COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 625 youth, therefore, was largely passed within its boundaries, and he early became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of an agriculturist. To his father he continued to give the benefit of his services until twenty years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He is now the owner of one hundred acres of the old home place, and is surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences that go to make life worth living. In addition to his own farm he controls and operates .sixty acres of land belonging to a sister-in-law. He employs two hands upon the place to aid him in the cultivation of the various crops adapted to this climate, and his average yearly yield of grain is one thousand bushels of wheat, one thousand six hundred bushels of corn, and seven hundred bushels of oats. He also deals quite extensively in stock, making a specialty of the raising of horses and hogs. The excellence of his farm, its highly-cultivated appearance and the modern accessories, all together make it one of the most valuable places in the county, and give the owner rank among the most prominent agriculturists. An important event in the life of Mr. Ernsthausen occurred December 8, 1886, when was celebrated his marriage with Miss Carrie E. Otto, daughter of Ludwig and Margaretta (Schafer) Otto. Her father lost his parents during his early life, so we have no account of the family. He was reared in Germany, became a shoemaker by trade, and served for one year and six months in the war of the Rebellion. He was married January 16, 1856, to Miss Otto, whose father was born in Germany in 1803, and whose mother, Margaret Korb, was born in the same year. They had five children, three of whom are now living. Great-grandfather Schafer was born in Germany in 1770, and his wife was born about the same time. Mrs. Otto was born in Prussia April 12, 1832; at the age of nineteen came to America, locating in Clyde, Ohio, which was her place of abode for twelve years. Mr. Otto died in 1864, leaving three children —May Jennie, born August 14, 1859; Matilda, born July 26, 1861; and Carrie E., born February 2, 1864. The last named is now the wife of our subject. Her birth occurred in Elmore, and she acquired her literary education in its public schools, and also received superior instruction in instrumental music. She is a lady of culture and refinement, presiding with grace over her home, which is noted for its hospitality. Four children bless this union: John F., born January 15, 1888; Bertha E., born August 8, 1889; Clarence W., born October 11, 1891; and Mabel M., born July 21, 1894. In his political views Mr. Ernsthausen is a Republican, taking an active interest in the growth and success of his party, and doing all in his power to advance its interests. For some time he has been president of the school board of his district, and the cause of education and all other interests calculated to promote the general welfare find in him a warm friend. CHARLES H. GRAVES, one of the prominent members of the Ottawa county bar, was born June 6, 1872, in Clay township, Ottawa Co., Ohio. He was reared amid pleasant surroundings, and his childhood was similar to that of other boys of the period, he thoroughly enjoying and participating in the sports of the time. He is a son of John H. and Mary (Joseph) Graves, residents of Harris township, Ottawa county, the father a native of Prussia, the mother of Baden, Germany. Our subject received his early education in the public schools of Oak Harbor, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1889. He then taught school two years in Salem township, and at the same time pursued the study of law under the tutorship of Charles I. York, of Oak Harbor, Ohio. In 1891 he entered the Law Department 626 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he took a thorough course in law, being graduated from that institution in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to practice as an attorney and counselor at law in the State of Ohio, on June 9, 1893, at the age of twenty-one years. Returning to Oak Harbor, he at once embarked in the practice of his chosen profession, and today, although a young man, enjoys a large and lucrative clientage, and ranks among the leading members of the bar. Politically, he is a Democrat. Socially, he is a member of Oak Harbor Lodge No. 495, F. & A. M., and formerly he belonged to Fremont Chapter No. 64, R. A. M. ; at present he is a member of Oak Harbor Chapter, U. D., Royal Arch Masons. He possesses a keen analytical mind, is quick to grasp a situation, and his abilities, both natural and acquired, lead one to predict that his career as a lawyer will be one of marked success. In social life he has the respect of a11 who know him. FERDINAND L. MILLER. Among the prominent and well-to-do farmers of Salem township, Ottawa county, who can now look back nearly half a century to the days when that township was nothing more than a vast unbroken wilderness, and recall the many dangers and hardships experienced by them; the discouragements incident to an early life on the frontier; and who, as the reward of many years of hard, honest labor, have now acquired a comfortable competence to tide them over the balance of life's journey, there is probably no one deserving of a more prominent place in this biographical record than the gentleman whose name introduces this brief sketch. Our subject is a native of the Fatherland, born in Baden March 16, 1834. His parents, George and Lena Miller, also natives of Germany, emigrated to America in 1857, locating in Danbury township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, of which township, they were honored and respected citizens for many years. They have both long since passed away from earth, the father dying in 1864, the mother in 1874. Ferdinand L. Miller received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native land, and since early youth he has constantly been engaged in agricultural pursuits, his long experience in this honorable branch of industry making him one of the most practical farmers of the county, his well-tilled fields, comfortable home and barns bearing striking evidence of this fact. In 1854 Mr. Miller crossed the ocean to the " New World," locating first in Sandusky county, Ohio, thence, in 1859, moving to Ottawa county, same State, locating in Danbury township; in 1865 he settled on his present farm in Salem township, of which he has since been a continuous resident, honored and respected by all who know him for his thrift, honesty and many other sterling qualities. Mr. Miller was united in marriage in April, 1865, with Miss Mary Wiganist, of Riley township, Sandusky county, a native of Germany. To this union were born six children, five of whom are living, viz. : Amelia, born January 27, 1867, now the wife of Henry Godeman, of Toledo, Ohio; Elizabeth, born August 17, 1868, wife of J. F. Mylander, of Salem township; Ellen, born October 26, 1870; John, born February 21, 1874; and Katherine, born August 16, 1877, the latter three residing on the homestead farm in Salem township. In 1 8 80 the father was called upon to mourn the demise of his faithful wife, and the children that of a kind and loving mother, Mrs. Miller passing away during that year. In 1881 Mr. Miller was again united in marriage, his second wife being a Miss Rosina Koser, a native of Germany, born October 24, 1844. To COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 627 this union have been born three children, viz.: Rosa and George (twins), born February 20, 1882; the latter of whom died in infancy; and Matie, born August 17, 1886, died September 23, 189o. Mr. Miller has ever taken an active interest in the welfare and progress of his township; but although he has frequently been requested, by his many friends, to accept positions of trust, he has never been an office seeker, always refusing to accept them, recognizing the fact that the duties in connection with his home and farm commanded his unremitting time and attention. In his political views our subject votes with the Democratic party. The family are strict adherents of the Evangelical Church. JACOB S. STEWART, one of the earliest pioneers of Allen township, Ottawa county, and a brave soldier in the Civil war, was born in Vinton county, Ohio, August 6, 1844, a son of John N. and Letitia (Sain) Stewart, both also natives of this State. The subject of this sketch was educated in the' public schools of Sandusky county, on leaving which he worked on a farm for six months. The Civil war breaking out, he felt called to go to the defense of the old flag, and, although only a boy, offered his services, enlisting July 24, 1862, in Company F, One Hundredth Ohio Infantry. He took part in the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., and in the battle of Strawberry Plains, in the same State. His regiment was then sent back to Knoxville, and was placed among those who went with Sherman on that famous " March to the Sea," near Atlanta. Mr. Stewart received a severe wound in his right leg, from the effects of which he suffered for six months. In that engagement he saw men fall all around him, and out of a force of 309 men, over two hundred were killed, or died from the effects of their wounds. When Mr. Stewart had par tially recovered, he rejoined his company, which was then a part of Twenty-third corps. They left Atlanta and marched to City Point, North Carolina, and then to Goldsborough, where they met General Sherman. Mr. Stewart received his final discharge a.t Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865, and coming to Allen (then. Clay) township, Ottawa county, purchased sixty acres of unimproved land. On this he built a log cabin, in which he lived for twenty-five years, in the meantime being diligently at work clearing off the timber and cultivating the soil, and to-day he is the happy owner of one of the most productive and best improved farms in the township, with a comfortable residence and all necessary attachments, the result of his untiring industry and perseverance. Mr. Stewart was married, March 12, 1879, to Minerva C., daughter of Oscar and Philindia (Baldwin) Billings, of Woodville township, Sandusky county, and they are the parents of four children: Rollin L., born December 26, 1881; Oscar T., April 12, 1886; Dasey M., December 23, 1890; and Harley; born June 12, 1880, died February 25, 1883. John N. Stewart, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, May 6, 1815, and was of Scotch, and English descent. His father fought against the English in the war of 1812 at Fort Stevenson, in Fremont. John N. was a tanner and currier, and assisted his father for a time at his trade. He afterward worked in the flour-mills, and was also in the employ of Carder & Fuller; in his later years he returned to farming. Mr. Stewart was married to Letitia, daughter of Jacob Sain, a farmer of Vinton county, this State, and by this marriage eight children were born, three of whom still survive: Jacob S., our subject; Spencer, a mail carrier at Toledo; and Emma V., wife of Stephen Heckathorne, of Toledo. Levi S. was killed during the Civil war, in 1862, in the skirmish on Cheat Mountain, West Virginia. Oscar Billings, father of Mrs. J. S. Stewart, 628 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. was born in the State of New York in 1824, where he was a farmer for many years. He came to Ohio in 1841, where he was engaged at his trade in Woodville, Sandusky county. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the three-months' service, after which he removed to Minnesota, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. His first wife was Mary Boose, who died two years after marriage, leaving one child. He subsequently married Miss Philindia Baldwin, October 27, 1858, and of this marriage there were nine children: Minerva C., born in Elmore, Ottawa county, July 3, 1859, became the wife of our subject; Sarah J. , born in Woodville, Sandusky county, June 22, 1862, married Bradford Lindsey, a farmer of Allen township, and of this marriage four children were born, viz. : Orvil, Clarence, Leroy and Edith; Nelson 0., born March Jo, 1863, is a barber in Genoa, Clay township (he married Annie Fuller, of that township, and they have one child named Harold); Arthur T., born August 31, 1864, is unmarried and lives in Allen township; Lorenzo A., born March 3, 1868; Leonard G., born December 11, 1871, in Woodville township, Sandusky county; Casper A., born July 23, 1874, in Harris township, Ottawa county; Mirtie B., born August 29, 1876, in Harris township, and Laura born May 28, 188o, are all single. The mother of these children was born in Woodville, and was a daughter of Nelson and Catherine E. Baldwin. The subject of this sketch is a Republican, a member of the G. A. R., and with his family attends the Church of the United Brethren. He still suffers from the effects of a wound received while in the army, and is obliged to use crutches a part of the time. In his noble wife he finds a true helpmate, and she has been of inestimable service to him. In 1889 she began the weaving of carpets, and she has made many thousand yards, adding materially in this way to their income. BARNEY VALIQUETTE is one of the young and progressive farmers of Carroll township, Ottawa county, of which township he is native born, his birth having occurred September 28, 187o, and he is a son of James and Elizabeth (Doroucher) Valiquette. The early life of our subject was spent upon the homestead farm, and in the public schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education. In connection with his farm .duties he also assisted his father in mercantile pursuits. On February 6, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Dora Pickard, a daughter of Andrew and Serdelia (Moore) Pickard. James Valiquette, the father of our subject, was both in Monroe, Mich., No vember 23, 1823, and is a son of Joseph and Monique (Ganier) Valiquette, both natives of Monroe county, Mich., and of French-Canadian ancestry. In their family were nine children, four of whom still survive, namely: James; T. Isadore, a resident of La Crosse, Wis. ; Henry, of Toledo, Ohio; and Matilda, wife of Raphael Navare, of Toledo. The father of. this family served with distinction in the war of 1812, and was a prominent farmer-of his native county, where his death oc curred in February, 1861. His faithful and devoted wife survived him for some years, and passed from earth in Carroll township. Like the majority of the youth of his day, James Valiquette received only such education as could be. obtained in the primitive log schoolhouse,. and only at such times as he could be spared from the farm duties, which in those days took precedence to education. In 1846, he came to Ottawa county, the trip from Michigan being made by way of the canal, and on his arrival made his home in Carroll township, which at that-time was a vast forest, inhabited principally by Indians. Here he has since resided and to-day ranks among the oldest living pioneer residents in the county. In 1848 he began merchandising, which he: COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 629 continued in connection with agricultural pursuits until 1885, since which time he has lived a comparatively retired life, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. In Monroe county, Mich., May 26, 185o, was celebrated the marriage of James Valiquette and Elizabeth Doroucher, daughter of Lawrence and Monique (Saucombe) Doroucher, who were the parents of nine children, six of whom are still living: Lawrence, Saucombe, Luke, Cleopha (widow of Anthony Miltz), Marie (wife of Henry Latour), and the mother of our subject. Mrs. Valiquette was born in Monroe, Mich., July 22, 1829, and by her marriage has become the mother of children whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Elizabeth, April I I , 1851, died April 25, 1879; Caroline, April 15, 1853, died April 25, 1861; Saucombe, July 29, 1855; Clara, October 7, 1859, now the wife of D. M. McLean, of Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Annie, July 1o, 1861; and Barney. FREDERICK COOK is a native of Germany, born June 18, 1852. His father died a few months prior to the birth of his son, and when Frederick was three years old he was brought by his mother and a friend of the family to this country. Mrs. Cook remained in New York, and gave her son to one of the friends that accompanied her on the voyage in order that he might have a good home and education. With his foster-parents he went to Sandusky county, Ohio, and by them was reared on a farm, where he worked from early age until he had attained his majority. For his services he received only his board and clothing, being granted no educational privileges, and the only knowledge he acquired during this period was through experience and observation. When he had attained his majority, Frederick Cook left his foster-parents, and for a year and a half worked as a farm laborer. He then took. up the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed some five years, and he afterward was employed for several years as a journeyman in the same line of business. After saving enough money from his meager earnings he went west to the State of Kansas to visit his mother, who had mar ried in New York and was then living upon a farm in the " Sunflower State." He-, spent a year or more in that place, working on farms until he had obtained enough money to take him to Ohio again, when he once more settled in Sandusky county, working at carpentering two years. Abandoning that pursuit, he then rented a farm in that locality, which he operated until 1887, when he removed to Ottawa county, and purchased a farm in Clay township, containing seventy acres, most- of which was improved. He then cleared:. the remaining eleven acres, and transformed the whole into rich and fertile fields. He has made many improvements upon the place, planted an orchard, erected a good barn and other necessary outbuildings, and to-day has one of the best cultivated farms of the neighbor-. hood. On September 5, 1876, in Woodville-township, Ottawa county, Mr. Cook wedded Mary Blausey, daughter of Henry Blausey, a farmer of that township.. Nine children came of that union, their names and dates of birth being as follows:. Henry, who was born in Woodville township, January 5, 1877, and now aids in the operation of the home farm; Ricke, October 8, 1878; Minnie, September 27, 1880; August, May 11, 1882; Caroline; September 5, 1884; Lucy, September 25, 1886; Lena, January 18, 1889; Julia,., April 1, 1891; and Lewis, December 18,, 1893. Mrs. Cook died December 20, 1893, and Mr. Cook was again married'. July 5, 1894, his second union being with. 'Tillie Zesing, who was born May 5, 1872, daughter of Charles and Minnie (Tropp} 630 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Zesing, farming people of Wood county, Ohio. In his political views, Mr. Cook is a stanch Democrat, has held the office of school director for several years, and is a warm friend of the cause of education. He is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Ottawa county, and his straightforward, honorable life well entitles him to representation in its volume. JAMES PALMER, M. D. That a smooth sea never made a skillful mariner is fully realized by all who have successfully carried to completion any undertaking on the sea of life. The world is indebted to-day for its greatest achievements to men who have come upward through adversity; to men who are self-made; to men who from early manhood have been compelled to stand alone and fight single-handed for what they believe to be true, and for their own best interests. The subject of this sketch is one of Ottawa county's self-made men. He is a native of England, born December 9, 1832, in the Parish of Harlington, some thirteen miles west from London, and is a son of Thomas and Ann (Palmer) Palmer, the former of whom was born in 1801, and lived to be ninety-three years of age; the latter was born in 1803, and died in 1887. Seven children—six sons and one daughter—were born to them, one of the sons being now a shoemaker in Saginaw, Mich.; another (our subject) a physician in Oak Harbor, Ohio; the other three being farmers; the daughter resides in Canada. Robert Palmer, the maternal grandfather of this family, represented the fifth generation of Palmers who rented the same farm in England. One of Dr. Palmer's uncles served in the ever-memorable Crimean war of 1854-56, in which the quadruple alliance—England, France, Sardinia and Turkey—was engaged in a sanguinary struggle with Russia. When our subject was nine years old (1841) his parents emigrated to this country, bringing their family and settling in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where for four years they made their home, the father following his trade, shoemaking. It was here our subject received his first schooling, only three months in all, the rest of his time being occupied in farm labor, he working by the day or month as occasion presented. In 1845 the family moved to Canada, settling on a farm in that portion of Middlesex county that is now included in Elgin county, and here our subject had his home until he was twenty years of age, his time and energy for the most part being devoted toward assisting in the clearing up and developing of a homestead for his parents, although for nearly three years (owing to illness which seized him when eighteen years old, through exposure in the timber) he was unable to do much hard work. In 1852 he went to live with his brother, Thomas R., of Port Burwell, now in Elgin county, Ontario; but soon afterward moved with him to St. Thomas, a few miles northwest of Port Burwell, and here he was converted to Christianity, uniting with the Baptist Church. At the same place, and through the kindness of his brother, he received another three-months' schooling, making in all six months' education up to the age of twenty-one. From early boyhood Dr. Palmer had looked forward to the possibility of the practice of medicine being his life work, such being his devout wish; but lack of means all along stood in the way of his accomplishing his desire in that respect. Moreover, more money would have to be earned, to accomplish which he commenced, after leaving school the second time, to learn the trade of carpenter, which he continued several years, among other work assisting in erecting all the Great Western railroad buildings, including docks, at Windsor, Canada. About the year 1858 our subject moved to COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 631 Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, where he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. R. F. Dow, and with him diligently pursued his preliminary readings, completing same with a three-years' course at the Medical Department of the Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, where our subject was graduated with the degree of M. D. Immediately thereafter he opened an office in Cleveland, where for six months he enjoyed a good practice; his business relations in Painesville, however, were such that he deemed it advisable to remove thither. In 1893, after building up an extensive practice in that city, the Doctor, for reasons that will presently be explained, transferred his practice to Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, where he has since remained. Dr. James Palmer has been twice married, first time at St. Thomas, Canada, January I, 1857, to Miss Margaret L. Card, of that city. In 1883, while they were on a visit to Canada, Mrs. Palmer was taken ill, and died there before she could be removed to her home in Painesville. On November 22, 1887, Dr. Palmer was wedded to Miss Mary B. Beatty, of Butler county, Penn. In 1893, as already, related, the Doctor removed from Painesville to Oak Harbor, hoping that his wife's health would be improved by the change, for she had been unwell for some time. Only temporary relief, however, was secured to the patient, for on April 2, 1894, she passed to the home beyond. Her brothers are the proprietors of one of the largest rose gardens in the world, same being located at Oil City, Penn., and their productions received first premium at the World's Columbian Exposition, held at Chicago in 1893. Dr. Palmer is a typical self-made man, and the enviable position he now holds in his chosen profession is conclusive proof that " where there's a will there's a way." Let every young person who may read this sketch remember that what has been accom- - 40 - plished under adverse circumstances can be done again, and that a man with energy, perseverance and application will, in any sphere of life in this wide country, always find " room at the top." The Doctor attributes his success in life to his adherence to the principles of rectitude instilled into him by his mother, whom he remembers with true filial devotion and loyalty. NATHAN PIERSON. The splendid farm of this gentleman in Carroll township, Ottawa county, is a standing monument to his industry, perseverance and good management, and he is numbered among the prominent representative agriculturists of the community. He was born on the homestead farm where he still resides, November 18, 1845, and is a son of Alfred and Mary C. (Lindsley) Pierson. His elementary education was obtained in the common schools of the district, after which he attended a commercial college in the city of Sandusky, Ohio. After completing his education, Mr. Pierson followed the vocation of teaching for ten years, being employed in the schools of Harris, Carroll and Clay townships, Ottawa county; but since the expiration of that time, he has devoted his whole attention to agricultural pursuits. On October 15, 1871, Mr. Pierson married Miss Lucinda Moore, a daughter of Cyrus and Esther Moore, who were early residents of Erie township, Ottawa county, where the widowed mother is still living, the father having gone to the final home. Around the domestic hearth of our subject and his wife are gathered their little family of three children—Stella M., born September 4, 1872; Ethel M., born May 19, 1875; and Alfred F., born November 26, 1879. For two terms Mr. Pierson held the position of trustee, and is now serving as township treasurer. He has been clerk of Harris township, and 632 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. also of Elmore corporation. He has been quite prominent in local affairs, and in politics is an earnest advocate of Democratic principles, of which party he is a stalwart supporter. Surrounded by his interesting and intelligent family, Mr. Pierson is a thoughtful and devoted husband, and a kind, indulgent father. Among men he is genial and companionable; manly and fearlessly independent in thought and character, and consistent and temperate in all respects. His social standing is high and his integrity incorruptible. As a friend he is true and loyal; a man of taste and culture, with broad and liberal views, and a man, all in all, of large body, soul and mind. The father of our subject, Alfred Pierson (deceased), was one of the prominent farmers of Carroll township, as well as one of its pioneers. His birth occurred in New Jersey in March, 1815, and he was a son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Pierson, who were of English and German ancestry. He was reared and educated in his native State, where he also learned the trade of blacksmith and buggy-spring maker, and there followed those pursuits until 1838, when he came to Carroll township, at that time still a part of Sandusky county, Ohio. For a number of years he worked at his trade in connection with farming, but in later years abandoned the former, and devoted his time entirely to agricultural pursuits. On October 16, 1837, in New Jersey, Alfred Pierson was united in marriage with Mary C. Lindsley, who was born in Chatham township, Morris Co., N. J. , February 17, 1819, a daughter of Luther and Nancy (Lacey) Lindsley, natives of that State, coming to Ottawa county in 1838, where the father engaged in farming. His death occurred March 31, 1858; the mother departed this life March 25, 185o. They had a family of nine children, of whom Mrs. Pierson is the only one now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierson were born six children, namely: Elizabeth, born July 22, 1838, died March 29, 1856; Lewis, born October 9, 1842, is living on the old homestead; Nathan is next in order of birth; Phoebe, born December 22, 1848, died December 1, 1862; Alfred, born November 25, 1855, died June 1, 1856; and Hetta, born March 3, 1857, is the wife of R. B. Sonocrant. The eldest son, Lewis, received his education in the district schools, and since early life has been principally engaged in farming, On December io, 1864, he married Lucina Davenport, a daughter of Edson and Jane Davenport, and to them was born one child, who died in infancy; the mother departed this life October 29, 1869. In his political views, Lewis Pierson is a Democrat, and has served as assessor of his township two terms. He always takes an active part in all measures tending to advance the welfare of the county; where he is highly respected, and is a practical and progressive farmer. The father was also a strong Democrot, and held several important positions of honor and trust, being county commissioner several terms, infirmary director five years, treasurer of the township sixteen years, and also filled other township offices. Locating in Carroll township in an early date in the history of the country, he and his faithful wife experienced all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life. Here in the dense forest, by which they were surrounded for miles on every side, Mr. Pierson carved out a home for himself and family, subsequently clearing up and improving an excellent farm. In this home the family also experienced some of the hardships of pioneer life, mitigated, however, by various pleasures common to backwoods life in those early days. In the vast forest around them was game of all kinds, and though their white neighbors were few and far between, a warmhearted neigh borly feeling existed among them, and their social intercourse at the frequent COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 633 house and barn raisings and quilting bees, was of the most friendly character. In after years Mr. Pierson devoted close attention to his agricultural interests, and was considered one of the most industrious citizens, as well as one of the most systematic and intelligent farmers of the district. He was deservedly popular among all classes in the community, and his demise left a blank not easily filled. LAURENCE D. RYAN, one of the most prominent and successful farmers of Carroll township, Ottawa county, and a gentleman honored and respected by all who know him, was born February 18, 1851, in the township where is still his home, and is a son of Edward P. and Monique (DuRuchie) Ryan. His father was for many years engaged in the grocery business and in trading in furs, but the greater part of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He served as auditor of said county in 1860 and 1862. He was born in Detroit, Mich., October 31, 1816, of Irish descent. His father was a bricklayer and mason by trade, and put up the first brick building ever erected in the city of Detroit. Edward Ryan married Miss Du-Ruchie, a lady of French lineage, born in Monroe county, Mich., December 22, 1826. They came to Ohio in 1846, locating in Carroll township, where Mr. Ryan purchased land and transformed it into a fine farm. They went through all the experiences and hardships incident to pioneer life, and were honored and respected residents of the township. The father died June 20, 1867, the mother July Do, 1875, and their memory will long be cherished by those who knew them in life. They had a family of twelve children, as follows: Luke P., the eldest, was born at Sandy Creek, Monroe Co., Mich., June I, 1842, and is now residing in Toledo. William, born at Monroe City, August 5, 1844, enlisted in 1861, in Company I, Forty-first O. V. I. , and served through the war of the Rebel-. lion; on October 31, 1867, he accidentally shot himself while duck hunting. Elizabeth was born at Locust Point, Ottawa county, February 26, 1847, and died in infancy. Laurence D. (1), born at Locust Point, March 7, 1849, died in infancy. Laurence D. (2) is the next younger. Clarissa was born in Carroll township, May 31, 1853. Edward was born April 13, 1855. Napoleon B., born July 29, 1857, resides in Allen township, Ottawa county. Clement V. is also living in Allen township. Josephine was born in Carroll township, Ottawa county, July 4, 1859, and died August 6, 1881. Eugenie, born 'March 20, 1861, died September 8, 1872. Dean Richmond, born June 3, 1867, died February 2, 1868. Laurence D. Ryan was reared to manhood on the old homestead farm, and received the advantages of a fair education in the district schools of Carroll township. Within its borders he has spent his entire life, and from early youth has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is an enterprising, progressive citizen, always taking a leading part in interests that are calculated to improve the county and community in which he resides. He is an industrious and practical farmer whose busy and well spent life commands the respect of all, and his character is beyond reproach. In Carroll township, Ottawa county, July 15, 1873, he was married to Miss Lucina A. Gyde, who was born in Carroll township, August 14, 1850, a daughter of -William and Harriet B. (Meeker) Gyde. The marriage has been blessed with four children: Hattie, born March 20, 1876; Ernest, born July 3, 1878; Elva L., born April 30, 1883; and Nellie E., born August 15, 1889. Mr. Ryan has frequently been solicited to accept official positions of trust in his township, but having no aspirations in that direction he has always declined to become a candidate, believing that in 634 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. order to achieve success it was necessary for him to give his entire time and attention to his farming interests. This he has done, and his well-directed efforts have brought to him a comfortable competence. HENRY ANDERSON. Each community has its representative citizens, men who are devoted to its best interests and to the advancement of all that pertains to its welfare. Among this class is numbered Mr. Anderson, and the record of his life is as follows. He was born in Auburn, N. Y., September 18, 1835, and is the son of William and Sarah (Sanders) Anderson, the former born in Pennsylvania, in August, 1800, the latter born September 16, 1806. They were married in 1823, and had a family of nine children, of whom eight are now living. The family is of Scotch origin, and the great-grandfather of our subject, John Anderson,was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1771. He was a farmer by occupation, for many years served as justice of the peace, and died in 1846. His wife was a Miss La Bruer. The maternal grandfather, Henry Sanders, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1766, and his wife was born in 1763. He owned and operated a distillery, and died in 1841. During his infancy, Henry Anderson was brought by his parents to Sandusky county, Ohio, where he made his home until seventeen years of age. He then went to Fremont, and he was a resident of that place until 1866. His education was acquired in Woodville, Ohio, where his childhood and youth were quietly passed. When President Lincoln issued his first call for 75, coo volunteers to crush out the Rebellion in its infancy, Mr. Anderson was among the first to enlist, and after serving for three months he entered the mechanical department of the army, where he continued some eighteen months. He then joined the navy, and for fourteen months served as steward on one of the boats engaged in the Union service. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his aid, he returned to Ohio, and settled in Fremont. For a year thereafter he was engaged in clerking, and in 1868 he went to Elmore, where he began business as a dealer in harness and saddlery, carrying on operations along that line for about six years. In 1874 he began the development of a farm which had been inherited by his wife from her father's estate. This farm he cleared of timber, fenced and drained it, and soon, where once were wild forest trees, appeared waving fields of grain, a substantial residence, barns and outbuildings, a good orchard, containing a variety of fruits, the latest improved machinery, and all other accessories of a model farm of this latter part of the nineteenth century. In 1874 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Nellis, of Elmore, and their union has been blessed with a son, George A. , who was born May 1o, 1875. Her father, David Nellis, was born August 6, 1806, and her mother, Caroline Nellis, was born October 22, 1809. They had a family of six children, of whom three yet survive. Mrs. Anderson is second cousin to Commodore Perry of naval fame, and is also a distant relative of Gen. Anderson. Her grandfather, John Nellis, was a native of Germany, born in 1786, and his wife was born in the same country in 1787. Her maternal grandfather, Mr. Stedman, was born in New York, in 1783, and his wife was a native of the Empire State, her birth occurring in the same year. Her great-grandfather on her father's side was born about 1764. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are pleasantly located in Elmore, in a fine home on Main street, and he is now doing a thriving business in the harness and saddlery trade. He is energetic and enterprising, and his success has come to him through labor, constant and concentrated. His COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 635 son George is a young man of high ambitions, of superior intellect and business ability. He completed a course of study in the Elmore High School in 1893, and then took a thorough business course in a commercial college of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He has since been engaged in business with his father, aiding in the labors of the farm and of the store, and both Mr. Anderson and his son have the confidence of the public, and the esteem of the social world. HENRY O. MYLANDER, a carriage maker and blacksmith of Oak Harbor, and a popular and progressive citizen, was born upon the old homestead farm in Salem township, Ottawa county, February 27, 1864, and is the eldest son of Casper and Flora (Brinkmyer) Mylander. The public schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges, and he spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm until eighteen years of age; but not wishing to make agriculture his life work he then began to learn the blacksmith's trade in Oak Harbor. A few years later he embarked in business for himself, and carried on operations for about eight years, when he found that his health was failing. This necessitated a change of employment, and selling out, he accepted a position on the steamer, " Frank E. Kirby," plying on the lakes. He continued in that employ for three summers, working at the blacksmith's trade during the winter. On the expiration of that period he returned to Oak Harbor, and in December, 1894, again began business for himself in that place. Mr. Mylander was married in Port Clinton, Ohio, March 17, 1885, to Miss Annie Holder, daughter of Christian and Mary Holder, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany. They now have two interesting children: Eleanora F. R., born November 24, 1885; and Clara Lucilla Mary, born July 27, 1889. They gladden the home with their presence, and the little household is noted for its hospitality which is cordially extended to the many friends of our subject and his wife. In his political views, Mr. Mylander is a Democrat, but has had neither time nor inclination for public office, although he faithfully performs every duty of citizenship as it comes to him. He is now doing a good business as the leading carriage maker and blacksmith in Oak Harbor, where by courteous treatment, fair dealing and an earnest desire to please his customers he has built up an excellent trade. He is enterprising and progressive, and well deserving of the success that may come to him. JACOB HARMON, who is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, was born in Pickaway county, January 18, 1835, and is a son of Jacob and Susan (Peer) Harmon. The father was born in Knox county, Penn., in 1790, and died in 1853, his remains being interred in the cemetery of Elmore, Ohio. The mother was born in Virginia in 1800, and in their family were two children—Jacob, subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Dorotha Schafer, of Toledo, Ohio. The paternal grandmother of our subject was born in 1772, and little else is known concerning the ancestry of the family. During the infancy of Jacob Harmon, his parents came to Ottawa county, Ohio, locating in Harris township, where they spent their remaining days. Upon the old homestead he was reared to manhood, and his early life was very similar to that of farmer boys of the neighborhood. At the age of twenty-three he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Randall, of Benton township, Ottawa county, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, March 9, 1837. Her father, Daniel Randall, was born in Allegany county, N. Y., in 1800, and her mother's birth occurred in 1812, while her maternal grandmother was born 636 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in 1791. Her paternal grandfather was born in 1790, his wife in 1793. They became the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Randall, six yet survive. During the early girlhood of Mrs. Harmon, the parents removed to Lorain county, where she attended the public schools of Pittsfield, concluding the prescribed course of study there. She then lived in Benton township until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon began their domestic life on a farm on the old river road, where they lived some three years, after which they removed to Minnesota, where our subject was engaged in the manufacture of potash for a year, returning then to his father's farm in Harris township, Ottawa county, where he remained until 1875, when he became owner of forty acres of timber land in Section 5, same township. This he at once began to clear, and as the trees were cut and the stumps removed he plowed and planted the land, till now he has it under a high state of cultivation. He also planted a fine orchard, and the place is to-day one of the best improved farms in his part of the county. The home of our subject and wife has been brightened by the presence of seven children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Daniel, March i8, 1859; George, July 11, 1862; John, July 6, 1864; Elizabeth, April 26, 1867; Ephraim, October 22, 1871; Katie, November 5, 1869; Jacob, July 13, 1874; they lost two children—Daniel, who died October 23, 1861; and John, who died November 7, 1892. For many years Mr. Harmon has served as supervisor of Harris township, and has also been school director of his district five years. He has experienced many of the hardships and trials of a pioneer life, and for some years after locating upon his present farm, he expected each spring that his home would be flooded as the river rose. He has ridden on horseback from Portage river to Toussaint creek when the water was deep enough to wet his feet as the horse made its way through the woods. The cabin home stood in the midst of a dense forest, and it seemed to Mrs. Harmon that the trees could never be cleared away so that she might look across the country to her neighbors. This has happened, however, and as the years have passed advancing civilization has done away with the trials of frontier life, and to-day Mr. and Mrs. Harmon are the owners of a fine and valuable farm. The success which has crowned their efforts is well-merited, and their lives are busy and useful. Their son, Jacob, now operates the home farm, and cares for those who cared for him during his childhood, relieving them of much labor and anxiety. DANIEL M. LOWE, a farmer and wholesale butcher of Allen township, Ottawa county, was born in Franklin county, Penn., March 16, 1845, and is a son of Philip and Mary Nancy (Lowery) Lowe, of the same place. He received his early education in the district schools of his native county, and for sometime worked by the month on various farms, afterward returning home and learning the blacksmith's trade with his father, which occupation he followed some three years. At the expiration of that time he became overseer of slaves on a plantation in Maryland, remaining there two years, or until the beginning of the Civil war in 1861. On leaving Maryland, Mr. Lowe returned home and assisted his father upon the farm for about four months, when he went to Somerset county, Penn., and worked in a tannery for the same length of time. Although he did not enlist as a soldier, Mr. Lowe had some exciting experiences during the war. While in Somerset county, the Rebels crossed the Po- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 637 tomac and the owner of the tannery with his employes were obliged to leave their occupation. They fled to Yorktown, with a string of twenty-two six-horse teams, with neighbors and people from different parts of the country. There they remained three weeks until the enemy was repulsed, when they returned to their work. The calm, however, was of short duration, as the Rebels again came upon them, and forced our subject and his employer to take refuge in the mountains, with the same stock. There they hid for three days, and then once more returned to the tannery, only to be driven out the third time, the Rebels this time carrying off the best of the farm stock, including his father's. Discouraged in his attempts to go on with his work at this point, Mr. Lowe again returned to his father's home, but even here his ill-luck pursued him. One day while out on a creek near his home, he was seized by a party of the enemy and forced to drive the stock belonging to his neighbors to their camp across the Potomac. Here he was kept as a prisoner four days, herding cattle. Watching his opportunity, he got away one dark night and reached his home in safety. He worked on the farm some six months when he was again surprised by the Rebels which invaded our country, this time taking with them the remainder of the farm stock. Mr. Lowe remained on the old homestead until his marriage, March 3o, 1865, to Miss Susan A. Talhelm, daughter of William and Susan Talhelm, of Washington township, Franklin Co., Penn. He then came to Ohio, locating in Sandusky county in 1866, and for two years worked by the month on a farm, at the end of that time renting a farm for himself. In 1878 he removed to Clay (then Allen) township, and in addition to farming took up the business of a butcher, in both of which pursuits he has been successful, having a good trade in the surrounding county, and a fine, productive farm. .Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are the parents of ten children, of whom the following record is given: Susan A., born April 9, 1866, is the widow of Charles Brown, and the mother of two children, one of whom lives with his grandfather, our subject, the other at Lulu, Mich. ; Emma C., born September 18, 1867, is the wife of Jacob Youncker, a farmer in Allen township, and they have three children; Clara E., born October 18, 1869, married William Jacobs, and resides in Coleman, Mich. (she is the mother of five children); Albert, born June 4, 1871; William C., June 15, 1873; John P., March 24, 1875; Franklin D., January 3, 1877, died May 12, 1882; Herman E., born October 18, 1878; Jessie B., born July 14, 1881; Myrtle M., born January 3, 1884, died May 6, of the same year. Philip Lowe, grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch nativity. His son (also named Philip), the father of our subject, was born in Franklin county, Penn., where he carried on farming and also blacksmithing. He married Nancy Lowery, who was of Pennsylvania birth, and ten children were born to them, viz. : William, Philip, John, Martin, Daniel, Josiah, Henry, Jacob, Barbara and Susan. The wife of our subject was born in Pennsylvania. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born October 5, 1845, and they are still living in Pennsylvania. Her grandparents were born in Germany. Mr. Lowe is an ardent Republican, and with his family attends the Church of the United Brethren. WILLIAM J. BAKER, one of the prominent agriculturists of Allen township, Ottawa county, was born in Devonshire, England, February 28, 1847, and is a son of James and Eliza (Bailey) Baker, the former a native of Devonshire, the latter of Cornwall, England. He received a limited education in the schools of his native coun- 638 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ty, attending to his studies during the winter seasons and working upon his grandfather's farm in Cornwall, in the summer, until he was sixteen years old. He then learned the trade of a carriage maker, spending five years as an apprentice and one year afterward as a journeyman. On February 20, 1869, Mr. Baker left the home of his birth for America, finding his way to Ohio, and locating in Woodville township, Sandusky county, where he followed carpentering and painting some eight years. He then married and moved to Allen (then Clay) township, and began work on a farm of seventy-five acres owned by his wife, the larger portion of which was unimproved. He did much hard work on this place, letting not a moment go to waste, and succeeded in clearing the land, erecting a large, comfortable dwelling house, barns, outhouses, and making other improvements which to-day testify to his industry and enterprise. The marriage of our subject took place September 13, 1877, when he was united to Miss Mary E. Kent, daughter of Anson and Mercy (Wood) Kent, farmers of Allen township. To them has been born a family of five children, as follows: Della P., born June 24, 1878, was educated in the schools of Allen township, and is housekeeper for her widowed father; Eliza M. was born July 29, 1880; Mary E. on April 1, 1884.; Florence M. on August 2, 1886, and Dorothy H. on August 14,1891. All the younger children are attending school in Allen township. Mrs. Baker, the wife of our subject, was born in Clay township, Ottawa county, August 21, 1856, and there obtained her education. Her father died April 28, 1864, and her mother was again married, this time in December, 1869, to John Tiplady, of Allen township. He died January 5, 1892. The mother is still living, and resides in Allen township with her daughters, Carrie, who was born October 31, 187o, and Inez, born October 27, 1874. Mrs. Baker passed peacefully away March 13, 1894, leaving a devoted husband and five young daughters to mourn the loss of a faithful and loving wife and mother. James Baker, the father of our subject, was a native of Devonshire, England, where he was a farmer. He was married in 1845 to Eliza Bailey, and a family of twelve children was born to them, of whom the following record is given: William J. is the subject of this sketch; Annie M. is the wife of Walter Hewitt, of Islandville, Mass. ; Eliza, wife of Francis Bailey, is residing in California; Rachel is the wife of Dr. Hobert Hewitt, of Glenwood Springs, Garfield Co., Colo. ; Richard is school teacher and farmer, residing in Allen township; Frances resides in Morrison, Colo. ; Elizabeth is the wife of Francis Monroe, owner of a coffee plantation in San Jose, Costa Rico, Central America; John H. is in the United States mail service at Toledo; Thomas sleeps in in the Denver (Colo.) cemetery, and the three younger children sleep in the old home churchyard in England. Mr. Baker, in his political views, affiliates with the Prohibition party. In religion he and his family are in sympathy with the Disciples Church, the services of which they attend at Genoa. Mr. Baker is looked upon as a man of principle, upright in his business relations and a good citizen. CHARLES R. TSCHUMY, a representative citizen, and a leading watchmaker and jeweler of Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, is a native of Sandusky county, Ohio, having first seen the light August 21, 1858, in Fremont. His parents, Frederick and Marie (Birmley) Tschumy, were both born in Baden, Germany, the former December 25, 1823, the latter August To, 1825. They were married in the Fatherland, and, in 1849 immigrated to America, lo- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 639 cating first in New Orleans, La., where they resided several years, the father working at his trade, that of a cabinet maker, at which he was an expert. From New Orleans the family moved to Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, afterward, in 1863, to Port Huron, Mich., where Mr. Tschumy engaged in the manufacture of pumps. In 1864 they removed to Napoleon, Henry Co., Ohio; thence, in 1866, to Oak Harbor, where they continued to reside for many years, enjoying the love and respect of all who knew them. The father's death occurred March 1o, 1874, his faithful and loving wife surviving him until December, 1886, when she, too, passed away. The Tschumy family consisted of eleven children, five of whom are yet living, viz. : Frederick J., a marine engineer, residing in Cleveland, Ohio; Emma, the wife of Ira Neville, a resident of Teegarden, Marshall Co., Ind. ; Louis H., a prominent builder and contractor of Toledo, Ohio; Charles R.; and Louisa; now the wife of William Heminger, of Oak Harbor. Charles R. Tschumy, whose name introduces these lines, received his preliminary education in the public schools of • Oak Harbor, on leaving which he was apprenticed to the trade of watch-making, entering the employ of Otto Brown, a practical watchmaker from Germany, who was at that time doing business in Oak Harbor. After completing his apprenticeship our subject worked, at intervals, for James. Moore, of Toledo, and gained further information regarding the details of his trade, more especially the use of tools for manufacturing the finer parts of watches, though it is mainly through his own energy and skill as a mechanic that he has attained the thorough knowledge of and perfection in his business he to-day possesses. From his early boyhood Mr. Tschumy has been of an inventive turn of mind, and when but eleven years of age he modelled and built, unaided, a miniature engine, the parts being composed principally of wood, the motive power being compressed air instead of steam; and possessing these inventive faculties to so great a degree, he has become a thorough master of the many technical details of his business. Mr. Tschumy has been engaged in watch-making since 1872, and his reputation as a practical, thorough watch-maker and business man is recognized far and near, work being sent him from many places outside of the State in which he lives. The jewelry department of his large and handsome store is well stocked with the finest quality of goods, and his promptness, strict integrity and skill as a workman have established for him a reputation and trade not excelled, if equalled, by any firm in the county. In 1884 Mr. Tschumy was united in marriage, at Oak Harbor, with Belle Vining, who was born in Bellevue, Huron Co., Ohio, May 8, 1858, daughter of Calvin and Harriet (Croney) Vining, natives of Virginia. The family consists of six children, viz. : Ina and Edna (twins), Beulah Marie, Grace, Florabell, and an infant yet unnamed, besides a daughter, Lula, by a previous marriage of Mrs. Tschumy. Our subject is a member of Lodge No. 516, K. of P., also of Oak Harbor Lodge No. 735, I. O. O. F.., and in his political views he favors the Democratic party. The family are consistent members of the M. E. Church. A biographical sketch of Mr. Tschumy, to those who know him, would be incomplete were mention of his musical abilities omitted. In his home life he has always found relief from his routine of duties in literature and music, and for a number of years he has been leader of the Oak Harbor Band, and his assistance in all social and Church gatherings has added much to his popularity and success. He is also an ardent lover of the science of astronomy, and he is the possessor of a small telescope, with which he spends many a pleasant evening in the contemplation of 640 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. different heavenly bodies, especially the planets. He renders much aid to the astronomy classes in the public school by kindly illustrating to them the various systems treated in their text-books. He is regarded as an honorable man, above reproach in all things, kind to everyone, generous to those who are in need, a man of strong convictions of right and wrong, and ever fearless in upholding that which he knows to be right. SAMUEL MINIER is a native of Salem township, Ottawa Co. , Ohio, his birth having occurred July 15, 1847, on the old homestead farm, the third farm which was opened up in the township. It is still his home and has been his place of abode through childhood and manhood. He received such limited educational privileges as the district schools of that day afforded, and from early youth has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. As soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields, and it was not long before he was familiar with farm work in all its departments. The pursuit to which he was reared he has made his life work, and today he is one of the enterprising agriculturists of the community, the owner of a highly-cultivated tract of land, which in its neat appearance indicates the careful supervision of the owner. His business transactions are conducted with the utmost fairness, and his industry and honesty have won him the respect and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Minier has been twice married; first time to Miss Rachel Beard, a resident of Stark county, Ohio, and they became the parents of two children—Joseph, who is residing in Salem township, Ottawa county; and Flora Belle. The mother of this family, who was a most estimable lady, passed away February 5, 1877, and one year later, December 19, 1878, Mr. Minier married Miss Susanna Kleinhans, who was born September 5, 1847, daughter of John and Maria (Hineiine) Kleinhans, well-known people of Ottawa county. Five children grace this marriage—four sons and one daughter—their names and dates of birth being as follows: Claude A., October 5, 1879; Gwendolen, February 27, 1881; George S. , August 3, 1883; Orville Earl, May 6, 1885; and Lloyd D., June 4, 1890. The family are well-known in this community, the household is the abode of hospitality, and our subject and his wife hold an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Minier is a member of Lacare Tent, Knights of the Macabees, and in his political views is a stanch Democrat, having supported that party since representative of an honored pioneer family, and well deserves representation in this volume. ALBERT A. CLEMONS, a leading fruit grower of Danbury township, Ottawa county, and a son of Alexander Clemons, was born on the old homestead at Marblehead, Ohio, April 9, 1840. Since infancy he has been a resident of that community, where by his good qualities and genial disposition he has endeared himself to the residents of that as well as other sections of the county, and, throughout, his friends are legion. His education was acquired in the public schools of Marblehead, and from early boyhood until 1862 he was engaged in farm work. In August, 1862, Mr. Clemons enlisted in Company G, One Hundredth O. V. I., with which regiment he participated in numerous engagements, including the siege of Knoxville, and the battles of Franklin, Resaca, Atlanta and Nashville. He was a faithful soldier, always found at his post of duty, and at the close of the war was mustered out and discharged at Goldsboro, July 20, 1865. On returning to his home in Marblehead COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 641 he became connected with his brother in the quarrying business, being owners of one of the largest quarries in the State. They carried on operations under the firm name of Clemons Sons until 189o, when business was discontinued, and the partnership dissolved, since which time our subject has devoted his entire attention to fruit growing. At Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1875 Albert Clemons was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Catherman, a daughter of Samuel and Clarissa Catherman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio, both now residents of Sandusky City. To this union has been born one child, Georgie D., who is still with her parents. Mr. Clemons is a member of Peninsular Lodge, No. 607, K. of P., and of R. B. Richardson Post, No. 454, G. A. R., while in politics he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. As a citizen he is broad guaged and enterprising, and can worthily be accredited with having done his share in developing the interests of the county. While not a Church member, he is a supporter of all religious efforts, and gives liberal financial aid thereto. The family hold prominent place in social circles. HERMAN W. ENGLEBECK. Of German descent, this gentleman was born in Portage township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, December 23, 1836, a son of Herman and Caroline (Fechtler) Englebeck, natives of the Fatherland. Leaving their old home they crossed the Atlantic to America, and about 1835 located in what is now Portage township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, which was then a part of Sandusky county, there continuing their residence until called to the home beyond. Of their family of nine children, six are still living, namely: William, who resides in Weston, Wood Co., Ohio; Herman W., in Portage township, Ottawa county; John R., a resident of Denver, Colo. ; Henry J., who is living in Lakeside, Ohio; Katherine, wife of Capt. William Slackford, and a resident of Portage township; and George, who is located in Des Moines, Iowa. Our subject was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, receiving such educational advantages as were obtainable in the district schools of the neighborhood, and from his boyhood days up to the present time has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, winning a well-merited success, and becoming the owner of one of the most fertile farms and productive orchards of the township. He enjoys the reputation of being a thorough and practical agriculturist and fruit grower, and his well-tilled fields and fruit-bearing orchards indicate his care and supervision. His handsome residence and neat surroundings bespeak thrift, and the home is noted for its hospitality. The lady who presides in the Engle-beck residence, was, in her maidenhood, Nancy Wonnell, and in Port Clinton, on the i 8th of December, 1859, she became the wife of our subject. Her parents were early settlers of Portage township, Ottawa county, where she was born April 17, 1838. The children of this marriage are six in number: Oscar W., born September 18, 1861, was married July 3, 1883, to Lizzie Lickfelt, and has one son, Arthur; Charles Grant, born December 6, 1864, married Jennie Fall, and with his wife and two children, Amos and Helen, resides in Port Clinton; Effie Josephine, born July 3, 1863, was married April 9, 1887, to Burton Elwell, and died January 25, 1893, leaving a daughter, Florence E., who is still living; Carrie Leah was born March 7, 1871; Bertie Hayes, born June 6, 1875, died March 8, 1876; Nannie Belle, born July 20, 1879, completes the family. In all the duties of husband, father, neighbor and citizen, Mr. Englebeck is found faithful, and occupies a high place in the esteem of those who know him. 642 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. He is a representative farmer, one whose example may well be followed, for his character is above reproach and he is worthy of the highest respect. For almost sixty years he has resided in Ottawa county, and well deserves mention among the honored pioneers. HENRY BOWE, one of the descendants of George Bowe, Sr., a well-known pioneer of Sandusky county, was born June 6, 1843, in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he still resides. He lived with his parents on the old farm in Scott township until he was twenty-one years, when he began life for himself, working the old farm on shares. In 1864 Mr. Bowe took a trip to Green Bay, Lake Superior, and Ft. Wayne, Ind. In the following year he again visited Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he remained a few months, and then returned home and worked on the old farm one year. He then again went to Indiana, returning, in 1867, to the old farm where he remained until his marriage, January 27, 1847, to Catherine Fry, of Jackson township, Sandusky county. To them have come four children: Sarah A., born August 31, 1878, died August 14, 1887; Mary Annie, born April 11, 188o, at the present time studying music; Roulif, born August To, 1883; and Lulu L., born January 27, 1889. A part of the farm, where Mr. Bowe now resides, he obtained from his father. To it he has added forty acres more, erected substantial buildings, and now has the place under good cultivation. In addition to his fanning he is engaged in the oil business. His first lease was in 1886, and provided that Mr. Bowe should have one-eighth of the oil, $300, and an oil well in five years. The wells were not driiled, nor were they expected to be —hence the lease practically amounted to very little. In 1887, he leased his farm again, this time for one year, he to have one-eighth of the oil, but no wells were put down. In 1888 another lease was drawn, but nothing was done. On April 8, 1895, the first real business for oil began on Mr. Bowe's farm. According to the lease he is to have $300, and one-sixth of the oil, besides which a well is to be put down every sixty days until there are six wells in all. In addition to this Mr. Bowe has at the present time just drilled and shot a well of his own which promises to be a very good one. The wells now running are producing about twenty barrels each per day. One-sixth of the oil, together with the well owned by himself, returns a fine income from the oil business. Mr. Bowe's father, George Bowe, Sr., was one of Sandusky county's pioneers". He relates a striking incident in his own life while living in Scott township. One day, about the year 1843, while laboring on his farm, there suddenly appeared before him an image of his father, as natural as life; he spoke and the vision vanished. He at once went to the house, related the incident to his wife and family, and after a little consultation it was decided that he had better go to Buffalo and visit his father. Accordingly he left at once for that city, and on coming there he found his father a corpse. At that time the old gentleman was about seventy-five years old, thus making the date of birth of our subject's paternal grandfather about the year 1768. The father of our subject was born in France in 1802, and came to America in 1832, settling in New York State, where he remained three years. Thence he came to Ohio, and in Scott township entered 210 acres of land, one-half for himself and the other half for his sister. In 1834-35 he married Catherine Wegstein, daughter of Michael Wegstein, born in Baden, Germany, in 1813. To them were born ten children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being: George, Jacob, Frederick, Henry, Michael, David and Mary C. Of these, Fred- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 643 erick and Mary C. died some time ago, while the remainder are yet living. The father of our subject acquired a large property in Scott township, owning at one time 600 acres of land. He died June 3, 1872, and was buried in the Bradner Cemetery. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Michael Wegstein, was born about 1779, in Baden, Germany, where he was married, and had a family of six children. In 1832 he started for America, but on the voyage his wife took sick, died, and was buried in mid-ocean. Of his family only two are now living. One son, Michael, was captain of Company H, Seventy-second Ohio Volunteers, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh. Mrs. Bowe, wife of our subject, was born June 7, 1849, in Jackson township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where she lived until her marriage. Her father, George Fry, a pioneer of Sandusky county, was born in Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia, in 1798, came to America in 1835, and in 1843 was united in marriage with Miss Mary Gust, who was born March 14, 1821, and died in 1880. They had nine children, five of whom are living. He died November 26, 1890. He helped to construct the Maumee pike, the famous Ohio road. Mrs. Bowe's maternal grandfather, Casper Gust, was born about 179o, and his wife about 1799. They were the parents of ten children. JEPTHA L. OGDEN, one of the most successful farmers and fruit growers of Carroll township, Ottawa county, was born in Morris county, N. J., November 28, 1827, and is one of a family of six children, only two of whom now survive, our subject and his sister Ruth, wife of Henry Jide. Their parents, Jeptha and Rachel (Munson) Ogden, were also natives of New Jersey, the father born July 24, 1795, the mother on June 12, 1788. They came across the mountains from New Jersey with teams to Ottawa county, the trip occupying a month, and reached Port Clinton, May 25, 1838. After resting a few days in that city they proceeded in a scow by river to Carroll township, where they located on the land now owned by our subject. The farm was then a perfect wilderness, but they at once began to clear and develop the land, which has now been placed under a high state of cultivation. In the log house which was there erected the deaths of both parents occurred, the mother dying February 23, 1874, the father on May 15, 1877. The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood and youth after the manner of most farmers' sons, acquiring his education in the old log schoolhouse of the district, at an early age being trained to those habits of industry and economy which have proven the secret of his success in life. In connection with general farming he is also engaged in fruit growing, in which he is meeting with a well-deserved success. In Ottawa county, on November 28, 1852, Mr. Ogden was married to Miss Margaret Cover, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Cover, and they became the parents of six children: Saphroni, born September 26, 1853, now the wife of John Meeker; Reuha, born September 18, 1855, was married February 11, 1874, to Charles Humphrey, and died July 19, 1882; Philina, born February 8, 1857, now the wife of Daniel Day, of Port Clinton, Ottawa county; Rachel E., born April 14, 1862, now the wife of Charles Humphrey; Jeptha -William was born September 29, 1864; Alice, born April 6, 1871, is the wife of Edward Jide; and one child died in infancy. The mother of this family died February 18, 1879, and February 8, 1881, Mr. Ogden was again married, this time to Mrs. Mary Giger, widow of Henry Giger, and sister of his first wife, and her death occurred November 19, 1888. On February 13, 1892, Mr. Ogden wedded Mrs. 644 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Clemenza Almira (Mattock) Conn, widow of Philip Conn. She was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, June 5, 1842, and is a daughter of Isaac and Matilda Mattock, the former of whom now makes his home in Adams, Defiance Co., Ohio. By her former marriage Mrs. Ogden became the mother of five children: Emma, born August 1, 1863, died August 11, 1866; Matilda. born December 11, 1865, married January 8, 1884, to William Schmaltz, of Defiance county; Mary, born March 19, 1873, married April 28, 1889, to William Tittle; Euphema, born April 22, 1881; and Theodocia, born June 16, 1883. In his political views Mr. Ogden is a Democrat, and in religious faith the family attend the services of the United Brethren Church. From his early boyhood our subject's life has been spent in Carroll township, and from a wilderness, inhabited mostly by savages with only a few white settlers, he has seen the country converted into finely-tilled land, dotted with handsome residences, in which work he has contributed his share, and he enjoys and respect of all who knew him. FREDERICK HOLTKAMP, who is successfully engaged in farming in Harris township, Ottawa county, was born in Prussia, June 26, 1846, a son of Frederick and Angeline (Schope) Holtkamp, also natives of Prussia. They were both born in 1815, and the father, now at the age of eighty years, a hale and hearty old man, is living with our subject; they were the parents of three children, Frederick being the only survivor. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Frederick, was born in Prussia, in 1775. He was a literary man, highly educated, and spent the greater portion of his life in Germany. His wife was born in Prussia in 1786, and they were the parents of seven children. The great-grandmother of Mr. Holtkamp was born in Prussia, in 1755, but further than this the ancestry of the family can not be traced. During the first fourteen years of his life, Frederick Holtkamp, the subject proper of this review, remained in the land of his birth, and then accompanied his parents on their emigration to the New World, the family locating at Elmore, Ohio, where the father purchased a tract of land and began farming. Our subject remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he started out to make his own way in the world. As a helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Mary Huber, of Monroe, Mich., who was born in Hessen, Germany, March 23, 1835, and is a daughter of John and Agnes (Lisben) Huber, natives of the same locality, the former born November I I, 1805, and the latter in 1806; of their eight children, four are now living, all residents of the Buckeye State. Her paternal grandmother, Helen Pricker, was born in Hessen in 1778, and her maternal grandmother, Maria Hoff-spier, was born in 1773, while the great-grandmother was born in 1749, nearly one century and a half ago. Mr. and Mrs. Holtkamp began their domestic life upon a farm near Elmore, Ohio, where they lived for some years, and then removed to the village of Elmore, which was their place of abode six years, and where he was in the tailoring business. In 1875 he purchased the farm which he yet owns, and at once began to clear and develop it, placing it under a high state of cultivation. The excellent buildings which he has erected, the fences always kept in good repair, the well-tilled fields, and the fine orchard with its variety of fruits, all indicate the care and supervision of a painstaking owner. He also devotes some time to stock-raising, selling to local dealers, and has made this a profitable part of his business. He and his family are all members of the Methodist Church of Elmore, and are people COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 645 whose well-spent lives have won them the respect and confidence of all with whom they have come in contact. In his political views Mr. Holtkamp is a Republican, but has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office. To Mr. and Mrs. Holtkamp have been born children as follows: (1) Mary, the eldest, married 0. 0. Overmyer, a wealthy farmer of Lindsey, Ohio. (2) Angeline married A. Coleman, of Genoa, Ohio, who lives on a farm which he bought of Mr. Holtkamp. (3) Lizzie married Rev. P. S. Ingersoll, of Norwalk, Ohio, who is at the present time in Minnesota. (4) John H., who is a graduate of the German Wollace, of Berea, Ohio, is now minister at McKeesport, Penn. (5) Henry C., is an expert upholsterer in Toledo, Ohio. (6) Frank E. is a printer, at the present time in Cairo, Ill., where he has an interest in the Cairo Daily People. (7) Caroline is one of Elmore's noted dressmakers. (8) Daniel Webster H., who is in his " teens " yet, is still at home on the farm with his father; during spare time he devotes himself at his desk writing; he is correspondent for the Cleveland Press, which work he likes and takes much interest in, and some day expects, when old enough, to follow; he is a bright and energetic young man, standing high in society; he is a member of the Elmore Band, in which he plays cornet; he and his little sister Emma, who is but sixteen years old, and a graduate of the Elmore High school, play cornet solos. (9) Emma is a remarkable musician, being especially a very fine piano player. HENRY DIERKER. Among the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Ohio, to become prominent in her agricultural interests, is the gentleman whose name opens this review. and who was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 8th of July, 1851. The father of our subject died during the early childhood of the latter, after which the mother, whose maiden name was Gertrude Buck, came to America. In the family were eleven children, six of whom are now living. Mrs. Dierker spent her remaining days in Ohio, and her death occurred in Wood county, March 24, 1879. Henry Dierker remained in his native land until nine years of age, and then came with his mother to America. His first home in this country was in Sandusky county, Ohio, and in 1863 he removed to Wood county, where he spent the succeeding ten years of his life, coming to Ottawa county in 1873, at which time he located in Section 6, Harris township, where he has since made his home. Mr. Dierker here cleared a farm, fenced and tiled it, and has made all the improvements that are found upon a model farm of the 19th century. The land is highly cultivated, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision and systematic management of the owner. He is also successfully engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of cattle and hogs. On April 6, 1873, Mr. Dierker married Miss Mary Zilch, of Lorain county, Ohio, where she was born January 28, 1854. In 1860 her parents came to Harris township, Ottawa county, and here she was educated. Her father was born in Hessen, Germany, February 18, 1809, and came to America in 1851, his death occurring in Harris township, Ottawa county, in 1892. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Gertrude Schuch, was born in Hessen, Germany, October 27, 1816, and their marriage was celebrated in that country in 1838. By their union was born a family of eight children, only two of whom are now living—Mrs. Dierker and Mrs. Konetzka. Our subject and his wife are the parents of nine children, namely: Henry, 646 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. born January 21, 1874, died February 8, 1874; Anna, born February 8, 1875, died March 2, 1875; Emma, born August 17, 1876, died August Jo, 1888; Eliza, born July 15, 1878; Mary, born December 9, 1880; Louisa, born July 4, 1883; Gertrude, born December 30, 1887; Frederick, born December 5, 1890; and Clara, born January 24, 1893. The family is widely known in Ottawa county, and Mr. and Mrs. Dierker have the warm regard of many friends. GEORGE E. POST. This prominent and enterprising gentleman, who is extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber, at Martin, Clay township, Ottawa county, was born in Twinsburgh, Summit county, Ohio, March 28, 1844, and was one of seven children composing the family of Eben and Maria (Davis) Post, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, the latter of Connecticut. Zina Post, paternal grandfather of our subject, was born about the year 1775, and was a pioneer of Hudson, Summit county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming. His wife, Rena Post, was about ten years younger than he, and survived him several years. They had a family of eight children of whom are living the following: Aurelia, married to Augustus Foote, for many years connected with the Second National Bank of Cleveland, Ohio; Alvira, married to Chauncy Fowler, a carriage trimmer at Hudson, Ohio; Ann, married to Horace Chamberlin, a farmer, also living at Northfield; Cynthia, wife of Nelson Wate, a miner in California; Bradford, who for several years was a farmer, and is now a retired merchant. William, one of the sons, lived on the old homestead, taking care of his parents to the close of their lives. He bought up all the shares in the property, and when he died, about nine years ago, he was worth some $30,000. His death was caused by blood poison, the result of a wound he received in one of his fingers, a common table-fork having struck it. Eben Post, the father of our subject, was born in 1816, in Ohio, and was a farmer in Twinsburgh township, Summit county, He died in Hudson June 5, 1887, aged seventy-one years; his wife, who survives him, is living on the old homestead at Hudson. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Lewis A., born June 20, 1842, at Twinsburgh, Summit Co., Ohio, is now in the cheese business in Andrew county, Mo. (he married Miss Mary Pease, and they have had three children, of whom two survive); George E. is our subject; William, of Hudson, Ohio, married Cora Morse, of the same place; Aurelia was also born and educated in Hudson, and married Lyman Laudenslager, a liveryman of that place; the remaining children were Clark, Zina and May, the latter of whom died at the age of seventeen, in Hudson. When a young man, Eben Post bought an eighty-acre lot in Twinsburgh township, Summit county, a portion of which he cleared, and getting it well cultivated, and converted into pasture land, he commenced keeping a dairy, and making cheese. Prospering in this, he bought two more forty-acre lots, and in the spring would go west to purchase cows for dairy purposes, and then sell to the farmers, in which line he continued year after year. Later in the season he would buy cattle for the Standard Packing House Co., at Cleveland. He then bought a farm, near Hudson, of 125 acres, to which he moved, and afterward he would buy cows by the car-load, in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri, shipping them by rail instead of driving them by road. Georg E. Post, the subject proper of these lines, remained at the place of his birth until he was seventeen years old, receiving all his education at the schools of the neighborhood, with the exception of two or three terms attendance at the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 647 schools of Hudson, Summit county, whither the family had removed in 186o, when our subject was sixteen years old. His first work was as a farmer boy upon his father's farm, and in 1866, when twenty-two years old he went south with his uncle, Bradford Post, traveling through Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, the uncle buying a farm east of Chattanooga. Our subject remained with him all winter, selling a few lots of cheese in Atlanta, Ga., then in the spring returned home, remaining there until he came to Clay township, and took up work in a lumber mill at Martin, which was then owned and operated by H. W. Salisbury. He worked in this mill for a year, learning all branches of the business, and the following year bought a half interest therein, the name and style of the new firm being Salisbury & Post. Being a man of good executive ability and progressive ideas, Mr. Post soon succeeded in acquiring control of the business, bought out the interest of his partner, and for fourteen years has operated it in his own name, building up an extensive trade and giving employment to a large number of men. By his strictly honest and enterprising business methods he has made of it a financial success, and to-day is the only lumber manufacturer in Martin, which heretofore has continued several similar industries. Not contented with his work at Martin, Mr. Post has pushed his enterprises as far as Cleveland, where he has purchased a building lot in the southern portion of that city, on which he is erecting, at a cost of upwards of $3,000, a fine business block, 20 x 65 feet, which will be an ornament to the city, and no doubt, will prove a good investment. The building and lot are valued at $5,000. Mr. Post was married, at Kent, Ohio, November 11, 1865, to Miss Frances Brewster, who was born in 1844, daughter of John Brewster, a prominent farmer, of Stow township, Summit county, - 41 - and one child has come to this union, Clarence, born July 2, 1875, at Martin. He received his education in the public schools of Martin, Ohio, also attending for one term the high school at Hudson; he is now in Hudson, Ohio, with his uncle, in the livery business. Mrs. Post, who was a devoted wife and mother, and a woman of most estimable character, passed away March 26, 1891, having fallen a victim to that dread complaint, Bright's disease, and her remains were deposited in the cemetery at Hudson, Ohio. Her memory will long be cherished by her bereaved husband and son, and the hosts of friends who have enjoyed her hospitality and friendship. Mr. Post is a man of genial disposition, a pleasant conversationalist, very popular with and highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. He is a Republican in political views, and votes from principle, being in no sense an office seeker, and is interested in whatever tends to the development or progress of the community in which he lives. JOHN L. WHEELER, a well-known highly-respected resident of Oak Harbor, is a native of Ottawa county, Ohio, born in Salem township August 22, 1857, a son of Charles and Mary (Fought) Wheeler. The father of our subject, a retired agriculturist of Salem township, first saw the light near Bridgeport, Conn. , April 27, 1827, being a son of John and Mary (Wheeler) Wheeler, both natives of Connecticut and very early settlers of Ottawa county, they having located near Elmore in 1833, and they were highly-respected residents of that township up to the time of their decease. Mr. Wheeler's educational advantages were confined to those afforded by the old log schoolhouse of half a century ago, his early life being spent in acquiring a thorough knowledge of the many duties in connection with the farm. 648 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. When a lad six years of age he came with his parents to Ottawa county, and has been a continuous resident thereof for nearly fifty years, honored and respected by the entire community as a man of sound character and many other excellent qualities. Mr. Wheeler was married in Hessville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, July 13, 1847, the lady of his choice being a Miss Mary Fought, daughter of George and Mary Fought, early settlers of Sandusky county. To this union were born seven children, as follows: Samuel, Levi, John L., Albert, Laura E. (wife of George Fry), Mary Melissa (wife of George Gordon) and Harvey. The mother passed to the home beyond November 16, 1888. In 1864 Mr. Wheeler enlisted in Company I, Fifty-fifth O. V. I., and served until the close of the war, being mustered out near Cincinnati in June, 1865, shortly afterward returning to his home in Salem township. Our subject is one of the few old pioneer settlers who have lived to see what was at one time a vast, unbroken wilderness transformed into thriving towns and prosperous villages. In his political preferences Mr. Wheeler is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. John L. Wheeler, the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native township, on leaving school served an apprenticeship term to the trade of a plasterer, which vocation he has followed throughout his entire life, and his reputation as a workman and as a citizen who has ever been found willing to do all in his power to advance any cause which has had for its culmination the welfare of his town and county, is a most enviable one indeed. He was united in marriage, August 22, 1892, with Mrs. Angeline Alice (Young) Smith, widow of Duncan Smith, whose death occurred November 16, 1883, and a daughter of George Young, of Carroll township, Ottawa county. This union has not been blessed by the birth of any children. Mrs. Wheeler had three children by her former marriage, viz. : George D., a prominent photographer of Oak Harbor, born October 16, 1874; Alice M., born October 18, 1876, and Emma Jane, born January 1, 1881. The family enjoy the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. Mrs. Wheeler has conducted a millinery bazaar and fancy-goods business ever since her first husband was drowned, some seven years ago; in fact she raised her family in business, and is one of Oak Harbor's brightest and most industrious women. George Young, an enterprising agriculturist, trapper and lumber manufacturer, of Carroll township, father of Mrs. J. L. Wheeler, is a native of Center township, Berks Co., Penn., born November 30, 182—, a son of John and Susannah (Keen) Young, natives of Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. When a lad six years of age Mr. Young came with his parents to Stark county, Ohio, where he received his primary education. When twenty years of age he left the parental abode and went to Harrison county, Ohio, where he found employment at his trade, that of a carpenter, remaining there about six years. He then moved to Sandusky, Erie county, where he remained until 1850, being employed in the car shops. In 1851 he embarked in the fishing industry at Port Clinton, Ottawa county, and has since been a continuous resident of that county, for the past twenty-five years extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber and also in the building of bridges. He was united in marriage April 28, 1846, with Miss Maria Jane Zouvers, daughter of Solomon and Susannah E. (Hoy) Zouvers, born October 2, 1828. To this union have been born nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: John, May 15, 1847; Angeline Alice, January 6, 1850, now the wife of John L. Wheeler, of Oak Harbor; Susanna E., March 26, 1852, wife of George Reid, of Oak Harbor; COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 649 Mary Jane, May 15, 1854, wife of Morgan Sharpe; Catherine E., September 3, 1856, wife of Louis Daly, of Havana, Huron county; Emma P., October 20, 1858, wife of Martin Smith, of Toledo; Marian A., March 18, 1861, wife of H. C. Mylander, of Oak Harbor; George D. , April 26, 1863; Robert Eugene, October 6, 1865. Mr. Young has been a member of the board of directors of the Oak Harbor Infirmary for the past six years. LYSANDER CURTIS BALL. The subject of this sketch was born in Rockingham county, Vt., March 26, 1795. His father, Eusebius Ball, a native of Massachusetts, served in the war of 1812, and died in the State of New York at about the age of sixty years. When eighteen years old, Lysander C. Ball went to Trenton Falls, N. Y., where he learned the trade of blacksmithing. At twenty-three, he moved to Boston, Mass., and soon after started westward for Detroit, on foot, arriving at Lower Sandusky, Ohio, in April, 1818. He saw but one house on the present site of Cleveland when he came through there, and on reaching the Sandusky river there was no way of crossing it but in little Indian bark canoes. At Fremont there were but three or four log cabins, and very little enterprise, yet he found employment with Thomas L. Hawkins, who owned a good pair of oxen, and Mr. Ball, being very skillful in the management of them, helped to build the first dam across the Sandusky river, his compensation for one month's labor being a pair of shoes. The roads westward through the old " Black Swamp," as it was then called, being perfectly impassable at the time, Mr. Ball was persuaded to establish himself in business at Fremont, and like many others with small means took " Hobson's choice." He placed his little blacksmith shop on ground now occupied by State street, between the Croghan House Block and Buckland's corner. Mr. Ball was married, February 23, 1823, to Miss Eveline Patterson, daughter of Reuben and Eunice (Danforth) Patterson, and took up his residence in a log cabin adjoining the back part of what is now " Croghan House" lot. In this cabin two children were born to them, the first dying in infancy. He afterward built and for many years occupied a residence and shop on Front street, north of the Wheeling depot, which property was in later years purchased by the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Company. In 1853 he moved thence to a farm north of the city, but adjoining the corporation, where he continued. to reside until his death, which occurred March 21, 1877, when he was at the age of eighty-two years. His residence was on high ground overlooking a bend in the river from which the scenery is delightful. Being a lover of the beauties of natural scenery, he employed his sound, well-balanced mind and his industrious hands in working a magical change in his home surroundings. In the life and character of Mr. Ball, the virtues of industry, temperance, frugality, truth and integrity, order and peace, were conspicuously displayed. A model husband and father, a good and generous neighbor, carried away by no excitement, misled by no shams or false appearances, loving his borne and family so that except on duty he was seldom away from it, he led that peaceful and complete life which entitles him to a lasting and honored remembrance. Mrs. Eveline Ball was born February 15, 1800, in Onondaga county, N. Y. At the age of sixteen she came with her parents, in large moving wagons, to Ohio, and in 1818 they located at Lower Sandusky, and spent the first winter in one of the block houses of Fort Stephenson. Mrs. Ball (then Eveline Patterson) taught