HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1625 Hancock County August 19, 1868, a son of Henry and Lydia (Rickenbaugh) Ulsh. His early advantages were supplied by the country schools. Mr. Ulsh's father died in 1885: After four years of work on his father's farm, he left home and spent a number of years first in one place and then in another in the South and West. He was in Kansas and Nebraska much of the time, and he participated in one of the land openings of Oklahoma. His Oklahoma experience was not altogether profitable for while he got his claim of 160 acres he soon traded it for other land, and left that country little better off for the experience. In 1899 Mr. Ulsh returned to Findlay, and became a worker in the oil fields as a tool dresser. After saving $75 he invested in a stock of groceries on the north side. He began building up an extensive trade, and in 1906 sold a half interest in the store and continued merchandising there until 1912. Selling out to his partner, he and Mr. C. T. Addison then bought the J. L. Metzler grocery at the present location, 317 South Main Street. With his store situated in one of the most eligible locations in the city, Mr. Ulsh and his partner have rapidly extended their business and in the last year the volume of trade amounted to $50,000. They carry a complete stock of general and fancy groceries, and have recently installed a motor delivery service. Politically Mr. Ulsh is a republican and is a member of the First Methodist Church. He is director and chairman of the Retail Merchants' Association, belongs to the Findlay Country Club, to the Home Guard, to Lodge No. 400 of the Knights of Pythias, and to the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1907 Mr. Ulsh married Mrs. Verba M. (Routson) Johnston. CHARLES F. STOLZENBACH. At Lima, where he has been in active business for more than a quarter of a century, Charles F. Stolzenbach has founded an establishment for the production of high grade bakery goods that is one of the model institutions of its kind in Ohio and has brought him a distinctive place in that line of business, indicated by his two years presidency of the Ohio Bakers' Association. His business connections have become widely extended. He is also president of the Allen County Loan and Savings Company, and a director of the Lima Telegraph & Telephone Company. For the past twenty years Mr. Stolzenbach has been regularly appointed by the various mayors as a member of the Board of Health, and has frequently filled the office of vice president in that body. He represents the local bakers in the Rotary Club and also belongs to the Lima and Country clubs and the United Commercial Travelers. Charles F. Stolzenbach was born November 24, 1859, at Roseville in Muskingum County, Ohio, and soon after finishing his schooling in the public institutions took up an apprenticeship in the baker's trade with an uncle Conrad Stolzenbach. While an apprentice he learned the trade in all its branches, and has for many years been a practical master baker and with that as a foundation has established a solid business prosperity. He was first in business for himself at New Comerstown in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, but from there came to Lima, Ohio, on September 15, 1888, in order to have room for expansion in his business. At first he bought a bakery with two partners, his father and brother W. F., but after a few months acquired the interest of his brother W. F., and in May, 1904, his business was incorporated with a capital stock of $30,000, Charles F. Stolzenbach owning the controlling thirds of the business and is its president and general manager. In 1892 Mr. Stolzenbach married Magdalen Hickey of Putnam County, Ohio. Their six children are Edward, Mary Louise, Magdalen, Charles Henry, Robert W. and Helen. Mr. Stolzenbach is a member of the National Bakers Association. He is a republican in national affairs and liberal in local politics and has never desired official honors. He and his family are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. BAKING AS A FINE ART—The origin of baking, as of most arts of primary importance, precedes history and its inception is lost in the dawn of human life. Recent investigation and excavation of the lake dwellings in Switzerland have produced abundant evidence that the art of baking was practiced in the Stone Age. Grinding stones have been found in comparative abundance, while in the charred, buried ruins of many of the huts, the carbonized remains of bread have rewarded the search of the investigators. At Robenhausen and Wangen, the best specimens of the charred bread were discovered. Even this earliest known form demonstrates the fact that practically the same ingredients were used at this pre-historic time 1626 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO as are used at present. Close examination of these charred remains has proven to us that a coarse meal of corn or barley was the principal ingredient. It is quite possible that spontaneous fermentation was allowed to raise the dough before the bread was finally shaped into loaves and baked on a fiat stone, covered with hot ashes. The very early mention of bread in written history, bears out the great antiquity of the art of baking. Bread is first specifically mentioned in the Bible in Genesis xviii, 5, when Abraham wishing to entertain the three angels offered to " fetch a morsel of bread." Immediately after this, he orders his household to " make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it and make cakes on the hearth." Later, (Genesis xix, 3) in the City of Sodom, Lot entertained two angels and of his hospitality we are informed that "he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat." This early development of the negative adjective, "unleavened," is positive proof, that at this early day leavened or "light" bread was known and its manufacture understood. Among the Egyptians, baking was later carried to a comparatively high state of perfection. They developed many kinds of bread and cakes and flavored them, after the manner of the Orientals, with aromatic essences and spices. Their many varieties were not so much the result of a different method of treatment of a single, chief ingredient, as at the present time, but rather through the use of many different kinds of flour and a large variety of flavoring materials. From here the art of baking was carried across the blue Mediterranean to Greece, and the classic authors teem with references to the baker's art. In "The Deipnosophists" of Athenaeus, mention is made of sixty-two kinds of bread and minute descriptions of these are given. We learn from Pliny (Natural History xviii, 28) that professional bakers were first introduced into Rome at the close of the war with Perseus, King of Macedon. By the practical Romans, the baking trade was formed into a kind of guild with special immunities attached to this calling. Public bakeries were placed throughout the city and slaves were employed for the heavier tasks. There were no mills at this early period and all the grain was ground at the bakeries. A special magistrate was even appointed to supervise the bakers and their methods of production. Although there is not a very great resemblance between these first public bakeries of the Eternal City and modern bakeries of the 20th century, nevertheless, all commercial bakeries of the present time are a direct. offspring of this experiment in Rome. From here the art of baking followed the conquest of the Roman eagle. However, in this later geographical distribution of the baking arts, there is not the interest that lies in the commercial problem that developed from the public bakers in Rome. Until this time, baking had been a purely domestic art with no sign of commercialism. With bread, as with all other foodstuffs, the reputation of the quality of the table of the household determined to some extent the appreciation of the product of its ovens. The public baker, however, did not possess this touchstone of success. Doubt and suspicion were unjustly cast upon his wares. The profit which was self evident that the baker was supposed to make, was thought to detract both from the quality of his raw materials and from the finished product. People never thought, nor cared to realize the saving of labor, material, and manufacture that lay in production on a larger scale. This idea persisted and grew with the increase of commercial bakeries. The baker tried' to gain trade on his business integrity, and the quality of his product. His enthusiasm and good intentions however were continually dampened with the apology that preceded the serving of his product. Perhaps it was true that his product was no better, or, even not as good as could be produced at home. The main draw-back to his immediate success was the suspicion that had been cast upon his product in the very beginning. The baker did not carefully analyze the situation, became despondent and suffered himself to deserve the many undeserved criticisms that heretofore had been heaped upon him. Although as time went on, there was a slight improvement noticed, this deplorable state of affairs continued until very near the beginning of the twentieth century. Until this time the baking industry, although numbered among the oldest arts, had made no real or marked improvements since its inception. The baker of this time, to all practical intents and purpose was following his pre-historic model. The improvements of the greatest value had been made in sanitation and baking facilities. Machinery was just beginning to find a place in the most modern establishments. At this HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1627 time baker's bread at its best was in all cases the equal, and in a few fortunate and isolated communities, the superior of the product of the household kitchen. But the longed for recognition and universal use of his product did not follow. Finally, a careful analysis of the situation revealed the amazing . fact that for almost twenty centuries the baker had mistaken his competitor. He had supposed that the housewife was judging his bread by the home-made bread of the present day ; however, he found to his lasting surprise that this was far from being true. His product was judged, not by the actual bread that had been produced in the home, but by an immortalized and fictitious bread that never existed. It was not the home-made bread of reality that was their criterion, instead, the home-made bread of memory. It was this bread that must be surpassed before baker's bread could be served without apology. To the bakers this seemed an impossible task. There was no fixed standard for them to surpass ; instead, the public demanded that they make a bread better than ever had been-made before ; an ideal bread. This realization of the problem was the first step in the great advancement of the industry in the past decade. Science was again called to aid in the achievement of the impossible, and finally success began to crown their efforts. Over night, schools of baking sprang into existence, only to fail as quickly. There were no precedents to guide, to warn of danger, to indicate success. Most of these early attempts at the technical education of bakers were instituted for the profit that could .be made, and the instruction was of relatively low standard. Leaders of the trade soon saw that these spasmodic attempts at research and investigation could produce no results of lasting value. To gain this much needed information, they installed laboratories in their own bakeries and at their own expense. Here they investigated the many problems of baking, and adapted their results to their own particular and individual needs. One of the leaders of this method of scientific control was, " The Stolzenbach Baking Company" of Lima, Ohio. Before the installation of their laboratory, there had been a steady increased business for the preceding ten years, and the percentage of baker's bread used in the vicinity of Lima, Ohio, was equal to any similar area in the United States. The individual judgment and business integrity of these men had enabled them to produce a loaf of bread that was higher in quality and uniformity. Some five years ago they installed a laboratory, and substituted the chemical analysis for their "rule of thumb" judgment of quality. All raw materials that were to be used in the manufacture of their bread were tested for quality upon their arrival, and if they failed to measure up to the Stolzenbach Standard," were immediately rejected. This elaborate system of control of the quality of the raw material necessitated a large laboratory equipment and the constant employment of a trained chemist. From this most modest beginning where the quality of the raw material alone was assured, as research proceeded, more and more of the process of manufacture was placed under the control of the chemist. At the present time the whole process of bread manufacture is under direct laboratory control. An unexpected and highly gratifying result of the installation of the laboratory was its psychological effect upon the employees. For years Mr. C. F. Stolzenbach, president of the company, had insisted upon, and forced his employes to comply with the highest ideals of sanitation and exactness. Shortly after the installation of the laboratory it was noticed that these ideals were more cheerfully complied with. The laboratory had not only guaranteed both the quality of the raw material and the product, but had also given a concrete example of cleanliness and exactness that the employees were living up to. The public's appreciation of the efforts to produce the "ideal bread" is demonstrated in the increase of business for the past five years, which is far greater than for any similar period in the firm's history.. Besides this it is claimed the percentage of baker's bread consumed in the vicinity of Lima is much greater than in most places in the United States: This gain in business which began with the installation of laboratory control necessitated the recent increase in the capacity of their plant to 40,000 loaves a day. At this time all of the old equipment was replaced with the most modern machines. Wherever possible all hand work is eliminated and it is their boast that the bread is touched but :twice from the flour room in the basement to the ovens. In this rearrangement of manufacturing facilities, the laboratory was not forgotten. As soon as the plans were drawn the laboratory was allotted larger and more efficient quarters and a large amount of new apparatus was installed. A policy of the constant ap- 1628 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO propriation of a certain percentage of the profits for laboratory equipment and research has been instituted, thus insuring a more and more complete guarantee of quality. From all this it is easy to understand why the Stolzenbach Baking Company ranks among the leaders of their industry. ALBERT HAROLD LINAWEAVER, M. D., is a physician with a record of twenty years practice in Findlay. In his recreative moments he exercises his skill with pen and brush. Born at Springfield, Ohio, he is a son of William and Sarah C. (Athey) Linaweaver. His father was of German parentage while his mother belongs to old Irish stock. The Atheys are traced back to one of the thirteen tribes of Galway, Ireland. They came to America in 1666 settling in Maryland. Educated in country schools and in Hempleman Academy at Enon, Ohio, Doctor Linaweaver had excellent advantages both in securing a fundamental education and in his preparation for his profession. He attended Wittenberg College three years and studied medicine in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, the medical department of the University of Illinois. Entering that school in 1893 he. graduated in 1896. Since that date he has practiced in Findlay and has also taken post graduate courses. Doctor Linaweaver does a general office practice and specializes largely in the treatment of eye, ear, nose and throat. He stands high in the profession and is an ex-president of the Hancock County Medical Society. Politically a republican, he has always taken a commendable interest in local affairs. On July 2, 1881, Doctor Linaweaver married Emma Gear, daughter of George and Catherine Gear. Her family were pioneer settlers of Fremont, Ohio. Mrs. Linaweaver died August 19, 1916. For many years Doctor Linaweaver has made a study of classical architecture. One of the most beautiful homes in Northwest Ohio was the residence in Findlay he and his wife occupied at the time of her death, which he designed, employing in it a combination of the five orders of Roman architecture. His de. sign has been widely copied for other homes. From boyhood he has manifested a real talent for painting, and many people with an artistic appreciation have found pleasure in his work, which is exemplified both in pictures of still life. and landscape. He has preserved in sketches a number of historic buildings in his home city. Some of these pioneer buildings which have been subjects of his art can be mentioned appropriately :The first court- house of Hancock County, built in 1833, and which stood on the present site of the First National Bank at Crawford and East streets. Fort Findlay, which was erected in June, 1812, by Col. James Findlay and named in his honor. Dr. Linaweaver painted this subject from sketches made by him in 1879 under the personal supervision of Squire Carlin, a notable pioneer who was familiar with all the details of the old fort. The pioneer church known as Duke's Meeting House, which was built in Blanchard Township about 1836. The Hancock County jail, the first public building of Hancock County, and situated on the present public square. The first schoolhouse of Findlay, which was built in 1827. While Dr. Linaweaver has been devoted to his profession, in which he has rendered splendid service, he is very much interested in his art. He has studied under many well known painters, including A; H. Griffith, S. Jerome Uhl, Vincent Nowottny and others. Mrs. Linaweaver was an accomplished artist both in china and oil painting and many of her subject and designs are much treasured by her husband. CARL WILCKE, formally connected with the Pocket Umbrella Company of Findlay, Ohio, as general manager, is one of the most resourceful men in Northwest Ohio, as his life story proves. He is an inventor, has given much time to public service, and wherever the destiny of life has placed him his part has been well played and with honor and credit to himself. He was born in Stettin, Prussia, July 5, 1862. When he was ten years of age his father came to America and located in Findlay. Carl Wilcke received very little schooling in Germany and none at all in America. Being one of a family of four children and the family very poor, he began working as soon as his strength was sufficient to give him employment in any gainful labor. He worked in a brickyard and as a railroad section hand, in a stone quarry, learned the mason 's trade, spending three years at it in Wyandot County, and for five years was a carpenter. For another period of five years he was on the police force at Findlay, advancing from patrolman to captain and for two terms served as chief of poll ;e. Following HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1629 that he was in the contracting business until 1908, when he was appointed state factory inspector for the Eighth District, and was reappointed to that office by Governor Cox, serving altogether six years two months. His work in that office as elsewhere was well done, and he was an extremely popular and efficient official. He has long been a power in democratic politics in Hancock County, and in 1908 was candidate for the office of sheriff. Hancock County is normally republican, and nevertheless his defeat was accomplished by a very narrow margin. On October 1, 1915, Mr. Wilcke took charge of the Pocket Umbrella Company, which was established by Findlay capital to push an invention of a folding umbrella. The idea was one of great merit, but it needed many improvements and changes before it could become practical. Mr. Wilcke was entrusted with making these changes and improvements. Results are that the folding umbrella is now sold all over the country and in foreign nations. Mr. Wilcke has also invented a very serviceable window screen and ventilator, and his son has patents pending on an extension step ladder. In 1883 at Findlay he married Augusta Nobach, who was also of German parentage. Their children are : Helena ; Carl, who died in infancy ; Louisa, the wife of Emery Webb, of Findlay ; and George. Mr. Wilcke and family attend the German Lutheran Church. He is one of the early members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Findlay, and is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. JAMES SHEA is one of the older established business men of the City of Findlay, and is proprietor of Shea's Granite and Marble Monumental Works at 608 South Main Street. This is an industry in a class by itself, and has behind it not only the thorough skill of Mr. Shea personally but also a wide experience in all details of the industry. Mr. Shea has been a hard worker ever since corning to America as a youth, and industry coupled with proficiency have taken him far along the road to success. He was born in County Carlow, Ireland, in 1861, a son of James and Mary (Murphy) Shea. He attended the Irish National schools until he was seventeen, and then came to America alone. A brother was living at Delaware, Ohio, and that was his first destination. The first six months there he spent as a worker in the marble trade, then became a blacksmith and followed that work at Delaware for a year and a half. His next position was as a freight handler in the yards of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway at Chicago, where he remained two years. Returning to Ohio he resumed marble cutting under his brother at Sidney, and had his brother as his employer for three years. The Delaware Company then sent him to Cincinnati as a marble cutter for 21/2 years, and the next two years he spent in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the same business for the Evans Company. All this time Mr. Shea had an eye to the future, was utilizing every item of his experience as a help toward an independent business career, was also thrifty and saving of his earnings. From Chattanooga, Tennessee, he came to Findlay, Ohio, and engaged in business under the name of Myers & Shea. After one year he was able to purchase his partner's interest, and since then he has been in business for himself. The first two years he spent with his shop and yard on Western Avenue, then moved his plant to 202 North Main Street, and later moved to his present location at 608 South Main Street. He has a large capital invested, has complete equipment in the way of machinery for doing the work and also employs a force of skilled operatives. The products of his yards are now shipped over a radius of fifty miles around Findlay. Mr. Shea was married in 1895 to Miss Bridget E. Hanifan, daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Hanifan. To their marriage was born one son, Walter James, who is now twenty-one years of age. Mr. Shea is a democrat, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and he and his family worship in St. Michael's Church. CHARLES W. FISHER iS well known over Henry County and adjoining sections on Northwestern Ohio as a successful breeder of horses and also as one of the leading spirits and a director in the Napoleon Mutual Horse Insurance Company. This is one of the few organizations of the country making an exclusive specialty of the insuring of horses, and it was incorporated in 1909, Mr. Fisher having been connected with it since organization. The directors of the company are. Mr. P. A. Deary of Liberty Center, president ; Clair Kitter of Liberty Township, secretary ; and H. F. Rhors, J. W. Elarton and C. W. Fisher directors. The business of the com- 1630 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO any now extends over Henry County, Defiance, Fulton and WoWoodounties, and the administration of the business has been one of marked satisfaction not only to the ststockholdersut to the insured. As a farmer Mr. Fisher is well known as proprietor of the Elm Stock Farm in Flatrock Township, section 12. For many years he has been handling thoroughbred Percheron horses and some of his stock became well known all over the state, particularly Rival II and BrBrilliant.r. Fisher is a member of the Percheron Horse Association with headquarters in the Union Stock Yards at Chicago. He has been a member of that association for the past sixteen years. Elm Stock Farm in Flatrock Township comprises eighty acres of land which Mr. Fisher by his personal labor cleared up from the stump. He and his family lived there in a log house until 1902, when he erected a cocomfortableight-room dwelling and now has all the facilities and comforts of rural life. In 1901 he put up a handsome horse barn, on a foundation 40 by 72 feet with 18-foot posts, and arranged and equipped for convenience in handling stock. Mr. Fisher's son is now in active charge of the farm and is engaged in breeding Jersey cattle and red Duroc hogs. Charles W. Fisher was born in Napoleon Township two miles north of the City of Napoleon June 15, 1856. He grew up in the country, but instead of farming applied himself to the trade of carriage and wagon maker at Napoleon. He became one of the most skilled workmen in that line in this part of the state and even yet he could direct all the processes of the making of a first class carriage or wagon. His shop turned out a number of carriages, and some very handsome ones at that, and some of these stanch and well built vehicles are probably still running on four wheels, and testify to the ability of the builder. Mr. Fisher was associated with the establishment and early business management of the Trumbull Wagon Works of Defiance. He still has a complete assortment of tools used in general blacksmithing and wagon making, and with them is able to perform practically every mechanical task about his farm. Mr. Fisher married Miss C. Magdalena Westhoven. She was born in Freedom Township of Henry County December 8, 1863, and was a sister of Albert Westhoven. Reference to the Westhoven family will be found on other pages. Mrs. Fisher died at her home in Flatrock Township January 14, 1905. She was the mother of four capable sons and daughter Clara, who was educated in Notre Dame CoColleget Cleveland, taught English and German in that institution for twelve years, and is now employed as a stenographer, by an insurance company at Toledo. Mary married Joseph F. Schuller, proprietor of a restaurant at Napoleon, and they are the parents of two daughters, Loretta and Arline. Arthur C., who completed his education in the MeMetropolitanollege at Cleveland, is a farmer in Defiance Township and by his marriage to Theresa Kelley has daughters named Mary C., Gertrude and Katherine. George W., the youngest child, is now active manager of his father's homestead and has already been mentioned as a successful breeder of cattle and hogs. He married Elizabeth Westrick, and they have two children, Herman and Beatrice. All the family are members of the Catholic Church and in politics Mr. Fisher is a democrat. DON BURTIS BIGGS, M. D. It is universally recognized that systematic training in professional life is a fundamental necessity and the most successful medical men are those who have enjoyed advantages along educational lines that have broadened their minds and brought them practical experience. Such a medical practitioner is found in Dr. Burtis Biggs, physician and surgeon, at Findlay, Ohio. Don Burtis Biggs is a native of Ohio, born at Arcadia, in Hancock County, June 16, 1873, and is a son of Rev. Peter and Annie (Eyer) Biggs, the former of whom was of English ancestry and the latter belonging to a solid old Pennsylvania Dutch family. For forty years Rev. Peter Biggs was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Hancock County. His death occurred in 1.915. Doctor Biggs attended the public schools at Bellefontaine, Ohio, completing the high school course there, after which he spent three student years in the university at Delaware and following this studied pharmacy for one year in the Ohio Northern College at Ada. In 1898 he entered the Louisville Medical Col: lege and remained there absorbing medical knowledge for three years and was an interne in the Louisville Hospital for one year. Continuing his medical studies and investigations, he then spent one year in Starling Medical College, at Columbus, and was graduated from that well known institution with the class of HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1631 1902. Since then he has taken short courses at times in the New York and in the Chicago Post Graduate schools. In 1903 Doctor Biggs located for practice at Findlay and has been exceedingly successful as a general practitioner. He served Hancock County in the office of coroner in 1906-7. Politically he is a republican and fraternally is identified with the order of Elks. Doctor Biggs is unmarried, his mother and himself forming the small domestic circle. GEORGE J. HORN. His boyhood companions in Findlay forty years ago found George J. Horn more interested in making drawings with his T-square, which was an implement of his own manufacture, than in almost any other pastime or recreation. In the course of time and after much diligent practice he found it possible to translate his ideas to paper, and after that his fervid desire was to translate the paper plans to absolute construction. Having enterprise equal to his self-trained ability, he became a real architect by the time he was twenty-one years of age, and has practiced that profession in the City of Findlay for over thirty years and in that time has drawn the plans for and has constructed more buildings, public and private, than any other member of his profession. Mr. Horn was born on a farm in Cass Township of Hancock County March 4, 1858, but in 1860, when he was two years old, his parents John B. and Susannah (Dunkle) Horn removed to Findlay, and thus their son had the advantages of the city public schools. When only seventeen he began learning the carpenter's trade and that was the practical basis of his profession as an architect. He made himself proficient in all branches of wood working and all the while his imagination was being developed to visualize and plan out intricate construction in his mind or on paper, and at the age of twenty-six he opened his own office as an architect and builder. Continuously since 1885 Mr. Horn has been in business at Findlay. Practically every building in that city or vicinity of any importance has been designed or constructed by him. In 1887 he designed and built over twenty business blocks in Findlay. He erected the T. B. G. & S. T. power station and general offices and car barns ; the wholesale grocery house of D. Kirk & Son ; the Rawson Block, in which he has his offices ; the Grey & Patterson Block ; he built the First National Bank Building ; was architect for the Commercial National Bank, the Electric Construction & Motor Company Building; the Buckeye National Bank Building; the Fair Ground buildings, and has drawn the plans and supervised the construction of many of the more pretentious private residences in Hancock County. Mr. Horn was supervising architect of Deisel-Werner tobacco factory building, which cost $60,000 ; of the Lincoln Grammar School, built at a cost of $150,000 ; the Washington Grammar School costing $100,000 ; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks' Home, one of the finest in the state, built at a cost of $80,000 ; and the Hancock County Infirmary, which cost $100,000. Mr. Horn is a man of eminent public spirit. At the expense of great pains and considerable time he drew up some beautiful plans and drawings and endeavored to interest Findlay citizens for the purpose of appropriating money to erect a memorial building to mark the site of old Fort Findlay. However, all his efforts in that direction have so far been in vain. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Horn comes of a prominent pioneer family of Ohio. In the maternal line the Dunkles settled in Ross County near Adelphia in 1803, soon after Ohio was admitted to the Union. His grandfather George Dunkle came from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in the early days built a flouring mill and distillery on Salt Creek at Adelphia. The products of his mill and distillery he flatboated down Salt Creek to Scioto River, thence to the Ohio River, and down the Mississippi to New Orleans. In that southern city his products were marketed, and he would then return on foot or horseback across country with his leather belt stuffed with gold money. He made that trip many times. Mr. Horn has many interesting relics of his grandfather. One of them is a mahogany box. When Mr. Horn's mother married, this box was given her as a marriage present, and when opened it was found to contain its capacity in gold pieces. Another relic Mr. Horn has is his mother's side-saddle, which she rode about over the city and country. John B. Horn, father of the Findlay architect, was born in Germany, a son of Dr. John Jacob Horn, who brought his family to America when John B. was seven years of age. Doctor Horn was one of the early physicians of Hancock County. The Horn family came to 1632 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO this county in 1848 and John B. Horn subsequently engaged in farming in Cass Township until 1860 when he returned to Findlay and followed the business of contracting and building. Most of George J. Horn 's education was acquired in the old Union Grammar School, on Sandusky Street. He is a man of many interests outside his profession, has fine literary taste and enjoys all the classic and standard authors. His father was a citizen of prominence and standing in the early days, and during war times was very much interested in politics as a democrat. Mr. Horn himself served a two year term on the board of public service, having been elected on the democratic ticket in 1908. In 1899 he married Miss Etta B. Dickson, daughter of William H. Dickson of Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio. Mrs. Horn died in 1909, leaving one daughter, Georgetta, who lives with her father. EARL J. THOMAS, M. D. The rise to eminence in the medical profession is seldom rapid, but that medical knowledge, close application and conscientious work has much to do with a physician's standing and advancement cannot be disputed. No life of ease is that of a physician and surgeon but it may be a noble one and its usefulness to humanity is often an impelling force. Among the prominent medical men of Findlay Dr. Earl J. Thomas is entitled a place. Earl J. Thomas was born in Big Lick Township, Hancock County, Ohio, October 7, 1882. His far away ancestry was Irish-Welsh stock and members of his family took part in the Revolutionary war. His parents were Alvin S. and Elizabeth (Swindle) Thomas. His father, who died at Findlay December 19, 1915, had been during active life a farmer, a schoolteacher and a merchant. In 1890 Earl J. Thomas accompanied his parents when they moved to Findlay. Here he attended the common schools and the high school and then began to prepare for his chosen profession and in 1900 entered the Ohio State University, where he spent one year. In 1901 he matriculated in the University of Michigan and was graduated from the medical department in 1905, later served one year as an interne in the university hospital at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Subsequently he took post graduate courses in the New York and Chicago Post Graduate hospitals. Dr. Thomas located at Findlay and has built up a very large practice. He keeps thoroughly informed concerning every advance made in professional knowledge and makes use of modern methods, having a finely equipped medical office which includes a magnificent X-ray apparatus. He is well qualified for his profession in every way, possessing the necessary enthusiasm as well as the steady nerve and unlimited patience that give physical as well as mental hope to his patients. Ile is identified with all the leading medical organizations of the state that are representative of medical ethics, including the Hancock County Medical Society, the Ohio State and the Northwestern Ohio Medical associations and also the American Medical Association. In 1912 Doctor Thomas was married to Miss Gail Tritch, who is a daughter of Dr. J. C. and Lydia (Wolf) Tritch. Mrs. Thomas is a graduate of South College, Northampton, Massachusetts, class of 1906. They have one daughter, Madeline, who was born in November, 1914. In politics Doctor Thomas belongs to the republican party. He is identified fraternally with the Masons and the Elks. Greatly enjoying athletics he illustrates American wholesomeness in his choice of recreation. Reared in a Christian home he is a member of Howard Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to a local organization known as the Court Literary Club. MARION C. KELLY. One of the business men of Findlay who deserves special credit for their progressiveness and enterprise in building up an establishment of their own and in furnishing an exceptional degree of service through their special line is Marion C. Kelly. Mr. Kelly is proprietor of Kelly's Wall Paper Store located at 505 South Main Street, and this is the leading business of its kind for supplying expert service as interior decorators, and the store also carries a complete stock of artistic and well selected wall papers and other supplies required to meet the most exacting demands of the trade. Mr. Kelly was born in Wood County. Ohio, August 16, 1876, a son of Isaac C. and Frances (Lymangrover) Kelly.. He is of German and Irish ancestry. The first of the name in this country was Thomas Kelly, who came from Ireland. Since 1897 Marion C. Kelly has been a resident of Findlay. He was educated in country schools, attended the business department of Findlay College and for several years he HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1633 earned his living at clerical work. In 1910 he engaged in business for himself as an interior decorator and as proprietor of the wall paper store in the Niles Block, where he has continued ever since, and he now has a business second to none in quality of service in Hancock County. Mr. Kelly married Miss Ethel Moores, daughter of Col. John and Marie (Lorentz) Moores. They have a fine family of children : John Cusac, aged seven years ; Frances Mildred, aged five ; Richard Eugene, aged four ; Robert, aged three ; and Zoellen, aged two. When it comes to voting Mr. Kelly casts his ballot as an independent republican. He and his family are members of the English Lutheran Church and fraternally his only relationship is with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. CHARLES HOCH. When Charles Hoch was thirteen years of age he was given work to do and a nominal salary by the Midland Telephone Company at Findlay. That company, is now part of the general Bell telephone system. He proved a willing learner, did all and more that he was required to do, and even more important he thoroughly mastered the details of the telephone business and the practical electrical work connected therewith, and after seven years he was promoted to manager of the three branch telephone exchanges at Findlay, Fremont and Tiffin. With an ambition to capitalize his experience and build up a business of his own, Mr. Hoch seventeen years ago organized and became one of the original stockholders and directors in the Electric Construction and Motor Company of Findlay. For a number of years he has been general manager of this business, which extends its service as electrical contractors and in the handling of electric supplies all over Hancock County and many other sections of Northwest Ohio. Mr. Hoch as general manager has kept the business going and has made its facilities adequate to all the increased demands consequent upon its growth and the changing ideas and discoveries.* Mr. Hoch also has charge of an automobile department agency and is proprietor of the largest garage in Hancock County. His life has been spent in Findlay, where he was born February 24, 1861, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gertz) Hoch. His father emigrated from Metz, Germany, to the United States when a young man, and for many years was in the grocery business at Findlay. As a boy Charles Hoch besides attending the public schools assisted as soon as he was old enough his father in the grocery store. Among the successful men of Findlay there has been none who has worked harder than Charles Hoch. Politically he is a democrat and is a member of the German Lutheran Church. In 1892 he married Miss Froma Walters, daughter of Jacob and Jane (Cramer) Walters, substantial farming people of Hancock County. JOSEPH BELLFY has been a resident of the Village of Hamler for a quarter of a century and has been as active in civic affairs as in business. He is one of the leaders in local democratic politics and a man who does much for the promotion of the best interests of the community. Mr. Bellfy was born at Pottsdam, New York, May 31, :1865, but is of French Canadian parentage. His people have lived in Canada for more than 100 years prior to his birth. He is a son of Francis and Philomena (Grew) Bellfy, both of whom were born at Three Rivers, Province of Ontario, Canada. After their marriage Francis Bellfy and wife removed to St. Lawrence County, New York, and at Pottsdam in that county all their children were born, including Joseph, Anthony and Sarah. Anthony is a resident of Toledo, married and has three children. The daughter is the wife of James Beck, a farmer in Bartlow Township of Henry County, and has two sons and three daughters. When the youngest child was still very small the parents removed to Crain Township of Paulding County, Ohio, and for a time lived on a farm there as renters. The father then secured employment in a stave mill and was so occupied for sixteen years. About twenty years ago the parents removed to Hamler, where the wife and mother died December 23, 1915, at the age of sixty-eight. Francis Bellfy is still living, making his home with his son, and is now seventy-three years of age, but quite active. He and his wife were life-long members of the Catholic Church and their children were reared in the same faith. Francis Bellfy was a democrat. Joseph Bellfy grew up in Paulding County, and in that county thirty-one years ago married Mary Rosselit. She was born and reared and educated in Paulding County, having been born there August 16, 1863. Paulding County was almost a wilderness during her 1634 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO early girlhood. Her people on both sides came from Luxemburg, Germany, and were pioneer settlers in Paulding County, Ohio. Her parents were married in Paulding County, and when the Wabash Railroad was built through that section her father and grandfather owned about 200 acres of wild swampy land which they subsequently cleared up, and on the railway laid out the Village of Cecil, which is now a flourishing town of about 500 people. Mrs. Bellfy's parents, Nicholas and Mary (Thomas) Rosselit, spent their declining years at Cecil. They father died there in 1909 at the age of about seventy, and his widow is still living in that community, and it has been her home for sixty years. The Rosselits were also members of the Catholic Church. In 1892 Mr. Bellfy came to Hamler, and for eleven years was employed as a bartender, after which he started a business of his own. In 1915 he erected a large store building 30 by 80. feet and he has also remodeled his home making it a comfortable twelve-room house. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church and he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. During his residence in Hamler Mr. Bellfy has served as township and city treasurer, and is now a member of the executive committee of the county democratic party. He and his wife have three children, all of whom were born in Paulding County. Frank was educated at Hamler and is still at home. Leo married Lorena Young and they live in Hamler and are the parents of two children named Vincent and Ida Belle. Ferdinand was reared and educated in Hamler and now working as a shipping clerk at Toledo. ALLISON MOORE VAN HORN, M. D. For more than thirty years the name Van Horn has been prominently associated with the medical profession in Hancock County. Father and son have successively carried the burdens of a heavy practice, and the present representative of the name is Dr. Allison M. Van Horn, a capable general practitioner with offices in Findlay. Born in York, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1882, Allison Moore Van Horn is a son of Winfield Scott and Agnes (Allison) Van Horn. The Van Horns settled in Amsterdam or New York City along with Peter Stuyvesant, and represents the stanch old Knickerbocker stock of New York State. Doctor Van Horn's mother was of Scotch lineage. Winfield S. Van Horn was a successful physician, practiced in Findlay thirty years and died there March 7, 1916. The son acquired a common school education, and in 1900 graduated from the Findlay High School. In 1902 he entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati for the four years course, and was graduated with his class and with the degree M. D. in 1905. Since then he has enjoyed a large practice and a growing reputation as a skillful physician and surgeon at Findlay. On January 1, 1906, he married Florence Gail Swartz, daughter of George H. and Vina (Downing) Swartz, who are a family of old settlers in Hancock County. Doctor and Mrs. Van Horn have three children : Winfield S., Bert Allison and C. Richard. Politically Doctor Van Horn is independent. Since 1913 he has been a member of the board of education in Findlay and for three years has served as trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is also one of the trustees of the Central Church of Christ. EDWARD MITCHELL is one of the straight-up and vigorous, independent and self-reliant business men of Northwest Ohio. He has never sought his advancement through influential friends, family connections, or by waiting the turn of fortune. He has made himself master of his destiny, has done well whatever he has undertaken, and now enjoys the responsibilities of the position of manager of the electrical department of the Electric Construction and Motor Company of Findlay, the largest organization of its kind in Hancock County and one of the largest in Northwestern Ohio. Mr. Mitchell was born at Mattoon, Illinois, January 19, 1873, a son of Thomas L. and Mary (Eib) Mitchell. He is of Scotch-Irish and German descent. In the paternal line he is descended from Robert Mitchell, who emigrated from Ireland in 1760 and settled on a farm in Virginia. One of the most noted battles of the Revolutionary war, the battle of Cowpens, was fought on the Mitchell farm, and there are many interesting traditions and incidents connected with the early American annals of the Mitchell family. Thomas L. Mitchell was a harness merchant at Mattoon, Illinois. In that city Edward Mitchell gained his early education in the public schools, and as a boy assisted his father in the harness busi- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1635 ness. From his early years he took great delight in telegraphy, and felt that his success in the world was made when he was given an opportunity to master the telegraph key, and from that he was promoted to telegraph operator for the Vandalia Railroad System. He was in the service of that railroad for ten years, and was given some very important responsibilities. He served as operator, station agent and train dispatcher, and for a considerable time was located in the central offices at Terre Haute, Indiana. On leaving the railroad he engaged with the Ohio Oil Company at Casey, Illinois, as general traveling electrician. For five years he covered the territories and fields in which that company operated in both Indiana and Illinois. In 1912 Mr. Mitchell came to Findlay and. has since held his present position with the Electric Construction & Motor Company. This company does not confine its business as general electrical contractors to one locality, and it conducts three stores and establishments at Findlay, Fostoria and Norwalk, Ohio. Mr. Mitchell has general superintendence of the entire business, with a local manager in each town. In 1898 he married Miss Bertha Foster of Cayuga, Indiana, daughter of Edward and Hila (Atkins) Foster. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have a very interesting family of children, all of whom show independent qualities of mind even to the youngest. The oldest is Foster, aged eighteen, and the others in order of age are : Hila, aged fifteen ; Joe, aged thirteen ; Tom, aged nine ; Edward, aged four. Mr. Mitchell is a republican, and he and his family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Findlay. JOHN F. HIRSCHBERGER. To continue in business for a great many years in one locality, to keep the trade and confidence of older customers and constantly win new patronage, is an enviable achievement for any merchant. John F. Hirschberger has the distinction in Findlay of being the oldest shoe merchant of the town. His prosperity has been well earned. Doubtless his success is due not only to the fact that he has been a hard worker and good manager, but also because he gained his first business experience in a shoe store and has kept his energies directed largely along one line. He was born at Rochester, New York, January 7, 1860, but when he was six years of age his parents, Anthony and Catherine (Neeb) Hirschberger, who were of old German stock, originally from Hesse Darmstadt, moved west to Fremont, Ohio, and a little later to Clyde, Ohio. Anthony Hirschberger was three times married. By the first wife two children survive, whose names are : Mary, who married Alfred Pawsey, of Clyde, Ohio ; and John F., the subject of this sketch. By the second marriage two children survive, Frank, of Chicago, and George, of Fremont, Ohio. By the third marriage three children still live : Carrie, who married a Mr. Pergrin ; Amelia, and Rosa, both unmarried. It was in Clyde that John F. Hirschberger gained his education in the public schools and also his first experience as clerk in. his father's shoe store. His father died in 1883. Since 1886 John F. Hirschberger has been identified with Findlay. Here for 71/2 years he managed the shoe store of George F. Tanner, of Toledo, Ohio, who operated stores in Bowling Green, North Baltimore and Toledo. The main store and headquarters were located in Toledo. He bought out the old established business then located at 211-213 South Main Street. After becoming proprietor of the business he kept it constantly progressing, and about twenty-eight years after he came to Findlay, in September, 1914, he moved his store to his present address, at 217 South Main Street. He also owns the property in which his store is located, a two-story building on a lot 20 by 200 feet. Mr. Hirschberger's trade comes from all over Hancock County. He is also interested in other business affairs, and at Clyde, Ohio, where he spent his earlier years, he owns a two-story brick building 25 by 90 feet. He helped build that structure himself. Politically Mr. Hirschberger is a democrat, is affiliated with Lodge No. 400, of the Knights of Pythias, with the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Modern Woodmen of America and attends the German Lutheran Church. In 1894 he married Miss Ella McCune, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Kerr) McCune, of Greenville, Darke County, Ohio. JOHN DUDLEY ALTENBURG, D. D. S. Widely known in his profession and prominent in many public spirited enterprises of great importance in Hancock County, Dr. John Dudley Altenburg, the leading dental practitioner of Findlay, is a foremost citizen. He was born at Auburn, Indiana, October 31, 1876, and is a son of Henry E. and Sarah C. (Bodine) Altenburg. On the paternal side the 1636 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO ancestry is German and on the maternal is French. The mother of Doctor Altenburg is a highly esteemed resident of Auburn, still occupying the old family homestead. The father died in 1891. For a number of years he had been an official in the Federal service. After completing the common school course at Auburn, John D. Altenburg entered the high school and remained one year and then accepted a position as salesman in a dental supply store, continuing for four years. Becoming interested in dentistry in this way he decided to study along this line and in 1895 entered the Indiana University Dental College, from which he was creditably graduated in the class of 1899. In the same year he came to Findlay and for four years was associated in dental practice with Dr. E. C. Miller, since which time he has practiced alone and with great success. Doctor Altenburg is progressive in his methods, making use of modern discoveries in his profession for his patients' benefit. He is an expert in porcelain work, having taken a special course in the same under Doctor Beauman, of Columbus, Ohio. Doctor Altenburg was married to Miss Carrie A. Brown, who is a daughter of A. M. and Henrietta P. Brown, the former being a retired manufacturer of Ottawa, Ohio. Doctor and Mrs. Altenburg are members of the First Presbyterian Church. A lover of outdoor life, Doctor Altenburg takes much interest in recreations that include fresh air and exercise but he also is a practical man as evidenced by his work in connection with stocking the streams with game fish and his distribution of more than 100 pair of English pheasants to the farmers in this vicinity, a valuable and much appreciated gift. He was one of the organizers in 1914 and is the present secretary of the Hancock County Fish and Game Protective Association. Doctor Altenburg in 1913 was president of the Hancock and Seneca County Dental Association and is a valued member of the Ohio, the State and the National bodies. He is identified fraternally with the order of Elks and politically is a republican with progressive sentiments. Doctor Altenburg owns a beautiful cottage situated on a body of water in Michigan and spends his vacations there. ALBERT WEITZ. The substantial business position enjoyed by Mr. Weitz in Findlay is due largely to the fact that he has kept his efforts within one general line of endeavor since early youth. He mastered the business, and with a thorough competence to render service has reached that position of influence where he is a valuable asset to any organization. Mr. Weitz is manager of the Wells Fargo & Company Express, his headquarters being at 118 West Main Street. He is a native son of Findlay, born in that city February 23, 1884, a son of Ferdinand and Agnes (Reddick) Weitz. He is of German ancestry and stock, and his father was an early day carpenter and contractor in Findlay. Mr. Albert Weitz now lives in the same house where he was born, and he is paying out on that property for his permanent home. For education he attended the local public schools until he was sixteen years of age, and then found employment in different lines, supporting himself but getting into nothing permanent. At the age of twenty he began work for the United States Express Company as a driver. He drove the express wagon. of that company three years, and in 1907 went to the Pacific Express Company, working his way up to the position of manager. When the Wells Fargo & Company Express established its agency at Findlay, Mr. Weitz, as a local man, thoroughly acquainted with conditions, took charge of the new agency, secured all the new business, and has rapidly developed the Wells Fargo Company until in volume of business it now ranks with the older established companies in this city. In 1909 Mr. Weitz married Miss Inez Maud Foard, daughter of George W. and Sarah L. (Woodward) Foard. .They are the parents of three children : Ferdinand, aged six; Francis, aged five ; and Donald, aged three. Mr. Weitz ,is a great lover of children and takes his greatest delight in his home. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church and he is affiliated with Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 85 at Findlay. ADAM GRAMLING. Though death interrupted him at his work when he was comparatively young, Adam Gramling had accomplished all those things for which men of ambition most earnestly strive. He was one of the splendid farmers, home makers and citizens of Washington Township, Henry County. From youth he had been inured to toil, and lived on intimate fellowship with hard work to the end of his days. The results of that industry brought him a large farm, and the comforts which are derived from prosperity. He had the satisfaction at the end of his life of seeing his family well provided HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1637 for, and Mrs. Alice Gramling, his widow, and her children have that security which ma= terial possessions bring and also that peace of mind which follows an honorable record in business and civic affairs. The old home where Adam Gramling was born April 2, 1859, is in Washington Township near Colton. He was the third son of John Gramling and wife. The Gramlings came originally from Holland. His great-grandfather emigrated from Holland and settled in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, John Gramling, was born in Pennsylvania, married Mary Groff, and they lived long and useful lives and died in Wayne County, Ohio, when aged about eighty years and ninety years respectively. Both possessed the rugged and thrifty virtues of their ancestors, reared and gave to their family of children their own characteristics and left honored names. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters. John Gramling, father of the late Adam Gramling, was born in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, in 1819. He grew up there, received such education as was supplied by the local schools of that day, and when about twenty-five years of age, still unmarried, came to Wayne County, Ohio. He afterwards went to the vicinity of Logansport, Indiana, and secured 160 acres of wild land along the Wabash River. He soon sold that and came to Henry County, Ohio. For several years he worked on the canal, but in the meantime invested in the 160 acres now owned and occupied by his son Hezekiah in Washington Township. He hewed and fashioned a log cabin to which he took his young bride. He had married in Fulton County, Ohio, Savena Snell, whose parents came from New York State and were early settlers in Fulton County. After his marriage John Gramling kept up the work of clearing the forest and extending the area of cultivation, and in the course of time had broad fields in crops, two large barns, and a commodious and comfortable home. He died at the age of seventy-four and his wife passed away at sixty-four. She was a member of the United Brethren Church, while he had been reared a Lutheran. On the old homestead of his father Adam Gramling had that training and those influences which count most in the formation of a worthy character. He attended the common schools and was still young when he married and established a home of his own. He was married in 1881 in Washington Vol. III-20 Township to Miss Clara Alice Hoffman. They were married by Reverend Mr. Dunham. Mrs. Gramling was born about ten miles from Hagerstown, Maryland, on September 6, 1860, lived there until she was fourteen, then moved with her parents to Seneca County, Ohio, and about three years later the family came to Washington Township of Henry County. Mathias Hoffman, father of Mrs. Gramling, was born on a farm in Maryland June 1, 1831. His grandfather was also named Mathias Hoffman and was a native of Germany, having come with other members of the family to America prior to the Revolutionary war and settling at Hagerstown, Maryland. Mrs. Gramling's grandfather was Jacob Hoffman, who was born in Maryland in 1799, and eventually succeeded to the ownership of 156 acres of the old homestead, which he cultivated until the end of his career at the age of sixty-eight. Besides farming he also engaged in teaming and conducted wagon trains over the mountain roads between Hagerstown and Baltimore and frequently went as far as Washington. Jacob Hoffman married Magdalena Stoffer who was born and reared in the same neighborhood and she died in 1888 at the ripe age of eighty-six. The earlier generations of the Hoffman family were members of the Mennonite Church. Mathias Hoffman, father of Mrs. Gramling, grew up and received his education in Maryland and in time succeeded to the ownership of a portion of the old homestead. He was also engaged in the freighting traffic, hauling merchandise over the Cumberland Road between Cumberland at the top of the Allegheny Mountains and the cities of Baltimore, Washington, Georgetown and other centers. On Thanksgiving Day of 1855 he married Lucinda Beaver, who was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, October 11., 1835. Her family were poor people and she early learned to depend upon herself. She was capable, industrious, and well able to bear her responsibilities as a home maker and mother. Mathias Hoffman and wife .had six children, all of whom were born in Maryland. A brief record of the children is as follows : Jacob B., who lives at Bascom in Seneca County, Ohio, and is married and has two daughters ; Clara Alice, Mrs. Gramling ; Samuel, a farmer in Washington Township of 'Henry County ; Anna M., wife of Hezekiah Gramling, reference to whose career is made on other pages ; Charles P., a resident of Washington Town- 1638 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO ship and John, who died at the age of four years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Adam Gramling started out to make a home for themselves. Their first location was in section 16 of Washington Township, and from that point Adam Gramling gradually built up the magnificent prosperity which rewarded his efforts. At the time of bis death he owned 280 acres of land, all of which was located in Washington Township except forty acres which are in Fulton County. Nearly all of it is improved, well drained, fenced, with a splendid bank barn for cattle, horses and grain, and a beautiful home, located on an eminence commanding a view of the surrounding country, the house containing thirteen rooms and all the comforts of modern conveniences. Adam Gramling died suddenly September 14, 1914, when fifty-five years of age. He was a man of prominence in addition to his success as a business man. He was always willing to lend his support to any public enterprise and to any movement which would benefit the community or the individuals in his neighborhood. He was a republican in politics and was honored with several of the local offices. He was one of the prominent members of the Church of God, served as teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school, and was very conscientious in everything he did, practicing Christianity on seven days of the week. Mrs. Gramling was in close sympathy with him in all his activities, and is a woman who exemplifies the best qualities of the home maker, the mother and the kind neighbor. She and her children are all members of the Church of God. Bertha, the oldest of their children, still lives with her mother, and she finished her education in the Liberty Center High School. Ernest C. is now a practical farmer on one of his father's places in Washington Township, and he taught school for two years prior to his marriage. By his marriage to Mayme Guerst he has two children, Adam W. and Irving C. John, who like his brother is a graduate of the Liberty Center High School, is now in active charge of his mother's homestead ; he married Florence Jennings, who was born and reared and educated in Liberty Township, a daughter of Alfred Jennings. WILLIAM J. FISHELL. It is not essential nor is it desirable that any one of the learned professions should occupy a leading place in any community, rather should one balance or supplement the other in order that the general welfare should be protected and preserved, but it is vitally important that in a city of such importance as Findlay, that each should be ably and faithfully represented. That this happy condition exists is a matter for congratulation. Among the medical practitioners here whose names come quickly to mind with mention of the medical profession, is Dr. William J. Fishell, who has won public confidence and personal regard. William J. Fishell was born in 1881, at McComb,. Ohio, and is a son of William J. and Clarinda E. (Edginton) Fishell. He attended the public schools of his native place and was graduated from the high school in 1899. Having decided upon a medical career he directed his studies as opportunity offered along that line for several years, and in 1907 matriculated at the Cleveland Homeopathic College, from which he was graduated in 1911, subsequently serving one year as an interne in the Cleveland City Hospital. Still later Doctor Fishell took short courses in the New York Post Graduate and the New York Lying in hospitals. Doctor Fishell located at Findlay as a general practitioner and has had no reason to question the wisdom in making choice of a field for usefulness. He has brought to his work the enthusiasm of a young man for a beloved calling, with the well balanced mind and trained hand that are essential to a physician together with a sympathetic and pleasing personality that is vastly helpful. He is in the enjoyment of an excellent practice and keeps fully abreast of the times through membership in the leading medical organizations, these including the Hancock County Medical, the Ohio State, the Northwestern Ohio and the American Medical associations. In 1910 Doctor Fishell was married at Findlay to Miss Grace Dukes, who is a daughter of P. C. and Hattie (Grose) Dukes. They have one son, William J., the third of the name in family succession. Politically Doctor Fishell is a democrat but has never had any political aspirations. With his wife he belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Findlay. MICHAEL LEANDER FOSTER. Education,- training, and all the advantages afforded by fond. parents and by public institutions may be necessary as an equipment for the work of life in the majority of cases, but there are HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1639 many successful examples of men who had none of these things and yet have gained a substantial place in the business world and also enjoy the respect and esteem of their fellow men. An example is the case of Mr. Michael Leander Foster of Findlay. Mr. Foster had only a few terms of schooling in his entire youth. His education was largely self-acquired and in the intervals of hard work by which he supported himself. He has been in business for many years, and is now proprietor .of the salesrooms for gas arc lamps at 103 North Main Street in Findlay. He is resident agent for the manufacturers and carries a general line of gas and electric lighting fixtures and also maintains a service for installing and maintenance. Mr. Foster was born on a farm in Johnson County, Iowa, April 30, 1866, a son of Noah and Sarah (Row) Foster. He was eight years of age when his father died and altogether he had about six months of schooling. When his father died he was sent to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, to live with an aunt. In her home it was supposed that he would continue his education. However, his presence merely gave more leisure for his aunt's children to attend school, while he put in practically every working hour on the farm. At the age of sixteen he left that home and learned the barber's trade which he followed 3 ½ years. He then entered the plant of the Reeves Rolling Mills Company at Canal Dover, Ohio, and for ten years was employed as a puddler. Going to Cleveland, he was a puddler in the steel mills there for seven years, then returned to Canal Dover for a year, and in 1901 came to Findlay, where he continued in the same trade for a year. After that he lived in Toledo until 1903, and in 1904 took up his permanent residence at Findlay. The following six years he was manages of the Findlay business for the Canton Ohio Art Lamp Works. In 1910 he resigned the position of manager and engaged in business for himself. His location was on Park Street for one year, at 102 South Main Street for a year, and in June, 1916, he came to his present location at 103 North Main Street. He bought the business of the Canton Company, and for a time had the exclusive right of sale in Findlay, Kenton and Fostoria. He has since sold the two branches at Kenton and Fostoria, and now concentrates his entire attention upon the Findlay salesroom. In 1886 Mr. Foster married Miss Louisa Swegheimer, a daughter of David and Margaret Swegheimer of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have two children : Ioda, aged twenty-eight is still at home. Howard L., aged twenty-seven, married Florida Kimmell, daughter of an old and well known minister of Findlay. Mr. Foster is a republican, and he and his family are active in the First Reformed Church. He has long been prominent in the Knights of Pythias Order. He has filled all the chairs, was twice a representative of the Grand Lodge, and for three years was master of finance, and reelected January, 1917, is now serving his fourth term. He has also passed the chairs in the Knights of the Maccabees and for the past ten years has been serving as trustee of the local tent, and was re-elected in the same capacity in 1917. FRED KLEIN, proprietor of Klein's Plumbing & Tinning Company, has been at the one location in Findlay for eighteen years, and has been in business in that city nearly thirty years. He came to Findlay during the oil boom days, and by hard work has more than prospered in his chosen line of business, which he learned as a boy in Germany. At 110 North Main Street he has shop and store with a complete line of plumbing goods and tinning supplies, has every equipment necessary for skillful and reliable work, and an expert in the trade himself he knows how to direct the competent services of those whom he employs. Mr. Klein was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1862, a son of August and Henrietta (Peters) Klein. Like .the usual German boys he attended the public schools until he was fourteen years of age. At that time he chose the learning of a vocation, and going to Pottsdam apprenticed himself to learn the tinner's trade. He served out his apprenticeship until he was eighteen and during that time received only board and clothing for his work. He then spent two years as a journeyman, and at the age of twenty came to New York, worked at his trade in Cincinnati four years, spent a year in Dallas and Houston, Texas, was again in Cincinnati for a time, but in 1887 removed to Findlay, which was then acquiring prominence among Northwest Ohio cities as the center of a rapidly growing oil industry. There was a steady demand for all class of mechanical employment, and Mr. Klein took advantage of that condition and opened his tin shop and plumbing establishment. He soon had 1640 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO the confidence of the trade, and grew into a large business. He moved his shop and headquarters to its present address in 1898. In 1887, the year he came to Findlay, Mr. Klein married Miss Mary Troester, daughter of Fred and Margaret (Green) Troester. They have children already grown and some of them occupying independent positions in the world. August is twenty-seven year's of age, is still unmarried and lives in Detroit, Michigan. Frances is the wife of William Koegel of Akron, Ohio. Alfred is twenty-three years of age. Fred, aged twenty, isemployedd by his father. Margaret, aged eighteen is attending high school. Politically Mr. Klein casts his vote independently. SAMUEL A. BAXTER, M. D. Allen County was, distinguished by two men of the name Samuel A. Baxter. The first was a prominent pioneer lawyer and business man, and the second was the late Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, who was regarded truly as a man of light and leading in the community for many years, and his useful career came to a close January 5, 1908. His father, Samuel A. Baxter, was born in Washington County, Maryland,September.. 26, 1807, and was also a son of Samuel A. Baxter. The Baxters of Virginia and the Carolinas were of fine old English stock of colonial days, and contributed several names to their country's history, distinctive in the professions and in political life. The late Doctor Baxter owed to his honored ancestors a talent for public service and his deep sense of obligation to further the common good. Samuel A. Baxter, Sr., learned the trade of hatter and furrier, and he became so skillful in the trade that a position sought him instead of his seeking a position. While buying a stock of goods for his employer in an eastern city, a hatter and furrier of Lancaster, Ohio, offered the young man the management of his business, and the acceptance of this offer was what brought Samuel A. Baxter to Ohio. On reaching Lancaster he took charge of the business and subsequently bought it. His ambitions were not satisfied with that line of work, and under the encouragement of former Governor William Medill he began the study of law, though still keeping up his business. In 1838 he came to Lima, carrying his law books along with his hat boxes, and opened a hat store which he conducted though not without relaxation of purpose and interest in his law studies. He also attended a winter of lectures in Cincinnati. Admitted to the bar in 1847, having already closed out his mercantile interests, he at once applied himself to the practice of law and gained distinction as an early member of the Lima bar. He also acquired a large amount of property and was noted for his generosity and public spirit. In 1833 Samuel A. Baxter married Nancy Mason and one of their three children was the late Dr. Samuel A. Baxter. The latter's mother died in 1862. In a history of Allen County published about ten years ago Dr. Charles C. Miller, the editor, wrote a very sincere tribute and biographical sketch of the late Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, and from that article the following paragraphs are copied with no substantial change : Born and largely educated in Lima, all his life a lover of his city and its people, no one claimed a higher place in the hearts of the people. Called again and again to posts of influence and trust, he was never found wanting. When the city had a business crisis or a great financial success, Doctor Baxter was always called on to aid in tiding over the one and in expressing the general good will of the other. Blessed with a wise father and a devoted mother, plans were early matured for his medical education. He was graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College in 1863 and began practice in the army under a commission direct from the Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war. He was commissioned by John Brough, governor of Ohio, to the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry commanded by Gen. Charles Grosvenor, a personal friend of Doctor Baxter from his youth. Later he served both as assistant and acting medical director of the Department of Georgia under Gen. James B. Steedman. After the war Doctor Baxter began the active practice of medicine in Lima. It was hard work for a time. But fortune came to him in disguise. He was made health officer and was put in charge of all smallpox cases during the terrible scourge in Lima. He nursed the sick and buried the dead with his own hands. Smallpox then had a greater terror than the bubonic plague has now. So successfully did he perform his loathsome work that, upon the passing of the scourge. he found himself overwhelmed with business in Lima and for a radius of fifty miles about the city. He was called in counsel to adjoin- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1641 ing towns, and was made surgeon for a number of railways. This success was soon followed by one as brilliant but in another line—that of the financier. He became interested in great enterprises, was secretary of the original gas company, then entered the banking business, establishing the City Bank of Lima, for a long time one of the most successful financial concerns in the Northwest ; was president of the First National Bank, which institution he made substantial in every way. He managed the artificial and built the natural gas plants; was very influential in building the street car line ; promoted and sold the Indiana & Ohio gas pipe line and secured the building of the car works, then consolidating these works with The Lima Locomotive & Machine Company, still one of the greatest of Lima's industries. The Lake Erie & Western shops, the Chicago & Erie and the Ohio Southern railroads were each secured for Lima through his aid and enthusiasm. But other fields of usefulness also commanded his time and money : The Young Men's Christian Association and Lima College, institutions of great credit to the city, were greatly aided by him. Every church built in Lima in the forty years before his death had been aided by his generosity. During his long business career he formed strong alliances in Bradford, England, Boston, New York, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Chicago. A few years before his death he retired from the banking business and formed a partnership with his sons, under the name Samuel A. Baxter & Sons, for the purpose of developing his properties in the West and for handling other extensive interests. He served the state as trustee of the state asylums for the insane at Dayton and Toledo, and the people of Lima elected him mayor of the city. Doctor Baxter was a man of rare intellectual force, history being his favorite study. He was long recognized as the leading historian, not only of Lima but of the county. Credit was also given him by Doctor Miller, for much of the substantial value contained in the history of Allen County, which benefited greatly from his untiring labors as a chronologist and as a collector of the facts of local history. At the conclusion of the sketch Doctor Miller appended the following individual tribute : "Samuel A. Baxter is a friend worth having. No man has ever exhibited the sweet amenities of life in a higher degree than he. So warmhearted and generous—he has 'drawn men to him and held them through life with 'hooks of steel.' To him charity is a word of sweet and familiar sound. No snow ever fell too deep, no northern blast ever pierced too sharply to stay his helping hand. When old earth is wrapped in the icy bounds of the Frost King—and God's poor are suffering most—then Dr. Baxter's charity is most freely bestowed. In all the good work he has done, he was only regarded by himself as a plain individual in the general economy. With him charity began at home, where, surrounded by a sweet and companionable wife and happy children, he was more than a lord, but his charity did not end there. He took too broad a view of life to be selfish—he lived and still lives for all humanity.' When his career is ended, truly may it be said that, `Were all for whom he has done a kind act to bring but a blossom to his grave, he would sleep beneath a wilderness of flowers.' " Doctor Baxter was married June 19, 1866, to Debora Ellison, who was born in Marlboro, Stark County, Ohio, May 28, 1845. She was there reared and educated, and is still living, making her home there. They had four sons ; she has been prominent in charitable works and was first president of the board of Lima Hospital, and an active member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Baxter had four sons, whose histories follow. FRANK ELLISON BAXTER. A member of that well known Baxter family of Lima that has played so conspicuous a part in the professional, financial, business and civic affairs of the city, Frank Ellison Baxter is perhaps most widely known through his service as superintendent of banks under Governor Harmon's administration. He is now head of the firm of Baxter Bros., who conduct one of the largest automobile agencies at Lima. Born in Lima July 30, 1868, Frank E. Baxter is a son of the late Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, one of Lima's distinguished citizens, who died January 5, 1908. The son after attending the public schools continued his education in Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and then returned home to begin his business career as clerk in the First National Bank. Upon the organization of the Commercial Bank by his father and three brothers he accepted the place of cashier, and continued in that work until the bank was sold by the Baxter family in 1908. In April, 1909, he was appointed by Judson Harmon, then governor of Ohio, 1642 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO as assistant superintendent of banks, and in July, 1910, was raised to the responsibilities of superintendent of banks in Ohio. He filled that office with distinction and credit until March 7, 1913. In 1913 Mr. Baxter and his brother organized the Baxter Bros., and established a large agency at Lima for dealing in automobiles and supplies. Mr. Baxter is also vice-president of the company which publishes the Lima Republican-Gazette. He was one of the organizers of the Lima Club in 1894 and has served as director. He is past exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Shawnee Country Club. On November 8, 1895, he married Miss Elma Burton, second daughter of Dr. Enos G. and Emma Burton of Lima. They have two children, Helen and Samuel Alexander. DOW ALEXANDER BAXTER. Member of the prominent Baxter family of Lima, and associated with the Samuel A. Baxter Sons Company, Dow Alexander Baxter has for twenty years been actively identified with the oil industry both in Ohio and in various parts of the West. He was born at Lima January 8,.1875, a son of Dr. Samuel A. Baxter. As a youth he attended the Orchard Lake Military Academy in Michigan, graduating in 1893, and was then a student in the University of Michigan until 1896. Returning home he took up the oil business at Lima, afterwards was in California and Oklahoma oil fields, and is now a prominent oil operator at Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served as second lieutenant of the Marine Corps in the Spanish-American war. He is a member of a Greek letter college fraternity, of the Lima Club, is a Knight Templar Mason, and an Elk. In February, 1902, he married Miss Eda Leonard, daughter of Jesse R. Leonard of Beaver, Pennsylvania. CLEMENT SAMUEL BAXTER has been very actively identified with local business affairs at Lima for the past twenty years, and since March, 1914, has been in the automobile business in association with F. E. Baxter, in the firm of Baxter Brothers. He was born at Lima October 31, 1876, a son of Dr. Samuel Baxter. After a high school education, in 1895 he became assistant cashier in the Commercial Bank of Lima, an institution owned by his father, brother and himself. In 1907 Clement S. Baxter and others bought the bank, in which he retained a partnership interest until it was sold to what is now the. German-American Bank. During 1905-09 Mr. Baxter served as city treasurer of Lima. He now gives all his time to the automobile business. He is an active member of the Lima Club and is a Knight Templar Mason. On January 24, 1900, he married Blanche Newman of Lima. FRED HERBERT BAXTER, who is now associated with his brothers in the automobile business at Lima, is a son of the late Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, and was born at Lima November 29, 1885. He was educated in the public schools and also in a preparatory school, and at the University of Michigan. Since leaving college he has been in the affairs controlled and directed by members of the Baxter family, and especially in the automobile business. He is a member of the Shawnee Country Club. WILLIAM JOHN ZOPFI, M. D. For over a quarter of a century Dr. William John Zopfi has been engaged in medical practice at Findlay. He is one of the older generation of physicians and surgeons here and has witnessed and taken part in much of the development that has marked the city 's progress, both as an interested citizen and as an enlightened man of medicine. Matters pertaining to the public health are vastly important and very often it is the watchful physician who, wrth no financial interest whatever, calls public attention to ills that prevail. Doctor Zopfi is widely known, both professionally and personally, and is highly esteemed. William John Zopfi was born at Jeffersonville, New York, April 12, 1859, and is a son of Jacob and Anna (Huber) Zopfi. He was reared on his father 's farm and attended the public schools. He prepared for college under 4 local physician and in 1886 entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, and was graduated with the class of 1889, having served as first assistant under Doctor Pryor at the Erie County Alms Hospital from 1887 to 1889. Doctor Zopfi came to Findlay and embarked in the practice of his profession, subsequently taking courses in the Chicago Post Graduate, the Chicago, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat and the Chicago and Philadelphia Polyclinic hospitals. He is a member of the Hancock County, the Ohio State, the North- 1643 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO western Ohio and the American Medical associations. He has always taken a good citizen's interest in public matters, voting independently. Doctor Zopfi belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. ALBERT FOLLETT has given the best years of his long and active life to farming in Henry County. He and his good wife now live retired on a country place in section 2 of Liberty Township. They own 120 acres in sections 5 and 32 of the same township, and have all the comforts and means which they require for their declining years. Though a resident of Ohio the greater part of his life Mr. Albert Follett was born in Bath, Wiltshire, England, April 18, 1847. He is of an old English family. His paternal grandparents spent all their lives in England and his grandfather was a mason by trade. The Folletts in the earlier generations were all Church of England people. James Follett, father of Albert, married Matilda Barber, a daughter of Edwin Barber. The Barbers were also Wiltshire people. In 1849 the Barber family came to the United States, locating at Milan in Erie County, Ohio, and there the wife of Edward Barber died soon afterward. He later removed to Wakeman in Huron County, and lived there until his death at the age of ninety-two. He was a cabinetmaker by trade. His father was a soldier in the Indian wars, and afterwards was killed while hunting wild beasts somewhere in Africa. James Follett left England in 1849 with his brothers-in-law and came to Milan, Ohio, and after some months they all returned to New York to meet their wives and families. The mother of Albert Follett brought him in 1850 to the United States, crossing in a sailing vessel from Liverpool to New York and landing after a voyage of six weeks. The reunited families then came on west to Milan, where James Follett and his brother-in-law William Barber and John Whitman used their trades as masons and carpenters for much of the early construction work in that locality. In December, 1859, James Follett came to Henry County with his family. In the meantime a second child had been born, Sarah Jane, who subsequently became the wife of Joseph Stewart and spent her years in Eaton County. Michigan, where she died. On coming to Henry County James. Follett bought forty acres of almost wild land in Liberty Township. There he entered upon the task of making a home, but did not live to see his ambitions realized. He died April 12, 1864, at the age of. forty-eight. His widow, son and daughter, continued to live on the old homestead and by their good judgment and energy improved it and increased it by the purchase of eighty acres' additional land. There the mother passed .away October 14, 1887. She was born January 20, 1819. Albert Follett after coming to Henry County and after the death of his father lived with his mother on the old home until his marriage. March 24, 1872, in Liberty Township he married Emma J. Parker. Mrs. Follett was born at Napoleon March 27, 1852, and was reared and received her early education in Henry County. Her parents were Alfred S. and Calista (Herkimer) Parker, both natives of New York State. Her mother was a daughter of Nicholas Herkimer, who in turn was a son of the famous General Herkimer, one of the historical characters of the Revolutionary war, and in whose honor Herkimer County, New York, was named. Albert Parker, father of Mrs. Follett, came to Ohio when a young man and was a canal boatman. He conducted boats along the Miami Canal during the early '40s and frequently passed and repassed through Henry County. He took boats all the way from Cincinnati to Toledo. He became interested in Henry County and eventually bought land in Harrison Township and after selling that purchased another farm in Liberty Township. He lived for some years in Napoleon, and while there his daughter Mrs. Follett was horn. When she was two or three years of age her father bought a farm of 120 acres in sections 5 and 32 of Liberty Township. There her father lived until his death in February, 1897, at the age of seventy-seven years fourteen days. Her mother passed away in March, 1913, when lacking only two days of her ninety-third birthday. The Parkers were active members of the Christian Church and Mr. Parker was a strong republican. Mrs. Follett is the only living child of her parents. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Follett lived on the old Follett homestead for nineteen years and they then moved to Michigan, where they lived twenty years. On returning to Ohio they moved to the Parker farm, which they occupied and managed until 1915. In that year they determined to retire and have since lived in a comfortable home near the Maumee River and on the banks of the canal. Mr. and Mrs. Follett have reared a fine 1644 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO family of children : Cora, born December 9, 1872, is the wife of Joseph A. Huff, and they now live in Northern Michigan, their children being Lewis, .Bessie, Adelpha, Euresta, Herman (deceased), Russell, Earl, Verna, Eva, Mabel and Edith. Charles, the second of the family, was born November 7, 1875, and owns a good farm in Gratiot County, Michigan ; he married Mrs. Eda (Fufalo) Strause, who by her former marriage had a daughter Melva, and by her second marriage has another daughter, Juanita. Alfred R., born November 3, 1878, was well educated in the public schools, as were the other children, and is now managing the old farm in Liberty Township ; he married Anna Simlow, and their children are Arthur G., Irvin and Edna. Alta was born January 23, 1881, and died December 21, 1892. Lula B. was born June 19, 1883, and is the wife of Archie Woodman, living at Rockford, Illinois, their children being Glenn, Clarence, Clyde, Carl and Lee. Lena, born September 23, 1887, is the wife of Charles Lorah, who is an electrician at Fostoria, Ohio. Harry, born October 3, 1890, and lives in Lansing, Michigan, having married Lena Murle. Mr. Follett and his sons are all independent democrats. JOB GRAFTON KIMMELL. The tide of newcomers which rushed over Findlay when it was the center of the Northwest Ohio oil industry brought to that city a young business man and for thirty years one of its most influential citizens. This is Job Grafton Kimmell, who is now senior partner of the firm operating the City Roller Mills. Mr. Kimmell during his residence in Findlay has been in various lines of business, and has been exceedingly prospered in his various efforts. He has in his veins the blood of Holland, England and Ireland. His great-grandfather Kimmell came over from Holland in colonial days. The family lived in Pennsylvania and in that state at Berlin in Somerset County Job Grafton Kimmell was born in 1857, a son of John and Harriet (Brewster) Kimmell. His father had a large farm in Pennsylvania, and died there in 1860 when Job was three years of age. The mother survived him many years and passed away at Stoyestown also in Somerset County in 1902. As the family was in rather prosperous circumstances, Job G. Kimmell had good advantages as a boy. He attended the public schools at Berlin, his birthplace, and at Stoyestown, and also attended the Normal College which stood on the old Pittsburg & Bedford Pike. On reaching the age of eighteen he began working for an uncle on a farm two years. A natural talent for mechanical workmanship was more or less a decisive factor in his early life as well as in later years. After some experimenting he found that he could produce one of the best made split hickory chairs which were then so familiar an article of furniture and had a steady demand in all parts of the country. The old split hickory chair is now almost relegated to the position of the spinning wheel, though there are some homes which still retain some of these articles of furniture. Mr. Kimmell then began making these chairs for the market, and sold them by the wagon load as far away from home as Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He put out an excellent product, and made considerable money. He was thrifty and saved it with an eye to the future. His next venture was in the sawmill business at Fair Hope in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He joined with a partner and they cut down 1,000 acres of standing timber and worked it up into merchantable lumber. Four years later Mr. Kimmell removed to Connellsville, Pennsylvania, and spent five years as an employe with the H. C. Frick Coal & Coke Company. When Mr. Kimmell came to Findlay in 1887 he found that town enjoying a phenomenal prosperity, and he opened a stock of men's furnishing goods on East Sandusky Street, now Main Street. After two years he sold the store and entered the grocery business at 324 West Main Street. Mr. Kimmell sold groceries in the city for twelve years, retiring in 1903. In 1904 he and William Gorrell bought an old abandoned mill, which had formerly been a prosperous concern but had not been in operation for some time. They introduced new machinery, reorganized and remodeled extensively, and started the manufacture of flour and various feed products. They soon had an established market for all they could turn out. In December, 1911, Mr. Loren Peters bought the interest of Mr. Gorrell, and Mr. Kimmell and Mr. Peters have been actively associated under the name City Roller Mills. They grind wheat, corn, and oats and ship the product of the mills all over Northwest Ohio, especially over a territory seventy-five miles in a radius around Findlay. They also ship to eastern points. Their principal brands of flour are "Pride of Findlay," "Golden Age," and "Buckeye." HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1645 Mr. Kimmell is a democrat in national politics, but exercises an independent vote in local matters. He belongs to the First Lutheran Church and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1880, while still struggling for a foothold in the field of success in Pennsylvania, he married Ellen Broadwater, daughter of Ephraim and Lydia (Tressler) Broadwater of Berlin, Pennsylvania. Mr. Kimmell has but one child, Charles Ephraim. JEROME MILTON MARTIN is one of the notable business men of Northwest Ohio. As a small boy he was left an orphan. While growing up he had very limited advantages in the way of schooling. At a time when most boys are under the care of their parents and the comfortable situation of the home, he was working out as a farm hand. He was not only a hard worker but had an eye for opportunities and had the courage to accept an opportunity when he saw it. He did his first merchandising at the City of Napoleon, and many years ago came to McComb in Hancock County, where he has built up a splendid business, being now senior member of the general hardware firm of Martin & Weinland. They handle the largest and most complete stock of implements and hardware in that section of Hancock County. Mr. Martin was born April 8, 1854, in the Village of Commercial Point south of Columbus in Pickaway County, Ohio. His parents were John L. and Elizabeth (Burnley) Martin. His father was also a merchant and died in 1861 and his mother died in 1855. Thus at the age of seven Mr. Martin was left an orphan. Until he was thirteen he lived with an uncle at Commercial Point, and in all that time did not have more than a year of schooling. Becoming a farm hand he worked hard for wages of $13 a month and saved nearly all of it. He was still only a youth in years when he came to Northwest Ohio and used his capital to open a small stock of groceries at Napoleon. He remained there a year in business, and then acquired a knowledge of the carpenter's trade and for eight years was a partner in the firm of Parker & Martin, contractors and builders. This was a very successful business. Mr. Martin has been a resident of McComb since 1888. In the purchase of an old established hardware business he was associated with Mr. E. F. Weinland, who was a tinner by trade and had worked with Mr. Martin at. Napoleon on many contracts. Martin & Wein land were for eight years located on Main Street, and they then bought the property at the corner of Main and Todd streets, and in 1895 erected their present substantial quarters. That has been their location for more than twenty years, and the business is one of the landmarks of McComb and people come to their store to trade from many miles around the town. Mr. Martin is also vice president and a director of the People's Bank of McComb and is a stockholder in the Farmers Development Company, which owns 200,000 acres of land in the State of New Mexico. In 1879 Mr. Martin married Miss Clara Weaver, daughter of Philip and Caroline (Cole) Weaver of Henry County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have some very capable children. Ray Lindsay, the oldest, is a stockholder and is sales manager of the Simmons Hardware Company of Toledo, having gained his early knowledge of the hardware business with his father ; he married Florence Whetstone of Findlay. Blanche, the oldest daughter, married Clyde Rockwell, and she died in 1906. Charles lives at McComb and is employed by his father ; he married Lillian Oke. Boyd is connected with the First National Bank of Findlay. Sue is Mrs. F. L. Stoker, Mr. Stoker being assistant cashier of the People's Bank of McComb. Helen, the youngest child, is still at. home. In politics Mr. Martin is a stanch democrat. For six years he served as township treasurer and in 1888 was elected a member of the town council. His family belongs to the First Presbyterian Church, he is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Deshler, and is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Recently Mr. Martin built a substantial residence which is perhaps the finest home in that section of Hancock County. A. C. COLE, of the firm of Buckley & Cole, proprietors of the Rexall Drug Store at McComb, is one of the enterprising and pushing young business men of Hancock County. He is making a success of his profession and business, has the regard and esteem of a large community, and has a very happy home. He was born in 1889 in Leipsic, Putnam County, Ohio, a son of Charles F. and Mary C. (George) Cole. His father is a well known business man of Putnam County and is manager of the Roberts Fine Clothing Company 1646 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO at Leipsic. Mr. Cole is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His grandfather and two brothers came from the border of Scotland and settled in Vermont, and from that state came West and were among the early pioneers in Putnam County, Ohio, where they cleared up farms. Mr. A. C. Cole gained his early education in the grammar and high schools of Leipsic, and then spent four years learning the practical side of the drug business in C. S. Buckley 's store at Leipsic. That he might be the better equipped for the business of his choice he then entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where he pursued the courses in pharmacy and chemistry and was graduated in 1912 as class president and with the honors of his class. He has the degree Ph. G. He was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. After leaving college Mr. Cole spent some time traveling about the country, being located for short periods in Pittsburg and Wheeling, but in 1913 came to McComb, Ohio, and with Mr. Buckley, in whose store he had formerly worked at Leipsic, bought the drug business of Henney & Cooper at the present location. Mr. Cole now has active charge of this successful business and has a store which in point of equipment and service has few equals in Hancock County. He is the manager and half owner of the business, Mr. Buckley still remaining at Leipsic. In 1915 he married Miss Eva McCreary, daughter of William and Ella McCreary of Byesville, Guernsey County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are very happy over the birth of their first child, Charles Phillips, who was born November 7, 1916. Mrs. Cole is also a registered pharmacist and is a graduate of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where she first met Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole is a republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with the Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic Order and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. BURT HIBBARD, M. D. A physician and surgeon whose abilities have brought him a prominent position in the profession at Lima during the past dozen years, Dr. Burt Hibbard is also a citizen of thorough public spirit and with a willingness to devote his time and energies to affairs of public moment. He is now serving as president of the South Side Commercial Club of Lima, in addition to his large private practice. Born at Lowell, Kansas, March 20, 1877, when he was eighteen months of age his mother Nancy A. (Davis) Hibbard moved to Indiana. Mr. Hibbard attended the high school at Fort Recovery and also the high school of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. When still little more than a boy in years he taught a year, and for two years was connected with the work of the oil fields. In 1896 he began the study of medicine at the University of Buffalo, New York, where he was graduated in 1900. He began his practice at Cridersville, Ohio, in May, 1900, but after another year (19034) of post graduate study at the University of Buffalo, he located in May, 1904, at Lima, and has since enjoyed a large general practice though specializing in internal medicine, and he is probably the most proficient in that particular line among the profession in Allen County. He is a member of the Allen County, the Ohio State and the Tri-State Medical societies. He also belongs to the Lima Chamber of Commerce, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Modern Woodmen of America and Woodmen of the World, also the American Insurance Union. On June 19, 1901, Doctor Hibbard married Matilda Price of Buffalo, New York. They have one son, Harry Burt. Hibbard, born August 1, 1907. SOUTH SIDE COMMERCIAL CLUB OF LIMA. In order that the south side of Lima might have an organization adequate to advance the interests of that particular community and adequately represent its commercial and civic power, there was organized in 1913 the South Side Commercial Club. Some six or eight residents took an active part in the movement and the first officers were : Joseph Askin, president ; John Hennon, vice president; and Lewis A. Gardner, secretary. The officers of the club for 1916 and 1917 are : Dr. Burt Hibbard, president ; John A. Mohr, vice president ; and Lewis A. Gardner. secretary and treasurer. All the people on the south side of Lima take an active interest in this organization and it has proved a means not only for social meetings but also for much effective work and the club has given special attention to improvements affecting not only the south side but the entire municipal community. There are three regular meetings each month, and on the second Friday there is an open meeting, while the third Friday is devoted to a lunch- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1647 eon, and on the fourth Friday occurs the executive meeting. HORTON C. RORICK, financier, large real estate owner and prominently identified with business and civic affairs of Toledo, is president of Spitzer, Rorick Trust & Savings Bank. He was born December 16, 1866, on a farm near Morenci, Lenawee County, Michigan. His father, Casper Rorick, was president of the First National Bank of Morenci, Michigan, and of the Fayette State Savings Bank of Fayette, Ohio, prior to his death in 1910. His mother, Alice M. (Horton) Rorick, died in 1891. The first Rorick landed in New York about 1716, and two of the family fought in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather and brothers settled in New Jersey and New York, and later as pioneers of Lenawee County, Michigan, became prominent in affairs there. In the maternal line the Hortons came from Lincolnshire, England. Samuel Horton was a prominent and wealthy farmer of Lenawee County. Horton C. Rorick was educated at Adrian College, where he graduated with honors of his class in June, 1890. Later he attended the University of Michigan two years, graduating in the law department in June, 1892. His early life was spent on a farm, and prior to starting to college at the age of nineteen he taught school two winters, his first term when only sixteen years of age. After graduating from the University of Michigan he moved to Toledo and opened a law office in the fall of 1892, and was engaged in the practice of law until January 1, 1902. He then became a member of the firm of Spitzer & Co., bankers, composed of Gen. Ceilan M. Spitzer, A. L. Spitzer and Horton C. Rorick. February 1, 1911, the firm name was changed to Spitzer-Rorick & Co., dealers in government, municipal and corporation bonds, with offices in New York, Boston, Toledo, Cincinnati, Chicago, Kansas City and Austin, Texas. This house is probably the oldest municipal bond house in the United States, having been established in 1871, and is one of the largest, handling very large amounts of both United States and Canadian municipals, and having an international reputation. November 1, 1911, Mr. Rorick organized the Spitzer-Rorick Trust and Savings Bank at Toledo, and Mr. Rorick has been its president since February, 1913. He owns the controlling interest in this company as well as the controlling interest in the private banking house of Spitzer, Rorick & Co.,having been the active head in charge of the management of both institutions for several years, and it has been largely due to his ability and hard work that the firm has trebled its business under his direction and management. At the time of giving up law and entering the banking business he had built up a large practice, representing several banks and savings institutions. In addition to the above, Mr. Rorick is a stockholder or director in several of the banks in Northern Ohio and Southern Michigan. He has been active in building up Toledo, having platted and improved some of the best residence sections, including "Rorick 's Addition," "Rorick's Second Addition," and "Rorick's Third Addition," to Toledo, Ohio. At present his realty holdings are principally business property. He has never held political office, confining his time to the management of his large financial and real estate affairs. Mr. Rorick is a member of the Toledo Club, Toledo Country Club, Toledo Commerce Club, the Bankers' Club of New York City, and of the Masonic fraternity. He was married on September 17, 1891, to Marie Edna Packard of Lenawee County, Michigan, who was born on December 7, 1868, and was a direct descendant of Samuel Packard, one of the earliest settlers in Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Rorick kept house at Ann Arbor for the following year, during which Mr. Rorick finished his course in the University of Michigan, and then moved to Toledo in the summer of 1892. They have three children. The daughter, Alice Marie Rorick, born January 7, 1894, graduated at Mrs. Dow's School, Briarcliff Manor, near New York City. Her coming-out party shortly afterwards, in November, 1912, was said to he the finest ever given in Toledo. Her recent marriage in September 16, 1916, to Mr. Paul P. Prudden of Cummings, Prudden & Co., investment bankers of Toledo, New York and Chicago, was one of the prominent social events in Toledo society. The Roricks also have two sons : Marvin Horton Rorick, horn July 1, 1897, who just graduated from the Toledo High School and entered the University of Michigan in October, 1916 ; and Ceilan Herbert Rorick, born August 21, 1899. The Roricks are prominent in society in Toledo and are well known in New York. CALVIN D. TODD, M. D., who represents one of the pioneer names of Hancock County, has 1648 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO been a successful physician at McComb for a number of years and is a native of that town. He was born January 27, 1878, a son of William and Eliza (Gault) Todd. His father was a soldier in Company D of the Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war. Doctor Todd received his early education in the McComb High School, attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and for seven years was teacher of the eighth grade of the McComb Public School. His medical education was acquired in the Toledo Medical College, 1903-07. In the latter year he was given his degree M. D. While at Toledo he paid his expenses in college by teaching and acting as physical director at the Toledo Boys' Home and the Young Men's Christian Association. Having fitted himself for his profession he returned to McComb and has since been in active practice with offices in the Smith Block. It is noteworthy that his office is on land which his grandfather Benjamin Todd acquired when he first came to Hancock County. One of the principal streets of McComb is named Todd. The family is of Scotch and German ancestry. Besides his successful practice he served as coroner of Hancock County for two terms, 1908 to 1912, is now president of the county board of education, and is treasurer of Pleasant Township. He is a member of the County and State Medical societies and the American Medical Association, belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal. Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Deshler, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Maccabees and the Woodmen of the World. ROBERT KENNEDY DAVIS has been a resident of Findlay since early boyhood, and has made his success in life in the city where he was known as a boy and through mature years of manhood. For a number of years he was in the drug business, but having a special liking and genius for the field of insurance, he took that up and has already developed a splendid business as district agent for the Northwestern. Mutual Life Insurance Company, with territory in Hancock and adjoining counties. His offices are in the Ewing Building at Findlay. Mr. Davis was born at Arlington, Ohio, August 23, 1875, a son of A. V. and Susannah (Welch) Davis. His parents were of Welsh and German stock. When he was twelve years of age his parents removed to Findlay, and he continued his education in the grammar schools there and also the high school. He was still a boy when he accepted a place as clerk in the J. C. Firmin Drug Store, and remained with that employer for seven years. He gained both a practical and theoretical knowledge of pharmacy, and in 1901 passed the State Board examination and was given a license as a registered pharmacist. With such capital as he had been able to save in the meantime he then formed a partnership with A. J. Julien under the name of Julien & Davis, and engaged in the drug business, buying out the old establishment of John A. Cheney. Later he bought his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until he sold out in 1915 to C. S. Ashbrook. To men of exceptional qualifications there is no better business opened than the insurance field, and Mr. Davis has apparently all of those qualifications and in addition he finds the work exceedingly congenial. He has a large territory, has fine offices and a number of agents working under him. He has also been a live wire in connection with Findlay's growth and upbuilding in recent years. He assisted in organizing and was first president for two years of the Findlay Business Men's Association, which is now the Findlay Commerce Club. He also served as president of the Findlay Young Men's Christian Association in 1911. Fraternally Mr. Davis is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the Court Literary Society, is a republican and a member of the First Lutheran Church. In 1902 he married Miss Carolyn Mae Renniger, daughter of William and Sarah Renniger of Findlay. They are the parents of three children : Ruthanna, born in 1904; Richard Carl, born in 1910 ; and Carolyn Elizabeth, born in 1912. CLARENCE L MOFFITT. When Clarence I. Moffitt finished a course and was granted a diploma in the National Business College of Chicago, he did not have enough spare capital to buy a square meal. His education and training might have made some men scorn the humble tasks of the day laborer. Mr. Moffitt had no such pride to interfere with making the best of his opportunities. From Chicago he went to Florence, Wisconsin, and spent three months in the ranks of common labor. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1649 After that he was promoted to assistant agent for the American Express Company. With this experience and still practically without capital he returned to Findlay, Ohio, and again began looking for opportunities in the business field. He was willing to accept anything from the humblest clerkship to an executive office. The Bloomingdale Clothing Company did not immediately elect him president, but were satisfied to allow him to take his place on the payroll as a porter. In six years time he had promoted himself by hard work to the position of confidential man and head salesman. He then resigned from the Bloomingdale Clothing Company and went with the National Clothing Company in their branch store at Findlay. This company was a New York firm with branches in many cities. Mr. Moffitt took charge of the men's clothing department, and later for a year and a half was assistant buyer. The company finally assigned him to the management of the entire store, the largest store of its kind in Findlay. For 7 ½ years he managed the store, without any outside supervision, and he made the business pay as it never had paid before. This store was burned out March 17, 1910. At that time Mr. Moffitt had about $6,200 of live capital but better than this had the good will of all the wholesale houses and his credit rating was Al. Thus he started for himself, and is now the sole owner and proprietor of the National Clothing Company, one of the largest mercantile firms of Hancock County. It is evident that hard work has been an important factor in Mr. Moffitt's success. Another reason is undoubtedly the fact that he has considered no task beneath him, and he has a self respecting independent mind that is one of the most valuable assets of business or personal character. Mr. Moffitt has always been very systematic, and some of his commercial systems which he invented and copyrighted are now being employed in New York City houses. He has always been a firm believer in the principle of co-operation, and his employes have always benefited by the success of the entire business. Mr. Moffitt was born on a farm twelve miles west of Findlay, in Blanchard Township, Hancock County, December 25, 1871. His parents were Rinaldo and Nancy Jane (McClish) Moffitt. The family came originally from Moffitt in Southeastern Scotland, and Mr. Moffitt is of Scotch-Irish descent. His first Moffitt ancestry settled in Charleston, South Carolina. His father was a farmer by occupation. The early education of Clarence I. Moffitt was secured in the country schools of Hancock County, in the preparatory school at Ada, Ohio, and then the course of the business college in Chicago, since which his career has already been traced. Mr. Moffitt is a republican in national politics, but in local affairs is inclined to independence. He is a member of the Senate Literary Society, an associate member of the Up to Date Club, a member of the Church of Christ and superintendent of its Sunday school, and though he has no children of his own is a great lover of young people and is always willing to do much for them. In 1896 Mr. Moffitt married May B. Swartz, daughter of George H. and Vina (Downing) Swartz of Hancock County. Outside of his personal business Mr. Moffitt is a director and stockholder in the Findlay-Toledo Tire Company, a stockholder in the Findlay Orchard Company, and in spite of the demands made upon him by business cares has always taken a public spirited interest in his home city. In the 1914 primary his many friends forced him on the ticket at the last moment as a candidate for mayor. He was defeated by only eighty-seven votes, and he made practically no effort to secure his nomination. For some time Mr. Moffitt served as treasurer of the Anti-Saloon League of Hancock County. ROBERT T. VANCE is an expert teacher of business methods. He has himself filled positions in the commercial field, he knows all the details of general commercial methods, but his great success in life has been the training and teaching of others, and hundreds of his former pupils have filled positions of responsibility in the business world. In September, 1915, Mr. Vance established the Findlay Business Training School, which occupies the entire fourth floor of the Rawson Block. This school draws its pupils from all over Northwest Ohio. Mr. Vance himself is a graduate of the Chillicothe Business University, with the class of 1886. He is a thorough American, of Yankee stock and of Revolutionary ancestry. The Findlay Business Training School teaches the Gregg system of shorthand and also touch typewriting. The course of instruction also includes bookkeeping, commercial law, business English, penmanship and mathematics. Eighty pupils were graduated at the last term. This school runs all the year