200 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Nancy Ann, born June 29, 1839, died January 7, 1850. After his marriage Mr. Betts lived for several years in Seneca county. He then came to Sandusky county, bought a farm, and for two years lived with his father-in-law. In 1856 he purchased his present farm, and has occupied it ever since. He owns 114 well-cultivated acres, and engages in general farming. Mr. Betts cast his first Presidential vote for J. P. Hale, anti-slavery candidate for 1852, and in 1876 voted for Peter Cooper on the Greenback ticket. He has been a prominent member of Monticello Lodge No. 244, F. & A. M., for many years. He is a firm believer in Spiritualism, as was also his wife, who passed from earth in February, 1895. She was a lady of high mental and moral attainments. In political affairs Mr. Betts thinks the election of millionaires to Congress and the various State Legislatures is highly detrimental to the best interests of the people. Mr. Betts has a number of relatives on his mother's side residing near Rochester, N. Y., among them an aunt, Sarah Cox (sister to his mother), who is now at the advanced age of ninety years, with her faculties unimpaired. Mr. Betts' weight at the present time is 260 pounds. GEORGE A. BURMAN, of Woodville, Sandusky county, was born January 17, 1844, son of Ernest H. and Elizabeth (Maenert) Burman, the former of whom was born December 4, 1811, in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany. Ernest H. Burman was married in his native country, came to America in 1843, settling in Woodville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he bought eighty acres of land on which he made improvements. He died September 9, 1891, a member of the Lutheran Church. Our subject's mother was born in 1815, and died in 1875. Their children were Carrie, who died in Germany; Carrie, who married G. Otten; George A. ; Henry, who died when seven years old; Louis, a blacksmith, now living in Toledo; Harman, who works in the car shops at Toledo; Fred, who died in infancy; and Elizabeth, who married K. Kuhlman, of Ottawa county, Ohio. Mrs. George A. Burman is a daughter of H. H. arid Clara (Fochthous) Kuhlman, the former of whom was born in Hanover, in 1812, and died September 4, 1887; the mother was born in 1817, and is still living. They had six children: Henry Kuhlman, living at Woodville; Carrie, who married Fred Taulker; Eliza, who died when three years old; one that died in infancy; William, who is living on the old homestead; and the wife of our subject. George A. Burman and his wife were both born in the same house in Woodville township, she on July 21, 1851. Her parents came to America the year before his, and when his parents came they moved into the same house, and our subject was born while they were living there. They were both reared in Woodville township, and attended the primitive district schools. They were married November 16, 1871, and the children born to them were Carrie, born March 10, 1873, who died when one year old; George, born May 27, 1875, who is now a grocer of Tiffin, Ohio; Henry, born September 4, 1878, now studying for the ministry of the Lutheran Church, in Capitol University, Columbus, Ohio; Clara, born July 1, 1880, died August 19, 1882; and August, born October 18, 1883. Our subject as he grew to manhood found himself possessed of strong mechanical powers and of natural skill as a workman, and so without serving an apprenticeship he became a good carpenter and an all-around wood workman; he also became an engineer, and ran a stationary engine in the mills at Woodville for seventeen years, and he has worked in the Lake Shore yard in Toledo. He has never devoted his time to farming, but some years COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 201 since purchased the old homestead in Woodville township, which he now owns, and which contains eight good oil wells at present. Mr. Burman was one of the first men in this section to invest in the developing oil business here, and as the result of his investment he recently sold out his interest in his lease wells for $15,- 000. As a result of his ample means from this source he is now in good financial circumstances, but he still does some work himself to pass the time away. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Democrat. SAMUEL J. YETTER, junior member of the livery firm of Harvey & Yetter, and one of the popular and reliable business men of Clyde, was born in Townsend township, Sandusky county, February 6, 1866, a son of Charles and Mary (Speaker) Yetter, both of German descent. His father was born near Harrisburg, Penn., in 1840, and at the age of fifteen years came with his parents to Ohio, first locating at Chicago Junction, Huron county. Later he came to Sandusky county where he engaged in farming in Townsend township, and there the mother of our subject died at the age of thirty-two years. They were married near Castalia, Ohio, and by their union five children were born: (1) George, drowned in Lake Erie, off Kelly's Island, at the age of twenty-one years. He was captain of a fishing smack, could swim well, but was struck with a boom while turning the boat. (2) Henry is a farmer of Riley township, Sandusky county. (3) Samuel J. is next in order of birth. (4) Ella is the wife of G. W. Reddock, of Riley township. (5) Nettie is the wife of Ward Strohl, a hay dealer and presser, of Clyde. After the death of his first wife Mr. Yetter wedded Miss Lois Baker, and they have three children—Bert, John nie and Mabel. In political sentiment the father is a Republican. In the schools of Townsend township, Sandusky county, the early education of Samuel J. Yetter was received, after which he entered the public schools of Clyde, and for one term was a student at the Normal in Ada, Ohio. On the completion of his education he taught for one term, but at the end of that time returned home, where for a year he worked on the farm. He then entered a grocery store in Clyde, where he clerked some three years, and for the same length of time resided in Michigan. He then returned to Clyde, where for one year he served as hotel clerk, and in 1892 became interested in his present business, which he has since conducted with excellent success. The firm have the only first-class livery in the city, and they receive a liberal patronage. Though young in years Mr. Yetter is one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of Clyde, and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him. He has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, among whom he is familiarly known by the name of " Sammie." Socially, he is identified with the Royal Arcanum, while his political affiliations are with the Republican party. PETER J. BEIER, one of the worthy citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to Ohio, was born in Laembach, Kurferstanthum Hessan, Germany, a son of Joseph and Catherine (Geable) Beier, natives of the same country. They had a family of eight children, as follows: (1) Fronie, the eldest, was born in Germany, in 1831, and, is the wife of Michael Siferd, a farmer now living in Minnesota, by whom she has ten children. (2) Agnes is the wife of Miran Hoffman, and they have five children—Joseph, Annie, Frank, Clara, and Willie. (3) Maggie, born in 1833, 202 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. died and was buried in Germany in 1871. (4) John Joseph married Catherine Kirchgar, and they have eight children. (5) Annie is the wife of Conrad Busolt, a resident of Fremont, Ohio, and their family numbers eight children. (6) Peter J. is the next younger. (7) Budenz married Nicholas Goodbellat, and resides in Germany; they have three children. (8) Westena is the wife of Albert Konney, and they have one child, Nellie, born in 1883. In the land of his birth our subject was reared to manhood, and the days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed. He came to the United States and to Sandusky county, Ohio, in 1866, has been a resident of Rice township since 1874, when he purchased forty acres of land, which was still in its primitive condition, being covered with a thick growth of trees. He cleared all this himself, plowed and planted it, and in course of time the once wild tract was transformed into rich and fertile fields. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises eighty acres. In 1890 he built a house at a cost of $1, 550, and, in 1892, a barn at a cost of $1,000, and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has a well-improved place, and is meeting with good success in his undertakings. His possessions have been acquired entirely through his own efforts, and he may well be termed a self-made man, for he started out in life for himself empty-handed, and his success is the reward of labor and perseverance. On June 14, 1870, Mr. Beier was united in marriage with Catherine Beansack, a native of Fremont, Ohio, and twelve children were born to them, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Clara, May 28, 1871; Mary L., May 9, 1873; Lewis H., June 1, 1875; Frank J., March 12, 1877; Matilda C. , February 26, 1879; Charles M., December 21, 1881; William A., February 15, 1883; Leo J., March 13, 1885; Rudolph C., July 25, 1887; Rosa K., September 19, 1890; John A., June 8, 1892; Roman P., May 16, 1895. Of these, Clara became the wife of George Widman, and they have one son, Joseph, who was born in Sandusky township; Roman P. died May 21, 1895, and the rest are still under the parental roof. In his political views Mr. Beier is a Democrat; in religious belief he is a Catholic. AMOS BLANK, a prosperous and representative farmer of Woodville township, Sandusky county, was born April 20, 1841, and is a son of William and Anna (Hess) Blank. William Blank was born in north Cumberland county, Penn., in 1790, came west and settled near Rollersville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1836. He married Anna Hess, and they became the parents of eleven children, namely: George, David, Abraham, Peter, Amos, Mary, Elizabeth, Matilda, Melinda, William and Emeline, all now living but three. When Mr. Blank came to Ohio he rented a piece of land of J. M. King for two years, then moved to Madison township, Sandusky county, where he bought eighty acres of timber land, commenced clearing, and put up a cabin with a stone chimney. The country was very wild, and bears and wolves were plentiful and troublesome. The nearest mill was at Fremont, and it took several days to make the trip. Mr. Blank helped lay out and make most of the roads in the vicinity, and cleared up over 100 acres of land. He held several township offices, and always voted the Democratic ticket. At the time of his death he left 440 acres of valuable land. He died June 8, 1871, at the age of eighty-one years, five months and thirteen days; his wife died in 1844, and was laid to rest in Sugar Creek cemetery. On August 30, 1868, Amos Blank was united in marriage with Emma J. Clifford, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 203 who was born at Wellington, Lorain Co., Ohio, August 20, 1848, and they have had eight children, namely: Florence A., born January 1s, 1870, died July 11, 1871; Amos B., born October 24, 1871, unmarried and living at home, and has been in the oil business since 1889, having several hundred acres of oil land leased, also owner of 960 acres of land in Henry county, Ohio; Myrtie M., born May 17, 1873, married S. F. Osborne, a telegraph operator, July 1, 1893; John P. , born January 12, 1875; Iva B., born April 28, 1877, married Charles F. Haggerty, and they have one child—Charles Amos, born September 4, 1894; Willie H., born December 5, 1880; Bertha L., born March 15, 1882, and Effie J., born March 12, 1886. After his marriage Amos Blank operated a sawmill in Woodville township from 1866 to 1872, then sold out to Tille Brothers, and bought 120 acres of partly-cleared land. Recently he purchased a farm of 180 acres near Napoleon, Henry Co., Ohio, and removed on said farm, but still owns the 120-acre farm in Sandusky county. He raises bees very extensively, also cattle and horses, and carries on general farming. Mr. Blank donates liberally to the cause of religion and prohibition of the liquor traffic. In politics he was always a Democrat until 1886, when he joined the Prohibitionists, and has since worked hard for that party. Socially he is a Mason, is very popular, and much esteemed for his many good qualities. His grandparents were Hollanders, and his grandfather served in the war of 1812. CHARLES CLINK, a practical and progressive agriculturist of Woodville township, Sandusky county, was born December 23, 1843, in the township which is still his home, and is the second son of Caleb Clink. The family is well-known throughout this locality and his brothers—Jacob, Reuben and A. J.—are prominent farmers and stock dealers. In the district schools he acquired a fair education, while his father's farm afforded him physical training, and he was there employed from an early age until he had reached his twenty-fifth year. He then entered a dry-goods store at Woodville, where he spent three years in the capacity of clerk, after which he was for several years a salesman in a similar house in Elmore. He was employed in the same capacity for four years in Pemberville, and during all that period gave general satisfaction, winning for himself the good will of his employers, and the confidence of his customers. On leaving Pemberville, Mr. Clink returned to Woodville township, locating on an eighty-acre tract of timber land, on which he built a small frame house and installed his family therein. His next task was to remove the trees and stumps upon the place, and transform it into fields of rich fertility. Some of the timber was sold for manufacturing purposes, and tree after tree fell beneath his sturdy strokes until sixty acres had been cleared and highly cultivated, while a fine orchard of five acres yields to him its fruits in season. Good fences divide the place into fields of convenient size, the latest improved machinery is there seen, and the accessories and conveniences of a model farm may there be found. Mr. Clink has worked early and late to accomplish this desired result, and now has the satisfaction of being the owner of one of the finest farms in his section. The small frame house into which he first moved his family has been replaced by a large, substantial and ornamental dwelling which was erected at a cost of $1,800. The surrounding grounds present a picturesque appearance, and the neatness and taste there displayed indicate the progressive spirit of the owner. Mr. Clink was married February 28, 1869, in Pemberville, Ohio, to Miss Caroline Pember, daughter of Hiram Pember, 204 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in whose honor the town of Pemberville was named. He was born in New York, and there learned the trade of blacksmithing and iron working. In the Empire State he married Matilda Heath, and in 1832 removed to Ohio with his family, locating in Wood county, where, with others, he founded the town of Pemberville. Eight children were born of that marriage, three of whom are living: Adeline, the first white child born in that section of Wood county, and now the wife of Charles Stahler, a farmer of Pemberville; Stillwell, a retired farmer of Kansas; and Caroline, wife of our subject. The father died in 1878, the mother on September 2, 1874. Three children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Clink, viz. : Maud, born in Pemberville, Wood county, May 12, 1874, educated in Woodville township, Sandusky county, and married October 16, 1890, to B. I. Ross, a resident of Mansfield, Ohio, employed as a railroad engineer (he has been employed by the Pennsylvania Company twelve years); Claude, born September 5, 1876, in Woodville township, attended the district schools and the Normal of Ada, Ohio, and is now engaged in operating in the oil fields; the third child died in infancy. In 1884 Mr. and Mrs. Clink adopted a nine-weeks-old baby boy by the name of Frank C. Foster, who has since been one of the family. For six terms, Mr. Clink has been elected and served as supervisor, and has also been school director four years, discharging his duties with a fidelity worthy of all commendation. He is a member of the Foresters Association, and of the Masonic Lodge of Pemberville, while the family attend the Peoples Church of Woodville. Mrs. Clink is a member of the Lady Maccabees, Harmon Hive No. 36, and the son Claude, is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, DeMolay Tent No. 211. In their pleasant home Mr. and Mrs. Clink are enjoying the fruits of their former toil, and throughout the community are held in the highest regard by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. CHARLES B. HUTCHINSON, one of the leading and most progressive farmers of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, is a native of same, born in Green Creek township March 21, 1848. In all matters of public interest Mr. Hutchinson is wide-awake, and by his progressive ideas is doing much for the people of his native and neighboring townships. Nathaniel Hutchinson, great-grandfather of our subject, was a native and resident of Cambridge, whose three sons—John, Thomas and Joseph—in 1818 migrated to Clark county, Ohio. John after a short period, removed to Wabash, Ind., where he and his family fell victims to an epidemic of fever. Thomas remained in Ohio some twenty years, and then removed to La Grange county, Ind., where he died. Joseph, grandfather of Charles B., was born April 21, 1782, and was married in his native State, in October, 1805, to Mary A. Hodgman, who was born in Cambridge, Mass., October 10, 1783. After coming to Ohio they resided in Clark county until April, 1827, when they moved to Green Creek township, Sandusky county. Joseph Hutchinson was a mechanic, and followed his trade through life. After locating on a farm in Green Creek township he went to Monroeville, Ohio, and there worked for about six years, then returning to his farm and remaining until his death, in January, 1855; his wife died in 1851. This couple had eight children, as follows: Mary A., born September 9, 1807, married Ashel Franklin in Clark county, June 14, 1829, and died in May, 1848; Joseph H., born April 17, 1809, died November 24, 1823; Charlotte, born February 7, 1811, married S. S. Kellogg, of Huron county, February 10, 1831, died in Feb- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 205 ruary, 1854; Louisa, born September 12, 1814, who married Elisha Lake, and, after his death, Charles Petty, died in Woodbury county, Iowa; Josiah B., born November 30, 1817, died May 28, 1836; Alfred, father of Charles B., born September 17, 1820; Phcebe M., born May 29, 1825, married Noble Perin, who died in Andersonville prison during the war (she lives in Green Creek township); Joseph, born May 29, 1830, fatally crushed by a loaded wagon, from which he fell. Alfred Hutchinson was seven years old when his parents settled in Green Creek township. The schools at that period were very primitive; but he received the best education the locality afforded. At the age of eighteen years he began an apprenticeship to the brick-layer's and plasterer's trade, which he followed for about thirty years. He was married April 6, 1843, to Mary M. Dirlam, born in Massachusetts August 18, 1823, daughter of Orrin and Annis (Gibbs) Dirlam, both born in Blandford, Mass., the former on February 22, 1792, the latter on August 18, 1797. Annis Dirlam died in Massachusetts November 6, 1830, and three years later Orrin Dirlam migrated with his seven children to Green Creek township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he entered a large tract of land. These seven children were as follows: Sarah, born September 28, 1818, married Samuel Chapin, and died in Clyde September J0, 1873; Orrin M., born February 7, 1820, died in 1889 in Sullivan, Ashland county; Dolly Almira, born October 27, 1821, married Merlin Babcock, and died March 26, 1848; Mary M. ; Franklin, born December 12, 1824, resident of Townsend township, Sandusky county; James M., born February 21, 1826, a resident of Wood county; and Spencer, who died in infancy. For his second wife Orrin Dirlam married Elvira Smith, who was born in Massachusetts April 18, 1807. By this marriage he had nine children: Henry S., born February 9, 1843, who enlisted in the army at Cleveland, and while acting captain of his company was seriously wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, dying from the effects of the wound December 18, 1865; Zadoc, born September 16, 1836, resident of Clyde; Verrazano, born July 25, 1839, served in the army and died August 3, 1882; Theodore, born January 22, 1842, participated in the one-hundred-days' service, now living in Lorain county; Sidney, born September 8, 1844, a resident of New London; Minerva, born January 2, 1847, died November 8, 1879; Walter S., born January 28, 1853, a resident of Lorain county; and two children who died young. Orrin Dirlam was the father of sixteen children, fourteen of whom grew to maturity. He died at Huntington, Lorain county, May 20, 1882. The children born to Alfred and Mary M. (Dirlam) Hutchinson were as follows: Zemira, born December 2, 1844, enlisted in Company A, Seventy-second O.V. I., and died in prison at Florence, S. C., October 30, 1864; Charles B., subject of this sketch; Fred, born January 28, 1861, married Mabel Lay, daughter of William E. Lay, and has five sons-Clare, Ernest, Karl, Frank and Ralph; Fred lives on a farm in Green Creek township. Alfred Hutchinson died on the old homestead in Green Creek township in 1889, and his widow at this writing still resides there. Neither had been identified with any Church organization, but both believed in and followed practical Christianity. Their lives have been illustrations of their belief that to do good is the highest function of man. Alfred Hutchinson during his lifetime was recognized as one of the leading citizens of his community, and he was elected to many of the township offices. Charles B. Hutchinson, his son, is likewise one of the most prominent men of the township to-day. He possesses business ability of an advanced order, and his capacity is demonstrated by his visible works. He was thoroughly educated in 206 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the common branches, and in addition attended the Clyde High School. On November 16, 1864, when only sixteen years old, he enlisted in Company B, Second U. S. A. Regulars, and was in service four months when his parents, on account of his youth, succeeded in getting him back on the farm. When a few days under twenty years of age, March 17, 1868, he married Miss Emma Strickland, who was born in Clyde in April, 1850. They started young in life, but during the happy and successful career that followed they have never had cause to regret their early marriage. Seven children have been born to them, five of whom survive, as follows: Dr. A. F., who is a graduate of Clyde High School and of the class of 1893 in the Medical Department of the University of Michigan (he married Miss Mildred Ward, and is now practicing medicine at Banfield, Barry Co., Mich.); Chella, a Clyde High School graduate of 1892, at home; Lotta, Lou and Delmer. Claude died at the age of eight years and Floyd at the age of four years. Since his marriage Mr. Hutchinson has been engaged in farming. He owns 115 acres of choice land, and in his methods no farmer of the township is more progressive or successful. In politics he is a Republican. He is taking pains to carefully educate his children, and in all things he is public-spirited and enterprising. HENRY MILLER was born in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio, September 23, 1835, son of Fred and Sophia (Mintkink) Miller, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to America in 1835, and settled in Toledo, Ohio. Fred Miller secured a position in a sawmill in Toledo, and worked there about two months; then removed to Woodville, Sandusky county, where he bought twenty-five acres of timberland as an investment. This he sold a short time afterward, and then bought eighty acres, later eighty more, and lived on this land till 1865, when he moved to the village of Woodville, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1873; his widow passed away in 1890. Seven children were born to Fred and Sophia Miller, as follows: Frederick, who lives in the village of Woodville; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Sophia, who married John Horseman; William, who lives in the village of Woodville; Detrick, Mary and Harmon. At the tender age of three years Henry Miller was taken sick with an affection known as the rickets, and from that time until his sixteenth year he was confined to his bed. After that he improved somewhat, and endeavored to secure an education, of which he felt the need, all the more as the disease had left him unfit for manual labor. In 1859 he went to work for Jacob Nagle, as an apprentice to learn the harness-maker's trade. Afterward he entered into the service of Daniel Coe, in the harness business in Elmore, Harris township, Ottawa county, and remained there four years. In 1864 Mr. Miller bought out his employer. Shortly afterward his place of business was burned, and he then came back to Woodville, Sandusky county, and entered into the harness business. Here he has conducted business ever since. He is a Republican in politics, and in religious connection is a member of the German Methodist Church. HUFFORD FAMILY. The great ancestor from whom have descended the Huffords now living in Sandusky county, Ohio, was Jacob Hufford. He was born in Maryland in 1772, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. It was in his native State COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 207 that he met and married Miss Catharine Creager, and shortly after their marriage they came to Kentucky, where for a few years Mr. Hufford worked at his trade. About 181 1 they emigrated to Greene county, Ohio, where they lived until 1836, during which time Mr. Hufford continued at his trade, and it was here that his children—Cornelius, Jacob, Elizabeth, James, Levi, William, Isaac and Catharine—were born and brought up. In 1836 this ancestor came to Sandusky township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he purchased, in Section 31, 200 acres of land, which was held in the family until about 1881. After his death, in 1851, the land was owned by his sons, Jacob and William. None of the children of this old pioneer are now living, the last one, James, having died in the spring of 1895. The descendants of the children of Jacob, the pioneer, are now, many of them, living in Sandusky county, and it is of one of them, William T. Hufford, and of his father, James, whose portraits are here given, that we now write. JAMES HUFFORD, the third son of Jacob Hufford, was born November 23, 1812, in Greene county, Ohio, and came with his parents to Sandusky county, in 1836. Here hestarted in life for himself, his only endowments being good health and a determination to accomplish something in the world. In June, 1837, he was married to Miss Susan Arnold, of Greene county, and to them were born three children: George W., born in 1838, and died at Memphis, Tenn., during the Rebellion, a member of the Seventy-second Regiment, O. V. I.; Harriet A., who married William Slates; and Joseph M., born in 1845, and died in 1868. Mrs. Hufford was called from earth June 23, 1846, and was buried in Muskalonge Cemetery. On December 24, 1847, Mr. Hufford was married to Elizabeth Fisher, of Sandusky county. She was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 9, 1829, and came with her parents to Sandusky county when eight years of age, where she has since lived. Mrs. Hufford is a daughter of William and Jane (Anderson) Fisher, the former 0f whom was born and married in Virginia, and to them were born five children, three of whom are now living: Mrs. Hufford, George Fisher and Mrs. Margaret Hummell; the father died in 1872, the mother in 1831. To Mr. Hufford by his second wife was born one child, William T. Hufford, whose sketch follows. James Hufford was a highly esteemed citizen, and an affectionate husband and father. He was a very intimate friend of Dr. Wilson, president of the First National Bank, of Fremont, Ohio. By hard work and strict integrity he accumulated a handsome property, west of Fremont. At his death, which occurred March 31, 1895, he owned 277 acres of as fine land as can be found in Sandusky county. Mr. Hufford had all of his business settled, his will executed and his son, William, appointed executor of his estate. The property is to remain intact during the life of Mrs. Hufford, then descend to the children---William T., and his half sister. WILLIAM T. HUFFORD was born September 26, 1851, in Sandusky township. He was educated in the high school at Fremont, Ohio, and was for seven years a teacher in the Sandusky county public schools. On December 25, 1873, Mr. Hufford was married to Miss Sarah J. Rideout, of Sandusky county. Since their marriage they have resided on the old homestead, on which, in 1894, Mr. Hufford erected one of the finest dwellings to be found in Sandusky county, either in the city or country, the plan of the house being designed by Mr. Hufford, himself. It is finished inside in oak, which Mr. Hufford took from his own timber lot. The style of the house, both inside and outside, is modern in every way; the sitting-room and parlor are provided with handsome grates and mantels. The house is heated from cellar to garret by a furnace, thus freeing the rooms from all dust and 208 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. litter attending the use of stoves. On entering the sitting-room from the porch one is brought in front of a fine piano, which instrument is played by Mrs. Hufford herself, while at either end of the piano stands a base viol, and on top of the piano lies a violin, which instruments are played by the two boys at home. The musical development of those who inhabit the house serves to make the modern architecture of the building more highly appreciated. Mr. Hufford, like his father, is a thorough business man, and highly respected by all who know him. His ability to give facts and dates connected with the lives of his ancestry is remarkable, thus showing that any subject that in any way engrosses his attention is thoroughly mastered. To William T. Hufford and his wife have come three children: (1) Eugene L., born September 26, 1874, whose education was completed in Adrian College, Michigan; he was married April 3, 1894, to Estella Smith, of Sandusky county. (2) James F., born April 13, 1877, and (3) Ray V., born May 4, 1884. Mrs. Hufford, the estimable wife of our subject, was born December 25, 1853, in Sandusky county, where she received her education in the country schools. She has paid considerable attention to music, and it is from their mother that the children inherit their musical taste. Mrs. Hufford is the daughter of William and Mary Ann (Huggins) Rideout, the former of whom was born February 10, 1819, a carpenter by trade, though he followed farming as his principal occupation; he died April 6, 1892. His wife was born March 4, 1822. To them were born six children, Mrs. Hufford being next to the youngest, and the only daughter in the family; her brother, Lafayette, died at Fort Ethan Allen, Va., July 3, 1864 (he belonged to the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment, O. V. I.); another brother, Frank, lives in Ottawa, Ill., and two other brothers, Arthur and John, live in Tuscola, Illinois. HIRAM P. DEYO, one of the prosperous and influential farmers of York township, Sandusky county, was born in Erie county, Ohio, December 31, 1845, son of John P. and Sarah A. (Foster) Deyo. John P. Deyo, better known as " Dr. Deyo," for in his younger years he was an active practitioner of medicine, still survives at the ripe old age of ninety years, and is now a member of his son Hiram's household. He was born December 14, 1804, in Ulster county, N. Y., and when about nineteen years of age migrated to Ontario county in the same State. At Geneva he studied medicine under a preceptor, and began to practice. In the spring of 1833 he migrated to Ohio, making the journey on horseback. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Ketcham) Deyo, both of whom were born in New York, east of the Hudson river, also migrated to Ohio. William Deyo, the son of Henry Deyo, of Holland birth, was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and died in his pioneer home in Erie county, Ohio, at the age of sixty-five years. He had served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife, Elizabeth Ketcham, was of New England parentage. She lived to the age of eighty-six years. Dr. John P. Deyo settled in Huron county, four and one-half miles north of Bellevue, and was the pioneer physician in that locality, making his visits on horseback and carrying his medicines about with him in saddlebags. After his father's death he quit the active practice of his profession and settled on the old homestead in Erie county, which was part of the " Firelands," and which had been purchased before he moved to Ohio. He was married, April 4, 1836, to Sarah Foster, who was born in Erie county, N. Y., March 24, 1819. To Dr. and Mrs. Deyo were born the following children: Maria L., born in Erie county November 9, 1840, married to Henry Miller and living in Clyde; Allen H., COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 209 born June I, 1843, now a farmer near Sedalia, Mo. ; Hiram P., subject of this sketch; Frank F., born December 2, 1847, living at Pekin, Ill. ; B. W., born November 11, 1850, a resident of Clio, Mich. ; Delavan J., born November 18, 1852, implement dealer at Sandusky city; William J., born April 29, 1855, died March 5, 1858; Fred W., born September 10, 1858, a salesman at Sandusky city; and two children, who died in infancy. Hiram P. Deyo grew to manhood on the home farm in Erie county, attending the district schools and also taking a term or two at Milan. He was married, January 6, 1870, to Francis P. Thompson, who was born in Thompson township, Seneca Co., Ohio, November 5, 1845, daughter of William and Hannah (Holman) Thompson. William Thompson when a boy came from Pennsylvania with his parents, who settled in Thompson township, Seneca county. He died at the age of seventy-five years, in Erie county. Children as follows were born to William and Hannah Thompson: Sarah Ann, who married Theophilus Gardner, and is now deceased; Delia, wife of Charles Russell, of York township; Josiah, who lives on the old homestead; William H., of Thompson township, Seneca county, and Celesta M. wife of S. E. Bardwell, of Erie county. Mr. Deyo has been a lifelong farmer, except for about eight months, when he was on the road as a Baltimore & Ohio express messenger. He came from Erie county to York township, Sandusky county, purchasing the excellent farm of eighty-seven acres which he now cultivates. Mr. Deyo affiliates with the People's party, and himself and wife are consistent members of the M. E. Church. They have one child, Miss Stella Deyo, a handsome and highly-accomplished young lady. She taught her first school at the age of fourteen years, and has since taken a thorough course of instruction in the Musical Conservatory at Oberlin. She is now a teacher of vocal and instrumental music, and is one of the most popular belles in the social life of Sandusky county. CHARLES HURLBUT. This young and enterprising agriculturist and oil speculator of Madison township, Sandusky county, was born February 28, 1867, son of E. A. and Christina (Blank) Hurlbut. He is a representative of prominent families of the community, being a nephew of Amos and Abraham Blank, leading farmers of Sandusky county. When Charles was quite a young man his father went west, and he then lived with his uncle, Abraham Blank, who cared for him and his mother. His elementary education was obtained in the schools of Woodville township, Sandusky county, and for a short period he pursued his studies in Gibsonburg, afterward working on his uncle's farm until he had arrived at years of maturity. Having a desire to to see the Western States, he started in 1888 for California, traveling through Colorado, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico, and at last reaching the Golden State. He visited many portions of California, spending some time in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and other points of interest, and upon the return trip he visited Kansas, remaining some months in that State. On reaching Ohio again, he took up his residence upon his uncle's farm, which has been his home continuously since. Three years ago he entered into partnership with his uncles and other enterprising business men of the township in the formation of a company for oil speculation, of which he was made secretary and treasurer. This concern, which is a purely local one, is meeting with good success. Besides aiding in the operation of the large farm belonging to his uncle, Mr. 210 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Hurlbut himself owns 140 acres of rich and arable land in another part of the township, which is now highly cultivated and on which he is making some extensive improvements. On September 25, 1890, Mr. Hurlbut led to the marriage altar Miss Elsie R. Krotzer, a daughter of Ira W. Krotzer, a farmer of Madison township, Sandusky county. Two children bless this happy marriage—Ira W., born August 2, I 891, and Walter H., born July 15, 1893. Mr. Hurlbut is a very intelligent and enterprising young man, and, possessing good business tact and ability, has met with success in his undertakings. Within the past year he has erected a beautiful home, the finest in the neighborhood, which stands as a monument to his industry. He possesses a genial, affable disposition, is widely and favorably known throughout the county, and is popular with all. His business integrity is above question, and commands universal confidence and respect. Socially he is connected with Gibsonburg Lodge No. 687, I. 0. 0. F., and in politics he supports principles rather than party, and is a stalwart silverman. GEORGE BOWE, son of George Bowe, Sr., and Catherine (Wegstein) Bowe, was born August 1, 1835, on the old homestead in Section 7, Scott township, Sandusky county, and where his brothers first saw the light. In May, 1861, Mr. Bowe was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bordner, of Freeport, Ohio, and shortly after their marriage they settled in Section 18, Scott township, where they remained three years; about 1863 he built a house on his own farm and removed there. Sixty acres of his farm were heavily timbered at that time, which he has cleared and made of it one of the model farms of the township; later Mr. Bowe added to his first piece of land until he now has 210 acres. In addition to his arduous work as a fanner he followed threshing for twenty-eight years, wearing out several machines and making money at the business. Like his brothers, Mr. Bowe entered into the oil business, and like them made several leases of his farm before one was made that resulted in any practical benefit. Finally, February 17, 1895, he leased his farm to the Sun Oil Company, for one-sixth of the oil produced. Four wells are now being operated, and a well is to be put in each sixty days until twelve wells are down. The wells now in operation produce about twelve barrels of oil per day, or six barrels each. The oil is pumped to Toledo through an oil pipe. While a well was being put down on his neighbor's land Mr. Bowe's barn accidentally took fire and was completely destroyed. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowe have come children as follows: W. M., born February 25, 1862, resides on the old farm; he was married October I, 1885, to Rosette Day, of Rising Sun, Ohio, and they have one child, Shurley, born October 20, I 889. Ellen Catherine, born June 19, 1864, is the wife of Wilbert Phillips. Charles Henry, born October 30, 1866, married Ellen Roush, of Rising Sun, Ohio. Fanny is Mrs. W. Day, of Rising Sun. Mary Elizabeth, born July 8, 1861, was a teacher in Sandusky county a few years before her marriage; she married J. H. Burnette, of Rising Sun. R. G., born May I, 1873, was also a teacher for two years. Roscoe F. was born December 19, 1877. Verna L. was born February 11, 1880. Mrs. Bowe was born October, 1838, a daughter of Michael and Leah (Buchtel) Bordner. When she was only a young girl her mother died, and she was obliged to assist in the household duties for her father. Michael Bordner was born February 28, 1812, in Pennsylvania, where he lived until he was fifteen years old. He then came to Stark county, Ohio, where, on COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 211 December 11, 1834, he married Miss Leah Buchtel, of that county. For eight years he worked at shoemaking, but during the latter part of his active life he followed agricultural pursuits. He is now living in Bradner, Wood county, at the age of eighty-three years, a pleasant and genial old gentleman. His wife died in 1859, and was buried in the Bradner Cemetery. To them were born children, the names and dates of birth being as follows: Henry, September 9, 1836, died in the Civil war; Mary, Mrs. Bowe; Lucy, January 25, 1841, died September 24, 1894; Calvin, April 30, 1843, who died July 28, 1862, in the army; Rachel, August 9, 1846; Ellen, September 14, 1848; Alfred, January 28, 1851; and Sarah, March 24, 1855. After the death of his first wife Mr. Bordner married Miss Polly Yohe, who is also deceased. Peter Bordner, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Bowe, was born about the year 1766 in Pennsylvania, and died in 1816; his wife, Catherine (Cotherman), was born in 1770 and died in 1866. Mrs. Bowe's maternal grandfather, Henry Buchtel, was born about 1790 and died in 1875; his wife, Elizabeth Ayers, was born about 1791, and died in 1850. They had fifteen children—two sons and thirteen daughters. George Bowe, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in France in 1802, came to America in 1832, settling in New York State, near Buffalo, where he remained three years, thence moving to Ohio, where in Scott township he entered 210 acres of land, one-half for his sister, and the balance for himself. In the winter of 1834-35 he married Catherine Wegstein, a daughter of Michael Wegstein, and born in Baden, Germany, 1813. To them were born ten children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being: George (our subject), Jacob, Frederick, Henry, Michael, Jr., David and Mary C. ; Frederick and Mary C., died some time ago; the others are yet living. Mr. Bowe's father was an old pioneer of Scott township. He owned at one time 600 acres of land, which he divided among his children, thus giving each a start in life, from which they have progressed and become well-to-do, highly esteemed by all who know them. His wife, the mother of our subject, died July 9, 1891, and was buried in the Bradner Cemetery. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Michael Wegstein, was born about the year 1779 in Baden, Germany, where he was married. In 1832 he started for America, and during the voyage his wife died and was buried in mid-ocean. In his family there were six children, of whom only two are living; one son, Capt. Michael Wegstein, of Company H, Seventy-second Ohio Regiment, was killed at the battle of Shiloh. J. M. YEAGLE is of that type of citizenship most valuable to any community. That people is perhaps best governed that is least governed; but the withholding of governmental restraint is only possible when the people are in themselves sufficiently self-restrained. Mr. Yeagle has learned the value of attending strictly to his own business, and also of attending to it well. Denied the advantage of a higher education himself, he has made it a duty to give to his children that which he lacked. Our subject was born in Sandusky county February 26, 1846, son of Michael and Sarah (Kreilick) Yeagle, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, and died in December, 1893, a respected farmer of Sandusky county. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith a Lutheran. His wife, also a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1813, and died at the age of sixty-five years. They had seven children, as follows: Mary, wife of John Faden, of Ottawa county; Jeremiah; Henry; Catherine, who married John Henrick; J. M., sub- 212 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ject of this sketch; Sarah, who married Joseph Leiser, and Lavina, who married Israel Burkett. J. M. Yeagle grew up in the county of his birth, attending the schools of Rice township. In 1871 he married Miss Mary Flatz, who was born in Germany, May 30, 1848, and after his marriage he purchased and settled on a farm in Salem township, Ottawa county, where he remained about ten years. He then farmed for two years near Fremont, and in 1890 purchased his present farm of seventy acres in Green Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Yeagle have six children: Cyrus, born October 15, 1871, who was married May 1, 1894, to Pheama Tuttle, and lives at Toledo; John, born December 28, 1872, a graduate of Green Spring Academy, and a student at Adelbert College, Cleveland; Irene, born April 7, 1875, a student at the Fremont schools; Charles, born April 20, 1876, also a student of Green Spring Academy; Michael, born July 1, 1878. attendiug the Clyde High School, and William, born January 26, 1881. Mr. Yeagle is a fruit and grain farmer. He has highly improved his productive acres, and last year he erected one of the best frame residences in Green Creek township. He is progressive in his views and well-to-do. His easy financial situation is due to his own industry and to the care and management which he has bestowed upon his property. SAMUEL BOOR has pushed his way through the ranks of the many, and stands among the successful few, being numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of Scott township, Sandusky county. He is also one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, and a valued and progressive citizen. Mr. Boor was born in Bedford county, Penn., August 27, 1835, and when a child came with his patents to Sandusky county, the lather purchasing 160 act es of land in Jackson township for $500. This he cleared, making for himself and family a comfortable home in which he spent his remaining days. He, too, was a native of Bedford county, born in 1799, and was descended from Holland ancestry, while his wife, who was born in 1804, was of French-Irish lineage. They had a family of ten children, namely: Josiah, May E., Margaret, Jane C., W. C., Samuel, Annie, James, S. E., and F. M., eight of whom are now living. James entered the naval service during the Civil war, and died while defending his country. The maternal grandmother of our subject was born about 1766, and made the journey from the Keystone State to Ohio in a carriage, returning by the same conveyance. Mr. Boor, whose name opens this review, remained on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he made a trip to Kansas, at the time of the great slavery agitation there; but there was too much danger and excitement connected with life in that State, and he removed elsewhere, spending a year in the West. He then returned to his old home in Sandusky county, and after the opening of hostilities joined the boys in blue of Company I, Seventy-second O. V. I. When his three-years' term expired he re-enlisted, continuing at the front until the close of the war. He was actively engaged in many battles, including Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Nashville and Mobile, and at the first named received a bullet wound in the right leg, though he fought the remainder of the day. The succeeding day, however, he was unable to walk. He was a loyal, faithful soldier, in whom the Union cause found an able defender. On the close of hostilities Mr. Boor returned to his home. On September 11, 1869, he married Miss Ellen Snyder, who was born in 1847, daughter of George N. and Mary (Harmon) Snyder, of Scott township, Sandusky county, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 212 Her father is still living in Scott township, at the advanced age of eighty-seven. He was born March 6, 1808, in Pennsylvania, son of Philip and Elizabeth (Newman) Snyder, the former of whom was born in 1770. In an early day George N. Snyder came to Sandusky county, and he voted at the first election held in Scott township, more than fifty years ago, ranking among the honored pioneers. On April 14, 1834, he wedded Mary Harmon, and they had six children—one who died in infancy; Elizabeth; M. L. ; Harvey; Mary Ellen, and Sarah. The mother of this family died, and on June 20, 1872, Mr. Snyder married Mrs. Alexander Houston, who was born December 14, 1825. Upon their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boor located upon the farm which has since been their home—originally a part of the farm owned by John Scott, in honor of whom the township was named. Our subject has seen the forest give way before the woodman's axe, the log cabin supplanted by the commodious dwelling and the ox-sled replaced by modern vehicles. He has aided in the general work of improvement and development, having his own farm under a high state of cultivation, good fences enclosing well-tilled fields, ample barns and outbuildings providing shelter for grain and stock, while a substantial residence, built in modern style of architecture and roofed with slate, is the pleasant home of the family. In addition to his extensive farming interests, Mr. Boor is largely engaged in buying and selling stock, frequently purchasing cattle in Chicago, which he fattens and ships to Buffalo. He has found this a profitable branch of his business. His career is that of a self-made man who has worked his way upward from a humble position to one of affluence, and he deserves great credit for his success in life. Mr. and Mrs. Boor had five chidren, two of whom died in infancy: Mary was born July 28, 1873; Jessie, born October 6, 1876, is successfully engaged in teaching in Sandusky county; J. C., born January 12, 1880, is at home. The family occupies an enviable position in social circles, and the Boor household is noted for its hospitality. Mr. Boor has served for several years as trustee of his township, and for two years was county commissioner of Sandusky county, discharging his duties with the same fidelity and conscientiousness which characterized his military career. JACOB CRAMER, a farmer of Jackson township, Sandusky county, was born April 1, 1857, in the township where he now resides. His father, Conrad Cramer, was born November 10, 1811, and in 1841 married Catharine Miller, who was born April 1, 1818, daughter of Isaac Miller, of Alsace, Germany, a market gardener by occupation, whose other children were Barbara and Margaret. Our subject's grandparents lived and died in Hessen Cassel, Germany. His grandfather was a brewer by trade, and also owned and operated 100 acres of land in Germany. Jacob Cramer was one of a family of five children: Conrad, born in 1844, who is a wholesale grocer of Toledo, Ohio, married Miss Hulda Swigart, and has two children—Frances and Roy; politically he is a Republican. Anna, born in 1846, married Henry Lance, a farmer of Riley township, and has two children—Frank and Myrtie; he is a member of the U. B. Church. Catharine, born in 1848, became the wife of John Hollinger, a dealer in agricultural implements, and a member of the firm of Hollinger & Palmer, of Fremont, Ohio; in politics he is a Democrat. Jacob is our subject. William, born in 1865, a farmer by occupation, married Miss Amanda Smith, of Jackson township, and their children are Walter, 214 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Frank and Esther; he affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a member of the U. B. Church. Jacob Cramer remained at home with his parents until his twenty-first year, working on the farm, and saving enough money to buy fifty-two acres of land in the spring of 1882. This he sold three years later and bought the forty-acre lot where he now resides for $3,200; he has since that time bought forty acres more in Seneca county. His home farm is situated eleven miles west of Fremont, and two miles north of Kansas, Ohio. Mr. Cramer is a strong Prohibitionist, and in religious connection is a member of the U. B. Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. On December 1, 1881, he married Mary J. Humphrey, who was born December 24, 1860, a daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Humphrey (deceased). They have two children—Cora May, born August 21, 1883, and Clarence J., born November 14, 1886. NELSON R. TUCKER, a prosperous farmer and extensive landowner of Sandusky township, Sandusky county, was born April 16, 1823, in Jefferson county, N. Y. The great ancestor of this TUCKER family came from England to America before the Revolutionary war, and settled in Massachusetts. He was a farmer. One of his sons, Caleb Tucker, married Miss Kate Billins, at Shrewsbury, Mass, where he afterward carried on farming. Here, according to the custom of the times, he bought a colored man-servant to assist him in farming, and a colored female-servant to help his wife about the housework. They treated these slaves kindly, finally giving them their liberty. Caleb Tucker afterward bought a farm near Johnstown, N. Y., where he reared a family of eleven children, namely: Nathaniel B., Melinda, Hiram, Caleb, Katie, Parrnelia, Henry, Harriet, Thomas, Jane and Ezekiel. Nathaniel B. Tucker was born October 29, 1797, and on June 16, 1821, married Miss Mary Ann Ballard, daughter of Rufus and Martha (Swartwout) Ballard. Rufus Ballard was a son of Thomas Ballard, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who lived in the Mohawk Valley, Montgomery county, N. Y., and was the owner of several slaves, who worked as farm hands. The children of Nathaniel B. and Mary Ann Tucker were: Nelson R., Mary, Henry and Phoeba. In 1825 the family moved from Jefferson county, N. Y., to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., which was then a wilderness, and they at first had only one neighbor within a radius of eight miles. About the year 1835 they moved to Jefferson county, and in 1836 again located in St. Lawrence county. About the year 1838 Nathaniel Tucker took a prospective trip west, and traded his fifty acres in New York for eighty acres in Sandusky county, Ohio, whither the faMily moved in June, 1839, proceeding to Sackett's Harbor, where they took boat for Buffalo, thence to Cleveland, thence to Portland (now Sandusky City), and thence across the country to their desination near the mouth of Muskalonge creek, about five miles north of Lower Sandusky, now Fremont. They made the trip of 600 miles in seven days. Their money had dwindled down to $27 in specie, which Mr. Tucker now paid out for a cow and a barrel of flour. He found work among some neighbors at fifty cents per day, and he once took an eight-days' job of " grubbing" for Mr. Thomas Holcomb for a pig that weighed sixty pounds. Being a shoemaker by trade, he soon found work among neighbors at cobbling, or " whipping the cat," as it was called. After working for Jeremiah Everett on a farm during the hot weather of July, Mr. Tucker and his son Nelson were taken ill with bilious fever, and the rest of the family also took sick, one after the other, with COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 215 the same malady, until there was not one left well enough to hand the rest a drink of water. Kind neighbors, however, came to look after them until those who were first sick began to recover. Their first family doctors were L. Q. Rawson and P. Beaugrand. By patient endurance of privations, self-denying sacrifices, untiring industry, and prudent management this pioneer family gradually improved their condition and rose to competence. Nathaniel Tucker was a lithe, active man, of medium height, with blue eyes and a light complexion. He was of a social disposition, and in his younger days was an expert dancer. He and his wife became members of the M. E. Church in New York State, and after settling in Sandusky county united with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ at a revival meeting held by Rev. M. Long, in their neighborhood, in 1840. Religious services were held for many years in the Tucker schoolhouse, which was built on the Tucker farm. Mr. Tucker died at the home of his son, Nelson R. Tucker, July 15, 1884, at the age of eighty-seven years, eight months, seventeen days, and was buried in Brier Hill Cemetery, near his old farm. His venerable wife survives him to cheer their grandchildren by her acts of kindness and her stories of pioneer experiences. She was a member of the Pioneer and Historical Society of Sandusky County, and at the last picnic previous to her death took the annual " bouquet " given to the oldest lady pioneer present.. She passed away September 19, 1892, at the age of ninety-one years, three months, nineteen days. She was buried beside her husband. Nelson R. Tucker came to Sandusky county at the age of sixteen, and remained in his father's family until after he was married. Among his recollections of childhood days is a trip he once made, at the age of eight, to mill on horseback, five miles, with a sack of wheat, returning with the flour. On leaving home he - 14 - bought eighty acres of land in Washington township, but finding it too stony he sold it and bought in Sandusky township the site of his present home, where he now owns 240 acres of fertile land, which has been extensively tiled. He follows general farming and takes pride in raising the best crops of grain and grass, and the most profitable breeds of live stock. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Tucker was a decided Union man. In his earlier years he was a Democrat until the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, when he joined the Republican party; subsequently he became a Greenbacker, and more recently has cast his influence with the Peoples party. He was the first organizer of the Farmers Alliance in Sandusky county, where he organized thirteen lodges, and he served as their lecturer. He is now one of the leading members of the Patrons of Industry of Sandusky county, and in all things that pertain to the advancement and progress of his neighborhood Mr. Tucker has ever been in the front rank. He has been in advance of his time, but on account of his enterprise and push he has succeeded in bringing the community to his standard. Through his efforts was brought about the construction of the Oak Harbor and Fremont pike, which was opposed at first and is now admired. On March 16, 1843, Nelson R. Tucker married Miranda Burgoon, daughter of Peter Burgoon, one of the pioneers of Sandusky county. Their children were: Adelia M., born July 9, 1844, and died in infancy; Barrette, born October 26, 1845, and died when eleven months old; Martha Ann, born January 17, 1848, is unmarried, and lives on the old farm; Mary E., born November 26, 1851, married John C. Parish, now deceased, and had four children—Perry, Foster C., Boswell E., and Gouldie L. ; Rachel T., born November 20, 1853, who married Peter Klinhaunce, and had children as follows—Nelson, Sadie, Rod- 216 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ney and Bessie; Hattie, born January 14, 1855, who married Charles Baker, and has one child —Glenn; Nellie Ida, born November 24, 1857, who married R. R. Strubble, and has one child—Carl; Julia, born December 24, 1859, who married D. B. Hartmann, and their children are —Ralph, Rollo, Roswell, Roscoe and Mabel; Charles G., born March 7, 1861, who married Minnie E. Nowlan, December 6, 1883, and has had four children—Harry Lee, Elmer R., Mae E., and Ada; Lillie V., born January 14, 1865, who was married April 18, 1889, to G. W. Strang, and has two children—Ray and Paul; John P., born January 16, 1867, who married Fannie Hartman, and lives on the farm. Mr. Tucker was educated in the district school; he is a man of fine appearance and large physique, and an ardent member of the Peoples party. The mother of this large family passed to the home beyond February 3, 1895. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tucker were noted for their generosity, kindness and charity. They took great pleasure in lending a helping hand to everybody, and especially to people in times of need. They succeeded in instilling good principles in their children. And as they pass from this life the community where they have lived realizes that they have been bettered by their having lived in it. SAMUEL FOSTER, one of the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Washington township, Sandusky county, is a native of same, born in the village of Hessville, February 16, 1838, a son of John and Susan (Runkle) Foster. The parents of our subject, well-to-do farming people, were both born in Perry county, Ohio, to which State the paternal ancestry came from Pennsylvania, and the maternal from the State of Virginia. In Washington township, Sandusky county, John Foster, father of Samuel, pur- chased of the government 160 acres of timber land, and removed thither in 1832. This property he set to work to clear and improve, in course of time developing a fine farm. Here our subject's mother died in January, 1855, the father subsequently marrying Mrs. Catherine (Overmeyer) Foster, widow of his brother. John Foster was called from earth January 30, 1889, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran Church. He was one of seven children, all of whom are now deceased. His second wife died September 30, 1888. Samuel Foster, whose name introduces this sketch, is one of six children: Christian, a farmer of Wood county, Ohio; Samuel; Noah, a farmer of Washington township, Sandusky county; Emanuel, now a resident of East Toledo, Ohio; Lucinda (Mrs. Charles Dodd), deceased; and Sophia (deceased). Our subject remained at home up to the age of twenty-one years, being the mainstay of his father, and as a consequence his education was somewhat limited. On leaving home he first found employment for eight months on the farm of J. B. Mugg, in Townsend township, Sandusky county, then returning to the parental roof remained there during the winter months. In the following spring he moved to Van Wert county, this State, where he was employed some ten months, after which. he again returned to Sandusky county and worked for his wife's parents (for he had in the meantime married) on their farm. For two years he farmed 320 acres of land on shares, and then bought eighty acres in Freedom township, Wood county, on which he resided some six months, at the end of that time purchasing the eighty-four acres in Washington township whereon he now has his home, having built a comfortable residence, besides commodious barns and outhouses. On August 8, 1861, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Mary Humberger, daugh- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 217 ter of Benjamin and Mary (Zartman) Humberger, and nine children were the result of this union, a brief record of them being as follows: Franklin A., born July 5, 1862, is now a farmer of Jackson township, Sandusky county; William H., born December 2, 1863, is a farmer near Four-Mile house, Sandusky county; Calista, born January 28, 1866, married Edward Snavley, of Jackson township, Sandusky county; Orpha A., born February 8, 1868, married H. D. Jenning, a farmer in Michigan; Elmer, born March 20, 1870, is a farmer in Scott township, Sandusky county; Wilmer, born March 20, 1870, is now in the oil business in Madison township, Sandusky county; Adelbert, born November 16, 1874, is in Madison township, in the oil business; Grace, born March 1, 1877, died July 27, 1887; Allen J., born December 5, 1881, lives at home. Mr. Foster in politics is a Democrat, is a member of the school board, and also serves as road superintendent; he is identified with the Reformed Church, and is a good, substantial, well-known and honored citizen of the township in which he lives. HENRY HUGHES. Among the young men of Fremont who have worked their own way in the world, and by manliness, honesty and pluck achieved success, our subject takes an honorable place. He was born in Scott township, Sandusky county, December 16, 1866, son of Michael and Catharine (Conolly) Hughes. Michael Hughes was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and came to America when eighteen years of age. He stopped in Philadelphia one summer, and then coming west located on a farm in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in which township he still resides; he is now fifty years of age. His wife died April 2, 1892. They had ten children, two of whom died in childhood; the living are: Henry (our subject), Mary, Ellen, Sarah, Lillie May; Michael, William and George. Mr. Hughes is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. Henry Hughes grew to manhood on a farm in Scott township, in the region of the Black Swamp, where he attended country schools until such time as he succeeded in perfecting himself so as to be able to secure a certificate for teaching. This he obtained in 1883, and at the age of seventeen taught the summer term of the Millersville school, and for six consecutive winter terms thereafter he was engaged for the same school. In the spring of 1888, at the age of twenty-one, he was elected assessor of Scott township, and was re-elected the following spring. In the fall of 1888 he began the study of a special course of surveying and civil engineering, at the Ohio Normal University, Ada, Ohio, graduating with honor. He located in Fremont in 1890, and has since remained here, engaging in surveying and civil engineering in Sandusky and adjoining counties. On January 2, 1894, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Mamie Quilter, an estimable and accomplished lady, who was born in Fremont, Ohio, daughter of Timothy M. and Mary (Reardon) Quilter, natives of Ireland. Her father is a retired grocer of Fremont, Ohio. A son, Henry Melvin Hughes, has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, born January 25, 1895. Mr. Hughes was elected surveyor of Sandusky county in the fall of 1894, and in the spring of 1895 was chosen city civil engineer of the city of Fremont. SOLOMON HUMBERGER has spent his entire life in the locality which is still his home, Washington township, Sandusky county, having been born there October 19, 1840. He is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Zartman) Humberger, who were reared 218 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in Perry county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents were residents of Lancaster county, Penn., and the maternal grandparents also lived in the Keystone State. The respective families came to Ohio when the Indians were more numerous than the white settlers, and were honored pioneers, actively identified with the up-building and development of the community in which they located. The father of our subject was born April 22, 1809, son of Peter and Mary (Snyder) Humberger, and the mother was born February 19, 1813, daughter of Jonathan and Barbara (Anspaugh) Zartman. Their marriage was celebrated in Perry county, Ohio, and in 1834 they took up their residence in Washington township, Sandusky county, where the father entered 160 acres of wild government land, the deed for which, signed by Andrew Jackson, then President of the United States, is still in the possession of our subject. This is the old homestead which is still owned by Solomon Humberger, and which the father made his place of residence until his death, February 25, 1864. His wife survived him a little over one year, passing away July 26, 1865. The family of this worthy couple numbered ten children, as follows: Melinda, widow of David Hendricks, resides in Missouri, and has ten children; Margaret died at the age of fourteen years; Levina is the wife of Barnhart Faust, of Michigan, and has ten children; Mary is the wife of Samuel Foster, a resident farmer of Washingon township (Mrs. Foster having part of the old homestead), and has nine children; Lucinda became the wife of E. F. Whitney, and died leaving four children: Samuel, Isabella, Elizabeth and Barbara, all of whom died in childhood; Solomon is the subject proper of these lines. Solomon Humberger has passed all his life on the homestead, with the exception of about eight weeks, when away on a visit. He early became familiar with farm work in its various departments, and is now a thorough-going agriculturist, successfully managing his business interests and having thereby secured a comfortable competence. Upon his father's death he bought out the interests of the other heirs in the old home place,, and is now sole owner; in 1890 he erected his present commodious and substantial residence. In the same year he leased his land to the Standard Oil Company, and they have sunk six wells, each of which produces at present twelve barrels of oil daily. On March 22, 1866, Mr. Humberger wedded Miss Hetty A. Burkett, daughter of Leonard and Fannie (Cotzmeyer) Burkett. Nine children blessed this union: David, born January 6, 1867, who resides in Lindsey; Cora Ellen, born February 8, 1868, wife of Samuel Kretzer, who is in the oil business in Washington township, Sandusky county; Ira, born June 14, 1870; Orva Allen, born October 17, 1873; William F., born October 26, 1874; Rosa, born July 31, 1876, wife of Charles Waggner; Benjamin L., born July 18, 1879; George W., born September 13, 1880, and Cornelia L., born July 26, 1884. Since attaining his majority Mr. Humberger has been identified with the Democratic party, and has been honored with several local offices, having served as school director and road supervisor, and for nine years filled the position of trustee, his long-continued service well indicating his fidelity to duty and the confidence reposed in him—a confidence that has never been betrayed. DOMINICK SMITH is a worthy representative agriculturist of Sandusky county, and at the same time a representative of its early pioneers. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, July 10, ,1830, son of Bernhardt and Theresa (Krimm) Smith, and there received a liberal education in the German language. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 219 In 18 54 Mr. Smith came to America, and wending his way to what is now Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, arrived there about the time of the construction of the Lake Erie & Western railroad. It was in the construction of this railway that Mr. Smith did his first day's work in Ohio, arranging with the contractor for permanent employment. At the end of the first month of Mr. Smith's hard labor in this capacity the contractor had left the county, and our subject, as well as the other laborers, received no remuneration. Penniless and in debt for his board, Mr. Smith made his way to the neighborhood in which he now resides, and engaged to work for a Mr. John Rearick during the winter for his board. In the spring work opened on the old jail at Fremont and also in the stone quarry, and here our subject found employment and learned the trade of stone-cutting, which he followed for about ten years. During this time Mr. Smith had become a warm friend of the Rearick family, especially the daughter, Barbara, with whom he was united in marriage June 10, 18 57. Mr. Smith and his estimable wife, by hard labor and economy, secured a fine home in Sandusky township, four miles west of Fremont, where Mrs. Smith departed this life on December 20, 1891, aged sixty-six years, five months and ten days. She was an affectionate wife, a kind and loving mother, and a lady highly esteemed in the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith came two sons, of whom Charles L. , born November 22, 1859, was married December 25, 1888, to Miss Emma Hiett, and is now on the old homestead, caring for his father in his declining years. He is a highly respected citizen and one of the progressive agriculturists of his time. He has one child, a son, Ralph W. John Smith, born April 3, 1861, received his early literary training in the Fremont High School under Prof. W. W. Ross, and completed his education at Kenyon College, of which institution he is a graduate. Since finishing his college course Mr. Smith has been engaged in the teacher's profession, in which he is eminently successful. For nearly three years he was principal of the high school of Napoleon, Ohio, and for the past six or seven years has held a similar position at Findlay, Ohio. Prof. Smith is also clerk of the board of examiners at Findlay, in which capacity he is making his natural adaptability to his profession felt in the furtherance of modern educational ideas. On September 2, 1886, he was married to Miss Addie Miller, and to their union has been born one son, Walter. Bernhardt Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Germany in 1801, was a farmer by occupation and for four years an officer in the German army. He married Theresa Krimm, also a native of Germany, and to them were born the following named children: Dominick, Amos, John, Bernhardt, Philip, Francis, Sardis, Theresa, Amelia, and Edith. Dominick Smith is a Republican in politics, is an active member of the M. E. Church, as was also his wife, and the entire family are noted in the neighborhood in which they live for intellectuality and respectability. Mr. Smith came to America penniless, but by honest industry and strict integrity he has accumulated a nice property and gained the confidence of all who know him. His success is meritorious, and in language stronger than pen can express shows the true make-up of the man. JOHN DYMOND, who, as a soldier on the Union side in the war of the Rebellion, was one of the " boys of '61," is well and favorably known in Green Creek and other neighboring townships, as well as in York township, Sandusky county, which is at present his home. He is a son of William Dymond, and was born in Devonshire, England, December 25, 1842. 220 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. William Dymond was born in Devonshire, England, in 1807. He worked at his trade, which was that of a mason, both before and after coming to America. In 1851 he crossed the stormy Atlantic and cast his fortunes in this " land of the free," which his son John showed by his courageous deeds a few years later is the " home of the brave." He first located at Bellevue, Huron county, his family coming one year later. Being of a roving disposition, he went to Illinois in 1854, locating in Rockford, where he remained but one year, returning to Bellevue, preferring to live among the peaceful settlers of Ohio rather than in the crude Western society of nearly forty years ago. In his boyhood John Dymond received a common-school education, and he was but little past nineteen when, on August 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-ninth O. V. I. After serving for thirteen months, during which time he was in the battles of Munfordville, December 17, 1861, and Shiloh, April 7, 1862, at which latter place half of his knife was shot out of his pocket. He was discharged for disability, and on recovering his health he re-enlisted, August 17, 1863, in Company B, First Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out July 25, 1865. In the fall of 1867 John Dymond was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Cupp, who was born in York township January 31, 1849, and they had six children, four of whom are now living, namely: William E., an employe of the Nickel Plate road at Colby, Sandusky county; John V., who is at home; Ada M., wife of Frank Tea, of York township; and Essy M., at present living with her grandparents in Kansas. After his marriage Mr. Dymond farmed in York township for several years, and then in February, 1878, moved to Kansas, where the death of Mrs. Dymond occurred in September of that year. Later the bereaved family returned to Ohio. On May 4, 1880, John Dymond was again married, this time to Mrs. Sophia Douglas, and they have had four children, as follows: Edward C., born April 26, 1881; Louis H., August 30, 1882; Ezra E., June 27, 1884, and Mary E., February 23, 1888. Mrs. Dymond is a daughter of Daniel and Ruth Jones, and was born August 16, 1847, her maiden name being Sophia Jones. Mr. Jones is now eighty-two years old, and is living with his daughter, Mrs. Jones being dead. Sophia Jones was united in marriage with William Douglas on March 28, 1867, and their children were: Emma T., wife of William Lawrey, of Green Creek township; Lottie R., wife of William Spitler, of Tiffin, Seneca county; and Alvin and Celia at home. Mr. Douglas died January 2, 1877, and in 1880 his widow married Mr. Dymond. Mr. Dymond cast his first vote for Lincoln, then he embraced Democratic principles, and for years cast his ballot for the candidates he preferred, and expounded Jeffersonian doctrines; but within the past few years he, like many others, has lost faith in the old parties, and joined the party of radical reform, the People's party. Mr. and Mrs. Dymond are both members of the conservative wing of the United Brethren Church. SILAS M. TEACHOUT, a well-known resident of Benton township, Ottawa county, where since 1891 he has been engaged in the insurance business, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, June 23, 1831, son of James and Eliza (Haywood) Teachout. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Scotland. His father, James Teachout, a minister of the Gospel, was born about 1780, and the mother in 1800, both in New York State. The father had, by long illness, become somewhat unbalanced mentally, and on hearing that his son was very sick he left the house and was afterward found on the beach of Lake COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 221 Erie; it is supposed the news of his son's severe illness so overcame him that probably he accidentally fell into the lake. The mother died in 1836. The father's health being poor at the time of the mother's death, it became necessary for him to break up housekeeping, and put the children out. Mr. Teachout, our subject, being next to the youngest child, was thus at the age of five years put out among strangers to find a home. His advantages for an education were very limited, it being necessary for him to work early in life. However, he was determined to secure a liberal education, to acquire which he worked by the month on farms during the summer to clothe himself, and in winter worked for his board in order that he might attend the district school. " Where there's a will there's a way." At the age of eighteen he went into the " Weedle Hotel," in Cleveland, remaining there one year, and then for six months worked in the " Forest City House," also in Cleveland, going thence to Buffalo, where he was employed in a restaurant a few months. He then shipped on a steamer running between Chicago and Buffalo, on which he spent the season, and, later, was porter in the " Lake House," at Sandusky about a year. Thence removing to Columbus, he continued the same line of business some three years, or until 1856, in the " Neal House," when he again commenced farming. After working by the month for two summers, he rented a farm which he worked two years. In 1863 Mr. Teachout enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-third O. V. I., and served until the end of the war, participating in the battles of Newmarket, Mount Crawford, Lynchburg and Cedar Creek, and in other engagements. He was also in hospital five months. On the retreat from the battle at Lynchburg, two hundred miles, he with the remainder of his company was without rations for four days, the only nourishment being coffee; when the provision wagon came the soldiers did not stop to cook their meat, but eat it raw along with their hard-tack. After his honorable discharge, May 13, 1865, Mr. Teachout returned to Ohio, and in Sandusky opened a restaurant, which at the end of one year he sold out, moving to Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, where for some time he was employed in getting out axe-helve timber. In the spring of 1867 the whole family were taken sick with fever and ague, which made it impossible for them to do anything for nearly a year, and when able to renew work Mr. Teachout found employment in the sawmill of Doolittle & Co., with whom he remained until 1868, when he engaged in the manufacture of flat barrel hoops. This business he carried on some fifteen years, in 1883 building a shop of his own; but in 1891, the timber having become very scarce, he abandoned the business and commenced handling insurance (fire and tornado), in which line he has since continued with gratifying success. On May 15, 1853, Mr. Teachout was married to Miss Julia McAul, of Sandusky, Ohio, and to their union came two children: Mary Ann, born March 18, 1854, died May J0, 1854, and Albert, born July 8, 1858. On May 14, 1860, the mother of these died, her malady being consumption of the bowels, and is buried in Sandusky city. After her death Mr. Teach-out continued to work on farms for two years, and in the meantime, on June 22, I 861 , he was wedded to Miss Sarah McNamara, of Cleveland, Ohio. By this marriage there were nine children, six of whom are living, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Cornelius Walter, October 18, 1862 ; Delia May, February 16, 1866; Silas William, June 4, 1868; Lillie Maud, May 3, 1873; Myron W., April 2, 1876, and Harvey S., February 14, 1878. On July 17, 1881, Mr. Teachout's second wife died, and Sep- 222 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tember 30, same year, her eldest daughter passed away; they were buried in Benton township cemetery. On October 28, 1884, Mr. Teachout wedded, for his third spouse, Miss Elizabeth Gilbert, of England. This union has been blessed by one child. Mr. Teachout is therefore the father of twelve children, eight of whom are living. His eldest son, Albert, has, during the past ten years, been engaged in the barrel stave business in Lucas county, Ohio. Another son, Myron W., now nineteen years of age, is one of the promising teachers of Ottawa county. He is full of perseverance and determination to make a success of anything he undertakes. He has the pleasant faculty of winning friends wherever he goes, and has the good-will and love of all his pupils, without which no teacher can expect success. On February 2 5, 1877, Silas M. Teachout became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Graytown, Ottawa Co., Ohio; on September 11, 1877, he was chosen and ordained ruling elder of that Church, since which time he has been a consistent Christian, and a large share of the time he has been a faithful worker for Christ in the Sabbath-school and other Christian work. J. MARION HAWK. Most soldiers of the great Civil war look back upon their army experiences with fond memories. There were thrilling adventures, imminent dangers, deeds of heroism, hair-breadth escapes, that rise in their recollections like living pictures, and too often, to look on the other side, scenes of sadness and distressing death. It is doubtful if there is in Sandusky county a surviving soldier of the war whose career during the momentous struggle was more thrilling than that of J. Marion Hawk, now a leading farmer and citizen of Green Creek, his native township. He was born March 31, 1845, and is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Tillotson) Hawk, the former of whom was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1814. His father, Conrad Hawk, a native of Pennsylvania, was an early pioneer of Pickaway county, later, about 1824, settling with his family in Green Creek township, Sandusky county. Joseph was about ten years old when he came to Green Creek township, and he was a lifelong citizen there, dying in 1889. He was twice married, first time to Sarah Jane Tillotson, by whom he had four children: William, who died in Michigan; Maria, who married Joseph King, and died in Green Creek township; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Baker, of Green Creek township; and J . Marion, subject of this sketch. The second wife of Joseph Hawk was Martha Harris, by whom he had the following eight children: Sarah, wife of H. G. Gibbons, of Clyde; Alva; Mary, wife of B. Snyder, of Fremont; Charles and Ida (twins), the former a resident of Oregon, the latter the wife of S. Sherwood, of Fremont; Byron; Anna, wife of Cyrus Harnden, of Clyde; and Etta, wife of Cyrus Kessler, of Cleveland. The mother of this family is still living. J. Marion Hawk, usually known as Marion, was reared on the farm, and during his boyhood attended the district schools. He was barely sixteen when Fort Sumter was fired upon, and between impetuous patriotism for his country's flag, and the love of excitement, he was eager to enlist, but his father frowned upon his wishes. Yielding to his impulses, in the fall of 1861, Marion ran away from home and enlisted in Company D, of the gallant Third Cavalry Volunteers. He remaihed with the regiment for three years and nine months, during which long period the history of the regiment was his history. It was in constant and perilous service throughout Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. While on his way home in the fall of 1864 he and a number of comrades were taken prisoners at Columbia, Tenn. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 223 They were escorted to a prison at Cahaba , Ala., and thence were transferred to the stockade at Macon, Ga., where they remained two months. While here he, with a few companions, attempted an escape. They had tunneled over t00 feet, and were almost ready to escape, when a Confederate officer noticed the string attached to a small pan used in drawing out the dirt, and pulled. The prisoner in the tunnel, thinking it was a companion, cried out: " No, wait; it is not full yet." " You had better come out," drawled the officer, and the countenance of the grimy tunneler fell when he emerged and beheld the grey coat. All the work had been in vain. When removed from the Macon stockade to a train, Mr. Hawk and several others felt that the dreaded Andersonville was their destination, so eight of them resolved to escape. They were in a stock car, near the front end of the train, and surrounded by three guards, but knocking down the guards they jumped from the swiftly moving train. A Rebel guard on a following car aimed his musket at Mr. Hawk, but, noticing the gray jacket which he wore, and which he had traded for as a protection in a possible emergency like this, the guard refrained from shooting. The train passed by and the eight prisoners made the best of their newly-found liberty. They tramped through tangled swamp and mire until nearly sunset, when the ominous blast of a horn told them that the Southerners were in pursuit. They separated, five starting one way, three another. Mr. Hawk and his two companions reached the edge of a swamp. Beyond, the water was deep, and the baying of the bloodhounds grew louder. Recapture was certain, and to climb trees was the only means of safety against the dogs. The two companions climbed trees upon the dry land, but Mr. Hawk, to give the " Johnnies " all the trouble possible, waded a long distance into the swamp, till it was waist deep, then climbed a tree himself. This was February 2, 1865, and the weather was raw and chilly. He heard the " Rebs " arrive, and take away the two companions. After dark he descended, waded ashore and tramped on alone quite a distance, when a light appeared. Approaching, for he was hungry and tired, and ready to meet any human being, he found on investigation that the light was in a negro shanty. Gaining admission, he was asked if he was one of the escaped Yankees whom the Confederates were pursuing with bloodhounds, and he admitted that he was. The colored man fed him, and assured him that if he would take dirt from a grave and rub it on his feet and clothes the scent of the bloodhounds would be destroyed. They urged him to take the precaution, and two darkeys procured some of the magic mold. Though skeptical, he tried the charm, and somewhat refreshed continued on his weary journey northward all that night, and until three o'clock the next day, when the baying of hounds and the blast of horns informed him that relentless pursuers were on his track. He was then in an open, rolling country, and knew that further flight was useless. Selecting a scrub oak, large enough to bear his weight and keep him beyond the fangs of the hounds, he climbed the tree and awaited the inevitable. Soon the bloodhounds were leaping, and howling, and gnawing at the base of the tree. Their howls were hideous and deafening. Three elderly men appeared on horseback and requested him to descend. He complied, whereupon the dogs became uncontrollable and Mr. Hawk quickly regained his lofty perch. The old gentlemen finally silenced the hounds, and the escaped prisoner frankly admitted his identity. Upon the return journey he was permitted to ride each of two horses alternately, but not the third, which was a superior animal, and Mr. Hawk thus lost an opportunity to make another break for liberty, 224 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. for he had resolved to risk the shotguns of the old men if once mounted on the fast horse. But though each of the three old gentlemen walked alternately they kept the best horse to themselves. Stopping at night at a farmhouse, Mr. Hawk was left without a guard; but the bloodhounds, let loose outside, deterred him from attempting to escape. Mr. Hawk was forthwith sent to Andersonville, and there met his seven late companions, all of whom had preceded him. He saw the notorious Capt. Wirz, and was imprisoned there about two months. Luckily Mr. Hawk did not fare so badly as many of his compatriots. He and four other prisoners had a tent and kept a peanut stand; also bought corn meal from the Rebel guards and sold it to the prisoners. At the end of two months he had $6 in greenbacks and about $600 in Confederate money. Prisoners were being exchanged every few days, and the Rebel officials were compelling the prisoners to pay for the privilege of being placed on the exchange list. By giving up all their money and other effects Mr. Hawk and his companions finally got out. They were placed on a cattle car and sent to Vicksburg, where they were exchanged. Here, with about twenty-two hundred other passengers, mostly Union soldiers, but including a few Confederates and a few women, he boarded the ill-fated " Sultana." The history of that steamer is well known. It blew up about eight miles above Memphis, April 27, 1865, and over seventeen hundred passengers were lost. Mr. Hawk was on top of the boat near the pilot house when the explosion occurred. Putting on his clothes he rolled up his blankets, and looking around for some means of escape he saw a stateroom door lying loose, and took possession. The scene was horrible beyond description. There were mangled dead and dying lying about, and hundreds were wailing, who must choose between a death by fire or water. Watching his opportunity Mr. Hawk shoved off with his door. He swam bravely for a while, but was seized with cramps in his legs, and got badly tangled in the vines and debris of the river drift. Finally reaching shore he made his way northward, and was honorably discharged from service May 15, 1865. He returned to his father's farm, and was married, in 1870, to Miss Mary A. Bower, who was born in Sandusky City March 21, 1850. Her parents were natives of Baden, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hawk have three children: Franklin M., born August 6, 1873; Irma G., born August 10, 1876; and Ruth E., born June 7, 1885. Mr. Hawk owns 104 acres of good land, and is decidedly one of the best farmers in his township. He is tall of stature, well informed, and socially, a leader. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a prominent member and now chancellor commander of the K. of P., and is also past colonel of the U. V. U. A. J. CASTLE, one of the substantial farmers of York township, Sandusky county, has won admiration by his sure and steady rise to comfort, possesses unquestioned integrity, and has acquired a modest competency by his own unaided efforts. He was born in Erie county December 26, 1841, a son of John and Rhoda (McGill) Castle. John Castle, the father, was born in Lycoming county, Penn., in 1800, son of David Castle, of Scotch-Irish extraction. When a young man John Castle migrated to Groton township, Erie county. Here he married Rhoda McGill, who was born in Groton township in 1813, of New England parentage. John Castle in 1852 removed to Thompson township, Seneca county, and four years later he came to York township, Sandusky county, where he lived until his death in 1867. He was a man of tall stature and hardy constitu-