450 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. charging his duties in a most prompt and efficient manner. He belongs to the German Evangelical Lutheran church and his straightforward life is in harmony with his professions. THEODORE F. POPE The well-known farmer of Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, whose name is the title of this sketch, is a worthy example of that class so numerous in America, that of the self-made men, and it is the aim of the writer to include in this work a brief account of his career not alone because it is due to Mr. Pope that he should be properly represented in these pages but also in the hope that others, reading of his success, may be encouraged to surmount obstacles and press forward more bravely along the hard but promising pathway of life. Theodore F. Pope was born in Delaware, Ohio, March 30, 1845. At the age of five years he was taken to Williams county, Ohio, where he lived until he was fifteen years old, when his mother died. He then went to Mansfield, Ohio, and found a home with his uncle, J. H. Barron, with whom he lived two years. Then, in 1862, at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted as a private in the Tenth Ohio Cavalry and entered upon a career as a soldier under the General Kilpatrick. His first experience of battle was at Snow Hill. He afterward fought at Shelbyville, and under Sherman participated in that distinguished officer's celebrated march to the sea, enduring many hardships and taking part in many desperate sorties and hotly contested engagements. He was honorably discharged from the service August 9, 1865. After the war Mr. Pope went to Lykens, Crawford county, Ohio, where for three years he was a clerk in a store. He left that position to assume the management of a sawmill, which he retained for one year. He then engaged in farming, which he has continued successfully to the present time. In 1884 he removed to his present farm, which he worked under lease one year and which he bought in 1885. It contains one hundred and ten acres of well-improved and well-cultivated land and is provided with a good residence, ample barns and all necessary outbuildings. He gives his attention to general farming. Mr. Pope was married April 23, 1868, to Miss Amy B. Yingling, who has borne him six children. Their daughter Esther is the wife of H. B. Tippin, of Lykens, Ohio. Their daughter Rena married Daniel Augeny, also of Lykens. Their daughter Ada is the wife of Michael Geiger, of Chat- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 451 field. Their daughter Sanoma married H. E. Valentine, of Logan county Ohio. Their son Clifford J. and their son Judson K. are members of their household.  Mr. Pope. is a Republican in political affiliation, and he is not without influence. in the local councils of his party. He has never been an office seeker, but has been prevailed upon to serve his fellow townsmen as assessor of Lykens township, to which office he has been twice elected. His interest in the welfare of his township and county has been manifested in many ways, and he never withholds his support from any measure which he believes tends to the advancement of worthy local interests. He is a member of Lykens Lodge, No. 506, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. MATTHIAS M. SPRINGER. Matthias M. Springer is an honored veteran of the Civil war who has made a great sacrifice for his country. He stands today among those to Whom the nation Owes a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. His loyalty and valor was displayed on many southern battlefields and throughout his entire life he has been a supporter of every interest which he believed woulg prove of general good to his county, state and nation. No history Of Crawford county would be complete without the record of his life, which we, therefore, gladly present to our readers, according to him the honor which is his just due. Mr. Springer was born in Weller township, Richland county, on the 15th of January, 1837, and is a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Mahon) Springer. The family is of Swedish origin and was founded in America by four brothers; Michael, Peter, William and Daniel, who crossed the Atlantic from Sweden in an early day and settled in New Jersey. The first named was the great- grandfather of our subject, arid from New Jersey he removed to Pennsylvania. His son, Matthias Springer, the grandfather of our subject, was born, according to tradition, in the red stone country of New Jersey, May 15, 1758, and died in June, 1822. He was a personal acquaintance of George Washington, but it is not known with certainty whether or not he served in the Revolutionary war. George W. Springer, the father of our subject, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1811, and in his parents' home spent the days of his childhood and youth. He acquired a .good common-school .education, and soon after attaining his majority emigrated to Ohio, locating in Weller. township, Richland county, becoming one of its pioneer 452 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. settlers. The Indians were very numerous in that portion of the state but were always friendly. In Pennsylvania Mr. Springer had learned the trade . of a tanner and shoemaker, and after coming to Ohio he purchased a tan-yard which he conducted for a number of years. He devoted some time to farming soon after his arrival in the Buckeye state, but rheumatism forced him to abandonthis and he then actively engaged in the tanning business, which he followed the greater part of his active life. About a year after taking up his abode in Richland county, he was married on the 19th of September, 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Mahon, who was born in Jefferson county; Ohio, October 25, 1814, and Was a daughter of James and Millie (Hitchcock) Mahon, both of whom were of Irish extraction. They emigrated to Richland county in 1818 settling in Weller township, where their remaining days were spent in. the midst of pioneer scenes, the red men being almost their only neighbors. At the time of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Springer his wife received as as her patrimony forty acres of forest land, which the father of our subject .cleared and improved. Later, he purchased an adjoining tract of forty acres. and the development of this largely devolved upon his sons, owing to the father's ill health: After selling his Richland county farm, George W.. Springer removed to Crawford county on the 1st of April, 1865, and purchased one hundred and: sixty acres of land in Cranberry township, one mile southeast of New Washington, and here he and his wife resided up to the time of her death. He passed away on the .22d of November, 1889, and she was called to her final rests on the 5th of May, 1888. They were life-long members of the Methodist. Episcopal church, earnest and consistent Christian people, who reared their children in that faith and taught them habits of industry and integrity, thus well fitting them for the duties and obligations of life. They had ten children, seven of whom are yet living, namely : Matthias. M. ; Elizabeth, the wife of John Tooker, of Michigan; Amelia,. Athaliah and George W., triplets the first named the wife of a Mr. Hilton, of Tiffin, Ohio, the second of the widow of Henry Bender, of Marion, Ohio, while George resides with his brother Matthias; Nancy M., who married William Corrathers, of Ohio City, Ohio; and Mary M., the wife of Sheridan Spencer, of Seneca county, Ohio. Matthias M. Springer began his mastery of the branches of English learning in the common schools near his home and during the period of his childhood and youth remained with his parents, assisting in the farm work as he grew old and strong enough to manage the plow and the other agricultural implements. On attaining his majority he started out, to fight the battle of CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 453 life, and whatever success he has achieved since that time is due entirely to his own efforts. For two years he was employed in a stone quarry, and as opportunity offered he secured work as a journeyman at the brick and stone mason's trade, his time being thus passed for a year. On the expiration of that period he began doing contract work in putting up post and rail fences and executing various jobs in carpentering, in which he was very successful, receiving good salaries. On the 11th of August, 1861, however, he sacrificed all business opportunities in order to aid his country in her struggle to preserve the Union intact. He joined Company M, of the Second Ohio Cavalry, and after recruiting for five months at Cleveland the regiment was sent to Camp Dennison and soon afterward to Fort Leavenworth. After a short stay at that place the troops were sent to Kansas City, and in that vicinity had a sharp skirmish with Quantrell, the guerrilla chief. Next the regiment was sent to Fort Scott, but Mr. Springer remained behind as an inmate of the general hospital with a severe case of inflamed eyes, caused by vaccination, which had been administered while he was at Camp Dennison. It was slow to take, however, and on encountering the severe winters of the western country he contracted a cold which inflamed his eyes. Through a scare at Fort Scott on the expected advance of the Confederate troops, he was taken to that place with others ere he had fully recovered, being at the time under the medical supervision of the regimental surgeon. While at that place the regiment of twelve companies, finding it impossible to recruit, formed into a battalion of eight companies and Mr. Springer was transferred to Company G. The troops then returned to headquarters at Fort Scott for some time, and in the interval went on an Indian expedition to Fort Gibbs and Fort Smith for two months, during which time there occurred a two-days' fight at Cain Hill. Mr. Springer was also one of a company of one hundred and fifty men chosen as a detachment to go on an expedition to Humboldt to suppress the Indian insurrections at that .place. There they met in council with seventeen different tribes of Indians and matters were peaceably settled. In December, 1862, as the regiment were almost entirely dismounted, it was called back to Camp Chase to recruit and there was remounted. In the follow ing spring it was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and going to Somerset, Kentucky, were encamped at that place for several weeks, during which time the Union men had several skirmishes with the troops of General Pegrirn. After some weeks passed at Danville and at Camp Nelson, they moved to Lexington, but there remained only a brief period, after which they spent a few weeks at Stanford and thence took up the line of march into . 454 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. eastern Tennessee, where they were constantly on the move, either advancing; driving the enemy before them, or retreating for some weeks up to the siege of Knoxville, in which Mr. Springer took part. Following this he went with his regiment to Strawberry Plains, where they went into winter quarters, and during the winter season the engineer corps repaired the bridge at that place. On the 1st of January, 1864, while at Strawberry Plains, Mr. Springer enlisted as a veteran and shortly afterward began the journey home, arriving at Camp Chase, where the regiment was again mustered into the service and then granted a thirty-day furlough. On the expiration of his leave of absence he rejoined his regiment at Cleveland and was transferred with Burnside to the Ninth Corps of the Army of the Potomac. After rendezvousing for two weeks at Annapolis, they took part in the battle of the Wilderness, and subsequently the Second Ohio Cavalry was transferred to Sheridan's Cavalry Corps and took part in Wilson's second raid, in which they tore up seventy-two miles of the Petersburg and Lynchburg Railroad. This movement was followed by the mine explosion at Petersburg. Soon afterward Mr. Springer was sent to the hospital at City Point, trouble with his eyes incapacitating him for service,. The same afternoon the regiment received orders to move to Washington city, and he was placed on a boat and sent through with his cornmand. Immediately on. his. arrival he was committed to Camp Stoneman hospital, and after two days was sent to the Emory general hospital, at Washington, D. C., where he remained for over eleven months. After about six months there passed he was appointed general superintendent of the cooking department, and by the war department was made a member of the Veteran Reserve Corps so that he might be retained in this position. After the hospital was broken up he rejoined his regiment at Camp Cadwalader, in Philadelphia, and was made superintendent of the cooking department there acting in that capacity until September 18,. 1865, when he was honorably discharged from the service. At the close of four long years spent at the front Mr. Springer gladly returned to his home and on. the 1st of March, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Ferena Easly, a native of 'Cranberry township, and a daughter of Jacob Easly. Her father was a native of Switzerland and originally spelled the name Iseli. In 1834 he came to America, accompanied by his second wife, mother of Mrs. Springer, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Strauchen. They Were also accompanied by his five children, born of his first marriage. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Springer has been blessed with fourteen children, of wham twelve are yet living, namely : George W., who follows CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 455 carpentering in Cleveland; Elizabeth, the wife of W. H.. Smith, of Fostoria, Ohio; Samuel M., a painter and plasterer in Cranberry township; Charles A., a carpenter in Cleveland, Ohio; Anna A., wife of A. S. Nye, of Cranberry township; Lela F., wife of Joseph Wolfert, of Cleveland; Arthur J., and Elmira M., at home; Walter R., who follows carpentering in Cleveland; Martha I., Lucy V. and Effie L., all of whom are still with their parents. After his marriage Mr. Springer took up his abode in a log cabin, about one and a half miles west of the present home, where he resided for eighteen months, during which period he followed any respectable employment that he could secure. He then went to Ottawa county, Ohio, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land and erected a log house and a log barn, making, his home upon that place for six years. Again he had trouble with his eyes, which prevented him from working, and in consequence he sold his farm and returned to Crawford county. Here he purchased the south. half of the old homestead and lived there for six years. In 1881, however, he sold that property and purchased his present home farm of eighty acres, upon which he has resided through two decades. About 1880 his eyesight began failing so that at times of a period of several weeks he would be totally blind, and soon after his removal to his present home he lost the entire use of his eyes. It was certainly a great sacrifice he made to his country; for it was during his service as a defender of the Union that the trouble was incurred which ultimately resulted in blindness. In his political views Mr. Springer is a stanch Republican and for some years after his return from the war he served as supervisor and as school director, but his blindness compelled him to give up active participation in such work. He and his wife were consistent and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family is one of prominence in the community. Mr. Springer is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of this part of the state. JACOB C. MILLIMITER. Although Switzerland is one of the smallest of the countries of Europe, it has furnished. some valuable citizens to the new world. Of that country Mr. Millimiter is a native, his birth having there occurred on the 7th of May, 1849. His education was obtained in its public schools, and the first nineteen years of his life were passed in his native land, after which he bade adieu to friends and home and sailed for the United States. Having arrived on the Atlantic seaboard he started westward and first took up his abode in Van Wert 456 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. county, Ohio, where he began working with his father, with whom he remained until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself. He was employed as a farm hand by the month and thus obtained a start in the business world. The year 1876 witnessed his arrival in Crawford county, and for three years thereafter he worked on a farm. Mr. Millimiter was then married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Smith, by whom he has one child, William, who is yet at home with his parents. At the time of their marriage Mr. Millimiter began operating land on the shares. He went to Cranberry township, where he remained for eight years, and then came to the farm upon which he now resides and which has been his home continuously since 1896. He now owns one hundred and six acres of land. This is an arable tract and the well tilled fields bring forth good harvests, for he raises the grains best adapted to this climate and carefully cultivates his land. He is a member of the German Reformed church, and his life is consistent with his religious faith. Whatever success, he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts and his enterprise and energy will enable him to gain still greater prosperity in the future. FREDERICK W. MAY. One of the leading and representative citizens of Tiro, Ohio, is Frederick W. May, who is the subject of this biography. He was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, on June. I I, 1862, and is one of a family of seven children born to Louis and Sophia (Krebs) May. Louis May, the father of our subject, was born in Bavaria, Germany, on May 8, 1828, a son of Louis and Fredericka (Schaeffer) May, and was one of a family of ten children, four of whom still survive, these being: Louis, the father of our subject; William, who operates the home farm in Bavaria; George and Rinehart, both of whom are residents of Boston, Massachusetts. The grandparents of our subject were born and spent their whole lives in Bavaria, where the grandfather died at the age of sixty-four and the grandmother at the age of seventy-seven years. Louis May grew to manhood on his father's farm ancL obtained an excellent education in the German schools, and still retains the language of the Fatherland. In 1853 Mr. Louis May started for America, in company with many others from his own land, among these being the lady who later became his wife. After a voyage of thirty-five days the party landed in New York, about the middle of October. Mr. May went immediately to Boston, Massachusetts, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 457 where his brother-in-law resided. He was the well-known Daniel Shales, who carried on a large cabinet-making business, employing seventy-five men, and under his instruction Mr. May in time became a finished workman in that trade, serving a full apprenticeship and later working with him as a journeyman. In 1850 Mr. May married Miss Sophia Krebs, who was born in Bavaria also, and who was a daughter of Frederick and Christiana (Weibel) Krebs, who followed her to America, in the following year, locating with their son in Osceola, in Crawford county, where their last years were spent. A family of seven children was born to Louis May and wife, the six survivors being : Anna, who is the wife of Henry Ulmer, of Sandusky township, in this county ; Louis, who conducts the home farm ; George, who is also at home; Frederick W., who resides in Tiro; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Philip Bender, of Sandusky township; and Emma, who is at home. In the spring of 1861 Mr. May, with his wife and thre children,. came to Crawford county and settled on a farm of forty acres which he had purchased in Liberty township, near Sulphur Springs, prior to his removal to the county. More land was added to the farm, making it contain fifty-five acres, and here Mr. May and his family resided until 1877, when he sold that place and bought his present fine farm of one hundred and six acres in Vernon township, which has been his home ever since. In political matters Mr. May has always been a Democrat, and both he and his wife have been active members of the Lutheran church, and are among the most highly esteemed citizens of the county. Frederick W. May was sent to school and grew up on the farm, acquiring an education both mentally and physically, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, on December 25, 1894, to Miss Sidney Carmichael. She was a native of Richland county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Franklin Carmichael, one of the early settlers of Richland county. After marriage our subject located in Tiro, where for many years his capable wife had conducted a successful millinery business, and in the following year he engaged in the grocery line. On account of his business qualifications as well as his pleasant and courteous manner, Mr. May soon built up a large trade and is now one of the leading men in his line in the city. In politics he has always been a Democrat and at present is faithfully filling the office of town treasurer. Socially he is connected with the order K. of P., Lodge No. 592, of Tiro, in which he takes an active interest. Mrs. May has long been one of the consistent members of the Lutheran church, which he also attends and 457 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY most cheerfully assists in supporting. They occupy one of the most comfortable and attractive residences of the place and there dispense a liberal hospitality to their many friends. Mr. May is known as one of the broad-minded, progressive men of the community and as one ever ready to do his part in advancing the interests of the town. FRANK WECHTER. Men of strong purpose, marked individuality, enterprise and diligence have no need to complain of life, for to such success always vouchsafes a ward, and from humble position to a place of affluence they rise through their own efforts. Of this class is Frank Wechter a representative, and among the more prominent citizens of Crawford county he well deserves mention. A native of Rochester, New York, hewas born May 17, 1838. His father George Wechter, was born in France in 18̊6, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. Ere. leaving his native country he wedded Frances Heartrick, and after the birth of their eldest child they came to the United States, locat ing in Rochester, where the father worked at various occupations. until he had accumulated a .few hundred dollars, when he purchased, a small place near Rochester—a tract of seven acres, upon which he made his home until 1853, when he came to Ohio and bought eighty acres of land in Chatfield township. Here he lived for some years, when he sold that property and became the owner of a quarter section of land in Cranberry township, that is now occupied by his son Frank. He was a. member of the Catholic church, a Democrat in political faith, and died in 1884, respected by all who knew him. Unto him and his wife were born. seven children, the surviving members of the family being: George; Mary A., the wife of Peter Miller, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Jacob, of Allen county, Indiana; Joseph, a florist of Rochester, New York; and Frank, of this review. Frances and Henry are now deceased. When fifteen years of age Frank Wechter accompanied his parents on their removal to, Crawford county. Prior to, this time he had attended the German school of Rochester, with the exception of one winter, and after corn. ing to this locality he resumed his studies in the English schools. When he had arrived at man's estate he began cultivating the home farm on the shares and throughout the period of his active business career has carried on agricultural pursuits. On the 7th of May, 1862, Mr. Wechter led to the marriage altar Miss Mary Heydinger, a native of Loraine, France, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 459 John Adam Heydinger, who came to Crawford county in 1850, settling in Cranberry township, where. he remained until his death. In 1867, with his. family and parents, Mr. Wechter came to Cranberry township, buying in partnership one hundred and sixty acres of land, Which he managed and conducted. until 1875, when he purchased his father's interest in the farm, his parents,, however, continuing to reside with him until they departed this life. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wechter was blessed with nine children : August and John, who are living in Cranberry township ; Mary, Barnett and lia, at home; Francis, deceased; Joseph, who is attending St. Mary's Seminary, in Cleveland, Ohio, preparing for the priesthood ; Marcus, who has also passed away ; and Henry, who is a student in St. Francis College, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mrs. Wechter, the mother of these children, passed to the.: other world March 9, 1883, since which time Mr. Wechter has remained a widower. At the time of her death their youngest son, Henry, was but two. and a half years old. About ten years ago Mr. Wechter sold one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land at Big Rapids, Michigan, and divided the money among his two. oldest sons, thus giving them a start in life. He became the sole owner of his present property in 1875, and the place is now being cultivated by his son Barney. Mr. Wechter manifests. his political views by the unfaltering support he gives the Democracy, but has never sought office, his attention being occupied with his business affairs, which in the course of years have brought to him a good financial return, so that he is now numbered among the substantial and well-to-do agriculturists of his adopted county. NELSON CLOSE. Nelson Close, who in his time was one of the prominent citizens of Texas. township, Crawford county, Ohio, was born in the state of New York in 1818, and died at his home in Texas township April 25, 1874. He emigrated. to Ohio in 1844 and located on the: farm on which he passed the remainder of his life. He was married in 1845 to Elizabeth Bender, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1820, a daughter of George and. Mary (Foiller) Bender. Mrs. Close came with her father and other members of his family to Ohio in 1824. They made the journey from Pennsylvania by horse team and stopped for about a year at Bucyrus, the site of which. was at that time marked by only a. few primitive log cabins. In 1825 they went on to Benton, in Crawford county, where Mr. Bender entered a claim. 460 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. to government land, on which he erected a small log house. The forests round about abounded with wild game and Indians often came to his cabin, but never showed aught but a friendly disposition. He hunted some and burned a good deal of lime, which he hauled to Bucyrus. He was a very progressive and enterprising man, who was a member of the Lutheran church and took an active interest in evangelical and Sunday-school work. He was the first incumbent of the office of trustee of Texas township and platted the village of Benton, and was the first postmaster at that point. He died February 1o, 1851, aged fifty-four years. His daughter, Mrs. Close, taught a subscription school in a log building at Benton when she was about twenty years old. She was the oldest of eight children of her parents and she was early orphaned by the death of her mother at the early age of thirty-two years. Mr. Bender's house was noted for its hospitality, and its roof sheltered not only white men, but from time to time Indians remained there over night. The Indians trusted him and he wielded considerable influence over them, and it was their custom to come to him for advice concerning their troubles with each other and with whites. Mr. Bender's advent in Texas township was followed by some discouraging incidents. Nearly all of his money was stolen and one of his horses died, but he did not permit these troubles to daunt his courage, though he and his family endured many hardships and often were put to great inconvenience to secure the necessaries of ;life.. He was obliged to carry his wheat on horseback to Upper Sandusky to -mill, and after waiting for it to be ground brought his share of the flour home, the miller retaining the customary toll for grinding it. The only windows in their first house were holes in the wall covered with greased paper, and while they admitted a certain amount of light nothing, was visible through them. They had no stove in their cabin, and they ate from old-fashioned pewter dishes which they had brought with them from the east. Mr. Bender was an industrious man, the sounds of whose ax strokes could be heard early and late, and he cleared most of his land of the dense forest, and eventually even of the stumps, fenced it and put it under a good state of cultivation. Nelson and Elizabeth (Bender) Close had children as follows : Their daughter Mary is the wife of Michael Davis, of Nebraska. Their son George owns a part of his father's homestead on which his father made his original settlement, which consisted of one hundred. and twenty acres. Their daughter Hannah is dead. Their daughter Ella lives at the homestead in Texas township. A biographical sketch of their son Harvey appears elsewhere in this work. Their son Adelbert is dead. Their daughter Alta lives in Holmes CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 461 county, Ohio. Mr. Close was a member of the Lutheran church, and his widow, who since his death has lived .on the farm home, is also devotedly attached to the belief of that religious organization George Close, son of Nelson and Elizabeth (Bender). Close, who since his father's death has farmed the old homestead, has won a good business success and is regarded as an enterprising, progressive citizen of much public spirit. S. WILLIAM GEISSMANN. S. William Geissmann, who is successfully engaged, in farming in Chatfield township, where he has resided for almost half a century, was born in. Saxony, Germany, March 8, 1835, his parents being Christian and Dorothy. (Hetzer) Geissmann, in whose family were three children : Charley, a resident of Iowa county, Iowa; S. William, of this review; and Mary, who died in infancy. The father was a nailmaker by trade and followed that pursuit in. Germany until 1872, When he came with his. family to the new world, making. the voyage across the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which was seventy-seven days in reaching the American port. There were three hundred emigrants on board, the food supply ran short and the passengers experienced considerable discomfort. At length they reached the harbor of Quebec, and from that point Mr. Geissmann and his family proceeded to Chatfield township, Crawford county, Ohio, where the parents spent their remaining days, the father passing away at the age of seventy-seven, the mother when seventy-five years of age. In his native land S. William Geissmann acquired a good German education and at the age of twelve years began working at the nailmaker's trade under the direction of his father. He was seventeen years of age when he arrived in this country, and soon afterward he secured employment in a foundry in Bucyrus, receiving ten dollars per month for his services and paying a dollar per week for his board, which left him a surplus of six. dollars per month.. He was there employed for three months, after which he learned the cooper's trade, receiving seventy-five dollars and his board for his services during the, two years of his apprenticeship. After completing the term he worked on the section for two months and then began coopering in Bucyrus, where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period, in connection with his brother, he purchased sixty acres of land in Chatfield township, of which twenty-five acres had been cleared, and on this built a. cooper shop, our subject. 462 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. working at his trade during the day, while at night he continued the task of clearing the land. He followed the dual occupation of farming and coopering until 1896, when he removed to the farm upon which he now resides. He had previously rented the place, beginning in 186o, and for eleven years thereafter he had been the occupant. He now owns one hundred and sixty-four acres of valuable land, of which .one hundred and thirty acres have been cleared, and of this he cleared sixty-five acres. He has brought his farm under a high state of cultivation and has made valuable improvements on the place, transforming it into a very desirable property. The fields return to him good harvests, and everything is neat and thrifty in appearance, showing the owner to be a progressive agriculturist. In 1860 Mr. Geissmann was married to Miss Caroline Balthaser, and unto them have been born thirteen children, of whom ten are living: Henry, Charley, Augustus, Edward, Albert, Emma, Anna, Clara, Minnie and Callie. Three of the children died in infancy. The family is well known in Chatfield township and Crawford county, and the sterling qualities of its membershave gained them uniform respect. Mr. Geissmann exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to office. He served for six years as trustee of Chatfield township, and for twelve years was school director, laboring earnestly for the benefit of the school system in his neighborhood. His life has been one of honest toil, and his enterprise and indefatigable labor have enabled him to win a desirable prosperity. JOHN MORROW. From his boyhood until the present time the subject of this review has been connected with agricultural interest's, and is thoroughly acquainted with that line of work in every detail. Since his birth he has been a resident of Crawford county, and during the intervening years he has become known as one of the enterprising business men of the locality, devoting his time and energies to the conduct of his farm. So ably has he managed his interests that he has met with most gratifying success, and at the same time has gained the public confidence and good will by his honorable business methods. The Morrow family is an old and honored one in the history of Crawford county. A native of Auburn township, this county, our subject. first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 13th of July, 1851, and is a son of James and Margaret (Ake) Morrow, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 463 Be remained under the parental roof until after his marriage. In the spring following that event his father died, and after the estate was divided our subject received as his share the original homestead entered by his grandfather Morrow, and there he located with his bride and began his career as a farmer. In the spring of 1891 he purchased eighty-five acres of land adjoining the homestead, and in the fall of that year took up his abode thereon, but he still continues the cultivation of both farms. The marriage of Mr. Morrow was celebrated on the 10th of December, 1874, when Miss Susan N. Cory became his wife. She is a native of Crawford county, Ohio. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Morrow, namely : Harry Burton, who is at home with his parents ; and Charlie James, who holds the responsible position under the government as meat inspector in St. Joe, Missouri. Mr. Morrow is liberal in his political views, but his preference is given to the Democracy. He has always taken a deep interest in the development and growth of his locality, and has been foremost in all local improvements and enterprises calculated to permanently benefit his county. REV. JOHN BEAL. The Rev. John Beal, whose life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and to spiritual work among his fellow men, is a gentleman of wide influence, teaching by example as well as precept of the development of one's higher nature through the influences of Christianity. He was born in Holmes township, this county, on the 9th of June, 1887, and is a son of Conrad Beal, a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, who, after arriving at years of maturity, married Elizabeth Wagner, and unto them were born the following children Daniel, of Bucyrus township ; Magdeline, wife of J. D. Durr ; Solomon, of Chatfield township ; Lydia, wife of Samuel Shawl, of Liberty township ; Sophia, who married Jacob Berger, of Holmes township; and John, of this review. It was in the year 1848 that Conrad Beal left his home in the Keystone state and came to Crawford county, taking up his abode upon a farm in Whetstone township, where he remained until 1884, when he settled in Holmes township upon a farm of eighty acres now owned by Jacob Meck. There he lived until 1869, when he went to Chatfield township, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of land, constituting the farm which is now owned by Emanuel Kalb. There Mr. Beal continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death and he was called to the home beyond. He passed away in October, 1898, at the age of seventy-one years, his birth having oc- 464 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, curred in 1824, and his wife died in 1900, at the age of seventy-four. They were consistent Christian people, holding membership with the Pietist church. Rev. Beal, of this review, was a lad of twelve summers when the family removed to Chatfield township. At the age of eleven years he began working as a farm hand, and was thus employed for two years, while throughout the remainder of his minority he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. His educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools, but subsequent reading, study, experience and investigation have broadened his mind, added to his store of knowledge and made him a well-informed man. On the 8th of August, 188o, Mr. Beal was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Elizabeth Lust, a daughter of Conrad Lust, and their marriage has been blessed with the following children : Mattie, Laura E., John W., Frederick N., Reuben E., Jessie D. and Edna N. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Beal began. their domestic life upon her father's farm, where they remained for five years, and in 1885 they came to their present home in Chatfield 'township, where Mr. Beal has made splendid improvements. He is carrying on general farming and stock-raising with good success, his labors bringing to him a desired financial reward. His. progressive methods are indicated in the attractive appearance of the place. During the past eleven years he has also served as the minister of the Pietist church, and his labors have been productive of great good, as he has put forth strong efforts for the spiritual advancement of the neighborhood. He votes with the Democracy, and is known as a public-spirited citizen, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his native county and contributing to its advancement along material, social, intellectual or moral lines. MICHAEL LUTZ. The German element in our national commonwealth is one of much importance. No country has furnished so many valuable citizens to the United States as the fatherland. They are men of diligence, determined and self-reliant, and of this. class Mr. Lutz is a representative. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, February 7; 1821, and spent his early youth upon a farm. In 1833 he came with his stepfather, George Schemly, and the family to America, the voyage being made in a sailing vessel which reached the American harbor in ninety-five days after leaving the German port. In the spring of 1834 Mr. Lutz came to Crawford county, taking up CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 467 abode in Chatfield township. The next year he went to Pennsylvania and began carrying water for the men working on the canal. In the fall he returned .to this county and the next summer worked on the Miami canal. Subsequently hebegan Working by the day, and when nineteen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, which. he followed until 1861, being actively identified with the building interests. of the county throughout that period. He was a skillful mechanic and was thus enabled to secure employment In the meantime, however, in 1849, he had invested his earnings in one hun. Bred and forty acres of land, which he cleared and improved, transforming the wild tract which came into his possession into a valuable farm. As the years have passed be extended the boundaries of his property and now has two hundred and ninety-two acres of valuable land, constituting a very fine and attractive farm, supplied with all modern accessories and improvements. In 1848 Mr. Lutz was united in marriage to Miss Sabina Kalb, and unto them have been born eleven children, all of whom are yet living. Mr. Lutz is a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, in which he has held the offices of trustee and deacon, having been identified with the society of that denomination in Chatfield since its organization. He has ever taken a deep interest in the growth and progress of the society and the extension of its influence: In his political affiliations he is a Democrat and has filled the position: of. trustee and school director, discharging Iris. duties with promptness and fidelity. His life has been crowned with success, and though he started out for himself empty-handed, he now the owner of a valuable farm. For two-thirds of a century he has resided in the county and has therefore witnessed the greater part of its development and upbuilding and has borne his part in its progress. His life, honorable and upright, has commended him to the respect of his fellowmen and no one is more worthy of representation in this volume than Michael Lutz. DAVID E. LUTZ. Among the successful business men of the    is the subject of this review, a well-known representative of the industrial interests of his community. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his excellent management and executive ability have brought to the concern with which he is connected a high degree of success. Brooking, no obstacles, which honest effort can overcome, he has steadily advanced on the high road 25 468 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. to prosperity and today he occupies an enviable position among the men of worth in his native county. Mr. Lutz was born on the old home farm in Chatfield township, January 18, 1866 and the common schools afforded him the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his early youth, while later he attended the high school in New Washington and the Ohio Normal University at Ada. His time, not given to the duties of the school-room, was devoted to work upon the home farm, where he remained until 1885, when he began teaching school through the winter months. At the age of twenty-two he became connected with the operation of a sawmill, but continued his labors as an instructor in the public schools until twenty-five years of age. Since that time he has engaged in general farming and stock-raising, but his efforts have been by no means confined to this line, for throughout the entire period he has also engaged in the lumber business, operating a sawmill and conducting a lumber yard. In 1897 he erected the plant of the Chatfield Bending Company, in which enterprise he is associated with James McCormick. They engaged in the manufacture of bentwood material for carriages, wagons and sleds, and theirs is one of the leading industrial interests in this part of the county. Employment is furnished to twenty men in the shops, and the pay roll and expenses for timber amount to from thirty-five to forty hundred dollars per month. Their patronage is large and is constantly growing, and the firm has an unassailable reputation in business circles. On account of the excellence and durability of the workmanship, as well as the straightforward business methods of the partners, the Chatfield Bending Company has a large trade, and the income of the partners is thus annually augmented. In May, 1889, Mr. Lutz was joined in wedlock to Miss Elizabeth Kibler, and unto them have been born four children : Lester E., O. Ward, S. Vida and P. Verna. The wife and mother died in February, 1898, and her loss was widely felt throughout the community, for her many estimable qualities had endeared her to a large circle of friends: Mr.. Lutz is regarded as a leading and influential citizen and one whose force of character is felt in the control of public affairs. He was elected the first mayor of Chatfield after its incorporation and still holds the position, and has splendidly performed the difficult task of placing the new machinery of government in good working order. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat and for several years. has served on the Democratic central committee, while for three years he was township treasurer. He belongs to the German Evangelical Lutheran church and is in hearty sympathy with every movement for the general good and progress. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 469 Every public duty and private obligation are discharged by him willingly and faithfully. He is yet a young man, full of determination and laudable ambition, combined with business ability, and while he has already won prosperity still further success undoubtedly awaits him. JAMES M. DICKSON. One of the prominent and representative citizens of Crawford county, Ohio, is James Madison Dickson, whose name carries with it an assurance of great financial stability as well as business prominence, as he is the president of the Bank of Tiro. The birth of Mr. Dickson was in Vernon township, in this county, on February 4, 1851, and he was. a son of James and Nancy (Morrow) Dickson, and a member of a family of seven children, four of whom still survive, these being : Charles M., who was born on June 16, 1833, and is a farmer and large landowner in Johnson county, Kansas ; Mary, who was born on April 6, 1836 a maiden lady who resides on her farm east of Tiro; Nancy, who was born on November 19, 1838, and is the widow of John Dallas and resides with her children ; James Madison, who is the subject of this sketch; and those who have passed away but are not forgotten were : Sarah, who was born on January 27, 1831, married William Wilson and died on August 27, 1893; at Edgerton, Kansas ; Rebecca, who was born on November 15, 1844, and died on November 24, 1888; and Harriet S., who was born on August 8, 1847, first married William Nagle, and later J. P. Johnston, and died on March 21, 1890. George Dickson, who was the great-grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Ireland to America, in 1778, bringing his family with him. He settled in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, but later removed to Indiana county. His son, Andrew Dickson; who was the grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland on May 27, 1776, and was two years old when the family came to the United States. He grew to manhood in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and had, with the rest of his family, many thrilling adventures. At one time, while still a lad, he was taken by his intrepid mother and carried on horseback over the mountains in flight from. pursuing Indians. Grandfather had three brothers and three sisters, their names being Samuel, George, William, Rachel, Leah and Hannah. About the time he reached his maturitythe trouble known in the history of Pennsylvania as the "whisky insurrection" broke out. Our subject's great-grandfather was a member of the regular army, and, of course, it was his duty to suppress the riots, but the family owned much property which 470 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. had been won by hard labor ; therefore, it was decided that the family, for the sake of discretion, should divide, one part of it seeming to aid the insurrectionists. However, the unlawful ekment was soon conquered and the rioters disbanded. The grandmother's name had been Sarah Frazee, and they reared these children : Andrew, George, Jonathan, Mollie, James, Rachel, Leah, Sarah,. William, Hannah, John, Elizabeth and Margaret, all growing to maturity and. founding homes of their own, and all now deceased. In later life they could recall that their father was called to dinner by the blowing of the horn. The death of the grandfather was on January 28, 1859, at the age of eighty-three years, eight months and one day, the death of the grandmother being on October 8, 1850, at the age of fifty-two years. George Dickson, who was a brother of the father of our subject, came to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1823, and settled in Vernon township, and in 1825 he planted the first orchard of the township. His son Andrew was the second white child born in the township. In 1829 James Dickson, who was the father of our subject, followed his brother to Ohio. He purchased two hundred and. seventy-six acres of land which had been entered by his father some years prior, and here James Dickson built a cabin arid immediately began the clearing of the land. He was a leader in Democratic politics, and efficiently served several terms as township trustee and was a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church. His death occurred on March 7, 1889. For fifty-one years he and his devoted wife lived in close affection, before the angel of death visited the family. Thee mother of our subject was born in Auburn township,. and she was a daughter Of Charles and Mary (Cummings) Morrow, who were among the early settlers who came to Crawford county from Indiana. county, Pennsylvania. Her marriage to Mr. Dickson was on October 29, 1829, and her death took place. on December 14, 1879. James Madison Dickson, of this biography, passed his boyhood days on his father's farm and attended the common schools, and at the age of twenty-one years assumed the management of the home farm. He first cultivated on shares, but after his father's death he was made administrator. When the estate was finally settled our subject purchased one hundred and seventy acres, which included the residence and the farm buildings, but in 1892 he removed to Tiro and rented his farm, although he still retains its management. During this same year the Tiro Building & Loan Association was formed and Mr. Dickson became the treasurer for two years, later the president, serving in that capacity ever since. In the spring of 1899 A. C. Robinson, who was the presi- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 471 dent of the Bank Of Tiro, died, and Mr. Dickson purchased his interest and later was made the president of this reliable and substantial institution. For many years Mr. Dickson has been a prominent politician, a leader in the Democratic party, and in 1893 he was made a member of the central committee of the township, and in the spring of 1901 he was elected township treasurer,. entering upon his duties in September of the current year. He was. a charter member of Tiro Lodge, No. 592, K. .of P., and was the representative to the grand lodge both in 1899 and 1900, has passed all of the chairs in the order and at present is keeper of record and seals, serving for three years. Mr. Dickson is well known not only in this community but also through the county, and his social, political and business prominence makes him a thoroughly representative citizen of Crawford county. SAMUEL GEE. Samuel Gee was formerly express agent at Crestline, but is now living a retired life. A brilliant example of the self-made American citizen and an excellent exemplification of the progress that an ambitious foreigner can make in this country of unbounded opportunity is shown in the case of Samuel Gee, one of the leading English-American residents of Ohio. His increasing success is due to his own energy and the high ideals which his lofty and laudable ambition places before him. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering effort, characteristics that Mr. Gee possesses in an eminent degree. He was born in Nottinghamshire, England, July 21, 1816, and his ancestors for many generations had been farming people of that country. His father, Samuel Gee, was a native of the same locality and was an agriculturist by occupation. In 1843 he came to America, taking up his abode in Townsend, Ohio, where he followed farming for a short time. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for death soon came to him and he passed away at the age of fifty-five years. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Willoughby, and was born in a parish adjoining her husband's birthplace. After his death she was again married, and removed to Michigan, where she died about 1.855. By her first marriage she had two sons and two daughters, but the latter died in early childhood. The sons are: Samuel and Peter, the latter being a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, a moulder by. trade. He is eight years his brother's junior. Samuel Gee, who was the eldest of the children, was reared and educated 472 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. in the place of his nativity, pursuing his studies mostly in a private school. He gave his attention to mastering the principles of English learning through the winter months and in the summer season assisted his, father in the work of the farm. He and Queen Victoria were about the same age, and Mr. Gee saw the lovely English monarch many times, both prior to her coronation. and after her marriage to Prince Albert. He witnessed the celebration there in honor of George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria in 1837. He was twenty-one years of age when she was crowned: He has lived during the reign of three English kings and one queen, as has his wife. Mr. Gee was married in England, June 22, 1842, to Miss Mary Ann Radmall, who was born in Nottinghamshire, England, August 21, 1816, and there spent the days of her girlhood, acquiring her education in that locality. She' was the eldest daughter in her father's family. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gee located in Sheffield, England. He had been educated for the ministry and there engaged in preaching as a representative of the Methodist church, devoting his life to that work until 1845, when he came to America. His first appointment in this country was to the church in Youngstown, Ohio, where he remained for two years. He afterward spent one year as pastor of the church in Portsmouth, Ohio, then going to Brownsville, Licking' county, Ohio, where he remained six years. On the expiration of that period he went to Tiffin, Ohio, where he continued for four years, serving also as pastor of the church at Fostoria during a part of the time. He then came to Crestline and secured a situation with the American Express Company, in which he continued from 1860 until 1893, covering a period of thirty-three years in the service of that corporation, at which time the company retired him upon a pension. Mr. and Mrs. Gee became the parents of six children : William H., who died at the age of five years; Samuel W., who is assistant manager of the Lake Huron steamboat lines; William A., who for many years has been a traveling salesman and is now living in Cleveland, Ohio; Lauretta, wife of Isaac B.. Carlisle, of Buffalo, New York, where he is engaged in manufacturing; Cynthia E., deceased; Frank B., who for twelve years was train dispatcher for the Big Four Railroad Company, on the Cleveland and Columbus division; and is now with the C. L. & W. Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Gee are living in quiet retirement in their home in Crestline, Ohio, having traveled life's journey together for fifty-nine years, during which time their mutual love and confidence have increased as they have shared together the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the lives of all. It is supposed that he was with the American Express Company CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 473 longer than any other employe, for he entered its service only ten years after the organization of the company. He has taken considerable interest in local affairs, and for some time was "a member of the school board. Mr. Gee has now reached the very venerable age of eighty-five years. He can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear, for his has been a useful, honorable and upright life, true to his duties to his fellow men. LUDWIG DURR. Ludwig Durr was. born in Chatfield township, June 7, 1845, a son of Henry and Cathirine Green ) Durr. In his early youth he attended the common schools, and at the age of sixteen he began working for Adam Klink, receiving eight dollars per month in compensation for his services. He was thus employed for two years, and at the age of eighteen he began operating his father's threshing machine and also ran a wood-saw until his marriage, since which time he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Sandusky township, where he rented land for two years and then went to Chatfield township, where he also operated a rented farm for two years. On the expiration of that period he bought ninety acres of land in Chatfield township and afterward purchased two additional tracts of fifty and eighty acres respectively. In 1883 he removed to the farm upon which he now resides—a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Lykens township. He also owns another farm of one hundred and eight acres, his landed possessions amounting altogether to two hundred and sixty-six acres. He carried on general farming and stock-raising until 1900, but is now practically living a retired life, the active work of the farm being performed by others, while he is enjoying a well-merited rest. In the year 1869 Mr. Durr was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown, a daughter of Caleb Brown, and they became the parents of four children : Eliza, the wife of William Fick, of Lykens township ; Katie, who married Jacob Kellar, of the same township ; and two who died in infancy. The eldest daughter was a music teacher and Katie engaged in teaching school. Mr. and Mrs. Durr took into their home in 1874 John Baumgardner, of Columbus, who remained at their home until the age of twenty-one, when he began the manufacturing of tiles. They also reared Alpha Bardner, who resided with them between the ages of six and seventeen years. In his political views Mr. Durr is a Democrat, and keeps well informed on 474 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY the issues of the day, thus being able to support his position by intelligent argument. For two years he served as assessor. Starting out in life empty-handed at the age of sixteen years, he has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well, acquiring through determined and honorable effort a comfortable competence. JOHN P. SHECKLER. John P. Sheckler, who is the subject of this sketch, has been a life long resident of a state which has become one. of the most prominent in the great Union of states, born in Richland county, on March 3, 1829. His parents were John and Rachel (Pettit) Sheckler, pioneers of the county and for a number of years among the most highly esteemed residents. John Sheckler was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in November, 1790, and he was a son of Frederick and Catherine (Monroe) Sheckler. He grew to manhood in his native place and in 1812 made a trip to Ohio, where settlement was being made. However, after looking over the unsettled country, he returned to his home until the spring of 1819, when he returned to Ohio and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Auburn township, and this same farm is now the property of our subject. Two years later he returned to establish a home on this land, building a log cabin in the great woods, and soon after he brought his wife thither. At this time game was abundant in this locality, and, as Mr. Sheckler was a fine hunter, the larder was well supplied with venison and other games In this pioneer home eight children Were born, the four survivors being: Thomas, a farmer of Whitley. county, Indiana; John P., the subject of this sketch ; George, of Whitley county ; and Christina, the wife of William. Willett, of Richland county, Ohio. when his eldest daughter was about thirteen years of age Mr. Sheckler was bereaved of his faithful wife, a blow from which he never recovered. This capable young daughter took charge of the housekeeping and cared for her father until his death, on. August 15, 1859. In early life he voted with the Democratic party, but later he became a Republican, and he was a consistent member of the Baptist church, having lived a worthy and upright life. John P. Sheckler is a worthy representative of this honorable and honest man. His early life was passed among pioneer surroundings and 'his education was acquired in the log .school house of those days, with its puncheon floor and slab benches. When he was twenty-three years. old, with his brother George, the began farming, on shares,. and for two years the brothers managed CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 475 the farm; then our subject decided to see something of the outside world, and made a trip to Indiana. For one year he worked as a farm. hand in Whitley county, but decided to return to his heritage in Ohio, and there, with his brother George, again carried on farming operations. After the death of his father our subject purchased fifty acres of the home farm, and also a tract of sixty-two acres, which was desirable, as it lay immediately across the highway. from his land. The owner, a Mr. Carlisle, was willing to dispose of it, and thus our subject soon had a farm of one hundred and twelve acres. In 1899 our subject's brother James and his two sisters died, and our subject then bought the remainder of the farm, making his holdings two hundred and twenty-two acres. In 1862 Mr. Sheckler was married to Miss Lenora Ashley, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of Ebenezer Ashley, who was a native of the state of New York and was one of the early settlers of Crawford county. Three children were born to our subject .and wife, viz. : Mary, single, at home; Blanche, the wife of D. F. Grove; of this township; and one who died young. In politics Mr. Sheckler is an active Republican and takes a deep interest in the success of his party. For many years he has been a leading member of the Baptist church, in which he is. a deacon, and he is fraternally connected with the Auburn Grange, No. 956, and the Patrons of Husbandry. Probably no man in the township is more highly esteemed. He is one of the leading farmers and a thoroughly good citizen, interested in every movement for the .advancement of the various enterprises which promise to. be of benefit to his neighborhood. JAMES MORROW, SR. James Morrow, a leading and representative citizen of Crawford county, owns and operates a fine farm in Auburn township. He is a native son of this township, his birth having occurred on the 30th of April, 1844, a son of James and Margaret (Ake) Morrow. At the early age of sixteen years our subject began operating on shares the old home farm, which was entered from the government by his grandfather, there continuing to make his home until the time of his marriage, which occurred on the 17th of December, 1868, Miss Mary E. Cory becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Thomas and Esther G. (Brown) Cory. In the following spring Mr. Morrow located on seventy-four acres of his father's farm, which he operated for one year, when his pres- 476 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ent home farm of one hundred and sixty acres was deeded to him by his father and he took up his abode upon his new possession. For the past fifteen or twenty years, however, he has rented most of his land, and, being a natural mechanic, has devoted much of his time to the work in his shop, where he does all kinds of wood and iron work. When he located upon his present farm it was covered with the native timber, with the exception of twenty acres which had been partially cleared and improved, and their first residence was a primitive log cabin which had been built by a former owner. Mr. Morrow, however, immediately began the arduous labor of clearing and developing his land, and although the task was a stern and hard one, he succeeded in placing his fields under a fine state of cultivation and made all other necessary improvements. His present commodious and comfortable residence was erected in 1871; and in the following year his large barn was built. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have had no children of their own, but they have an adopted daughter, Bernice C., whom they have reared from the age of two years. J. B. Finney, now a young man of nineteen years, has also found a pleasant home with this worthy couple for the past eight years. He is a bright and promising student in telegraphy in the Pennsylvania Railroad office in Tiro, Ohio, and expects soon to enter the employ of that company. In his political affiliations Mr. Morrow is a Democrat, and on that ticket he was elected for one term as land appraiser, and has also held many other minor offices, including those of supervisor and school director. He is uniformly honored and esteemed, and his record is one which reflects credit upon himself and does honor to the commonwealth in whose progress and welfare he is so deeply concerned. GEORGE O. BLAIR, M. D. Although Tiro, Ohio, is fond of boasting of its desirable location and its healthful breezes, it welcomes among its citizens a physician who comes with good credentials, who displays the requisites, which go toward making not only an addition to the professional circles but also to those of society and business. Among those who have found a congenial home and an encouraging and increasing practice in this prosperous town is Dr. George O. Blair, who has been a resident since 1896. The birth of Dr. Blair was in Cardington, Morrow county, Ohio, on February 12, 1865, and he was a son of James and Amy (Carr) Blair, who were the parents of eight children, the seven survivors being: Eva, who is the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 477 widow of Zenas Worthington, of Cardington, Ohio; Mary and Robert, who are at home; George O., the subject of this sketch; Addie, the wife of George Crane, of Columbus ; Amy, the wife of Roy Quay, of Iberia ; and Kate, with her sister in Columbus. James Blair was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1816, and grew to maturity there, acquiring- but a limited education. In his young manhood he read medicine for a short time, but circumstances caused him to give up the study and he devoted his time thereafter to farming. After leaving home he remained a short time in Knox county, Ohio, and then went to Morrow county, where he married Miss Ensign and had a family of six children, the three survivors being: Alex, of Cardington, Ohio; Daniel, of Mansfield, Ohio; and Anna, the wife of James Duncan, of Chicago, Illinois After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Blair married our subject's mother,, who still survives. When he left his parents' roof it was as a poor boy, but his life was one of energy and industry, and he left to his family, at his death, 2, fine, well-improved farm of one hundred and three acres, securing to his wife a comfortable competency. In political life he advocated the principles of the Republican party, and was' prominently identified with the Masonic order. Mr. Blair was very successful in both his farming and stock-raising, and possessed excellent judgment in regard to real estate. The mother of our subject wa.s born in 1837, and. she was a daughter of Daniel Carr, both parents belonging to old New England stock. During her childhood she was bereft of her mother, and she was reared by a family of the. name of Robinson, of Knox county, and grew into a most estimable woman, respected and valued in the Presbyterian church and beloved by her old neighbors, among whom she Still resides, on the old farm at Iberia. Dr. Blair was reared in a pleasant home and acquired the foundations of his education in the common schools. Later he became a student at the Ohio, Central College and at Muskingum College, at New Concord, Ohio, and after passing a most satisfactory examination, prepared to teach school. Perhaps, however, he inherited from his honored father the inclination toward the medical profession, which had been subdued in the latter, and instead of becoming. -a pedagogue he entered upon a course of medical reading in the office of Dr. W. C. Bennett, at Iberia. After one year of study, on September 15, 1889, he entered the Starling Medical. College, of Columbus, where he attended lectures during that and the following Winter, again entering Dr. Bennett's office, returning to the college during the winter of 1891-2, in March, 1892, entering 478 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. the Kentucky Medical College, at Louisville, at which he graduated with honor, on June 20, 1892. Upon his return to Iberia, Dr. Blair entered into practice in association with his former preceptor, and remained with him until the following January; when he located in Louisville, Ohio, where he opened an office and for three years enjoyed a lucrative practice. In April, 1896, Dr. Blair decided to make Tiro his home, and since that time he has built up a growing practice and has won the esteem and confidence of the whole community. The marriage of Dr. Blair was on March 28, 1894, to Miss Pearl Macintosh, a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and who is a daughter of George Macintosh, who was a prominent lumber dealer of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. To our subject and his estimable wife one child has been born,—Mary Gladys, on February 9, 1895 Dr. Blair is a member of Tiro Lodge, No. 592, K. of P., and also of the American Medical Society. He is still a student, for; like the leading members of his noble profession, he is not willing to allow any modern specific for disease or new method of treatment to escape his notice. Outside of his professional duties the Doctor has proven himself a useful and desirable member of both social and business circles. GEORGE W. HOOD. George W. Hood, who through many years has been an engineer in the service of the Pittsburg, Fort .Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company, and makes his home at Crestline, was born in Carroll county, Maryland, June 7, 1837. His father, .Thomas Hood, was a native of the same locality, born in 1899, and there he carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, making his home in his native county until his death, which occurred in 1895, when he had attained the ripe old age of eighty-six years. In his, early political affiliations he was a Whig and voted for Henry Clay, and later he joined the ranks of the Republican party. He married Catherine Grimes, who was born in 1807 and spent her early life in Carroll county, Maryland. George W. Hood was the fourth in order of birth in a family of nine children born unto this worthy couple, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of George W. Hood and his youngest brother. He acquired his education in the common schools of his native county, and in early boyhood began work on his father's farm, assisting in the cultivation of the fields until eighteen years of age, when, not wishing to follow the plow throughout his CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 479 entire life, he determined to enter the railway service, and therefore he secured a position as brakeman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and was afterward. promoted to. engineer on that line in 1859, acting in that capacity until 1862, when he entered the service of the Northern Central Railroad Company, which is now part of the Pennsylvania system. He has continued with the road from that time to the present, and is, therefore, one of its oldest representatives. His first run was from Baltimore to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He then went to Pittsburg, and has been running between Pittsburg and Crestline from 1862 until the present time. For thirty years he has been a passenger engineer, and during that time has been in only two small wrecks, one being a head-end collision; which occurred June 2, 1864, between Salem and Lattona. At that time he was carrying a train load of mules for the government and the train, was checked in time to avoid any serious damage,. not one being injured. The other collision was with a freight train that was trying to clear the track for him but failed to get the engine off the main track, when Mr. Hood's engine: struck the freight and he sustained a broken arm. With these two exceptions, however he has never had any accidents, and is known for his watchful care and close attention to duty. Mr. Hood has been twice married. In 1870 he wedded Lucy Ann Gray, and after her death he was again married, in 1893, his second union being with Effie E. Grim, who was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1863. They now have one daughter; Georgia M., who was born in Crestline, February 1897. Mr. Hood is a Republican in his political affiliations, and has never failed to cast his vote at the 'presidential elections since 1866, when with his first ballot he supported Abraham Lincoln. He holds membership in the. Methodist Episcopal church and is a very courteous gentleman, of even temperament, agreeable manners and kindly nature. SAMUEL LUDWIG. Samuel Ludwig was a son of Michael and Sarah (Hanks) Ludwig, and. the latter was descended from a family of English Quakers, or Friends. The first representative of the name in America crossed the Atlantic just after the edict of Nantes was revoked and took up their abode in Pennsylvania. Michael Ludwig died in early manhood; leaving a family of six children. His widow afterward became the wife of Nicholas Yocom, a Wealthy farmer of Berks county, Pennsylvania, whose sons; Nicholas and Moses, became the largest iron masters in east Pennsylvania. Samuel Ludwig and his half-brothers 480 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Performed almost all of the work upon his stepfather's farm of four hundred acres, yet through industry and close application he acquired a good education, his intellectual training being largely directed by his mother, a lady of superior education and intelligence. After his marriage Samuel Ludwig removed to Reading, Pennsylvania, and became an active factor in the manufacturing interests of that city. He conducted a wagon and plow factory for twenty-three years, carrying on business on an extensive scale and amassing a fortune. He had the ability to formulate his plans readily and was determined in their execution, His business judgment was rarely at fault and he seldom made a mistake in even the slightest detail. He was a man of strong individuality, and one of his most marked characteristics was his great thirst for knowledge. His leisure hours were almost entirely given to reading, and he thus mastered to a marked degree subjects on chemistry, geology, natural philosophy and history, and his information on those subjects was only surpassed by professors in such lines. He was often offered positions of public trust, and his fellow townsmen greatly desired that he should represent them in the state legislature, but he preferred the quiet of his home and of his study to the turmoil of public life, and passed his most pleasant hours in the companionship of his books. In 1831 he visited Bucyrus and purchased one hundred acres of land adjoining the town on the east. He then returned home, and the same year brought his family to Crawford county. In 1832 he purchased an additional tract of eighty acres, bordering the east corporation limits of the city, and thereon he made his home for thirty-eight years. In 1840 the father was the owner of three thousand acres of land in Crawford, Seneca and Sandusky counties, Ohio, and Was one of the richest men in this portion of the state. In 1849, at the age of sixty-two years, he successfully piloted a party of young men to California, then the scene of great mining excitement, and after seeing them landed on the Pacific coast in the Golden state he returned by steamer to New Orleans and then home to Ohio. Samuel Ludwig was united in marriage to Elizabeth Redca, a daughter of Hon. John Redca, a member of. the Democratic legislature from Berks county. They became the parents of eleven children, namely : Isaac, Jeremiah, Samuel, Mary, Hanna, Mary, William, Michael, Henry, Solomon and Jane L. The last named is the only survivor of the family. Mr. Ludwig spent the closing years of his life in the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. D. E. Johnston, now Mrs. Abraham Monnett, his wife having previously passed away. He closed his eyes in death December 20, 1876, at the age of eighty-eight years and eleven months. His career was ever such as to warrant the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 481 trust and confidence of the business world, for he ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good was unquestioned and arose from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow men. SEBASTIAN BROWN. The prominent and influential citizen of Jefferson township, Crawford county, Ohio, whose name is the title of this article, was born in Sandusky township, Crawford county, Ohio, December 16, 1832, a son of Joseph Brown, who was an early settler in Ohio. Joseph Brown was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and early in life learned the carpenter's trade. In company with his brother-in-law, Nicholas Tustison, he came to Ohio with an ox team and located within the present borders of Jefferson township, Crawford county, where he took up eighty acres of government land on the usual contract of one dollar and a quarter an acre. He married Elizabeth Swarty, daughter of Sebastian Swarty, a Revolutionary soldier who was with Washington when he made his perilous crossing of the Delaware. After his Marriage he built a log cabin on his land and pushed forward the work of clearing and improving the farm as rapidly as possible. After a brief absence from his native township, Sebastian Brown returned to Jefferson, where from the age of nine years he attended the common schools, and afterward worked on, his father's farm until he married and began life for himself. Margaret Fox became his wife March 15, 1859, and bore him six children, the following facts concerning whom will be found interesting in this connection. Their daughter Emma died at the age of eighteen months. Their son Joseph M. lives at Crestline, Ohio. Their son James A. lives on the family homestead with his father. Their son Willard is a farmer in Clinton county, Michigan: Their son Homer K. lives at Crestline, Ohio. Their ,daughter Laura B. is a member of their household. For a year after his marriage Mr. Brown lived in Richland county, Ohio. From there he removed to Defiance county, Ohio, on eighty acres of wild land which he bought of his father and on which he lived two years. In 1864 Mr. Brown enlisted as a private in Company I, Forty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in battle at Stone River, Cumberland, Kenesaw Mountain, Mission Ridge and Marietta, Georgia; and started with Sherman on his march to the sea. At Burford, Georgia, he was taken 482 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. sick and was sent to Chattanooga and afterward to a hospital at Nashville. He soon recovered and rejoined his regiment, but was again taken ill and was eventually sent back to his home in Jefferson township. In 1865 he returned to Defiance county, Ohio, where he lived until 1870. In the year last mentioned he moved on his eighty-acre farm in Jefferson township, which he has improved into a valuable property. While he is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the term, he is active in township affairs, and for six years he has held the office of township trustee and has come to be known for a liberal public spirit which impels him to give his support to every measure which promises to promote the general. good. He has kept alive memories of the Civil war through his membership of Snyder Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Crestline; Ohio. AARON RADER. Through industry and enterprising efforts Aaron Rader advanced to a leading position among the :substantial farmers of Crawford county, and was regarded as one of the most reliable citizens—a man who in all life's relations commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men. His birth occurred in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1817, his parents being Peter and Catherine (Fried) Rader. His youth was spent in the state of his nativity and as he grew to manhood he learned the' miller's trade, which he followed as a source of livelihood for a number of years. Later he turned his attention to farming. and throughout the greater part of his residence in Crawford county he carried on agricultural pursuits. Believing that he might better his financial condition further west; Mr. Rader, removed from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1856, and took up his abode in Sandusky township, where he secured a tract of land. With characteristic energy he began its further development and improvement and in .course of time made it a very valuable property; adding thereto all modern accessories and conveniences. His buildings were substantial and modern, his Machinery of the latest improved kinds and he was widely known as a progressive farmer. His business affairs were so well managed that he yearly added to his income, and in the later years of his life he was enabled to live in quiet retirement in the village of Sulphur Springs. On the 8th of September, 1840, was celebrated the marriage of Aaron Rader and Miss Sabina Bauer, and unto them were born nine children, seven of whom are yet living, namely : Owen Henry, Enos George, Maria Cath- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 485 erine, Jacob, Thomas; John David. William Benjamin and Francis Aaron. Two have passed away, James Peter and Franklin. The latter died in Elsinore . Springs, California, March 28, 1897. In early life he engaged, in teaching School in this state and afterward was connected with journalistic work for a time. He next established a hardware store in Clyde, Ohio, and in 1883 he went to Los Angeles, California. He soon rose to prominence there and taking an active interest in politics became a recognized leader of his party in that city. His fellow. townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him to the high office of mayor in 1894 and his administration was so just, so practical and progressive that it won the commendation of all parties. He was one of the most popular and honored residents of Los Angeles, and when he passed away young and old, rich and poor- came to pay their last tribute of respect him whom they had so highly esteemed. He .Was prominent in Masonic circles and was laid to rest with the beautiful Masonic service for the dead. Mr. and Mrs. Rader reared a family of children of whom they had every reason to be proud. . Three of their soils were gallant soldiers in the Civil war,—Owen H., James P. and Enos G.—all being members of the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In his political views Mr. Rader was a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party in which he so firmly believed, yet he never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to give his entire time: and attention to his:, business affairs, in which he .met with signal success. After a residence: of thirty-six years in Crawford County he passed away at his home in Sulphur. Springs, on the 30th of April, 1892. His life was ever honorable and. he left: to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His widow, now in her seventy-eighth year, is still a resident of Sulphur Springs and has many friends there, as well as in her old home neighborhood in Liberty township. JAMES PETER RADER. A loyal soldier during the Civil war and for many years a faithful public official, the life history of James Peter Rader well deserves a place in the annals of Crawford county, whither he came in his boyhood with his parents, Aaron and Sabina (Bauer) Rader. He was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania., April 1, 1843, and was reared upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, as he assisted his father in the work of the fields. He acquired a fair 26 486 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY education and greatly broadened his kn0wledge through reading, experience and observation in later life. When the troubles over the slavery question had precipitated the country into civil war his patriotic spirit was aroused and he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union. Accordingly he offered his services to the government and became a member of Company B, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He took part in many of the important engagements of his regiment and finally received an honorable discharge, after which he returned to his home in Crawford county. Mr. Rader was married to Miss Julia. Musgrave, a daughter of Robert Wallace Musgrave, one of the pioneers and distinguished citizens of Crawford county. Since her husband's death Mrs. Rader makes her home in Sulphur Springs. She has a very wide acquaintance throughout the county and is most highly esteemed fora her many excellencies of character Mr. Rader rose to prominence in political circle's and was a stanch Republican, giving an unfaltering allegiance to the Republican party, inwhose principles he so firmly believed. He was appointed and served as postmaster of Bucyrus and was afterward a government clerk in the treasury department at Washington, a position which he held 'continuously up. to the time of his death, which occurred in Bucyrus, January 7, 1880, when he was in the very prime of manhood, being then thirty-seven years of age. Methodical and exact he Performed his work in a most capable manner and was a most trustworthy representative of the department. He was, a man of many sterling traits of character,, genial and popular and wherever he went made friends. WILLIS A. BROWN. One of the leading business men of Crawford county, Ohio, who is financially interested in many of its prominent industries and who is cashier of the Farmers' & Citizens' Bank of Tiro, is Willis A. Brown, who also owns :and manages the leading mercantile business of this prosperous town. Willis A. Brown was born in Liberty Corners, in Vernon township, Crawford county, on July 22, 1859, and he was a son of Joseph D. and Sarah J. (Dickson) Brown, and a grandson of William Brown, who was a pioneer iii Richland county in 1830. Seven children were born to the parents of Willis A. Brown, and our subject is one of the four survivors, the others being : Mary A., who is the wife of John Brown, Jr.; of Vernon township; CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 487 Josie S., who is the wife of J. M. Van Tilburg, the postmaster of Tiro; and John E., who is a resident of Pasadena, California. Willis A. Brown grew to..manhood under the parental roof, and finished the common-school course before entering upon a business career, for which he has seemed peculiarly well fitted. In March, 1879, he entered the store of Brown & Davis, the former representing his father, in the capacity of a salesman. One year later the senior Mr. Brown purchased the interest of Mr. Davis and during the two succeeding years Willis proved to his father's satisfaction that he possessed the attributes which would enable him to become a successful man of business: In 1881 our subject and his brother-in-law, J. M. Van Tilburg, succeeded Mr. Joseph D. Brown in the business, the firm name being Brown and Van Tilburg, but two years later Mr. M. L. Callin purchased the interest of Mr. Van Tilburg and the firm name changed to Brown & Callin. This connection continued for two years at the end of which period our subject became the sole proprietor and successfully managed the growing interests by himself until in 1893, when his father-in-law, J. H. Stevens, was admitted into partnership, the latter purchasing a one-half interest, and the firm name was changed to Brown & Stevens. Three years later our subject again became the sole owner and since that time has most judiciously man aged the affairs of the old and established house, with which his family name has been so long connected. Mr. Brown is one of the progressive and energetic young men of the county, and his mind has long been exercised concerning other business enterprises. One result was his organization, in April, 1896, of the Farmer's & Citizens Bank of Tiro, with Mr. A. C. Robinson as president, Joseph a Brown as vice-president and our subject as cashier, with Mr. C. L. .Morton as assistant cashier. In April, 1899, Mr. Robinson died and Mr. J. M. Dickson purchased the interest of Mr. Robinson and was made president of the bank, since which time the officers 0f the institution have remained. the same, with the exception of the withdrawal of Mr. Morton. This bank is recognized as one of the sound financial institutions of the county and its organizers and officers are men of the highest financial responsibility and of unimpeachable integrity. The marriage of Mr. Brown was on September 5, 1883, when he was united in marriage to Miss Nora Stevens, who was the daughter of J. H. Stevens, the latter now making his home with our subject. Four children have been born to this union, these being.: Stevens. W.; Sherman J., deceased; Sadie E.; and Edna A. Fraternally he is connected with Tiro Lodge, No. 592; 488 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. K. of P., of which he was a charter, member. In .political life he has been prominently identified with the Democratic party, and was made a member of the first board of election in the county, but he resigned that office t0 become postmaster, under the administration of President Cleveland, serving in that official capacity during both presidential terms. For some ten years Mr. Brown was the very satisfactory township treasurer and for two years he served with efficiency on the school board. All of his family are members of the Lutheran church and to this religious body he is liberal in his support of all Christian work. Few men in the county have displayed more business ability in the same length of time than Mr. Brown. His mind is fertile in resource and quick to seize opportunity, while his judgment is calm and trustworthy. It was through his efforts that the Auburn Milling Company was organized, with John W. Hahn as President, who is also president of the Ohio Millers' Insurance Company, and our subject is one of the stockholders and is its secretary and treasurer. In 1896, when the Bell Spice Cabinet Company was organized, our subject became a member and for two years was president of this company, since that time filling the position of vice-president, and he is also a member of the Tiro Building & Loan Association, a very important business enterprise of this city, and acts as treasurer of this company also. The confidence he has inspired by his honorable business methods and his exemplary life place him in the front rank of the worthy representative men of Crawford county. He is practical and self-reliant and is of that mental fiber that enables him to seize business opportunity and to convince others of the wisdom of his decisions. JAMES E. HARROP. James E. Harrop and William A. Stine are the proprietors of the Keil & Harrop livery and sales stables of Bucyrus. Mr. Harrop was born in Crestline, Crawford county, Ohio, October 11, 1862, his parents being Hugh and Catherine (Cover) Harrop. His grandparents, James and Ann Harrop, came from England to America in the year 1866 and located in Crestline. The grandfather was a weaver by trade and while in England followed that pursuit, but after arriving in America worked in the Pennsylvania Railroad shops with his son, Hugh, throughout the remaining years of his active, busy career. He died in 1878, at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife passed away in 1872, when aged sixty-three years. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 489 Hugh Harrop was born in Ashton, Lancashire county, England, March 27, 1832, and died September 9, 1889. He was reared under the parental roof and in his youth he learned the machinist's trade. In. 1857 he emigrated to America, landing in New York City, whence he made his way to Philadelphia. For a short time he worked at his trade there, but soon went to Niagara Falls, New York, where he remained until the 1st of January, 1860. He then came to Crestline and here found employment in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and soon was promoted as foreman, which position he held for more than a quarter of a century, or until. the time of his death. He was an active worker in the Methodist Episcipal church and was a prominent Mason, having taken the Knight Templar degree ,of the York rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He was one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Crestline and was a stanch Republican in politics, but never sought or desired office. In early manhood Hugh Harrop was married to Miss Catherine Cover, Sand unto them were born five children, of whom four are yet living, namely : James E.; George, who is the manager for the Central Union Telegraph Company, at South Bend, Indiana; Frank, who is one of the owners of the Crestline Machine Shop, at Crestline, this county ; and Bertha, the wife of R. U. Miller, an attorney of Crestline. James E. Harrop spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and ,obtained his education in the public schools of Crestline. In 1887 he and William A. Stine formed a partnership and embarked. in the livery business at Crestline. In 1890 Mr. Harrop sold his interest to Mr. Stine and came to Bucyrus, where he has since been engaged in the livery business. Mr. Stine continued in that business at Crestline continuously from 1887 to the spring of 1901, and then 'came to Bucyrus, becoming again the partner of Mr. Harrop. They are proprietors of what is known as the old John Keil livery stables, and do are largest livery business in Bucyrus, having a fine line of carriages and a goodly number of excellent livery horses. They are large buyers and sellers of horses, doing a greater business along this line than any other dealer in the county. They handle a high grade of horses and do a straightforward, legitimate. business. Carloads after carloads of horses are annually sold at their stables by auction, and thus many a pleased customer has purchased of them driving and draft horses of the best quality. In 1886 Mr. Harrop married Miss Emma Zink, daughter of David L. Zink, who has been ticket and freight agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Crestline for over forty years, being for many years joint agent for this 490 - CENTENNIAL. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY railroad and the Big Four Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Harrop have two interesting sons, namely: Hugh J. and Spencer. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also of the .Masonic order, being a Master Mason. In business he has been successful and among .men. he is regarded as. enterprising and public spirited. GEORGE A. BRAUSE One of the few middle aged residents of. Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, who was on the farm on which he now lives, is George Brause, who first saw the light of day May 29, 1855. Mr. Brause is a son of Rudolph Brause, who was born at Kenesa, Germany; in 1826, and was brought to America in 1832 by his parents, John and Hannah Brause. The family from the fatherland and settled on the Bower farm, or, at least, on forty acres of it, which the elder Brause took up as government land and on which he erected a log cabin. The old German emigrant died in Iowa, at the age of ninety-three years. Rudolph Brause married Catharine Klink, a daughter of John Klink, originally from Germany, who came to Crawford county from Columbiana county and located in Liberty township. Rudolph and Catharine (Klink) Brause had eight children. Their daughter Elizabeth married Jacob Fike, of Lykens township. Catharine, who became the wife of Joshua Miller, is dead. Caroline died at the age of twenty years. The subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth. John in Chatfield township, Crawford county. Fidelia is the wife of Jacob Seigler, of Seneca county. Willis lives in Lykens township. Emma died young. Rudolph Brause learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and was employed as a carpenter until he was married, when he engaged in farming, and for some years ran a threshing machine in season. He moved upon the farm where the subject this sketch was born and where he now lives, about 1847, shortly after he was married. His first. purchase of land there was of forty acres, on which was a log house in the midst of a small clearing. At the time of his. death, in 1892, he owned three hundred and sixty acres of land in Lykens township. His good wife died in November, 1896, aged seventy-two years. George A. Brause was born and reared on the old family homestead in Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, and lived there until he was twenty-five years old. gained his education in the public schools near his home, and under his father's special direction was inducted into all the mysteries of successful farming. When he branched out for himself he bought eighty acres, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 491 of land, which he partly cleared and on which he lived eight years. He then. sold. that property and bought one hundred and sixty acres, which he. still .owns; and on which he lived until 1897, when, after the death of his mother, he re-. turned to the old homestead. Be was married February 12, 1889, to Miss Mary A. Green, daughter of Jacob Green, of Chatfield township, who has borne him five children : Edward Rudolph, George Walter, Clarence Albert,. Rosa Mary and Hattie Magdaline Catherine. Mr. Brause's home farm consists of two hundred and thirty-nine acres. Adding. to this his other farm of one hundred and sixty acres,. it will be seen that he is the owner of three hundred and ninety-nine acres of good and well, improved land. He devotes himself to general farming and stock-raising. In politics he is a Democrat, and he and his family are members and attendants upon the services of the German Lutheran church. Neither an office seeker, nor a practical politician, Mr. Brause yet exerts a well-defined influence in shaping the destinies of the township and county; and his excellent judgment. in all the affairs of every-day life encourages his fellow citizens to seek his. advice in matters of public moment. A man of intense patriotism and much public spirit, he has the weal of the. people of his township and county very Close to his heart and is generous in his aid of all movements for the general: good. SAMUEL ESTERLINE A noted writer has said, "The present is the child of all the past, the mother of all the future." If this. be true, where will the generations of the future find a more impressive lesson or faithful guide than in the study of the lives of those men who have achieved a successful prominence in the busy walks. of life? There is in the intensified energy of the business man, fighting the every-day battle of life, but little to attract the attention of the careful observer; but to the mind fully awake to the stern realities of life there are: noble and important lessons in the life of the man, who, without other aid. than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity and wins for himself honor and. distinction among his fellow men. Among such men we may mention Samuel Esterline, one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of Crawford county. Mr. Esterline is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Sandusky township, Crawford county, on the 13th of March, 1844. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Kaler) Esterline, who were the parents of .four 492 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. children, three now living, namely : Henry, a resident of Crestline, Ohio; Franklin, of this township; and Samuel, the subject of this review. The latter was reared on the home farm, acquiring his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. After his marriage he purchased a threshing machine and began its operation, having been identified with that work at intervals since his fifteenth year, but after one season he sold his machine and located on his father-in-law's farm, where he remained f0r one year. On the expiration of that period he removed to the farm now owned by Jacob Glower, which he also operated for one year and then returned to his father's farm, remaining there for two years. His father-in-law having died, Mr. Esterline then purchased his farm of one hundred acres, where he has ever since made his home. He is very progressive in his farming methods, his fields having been brought to a high state of cultivation, and the place is now one of the model country seats in Crawford county. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate he is also extensively engaged in the stock business, and his farm now contains the best grades of stock to be found in the county. He has met with excellent success in this line of his business; and' has been largely instrumental in improving. the grade of stock raised in this section. For seventeen seasons Mr. Esterline has also been engaged in threshing. The year 1865 witnessed his marriage with Miss Sarah E. Humphrey, a native of Vernon township, Crawford county, having been born on the farm on which she now resides. Five children have graced their union, namely : Charles B., deceased ; Nora D., the wife of James Brubaker, 0f Shelby, Ohio; Jefferson, a resident of Shelby, Ohio; Ada G., at home; and Amy, who is also at home and is a popular and successful teacher. In political matters Mr. Esterline casts his ballot in favor of Democratic principles, and for six years he has served as trustee of his township. He is a member of the Church of God, in which he is an active and zealous Worker, and in all the relations of life he is true and loyal to the duties of citizenship. He takes a prominent part in all public affairs calculated to benefit his community, and is one of the wide-awake and progressive citizens of the county. WILLIAM A. STINE. William A. Stine was born in Crestline, Ohio, January 21, 1858, his parents being Adam W. and Hannah (Wentz) Stine, and is the fourth in order of birth of seven children. The father was a native of Berks county, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 493 Pennsylvania, and the mother was born in Perry county, that state. Coming to Crawford county they settled in Crestline, where the father became a prosperous contractor and builder, and proprietor of a saw and planing mill. In the public schools of Crestline our subject obtained a limited education. His business career has been mentioned in the biography of James E. Harrop, which appears above. He has met with fair success in business and is a gentleman of honor and integrity. In 1895 Mr. Stine married Lizzie Hoover, and their home is brightened by two children, namely : Martha and Harriet. They have resided in Bucyrus since the spring of 1901. JOHN B. CAMPBELL. A landmark in Crawford county, Ohio, is the fine farm of John B. Campbell, on the Galion and Bucyrus pike, four and a half miles from Bucyrus, in Whetstone township. There Mr. Campbell was born April 4, 1849, a son of Edward Campbell, who was born and reared in Wayne county, Ohio, and a grandson of John Campbell, who was an early settler in that county. In 1823 John Campbell brought his family to Crawford county, Ohio, and settled in Whetstone township., where his son, Edward, is still living, and where he took up government land. He built a log cabin and applied himself to the task of clearing and improving a farm. He was a man of ability and influence and lived a useful life and died at the age of seventy-six. Edward Campbell was brought up amid the vicissitudes of backwoods farming and acquired such an education as was available to. him. He married Amanda Tupps, who b0re him four children. Their daughter, Catharine, married Frank Keiffer and is dead. Their son, Samuel K., is managing his father's homestead farm.. Their son, John B., who is the immediate subject of this sketch, was their third child in order of birth. Their daughter, Lettie J., married Andrew H. Gibson and lives on Grandfather Campbell's old homestead, in Whetstone township, which in the days of its founder was the center, not only of a generous hospitality, but of an influence which extended in many directions, for that honored pioneer served for many years in the office of justice of the peace at one time represented his district in the legislature, and he was an active member of the Disciple church. His son Edward has been devotedly attached to the same church and during all his active life was prominently identified with township and county affairs. He is the owner of eight hundred and forty acres of land, all of which lies within the borders of Whetstone township, and he has been one of the leading sheep raisers in his 494 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. part of the state. His wife died in 1889, aged sixty-nine years. He attained to the advanced age of eighty-five years, becoming .quite feeble, having been the victim of a: paralytic stroke in March, 1901. He died November 5, following. John B. Campbell was born and. reared on the farm on which he now lives, was educated in the public schools near his home and at Lebanon, Ohio, and at the age of nineteen began teaching winter terms 0f school, giving his attention to home interests during the remainder of the year. In 1872 he married Miss Jennie Shanks; a daughter of David Shanks, and they have two children—Mabel Campbell, who was educated at the State Normal School at Ada, Ohio, and is a teacher, and Urias Edward. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Campbell settled on Grandfather Campbell's old home farm, where they lived ten years, then located on their present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all the fine improvements on which have been planned and carried out by Mr. Campbell. He has given his attention to general farming and has come to be known as a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and is a very prominent sheep raiser, and in 1892 he was in fair competition awarded a premium for large yield of scoured wool per fleece grown in the United States, during the year 1892, which was conferred upon him at Boston, Massachusetts. He is a Republican in politics and like his father and grandfather has made his influence felt in local affairs, though he is not an active politician and has never sought public office, but his public spirit has impelled him to ally himself with many movements having for their object the. enhancement of the general weal. JOSEPH D. BROWN. Among the men of hardy enterprise and undaunted courage, who made for his family a home in Richland county, Ohio, in the days while still the wild .beasts of the forest roamed at will and howled at night around his pioneer cabin, was William Brown, who was the father of Joseph D. Brown, the subject of this biography. In 1830 William Brawn came to Richland county from his native state, bringing with him his bride and settling upon lands which his far-seeing father had previously purchased in this then almost unsettled portion of the state. William Brown was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and he was a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Cummings) Brown, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Jeremiah Brown was a successful farmer and distiller and exerted influence in his locality; and when CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 495 the desirable farming land in Richland county, in the neighboring state, came upon the market he hastened to buy farms there for his growing sons, although William was the only one to settle there. When he came to Richland county, as it was then called, William Brown located with his young wife on a vast tract of timbered land, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, in Vernon township. The site of the home farm is now owned by David Weaver. Here the new settler built his log cabin and for some thirty years engaged in clearing and cultivating his land. In .1869 he sold this. property and then purchased a farm of three hundred acres in Auburn, township and resided there some ten years, and then disposed of that property to purchase another tract of three hundred and four acres, in Springfield township, near Crestline, and here he lived until the. time of his death, on August 9, 1890. Mr. Brown was a man of intellect and was conspicuous for his strong sense of justice. If his employes worked even but one hour over the stipulated time they received a compensation for it. In politics he was a Democrat and was one of the leaders in his party, efficiently serving in almost all of the local offices. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist church, where they were held in the highest esteem. The mother of our subject was born near Steubenville, Ohio, in 1808, and passed out of life on. June 30, 1889. Her parents died while she was a child and she was reared in a neighbor's family. The family born to William Brown and wife consisted of ten children, six of these still surviving, as follows : Joseph D., who is the subject. of this sketch; Elizabeth, who is the widow of. Norman Martin, of Richland county ; George C., of Crestline; Martha J., who is the wife of Rev. H. B. Miller; of Wooster, Ohio ; Mary, who is the widow of A. D. Seibert, of La Grange county, Indiana; and Amanda, who is the widow of Joseph Lewis, of Monroeville, Indiana. Joseph D. Brown, who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Richland county, Ohio, on May 27, 1832, and he was a son of William and Sarah (Ellis) Brown. His rearing was in the pioneer home and his education was acquired in the common schools of his neighborhood. On March I, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Dickson, who was a native of Auburn township, in Crawford county, and who was a daughter of Andrew Dickson— In 1852 Mr. Brown made preparations to make a trip to California, but his mother opposed the project and he delayed starting until the following spring. Then he prepared to go to the far west and open up a hotel, in association with another man, but the latter failed him at the last moment, and our sub- 496 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ject decided to abandon the idea. Hence he purchased eighty acres of land near Liberty Corners, in Vernon township, and settled upon it after his marriage, engaging extensively in the raising of cattle and sheep, being especially successful in the management of the latter. As time went on Mr. Brown was able to purchase more land and improve it, increasing his farm to two hundred and fifty acres, and finally, in 1883, sold two hundred acres for seventeen thousand dollars. In 1878 our subject rented his farm to his son-in-law and moved into Tiro and built the residence now occupied and owned by Mr. George Owens, and established the general store, after erecting the building, which is now conducted by W. A. Brown, his son. In 1883 he sold his farm and purchased one hundred and seventy acres of George Carrothers, which was located immediately south of the town, and resided there until 1896, when, on account of an accident to Mrs. Brown, by which she broke a limb, he decided to remove to Tiro, where both he and wife have resided in comfortable retirement ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had seven children, their names being as follows : David C., Georgiana and Martha E., all deceased ; Mary A., the wife of John Brown, Jr. ; Willis A., of whom a biography appears in this volume; Josephine, the wife of T. M. Van Tilburg; and John E., of Pasadena, California. These children were all given the best possible educational advantages and reflect credit upon their careful rearing, and have become representative citizens in the various localities where they have made their homes. In politics Mr. Brown is liberal, with a tendency toward Democratic doctrine, while in voting he selects from the various tickets. He has efficiently served several terms as township treasurer, and is one of the reliable and esteemed residents of the county. Both he and wife are among the leading members of the Presbyterian church in Tiro, and Mr. Brown is a liberal supporter of every charitable and benevolent enterprise connected with the church or that promises to benefit the community. SHERMAN H. STEVENS. Sherman H. Stevens, who is one of the substantial, reliable and highly esteemed citizens of Cranberry township, Crawford county, Ohio, was born in the house which he now occupies, on May 24, 1858. He is a worthy son of ,one of the well known and respected pioneers of this county, Jacob H. Stevens, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 497 who has the distinction of being the oldest living resident of Auburn township. The mother of the subject of this sketch was formerly Miss Sarah J. Wallace, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Jefferson Wallace,. who located in Richland county at an early day, later removing to Cranberry township, in Crawford county. Until his twenty-first year Sherman H. Stevens remained at home, assisting on the farm and acquiring an education in the common schools At that period he took charge of the home farm,. consisting oftwo hundred and. thirty acres, and worked on the share plan, remaining thus engaged for two years, and then went to Sandusky township and took charge of what was as the Kuntz farm, which had. passed into the posesssion of the father of our subject. One year was spent by Mr. Stevens on this farm, as a bachelor, but on April 27, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Clara R. Siefert, and he was thus provided with :a most admirable companion, an estimable lady and an excellent housekeeper, trained in all domestic ways. Sher was a native of this county, and she was a daughter of Jacob Siefert (a sketch of the Siefert family can be found in the biography of John E. Siefert, who is a brother to Mrs. Stevens). Upon this farm our subject and wife resided until the fall of 1894. During the ensuing years our subject was extensively engaged in the manufacture and shipping of maple syrup, his trade extending to all parts of the United States, his shipments aggregating thousands of gallons of this delicacy. His opinion was that he could realize more financial returns from two months' work in the sugar camp in the spring than from an entire summer's work in general farming. In the fall of 1894 Mr. Stevens removed to the home farm and in the following winter he acquired the: homestead, with one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he yet owns. He also efficiently manages his father's farm of eighty acres. Although he has the management of a large extent of land. he has practically given up active work on the farm and has his farm under rental at present, his time and attention being required to enable him to look . after his large interests in the buying and selling of stock. Mr. Stevens owns a large herd of valuable cattle, known as Aberdeen, and is the only citizen of the county, with one exception, who owns any of these high priced animals. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, the survivor being Freeman W. S., who was born on June 12, 1892, a bright, intelligent lad, who bears promise of worthily upholding a name which his father and grandfather have made respected. through Crawford county. Politically Mr.   498 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Stevens is a stanch Republican- and takes an active interest in public affairs, and is fraternally connected with Hyperion Lodge, No. 651, K. of P., of New Washington, and was a charter member of this lodge. The social and business standing of Mr. Stevens is very high in this locality and his name is a leading one among the representative men. JOHN OUTHWAITE. Among the public-spirited and leading farmers of Crawford county is John Outhwaite. He was born in Bedford, now Fulton county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of November, 1820, a son of William and Elizabeth (Thompson) Outhwaite. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1794, a son of Francis and Elizabeth (Robinson) Outhwaite. Francis Outhwaite was a well-to-do farmer and miner, and also conducted what was known as a raft yard, where lumber was sawed by hand, one man standing above and the other below the log. The father of our subject grew to manhood under the parental roof, receiving the advantages of a thorough education. When about seventeen years of age he entered a wholesale and retail grocery store in the town of Richmond; where he served an apprenticeship of four years. He then went to the city of London and secured a clerkship with Petty & Wood, wholesale grocery, tea and liquor merchants, where he remained for about two years, and then engaged in business on his own account. He was there married to Elizabeth Thompson, of East Witten, Yorkshire, England. Her father was a well-to-do farmer under Lord Essix. He had four sons, namely : John, Richard, Thomas and William, and two daughters; Elizabeth and Hannah, of whom the eldest was the mother of our subject. Thomas, the third son, united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and at the age of seventeen became a minister of the same In the year 1821 he was married, and in 1823 he emigrated to Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1828, when he removed to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, where he took charge of the Wyandot mission,—the first mission in the world,—where he was minister and teacher among the Wyandot Indians for seven years, under whose supervision the Stone mission church of Upper Sandusky was erected and stands as a memorial for the beginning of mission work. In 1835, for feat of his children marrying among the Indians, he moved to his farm near Republic, Seneca county, Ohio. He was then appointed by conference as the preacher in charge of the Mexico circuit, where he had twenty- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 499 eight appointments. He was afterward appointed presiding elder of the district embracing Berea, where he received a donation of forty thousand dollars for the beginning of the Baldwin University In 1818 William Outhwaite, the father of our subject, bade farewell to the home and friends of his native land and sailed for the United States, much against his parents' wishes, and for this he was disinherited. The first half of the journey was made in twelve days, but they then encountered adverse winds and fifty-four days had passed ere they reached the shores of the new world. On his arrival Mr. Outhwaite purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, for which he paid seven hundred dollars in gold, and after residing there for seventeen years, during which time he cleared eighty-acres and also made other improvements, he sold the tract for seven hundred dollars, the purchase price, with payments of one hundred dollars, to be made yearly. In the spring of 1836 he removed to Seneca county, Ohio, purchasing eighty acres of land at Rockaway, to which he afterward added fifty acres, and there he resided until a short time before his death, when he moved into the town of Republic, where he passed away in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Outhwaite became the parents of five children, three of whom still survive, namely ; John, of this review ; William, who resides at Red Cloud, Nebraska ; and Francis, of Rockaway, Seneca county, Ohio. After the death of the mother of these children the father was again married, choosing for his second wife Miss Mary Bella Mr. Outhwaite was a stanch old-line Whig, and was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. John Outhwaite, whose name introduces this review, acquired his early education in the common schools of the neighborhood. On reaching his twenty-fourth year he began working on his own account, and for one year operated a thrsher, after which he worked at farm labor and at carpentering, becoming an expert joiner, although he never served an apprenticeship to that trade. He did considerable building for the following seven years, and in 1847 purchased his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres. The land was then in its primitive condition, but he erected, a log cabin in the midst of the forest, although he did not make this his permanent home until after his marriage, which occurred in 1855, Miss Drucilla Brown becoming his wife. She is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and a daughter of William Brown, who removed to that c0unty from Canada, his native place. This union has been blessed with five children, two now living,--Susan B., the wife of W. A. Tucker, of Todd township, Crawford county, and John, of Wyandot county, Ohio. After a happy married life of fourteen years Mrs.