A Standard History OF Fulton County, Ohio An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and County. Under the Editorial Supervision of FRANK H. REIGHARD Assisted by a Board of Advisory Editors Vol., II ILLUSTRATED THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1920 History of Fulton County DR. ESTELL H. RORICK. It was September 1, 1842, that Dr. Estell H. Rorick of Fayette began his earthly career in Seneca, Michigan. He is a son of William and Phoebe (Bress) Rorick, the father from New Jersey and the mother from York state. The young man was reared on a farm in Lenawee county, and in 1867 he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as a student in the medical department there. The Rorick family history began in Michigan with the coming of William Rorick in 1836, and he owned a great deal of land in Lenawee county. He was in position to give superior educational advantages to his children, and when the Doctor was sixteen years old he attended the Medina, Michigan, academy. He later attended college at Kalamazoo, but lacking funds to continue at the time he engaged in teaching for two years. At Medina young Rorick formed the acquaintance of Doctor Weed, and it was through his influence that the young man decided to study medicine and surgery. In 1864 the young man joined the staff of Doctor Weed, who was then an army surgeon, and he assisted the 'surgeon until the end of the Civil war. It was after the close of the war that he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, and in 1869 he graduated with honor from that institution. Doctor Rorick began the practice of medicine at Spring Hill (Tedrow), but three years later he sold the practice and located at Fayette. He made a financial success of the practice of medicine, and he contributed much to the success of the Fayette College. A student of the college afterward wrote : "Those school days in the Fayette Normal back in the '80s are never to be forgotten," and Doctor Rorick is mentioned with others who helped to establish a school that would be worth while to those who attended it. Doctor Rorick is identified with many of the business interests of Fayette. Since 1896 he has discontinued the practice of medicine, giving his entire time to business enterprises. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers State Bank, and he owns considerable real estate in the community. On August 20, 1868, Doctor Rorick married Mary P. Acker. She was a daughter of George and Minerva (Cottrell) Acker. Like her mother, she is a native 'of Gorham, while her father came from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. The Ackers and Cottrells were among the pioneers of Fulton county. The grandparents were George and Lydia (Holbern) Acker, and Rea and Harriet (Stevens) Cottrell. The children born to Dr. and Mrs. Rorick are: Clark Chappell, who died at the age of eight years; Georgia Agnes, who died at the age of twenty ; and Mabel Acker, who is the wife of F. T. Sullivan, of Fayette. While Doctor Rorick has not .been 'an active politician, when Governor Willis was elected in Ohio he named him as a member of the state board of administration with authority to manage - 3 - 4 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY the state institutions. For nine years ,he had been superintendent of the Athens State Hospital, and it was here that he displayed executive ability. It was at Athens that the Doctor had his first personal knowledge of the institutional life of Ohio. While serving as a member of the state board of administration Doctor Rorick had opportunity of observation, and at his behest wards of the state were sometimes changed from one institution to another. Sometimes a prisoner was transferred to a hospital, and a hospital patient placed in prison--the confinement best adapted to the needs in the case. A newspaper clipping says: "Dr. E. H Rorick has been a friend to the young man, and many a boy owes his success in life to some word of encouragement or a start given him by Doctor Rorick." While in his young manhood Doctor Rorick stood ready to do anything necessary to help himself along, and when he needed. money he worked in a brick yard for it. There were frequent jumping contests and his strong physique enabled him to win, having one time covered forty-one feet and eight inches at two hops and a jump and he won thirty dollars in cash in that way. Many honors, have been accorded Doctor Rorick in connection with the institutional life of Ohio, but a friend sums eit all up by saying: "The Doctor Rorick that will longest be remembered is that smiling, cheerful, kind physician who gave lectures on physiology and anatomy to the classes of the old Normal School, who cured the boys and girls of their aches and pains, and broke up some of the worst cases of homesickness. Who inspired them to be something and do something in the world. Who with friendly help and kind words piloted the boys and girls who came under his influence, through the dark clouds of discouragement!' Doctor Rorick and his wife came much into contact with the students of Fayette College, and since the "thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts," they will be remembered for many years to come by some of those in whom they manifested a friendly interest. In contrasting present day conditions with the time when he began the practice of medicine, Doctor Rorick says: "You have only to remember that within this time the fever thermometer came into use. The temperature used to be estimated by the rapidity of the pulse and the touch of the skin. The appearance of the tongue in those days was a great indicator of what was going on internally. A hypodermic syringe was not in use for many years, and the antitoxin and serum treatments had not been thought of in those days. "Bleeding for pneumonia and typhoid fever was still in vogue, but this method of treatment was becoming obsolete, and the fever patient was allowed water and milk to drink. Pneumonia was supposed to originate always from taking cold. Malaria was a poison floating about causing fever and ague. The mosquito had not yet been discovered as an agency for the distribution of malaria and fever." The review of such a life covering a long period of years is indeed a revelation. Some one writing of the man says: "The great secret of Doctor Rorick's success lies in the fact that he makes no distinction between individuals. He has the same hearty hand-shake, the same warm smile, the same cheerful word for all alike," and when one has spent more than half a century in one community the people know all about him. Quoting' again : "There are none who know Doctor Rorick as well as Fayette people. He has never sought other residence and has not often left the town since he first came among us." HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 5 JOSIAH COLLINS PAXSON. In looking back to the time when choice was made of a career in which they have become eminently successful, there are many men who are led to marvel at the youthful courage that then inspired them. In every line of useful effort there has always been so much to learn, and so often opportunity has been obscure and finances insufficient, and without this vitalizing youthful courage ready to meet and overcome difficulties, the result might often been far different. Among the representative professional men of Wauseon are those who have earned their own way to success and foremost among these is Josiah Collins Paxson, who is senior member of the prominent law firm of Paxson & Canfield. Mr. Paxson was born in Chesterfield township, Fulton county, Ohio, May 27, 1866. His parents were John and Rebecca (Mason) Paxson. The English ancestors located in the northern part of Delaware. From there in 1845 the father came to Fulton county, going to Buffalo, New York, and whence by boat to Toledo, Ohio. He set up a woodworking shop near West Unity, and is said to have made the first coffin and the first wagon ever built west of Maumee. Later he settled on a farm in Chesterfield township, Fulton county, and there his life closed in December, 1894, a man respected by all who knew him. The mother of Mr. Paxson passed away in 1888. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters.' Josiah Collins Paxson was reared on his father's farm and assisted in its work during the summers and attended the country schools during the winter seasons. With a definite end in view Mr. Paxson so managed his affairs that he was able to enter the Fayette Normal College, from which he was graduated *with credit in 1892, when he entered upon the study of law in the office of M. B. Cottrell at Delta, Ohio, completing his law course in the Ohio Northern University, from Which he was graduated in 1897. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Delta, where he continued until 1902, when he came to Wauseon, where he has been engaged in the general practice of law ever since. In 1890 Mr. Paxson was married to Miss Mary Hallett, who died in November, 1907. She was a daughter of Ephraim and Lydia (Hall) Hallett, of Wauseon. Two children were born to that marriage, Florence and Edwin Lewis. The daughter is the wife of F. H. Allen, of Toledo, and Mr. and Mrs. Allen have a daughter, Mary. Edwin Lewis Paxson is a yeoman on the United States Steamer Hannibal. He entered the navy in June, 1917, 'at Cincinnati, after being graduated from the Wauseon High School. From there he was sent to the training station at Newport, Rhode Island, detailed to the Louisiana for further training, sent with the armed guards to Newport sews, Virginia, and then went to France on the transport Kentuckian that carried supplies. After the signing of the armistice he was made a yeoman on the battleship Indiana, later being transferred to the Hannibal. His entire record is one of duty well and bravely performed, and it reflects credit upon himself, his family and his country. In 1908 Mr. Paxson was married to Mrs. Martha J. Brewer, widow, and daughter of Peter Van Rennsalaer, of Ottawa county, Ohio. Mrs. Paxson died in 1913. In 1915 Mr. Paxson was united in marriage to Mrs. Nellie Bell, a daughter of Ira and Betsey (Duncan) Welsh, of Metamora, Ohio. In addition to attending to an extensive practice, Mr. Paxson is interested to some extent in the cultivation of his farm of seventy-three acres. He has long been quite prominent in the political field, 6 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY and in 1901 was the republican candidate for the office of mayor of Delta. During the progress of the great war he displayed unselfish concern in all movements of a patriotic character, giving his services as a member of the Legal Advisory Board in the selective draft, and working and contributing in all Red Cross and government bond drives. In all that affects the welfare of Wauseon he is sure to take part, and the city has many times profited through his deep interest and sound advice. For eight years he has been a member of the school board at Wauseon. ALLEN M. BARBER. There are few names that are held in higher esteem in Fulton county than that of Barber, one that for years has been prominent in educational and professional activities, not alone in this but in other sections. Originally of Scotch-Irish stock, its sturdy qualities and intellectual strength developed together on American soil. In New England, in New York, in Milligan and in Ohio descendants of this family have become distinguished. From this strong intellectual family, through marriage, came Louisa Yale, the grandmother of Judge Allen M. Barber, who fills the Probate Bench in Fulton county. She was a granddaughter of Elihu Yale, the founder of Yale College. Allen M. Barber was born in Gorham township, Fulton county, Ohio, February 9, 1885. His parents were Miles Allen and Bertha, (Baker) Barber, the former of whom was born near Syracuse, Onondago county, New York, a son of Cordon T. and Louisa Barber. They moved as pioneers to Morenci, Michigan, later coming to Gorham township, Fulton county. The grandfather was educated in the law and for many years he, his son, and Judge Barber's four uncles were educators of note. Allen M. Barber attended the public schools under very favorable circumstances, later completed the teachers' course in Fayette Normal University. and still later a business course in a commercial college at Fort Wayne, Indiana, following which he became deputy under his uncle, Probate Judge Fred A. Barber, until 1916, at Wauseon, when he succeeded his uncle on the bench and on the republican ticket was elected probate judge for a term of four years. His long association with the business of the office was an excellent preparation, and his performance of his duties has been careful, able and satisfactory. An unusual amount of business, occasioned in part by the general disturbance caused by the great war, has come before Judge Barber and has been dispatched with the greatest efficiency. While he devotes the greater part of his time to his work on the bench, he is interested also in the proper cultivation of his model farm of eighty acres. In 1909 Judge Barber was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Imes, who belongs to an old pioneer family of Fayette that has been of great importance in Fulton county. Her parents were John Q. and Lucretia (Ely) Imes of Fayette. Judge and Mrs. Barber have had four children, namely : William Allen, who was born in 1911 ; Jeannette Grace, born 1912 ; Harry Eugene, who died in 1918; and Eugenia Lucille, who was born May 21, 1919. Judge Barber and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he has always been an uncompromising republican and is an influential factor in party councils in Fulton county. During the great war he cheerfully shouldered many responsibilities and found hours from a busy life to work for patriotic measures as he felt to be his duty. He belongs to Wauseon Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and the Knights of Pythias and to various' social bodies and benevolent organizations. HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 7 T. RALPH ROBINSON. Fulton county has some very 'energetic young men in its, public offices, who have brought to the conduct of affairs an enthusiasm which is infectious, and in consequence the records and conduct of these matters are beyond any criticism. One of these alert public officials worthy of special mention is T. Ralph Robinson, county recorder, and one of the representative men of Wauseon., He is a son of Thomas R. and Sarah G. (Worley) Robinson, and was born on a farm near Pettisville, Fulton county, Ohio, on November 7, 1882, coming of Irish and Welsh stock. His ancestors having been generally people of culture and education. On his mother's side were the Van Dykes, too well known to mention further. On his father's side were some of the prominent doctors of Dublin. After attending the public schools of Pettisville, including the high school course, Mr. Robinson learned the fundamentals of business in the college conducted by Vories Brothers, at Indianapolis, Indiana. Subsequently he attended the Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio, during 1907 and 1908, taking the literary course. In the interval he was engaged in farming, and then in 1910 he took a business and literary course at the university at Valparaiso, Indiana. Returning to his home district, Mr. Robinson was elected township assessor and held that office for four years, and his record in that office was such as to bring him before the public as candidate for that of county recorder in 1916 on the republican ticket. His election following, he located at Wauseon, although he still lives on and manages the home farm at Peterville. In 1911 Mr. Robinson took the civil service examination and received an opportunity as collector of internal revenue at Trenton, Michigan, but declined the appointment. He has always been very active in politics, and is recognized as one of the leading republicans of the county. Mr. Robinson is unmarried. In his fraternal relations he maintains membership with Fulton Lodge, F. & A. M., and with Wauseon Chapter and Council of the Masonic order, and also with the Wauseon Lodge, K. of P. 'Phe First Methodist Church of Wauseon is his religious home. All that Mr. Robinson has he has made through his own efforts. He has always been very ambitious, and although he has reached heights others aspire to in vain, he is not satisfied, but is making plans for advancement in the future, for he knows his own abilities and what he can accomplish if he puts his mind to it. Those who have followed his progress feel proud of their talented young fellow citizen, and judging the future by the light cast by events in the past, there is no doubt but that he will receive a strong support from his constituents if he desires to remain in public life. The country needs just such men as Mr. Robinson, dependable, capable, patriotic, real Americans, whose pride in their country inspires them in making a strong effort to preserve its liberties and put down the foreign radical element which is so undesirable a factor in the United States today. CLARENCE GEORGE WEBER. It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to bestow her largess upon the indolent and ambitionless, and only those who seek her untiringly are recipients of her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential business man and representative citizen whose name Introduces this sketch it is plainly seen that the prosperity which 8 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities, and it is also his. personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him. Clarence George Weber is a native son of Fulton county, Ohio, i having been born in German township, on September 28, 1887, and he is the sixth in order of birth of the seven children born to the union of Daniel and Catherine (Fetzer) Weber. The subject's paternal grandfather, Peter Weber, was a native of Germany, where he was reared to manhood, when he came to the United States and settled' on a tract of government land in Fulton county, Ohio, and here he devoted himself to the establishment of a home and the rearing of a family. He spent the remainder of his life here engaged in farming and stock raising. His son Daniel, the subject's father, followed in his footsteps and also devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Clarence G. Weber attended the common schools and was reared to the life of a farmer, to which he devoted his labors until the completion of his common school education. He then went to Toledo, Ohio, and took a commercial course in the Metropolitan Business College. Returning then to Archbold, Fulton county, he bought a half interest in the Schnetzler Drug Store, the business being run under the firm name of Shibler & Weber for two .years. Then, Mr. Shibler's health failing, his interest in the business was pur- chased by Bert R. Moll, the firm title becoming Weber & Moll. Four years later, in 1918, Mr. Weber bought his partner's interest and has since operated the store alone. He carries a large and well selected stock of drugs, and also accessory lines, such as jewelry, wall paper and paints, as well as conducts a soda fountain. By his courteous treatment, prompt service and the high quality of his goods, he has gained a fine trade throughout this section of the county and is numbered among the leading merchants of Archbold. In 1915 Mr. Weber was married to Ida Moll, the daughter of Adam and Fanny (Baumgardner) Moll, of near Archbold. Mr. Weber in 1920 was nominated for the office of township treasurer on independent ticket. Fraternally he is a member of West Unity Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Archbold Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a splendid example of the virile, progressive man who believes in doing well whatever is worth doing at all, observes sound business ethics in his dealings with others and enjoys the esteem of the entire community. CHARLES F. HOFFMAN. The life of Charles F. Hoffman, well known merchant of the town of Archbold, Fulton county, Ohio, has been characterized by industry, honesty and steadfastness of purpose, seldom if ever mistaken in matters of business. He is essentially a man of affairs, careful of his plans and exercising a judicious foresight, for he possesses energy, concentration of purpose and a discernment that causes a large degree of success to result from his outlay of labor. He is public spirited and lends his aid in the furtherance of all movements having for their object the general upbuilding of the community whose interests he has ever had at heart. Charles F. Hoffman, who conducts a prosperous dry goods business at Archbold, is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born at Napoleon, Henry county, and is the son of William and Katherine (Wall) Hoffman. He received his educational training in the public schools of Napoleon, graduating from the high HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 9 school. Then for eight years he engaged in the dry goods business in his native town, after which he became connected with the dry goods store of Brown & Meyerholtz of that city as a salesman, remain- ing with them for six years. He then went to Bryan, Ohio, and for a year was in charge of the dry goods store of Cronin & Boothman Company. On March 26, 1918, Mr. Hoffman enlisted in the United States Army at Camp Sherman, where he remained for three weeks. He was then sent to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, and a week later he embarked for France. He landed at Brest on June 5, 1918, and was assigned to the Twenty-sixth Division, one of the famous fighting divisions of the American Expeditionary Forces. With this division he took part in the historic battles at Chateau Thierry and the other engagements incident to that drive, ,and later was at the Argonne Forest. During this period he was a member of Company K of the One Hundred and First Regiment. He took part in the famous St. Mehiel drive, followed by the engagements at Troyon, Verdun and Argonne Forest. He then 'remained inactive after the Armistice until April 1.9, 1919, when he went to Brest and embarked for home. Upon reaching the United States he went to Camp Sherman at Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was mustered out on April 28, 1919. He has an honorable war record and received a citation for valor on the field of battle. On July 19,191.9, Mr. Hoffman came to Archbold and bought the dry goods business of Rupp Brothers, which he has continued to operate to the present time. He carries a large and well selected stock, thoroughly up-to-date, and his dealings with the public have been such as have gained for him the confidence and good will of all who have patronized him. His trade covers a wide range of surrounding country and he is recognized as one of the leading business men of Archbold. Politically Mr. Hoffman is independent, reserving the right to cast his vote as his conscience dictates, regardless of party. lines. While advancing his individual interests he is not unmindful of his obligations to the community and earnestly supports all measures for the general welfare. Because of his success and his genuine personal qualities he is deservedly popular throughout the locality in which he lives. EDWARD AND PETER RUPP. Clearly defined purpose ,and consecutive effort will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in following out the careers of those who have attained success by their own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality by which such accomplishment is ,possible. The qualities which have made Edward and Peter Rupp, of Archbold, successful have also brought them the esteem of their fellow men, for their careers have been characterized by well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods. Edward and Peter Rupp, who comprise the well known firm of Rupp Brothers Furniture and Undertaking Company. at Archbold, were born on their father's farm near Archbold, and are the sons of Rev. Daniel and Magdalena (Gerber) Rupp, the former of whom was a minister of the Defenseless Mennonite Church in his locality and most highly respected throughout the community. Edward Rupp was born on September 27, 1879, and secured his early education in the common schools of German township, which he attended until eighteen years of age. The remainder of his time was given to the, work of the home farm, where he remained until he had attained 10 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY his majority. He then bought a half interest in some land near Archbold, and was engaged in farming on his own account for eight years. In 1908 he went to Archbold and bought a third interest in the business which was being conducted under the firm name of Rowe & Rupp. Four years later the Rupp brothers purchased Mr. Rowe's interest in the busines, which since that time has been conducted under the style of Rupp Brothers Furniture and Undertaking Company. In 1909 Edward Rupp entered the Cincinnati College of Embalming, where he took a complete course in that art and was graduated in due time with honors. He has given his special attention to the undertaking phase of their business and has been very successful in everything to which he has applied himself.' In 1909 Edward. Rupp was married to Ida Miller, the daughter of Christian P. and Catherine Miller, of near Archbold. To them have been born two children, Catherine Magdeline, aged seven years, and Kenneth Edward, who died in June, 1915, at the age 'of two months. Politically Mr. Rupp is independent of party ties, but always supports every movement for the advancement of the community's best interests. He is a member of the Defenseless Mennonite Church. Peter Rupp was born on December 17, 1888, and attended the country schools of his home neighborhood until sixteen years of age, when he entered Goshen College and, later, the Mennonite 'College, where he prepared himself for the teaching profession. After attending three terms he began teaching in the public schools of Fulton county, being employed for four consecutive terms in the schools of German township and gaining a high standing as a successful pedagogue. He then entered the Fort Wayne Business College, where he took a complete commercial course, and also took a course and gradu ated in the Cincinnati College of Embalming in view of the fact that he had previously bought an interest in the firm of Rowe & Rupp, which later became, and is still known as, the Rupp Brothers Furniture and Undertaking Company, the reorganization taking place in 1912. They carry a large and well selected stock of high-grade furniture and command a large trade over a wide radius of surrounding territory, and because of their fair dealings, courteous treatment and prompt service they are deservedly popular. In 1914 Peter Rupp was married to Clara Vonier, the daughter of Christian and Mary (King) Vonier, of near Pettisville, this 'county. To their union have been born three children, Marguerite May, Evelyn June and Robert Lowell. Politically Mr. Rupp is independent, voting for the men whom he considers best qualified for public office regardless of their political alignments. He is a member of the Defenseless Mennonite Church and stands consistently for all that is best in the community life. The Rupp brothers are well known throughout Fulton county, where .their entire lives have been spent and because of their high personal qualities and their business success they have won the confidence and respect of all who know them. In addition to their business at Archbold they also conduct a branch store at Stryker, Williams county, Ohio, where they command a large trade. Edward also owns a half interest in the .Stryker Dry Goods Company, at Stryker, and a quarter interest in the Neuhaser Dry Goods Company at Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, while Peter Rupp is a stockholder in the Hoosier Condensed. Milk Company at Bluffton, Indiana. HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 11 JOHN R. HOFFMIRE. It requires about as much painstaking effort to become a thorough veterinary surgeon as it does a general. practitioner of medicine., and a proficient knowledge of the anatomy of the horse is by no means acquired by indolent methods; on the contrary, the man who becomes an expert in this line must spend much painstaking effort in study and research, and be naturally endowed with the necessary qualifications of the successful veterinarian, such as patience, sound judgment, steady nerve, keen observation and honesty of purpose. Dr. John R. Hoffmire, of Archbold, Fulton county, seems to be endowed with such attributes, for, though he is now retired from the active practice of his profession, he enjoys a wide reputation in this particular field of endeavor. This same personal description may also be applied to his son, Dr. Colenzo H. Hoffmire, who is in the active practice and who has exhibited not only professional ability of a high order but has also demonstrated his courage, loyalty and patriotism by a splendid record of efficient service during the recent World war. John R. Hoffmire, who is descended from sterling old Holland Dutch stock and who is the scion of a family which has long been established in America, was born in Lucas county, Ohio, in 1845. He was born on a farm near Tedrow, which, though now in Fulton county, was then a part of Lucas county. His parents were Marshall P. and Elizabeth (Goodrich) Hoffmire, whose American progenitors had lived in New York State for a number of generations following their arrival in this country in the seventeenth century. They had as a family been connected with the banking business through several generations and attained to considerable importance in their community. Marshall P. Hoffmire came to Ohio and secured a tract of government land, which he cleared and put into cultivation, and there he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. John R. Hoffmire attended the common schools of his home neigh borhood until eleven years of age, when, his father having died at the age of twenty-six years, the son was compelled to devote the greater part of his time thereafter to the operation of the homestead. In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil war, and when only sixteen years of age, Mr. Hoffmire enlisted as a private in Company E, Sixty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Wauseon. He was sent to Camp Latta., near Napoleon, Ohio, where he remained. until January, 1.862, when he was sent to Camp Chase, at Columbus, Ohio. Shortly afterward he was sent to the front, his regiment being assigned to General Grant's army, and he took an active part in the historic campaign which included the terrific battles at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh. He was then taken ill and in July, 1862, was sent to Camp Denison Hospital. Later he returned home on a discharge furlough and as soon as he had recovered his health sufficiently he re-enlisted on August 15, 1862, at Wauseon, in Company I of the Sixty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer. Infantry. They were sent to Suffolk, Virginia, where they became a part of the great Army of the Potomac, .with which he served until May 10, 1864, when he was seriously injured in the action at Chester Station, which was a part of the great battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse, being shot through both ''hips. He was sent to David Island Hospital in New York harbor, in June, 1864, remaining there until receiving an honorable discharge on account of disability on March 20, 1865, when he returned home. After his return home Mr. Hoffmire engaged in the jewelry business at Archbold, in which he was successful and with which he was 12 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY identified until 1886, a period of twenty years, when he sold out, and thereafter for a time was engaged in general business matters. He then took up the study of veterinary medicine and engaged in the practice as a veterinarian, in which he demonstrated unusual ability, enjoying a large and profitable practice over a wide range of country until his retirement from the active practice a short time ago. Politically Doctor Hoffmire gives his earnest support to the Democratic party, and during his younger years he took an active part in local public affairs, having served as mayor of Archbold for three terms, 1882-88. He served for many years as marshal of Archbold, and as a member of the board of cemetery trustees. He is a member of Lozier Post No. 135, Grand Army of the Republic. He has been universally recognized as a splendid citizen, of lofty character and sturdy integrity, a man who has consistently given his support to every movement which had for its object the betterment of the community along any lines. In 1869 John R.. Hoffmire was married to Nancy Jane Scott, the daughter of John Scott, of Wauseon, and to this union were born three children, namely : Ella Maud, who is the widow of John M. Thrash and is living in Dallas, Texas. She became the mother of two children., Lawrence E., who died at the age of twenty-nine years; at Dallas Texas, leaving two children, and Claude O., who is married. Mr. Hoffmire's second child, Gertrude, is the widow of George O. Dix, of Archbold. Colenzo Hegel Hoffmire, third child of John R. Hoffmire, was born at Archbold. Fulton county, Ohio, on February 8, 1889. He attended the public schools, graduating from the high school with the class of 1905. In that year he entered the Veterinary College of the Ohio State University., and was there graduated on June 24, 1908, with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He then returned home and was actively engaged in the practice in association with his father until May 12, 1917, when he entered the First Officers' Training Camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana. On August 15th he received a commission as second lieutenant of cavalry, and on August 29th he reported at Camp Sherman, Ohio, where he was assigned to the Fourth Company of the. First Training Battalion, Eighty-third Division. On September 25, 1917, he was transferred to Company C, Three Hundred and Twenty-second Machine Gun Battalion. On December 13th he was commissioned second lieutenant of the Veterinary Officers' Reserve Corps, and on January 1st, 1918, he was assigned to the Eighty-third Division at Camp Sherman, being there made brigade veterinarian of the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade. On January 7, 1918, he was transferred to Camp Upton, Long Island, where he was assigned to Veterinary Hospital No. 6, which was being made ready for overseas service, and on. February 15th he was commissioned a captain in the Veterinary Corps. On March 22d, he was ordered overseas with Hospital No. 6, and on March 27th sailed on the steamship "Olympic," then known as Transport No., 527, which landed them at Brest, France, on 'April 4th. They proceeded to Camp Pomptamazon, near Brest, where they remained four days. On April 8th he was ordered to proceed to Neuf Chateau Vosges, where he remained with Veterinary Hospital No. 6 until September 15th, when he was ordered to the A. P. 0. 717, at Tours, where he was detailed as assistant to the chief surgeon. . Subsequently he was ordered to St. Nazarre; as base veterinarian on inspection service of veterinary hospitals, artillery training camps HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 13 and remount stations. On February 26, 1919, Captain Hoffimire was ordered to embark for the United States, sailing on 'March 8, 1919, on the Princess Matoika, and landing in the United States on March 20th. He proceeded to Camp Hill, at Newport News, Virginia, thence to Camp Dix, New Jersey, where he was finally discharged from the service on March 22, 1919, after a record of duty faithfully performed and with credit to his ability as a veterinarian. On December 7, 1914, Doctor Hoffmire was married to Lulu May Grime, the daughter of Alexander and Rose (Miller) Grime, of Archbold. They have two children, Gertrudella and Mary Jane. Personally, Doctor Hoffmire is a man of generous impulses and genial disposition and enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and good. will of all who know him. GEORGE J. COLLINS has had a notable record as a merchant at Wauseon, where he has been located in one establishment for over a quarter of a century and having during that time provided the city and a large part of the surrounding country with staple and high clam groceries. Mr. Collins, who is thoroughly to be congratulated for the services of his sons in the World war, was born at Bellevue, in Huron county, Ohio, September 9, 1859, a son of James H. and Sophia (Slade) Collins. He is of English ancestry. His parents came to Wauseon when he was a child, and he grew up there and attended public schools to the age of seventeen. For a time he worked with his father as a painting contractor, and spent four years in the carpenter's trade at Wauseon. He was then employed for two years by the Toledo Pin Company, at Toledo. On returning to Wauseon he embarked his modest capital in the grocery business in 1892, and has never changed his original location in the past twenty-eight years. Mr. Collins is a republican, attends the Congregational Church and is a man whose public spirit can be depended upon always. In 1886 he married Mary L. Lord, daughter of George and Minerva (Pritchard) Lord, of Wauseon. They have three children: Jay Lord, born in 1888, now an Akron lawyer; Frank H., born in 1892, connected with the Duquesne Carnegie Steel Company; and Harold George, born in 1895. The oldest son left his professional business in December, 1917, to enlist in the Three Hundred and Twentieth Aerial Squadron. He was at Kelly Field, at Newport News, thence went overseas to A.ndover, England, and had intenslve training with the British Royal Flying Squadron. He was mustered out with the rank of sergeant December 22, 1918, at Camp Sherman, Ohio. Harold Collins enlisted September 18, 1917, at Camp Sherman, where he spent nine months as corporal and company clerk. He went to France by way of England and was there six months. He had the honor of serving as one of President Wilson's Guard in Paris for seven weeks. He was returned to America and mustered out at Camp Sherman April 14, 1919, after spending eight months overseas. CHARLES W. STRUBLE. One of the worthiest ambitions cherished by men is to be connected with a work and an institution that has every quality of performance as well as value of service to the community. That ambition has been admirably realized by Charles W. Struble, who became connected with the People's State Bank early in 1890, a year after it was founded as a banking partnership, and only a few weeks 'after the bank opened for business. He has been its cashier ever since and the directors of .the People's State Bank 14 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY paid him a deserved tribute when at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the bank they said : "His careful and efficient attention for nearly a quarter of a century has contributed materially to the ,continued growth and prosperity of the bank." Through all these years Mr. Struble has been the man depended upon for the real administrative and technical handling of the bank's affairs. He has seen it grow from a private bank, one of three in Wauseon, until today it is the oldest bank in Fulton county and one of the largest in resources in northwestern Ohio. The People's Bank continued as a private banking firm until December, 1906, when it was incorporated as the People's State Bank. When Mr. Struble entered upon his duties as cashier the total resources were approximately a hundred thirty thousand dollars. These resources had reached the million dollar mark when he completed his twenty-fifth year and the bank has continued to grow ever since. Mr. Struble was born and reared on a farm in Fulton county, a son of William and Elizabeth (Dickson) Struble. He attended country schools, also the Wauseon High School, to the age of eighteen, and had the experience of teaching one term in his native township. For ten years he was a salesman in a general store at Delta, Ohio, and then spent a period in South Dakota for his health. Returning to Fulton county refreshed, he entered upon his duties as cashier in 1890. Mr. Struble is a member of the Knights of Pythias, is a member of the Methodist Church, and is a republican in politics. GEORGE J. OAKLEY. Practically the entire community of Fulton county knows and appreciates the. mercantile service and career of George J. Oakley, who, beginning as a clerk, has risen to independence and is head of George J. Oakley & Company, dealers in agricultural implements, one of the largest establishments of its kind in the county. Mr. Oakley was born in Wauseon, August 20, 1872, a son of Joseph and Sophronia .(Kolb) Oakley. He attended public school at Wauseon and at the age of sixteen started work as clerk for the Barnes-Harter grocery house. Two and a half years later he found an opening with Clarence Brigham in his hardware store,, and remained there continuously in the business and advancing in experience and personal efficiency for sixteen years. Then for two and a half years' he was manager of the hardware department of Charles E. Rossman & Company, following which he engaged in business for himself with Ervin Heist. They bought the agricultural business of H. J. Baughman and continued under the name Oakley & Heist one year, at the end of which time, in 1909, Mr. Oakley bought out his partner and has since been sole owner. He handles many of the best and standard makes of implements, machinery and supplies used in the agricultural industry. His trade covers practically the entire Fulton county. Mr. Oakley has also taken a commendable interest in local affairs and was elected a city councilman in 1917 on the republican ticket. In 1898 he married Ona Sanford, daughter of Edgar and Carrie (Kendall) Sanford, of Wauseon. They have one daughter, Frances Louise. ORIN STANDISH, who began his active career as a physician, and practiced medicine with success in Wauseon for six years, then gave up his calling to go into business, and has long been a member HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 15 of the firm of Eager, Standish & Hatt, a mercantile firm known throughout Fulton county, dealers in dry goods, carpets,. shoes and women's furnishings. Doctor Standish is a son of R.. Clarke and Harriet (Smith) Standish. He is of English, Puritan stock, and is directly descended from the famous Capt. Miles Standish. Orin Standish was born in Fulton county, at Lyons, Royalton township, January 15, 1867. He grew up on a farm, acquired a country school education, and in 1887 graduated from the Fayette Normal College at Fayette, Ohio. He used his training to teach in the schools of .Royalton township three terms, and largely with his earnings as a teacher paid his way through medical school. He entered the Homeopathic Hospital at Cleveland and later attended the Ohio State Medical College, entering in 1889 and graduating M. D. in 1892. The following six years he was busied with a growing practice at Wauseon. In 1897 Doctor Standish bought the interests of Mr. Green in the firm of Eager & Green, at which time the title became Eager, Standish & Company. Doctor Standish has other business and local interests in Wauseon. In 1892 he married Miss Fannie Eager, daughter of W. H. and Mary (Clement) Eager. They have a son, Clement E., born in 1896, who was in the senior class of the University of Chicago when in May, 1917, he volunteered his services to the United States Army, joining the famous Base Hospital Unit No. 13, which recently returned after nearly two years of service in France. The unit went overseas in the spring of 1917, and made a distinguished record. Clement Standish became a sergeant in the organization. Mr. Standish himself, true to the blood that flows in his veins,. is a patriot to the core and made several efforts to get into the zone of fighting activity. He volunteered for the overseas department of the Red Cross, and later was accepted by the Y. M. C. A. for war service, but eventually was declared physically unfit. Mr: Standish is a progressive republican and served two terms in the City Council and for fourteen years was a trustee of the Library Board: He is affiliated with Zenobia Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Toledo. Religiously he is a member of the Unitarian Church. SAMUEL B. YODER, D. C., Ph. C., successful chiropractic physician of Wauseon, Ohio, has gone very deeply into the science of .magnetic healing; He began with a course at Akron; Ohio; then followed extensive practice; next the course of the. College of Chiropractic at Davenport. Iowa, from which he graduated in 1912, with the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic; then further practice; in 1914 a post graduated course in Natura¬pathy, at Davenport, followed the next year by a course in the same branch at the Cleveland College of Naturapathy, and finally two courses at the National School of Chiropractic, Chicago, Illinois, from which he graduated in 1917, with the degree of Ph. C., Physician of Chiropractic. He thus, in all probability, had little difficulty in creditably passing the state medical: examination in 1917, by which he gained permission to practice his profession. in Ohio. He was born on a farm in LaGrange county, Indiana, in 1875, the son of Christian S. and Mary S. (Miller) 'Yoder. The family is of German 'origin, but has been long resident in the United States. As a boy Samuel B. attended the county school nearest to the family homestead, and during vacations did much to assist his father in the operations of the home farm. After leaving school he became ap- 16 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY prenticed to the trade of carpentry and followed that trade in his native county for eight years, assisting his father in farming operations during the winters. He married in 1899, and for five years thereafter appears to have given his whole time to the management of his father's farm of one hundred twenty acres. In 1904 he moved to Pettisville, Ohio, where for two years he remained on the farm of one hundred seventeen acres belonging to his father-in-law. About that time a personal experience caused him to become interested in the science of magnetic healing, and he gave much time to the study. He received private tuition from an eminent physician of chiropractic in Akron, Ohio, and after a comprehensive course which lasted one year he began to practice the profession in the Pettisville district. For three years he successfully followed such practice in Pettisville, and then was called to Topeka, Indiana, because of the death of his father. After closing the decedent's affairs he took up the practice of his profession in Topeka, and did well in that place for three years, then disposing of his practice and going to Pharr, Texas, where for about one year he gave his time mainly to farming. He was, however, too much interested in his profession to long remain out of practice. He came northward, to Davenport, Iowa, and attended the well-known College of Chiropractic at that place, graduating on June 1, 1912, with the degree of D. C., Doctor of Chiropractic. He came to Wauseon, Ohio, to enter into practice. Since that time Doctor Yoder has taken many specialist or postgraduate courses; in 1914, at Davenport, he graduated in Naturapathy in 1915 he studied at the Cleveland, Ohio, College of Naturapathy; and in 1917 he graduated from the National School of Chiropractic of Chicago, taking two courses and gaining the degree of Ph. C. in that professional school. He passed the Ohio state medical examination in 1917, and has had notable success in his practice in Wauseon, and is widely known within a radius of twenty-five miles of that city. He of course gives his time mainly to professional matters. He is a good churchman, and has shown a worthy public spirit since he came to Wauseon, contributing generously to community projects. In 1899 Doctor Yoder married Kate Nofiger, daughter of Christian R. and Magdalena (Yoder) Nofiger, of Pettisville, Ohio. Two children were born to them : Wilmer and Christian Louis. HARRY H. HOUGH, a partner in the Fleming & Hough Auto Sales Company of Wauseon, is an energetic young business man who is making rapid progress in Wauseon. The company has the agency for the Buick and Oakland cars, and for the Samson Tractors and Trucks, and their opening season, 1919, gives them promise of substantial success in future years. Mr. Hough has also taken some part in public affairs, and has manifested distinct organization ability. He was supervisor of District No. 1, Fulton county, when only twenty-one years old, and during the last decade has been prominent in the affairs of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, being Supreme Vice Chief Gleaner of that order. For three years he was manager for the Northwestern Ohio district, and for one year was state manager of the order. He is of English-Irish ancestry, born in Wauseon, Ohio, August 11, 1880, the son of Frank and Hattie (Mitchell) Hough. After the death of his mother, which occurred when he was only seven years old, Harry's home was in that of John Garman, a well-regarded farmer of Fulton county, his farm being situated about three miles HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 17 northeast of 'Wauseon. Harry was educated in the country school, No. 1 district, attending school during the winter months and working on the Garman farm during the summer vacations. After leaving school he continued to work for Mr. Garman until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he took over the whole operation of the 105-acre farm, continuing to work it, on shares, until the death of Mr. Garman seven years later. In fact, he worked the property for two years more, until he was thirty years old. For some time prior to that Mr. Hough had interested himself actively in the affairs of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, a fraternal organization, its members being mainly agriculturalists. When he was thirty years old Mr. Hough gave up the farm management in order to take up the official connection, that of district manager for Northwestern Ohio, with the order. He went into Wauseon to live, and for three years thereafter was district manager, and one year served the order as state manager. He resigned in February, 1919, in order to form a partnership with Fred Fleming of Wauseon, to trade in automobiles and auto supplies in .Wauseon and the district. The partners opened a place of business in Wauseon on February 15, 1919, trading as the Fleming. & Hough Auto Soles Company, and, having some very good agencies, were soon able to develop a promising business. Two months later the partners, with commendable enterprise, opened a branch establishment at Delta, Ohio, with good results. They have the Fulton county agency for the Oakland cars and good territory for the Buick car, and represent the Samson Tractor Company for the sale of farm tractors throughout Fulton county. And they have good understandings with tire manufacturers. Therefore, there is every probability that their business venture will ;bring the partners good returns. They are both energetic men of good business ability and wide acquaintance throughout the county, and both have good personal reputations. Mr. Hough owns a good truck farm of ten acres east of Wauseon, which has added to his resources. Politically he is a republican, and he has to some extent been in public life in his home district. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, in addition to his affiliation with the Ancient Order of Gleaners. He married, in 1906, Elsie, daughter of Frank and Alice (Taylor) Larned, of Ottokee, Fulton county. They have one child, a son, Rollin Delmer, who was born in 1908. FRED L. FLEMING, partner with Harry H. Hough in the Fleming & Hough Auto Sales Company of Wauseon, Ohio, has since he entered into partnership with Mr. Hough been very successful, the business showing promising development. They have the county agency for the Oakland and Buick oars, and the Samson tractors and trucks, and do a substantial and growing business in auto accessories and tires. He was born in Pike township, Fulton county, Ohio, on July 18, 1882, the son of Frank L. and Carrie (Mercer) Fleming. The Fleming family is of Puritan ancestry, and Frank L. Fleming, father of Fred L., owned a good farm in Pike township. Fred was reared on that farm, and attended the country schools of the township. He gave his father assistance in the farm work for some years before he left school, and when that time came he gave his father his whole time until he had reached the age of twenty years. He married at that early age, and with a wish to have a home of his own he took a farm of eighty acres situated about two miles north 18 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY of Delta, Fulton county. That, the .Cowan farm, he worked for three years; then for one season he farmed. the Biddle farm of 120 acres, and the fallowing season operated the George Fleming farm: He, however, came to Wauseon to live in 1907, and for eighteen .months thereafter worked for W. H. Mercer. Then followed a period of three years during which he operated a farm of sixty acres he had purchased. It was situated six miles to the westward of Wauseon. At the end of the third season, however, he traded the farm for another of thirty acres and a market business in Wauseon. Some time later he took to commercial pursuits, traveling throughout the district, selling farming implements far Heist Hall, of Wauseon. After he had been at such work for two years he became interested in the automobile business, acting as salesman of Ford and Buick cars for David Morningstar, the local agent. After two years with Mr. Morningstar he traveled again for about eighteen months, as the representative of the Moline Plow Company, throughout Northwestern Ohio. He did very well in this connection, and was able then to form business partnership with Mr. Hough for the purpose of acquiring from David Morningstar one of the two businesses that energetic Wauseon man conducted. The partners also brought to the business the optimism and enterprise of two able and experienced young business men; and soon had a splendidly developing business: More regarding the affairs of the company has been written in the biography of Harry H. Hough, for this edition, and it is therefore not necessary to further recount it here, at least not more than to say that the partners have good auguries of substantial success in the results of their first year of trading. Mr. Fleming has been a republican in politics since he first became entitled to a vote, and when he lived in Dover township was a member of the school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Wauseon Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of the local branch of the Knights of Pythias order, and also of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, of which his partner has held so prominent a connection. In 1902 Mr: Fleming married .Anna B., daughter of John and Annabelle Coe. They have one child, a daughter, Carrie: ROBERT DRENNAN, who owns a successful agricultural implement business in Wauseon, Ohio, and also other property, and has a good reputation for moral and material integrity throughout Fulton county, is a man of much versatility. At the outset of his career it 'appeared that his life would be given chiefly to educational occupations, for he attended the State Normal School and gained a teacher's certificate; in fact, for some years he followed that profession. Then he took to farming,. and later came to Wauseon and conducted a smithy and implement agency, the last-named occupation bringing him good return. He is a native of Fulton county, born in Clinton township, where his father owned a farm of eighty acres, a little more than three miles to the westward of Wauseon. Robert's parents were William and Margaret (Dowd) Drennan, both of Irish birth, the father coming to America from Londonderry when he was only fifteen years old. He settled in . Toledo, where he worked as a railroad grading contractor. He had the distinction of driving the first stake when the Middle Railroad yards at Toledo were surveyed for the Lake Shore freight yards. He did well by his years of railroad contracting. And it was in Toledo that he met and married Mrs. Margaret Cahoe, who came to America when she was only thirteen years old. HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY- 19 With his wife he moved to Clinton township, Fulton county, Ohio, having purchased about eighty acres of land in that locality. This removal took place in 1861, about twelve months after their marriage, and on this farm he lived for the remainder of his life, clearing the land and bringing it into good cultivation. He was a man of untiring energy, and with an ox team seemed to be incessantly working. As a result of good farming, and perhaps more because of his persistent and consistent application to farming, he became possessed ultimately of a very large acreage, owning 429 acres in the last years of his life. He died in 1897, his widow, however, living for a further twenty years, her death not occurring until October, 1917. They were the parents of five children, of whom Robert was the youngest. He was educated in the country school at Clinton, attending school during the winter months, and, as was the custom in farming districts at that time, assisting his father in the farming operations during the growing season. So he passed his years of elementary study. However, he seems to have had the intention of entering the teaching profession, for during 1889 and 1890 he was a student at the State Normal School, and at the termination of the course was awarded a teacher's certificate. For four years thereafter he taught in the Clinton Township School District No. 6. Then, until 1903, he helped farm the home estate for his mother, coming in that year to Wauseon, where he took charge of the smithy and implement business owned by D. W. Kimerer, his brother-in-law. Mr. Drennan bought the stock, and from that time he conducted the blacksmith's shop and the implement agency with success. His establishment is located on the corner of North Fulton and Oak streets, Wauseon. In 1907 he built a new building on the site of the old, and has since expended his scope of business considerably. He has the agency for all the lines of the Moline Plow Company, for good territory, and is agent for the Moline tractor for four townships, Clinton, German, York and Dover, in Fulton county. Also, he owns a farming property of eighty acres near Wauseon. Politically, Mr. Drennan is a democrat, that is in national politics; in local affairs he is an independent, although he has not followed public affairs very closely, not so closely as to evince any desire to seek public office. But he is a man of enviable repute locally, and is generally sincerely interested in the progress of the city. He married, in 1907, Nellie, daughter of W. H. and Minerva (Turney) Gaiman, of Wauseon. Three children were born to them : William, who was born in 1908, and died at the age of five months; Harry George, born February 22, 1910, and Donald Eugene, born August 10, 1917. HARRY CLYDE WEBER, partner of the firm of Weber & Butter-more, wholesale and retail bakers of Wauseon, Ohio, is a native of the county, and although only eight years have passed since he graduated from the Wauseon High School, his business record shows that he possesses in good measure business acumen, ingenuity, enterprise and determination. There have been more failures than successes in the following of poultry rearing as a vocation, but young Weber, who ventured into that business soon after leaving school, had success from the outset, and continued success through the years to that of the war, when he entered the military forces of the nation. And since his return from military service he has shown 20 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY in the other business into which he went with Eugene Buttermore that he is determined to succeed. He was born in Delta, Fulton county, Ohio, in 1894, and in due course attended and passed through the elementary school of that place, afterward taking the high school course at Wauseon, from which school he graduated in the. class of 1912. He was of self-reliant, independent mind, and had resolved to make his own way in life, so, having given the business much preliminary" study, he ventured into the occupation of poultry farming on the five-acre property he had in Wauseon. He specialized in Rhode Island Reds and Orpington fowls, and raised some prize stock. With his poultry he gained notable success in the shows of that part of Ohio, and was able to demand good prices for his eggs and baby chicks. During the first year he made a profit of $500; the second year yielded him. $600 profit, and his profits in succeeding years increased. Altogether it was creditable work for young Weber, for it proved him to be possessed of the grit necessary to come successfully through the arduous and dull routine of the building process. The coming of the World war, with its demands upon the young men of the nation, caused'him to temporarily transfer his poultry business. He enlisted in July, 1918, at Wauseon, in the United States Army, and was sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina, where he remained for five months as a member of the Headquarters Company of the Twelfth Regiment of Field Artillery, rising to the grade of corporal. He received honorable discharge on December 22, 1918, and returned, soon afterward to Wauseon. He then joined Eugene Buttermore, who also had just been mustered out of the United States naval forces, in purchasing a bakery business in Wauseon, which they have since continued, under the firm name of Weber & Butter-more, doing quite a substantial wholesale and retail city and country trade. Young Weber also still conducts his poultry farm and to some extent has gone into the hog-raising business. It will therefore be cognized that he is a young man of energy and enterprise. Politically he is a republican; he is a Mason, member of the Wauseon Lodge No. 49, and he is a popular young man in the city, showing the stability of purpose that makes for good citizenship and success. He is unmarried. BEN LESLIE, who is creditably taking his place among the responsible young business men of Wauseon, Ohio, is the sole owner of the Wauseon Specialty Company, general grocers of that city. He has a good business reputation, and has shown himself to be an energetic, up-to-ate merchant since he has conducted a store in Wauseon. He is a native of Fulton county, born in 1887, the son of Elijah Benton and Clara A. (Palmer) Leslie. He is of English-Scotch ancestry, although the Leslie- family has had many (generations of American residence, the family being among the old families of Pennsylvania. Ben, as a boy, attended Wauseon schools, and at the age of sixteen years entered the employ of H. F. Dimke, proprietor of a general store at Wauseon, staying there for eight months as a clerk. Then for more than three years he was a salesman in the dry goods store of the Mercer Co-Operative Company, Wauseon. He was a boy of strong characteristics, and when he began to earn money was not disposed to waste it in needless luxuries. He manifested commenable thrift, and also much capability in many other directions, especially as a salesman. He was also of an optimistic turn of HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 21 mind, and did not hesitate to enter independently into business as a grocer when he saw what seemed to be a good opportunity, even though he was at the time still a minor. For two years he conducted a grocery at the. corner of Fulton and Oak streets, Wauseon, closing that business to enter another that promised greater return for time given. For six years he traveled as a representative for the Curtis Publishing Company and other publishing houses. During that period he proved his ability as a salesman, and accumulated some capital which later stood him in good stead. After six months spent in Toledo as stock clerk for a firm of wholesale grocers of that city he returned to Wauseon, and for more than three years was a clerk in the Wauseon Postoffice, under Postmaster Emil Weber. In August, 1917, Mr. Leslie purchased from Mr. H. Kennedy the Pioneer Grocery, situated at 132 North Fulton street, Wauseon, and has since conducted it. Mr. Leslie has some other business interests, but these are his main enterprises, and take most of his time. He employs four people, and up to the present he has shown a good capacity for consequential business. In politics Mr. Leslie is independent; fraternally he belongs to local branches of the Independent Order of Odd Felows and the Knights of the Maccabees order. He is an earnest Christian, a member of the Evangelical Church. In 1908 Mr. Leslie married Alta Mae, aughter of George W. and Ella (Oldfield) Ledyard, of Wauseon. They have three children: George Benton, who was born in 1910; Eleanore Mae, born in 1912, and Wayne Delos, born in 1919. FRANCIS CARL SMALLMAN, grocer and seedsman of Wauseon, continuing in successful operation one of the oldest of such businesses in the city, has shown distinct capability for business affairs, and an equally marked capability for the administration of public affairs. He is one of the rising young business men of the county; was nominated for the office of mayor; has been president of the Wauseon City Council, and has been trustee of the Board of Public Affairs. He was born in Wauseon, Ohio, in 1880, the son of Francis R. and Consuela (Acorn) Smallman, the former for forty years one of the leading business men of the city. Francis C. was educated in elementary and high school grades in the local schools. After he had completed two years in the Wauseon High School he took a preparatory course at the Kenyon Military Academy, Gambier, Ohio. After two years there he entered Kenyon College, where he took the Arts course for three years. Returning to Wauseon in 1901, he entered energetically into business association with his father, who conducted the store he now owns, and had conducted it since early, manhood; in fact, the Smallman store at Wauseon has been widely known throughout Fulton county for almost half a century. It was established by Mr. Smallman, Sr., in 1873, and father and son have had a good share of the city and county trade during that period. Since 1909, the business has been entirely conducted by the son, the father then retiring; and during the last ten years of trading abundant evidence has been seen of the business enterprises of the son, who has expanded the business in many directions. He has for many years been prominent in the social and public affairs of the city and, generally, is of enviable repute in Wauseon. Politically he gives allegiance to the republican party, and has interested himself actively in national campaigns. His activities of 22 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY public bearing, however, have been more concerned with local affairs than national; in fact, he has taken quite prominent part in civic matters. He sat in the City Council for two terms, and was the president of that body, and for two years was one of the trustees of the Board of Public Affairs. His place among the people of the city may be gauged by his nomination for election to the office of chief magistrate. He, however, declined that honor, which ,would draw him almost entirely from his business affairs. He has been somewhat prominently identified with local lodges of fraternal organizations, being a thirty-second degree Mason, Scottish Rite, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. His college fraternity is Delta Tau Delta. Mr. Smallman, in 1909, married Elsie, daughter of John F. Dimke, a well known Wauseon resident. They have one child, a daughter, Jane Alcorn. FRANK R. GUILFORD, president of the well-known Wauseon, Ohio, firm of Brigham, Guilford & Company, department store owners, and one of the leading business men of this city, has achieved. substantial success as a merchant during the last decade. He has also come prominently to the fore as a public worker, has held more than one public office, has been a member of the Wauseon City Council for three terms, and has in very many ways proved himself to be a good citizen and an able man of marked public spirit. He is a native of Wauseon, born in the city in 1882, the son of Conley E. and Florence (McConnell) Guilford. The Guilford family is of English origin, but for many generations has been resident in America, the progenitor of the American branch of the old English family having settled near Cuba, in New York State. Conley E. Guilford, father of Frank R., was for many years a prominent merchant in Wauseon, a pioneer druggist, and he was much esteemed in the city and county. A man of strong character and definite capability, he took good part in the public affairs of the district, was for two terms county treasurer, and was a factor of much influence with the people of the city. Frank R. Guilford attended the public schools of Wauseon and graduated from the Wauseon High School in 1900. He then proceeded to Columbus, and took the course at the Ohio State University, graduating in arts and science, and thus gaining the Bachelor of Arts degree, with the class of 1905. For a year thereafter he was in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was employed as an accountant. He returned to Wauseon so that he might take the office of deputy county treasurer under his father, who had been elected to the office ,of county treasurer. As a matter of fact his father was county treasurer for two terms. but it was only for his father's second term, 1905-06, that he acted as deputy. In 1906 Frank R. Guildford became accountant for C. E. Rossman & Company, department store owners of Wauseon; and it was in all probability this connection that shaped materially his future business activities. For three years he remained with that company. In 1909, he took part in the organization of another company, the object of which was to establish a department store business in Wauseon, and this new organization took over the business of C. E. Rossman & Company. The new company took the trading name of Brigham, Guilford & Company, the partners being Messrs. Guilford, Brigham, Scott, Dalrymple and Palmer, all good business men, favorably known in Wauseon and HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 23 within a radius of twenty-five miles of that place, so that they started in business with good prospects of succeeding. Mr. Guilford was appointed general manager and elected secretary and treasurer of the corporate body, which had been capitalized at $60,000. He continued in such capacities until the death of Mr. Brigham in 1917, soon after which occurrence he was elected president of the company, which office, as well as that of general manager, he has since held. The trading of the company has been very satisfactorily expanded, and today it holds an enviable place among the business institutions of Wauseon, and draws trade over a wide area. The store is the largest retail establishment in Northwest Ohio outside of Toledo. Mr. Guilford is now a man of substance, has a very good reputation, and his standing in the city has brought him into connection with the direction of other corporate concerns of public trust. He is a director of the Fulton County Building, Loan and Savings Company, and is himself the owner of an agricultural property one hundred acres in extent. He has for many years taken active interest in the public administration of the city and county, and his popularity in the city may be gauged by the fact that for three terms he was elected to the City Council, and for a like period sat on the Board of Public Affairs. He has shown commenable sincerity in public work and much ability as an administrator, and while the war was in progress was indefatigable in his efforts to further the national cause in his home territory. Politically he has been staunch in his allegiance to the republican party, and has been an active worker for the cause. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias. Of the branches of the former he belongs to the lodge of F. and A. M., Wauseon, to the Wauseon Chapter, and to Defiance Commandery. By religious conviction he is a Congregationalist, and a member and good supporter of 'the Wauseon Congregational Church. His success in life is all the more commendable in that it has been attained entirely by his own efforts. It of course had a very solid base in the superior education he was able to get, but education is not the only essential to success. Frank R. Guilford married Dolly, daughter of William S. and Flora (Stuller) Boone, of Wauseon. The marriage took place in 1907, and two children have been born to them: Hortense Ruth and Conley Boone. LUCIUS PALMER TAYLOR. It is not given to many men to pass the century milestone, but Fulton county has a citizen who gives the census enumerator 102 years old as his last birthday. This magnificent specimen of honorable old age is Lucius Palmer Taylor of Pike Township, a man who holds the affectionate esteem of all who have the distinct honor of his acquaintance. He was born in Bucklin Township, Franklin county, Massachusetts on August 15, 1817, a son of Orrin and Ann Street (Hall) Taylor. Orrin Taylor was born, in Bucklin Township, Franklin county, Massachusetts, on September 5, 1789, a son of William and Abigail (Miles) Taylor, natives of Massachusetts; grandson of Othnel and Martha (Arms) Taylor. Othnel Taylor was born in 1719 and served as captain of a company during the American Revolution. He was a son of Capt. Samuel Taylor, who was born at Northfield, Massachusetts, in 1688, and served as captain in the regular British Army stationed at Norwalk, Connecticut. Samuel Taylor was a son Of 24 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY John Taylor, who was born June 14, 1614, and settled at Northfield, Massachusetts, but was killed while commanding a company pursuing Seuer de Montgomery during the troubles with the French. He had come from his birthplace, Windsor, England, to the American Colonies with a band of Puritans in 1630, to escape persecution. The wife of Samuel Taylor was Sarah Munn, and she was born on December 2, 1716. The maternal grandfather of Lucius Palmer Taylor was Joel Hall, and he was born at Wallingford, Connecticut. After their marriage Orrin Taylor and his wife came to Ohio, traveling as far as the Erie Canal by wagon, and then came by canalboat to Buffalo, New York. There they secured passage on a steamer to Cleveland, Ohio. The Ohio Canal afforded them passage as far as Boston Bridge, and from that point the little party traveled again by wagon to the destination, Northfield, Ohio. For the first couple of years Orrin Taylor and his brother engaged in fishing in Lake Huron at Thunder Bay Island. In order to make the payment on his land Mr. Taylor had to go to Detroit, Michigan, the nearest land office, and walked the entire distance there and back. He was accompanied by his brother William 0. It was his intention to place the currency about his waist in a money belt, but found the belt too heavy to carry in that fashion, so slung it about his shoulders. It is very evident that people were more honest in those ays, as Mr. Taylor met with no accident and delivered his money safely. Few men would like to undertake a similar trip toay. Indeed it would .not be safe for anyone to attempt to carry such a belt a block on a crowded city street, to say nothing of journeying over trackless wastes for a matter of days. He and his brother paid for 380 acres adjoining, the land lying east of the farm of Lucius P. Taylor. Lucius Palmer Taylor has a vivid recollection of some of the hardships of the early ays in Ohio. For some years the family lived in a little twelve foot square cabin, with benches along the side for beds. The door opening was so low that they had to bend their heads in order to keep from bumping themselves. In 1843 he came to Pike Township and bought 240 acres in the wild timber. This land was not only covered with timber, but parts of it. were swampy, and the brush was very heavy. He cleared off about thirty acres, and built a log cabin, and then decided to secure some assistance. It was not as difficult to get men as it was to buy the requisite amount of whisky these men regarded as a necessary adjunct to their daily labor. Mr. Taylor kept on improving his property, among other things setting out an orchard of peaches and other fruits. He *says he many times sold peaches from this orchard for 121/2 cents per bushel, and was glad to get that price, for in some seasons there were no purchasers for them and he fed them to his hogs. As the country settled up he became associated with its development, and among other enterprises with which he was connected was the Fulton County Fair Association, which he assisted in organizing. On February 13, 1840, Mr. Taylor was married to Susannah Ozmun, born in Liverpool Township, Medina county, Ohio, in March, 1815, a daughter of Israel and Susan (Mallard) Ozmun; natives of New York state and Medina county, Ohio, respectively. Mr. Taylor walked a distance of thirty miles to the county seat and back for the license, and at the time thought nothing in particular about the trip, such journeys being the ordinary thing. He