is the wife of Charles R. Lingo, of Cincinnati, and has two sons, Richard Lisle, born in 1905, and Walter, born in 1912. Mabelle Pauline, the younger daughter, is the wife of Walter O. Yehley, of Delaware, Ohio, and has a son, Robert Benedict, born in 1910. For about two years after his marriage Mr. Conner remained in Lima working at his trade, and then went to Topeka, Kansas, and entered the contracting and building business. He was there thirteen years, and that phase of his career was unusually successful. Following this he went on the road as traveling representative for the Carter White Lead Company of Omaha and Chicago, and for five years did an extensive business over the territory of Iowa and Illinois. Leaving the road, he returned to Lima and since then has dealt in real estate and related lines and is individually the owner of a number of valuable parcels of real estate in Lima and vicinity. Mr. Conner is a republican in politics. He is one of the prominent Masons of Allen County. He is affiliated with Garrett Wycoff Lodge, No. 585, of Lima ; Lima Chapter, No. 49, Royal Arch Masons ; Lima Council, No. 22, Royal and Select Masters ; Shawnee Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar. He is past high priest of Topeka Chapter, No. 5, Royal Arch Masons, served as high priest of Lima Chapter, No. 49, and is also past commander of Shawnee Commandery. He served as grand representative of the Grand Council of Kansas. He is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. JACOB ANDREW ROEDER is a prominent farmer of Bath township and has lived on one farm in that locality since his marriage, more than thirty years. Mr. Roeder was born in Bath township, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gutekunst) Roeder, who was married September 3, 1857. His father, Jacob Roeder, came from Germany, where he was born, July 2, 1833. He was a pioneer settler in Bath township, where he lived out his life, dying in 1901. The mother was born November 7, 1840, and died in 1915. Jacob Andrew Roeder was the third of six sons and three daughters, and spent his youth on his father's farm, attended the Blue Lick school to the age of sixteen, and after that gave his services to his father until his marriage. February 13, 1887, Mr. Roeder married Margaret L. Crawford, daughter of John and Anne (Stoner) Crawford, who were married May 30, 1861. John Crawford was born October 23, 1817, and died January 4, 1888. The mother was born March 2, 1826, and died July 28, 1894. Mrs. Roeder has always lived on the farm formerly owned by her parents. She is the mother of three children : Goldie May, Emmett Porter and Norah Ann. Emmett Porter married Delia Knipp of Lima and has two children, Richard Ralph and Dorothy May. Norah Ann is the wife of Walter Miller of Cridersville and has two children, Helen Marie and Eldon Roeder. After his marriage Mr. Roeder remained on the hundred forty acre farm of his wife's parents, and as a substantial agriculturist steadily prospered and has added to his holdings until his present farm comprises two hundred eight acres, most of it under cultivation, and with improvements comparing favorably with any farm in the township. Mr. Roeder for eight years, from 1907 to 1915, lived at Lima, but with that exception has devoted all his time to his farm. The Crawfords, Mrs. Roeder's family, are of Scotch-Irish ancestry and came to Allen County from Medina County. Her father and her uncle David were both pioneer settlers. David Crawford lived to the remarkable age of ninety-eight and died at Lima in 1910. Mrs. Roeder is the elder of two children, her sister being Mrs. Ida Jennings of Monroe township. Mr. Roeder is a stockholder in the Farmers Mutual Thrasher Company, is a democrat, is present assessor of Bath township, and a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. STERLING SIDENER is member of a very well known family in Allen County, has lived here for about forty years, and though he began his active career as a farm hand and renter his achievements are represented in the ownership of one of the leading stock and grain farms in Perry township. Mr. Sidener was born in Madison township of Fairfield County, Ohio, September 14, 1856. His parents were Noah and Mary Amanda (Greer) Sidener. His father was a shoemaker by trade, but for many years did farming. He died in Fairfield County, August 1, 1875. In 1880 the widowed mother with her six children came to Allen County and settled on a farm in Perry township and in 1881 bought that farm. She lived there until her death on August 28, 1899. Her children were: Charles, deceased; Sterling ; Joseph N. and Fenton K., both residents of Perry township ; Albion R., deceased; Dr. Thomas T. of Lima ; and Cora E., a teacher. Sterling Sidener acquired his early education in the district schools of Fairfield County, and was twenty-two years of age when he came to Allen County in the fall of 1878. At that time he was unmarried, had no property interests, and was looking for the best opportunities. For a time he worked as a farm hand in Auglaize County, and in the spring of 1879 became an employe of Albert A. Wolf in Perry township. He then went back to the old home in Fairfield County, but after three months returned to Perry township, and for a short time worked for his uncle, William Wonnell, then took a portion of the Wolf farm on the shares and during 1881 farmed his mother's place on the shares. In 1882 he farmed the Shaeffer place in Auglaize County. August 1, 1882, he married Mary A. Shaeffer, a native of Fairfield County and daughter of Salem F. and Maria (Wolf) Shaeffer, natives of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Sidener had very little at the time they married and they continued as renters for several years. For two and a half years they rented the Minor Harrod farm in Auglaize County. Mr. Sidener made his first purchase of land when he bought thirty acres in Section 33 of Perry town- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 187 ship in Allen County. This place was partly improved though he built a new house and barns, and his well ordered industry has been responsible for many changes and improvements there. In 1891 he bought fifty-one adjoining acres, partly in Section 28 and partly in Section 33, thirty-one acres of which were cleared. He has since cleared the balance of this except five acres in timber. Mr. Sidener is a general farmer and for several years has been associated with his son in the raising of registered Jersey cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs and Rhode Island Red chickens. The farm is well named the Jerseyside Brook Farm. The west end of the farm is well watered by Camp Creek. His only son and child, Roy H., is his business partner in the livestock feature, and the firm owns nearly forty-two acres in Section 33, divided by the road from Mr. Sidener's home place. Twenty-five years after their marriage Mrs. Sidener died, October 15, 1907. The son Roy married Mary R. Eibling, a native of Hardin County, Ohio, and daughter of Frederick and Anna Eibling. Roy Sidener and wife have a daughter Edith Mary. Mr. Sidener has always taken a commendable interest in local affairs, is a stanch Methodist, has been steward of his church since 1894, and was a trustee for fifteen years. He also gave many years' service to the interests of the local schools as a member of the school board and for three years was a justice of the peace. In politics he is a republican. ALBERT HENRY ROTHE is a native of Allen County, a prosperous young business man owning a high class general store at Blue Lick in Bath township. Mr. Rothe was born in Perry township in 1882. His father came to this country from Freiburg, Germany, was an early settler in Perry township of Allen County, was a tailor by trade, but for many years owned and actively managed his farm of a hundred forty-three acres in Perry township. He died in 1909 and Albert H. is the youngest of his five children. Mr. Rothe lived on the home farm, attended the public schools until seventeen, and thereafter employed his energies at farming until 1912, when he invested a modest capital in a store at Yoder in Allen County. He was in business there two years, and for four years was employed as an inspector with the Garford Truck Company at Lima. In June, 1920, Mr. Rothe bought his present business at Blue Lick, and maintains a mercantile service that is highly appreciated and generally patronized by all the surrounding section. Mr. Rothe married in 1908 Miss Maude Logan, daughter of Willett L. and Loretta (Howbert) Logan of Auglaize township, Allen County. They have three children, Gerald Wilbur, born in 1909, Inez Mildred and Grace Bernice. Mr. Rothe votes for the man rather than the party in politics, but was elected on the democratic ticket in 1914 as treasurer of Perry township. He is a member of the Disciples Church. ELZA JAMES MCELROY. The successful business man in any line is he who knows his goods thoroughly, the class of trade to which he is catering, the best medium for reaching that trade, and just what all of his competitors are doing all of the time. The merchandizing of cigars is a line of endeavor which has its force impelling exactions, but when it is properly conducted with judgment and skill, it is an exceedingly profitable pursuit, as many of the sound men of the country are finding. Allen County has its fair quota of these retailers, and one who is representative of the best class in this line, is Elza James McElroy, sole proprietor of the Congress Cigar Stand, and of the Norval Cigar Stand of Lima. Elza James McElroy was born in Liberty township, Hardin County, Ohio, in 1875, of Scotch-Irish stock, the great-grandfather, Hugh McElroy, having come to the American Colonies from the North of Ireland, in 1748, and settled near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in farming, and became one of the substantial men of his times. His son, John McElroy, grandfather of E. J. McElroy, came to Ohio, and became a farmer of Columbiana County, and there spent the remainder of his useful life. Hugh G. McElroy, a son of John McElroy, and father of E. J. McElroy, located in Liberty township, Hardin County, Ohio, where he developed large farming interests. He married Hulda Clark, and they became the parents of six children, of whom E. J. McElroy was the third in order of birth. Growing up in his native county, E. J. McElroy attended the local schools, and the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, entering that institution in 1893, and taking a two years' teacher's course. For one term he taught the school of District No. 9 in Liberty Township, Hardin County, but found that he did not. like the confinement of the schoolroom, and so entered the employ of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, and worked as fireman for five years on both freight and passenger trains running between Toledo and Cincinnati. Leaving the railroad business Mr. McElroy opened a retail cigar store on North Main Street in Lima, and conducted it for a year, then sold and went to Ada, where he conducted a cigar business until January, 1917, at which time he returned to Lima and established the Norval Cigar Store. On January 12, 1919, he established the Congress Cigar Store, and is conducting both enterprises, and owns stock in several other concerns. In 1899 Mr. McElroy was united in marriage with Lettie Warren, a daughter of William S. and Catherine (Miller) Warren, of Hancock County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McElroy have no children. In his political views Mr. McElroy is in accord with the principles of the republican party and gives its candidates his earnest support. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order.- of Elks, the Kiwanis Club, the Lima Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants Association, and takes an active part in all of these organizations. During the time he has been at Lima he has gained the confidence of the business world, and has every reason to be satisfied with the progress he has made along the road leading to big achievements. CLYDE LEROY MECHLING. In the early settlement, later development and all the substantial interests of Perry Township perhaps no family has been longer identified and more usefully than the Mechlings. As a family the Mechlings were of German origin and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania about 1728. One of the ancestors of the present generation in Allen County was William Mechling, who in 1812 moved from Westmoreland County, Pennsylva- 188 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY nia, to Perry County, Ohio. He died in 1855 at the age of seventy-one. In 1832 William Mechling had entered 1,162 acres in sections 18 and 13 in Perry Township, Allen County. Thus it was ninety years ago that the Mechlings acquired primary interests in Allen County, and from that time until today 'the name has been an honored and respected one in that locality. William Mechling divided his Allen County lands among his children. His son Joshua Mechling was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and was only three years of age when his parents moved to Perry County, Ohio. On March 27, 1834, he married Sophia Weimer. who was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1810. In 1836, Joshua Mechling came to Allen County to occupy a portion of his father's estate in Perry Township, and he did a pioneer's part in developing the land and lived there until his death on December 17, 1879. His widow survived him until 1893. Eli Mechling, a son of Joshua, was born in section 18 of Perry Township October 1, 1836, and died June 10, 1916. He was for many years an influential citizen of Allen County, served eight years as a director of the County Infirmary, was also township clerk and trustee, an active democrat, and was trustee and deacon of the Lutheran Church. On March 22, 1866, Eli Mechling married Sarah Ridenour, who was born in section 5 of Perry Township May 27, 1842, and died December 6, 1915. Eli Mechling and wife had two children : Lewis L. who was born January 15, 1867, and died February 26, 1884; and Milton A. Milton A. Mechling was born on the home place in section 18 of Perry Township September 1, 1872, and has always lived on the home place, having inherited the property after his father's death. He was educated in the school of District No. 4. Feb.. ruary 21, 1892, Milton Mechling married 011ie T. Hoskins, who was born in Union County, Ohio, at Magnetic Springs, a daughter of Cullwell and Rebecca (Harrod) Hoskins, the former a native of Leesburg Township in Union County and the latter of Auglaize County, Ohio. For ten years after his marriage Milton Mechling lived in a house on the old farm apart from the family residence, after which he and his father built a modern frame residence in which he lives today. Milton Mechling served one term as county treasurer and as a prosperous farmer has always given a public spirited share to the common interests of the community. He is a Lutheran and a democrat. Milton A. Mechling and wife had three children, Clyde L. being the oldest. Eli H., the second, was born October 22, 1898, and is still at home, as is the youngest, Helen Irene, born October 19, 1901. Clyde Leroy Mechling, who in recent years has assumed a responsible place in the Mechling farming interests in Perry Township, was born on the old homestead in section 18 July 27, 1894. He was well educated in local schools and in December, 1915, married Florence Nesbitt, who was born in Springfield, Ohio, a daughter of Edward and Dorothy (Hoffman) Nesbitt. Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Mechling have one daughter, Marjory May, born July 12, 1918. CHARLES M. ROUSCULP has been one of the enterprising citizens and business men of Lima for a number of years, and is sole proprietor of the Lima Cycle Company on West High street. He was born near Somerset in Perry County, Ohio, in May, 1876, son of Philip M. and Martha (Mechling) Rousculp. He is of German ancestry, but represents the sixth generation of the family in America. His father died in 1894 and his mother is still living. Charles M. was the third in their family of five children, four of whom are still living. During the winter terms he attended school and otherwise worked on the farm, and when his father moved to Allen County and established a general store in the little community known as Rousculp he helped in the store and worked there for seven years, gaining a great deal of business experience in that way. Later he became a farmer, and continued farming until 1904. For some years following he was a rural mail carrier at Lima, but in 1912 he laid the foundation of his present business as a dealer in motorcycles and bicycles at 315 North Union street. Since 1913 his business has been at its present location, 212 West High street, and has mounted to a $40,000 a year business. Mr. Rousculp is a member of the Merchants' Association, Young Men's Christian Association, Chamber of Commerce, Elks and the Lutheran Church. He is the father of five children : Rowena, who is a graduate nurse of the Lima City Hospital; Vera Ellen, of Lima ; Jessie Grace; Harold Charles, and Lloyd Ellsworth. ALEXANDER AND REBECCA CREPS were pioneers of Allen County, driving overland from Pennsylvania in 1832 in a two-wheeled cart and settling in what is now Auglaize Township, where he laid out and named the town Westminster, naming it after Westminster, Maryland, where his wife was born. At that time this part of the country was practically covered by a growth of timber. There Mr. Creps built a three-story log house, the first in that county, and one which attracted much attention among the pioneers. This he used as a tavern and general store for many years. He became one of the influential men of his county and reared a family of four children, namely, S. A., W. W. and H. D. Creps and Mrs. Margaret E. Dove. Mr. Creps died in 1878, aged seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Creps were members of the Heidelberg Reformed Church located on the Marion road. In 1879 Rebecca Creps, widow of Alexander Creps, built a brick church in Westminster in memory of her husband, completing it in every detail. She gave this building to the Reformed Church, in which services were held for many years, until the time the church was destroyed by a cyclone in 1898, when the ground on which the church was built was deeded to the First Christian Church of Westminster on October 6, 1898. Rebecca Creps died December 24, 1906, age ninety-one years. She was held in the highest esteem and respect by all who knew her. GEORGE DANNER. The years of the past century were, on the whole, difficult ones for a farmer, and for a man to start with nothing, relying upon the work of his hands for years, renting and contending with low prices and other handicaps and eventually achieve independence through agriculture was a notable accomplishment and real success. Such was the experience of George Danner, one of the most prosperous farmers and land owners in Shawnee Township of Allen County. Mr. Danner was born in Seneca County, Ohio, February 9, 1851. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 189 His parents, George and Elizabeth Danner, were natives of Germany and were part of the great emigration from the fatherland to America about 1848. In the fall of that year they settled in Seneca County, where George Danner, Sr., worked in railroad construction until 1858. Then having saved enough to buy a team he moved to Sugar Creek Township of Allen County, and supported his family by teaming until the fall of 1864. After that he rented a farm in Shawnee Township for six years, subsequently lived as a renter for about three years in Auglaize County, and by thrift and energy managed to provide for his family and secure a modest share of comfort. She died in October, 1894, and he in May, 1895. Their children were : Mrs. Manning Woodruff of Cridersville, Ohio ; George; Elizabeth, widow of George Emler and living in Van Wert County, Ohio ; John of Cridersville; Barbara, Mrs. Frank Delong of Cridersville; Sarah, Mrs. Charles Downey of Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Sophia, widow of John Reichelderfer of Cridersville; and Mary, Mrs. William Shaffer of Cridersville. George Danner grew up in a home of very modest comforts, and never had any better advantages than those of the district schools. He assisted his father and worked out as a farm hand for neighboring farmers. He had not advanced far on the road to prosperity when he married, and with the aid of his good wife has accomplished a large part of his subsequent prosperity. After marriage he rented a farm in Auglaize County for fourteen years. Then coming to Shawnee Township, Allen County, bought forty acres of partly improved land, and set himself to the task of making a farm. He put up new buildings, ditched and fenced the farm, and practically transformed it as respected improvements and productiveness. Later he bought nineteen acres of black soil along a creek and still later acquired 1271/2 acres adjoining the original home on the north. This land he has given a complete equipment of buildings, and has carried out an extensive system of ditching and other improvements. Now after many years of labor and well directed enterprise Mr. Danner is the owner of 1861/2 acres, and all is under cultivation except twenty-five acres of timber and pasture. He has depended upon general lines of farming for his prosperity, but has always kept as much live stock as his land would justify. He has made something of a specialty of raising Shropshire sheep, and has many horses, cattle and hogs. On May 2, 1875, Mr. Danner married Miss Emma Bowsher. She was born in Shawnee Township of Allen County July 14, 1857, and is a member of an old and prominent pioneer family of Pickaway County, Ohio, where her parents Isaac and Harriet (Meffley) Bowsher were born, as were also her grandparents, Daniel and Catherine (Weaver) Bowsher. Her parents came to Shawnee Township in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Danner have been married forty-five years, and have reared a family of several children, now well established in homes of their own. Oscar, their oldest child, died in infancy ; Lillie is Mrs. A. K. Manahan of Allen County; Elizabeth is the wife of Lester Layton of Shawnee Township; Lena died in childhood ; George was born December 8, 1889, and died October 20, 1918, when in the flower of vigorous manhood ; Ethel died at the age of twelve and a half years; and Cecil is Mrs. Nathan McElroy of Shawnee Township. Mr. Danner and family are members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church of which he is a deacon, and in politics his support is given to the Democratic party. ELMER W. WILKIN. One of the owners of extensive farming interests in Allen County, the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch, Elmer W. Wilkin is the peer of any of his fellows in the qualities that constitute good citizenship, possessing not only those powers which render men efficient in the material affairs of life, but also those traits which mark refined social intercourse, and as a large-hearted, whole-souled gentleman no man in his community commands more fully the good will of the people. Elmer W. Wilkin, whose property, known as Pleasant Hill Farm, is located one and a half miles southeast of Spencerville, was born in Spencer Township on April 15, 1883. He is the son of Tilmon and Sarah Elizabeth (Biner) Wilkin, the former a native of Licking County and the latter of Tuscarawas County, this state. Tilmon Wilkin first came to Allen County and was here married to a Miss Clauson, to which union were born two children, one of whom, Charles M., of Van Wert Township, is living. After the death of his first wife Mr. Wilkin was married to Sarah Elizabeth Biner and to this union were born eleven children, eight of whom are now living, as follows : John E., of Lima; Byron, of Michigan; Leroy, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and now stationed at Osborn, Ohio; Vernon H., of Spencer Township ; Elmer W.; Alice, the wife of Elza Shaffer, of Spencer Township; Anna, the widow of S. F. Kephart, of Spencer Township ; Lillian, the wife of Robert D. Long of Auglaize County. Elmer E. Wilkin was reared on the paternal farmstead and secured his education in the public schools, being a graduate of the Spencerville High School, class of 1903. He taught school for twenty-three months and attended the Northern Ohio University at Ada. In 1908 Mr. Wilkin rented the home farm, which he operated until 1911, when he bought the forty-acre farm where he now lives. He also has another forty acres, which he has improved and brought up to a fine state of cultivation. He uses sound judgment in his farm work and is considered a man of excellent ideas relating to agriculture, being numbered among the progressive farmers of his community. On May 10, 1906, Mr. Wilkin was married to Anna L. Beerman, the daughter of William and Julia A. Beerman. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin are members of the Reformed Church and Mr. Wilkin is assistant superintendent of the Sunday school connected with that society. Fraternally, he is a member of Spencerville Lodge No. 251, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor and a member of the grand lodge. He and his wife are members of the Pythian Sisters, of which Mrs. Wilkin is a past chief and member of the grand lodge. Both are also members of the American Insurance Union. Politically, he gives his support of the democratic party and has sevred two / years as a member of the School Board. He was one of the organizers and is now secretary and a director of the Farmers Union Elevator at Spencerville. His life history has been distinguished by the Most substantial qualities of character and he stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. 190 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ROSCOE B. HARRIS. In the long life vouchsafed to him Roscoe B. Harris has used his opportunities to work out his individual welfare, and to perform and discharge all those obligations of a good citizen, a good neighbor and a factor in a social community. Mr. Harris, who for many years has lived on his present farm on route No. 3 out of Spencerville, six miles northeast of that town, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, January 7, 1847, son of Calvin and Edith (Dunn) Harris. His father was born at Olean, New York, October 10, 1810, and his mother in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 23, 1813. They were married in Hamilton County May 28, 1835, and for a number of years lived at Lockland, where Calvin Harris followed his trade as a mechanic. About 1850 he brought his family to Allen County, and after cutting his way through the woods settled on land where his son Roscoe lives today. He built a home, made himself useful to the community, and lived there honored and respected until his death on June 28, 1892. His wife passed away December 9, 1881. They were the parents of a family of nine children, whose names and dates of birth are given the following record: Mary A., October 13, 1836; Edith R., December 12, 1838; Clifford G., December 25, 1839 ; Calvin W., May 4, 1842; Charles F., November 10, 1844; Roscoe B., January 7, 1847; Abigail A., January 21, 1849; Clarence B., August 3, 1851 ; and Berton E., April 11, 1854. Only three are now living: Mary A., wife of T. A. Handle of Marion Township, and Roscoe B. and Clarence B., both of Amanda Township. Roscoe B. Harris was about two and a half years of age when brought to Allen County, and here he grew up in rural surroundings, with the common schools as his chief source of education. He lived at home and found work to do until he married on September 24, 1870, Artemesia Welch. Mrs. Harris was born in Marion Township of Allen County June 7, 1852, and died March 5, 1921. She was a daughter of John and Mary (Thompson) Welch. Her father was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1818, and came to Allen County when a boy, growing up on a farm in Marion Township. Her mother was born in Champaign County, Ohio, September 5, 1821. They were married July 11, 1847, and spent all their married lives on a farm in Marion Township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harris lived a year in Amanda Township, then ten years in Marion Township, and since then have occupied one home and one locality, the farm whose situation has been described above. Mr. Harris owns eighty-two acres and has employed it for general farming and stock raising purposes. He and his wife had five children : Bertha, wife of T. S. Plackard of Lima ; Clarence L., a farmer in Amanda Township ; Grace L., wife of David C. Miller of Lima ; Richard R., also of Lima ; and Lillian, wife of Verne Huffer. The family have long been identified with the Baptist Church in Marion Township, Mr. Harris serving as deacon and trustee and for many years superintendent of its Sunday school. He and his wife are members of the Marion Grange of which he is past master, and in politics he has supported numerous republican tickets. JAMES PILLARS. Pillars is one of the names associated with the larger affairs of the State of Ohio and also representing one of the oldest and most prominent families of Lima and Allen County. Isaiah Pillars was a great lawyer and held many offices of trust and responsibility at home and in the state. He was admitted to the bar when not quite twenty-one years of age, and began practice at Lima in 1855. The following year he married at Lima Susan Fickle. In 1862 he was appointed commandant at Camp Lima by Governor Tod with the rank of colonel, in 1866 was elected prosecuting attorney of Allen County, in 1871 was chosen representative in the General Assembly, declining re-election after one term, and in 1877 was elected attorney general of the State of Ohio. This able lawyer and citizen died at Lima September 13, 1895. His son, the late James Pillars, was born at Lima November 4, 1856, and lived in his native city all his life except while acquiring his education. His education was completed in the Swedenborg College at Urbana, Ohio. He was a civil engineer by profession, and for a long period of years was connected with one or other of the offices of county surveyor and city engineer. He was elected and served as county surveyor from 1885 to 1888 and 1888 to 1891, and as city engineer from 1892 to 1894. At the time of his death, which occurred June 28, 1914, he was assistant county surveyor. He was a very sincere democrat and prominent and active in his party and was a member of the Methodist Church. September 4, 1883, at Lima, he married Ella Littler, daughter of Rev. James M. and Mary (Conwell) Littler. Their only child, Robert, died in infancy. James Pillars was deeply interested in Allen County as his home and in the history and preservation of historical relics. It was mainly due to efforts of Mr. Pillars that Allen County has the historical records and display of which the county is so proud and for which future generations will be so thankful. One of his chief hobbies was the Allen County Historical Society, with which Mrs. James Pillars is also actively identified. WILLIAM A. FREDERICK. For some years past the Hillside Farm has had the reputation of being one of the most productive and best kept up farms in Perry Township. Its owner, and the man responsible for this reputation is William A. Frederick, who has lived in Allen County nearly all his life and is one of the county's most substantial citizens. Mr. Frederick was born in Auglaize Township September 20, 1855, son of William and Jane Maria (Kline) Frederick. His father was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and grandfather Frederick came from southern Ohio at an early date to Allen County. Jane Maria Kline was born in Marion, Ohio, and was only four years of age when her parents died. Her father was a tanner at Marion. She was reared by her Uncle, Henry Kline, in Delaware County, Ohio. William and Jane Maria Frederick were married in 1845 and in 1846 moved to Auglaize Township of Allen County. They were substantial farmers in that section for many years, but about 1895 moved to the Village of Harrod where the father died in 1901 and the mother in 1905. Their children were: Mrs. Mary Wray, deceased; Nancy, of Harrod ; Sarah, deceased; Alice, Mrs. Charles Swan of Lima ; Henry E., of Jackson Township; William A.; Isaac, of Wichita, Kansas ; John Thomas, deceased; and Clement Elmore, of Harrod, Ohio. William A. Frederick supplemented his advantages in the district schools by one term in the Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. Beginning at the age HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 191 of sixteen he taught in country schools for two years. Following that for two years he rented a farm from David Hefner in Van Wert County. Returning to Auglaize Township he managed his father's place for several years. In May, 1885, Mr. Frederick married Emma Humrick, a native of Auglaize Township and daughter of John P. and Margaret (Stoot) Humrick. Her parents were born in Germany and were early settlers in Allen County. After his marriage Mr. Frederick conducted a butcher business at Lima for five years. Selling out he has since been engaged in farming. At the beginning he rented his wife's father's place in section 1 of Perry Township, and continued to rent that place after the death of her father until her mother died in 1903. They then bought the interests of the other heirs in the eighty acres, and this constitutes the Hillside Farm. Mr. Frederick has replaced practically all the old buildings, and he has given much attention to the maintenance of the buildings in good repair and with fresh paint. At different times he has also been occupied with public service, having served two terms as assessor and ten years as a member of the School Board. He is a democrat and is an active member and has been an elder since 1895 of the English Reformed Church. Mrs. Frederick and their only daughter Nettie are also members of the church. Nettie is the widow of Emmet Lippincott and has one daughter, Helen Lippincott, born June 8, 1913. JOHN ZEITZ is a venerable resident of Perry Township, who as boy and youth went through all the experiences common to the pioneer in proving up and developing a tract of woodland and putting it into cultivation and establishing a home. Mr. Zeitz was born in Germany in December, 1835, son of John Peter and Mary (Stutt) Zeitz. In 1850 the family left Europe, embarked on a sailing vessel, which was forty days in crossing the ocean. Practically all the party were seasick except the son John, who had to assume the place of cook for most of the passengers. From the eastern coast the family traveled west to Cleveland and then drove overland to Westminster, spending one night on the way at Kenton. At Westminster John Peter Zeitz bought forty-two acres of timber land, and in clearing it out the son John proved an effective aid. He lived at home to the age of twenty-one, working on the place in winters and hiring out at wages during the summer. For several years he worked as a railroad hand and also as a farm laborer. Mr. Zeitz eventually bought forty acres of his own in section 22 of Perry Township. This, too, was covered with dense timber. In October, 1865, he married Philapina Koch, who was born in Baden, Germany, on October 23, 1846, daughter of Ludwig and Elizabeth Koch. After his marriage Mr. Zeitz continued railroad work for some time and lived for a year in Lima. For about seven years prior to his marriage he sold most of the timber taken from his own land to a brick plant and also worked at the plant as a brick maker. By the time he was married he had about ten acres cleared, and when he went there to live he built a story and a half log house. Then followed many busy years of clearing and improving. He also bought forty acres across the road in section 15 and with other land he had a farm almost in a body comprising 140 acres, and subsequently bought eighty acres more in section 25 of Perry Township. His son-in-law, Rufus Creps, now lives on this eighty in section 25. Mr. Zeitz is still living on his original forty acres, and has been in that one neighborhood for sixty years or more. The land is now farmed by his son, and he is practically retired. Mr. Zeitz is a democratic voter and a member of the German Reformed Church. His good wife passed away November 13, 1904. She was the mother of three children: Mary Catherine, wife of Rufus Creps of Perry Township ; Louis John on the same place; and Fred William of Lima, WALTERS BROTHERS. A very prosperous and high-class mercantile establishment in Lima is Walters Brothers, dealers in fancy groceries and meats at 999 West Main street. The firm comprises Harry Ernest and Leon Peter Walters, both business men of long experience and able qualifications. Harry Ernest Walters was born at Kettlersville, Shelby County, Ohio, July 6, 1887, a son of John and Louise (Hilgeman) Walters. His paternal grandparents were natives of Germany but were married in this country and became Ohio farmers. They had a family of five sons and five daughters, John Walters being the third in age. John Walters for many years was a successful brick manufacturer at Kettlersville, but since 1915 has lived at New Bremen, Ohio. Harry E. Walters attended the schools of Kettlersville to the age of fourteen, and gained his first knowledge of the grocery business as an errand boy in a grocery store there for two years. For another year he was a helper in a stone pottery plant at Dayton, Ohio, then worked a year in a grocery house at New Bremen, and, coming to Lima, was a salesman in Piper's Grocery for six years. In 1914 he and his brother Leon Peter started a modest business as grocers and meat merchants on North and Jameson streets. Both were thoroughly versed in their special lines of merchandising, had aggressiveness and rapidly extended their trade. Largely as a result of the great increase in their business they moved to their present handsome store and quarters in May, 1919. Harry E. Walters is a stockholder in the Cleveland Discount Company and also has some real estate and other interests. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the First Baptist Church and is a republican in politics. In 1912 he married Miss Katherine Hick, daughter of Stewart and Laura (Fitzgerald) Hick of Lima. Their two children are Laura Louise, born in 1913, and John Stewart, born in 1918. NOAH BASINGER. The people of Bluffton realize that Noah Basinger is rendering them a very efficient and sympathetic service as an undertaker, and they also hold him in respect for the manner in which he is conducting his large furniture store. He was born in Richland Township, Allen County, Ohio, on the farm of his father, September 11, 1874, a son of David P. and Barbara (Schumacher) Basinger. Both were natives of Richland Township, he born August 14, 1841, and she in December, 1840. She died in September, 1913, but he survives. They were reared and educated in Richland Township, and there he became a teacher, and later became a minister of the Reformed Mennonite Church. They had seven children, six of whom survive, namely : N. W., who is deputy treasurer of Allen County and lives at 192 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Bluffton; Joel, died age eighteen years; Noah, who was the third in order of birth ; Lydia, who is unmarried; Julia, who is the wife of Peter D. Geiger of Bluffton ; David E., who is a resident of Bluffton; and Reuben, who is a resident of Lima, Ohio. Growing up on the homestead, Noah Basinger was early taught lessons of industry and thrift he has never forgotten, and he attended the local schools and the Bluffton High School, from which he was graduated. He then began merchandising, and for eight years handled clothing and shoes. In 1902 he began handling furniture, and in 1910 added undertaking to his business, having prepared himself for the latter line of work by taking a course of study at the Embalming School at Columbus, Ohio, from which he was graduated. He is also a stockholder of the Citizens National Bank of Bluffton, and a member of its Board of Directors. In 1907 Mr. Basinger was united in marriage with Anna E. Herr, a graduate of the Bluffton High School. They have two children, namely : Dorothy, who was born December 10, 1914; and James, who was born May 25, 1918. Mr. Basinger belongs to Bluffton Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Lima Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; Lima Lodge, Knights of Pythias No. 91, of which he is past chancellor; Bluffton Lodge No. 231, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand. In politics he is a democrat, and has served as village clerk. Mr. Basinger's undertaking establishment is fitted with all modern appliances for the proper conduct of the last sad rites, and he understands his profession thoroughly so is able to render a service that compares favorably to that of any undertaker in the country. As a citizen he is upright and honorable, and having the good of his community at heart is at all times ready and willing to aid in securing its advancement in every way possible. SETH BEAL ADGATE. A practical farmer and good business man, Seth Beal Adgate is justly numbered among the successful agriculturalists of Allen County. He was born on a farm on section 11, Shawnee Township, Allen County, Ohio, August 27, 1885, a son of Hart Carlysle and Lydia (Beal) Adgate, natives of Shawnee Township and New York State, respectively. The paternal grandparents were Charles and Mary (Carlysle) Adgate, natives of Trumbull County, Ohio, and Connecticut, respectively. After their marriage Carlysle Adgate and his wife settled in Shawnee Township, where they became extensive farmers and stock raisers, owning 500 acres. He was killed on February 8, 1911, by a train at a railroad crossing. His wife died in January, 1904, having borne her husband the following children : Harry, who passed away in infancy ; Mary, who is Mrs. E. O. Zurmehly; Seth B., who was second in order of birth ; and Sola B., who is Mrs. A. D. Zurmehly of Shawnee Township. Seth B. Adgate remained at home, assisting with the farm work while he was attending the local schools, until his marriage, which occurred September 12, 1911, when he was united with Ruth Greenland. She was born at Lima, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Bertha (McCormack) Greenland, natives of Indiana and Illinois, respectively. She is a granddaughter of Thomas and Anna Greenland, natives of England, and Newton W. and Martha Luretta (Cunningham) McCormack. Following their marriage Mr, and Mrs. Adgate located on their present farm. Mr. Adgate owns 240 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation with the exception of eighty acres which he keeps in timber. Here he is engaged in a general line of farming and stock raising, and is making a success of his undertaking, for he is a man who understands his business thoroughly. Mr. and Mrs. Adgate have two children, Mary Bess and Ruth Emily. Mrs. Adgate is quite active in the Presbyterian Church, of which she is a consistent member. In politics Mr. Adgate is a republican, but aside from casting his vote for the candidates of his party he does not take a very prominent part in public matters. He belongs to Lima Lodge No. 91, Knights of Pythias, and the Grange, and Mrs. Adgate belongs to the Round Table. For some time Mr. Adgate has been identified with the work of the Young Men's Christian Association in his neighborhood, and he belongs to the Allen County Historical Society. Having come of a family long established in the county, he is naturally interested in its history and recognizes the importance of properly preserving its record for future generations. A hard-working, thrifty and capable man, Mr. Adgate has steadily advanced through his own efforts and deserves the prosperity which is now rewarding him for his long years of toil and planning. SAMUEL K. MOSIMAN, president of Bluffton College at Bluffton, is one of the most scholarly men of Ohio, and a man of the highest standing among the successful educators of his times and locality. He was born in Butler County, Ohio, in the City of Middletown, December 17, 1867, a son of Christian and Anna (Kinsinger) Mosiman. Christian Mosiman was born near Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, March 11, 1842, a son of Christian Mosiman, a native of France, who came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania for two years, but left that state and came to Butler County, Ohio, in 1829. Still later he went to Kentucky, but after a decade spent there returned to Butler County. He was married in Butler County, Ohio, to a lady who was also of French birth, who had been brought to this country by her father in 1819, settlement being made in Kentucky, where he died. The daughter then moved to Butler County, Ohio, where she met and was married to Mr. Mosiman. Both united with the Mennonite Church, and continued active in the good work of that organization. In politics he was a democrat. The children born to Christian and Anna (Kin- singer) Mosiman were as follows : Mary, Samuel K., Salvena, Lavina, Ella, Leanna, Louise, John, Edison, William, Ezra, Elmer, Ida and Estelle, of whom Ezra is deceased. Samuel K. Mosiman was educated at Wittenberg College, from which he was graduated with the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts ; McCormick Theological Seminary of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, and he then studied in Germany. Prior to taking his collegiate courses Mr. Mosiman had been grounded in the public schools and the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. Doctor Mosiman had a fellowship in Hebrew, which gained for him a two years' course in the University of Halle, Germany, from which he was graduated in 1907 with the degree Doctor of Philosophy. In 1920 he received an honorary degree, Doctor of Literature, from Wittenberg College. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 193 Having prepared himself for the profession of teaching, Doctor Mosiman was engaged in teaching an Indian school from 1897 until 1902, and he was an instructor in philosophy and Greek at the National Normal School. In 1908 he came to Bluffton as a member of the faculty of Bluffton College, and in 1909 became acting president, and president in 1910, which distinguished office he still holds. Under his able administration Bluffton College has risen to high rank among institutions of learning of the country, and graduates of it receive great consideration. Doctor Mosiman was married in 1902 to Mollie S. Krehbiel, of St. Louis, Missouri, who died on the Atlantic Ocean in 1905. In 1909 Doctor Mosiman was married to Emilie S. Hamm, who was born and educated in Germany, from whence she came to the United States when a girl. She became an educator in Nebraska, and is a lady of high culture, and greatly interested in her husband's work. Both Dr. and Mrs. Mosiman belong to the Mennonite Church, and he has long been a member of the Board of Education of the General Conference of lhat religious body, and has been its chairman. He belongs to the Lima Rotary Club, and is one of its active factors. In politics he is an independent democrat. Mrs. Mosiman is a member of the Woman's Club and is now president of the Travel Class of that organization, and is a teacher on missions and Americanization. Doctor Mosiman is not only an educator who possesses in the highest degree the scholastic training, but his experiences are such as to give to his pupils a sharp, clear and illuminating conception of whatever study may be under consideration. He possesses the faculty of reaching the understanding of his pupils directly and surely, and not only wins their respect, but their affection as well, and is in himself an inspiration to lead them on to better and higher efforts.  - JOHN C. HERRMANN. A large part of the population of the thriving little city of Bluffton is dependent for its daily ice supply upon the Bluffton Ice Plant, which is rendering this community excellent service under the capable management of John C. Herrmann. Mr. Herrmann has been a resident of this city for a quarter of a century, during which time he has been engaged in several lines of business and has gradually developed into one of his community's substantial and reliable citizens. Mr. Herrmann was born in Switzerland, November 12, 1860, a son of John Christian and Rosina (Alig) Herrmann. The parents, who were also Swiss by birth, passed their lives in their native land in farming operations, and were faithful members of the Catholic Church, the father being a conservative in politics. There were twelve children in the family, of whom four are deceased, and five came to the United States : John C., Melk and Christian, of Columbus; Venerenda Yanker, of Sacramento, California; and Dora, who is married and resides in California. John C. Herrmann attended the public schools in his native country and at the age of seventeen years immigrated to the United States, first settling at Archbold, Ohio, where he secured employment in a brewery. He was employed by the year for some time and then leased the property, which he operated until coming in 1895 to Bluffton. Here he bought the brewery, which he conducted until it was closed by prohibition, since which time he has been chiefly interested in the operation of the Bluffton Ice Plant, an enterprise which he has developed into a definite success. Mr. Herrmann has various other interests and is a director of the Citizens National Bank of Bluffton. He has important holdings in realty, being the owner of town property at both Bluffton and Archbold, and having a one-half interest in ten flats at Lima, in addition to which he owns seventy acres of good land in Richland Township, Allen County. His standing in his community is that of a man of business integrity and honor and a citizen who supports all worthy enterprises. Politically a democrat, he is not a politician, but while a resident of Archbold served two terms as a member of the council of that place. On July 2, 1885, Mr. Herrmann was united in marriage with Miss Franzine Stuff, of Archbold, and to this union there were born four children: Joseph E., of Lima; John F., now engaged in business with his father at Bluffton, a veteran of the World war, during which he went to France and was twice at the front, where he was stationed at the time of the signing of the armistice; Andrew, also engaged in business with his father and likewise a veteran of the World war, in which he served as corporal and was at the front in France for nineteen days ; and Casper Ervin, who also saw service in France, where he was stationed for about ninety days prior to the signing of the armistice. Mr. and Mrs. Herrmann and their sons are consistent members of the Catholic Church. JAMES WILLIAM HOYT. All of the heroes are not those who make the supreme sacrifice on the field of battle. Just as much courage is shown by private citizens in the ordinary pursuit of their vocations, none of which, however, demands as much real bravery of its followers as that of a locomotive engineer. Each train which passes over the thousands of miles of railroad tracks is driven by a man, who each time he climbs in his cab takes his life in his hands, and unfortunately too many of these brave men pass out of life in an accident. Such was the case with the late James William Hoyt, whose widow is now one of the honored ladies of Lima, Ohio. James William Hoyt was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 1, 1843, a son of William and Jane (McClure) Hoyt, natives of Licking County, Ohio. During the war between the States James Hoyt enlisted in Company I, Sixty-Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the time of his entrance into the Union army was during the early part of 1861, in response to President Lincoln's first call for troops. He served throughout the war and was fortunate enough to escape injury. After his honorable discharge he returned to Lima, Ohio, and worked for one year at the cooper trade, and then took up locomotive engineering, first serving of course as a brakeman, then fireman, and in this way earning his promotion. While running an engine for the Wabash Railroad, he took the siding at Climers, Indiana, and was examining his engine, when a "flyer" struck him, and his death resulted, June 4, 1899. On November 12, 1866, Mr. Hoyt was united in marriage with Anna Saum, born at Homer, Licking County, Ohio, a daughter of Gideon and Elizabeth (Rosecrans) Saum, the former of whom was born Vol. II - 12 194 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. For seven years following his marriage Mr. Hoyt resided at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and then moved to Andrews, Indiana, where he was living at the time of his demise. Following that event Mrs. Hoyt came to Lima, Ohio, where she is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt had the following children: Clarence M., who lives with his mother ; Ernest, who lives at Indianapolis, Indiana ; William Earl, who lives at Dayton, Ohio ; and Maude A., who is Mrs. Albert Claypool, of Lima. Mr. Hoyt attended the Lima Methodist Episcopal Church, and his widow belongs to the Christian Church. In politics he was a republican. He belonged to the Masons and the Grand Army of the Republic. In his work as an engineer he was efficient and held in high esteem by his road. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. His untimely death was deplored, and Mrs. Hoyt was the recipient of several letters of condolence from his railroad and the organizations with which he was connected. Mrs. Hoyt is a first cousin to General Rosecrans of Civil war fame, whose family had originated in Holland, but came to the American Colonies at a period before the Revolutionary war. Since coming to Lima Mrs. Hoyt has lived very quietly, devoting herself to her family and her church, but she has endeared herself to her associates as a lady of admirable characteristics. BERT MILTON CORWIN, senior member of the White Cigar Company of the Public Square in Lima, is one of the substantial men of Allen County, and a man whose good judgment and business sense are recognized by all who know him. He was born in Union City, Indiana, in 1866, a son of Stephen G. and Almira (Gordon) Corwin. The family originated in England, from whence representatives came to this country and located in Pennsylvania, and then came to Ohio and Indiana. Members of this family have as a rule been either professional men or merchants. Stephen G. Corwin was living retired at the time of his death in 1902, but his wife had passed away in 1894. They had five children, of whom Bert Milton was the third child and only son. Bert Milton Corwin took the grade and high school courses at Franklin, Ohio, and then learned the trade of a carriage builder at Piqua, Ohio, When he had completed his apprenticeship he engaged in business with Wyckoff Clark, of Celina, and they continued as carriage manufacturers for ten years, when he sold his interests and came to Lima in 1903. Upon arriving in this city he entered in the restaurant and cigar business in partnership with two men, whose interests he later purchased and then, in 1908, sold Henry Steinle an interest, and the firm has since continued as Corwin & Steinle. On November 20, 1891, Mr. Corwin was united in marriage with Alice Shepherd, a daughter of W. E. Shepherd, of Mercer County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Corwin became the parents of two children, but had the misfortune to lose both, as Dee Gordon passed away on June 23, 1917, when seventeen years of age; and Fay, who died in 1894, when three months old. In his political convictions Mr. Corwin is a republican, but has never cared to enter public life. While living at Celina, Ohio, he became a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce, and upon locating at Lima continued his work in that body of this city. He also became a member of the Lima Club and of Lima Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is very active in all of these organizations. A man of great energy, he has always thrown himself into whatever he has undertaken and made a success of it, a fact his associates realize and therefore when they have some project on foot they endeavor to get him interested so as to insure its successful promotion. HON. JAMES MACKENZIE. Change is constant and general, generations rise and pass unmarked away, and it is the duty of posterity as well as a present gratification to place upon the printed page a true record of the lives of those who have preceded us on the stage of action and left to their descendants the memory of their struggle and achievements. The years of the honored subject of this memoir are a part of the indissoluble chain which links the annals of the past to those of later days, and the history of Allen County would not be complete without due reference to the long, useful and honorable life Mr. Mackenzie lived and the success he achieved as an earnest worker in one of the most important fields of endeavor. James Mackenzie was born at Dundee, Scotland, on July 14, 1814, and was the son of Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie. The latter was born on March 12, 1795, in Scotland, where he was reared and educated. In 1820 he emigrated to Canada, and four years later he established the Colonial Advocate at Toronto. In 1828 he was elected to the Provincial Parliament of York, and became the leader of the Reform party. In 1832, his term having expired, he was sent to London as a delegate with a petition of grievances. In 1834 he was elected the first mayor of Toronto, and continued to insist on reformatory movements in every branch of the government. In 1837 he headed a band of armed insurgents who demanded a settlement of the complained of grievances and in consequence of his part in the affair he was expelled from Canada and came to the United States. He resided here until 1849, when, political amnesty being procliamed by the Canadian Government, he returned to Canada. In 1850 he became a member of Parliament, in which he served until 1858. His death occurred in Toronto in 1861. James Mackenzie was about six years of age when, in 1820, he was brought by his father to Canada, where he received his educational training and where he learned the printing trade under the direction of his father. In 1837 he came to the United States with his father and, with the expelled insurgents, took part in the fighting along the frontier, during those strenuous days being his father's closest friend. Later he established at Lockport, New York, a newspaper, the Fremont Advocate, which was designed to help the cause of the protesting Canadians, but which was discontinued in 1839. He later was engaged by Vick & Company, of Rochester, New York, who were at that time issuing a daily paper, The Workingmen's Advocate, in the interest of American working men. The paper was later sold and its name changed to the Rochester Advocate, on which Mr. Mackenzie for a time was reporter and local editor. He then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he resumed his law studies, which he had previously commenced while living at Lockport, New York, and was prepared for admission to the bar by Bishop & Backus. He was admitted to the bar in 1845, and then moved to Henry County, Ohio, HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 195 where, while waiting for cases, he taught school and also entered politics, being elected township clerk. In 1844 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Henry County, but resigned the office in 1845 and moved to Putnam County, Ohio, and purchased the Kalida Venture, a democratic newspaper. He became a leader in the political life of Putnam County, and in 1846 was elected prosecuting attorney, being re-elected in 1848 and 1850. In 1853 he was elected to the Ohio Legislature, serving one term, and in 1856 was again elected prosecuting attorney of Putnam County. In 1858 he moved to Allen County and became editor and publisher of the Allen County Democrat. In 1861 and again in 1863 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Allen County, and in 1865 he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas, serving with distinction until 1879, when he retired from the bench and resumed his law practice in Lima, forming a partnership with Theodore D. Robb. He died on May, 9, 1901. He married Lucina P. Leonard, and they became the parents of seven children. His life history exhibited a career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable private industry, high mental ability and wholesome home and social relations—a commendable career crowned with success, his memory being today honored by all who knew him. JAMES GORTON MACKENZIE. A worthy native son of Allen county is he whose name forms the caption to this paragraph, a man who not only is a representative of an old and highly esteemed family of this community, but who has through his own ability and successful efforts won for himself a high place in the esteem of the people among whom he has spent his life. James Gorton Mackenzie was born in Lima, Ohio, on July 9, 1884, and is the son of Eugene C. and Ella Frances (Gorton) Mackenzie, the former of whom was born in Kalida, Ohio, on October 15, 1856, and the latter was born at Warren, Ohio, in September, 1861. The paternal grandparents were Judge James and Lucina Polly (Leonard) Mackenzie, the former born near Dundee, Scotland, and the latter a native of New York state. The maternal grandparents were William B. and Frances (Roberts) Gorton, both of whom were born and reared in New York state. James Mackenzie took a prominent part in the historic Canadian rebellion of 1837, went to New York state from Toronto, but returned to Canada a few months later, and was afterward a member of the Canadian Parliament. He is referred to specifically in a personal sketch elsewhere in this work. Eugene C. Mackenzie was brought to Lima in his youth and received his educational training in the public schools of this city. In 1876 he was appointed deputy county clerk of Allen county, serving as such until 1881, when he was elected county clerk, filling that office until 1888, having been elected to succeed himself. He was then connected with the Manhattan Oil Company as shipping clerk, but was afterwards given charge of that company's car department in Wood county, Ohio. In 1900 he returned to Lima and organized the Fidelity Coal and Supply Company. dealers in coal and building supplies, and the company has enjoyed a prosperous career, being now numbered among the leading concerns of the kind in this community. The official personnel of the company is as follows: James G. Mackenzie, president ; R. B. Holland, vice president; E. F. Mackenzie, secretary; F. L. Mackenzie, treasurer; and Eugene C. Mackenzie, general manager. Eugene C. Mackenzie is widely known throughout Allen county and has a host of warm and loyal friends, who esteem him highly not only because of his splendid official record and his business success, but also because of his high personal character. To Eugene C. and Ella F. Mackenzie were born two children, Helen M. and James Gorton. Helen M. became the wife of R. B. Holland, vice president of the Fidelity Coal and Supply Company, and they have four children, Catherine, Fred, Rolla B. and Eugene Gorton. James G. was married to Frances Roberts. In addition to his relations with the Fidelity Coal and Supply Company as president, he is also a member of the Board of Commissioners of Allen county and proprietor of the El Dora Stock Farm of 200 acres just west of Lima. The family are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Mackenzie gives his earnest support to the Democratic party and maintains a public spirited attitude towards every movement or enterprise for the advancement of the general welfare of the community, A man of forceful individuality and marked business ability, he is well equipped for the larger duties of life, while his probity of character and his genial personality, obliging nature and generous impulses have gained for him universal esteem and friendship in the community where his entire life has been spent. ERNEST T. MITCHELL. The study of the life of the representative American never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction, developing a mastering of expedients which has brought about splendid results. Ernest T. Mitchell, the well-known cashier of the City Bank at Lima, Ohio, is a worthy representative of that type of American character and of that progressive spirit which promotes public good while advancing individual prosperity. He has long been prominently identified with the business interests of Allen County, and while his personal efforts have brought him success they have also advanced the general welfare of the community by accelerating and encouraging general business prosperity. Mr. Mitchell is a native son of the county now honored by his citizenship, having been born in Lima on the 3d day of May, 1863, and is the son of Thornton T. and Nancy (Stephens) Mitchell, the former of whom was during his active life prominent and influential in the banking and business life of Lima, his death occurring in September, 1909. Ernest T. Mitchell received his educational training in the public and high schools of Lima, following which he took a commercial course in a business college in Dayton, Ohio. At the age of seventeen years he became a clerk in a book and stationery store in Lima, where he remained three years, at the end of that time going on the road as a traveling salesman in the same line for a Cleveland, Ohio, firm. Three years later he came to Lima and became associated as a partner with F. J. Banta in the confectionery business, which commanded his attention for about three years. At the end of that period he sold his interest in the business and during the three following years 196 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY served as a clerk in the City Bank, of which his father was the owner. He then became assistant cashier of the City Bank and on the death of his father in September, 1909, became cashier, which official position he is still holding. Since the death of the father he and his brother have been the sole owners of the business, which is now housed in a fine, modern and convenient building on the corner of North Main Street and the Public Square. This bank has long been known as one of the solid financial institutions of Allen County, and the Mitchell brothers have long held distinctive precedence among those enterprising citizens whose activities have been a potent factor in the development and upbuilding of the community. On September 15, 1886, Mr. Mitchell was married to Belle Thatcher, of Seneca, County, Ohio, the daughter of William P. and Harriett (Goodale) Thatcher, who are natives of New York State. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell has been born a daughter, Marguerite, who became the wife of Herbert F. Baxter, an insurance agent in Lima, now deceased. Fraternally Mr, Mitchell is a member of Lodge No. 52, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Lodge No. 91, Knights of Pythias. In political affairs he gives his support to the republican party and his religious affrliation is with the Presbyterian Church. Unostentatious, open-hearted and candid in manner, he has won a host of warm and loyal friends throughout this community, being numbered among the progressive, public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Lima. LEVI LUKE. Whether in the prosecution of his farming interests in Bath Township, as a stock dealer, or as an employe of one of the industrial plants at Lima Levi Luke has been known as a man of prompt action, reliable service and ability and public spirit. He was born July 24, 1852, son of Ephraim and Hannah (England) Luke, and when he was two months old his parents moved to Marion County, Ohio. He grew up there, attended a few months' school each year in a log schoolhouse, assisted in the work of the home farm, and that was his routine until he was twenty-two, when he married and started life on his own account. October 31, 1874, Mr. Luke married Sarah Jane Counterman, daughter of Pembrook and Elizabeth (Creglow) Counterman, of Waldo Township, Marion County. Mr. and Mrs. Luke have reared, educated and provided for a household of children. They were the parents of eight. Iza Rozelle, the oldest, died August 22, 1889, at the age of fourteen. Bert Lee, born in 1877, lives on the home farm with his parents. Ida Catherine is the wife of Earl Jennings, of Lima. B. Elmer, born in 1881, lives at Lima, and by his marriage to Inez Anderson of that city has three children, Blanche Maxine, Sarah Jane and Denelda. William Walter died in 1908, at the age of twenty-five. Blanche May died March 4, 1889, at the age of four years. Bessie Merle is the wife of E. Wooley, of Lima, and her three children are Helen Josephine, Gail Francis and Nina Marie. The youngest of the family is Harvey Dean, who in 1911 married Edna Mae Dunbar, daughter of Nathaniel Newell and Mary Elizabeth (Chandler) Dunbar, of Monroe Township, Allen County. Harvey D. Luke and wife have five children: Inez Lucile, Levi, Pauline Catherine, Edna Mae and Irene LaVergne, and one son, James Pembroke, died May 18, 1917, at the age of five years. After his marriage Mr. Luke moved to Pleasant Township, Marion County, lived in a log house three years, and farmed seventy-five acres. From there he came to Allen County, purchased the eighty-acre farm he still owns and in 1877 he and his wife and children occupied the substantial house of logs which is still standing and still shelters Mr. and Mrs. Luke more than forty years later. In 1890 Mr. Luke left the farm and for seventeen years farmed close to Lima. For the past ten or fifteen years he has resumed farming on his own place. For a number of years he was a stock buyer and shipper, and his operations in this line covered a wide territory. He has been successful in his business affairs and is a thoroughly honored citizen of Allen County. Mr. Luke is an independent republican in politics. GAIL JENNINGS, an ex-service man who served in the Medical Corps in France, is a member of one of the older families of Allen County, and since the war has engaged his energies vigorously and with a commendable degree of success in the agricultural life of Bath Township. He was born in Monroe Township, August 28, 1895, son of Orlando and Ida (Crawford) Jennings. His grandfather, Daniel Jennings, came from Pennsylvania and was one of the early settlers in Monroe Township, where he reared his family. Of his nine children Orlando is the eighth in age. Orlando Jennings has spent all his life at the old homestead in Monroe Township, and is still living on and operating the forty-four-acre farm where his father lived before him. Orlando Jennings had four children, all of whom are living, Gail being the second in age. Gail Jennings attended school in Sugar Creek Township until he was nineteen, spending the summers in work on the home farm. He was a young man about twenty-two when the war came on, and in March, 1918, he enlisted at Lima as a private in the Hospital Corps and was on duty six months in Evacuation Hospital No. 14 at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. July 13, 1918, he sailed for France from New York, spent three days at Liverpool, from there went to Brest and for nine and a half months was stationed in the Base Hospital at Rennecourt, and while there was made a first class private in the Hospital Corps. He remained several months after the signing of the armistice, and left Brest in February, 1919, on the freighter Karmalla, landing in New York in March, and was mustered out at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, March 9, 1919. Mr. Jennings soon resumed the vocation in line with his early experience. In April, 1920, he married Miss Vinnie Johnson, a daughter of William and 011ie Johnson, of Beaver Dam. Since then they have operated their farm of eighty acres in Bath Township, on rural route No. 8 out of Lima. Mr. Jennings is a democrat in politics. IRVIN HAYES MASON. Upon every man devolves duties and responsibilities in proportion to his several abilities, and Irvin. Hayes Mason has sought to discharge his obligations and make for himself a place of usefulness as a teacher and farmer. For a number of years he was connected with the educational system of Allen County and latterly has been engaged with equal success in the business of farm-   HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 197 ing in Bath Township. The Mason home is on rural route No. 2 out of Lima, and is one of the busy scenes of industry in the agricultural district. Mr. Mason was born in Bath Township June 30, 1876, and is of English and Irish stock, a son of Zalmon Root and Maria (Angus) Mason. He comes by agriculture somewhat as a family vocation, since there has been an unbroken connection between the Mason family and the basic art of tilling the soil in America for nearly three centuries. His first American ancestor was Sampson Mason, who came from England in 1638 and settled in Connecticut. His grandfather, Jarvis Mason, was an Ohio pioneer, coming to the State a century ago, and was an early settler in Bath Township of Allen County, where he acquired a tract of Government land containing eighty acres. He developed that into a farm, reared his family there and died. His wife lived to the age of ninety-six, and they were the parents of thirteen children. Zalmon R. Mason lived all his life in Allen County, and died in 1914. Irvin Hayes Mason is the youngest of five children, four sons and one daughter, and he was only a year and a half old when his mother died in 1878. He grew up on his father's farm, attended the Blue Lick school in Bath Township until the age of eighteen, but his schooling consisted largely of a few months each year. He made .the best of his advantages, qualified as a teacher, and for eleven years was in charge of some of the country schools of his native township and also spent three years, as a teacher in German Township. On March 24, 1900, Mr. Mason married Lydia Margaret Slusser, daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Morris) Slusser. of Putnam County. They have a family of five children: Vera Katherine, Russell J., Aline M., Blanche and Edith. The only son, Russell, was born on the 30th of November, 1904. Mr. Mason finally gave up his work as a teacher in 1911, and thenceforth applied his efforts seriously to farming. While teaching he had bought sixty acres, and he has since enlarged his fine property to eighty-five acres. He is a member of the United Brethren Church and is a republican in politics. Mr. Mason for twelve consecutive years has served as town clerk of Bath Township. ORVIN MONROE CRIDER is one of the larger land owners in American Township. and is one of the comparatively few men who handle a large and extensive farm property with a high degree of efficiency in all departments of management and cultivation. Mr. Crider represents one of the old and historic families of Allen County, and his home is supplied with mail from rural route No. 7 out of Lima. He was born in German Township of Allen County December 10, 1880, son of Isaac ,D. and Marlette (East) Crider. He is of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. It was his grandfather, Isaac Crider, who as a pioneer gave the name to the community of Cridersville in Allen County. He cleared up a large tract of land and reared a family of six sons and three daughters. Isaac D. Crider lived on the old homestead until 1880, then moved to the East farm, and in 1902 retired, and he and his wife occupied the pleasant home in Lima until they died. The mother passed away in 1910 and the father in 1913. Orvin Monroe Crider is the only surviving child, his sister, Viola Fay, dying at the age of three years. Mr. Crider acquired his education in the country schools of American Township to the age of fifteen, and for three years was a student in the Lutheran College, completing the normal course and receiving a teacher's certificate. He was one of the very popular and efficient teachers in Allen County for several years. For one year he taught at Eastown, three years in the Ash Grove School, and then again for a year at Eastown. When his father retired in 1902 he took the management of the home farm of eighty acres. His success at farming has enabled him to greatly increase his holdings. His home farm now comprises 140 acres. Besides his main farm he operates 169 acres. October 24, 1906, Mr. Crider married Myrtle Holmes, daughter of James V. and Rebecca (Kidd) Holmes. They have three children : Wendell Holmes, born in 1908; Darrell, born in 1910; and Grace Lenore. Mr. Crider is a democrat and is affiliated with the Lodge of Odd Fellows at Elida. CHARLES EDWIN HANES. Belonging to one of the pioneer families of Allen County, Charles Edwin Hanes was born on his father's farm in Shawnee Township, in a primitive log house, June 12, 1874, a son of Samuel and Henrietta (Crites) Hanes, both of whom were born in American Township, Allen County. The grandfathers, Isaac Hanes, of Pennsylvania, and Jacob Crites, were both numbered among the very early settlers of Allen County. Mr. Hanes' grandmother, Lydia Coalman Harrison, was a first cousin to William Henry Harrison, president of the United States. After their marriage Samuel Hanes and his wife located on a farm in Shawnee Township, where they owned 125 acres of land. They also owned fifty-seven acres located in American Township. All of his mature life Samuel Hanes was actively engaged in farming and stock- raising upon an extensive scale, and specialized on raising draft horses. A member of the school board for a long period, he was its president for some years, and he held other township offices. His death occurred September 20, 1891. Charles Edwin Hanes was the only child by his first marriage. After the death of his first wife he was married to Margaret Anspach, and they had two children: Jessie, who is Mrs. William Smith, of Lima, Ohio ; and Alta, who is the widow of 0. M. Bowersock, and lives on the homestead of her father. Attending the district schools and a night school at Lima, Charles Edwin Hanes acquired the fundamentals of an education, and for a year subsequent to his mother's death continued to live at home, and then went to Lima and learned the blacksmithing trade with Rhoda Brothers. In the fall of 1895 he went to, Keokuk, Iowa, and worked in a railroad yard for three months, when he returned to Allen County and erected a blacksmith shop in the vicinity of his old home, and conducted it until 1900, when he took charge of a farm in Amanda Township and conducted it for about a year. For the subsequent year he was a roustabout for the Devonian Oil Company, and when that company sold to the New England Petroleum Oil Company Mr. Hanes continued with the new concern, and was engaged in pumping oil for a year. He then began working at the carpenter trade, being for a time barred from blacksmithing on account of ill health, and worked 198 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY at carpentering until 1913. Receiving a commission as deputy state fish and game warden, Mr. Hanes was occupied in attending to his duties, which included the securing of licenses for hunters, for from four to six months of the year, and the remainder of the time did carpenter work. Since 1913 he has devoted all of his time to game protection, and he owns twenty acres of his father's homestead in section 7, Shawnee Township, and has practically all of it in pasture. On April 6, 1898, he was married to Jessie Harriett Jonte, of Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Harriet (Stout) Jonte, natives of Covington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Hanes became the parents of the following children: Jennie Henrietta, now the wife of Guy E. Breese, of Shawnee Township, and now teaching in the Lima High School; Charles Raymond, a student in the Ohio State University ; Daisy Ruth and Rodney Edwin, who are at home. Mr. Hanes is independent in his political views. He served as constable for seven years, and as a justice of the peace for two years. Shawnee Grange, Solar Lodge No. 783, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Fish and Game Inspectors' Association, composed of the game protectors of Ohio, all hold his membership, and he was. secretary for the latter in 1920. He is one of the most capable game wardens in Ohio, and his heart is centered in this work, the value of which he fully appreciates. In every office he has held he has given entire satisfaction to the public, and is justly regarded as one of the dependable and constructive citizens of this part of the state. JOHN ORLANDO BREESE. The "Shawnee Center Stock Farm" is one of the best rural properties in Shawnee Township, and it is now owned by John Orlando Breese, who received it from his father, and since taking possession of it has developed and improved it to its present state. Mr. Breese is a native son of Shawnee Township, where he was born March 27, 1869. His parents were George and Sarah (Yoakam) Breese, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Knox County, Ohio. Griffith Breese, the paternal grandfather, was born in Wales, from whence he came to Pennsylvania, and lived there until 1832, when he moved to Allen County, Ohio, and settled among the Indians in Shawnee Township. Here he entered a large amount of wild timber land from the Government. The maternal grandfather, Michael Yoakam, was also one of the early settlers of Shawnee Township. After their marriage George Breese and his wife settled in Shawnee Township, where he died about 1900, she surviving him until April, 1918. Their children were as follows : Charles, who is deceased; Mary Ellen, who is Mrs. Christ Strawbridge, of Shawnee Township ; Ina, .who is also a resident of Shawnee Township ; and John O., who was the youngest of the family. John Orlando Breese was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of his neighborhood. His father gave him his present farm of eighty acres, on which he moved after his marriage, and here he engaged in general farming and stock- raising. In the fall of 1920 he rented his farm and moved to Lima, and now resides in his fine home, 841 West Spring Street. He is a republican, but has not aspired to public office. Active as an Odd Fellow, he belongs to the Lower Lodge at Lima and the Encampment, and is also a member of the Lima Lodge of Knights of Pythias. In September, 1890, Mr. Breese was united in marriage with Dora Cary, born in Shawnee Township, who died in 1908, after she had borne him the following children: Gladys, Guy, Vera and Helen, all of whom are at home. In December, 1910, Mr. Breese was married to Freda Weaver, who was born in Shawnee Township, a daughter of Cornelius and Sarah Ellen (Wonderly) Weaver, natives of Trumbull County, Ohio, and Knox County, Ohio, respectively. Both Mr. and Mrs. Breese are very popular, and have gathered about them a congenial circle of friends whom they enjoy entertaining at their pleasant home. Mr. Breese stands deservedly high among his neighbors, and is recognized as one of the sterling citizens and sucessful farmers of his township. FRANK HARPSTER. Allen County has some very interesting relics of bygone days which should be preserved for the coming generations, and one which equals any here found is an old log cabin, the oldest house now standing in Allen County. It was erected by the Indians prior to the taking over of this region by the whites, and is the only one remaining built by representatives of this race in the county. It stands on the farm on section 27, Shawnee Township, owned by Frank Harpster, who fortunately appreciates its historical value and he is going to set it aside, as well as the old Indian burying ground also on his farm, as a historical preserve. Mr. Harpster in this as in many other ways demonstrates his public spirit, and he is justly regarded as one of the most representative men of this part of the state, as well as one of its leading agriculturalists. Frank Harpster was born in section 27, Shawnee Township, November 20, 1882, a son of Amos and Sarah Ann (Lepird) Harpster, and grandson of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Stepleton) Harpster. Growing up in his native township, Mr. Harpster attended the Mowery District School, and learned farming under his father's instruction, developing into one of the most capable men in his line to be found in the township. After his marriage he took up his residence on one of his father's farms of 116 acres, section 27, Shawnee Township, and has under cultivation eighty-five acres, the remainder being in pasture and timber. He raises registered Shorthorn cattle and does general farming. On September 16, 1904, Mr. Harpster was united in marriage with Zelma Yoakam, born at Lima, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph F. and Lydia (Verbryke) Yoakam, natives of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Harpster have two daughters, Lydia Evelyn, who was born January 21, 1906; and Florence Lenore, who was born May 16, 1908. Mr. Harpster served two terms as township treasurer and one term as township trustee. He belongs to the Shawnee Grange, and is always ready to learn new methods and put them to practical experiment. He stands very well in his neighborhood, and is proud of his family and its long connection with the history of Allen County. Amos HARPSTER, father of Frank Harpster, and now deceased, was one of the hard-working and HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 199 efficient agriculturalists of Allen County, who owned and developed some fine farming property, although for some time prior to his demise he lived in retirement from active participation in the operation of the land. During his long life he was connected with a number of local enterprises, and he is remembered as a good citizen, capable farmer, and a man of charitable instincts and kindly deeds. He was born in section 27. Shawnee Township, November 29, 1840, in the only Indian log cabin now standing in Allen County. His parents, Jonathan and Elizabeth (Stepleton) Harpster, were very early settlers in Allen County, and David Stepleton, the maternal grandfather, was also one of the pioneers of this region. When they arrived here the Indians were very plentiful. When they were married they lived for a time in this historical log hut, where Jonathan Harpster died, following which- his widow moved to Cridersville, Ohio, and there she later died. On December 16, 1869, Amos Harpster was married to Sarah Ann Lepird, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, November 16, 1850, a daughter of Daniel and Sophia (Nye) Lepird, natives of Fairfield County, Ohio. In 1852 Mrs. Harpster was brought to Shawnee Township, Allen County, Ohio, by her parents. Following his marriage Amos Harpster began housekeeping in the old Indian log cabin which continued his home for ten years, and then he built a two-story frame residence. He became the owner of 115 acres of land, which he improved, and there he continued to farm until his youngest son married and located on the property. Amos Harpster then moved into a cottage which was across the road from the homestead, and there he lived until his death, March 17, 1915. His widow still lives in this cottage. They had the following children : Harry, who lives in Oklahoma, married Sarah Clark, and they have four children, Iva, Helen, Lois and Harry ; Oscar, who lives at Lima, Ohio. married Wardia A. Spyker, and they have two children, Russell and Irene ; Charles, who lives in Harrod, Ohio, married Lena Herrod; and Frank. Amos Harpster was a democrat. Long a member of the Lutheran Church, he lived up to its highest teachings, and was a true Christian gentleman. ISAAC JESSE HALL. One of the successful general farmers of Allen County is Isaac Jesse Hall, part owner of the "Locust Bower Farm," one of the model rural properties of Shawnee Township. He is justly numbered as one of the leading agriculturalists of his section. He was born in section 22, Shawnee Township, February 20, 1864, a son of Jesse and Margaret (Anthony) Hall, he born near Hubbard, Trumbull County, Ohio, and she in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Jacob R. and Elizabeth (Trusdale) Hall, natives of Pennsylvania, the paternal grandparents made the trip overland with teams to Allen County, Ohio, and entered Government land in Shawnee Township. This farm was in section 21, and was covered with timber, but they cleared it off and developed a fine property. The maternal grandparents, David and Elizabeth (McGrady) Anthony, also natives of Pennsylvania, traveled to Allen County from the Little Sandusky Plains at a very early day and settled in Shawnee Township. After their marriage Jesse Hall and his wife located in section 22, and cleared a farm there. They became the owners of forty-three and one-half acres in section 15, forty-nine acres in section 22, and sixty-five acres more in section 22. His death occurred in December, 1878, but his widow survived him for many years, passing away in 1906. Their children were as follows : Nancy, who is Mrs. George W. Wolfe, of Pierceton, Indiana ; Mary E., who married William L. Grove, is deceased and so is her husband; Sidney, who is Mrs. John A. Bussert ; Scott, who is deceased; Sarah Kate, who is Mrs. J. E. Hesser, of Ada, Ohio ; Anna, who died at the age of four years ; David G., who is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and lives at Napoleon, Ohio ; Isaac Jesse, whose name heads this review ; and David and Estella, both of whom are deceased. Growing up on the home place, Isaac Jesse Hall attended the \ schools of his district, and has always lived on his present farm of 1081/2 acres in sections 15 and 22, which he and his brother David G. own. Here Mr. Hall is carrying on general farming and is recognized as a very successful man in his line. He is interested in local improvements, especially those tending to secure good roads, and he has rendered his community a valuable service in the office of constable, to which he was elected on the republican ticket. In 1900 he was appointed truant officer of Shawnee Township and served eighteen years in that position. He belongs to Lima Lodge No. 91, Knights of Pythias. The Shawnee Methodist Episcopal Church holds his membership, and he has served it as a trustee for many years. On November 25, 1897, Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Hattie Reed, born in Shawnee Township, a daughter of Irvin and Margaret (Dennison) Reed, both of whom were born in Shawnee Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have one daughter, Iva Elizabeth, who was born March 18, 1911. CLARENCE FAYETTE BABER, one of the enterprising men and successful farmers of Allen County, owns 158 acres of valuable land in American Township, and is recognized as one of the leading representatives of his calling in this part of Ohio. He was born in Amanda Township, Allen County, December 18, 1878, a son of Henry Floyd and Rhena (Bowers) Baber, and grandson of James Baber, who brought his family to Allen County from Jamestown, Virginia, and settled in Amanda Township on eighty acres of land, and there he lived and died. He had five sons and five daughters, and Henry Floyd was the youngest in the family. His life has been spent as a farmer, and he and his wife are still residing in Amanda Township. They had ten children, and Clarence Fayette Baber is the second in order of birth. Clarence Fayette Baber attended the rural schools of his neighborhood during the winter months until he was nineteen years old, and after that until his marriage he spent all of his time assisting his father on the homestead. Following his marriage he rented land in Amanda Township and operated an eighty- acre farm, later moving to the 160-acre farm owned by the McBride family in Amanda Township, and conducting the 240 acres for three years. Selling off his stock and machinery Mr. Baber then spent fifteen months at Allentown, where he did contract work in making country ditches for drainage purposes, and made money at this business. Once more he engaged in farming, renting 172 acres near Elida for two years. In the fall of 1912 he bought seventy-