900 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Inf., in which he served with courage until the close of the war, being honorably discharged July 25, 1865, at Trenton, New Jersey. His service was in the Army of the Potomac and was often hazardous in the extreme. Although on many occasions he was forced to face almost certain death, he escaped all injury with the exception of a wound received in the second battle of the Wilderness. For some years after the war, Mr. Fang-boner resided at Lindsey, Sandusky County, Ohio, where he first became interested in an industry with which he has been more or less connected ever since. This was the buying, feeding and shipping of live stock and by 1887 it had grown 'to such dimensions that he thought best to locate at Fremont in order to have a wider field and better facilities. He has made a specialty of sheep and his extensive sheep pens resemble in miniature, the great city stockyards. Here he feeds thousands of sheep and ships to eastern markets. He also does a very large business in shipping farm produce of different kinds, a special line of his work being the buying, pressing and shipping of hay and straw, for this industry having provided excellent facilities. The rich agricultural territory surrounding Fremont Mr. Fangboner has found his granary. and through his enterprise. good judgment and business integrity, this section has greatly profited. Mr. Fangboner is recognized for his ability as a financier and since August, 1906, he has been vice president of the First National Bank of Fremont. Mr. Fangboner was married in 1871, to Miss Ellen Hensel, who died at Lindsey. Ohio, in 1874, leaving two children, Irvin T. and Myrtella. Mr. Fangboner married (second) Miss Emma Faller, of Fremont, Ohio, and they have one son, Raymond. The family belong mostly to the Reformed Church, Mrs. Fangboner, however, being a Lutheran in religion. Their pleasant home is situated at No. 1125 West Croghan Street, Fremont. In politics both Mr. Fangboner and his elder son are Republicans and in 1893, when he was elected auditor of Sandusky County, he found an able deputy in the latter. Mr. Fangboner has filled many civic offices, to which he has given the careful attention and faithful service their importance have demanded. He is identified with 'the Royal Arcanum and the National Union; also the K. of H. and G. A. R. He served on the Interstate Hay Commission; was twice Deputy Postmaster ; on the School Board six. years and council six years. He is officially connected with the city hospital, also with the Cleveland stock yards, of which he was one of the organizers. CHARLES C. RITTER, a prominent farmer and respected citizen of Jackson Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, residing on a fine farm of 18o acres located about three-quarters of a mile from Havens, was born August 5, 1860, in St. Joe County, Michigan, and is a son of Amos and Lydia (Richner) Ritter. Amos and Lydia Ritter, who were born in Union County, Pennsylvania, and who died at the age of seventy-two and fifty-eight respectively, were the parents of the following children : James ; Martin, who resides in Michigan ; Ellen, a resident of Michigan, who married T. Eaton; Henry, also a resident of Michigan ; Melinda, who married Norman Hoover, of Brackettsville, Texas ; William. who married Ida Beck and lives in Michigan ; Albert, and John, both residents of Michigan. Charles C. Ritter was reared on his father's farm in St. Joe County, Michigan, and attended the local schools until about sixteen years old. Then, after working for a time on the home place, he went to Kansas. where he farmed for about fifteen months, after which he returned to St. Joe County for one year. He then came to Sandusky County, Ohio, and worked for seven summers on his cousin's farm at Bellevue, afterwards working one summer for Samuel Hall. of Jackson Township. Subsequent to his marriage he worked for three years for his father-in-law, when he bought his present farm of 18o acres from his wife's father, W. J. Havens. Here he has since continued to reside and has made extensive improvements on the land, having a very fine country residence. He is a man of public spirit and enterprise and has served the township as road supervisor. He holds membership with the United Brethren Church. of which he is also a trustee. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 901 Mr. Ritter was married April 30, 1885, to Emma J. Havens, a daughter of W. J. and Maria Ann (Paden) Havens, old settlers of Sandusky County. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter have one child, Virgil, who was born July 12, 1888. CHARLES D. KENAN, general farmer and dealer in livestock, residing on one of the best farms in Washington Township, containing seventy-four acres, was born in Jackson Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, January 15, 1858, and is a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Posey) Kenan. George W. Kenan was a son of Silas and Barbara Kenan, natives of Ireland and Germany, respectively, and he was born in Perry County, Ohio, July 31, 1824. When eleven years old he came to Sandusky County with his parents, lived here the rest of his life and died in Jackson Township, January 30, 1905. He married Elizabeth Posey, who still survives and resides with her youngest son on the old homestead in Jackson Township. She was born in Hartley Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1832, and was a young girl eight years old when her parents came to Sandusky County. To George W. Kenan and wife were born the following children : Barbara, born in 1852, died in infancy ; Oran (now deceased), born December 7, 1853, married (first) Angeline King, (second) Mary Hughes; Lodema, born in 1856, married Michael Mowery ; Charles D. ; Marshall A., born in 1860, married Carrie Smith, and engages in farming in Jackson Township; Lorena, born in 1862, married Elijah Voorhees, of the firm of B. W. Voorhees & Company, of Bettsville, Ohio; and George F. was born July 10, 1864. Charles D. Kenan attended the township schools until he was about fourteen years of age. Sincethen he has devoted the larger part of his time to agricultural pursuits and for the past twelve years he has given much attention to the livestock industry. When the Home Banking Company was organized at Gibsonburg, he became a stockholder and for some years was president, but he subsequently sold his stock and is no longer thus interested. On September 22, 1880, Mr. Kenan was married to Miss Mary M. Cookson, who formerly was a popular teacher in the schools of both Washington and Jackson Townships. Mr. and Mrs. Kenan have an adopted daughter, Frances Fleeta, who was born January 29, 1890. She possesses natural musical talent which is being cultivated and she plays agreeably on both the violin and piano. Mrs. Kenan is a daughter of William and Rose A. (Metzger) Cookson and she has one sister, Mahala, and three brothers—D. W., James and Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Kenan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gibsonburg. Mr. Kenan is identified with 'the Gibsonburg Lodge No. 575 F. & A. M. and is one of its officials. In politics he is a Democrat and has acceptably served on the school board. HENRY WIDMAN, president of the school board of Sandusky Township and a representative citizen and successful agriculturist, resides on his valuable farm of eighty-eight acres, which he devotes to general farming, dairying and stock raising. He was born in Rice Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, September 16, 1864, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Hafner) Widman. Both parents of Mr. Willman were born in Baden, Germany. They came to America in 1849 and shortly afterward settled on a wild tract of land in Rice Township, Sandusky County, building there a primitive log cabin and settling down to pioneer life. After many years of industry they found themselves in comfortable circumstances. The aged mother still lives in Rice Township, but the father died in 1890. They were members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Fremont. They had eight children, namely : Peter, residing in Rice Township; Joseph, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, at Sandusky, Ohio ; George, living in Sandusky Township; Henry ; Frank X., farming in Rice Township on the old homestead ; Charles A., living in Sandusky Township ; Mary A., living at Sandusky ; and Aloysis, residing in Rice Township. Henry Widman has followed agricultural pursuits from boyhood. His education was ob- 902 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY tained in the public schools and his religious training was carefully attended to by his parents. He married Miss Susan Sneider, who was born in Fremont, a daughter of John G. Sneider, and to this union have been born ten children, all but one of whom, ( John) survive, as follows : Mary Gertrude, Josephine Petronilla, Carl Alois, Elizabeth Mary, Urban Francis, Sylvan Seraphine Edmond, Loretta Philamine, Clemence Henry Joseph and Lucy Anna, a large, happy, united and intelligent family. Mr. Widman has given them every advantage in his power to become useful members of society. He has always been interested in the public school system and after being elected a member of the school board was made its president and is performing the duties of the office in a most creditable manner. In politics he is a Democrat. With his family he belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Fremont. CAPT. MATTHEW T. LUTZ, an honored veteran of the Civil War and a representative citizen of Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, resides on his small farm of five acres, but still retains 160 acres of the old homestead in Seneca County. He was born April 19, 1836, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of George W. and Mary Ann (Marsh) Lutz. Both parents of Mr. Lutz died in Seneca County when aged about seventy-seven years. They had fourteen children and six of their sons were soldiers in the Civil War. The family record is as follows : William J., who lives in Fulton County, Ohio; Josiah S., who lives in Michigan, served in the Civil War; Matthew T. ; Adelia, who died in 1864, was .the wife of George Sowder; Mary A., deceased, who was the wife.of Thomas Wickert ; Francis M., deceased, who was a lieutenant in the 195th Ohio Vol. Inf. during the Civil War; Charles B., deceased, who served in the Civil War ; Scott McDonald, who was killed at the Battle of Stone River; Ann Rebecca, who married Henry Nichols ; Christina, who married James Wickert; Amanda, who married Henry Myers ; John M., who served in the Civil War ; George W. and Charles B., deceased. Captain Lutz lived in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, until he was about eleven years of age and then accompanied his parents to Seneca County, Ohio. In 1847 they settled in Pleasant. Township and there passed the remainder of their days. Captain Lutz resided in Seneca County until 1887, with the exception of the time he spent in the army and two years of farming in Kansas. On August 16, 1861, he enlisted in the service of his country, entering Company B, 49th Ohio Vol. Inf., at Camp Noble, Tiffin, Ohio, contracting for three years and honorably serving out this period. Notwithstanding he had by no means escaped all the dreadful dangers of war, he realized that rebellion had not yet been crushed and accordingly re-enlisted February 28, 1864, in the same company as before. He served as duty sergeant and orderly sergeant until March 1864, when he was commissioned lieutenant. On January 15, 1865, he was commissioned captain, at Huntsville, Alabama. He was honorably discharged at Victoria, Texas, November 30, 1865. Captain Lutz took part in the Battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862, and fought at Stone River, December 31, 1862, and January 1, 2, 3. 1863, where he was wounded and was obliged to remain in the regiment hospital for a time. He participated again at Liberty Gap, June 24, 25; at Missionary Ridge, November 25, 27, 1863; at Rocky Ford Ridge, May 9, 10, 1864: Resaca. May 9. To, 1864: Kenesm Mountain, June 20, 21; Siege of Atlanta, from July 22 to August 25. 1864; Jonesboro, September, 1864; Columbia, Tennessee, November, 1864; Franklin, in November, 1864; and Nashville, Tennessee, December lc, 16, 1864. Captain Lutz started out as a member of Company B and returned with Company F. having had charge of the latter for some months. There were 176 men originally mustered into Company F and at the close of the war, only thirty-one answered the roll call. Captain Lutz was so seriously injured by a bursting shell during the Atlanta campaign, that complete recovery was impossible. While on the battle field at one time he suffered a sunstroke and for two long days he lav unattended. He survived these injuries, however, and still lives to tell another generation of the heroic deeds and noble sacrifices HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 905 of those who, through storm and stress, preserved the Union. He is a valued member of the Eugene Rawson Post, G. A. R., No. 139, Fremont. On April 2, 1868, Captain Lutz was married at Fremont, by Reverend Hill, to an old schoolmate, Miss Matilda Flumerfelt, a daughter of Daniel V. and Malinda (Littler) Flumerfelt. To this marriage were born two children : Inez, born December 18, 1868, who died July 16, 1869, and Ray, born January 6, 1873, who married Daisy Ernst and is engaged in farming in Ballville Township. Captain Lutz has always been an active and useful citizen and while he lived in Seneca County he frequently served in local offices, as he has done in Ballville Township, and for two years was president of the School Board. CHARLES SCHNEIDER, one of Washington Township's sterling citizens and successful farmers, resides on a farm of eighty acres, twenty of which he owns, twenty of which belong to Mrs. Emeline Burkett, while the other forty are owned jointly by Mr. Schneider and Mrs. Burkett, and on this latter tract are located four oil wells belonging to Mrs. Burkett and three belonging to Mr. Schneider. He was born in Washington Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, November 3, 1856, and is a son of Christian and Sophia (Strock) Schneider. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Schneider were Henry and Mary (Lehr) Schneider, whose lives were spent in Germany. Of their eight children, only two came to America, Christian and William, the latter of whom died in California, in 19o8. Christian Schneider was born in Germany, October 9, 1834, and came to the United States in 1852. He was a blacksmith by trade and this occupation he engaged in in different parts of Sandusky County and during one year in Indiana. He then purchased land and was interested in farming for some years, but has practically retired from all active work and lives in his comfortable home in 'the village of Hessville. He married Sophia Strock and they had the following children : Charles; Louisa, who married Leonard Schwartz, resides in Washington Township ; Elizabeth, who lives in Sandusky County, married (first) Christian Mood and (second) Jacob Reed; Louis, who married Adella Whitney, lives in Washington Township; Christian, who married Catherine Schmaltz ; Philip, who married Altie Bowmer ; Sophia, who has been twice married, first to George Mowery and after his death, to Benjamin Graham; and Ida and William, both deceased. Charles Schneider attended the district schools in Washington Township and has been engaged in farming and stockraising all his mature life, helping his father until he was twenty-one years old and after that he rented his grandfather Philip Strock's farm and also operated threshing machine in that vicinity for two years. He next rented a farm from his father and a few years later became interested in his present property as detailed above. In addition to his agricultural operations he does all his own pumping and his own and Mrs. Burkett's land produce seventy barrels of oil a month. He also does pumping on four other leased tracts, two owned by M. G. Norton, one by W. Hoves and one by W. L. Thomas. The first pumping Mr. Schneider did was thirteen years ago for John Clematis and then for William Heiter. In 1882, Mr. Schneider was married to Miss Stevana Burkett, the only child of Stephen and Emeline (Wilson) Burkett. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have four children, namely Bertha, born in 1887; Arthur Emery, born in 189o; Perry Ray, born in 1892 ; and Helen, born in 1898. Mr. Schneider was reared in the Lutheran Church, but the Other members of the family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat and he has frequently been called upon to serve in township offices and although he is a very busy man, was one of the best road superintendents the township ever had, for two years, and a school director for about the same time. JAMES D. HENSEL, who fills the honorable position of treasurer of the Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Association, was born on the farm on which he resides, in Section 19, Sandusky Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, February 19, 1849. He is a 906 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY son of Adam and Mary J. (Benner) Hensel. Adam Hensel was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied his parents, who, in 1830—over seventy-nine years ago—settled in Section 19, Sandusky Township, building their log cabin in close proximity to an Indian village of thirty-three tents. These early settlers were Daniel and Christian Hensel, natives of Germany, who brought with them their sturdy strength and thrifty habits and became typical pioneers. Adam Hensel at that time was eight years old and from both parents he inherited the hardy constitution that prolonged his life. His death occurred in the fall of 1887. He was a man of consequence in his locality, served as township trustee and was well and favorably known all through this section of the county. He married Mary J. Benner, also a native of Pennsylvania, and of their children, four yet survive: James D.; Mrs. A. J. Walters, of Adrian, Michigan; Mrs. Harriet S. Stierwalt, of Chicago, Illinois; and Emma C., who is the wife of W. S. Diggs, an attorney, who is manager of the American Surety Company, of Cincinnati. Ella M. and Sarah E. are deceased. The latter, for a number of years was manager of the American Surety Company of Chicago, being an admirable business woman. Adam Hensel and wife were members of the German Reformed Church. James D. Hensel has been almost a lifelong agriculturist, from youth taking a natural interest in farming and a practical part in the tilling of his land. His present farm of seventy-seven acres is well developed and is valuable both as to its soil and its improvements. Mr. Hensel married Miss Margaret S. Wolfe, born in Sandusky Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1850, a daughter of Michael Wolfe, who was one of the early settlers. In the thirties he came from Pennsylvania to Sandusky County and located in Muscalonge Creek in Sandusky Township, and lived in this township until the time of his death in 1872, passing the latter years in retirement. His surviving children are : Josiah, of Lindsey. Ohio Solomon, of Tiffin, Ohio; Catherine, wife of W. L. Baker, of Fremont ; Ella J.. widow of A. D. Hook, of Fremont ; and Mrs. Hensel, who is the only one living in Sandusky Township. Andrew J. Wolfe, a brother now deceased; was the predecessor of Mr. Hensel as treasurer of the Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Association, filling the office many years. He was engaged in a grain business at Fremont at the time of his death. In politics the Wolfe family identified itself with the Democratic party and in religion with the Protestant M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hensel have had five children, the two now living being Nora O., wife of Richard C. Willer, of Sandusky Township, and Mabel M., living at home. Mr. Hensel is a Democrat in his political views and for eight years he has served as a trustee of Sandusky Township and during a part of this time has been president of the board. He is an Odd Fellow and belongs to the lodge of the order at Lindsey. He is a member of the German Reformed Church of Sandusky Township. WILLIAM PEARSON. a soldier of the Civil War and a well known agriculturist of Riley Township, Sandusky County, of which he has been a resident for over a half century. was born near Niagara Falls, New York, January 22, 1833, and is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Shanke) Pearson. The father of Mr. Pearson was born in England and the mother in Ireland. In 184.v, they came to Riley Township. Sandusky County, Ohio, and .settled in what was then a very wild region, one where game was plentiful and wandering Indians were visitors. Their lives were spent on the land they then secured. Of their children four yet survive. William, George, Joseph, and Nancy. the last named of whom is the wife of William Wright, of Clyde. Ohio. William Pearson grew to manhood on the home farm. giving his father all needed assistance and as opportunity offered, attended the district schools. In May, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company I, 139th O. V. I., and was stationed at Point Lookout on Chesapeake Bay, until he was honorably discharged, when he returned to Riley Township, where he has continued agricultural pursuits until the present. He owns sixty-three acres of excellent land. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 907 Mr. Pearson married Miss Elizabeth L. Nye, who was born in Germany and died in Riley Township, October 25, 1903. They had a family of five children born to them, the three survivors being: Jane, who is the wife of Charles Lindsay, of Riley Township; Clara, who is the wife of George Beebe, of Riley Township; and Henry, who is a resident of Fremont. In politics Mr. Pearson is a Republican. WILLIAM EDWARD LEHMANN, general farmer and oil producer and the owner of 130 acres of valuable land in Scott Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, was born in this township, September 18, 1870, and has spent his life here. Mr. Lehmann attended the public schools in Scott Township, particularly the Trinity school, and then worked for farmers in the township for about six months, after which he returned to the home farm, which he operated on shares up to the opening of the oil fields in this section. He then engaged in teaming for six months, making considerable money during this time, a part of which he invested in a lot at Fremont, which he still owns. He then returned to the home farm, where he continued until after his marriage, when he came to his present farm, which contains fifty-five acres and is situated in Section 27. Mr. Lehmann owns also sixty acres of the homestead farm, situated in Sections 27 and 28 and fifteen additional acres in the same sections. He is a practical and progressive farmer and the improvements on his land show the interest which he takes in his property. He has it all well drained and the best fences in all this section of the county. The timber on his land is sound and Valuable and from five acres he sold 37 elm trees for $500, and still has twelve acres standing. His buildings are commodious and substantial and enough are provided for the housing of cattle, stock and poultry, and for the protection of his garnered crops, while his residence is as comfortable and attractive as any in Scott Township. He owns also a one-half interest in an eighty-acre lease, known as the Tittle & Lehmann lease. on which there are ten producing oil wells. His farm of fifty-five acres has eleven oil wells on it. On October 25, 1904, Mr. Lehmann was married to Miss Edith Huff, who is a daughter of William and Nancy (Byers) Huff. They have two children: Ethel V. and Wilford T. Mr. Lehmann is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Millersville. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has led too busy a life to ever consent to hold office. HON. JAMES G. HUNT was born in York Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, March 14, 1859, and is a son of James and Margaret (Welsh) Hunt. His father was a farmer and railroad man by occupation. He attended the public schools at Clyde, and graduated from the Clyde High School in June, 1880. He entered upon the study of law in the office of the late Judge John M. Lemmon of Clyde, and was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, in June, 1884. While reading law at Clyde he engaged in railroad and other contract work, from which source he procured money enough to pay the expense of completing his studies. During this time he was twice elected clerk of Green Creek Township, on the Democratic ticket, the township then having a normal Republican majority of over two hundred and fifty. Mr. Hunt came to Fremont in 1886 and entered upon the practice of law, being associated with the late Judge John M. Lemmon and Mr. George Kinney. He is now one of the leading lawyers of Sandusky County, and a member of the well known firm of Wilson, Hunt & Garn. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State legislature in 1887, and reelected. in 1889, and served in that body as a member of the House in both the 68th and 69th General Assemblies. He served on some of the most important committees of the 69th General Assembly, which was Democratic, and presented in that assembly the name of the late Honorable Calvin S. Brice for election to the United States Senate. In 1893 Mr. Hunt was elected city solicitor of the city of Fremont. and served in that office two terms, being reelected in 1895. He is vice-president of the Fremont Home Telephone Company, and a 908 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY director in several other business enterprises in his home city of Fremont. Fraternally he is a member of the Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, Fremont, Ohio. On June 21, 1887, Mr. Hunt was married to Miss Sara Litz, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Haaser) Litz. They have two children—A. L. Hunt and J. G. Hunt, Jr. HOMER METZGAR, who has attained prominence as a lawyer and educator, is engaged in practice at Clyde, Ohio, and maintains offices in the Craig Building. He was born on a farm in Seneca County, Ohio, in May, 1867, and is the oldest of seven children born to H. V. and Elizabeth (Petticord) Metzgar. Mr. Metzgar spent his boyhood days on farms in Seneca and Fulton Counties. After completing a common school course, he attended high school at Delta, Ohio, and Heidelberg College at Tiffin, from which he graduated in 1890. He then spent two years in Missouri, filling the chair of mathematics in Ozark College, of which institution he was made president in 1892. After a short incumbency of that position, he resigned and returned to Seneca County, Ohio, where he served as superintendent of schools at Attica during the school year of 1892-1893. He was then superintendent of schools at Clyde from 1893 until 1895, and in the meantime pursued the study of law in the office of Finch & Dewev. He was admitted, to the bar of Sandusky County in 1896, and immediately thereafter became junior member of the firm of Finch, Dewey & Metzgar. After two vears he withdrew from that firm and formed a partnership with Mr. J. C. Craig under the firm name of Metzgar & Craig. This association of legal talent continued for a period of eight years, since which time the subject of this record has practiced alone and with a high degree of success. He is a Republican and has taken a deep interest in political affairs. He was a member of the board of elections, and in 1908 was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago. He is now solicitor of the village of Clyde, an office he has held for the past ten years. He is secretary and a director of the New Ottawa Telephone Com- parry and of the Eastwood Telephone Company, both of which he represents in a legal capacity. He has a cherry orchard of 800 trees in Clyde, in partnership with Mr. Clarence Franks, who looks after the business. In November, 1890, Mr. Metzgar was joined in marriage with Miss Eleanor Hoeltzel, and they have a comfortable residence in Clyde. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias at Clyde. ST. ANN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH represents the oldest religious organization at Fremont, and its history, identified as it is with the stirring events of the early settlement of this section of Ohio, is replete with interest. It may be said to have had its origin on a stormy day in March, 1823, when an earnest priest came all the tortuous distance from Detroit to say mass to a little gathering of faithful French Catholics, in their rude little log cabin in the frontier village of Lower Sandusky. The history of Fremont, formerly called Lower Sandusky, tells direful tales of the constant warring, in its earliest days, between the different Indian tribes that inhabited both sides of the Sandusky River, and of their partial subjugation in 1794, by Gen. Anthony Wayne. It was at Lower Sandusky that the once powerful Wyandots held their grand councils and formed their determination to enter upon a war of extermination of the white invader. As far along in the century as 1813, it was a hazardous proceeding for a white man to venture into Lower Sandusky, and no definite suppression of Indian atrocities came about until the memorable action of Colonel Croghan, in August of that year. History gives many details of British oppression at that time, the foreign troops finding allies in the discontented savages, and the heroic defense of Fort Stephenson by Colonel Croghan with his little band of 160 soldiers, resulting in the establishment of safe conditions in this region, makes a memorable page of American history. The natural beauty of Sandusky County, with its noble river and its teeming forests and advantages for hunters and trappers, appealed to adventurers from every section, brave men AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 909 who were willing to dare much in order to find a livelihood and found homes for their loved ones. Hence, by 1816 Lower Sandusky's population numbered 200 white settlers. Three brothers, Joseph, Anthony and Peter Momenay, French Catholics, had come to this point from Detroit, and it was through their representations that John B. Beaugrand, then a prosperous merchant in the Michigan town, cast in his lot with the people of Lower Sandusky. In 1822 he made his first visit, and in the following year he returned to locate, bringing with him his wife and seven children, all faithful Catholics. Mr. Beaugrand found all things as he had anticipated in the new home, with the exception of religious privileges, and as quickly as possible he went about securing these. Ere invited his late pastor, Rev. Gabriel Richard of St. Ann's Church, Detroit, to pay him a visit and bless his home, his house being a two-story building, located a short distance east of the present Wheeling- & Lake Erie Railway station. In the latter part of March, 1823, Father Richard came as requested, and in the Beaugrand home said the first mass ever celebrated in the village of Lower Sandusky.. His stay was for only a few days, during which he also visited the French families at La Prairie, eight miles from Lower Sandusky. After Father Richard's departure no priest visited the village for some years, but between 1826 and 1831, Bishop Fenwick, on his way to Michigan, stopped over at Lower Sandusky two or three times and looked after the spiritual wants of his neglected little flock. On one of these visits he was accompanied and assisted by the Rev. S. T. Badin. In 1831 Lower Sandusky was also visited a few times by Rev. Edmund Quinn, pastor of St. Mary's, at Tiffin, Ohio. After another lapse of time, the Redemptorist Father, F. X. Tschenhens, attended Lower Sandusky from Peru, as a station, from 1834 to 1837. During 1835-6 Rev. E. Theinpont, from Tiffin, also visited Lower Sandusky occasionally. In July, 1834, Bishop Purcell, accompanied by the Revs. J. M.. Henni, of Canton, and F. X. Tschenhens, of Peru, paid his first episcopal visit to Lower Sandusky ; and his second, in 1836, when the Revs. S. T. Baden and H. D. Juncker assisted him on his missionary tour through Northern Ohio. The Rev. Joseph McNamee, of St. Mary's, Tiffin, paid a few pastoral visits to Lower Sandusky, between September and November, 1839, when the Rev. P. J. Machebeuf, stationed at Tiffin from November, 1839, to December, 1840, was commissioned by Bishop Purcell to look after many missions and stations in Northwestern Ohio. Lower Sandusky was included among these; he attended it about one month, at first from Tiffin, beginning in November, 1839, and after that (January, 1841-5), from Sandusky. Mass was celebrated in Mr. Beaugrand's house by all the visiting bishops and 'priests until 1838, and during the following year in Joseph Hunsinger's residence. By this time the Catholic population of the town and vicinity had grown too large to be accommodated in private houses, and Pease's Hall was then rented and was used as a place of worship until 1843, when the turner shop of John Christian was rented and fitted up. Father Machebeuf in the meanwhile raised a subscription for a church edifice and in this received liberal assistance from Mr. Beaugrand's two sons-in-law, L. Q. Rawson and A. Dickinson, although they were not of the Catholic faith. A site was purchased for $200, on State Street, from L. Brush, who gave the deed December 13, 1841, and the church was commenced in the fall of 1843. It was a plain, frame structure, 30 by 40 feet, and cost about $2,5oo. Although at the time the interior was not completed, mass was said in the church in May, 1844. At that time the mission comprised about thirty families, the larger number living on farms. in the neighborhood, and few of them being possessed of large means, but their liberality attested their zeal. From 1845 until January, 1846, Rev. P. Peudeprat, assistant to Father Machebeuf, had charge of a number of his missions, and among these was Lower Sandusky, which he attended monthly. Father Peudeprat was succeeded in February, 1846, by Rev. Amadeus Rappe, formerly of Toledo, and he at once had the interior of the church finished and it was dedicated by Bishop Purcell, to St. Ann, on June 8, 1846. 910 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Father Rappe had as his assistant in his vast field of missionary work, extending over Northwestern Ohio, Rev. Louis De Goesbriand, who visited Lower Sandusky from the latter part of 1846 to 1848, when he was transferred to Cleveland. Rev. Morris Howard, of Tiffin, was then in charge for a few months, when Rev. William L. Nightingale was appointed first resident pastor of St. Ann's Church, at Lower Sandusky, this being about the time the name was changed to Fremont. During his pastorate, which lasted until the early part of 1850, a frame house, located at the corner of Croghan and Wood Streets, was bought for his i esidence. About 1849 the grade of State Street was considerably lowered, in consequence of which it was difficult to reach the church, which had been built on an eminence ; consequently it became necessary to lower the lot on which the church stood. In 1850 Rev. A. Carabin succeeded Father Nightingale, and remained in charge until July, 1852, When, stricken with paralysis, he was obliged to give up all pastoral work. His successor was Rev. Thomas Walsh. who remained until June, 1856. Rev. John Roos taking his place in July. About this time the German members of St. Ann's asked Bishop Rappe's permission to organize a separate parish and. as he did not deem it expedient to comply, ill feeling arose, and in April. 1857. there was open opposition to the Bishop. This led to his leaving the parish without a pastor. In the meanwhile the Germans organized, collected funds and built a brick church, costing $7,000, making the new property far more valuable than. the old. After about six months. when Bishop Rappe found the seceders from St. Ann's still determined to have a German parish, to be known as St. Joseph's, he finally yielded and sanctioned their organization in December, 1857, by appointing a pastor for them in the person of Rev. Louis Molon. Who at the same time was charged with St. Ann's as a mission. In July, 1859, Rev. George Peter was appointed assistant. In March. 1861. Father Molon severed his connection with St. Joseph's. Bishop Rappe then assigned him to the pastorate of St. Ann's and he served until July, when Rev. Michael O'Neill was appointed his successor and remained in charge until May, 1865. During his pastorate St. Ann's was enlarged by an addition of thirty feet, making its dimensions 35 by 70 feet. In August, 1864, he bought a tract of land for a cemetery, covering about fifteen acres, St. Joseph's parish taking the north half of it and both parishes dividing the expense of $1,400. In May, 1872, Father Carroll bought three lots fronting on State Street, at the intersection of Rawson Avenue, for the purpose of there eventually erecting a new church. He was succeeded by Father O'Callaghan, who remained until August, 1877, and during his pastorate the first school building was erected at a cost of nearly $3,000. Rev. J. V. Conlan succeeded, and during his pastorate many needed improvements were pushed to completion. In April, 1883, Rev. J. D. Bowles took charge, and in November of that year he bought three lots adjoining those purchased by Father Carroll, on the west, and a very comfortable frame house on one of these was so changed and remodeled that it became suitable fora parochial residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph, who have had charge of the school since that time. In August, 1887. Rev. T. P. McCarthy was appointed priest at St. Ann's. He was not satisfied with the progress the parish had made and soon made it evident that he expected to bring about many changes, all for the better. He appointed a building committee to consider the erection of a new church and the plans of priest and committee were approved by Bishop Gilmour, and the foundation of the present imposing structure, of Gothic architecture, was begun in the fall of 1888, and the good Bishop was able to lay the corner-stone on June 9. 1889. This church, with its fine finishing of antique oak, its beautiful frescoes and stained-glass windows, is one of the fine buildings of Fremont. It was dedicated on Sunday, July 26, 1891, by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff, at that time administrator of the diocese. the priest in charge at that time being Rev. A. E. Manning. who succeeded Father McCarthy in March. 1890. In April. 1893, the old church so long a landmark. was torn down, mass having been celebrated in the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 911 ancient structure for the last time on Sunday, July 19, 1891. Father Manning was succeeded by Rev. Patrick O'Brien, Rev. C. V. Chevraux taking charge in 1897, and Rev. J. McClosky in 1900. In 1906, Rev. Edward M. O'Hare took charge of St. Ann's and a sketch of this well beloved and efficient priest may be found on a neighboring page of this volume. He has still further extended the work begun by his predecessors, and in the past three years has impressed himself vitally on the parish. His work is heavy, St. Ann's having grown into one of the important churches of the diocese, the growth, even under many disturbing circumstances, having been sure, if slow. There are now in the parish 200 families, some 600 souls, and the flourishing school has an enrollment of 125 pupils. This school is one of excellence, having the grammar grades and a two-year commercial course. In recalling the present prosperity of old St. Ann's it were well to place on record, in this connection, the names of those whose early efforts and zeal contributed as humble instruments in bringing St. Ann's into existence. They are : John P. Beaugrand. Peter Beau-grand, Jacob Gabel, Joseph Andrews, Dennis Lane, Michael Gleason, Joseph Hunsinger, Joseph Baumgartner, George Rimmelspacher. John Kenney, Dennis Doran, Balt Kiefer, John Powers, Gabriel La Pointe Joseph, Anthony, and Peter Momenay, Patrick Haves. and Caspar Hodes. JOSEPH L. RAWSON, for many former vears one of Fremont's best known and most highly esteemed citizens, was born in this city in i835. His parents were Dr. L. Q. and Sophia (Beaugrand) Rawson. and his grandparents were Lemuel and Sarah (Barrus) Rawson. The death of Joseph L. Rawson removed from Fremont a representative member of an old and particularly prominent family of Ohio. The Rawson Family coat of arms gives proof that the name is ancient and one of distinction. The arms were granted as a reward to a young military officer for his skill and daring, and bear the motto: "The deed of bravery is its own praise." The first of the names to appear in colonial annals was that of Edward Rawson, who lived at Newberry, Massachusetts, in 1637. The first of the family to establish a home in Ohio, was Lemuel Rawson, who settled in Bath County, in 1836. He was born in 1767, in Massachusetts, and was a tanner and farmer, occupations frequently combined in those days. In 1844, following the death of his wife, he settled at Lower Sandusky, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was the father of a rather remarkable family of children, a number of them reaching extreme old age, and four becoming physicians. Dr. L. O. Rawson, father of the late Joseph L. Rawson, was born September 14, 1804, at Irving, in Franklin County, Massachusetts. His studies were directed toward the science of medicine and in 1824 he attended medical lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the following year beginning practice in Wyandot County. In 1826 he made a visit to Lower Sandusky, where he received the favorable impressions that induced him to settle in Sandusky County after he had completed his medical course in the University of Pennsylvania. He continued in the active practice of medicine until 1855, after which he devoted the larger measure of his remaining years to business enterprises with which he had become connected. For some years he served as president of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. He served with honor in numerous public offices in Sandusky County and was so representative a citizen that his name is perpetuated in Rawson Avenue, one of Fremont's most beautiful boulevards, and in the flourishing town of Rawson, Ohio. In 1829 he married Miss Sophia Beaugrand, who was born October 20, 1810, and died in May, 1882, being survived by her husband until 1888. She was a daughter of John B. and Margaret (Chabert) Beaugrand, of French extraction. To this marriage were born seven children, namely: Milton E., Xavier J., Joseph L., Josephine, Roxine H., Eugene A., and Estelle S. Of the above family, Milton E.. became a distinguished physician. Eugene A., whose memory is commemorated by Rawson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Fremont, was born March 14, 1840, and died July 912 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 22, 1864, from the effects of a wound received while a soldier in the service of his country, near Guntown, Mississippi. He entered the army in 1861 and participated in many of the most decisive battles of the war, including Bull Run, Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg. Joseph L. Rawson received an excellent education and chose civil engineering as his profession. For some years he was engaged in that line, but later turned his attention to the grain business and operated an elevator for a number of years at Fremont. Through life he maintained high standing as a citizen and his attributes were those calculated to win public esteem and personal affection. Mr. Rawson was married in September, 1859, to Miss Margaret A, Gelpin, who died October 1. 1908. Her parents, Lyman and Martha (Stevenson) Gelpin. were early and prominent settlers in Sandusky County. The three children born to this marriage all survive. namely : Sophia E., who married Theodore Harris; Jennie A., who is the wife of Dr. 0. H. Thomas, a very prominent physician and surgeon at Fremont ; and La Quinio G., a leading member of the Cleveland bar, who has been in practice since 1891. While Mr. Rawson was not formally connected with any religious body, he was a man of correct life and Christian impulses and he was a liberal supporter of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, with which his children are identified. GEORGE G. MEEK, owner of 210 acres of land in Section 20 of Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, is a prosperous citizen and occupies high standing in the community. He is a native of the township, the date of his birth being May 8, 1864, and is a son of Sam-. uel and Sarah (Farber) Meek, and a grandson of Samuel Meek, Sr. The last named was a resident of Virginia. Samuel Meek, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia and at an early age came to Sandusky County, Ohio. He followed farming in Riley Township, where he was a property owner. He served the township as trustee some years and was a man of superior business ability. He was a Republican in politics. He was married to Sarah Farber, who was a native of Ohio, and of their children the following survive: William C., of Barry County, Michigan; John F., of Townsend Township; Martin L., of North Dakota; Samuel R., of North Dakota; Elizabeth, who lives in Riley Township, and is the widow of H. H. Raymond; James, of Clyde, Ohio; Peter F., of Riley Township; and George G. Samuel Meek died in December, 1890, and was survived by his wife, who died August 27, 1906. He was a member of the United Brethren Church during his later years. George G. Meek was reared on the home place and received a preliminary education in the public schools of the township, supplemented by a course in Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Ada, Ohio. For eighteen winter terms he engaged in teaching, principally in Riley and Townsend Townships, and in the meantime pursued his occupation as a farmer. He has followed general farming and stock raising with great success and has a highly improved farm of 210 acres. He is a progressive man and takes a loyal citizen's interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the township and its institutions. Politically, he is a Republican. On April 8, 1895, Mr. Meek was married to Miss Carrie A. Hair, of Ionia County, Michigan. who had lived with her aunt Sarah Pocock in Riley Township since 1883, and they became parents of five children, of whom two are living, namely : Carrie S. and George L. Religiously, they are members of the United Brethren Church at Riley Center. Fraternally, Mr. Meek is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Vickery. Mrs. Meek is a member of the Lady Maccabees of Erlin, also of the Royal Neighbors of Vickery, Ohio. A. D. FAUSEY, whose well improved farm of forty acres is situated in Madison Township, was born in Madison Township. Sandusky County, Ohio, July 25, 1859, and is a son of Henry and Rebecca (Donnel) Fausey, for many years well known and respected people of this section. Henry Fausey was born May 12, 1822, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 913 was a small boy when he came to Sandusky County. When he reached man's estate he was married to Rebecca Donnel, a daughter of James Donnel, and they had nine children. Henry Fausey died in April, 1888, and was survived by his widow until April 9, 1903. They were most worthy members of the United Brethren Church and their remains lie in the Gibsonburg Cemetery. Henry Fausey was a man of great physical strength in his young manhood and it was said of him that he cleared more land than any early settler in this section, at that time. In politics he was a Republican and he served two terms as treasurer of Madison Township. A. D. Fausey attended the schools of Madison Township and remained on the home farm until his marriage in 1885, when he settled on a farm of thirty acres, situated two miles south of Gibsonburg. After living on that place for fifteen years he sold out, but he continued to be interested in farming and also was employed in the oil industry, after which he bought his present farm of forty acres of Jacob Cramer. All of the present buildings were here at that time, but Mr. Fausey has done a large amount of improving and has put in about i,000 tile for drainage. He has no standing timber, all of the land being under cultivation and producing to its full extent, under Mr. Fausey's careful methods. On May 12, 1885, Mr. Fausey was married to Miss Margaret Vantine, a daughter of John and Barbara (Ickes) Vantine. They have had four children, namely : Ethel, who married Ross Hart ; Wade, who lives at home; and Ray and an infant, both deceased. Mr. Fausey and wife are members of the United Brethren Church and he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for three years. He casts his vote for candidates of the Republican party, but otherwise, takes but little interest in political matters. He is a man who is held in respect and esteem by his fellow citizens. CYRUS L. HARNDEN, M. D., who, for over a quarter of a century has been engaged in the active practice of his profession, at Clyde, is one of the representative and valued citizens of this place. He was born January 22, 1850, in Sandusky County, Ohio, and his parents were Jonathan and Nancy (Smith) Harnden. Dr. Harnden comes of English-Irish ancestry. Both parents were born in New York and after their marriage came to Ohio, settling on wild land in Huron County. Just prior to the birth of their son, Cyrus L., they settled on a farm situated about a mile and a half south of Clyde, in Sandusky County, where they remained during the rest of their lives. They had eight children born to them, namely : Hosea, residing at Bellevue, Ohio; Kneeland, a survivor of the Civil War ; Smith ; Alexander, who served in the Civil War; Cyrus L.; and Mary and two infants, deceased. Jonathan Harnden and wife were respected and esteemed residents of Sandusky County and when they passed away left memories of useful, virtuous lives. Cyrus L. Harnden went from the public schools of Clyde to Wooster University, at Wooster, Ohio, where he completed first a literary course and subsequently one in medicine, graduating in the class of 1875. Some years later he took a post-graduate course in the Western Reserve College. Dr. Harnden has devoted his life to his profession, giving it his whole attention, taking its heavy burdens and finding happiness in relieving the ills of others. He has always been a student and has kept fully abreast of the times in the advance made by medical science and is one of the leading members of the Sandusky County Medical Society. He takes care of a large practice and enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens as to his abilities as a physician and as to his qualities as a man. In 1887 Dr. Harnden was married to Miss Anna C. Hawk, and they have two sons, Robert Lee and Charles Justin. In his political views, Dr. Harnden is a Republican. For many vears he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity. EDWARD L. VERMILYA, M. D., ex-coroner of Sandusky County, Ohio, and a representative member of the medical profession at Fremont, has been actively engaged in practice in this city since the spring of 1901. Dr. Vermilya was born October 9, 1874, in Huron 914 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY County, Ohio, and is a son of Sidney S. and Amanda (Fluke) Vermilya. The parents of Dr. Vermilya moved from Huron to Wood County, Ohio, in his sixteenth year, and there the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. The father now lives retired and enjoys an ample income which permits him to live in comfort. His family consisted of six children. Edward L. Vermilya received his literary education in the schools of Huron and Wood Counties and the Ohio Normal University, and later entered the Toledo Medical College, where he was creditably graduated in April, 1897. In selecting his first field of practice, he chose Paulding County, Ohio, and remained there until the spring of 1901, when he came to Fremont. His ability was quickly recognized and in 1903, he was elected to the important office of coroner of Sandusky County, one which he filled with so much judgment, discrimination and efficiency, that he was reelected. In addition to his public duties he attends to a large and constantly increasing private practice. Dr. Vermilya married Miss Hester Mincks, a daughter of Henry Mincks, a well known resident of Wood County, and they have two children. The family home is located at No. 810 West State Street, and Dr. Vermilya's well equipped office is at No. 114 South Front Street, Fremont. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and fraternally he is identified with the order of Eagles. O. H. THOMAS, M. D., whose prominence as physician and surgeon is not only recognized in the city of Fremont, but throughout all Sandusky County, has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession in this city since 1882. He was born January 14, 1859, at Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio, and is the son of James B. and Louisa H. (Abrams) Thomas. James B. Thomas and wife were both natives of Virginia. The former was born in 1804 and when fourteen years of age came to Gallia County, Ohio, where he remained until after his marriage, when he moved to a farm he had acquired in Hancock County. There he died,. December 5, 1877; his wife having died at Findlay, in 1863. They had the following children born to them : Mrs. Nannie Skelley, Mrs. Caroline Ramsey, Mrs. Martha Glaunner, Jennie, Mrs. Hattie Thomas, John A., James N., Percy C., Alexander P. and 0. H. Of the above, Martha, Jennie and James N. are deceased. Dr. O. H. Thomas secured his education in the Findlay public schools, the Normal School at Ada, and the University at Delaware. Ohio. He then returned to the home farm, assisting his father during four summers while he taught school during the winters. In 1875 he gave his entire attention to the medical reading which he had begun several years before, and in 1876 entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. On March 1, 1882, he was graduated from this institution, the most brilliant member of his class, taking first honors and winning a valuable and coveted prize. His chosen field of work has been Fremont, where his ability has been given abundant recognition. Dr. Thomas has sincerely devoted his life to his profession and has never ceased to be a student. He has kept thoroughly abreast of the times in his practice. no one more intelligently appreciating the results which modern scientific investigation has accomplished in the field of medicine. He is a member of the Sandusky County Medical Society, the Northwestern Ohio Medical Society, the Ohio Medical Society and the American Medical Society. Dr. Thomas was married June 6, 1888, to Miss Jennie A. Rawson, who is a daughter of the late Joseph L. Rawson, of Fremont. They enjoy a beautiful home at No. 1022 Birchard Avenue and Dr. Thomas maintains his office at No. 116 South Front Street. W. H. PRICE, proprietor of the Village Farm Creamery, just on the edge of Woodville, Sandusky County, was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1868, and is a son of William W. and Louise B. (Ladd) Price. The father of Mr. Price was formerly a farmer and for a number of years a merchant at Woodville, where his father, George H. Price, was a pioneer merchant. When AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 915 the latter died his two sons, William W. and George E. continued the business until the death of George E., when William W. continued the business for a number of years, later retiring to the farm. He married Louise B. Ladd and they had three children, namely : W. H.; Nellie P., who is the wife of James Sivaels, of Bartlesville, I. T.; and Grace E., who married W. F. Warner, editor of the Peninsular Press, Marblehead, Ohio. W. H. Price was educated in the schools of Perrysburg, Woodville, the Fostoria Academy and the Michigan Agricultural College, after which he spent a year in Toledo, Ohio, in the hardware business. He then returned to Woodville and became interested in developing oil on the village farm and then engaged to a considerable degree in raising thorough-bred Jersey cattle. In this way he was led into the creamery business, one that he has developed into a very important industry of this section. He makes a specialty of bottled cream for table use and ships to Toledo, Fostoria. Fremont and Bowling Green. He keeps a herd of more than fiftv cows and has had many prize winners. In addition to the large volume of milk and cream produced by his own cattle. he buys largely through the neighborhood. His plant, of concrete block construction, is equipped with all modern conveniences and appliances and with regard to sanitation, having a score of 93Y,, State inspection. It was built in 1906 and has a capacity of 500 pounds of butter daily. In 1894 he built his handsome modern residence, one of the finest rural homes in the county, and in one section he maintains his business office. Mr. Price married Miss Belle Baker, daughter of Sanford G. Baker, a pioneer and well known throughout the county, and they have two children, Sanford G. and Isabelle, .both children being given good school advantages. Mr. Price is a director in the Woodville Savings Bank and is also treasurer of the Urschel-Bates Valve Bag Company. In politics he is a Republican and is a member of the Woodville Board of Health. Fraternally he is identified with the Foresters and he is a member of the United Brethren Church. C. STAUSMYER, president of the Fremont City Council and proprietor of the C. Stausmyer drug and jewelry store, located at No. 315 West State Street, has been a resident of Fremont since 1872, and during that time .has been prominently identified with the affairs of the city. He was born on a farm in Washington Township, Sandusky- County, Ohio, February 10, 1847, and is a son of H. H. and Elizabeth (Buescher) Stausmyer, who were born, reared and married in the vicinity of Hanover, Germany. H. H. Stausmyer removed with his Wife from Germany to Sandusky County, Ohio, in the early forties and took up land in what is known as the Black Swamp. It was purchased from the Government for $1.25 per acre and is now valued at $200.00 per acre. He and his wife subsequently resided on this farm until their respective deaths. C. Stausmyer was reared on the farm and attended the district school until he was fifteen years old. He then went to Toledo, Ohio, and for one year was office boy for Dr. S. S. Lungran, a prominent homeopathic physician. He then went to Elmore and for five years worked in the drug store of Dr. L. B. Myers. During three years of this time he travelled selling a medical specialty, in the spring and fall months, and visiting nearly every city of importance in the United States and Canada, exclusive of the State of California. In 1872 he moved to Fremont and established himself here in the drug business, with what success is known to the people of Sandusky County generally. In 1878, while still unmarried, he made an extended trip through Germany, France and England, and attended the Paris Exposition. He is a Democrat in politics and when he first entered the city council some twenty-five or thirty years ago he was the youngest member of that body. Re-entering the council in recent years, he is now serving his second consecutive term and has been president of the body for four years. Mr. Stausmyer was united in marriage October 4, 1882, with Miss Laura E. Myers, a daughter of his former employer, Dr. L. B. Myers of Elmore. Fraternally he is a member 916 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY of the Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the National Union. In the spring of 19o9, accompanied by Maj. I. H. Burgoon, he spent a day at the schoolhouse which stands on the site of the old school attended by him in his youth, and of which Maj. Burgoon was teacher at the time. Both teacher and pupil left that school and won their way in the world, meeting with more than average success. It was just fifty years from the day which he had left the school and he used the opportunity to make an interesting address to the pupils, in which he reviewed the career of Major Burgoon as an encouraging example to those of his hearers about to begin the battle of life. HENRY W. MILLER, an esteemed citizen of Clyde, who is a veteran of the great Civil War, is a descendant of one of the first settlers of Sandusky County. He was born on the present site of Clyde, Sandusky County, Ohio, June 2, 1838, and is a son of Lyman F. and Melissa E. (Harkness) Miller. His paternal grandfather, also named Lyman F. Miller, resided at Geneva, New York, where he died. He had married Miss Lucy Brown, whose mother was in maidenhood, Hannah Richmond. The latter married for her second husband, Asa Smith, September 22, 1795, and they lived at Waterloo, New York, for several years, where were born to them the following children : William B., Frederick F., Sally, Nancy, Clarissa, and Susan. In 1810 the family moved to Ohio and settled on a farm near Huron, where another child—Hiram R.—was born January 7, 1813. Mrs. Hannah (Richmond) Brown Smith, mother of the above mentioned children, was born in Dighton, Massachusetts, March 21, 1774, and died at Sandusky City, Ohio, August 3o, 1842. Her second husband, Asa Smith, was born in Massachusetts in 1760 and died near Huron, Ohio, August 30, 1815. The first frame dwelling house in Sandusky City was built by William Smith about the year 1817, at which time there were but half a dozen families in the place, which was then called Ogontz. The death of Lyman F. Miller, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, at Geneva, New York, has been already mentioned. Hi,, wife, Mrs. Lucy Brown Miller, who had lived with her mother and stepfather, Asa Smith, until her marriage to Lyman F. Miller, after her husband's death moved to Huron, Ohio, to which place her mother and stepfather had moved in 181o. Here she was again married, to Samuel Poge, who had served in the army under General Harrison. They suffered from the depredations of the Indians, having their house and all its contents destroyed by fire. Then, in 1816, they moved to Clyde. The Poge, Fenn, and Dewey families were the first three families to settle in Green Creek Township, they coming to Clyde in March, 1816. Mr. Poge had previously camped here while conveying supplies from Huron to Fort Seneca, while serving in the quartermaster's department under General Harrison. He was accompanied here later, as above stated in part, by Amos Fenn and Silas Dewey. Mr. Fenn married Nancy Smith, a half sister of Mrs. Poge. at Marblehead, Ohio, where the Smith family resided at the time. Silas Dewey married Sally Smith, also a half sister of Mrs. Poge. To Samuel Poge and wife was born one daughter, Jane, in 1818, said to have been the first white child born in Green Creek Township. She was born in the pioneer log cabin that had been built by Mr. Poge. assisted by Fenn. and Dewey, and which was located a little west of what is now called Spring Avenue, just south of Colonel Rhoades' residence, just north of the spring that breaks out at the foot of the hill. Here Mr. Poge had entered eighty acres of land, all heavy timber. In this log cabin Mr. Poge died in 1827, being survived by his wife and her two children, Lyman F. Miller and Jane Poge. Lyman F. Miller (2d), father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Geneva, New York. November 22, 1813. As we have seen, he was left fatherless in his infancy. and was but fourteen years old when his stepfather, Mr. Poge, died. With his assistance, his mother by hard work and economy managed to save their home, which consisted of eighty acres of land. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 917 He and his half sister Jane attended school in a log schoolhouse kept by Grandma Slocum, which stood on the spot now occupied by the McPherson Monument. A number of other families had now moved in and settled in the vicinity of Clyde, among them the Bentons, Bakers, Clevelands, Rathburns, Hamers, McMillans and Russells, who came in the twenties and who all lived in log cabins. The Harkness family came in 1834. More in regard to these early settlers and others may be found in the history of the township, published elsewhere in this volume. On his stepfather's death, above alluded to, he, and his half sister, there being no other children, came into possession of the farm, which he had helped to clear, and was equally divided between them. He possessed much native strength of mind and took up his onerous responsibilities with a stout heart and a resolution to do his best and in later years he became one of the representative men of his neighborhood. He took an active part in local politics, though declining to serve in public office. On the formation of the Republican party he identified himself with it, believing thoroughly in its principles. He was one of the early active members of the Masonic fraternity in this section and was a Universalist in his religious faith. In addition to general farming, he bred live stock and his interest in horticulture resulted in the setting out of many orchards by his neighbors throughout Sandusky County. He made the first plot in Clyde in 1852 ; it consisted of the ground lying between Maple and Buckeye, Main and George Streets. He also built the Junction House near the depot, the railroad crossing being on his farm. He also built a frame building on the north side of the Lake Shore Railroad on Main Street, it being used by a Mr. Clark as a grocery store in 1854 or 1855. He plotted that part of the town between Cherry and Buckeye, Main and George, including Forest Street, which was soon covered with handsome residences and business blocks. He also bought a farm containing 300 acres of land just north and west of town, building a fine stone house and other buildings, where he died. In these and many other ways he contributed to the development of Clyde, and when he died in 1878, his loss was universally regretted as that of a citizen that the town could ill afford to lose. In 1836 he married Melissa E. Harkness, a member of the Harkness family previously mentioned as having moved to Clyde in 1834. She was a daughter of William G. Harkness, and a descendant in the fifth generation of William Harkness, who came to Massachusetts from Scotland in 1710. The following are the connecting links in this genealogical chain : William Harkness (2), son of the foregoing, born in 1703, came to this country 'with his father, and died in 1778. He married a Miss Grey, at Telharn, Massachusetts, in 1730. William (3), his second son, lived at Auburn, New York, where his son, William G. Harkness (4) was born in 1781, the latter being the father of Melissa E., wife of Lyman F. Miller 2d. The entire family of. William G. Harkness numbered seven children—William K., Harkness, Melissa, Darwin, Caroline, Dexter and Adaline. He also had two brothers—David, the father of Stephen and Daniel, and Seamon. The last three named were interested in the Standard Oil Company and assisted in making it a success. There were also five sisters—Louisa, who married Wesley Anderson; Isabel, who married a Mr. Gray; Elizabeth, Mary and Annie. To Lyman F. and Melissa (Harkness) Miller were born nine children, namely : William G., Henry W., Mary E., George N., Oscar J., Isabel E., Emma J., Fanny 0., and Louisa J., whose record in brief is as follows : William G. who had taken up the law profession, had been practicing only a short time when he enlisted in October, 1861, in the Civil War, in Company A, 72nd Regt., O. Vol. Inf., in which he held the rank of corporal, and was killed in the retreat from Ripley, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. George N. met an accidental death at the age of four years by falling into .a kettle of hot water. Mary became the wife of Chester Persing. Isabel married W. Bell. Mr. Bell having died some time ago she is now married to a Mr. Gregs. Emma was the wife of F. J. Metcalf. Mr. Metcalf having died some time ago she is now married to Carl 918 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Price. Louisa was the wife of Fremont Mears. The sisters are still living. Henry W. Miller, our direct subject, the date of whose nativity has been already recorded, spent his boyhood in attending the district schools and in assisting in the work of the farm; also, so far as he was able, he cultivated a decided talent for music. In 1862 he joined Company E, First Sandusky County Ohio State Militia, was elected orderly sergeant and shortly afterward was promoted to captain of the same company, which numbered 130 men. In October, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, 72nd Regt., O. Vol. Inf., and after spending some time at Tod Barracks. Columbus, Ohio, joined his regiment at Germantown. Tennessee, January 5. 1864. After a series of skirmishes with the enemy,. who were commanded by General Forest, they were ordered to go on the Tallahatcha campaign. On this campaign. with Colonel Eaton in command, they were actively engaged for some time, fighting more or less every day, and burning the bridges across the Tallahatcha river in face of the enemy's opposition. More or less skirmishing was clone all the way to Memphis, Tennessee, whence, after a few clays' stay, they were ordered out on another raid through Tennessee and Mississippi, on which march they had some lively skirmishing with the Confederates. On their return to Memphis, all who had re-enlisted were granted a furlough the others, with the new recruits, were ordered on guard duty at the navy yard at the mouth of Wolf River. On the return of the regiment they were ordered out on the Bolivar raid, having daily skirmishes with the enemy and driving them across Wolf River about 100 miles from Memphis. On their way back they raided the country for supplies. A few days after their return they were ordered out on the Guntown raid and drove the enemy back nearly two hundred miles through Tennessee and Mississippi, until they received reinforcements and made a stand at Brice's Cross Roads, June 10, 1864. Mr. Miller's company was ordered to support Miller's battery, which they did, the enemy being driven back into the woods on the opposite side of a cleared field. Companies A and D were ordered into the woods as skirmishers, fighting on their right being now quite desperate. In the woods they drove the Confederates back, taking some prisoners. They now found that most of their own forces had been driven to the rear of their own position and were ordered to fall back, and accordingly they retreated, running back parallel to the enemy's line. The Confederates commanded them to halt, at the same time firing at them, but without effect, no one being hit. They rejoined their command in battle line in the rear, where they remained behind an old fence. They were now ordered to retreat and were obliged to leave about four hundred wagons and some artillery in possession of the Confederates. thus depriving them of practically all the necessaries of war. They were closely pursued by the enemy, who shot a number of the men after capturing them, especially the black troops, a small body of which was with the command. At Ripley. Mississippi, the Confederates made a charge on their rear. Mr. Miller's company and regiment receiving the brunt of the attack. Here, while Mr. Miller and his brother William were in the act of firing at a Confederate officer, some of their own cavalry rode through them, knocking him senseless and giving him a severe injury. When he recovered, the forces had gone and he never saw his brother afterwards. He finally succeeded in rejoining the Union forces, who had halted, and though suffering great pain from the injuries he received, he took part in again repulsing the Confederates. A little later, through the hurried retreat or dispersal of the Union forces, Mr. Miller found himself one of a small handful of men who took refuge in the woods, where they found hiding another member of their company and a negro. Some Confederate skirmishers, evidently acting on a guess, shouted to them, employing many injurious epithets, to "come out of there," but they paid no attention. except the negro, who would have responded had not Mr. Miller restrained him. Here. having had no rest for two days, they fell asleep, and when they awoke it was eleven o'clock p. m.. pitch dark, with a drizzling rain falling, and Con- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 919 federates all around them. The negro had been shot in the mouth, losing several teeth. Owing to his condition, the other men objected to his accompanying them in their attempt to rejoin their forces, but at Mr. Miller's earnest intercession they finally gave way, and although all were so sore and stiff that they could scarcely walk, a start was made. They tramped until three o'clock in the morning, when Mr. Miller discovered, from having noticed on which side of the trees the moss was growing, that they had been moving practically in a circle and were not very far from where they had started. While arguing this point with the leader, who was not inclined to believe it, thev were startled by the summons to surrender from a band of Confederates, numbering some fifteen men. The dawn was just about breaking. Mr. Miller succeeded in getting away, but the other fugitives ran straight into the road and were captured by the enemy, who took the negro into the brush and shot him. The enemy continued their search for Mr. Miller until about six o'clock in the evening, at times passing so close to him that he could hear their remarks. At last a squad of five rode directly up to his hiding-place and one of them, forcing his horse into the brush, the animal suddenly stopped and Mr. Miller was discovered. He was seized and searched and threatened with death, the men being very angry at his haying eluded them for so long. They took all his clothing but his pants and shirt and then, after some controversy as to whether it would not be best to shoot him on the spot, they commenced a twenty-mile tramp to where they said they had the Union forces all captured, compelling him to make the journey on foot and keep up with their horses. Although scarcely able to drag one foot after another, and having had practically nothing to eat for three days, he had to tramp all night through the mud, which in some places was knee-deep, owing to heavy rains and passage over the road of both armies. He arrived at Ripley in a wretched condition and found there some of his comrades, prisoners, and not much better off than himself. The rebels had shot some of the Union soldiers after their surrender, both white and black, and their bodies were to be seen along the road. One, however, who had been sentenced, escaped, and through his testimony, the Confederate officer who commanded the squad guilty of these murders, having been captured, was tried by court martial and executed at Fort Pickering, near Memphis, Tennessee. Having been stripped of everything they possessed, on the order of General Forest, they were taken to Guntown, where they received some scanty rations, most of them by this time being almost in a state of starvation. Thence they were sent to Andersonville, stopping on the way at Meriden, Mississippi, and at Selma, Alabama. At Meriden Comrade Loudwick, of Company D, was shot by the rebel guard. At Selma they were marched through the city, exposed to the jeers and insults of the populace. At Anderson they were greeted by Captain Wirz with a speech, in which he said: "Go in there and I will show you that I can kill more Yankees here than are killed at the front." We will continue the narrative in Mr. Miller's own words : "Our names and rank were taken, then we were put into a prison pen. Such a sight! There never Was a place on this earth where so many human beings were required to make such sacrifices for their country for days and months, until endurance and human flesh could not stand it any longer and God in his merciful kindness welcomed them home, thus ending the torture of their poor bodies by such fiendish treatment, proving man's inhumanity to man. They had stripped us of all the necessaries of life, we not having even shelter from the storms, from the hot sun which at times seemed as if it would burn us up, and the cold nights which chilled us through and through, without sufficient food to nourish the body and give us strength to resist the terrible strain put on us. Men became so emaciated that there was nothing left of their poor bodies but skin and bones. "If they had money they could buy food at the following prices : Flour at $1.00 a pint, milk 50c. a pint, eggs 50c. each, biscuit 5oc. a piece, salt 25c. a spoonful, molasses 25c. a spoonful, potatoes small one 25c., medium 50c., 920 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY and large ones $1.00, onions, apples and other fruit and vegetables the same rate, a small piece of meat not weighing over two ounces 50c. A small piece of soap about as large as your thumb sold for 25c., and even wood, although the prison was surrounded with timber—a little bundle that you could grasp in your hand sold for 25c. a bunch, and this was in greenbacks which we could exchange for their currency, three of theirs for one of ours; but when you know nearly all of these men were robbed of their money you can see how utterly impossible it was for them to buy anything; thus they were compelled to live on what the rebels saw fit to give them or starve. It usually consisted of two inches square of corn bread or a pint of mush and this made from meal without bolting, the coarse hulls and all as it came from the mill without salt, and was often burnt or raw. Yet we would, have been satisfied if we could only get even that, but many times they would not give us anything and thus our hungry appetites were increased until there was nothing so filthy that we could not relish. Some time they would give us raw meal or cow peas, but we had nothing to cook them in. We had in our company thirty-four men and we had three fruit cans that we had to drink out of and we used them. Then our wood would give out before the beans were half cooked, so we then had to swallow them whole or our mush raw ; in fact, it seemed as though everything they did was to starve us to death, and the long list of our dead proves that they accomplished their designs. "Some of the boys worked outside the prison for the Confederates. My company did not think it right ; we thought it would be treason, so we stayed inside and took care of each other as best we could, and such sights and experiences no tongue can tell or pen describe, nearly all becoming helpless through starvation and exposure, having no shelter and having to lie on rain soaked ground. "They had taken all my clothing away when they captured me except my old pants and shirt, so it became necessary for me to get some clothing. I would not steal, so I bought a plug of tobacco by selling my day's ration. This was divided into small pieces and sold so I would make a profit on it„ but after selling some of it, it made rich handling, so I told the boys if they gave me what I paid they might have it. Then I went into the molasses trade. I -would buy molasses of those who could not use it, for it was generally sour sorghum, they would issue this stuff to us once a month and I would pay the boys what they would ask, from ten to twenty cents a ration, and then keep it until it became scarce, when I would sell it at 25c. a spoonful. I sold to the boys who sold what they called beer ; when it got sour they would sweeten it with molasses. This beer was made from water and corn meal ; they would first let it stand until it soured, then it was ready for sale and the boys would buy it paying 5c. a glass. This sour drink they claimed would keep off the scurvy, so vou see thev had an excuse for selling it, just as our saloons have now. "One day I sold some molasses, when the beer man said it was his treat and handed me a glass. I held it up to the sun, when I discovered it was thick with flies' legs and wings, the other parts of their bodies being dissolved so one could not see through it. Thanking him I said I was not thirsty. "I continued selling molasses until I had seven dollars, then went down on Broadway, as the street was called that ran from the northwest gate through the prison. On this street you could buy dead men's clothes or most any old thing—some of the finest bone rings and ornamental carvings made from bone and wood, if you had the money. Not being on the street long one of our boys came along with an artillery jacket nearly new ; he had taken it from the body of one of his boys who had just died. He wanted $20 for it and I told him I would gladly give $50 if I had the money, but only had $7. He said, no, he must have $20 and it was cheap at that. Following him all day I saw he did not get another offer. He returned to me and said 'I will take your $7, for I must have some monev to buy something to eat for sick comrades.' When I put on the jacket it lacked two inches of reaching the waist of my pants, so it left a space two inches wide around my body that was exposed to the hot sun or chilly wind, but it seemed so warm AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 921 and comfortable that I could shout with joy, and then how sad it made me feel when I thought of the man that had sacrificed his life in such a place and the many comrades around me who had scarcely any clothing on their bodies. One of the first of our boys who sacrificed his life in prison was Alex. Almond, not yet eighteen years old. He belonged to my mess, and a nobler, brighter boy was not to be found, patiently and uncomplainingly lying on the ground, slowly sacrificing all that was dear —a comfortable home, a dear mother and sisters and brother near Clyde, Ohio. "We had already decided from what the old prison boys told us, that none of our sick boys should be taken to the hospital, where we could not see. them or know whether they were being properly cared for or not. They told us that many times the boys lay there all day without even a drink of water, and scarcely any of them came out alive ; so we kept our sick with us that if we were deprived of all the the necessities to properly care for them, we could give them our sympathy at least. Often when we saw them suffering and could not help them, the tears would fill our eves and at the same time it would take all our manhood and strength and we would turn our faces away from our sick comrades until we could dry our tears and would then turn and give them our attention again. I do not think there was a company of men in the prison that stood by one another and cared for each other any better than did Company A boys. "I would not do my duty if I did not mention Comrade Harkness Lay in particular. No mother could have done more under the circumstances, and it seemed that God gave him strength, for he kept up better and had the disposition and sympathy to help the poor boys whenAlmondrever he could. Comrade Almond would ask us frequently to read him Chapters in the New Testament, for We had one of those books with us, and it seemed to please him much when I would do so. This Testament was worn out, the print became so dim we could hardly make out the words and sentences." Mr. Miller was the only one of a little group of five comrades who survived this long and terrible ordeal, and during his confinement of six months at Andersonville, Savannah and Millin, Georgia, the appalling ngave of 13,082 Union prisoners gave. up their lives there. Mr Miller was finally paroled at Savannah and reached home in time for Christmas, though the hearts of all were tempered with sadness on account of the death of his brother William, killed in the retreat from Ripley. After a period of necessary recuperation, Mr. Miller returned to his company and regiment, joining them at Selma, Ala., and was mustered out at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in September, 1865. Returning home he engaged in teaching music, being an expert organist and singer, and was hired by Mr. C. Hunter, an edge-tool maker, at $100.00 a week and expenses, and traveled with him, visiting many towns and cities in Ohio and other adjoining states. He then settled on his farm of about one hundred acres, where he engaged in farming and fruit growing. This farm now consists of 140 acres, seven acres of which lie along State and Main Streets, within the corporate limits of Clyde, the balance being just north of the corporation line. The farm he bought was sold by his father during the war at $25 per acre; when $100ought it it cost him nearly $1oo per acre, only a few years after ; and this in spite of the fact that there were no improvements on it. Mr. Miller was first married on Christmas eve, 1860, to Miss Louisa Metcalf, who died April 2, 1862, aged twenty-one years. He married for his second wife, September 22, 1868, Miss Maria L. Deyo, a daughter of John P. Deyo, a doctor and farmer of Groten Township, Erie County, of which he was also a pioneer. Of this union there have been three children, Jessie L., Esma M., and Harkness J., whose record in brief is as follows : Jessie, born November 20, 1869, graduated in the high school of Clyde and then taught in the Union School of Clyde a number of years. She married Frank F. Jodon, a graduate of Oberlin on the 29th of September, 1900, and they now live in a fine home of their own at Salina, Kansas, her husband having charge 922 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY of the newspaper delivery of that city. They have one daughter, Louise, born February 29, 1904. They are members of the Presbyterian Church of that city. In politics he is a Republican. Esma, born December 29, 1872, at Clyde, Ohio, graduated in the high school in Clyde, and then taught school in the country some time. She was married on the 15th of June, 1899, to H. A. Cook, prosperous and honored merchant of Huron, Ohio, and they have two children, Paul, born August 12, 1903, and Wendel, born November 2, 1905. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cook is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife is a member of the Stars. In politics he is a Republican. Harkness J. Miller was born on the farm just north of town November 11, 1877. He attended the Clyde public school until sixteen years of age; served as musician of Co. I, 6th Regiment O. V. I., also as a private in the U. S. hospital corps in the United States and Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Later he graduated from the book-keeping department of the Sandusky City Business College ; after which he spent two years doing office work at Sandusky, Ohio. On June 18, 1904, he was married to Miss Freada E. Myers, a piano teacher of Huron, Ohio. In April, 1905, they moved to his old boyhood home at Clyde. Ohio, where they still reside, devoting time to breeding fancy poultry, to fruit culture, and to music. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge; in politics a Republican. In politics Mr. Miller has always been an adherent of the Republican party, though his prohibition tendencies—he having "no use for either whisky or tobacco"—have caused him to take pride that the county has recently voted down the liquor traffic. For thirty or forty years he was identified with everything musical in Clyde and the vicinity, and he still takes an interest in this pleasing art, though he no longer, as formerly, teaches music. In 1865 he was admitted to the Masonic fraternity, of which he has since been an active member. He is both a past and the present commander of the Grand Army post at Clyde, and was elected at the State Encampment a delegate from the Eighteenth District to the G. A. R. National Encampment at Salt Lake City in 1909. He has spent many an interesting hour with his old comrades who, like himself, have known the terrors and cruelties of war, and who are therefore the better able to appreciate the blessings of peace which our united country now enjoys, which peace he and they helped to conquer. WILLIAM F. KARBLER,* one of Townsend Township's prominent and representative citizens, filling the office of superintendent of the township's public highways. resides on his farm of eighty-seven and one-half acres, but his total ownership of land aggregates I94;4 acres. He was born in Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. April 14, 1856, and is a son of Adam and Christina Karbler. The parents of Mr. Karbler were both born in Germany and the paternal grandfather, George Karbler, brought his family to America when Adam Karbler was about six years of age. From Maryland Adam Karbler came to Sandusky County early in the thirties. taking up 160 acres of land in Riley Township and subsequently buying eighty acres in Lucas County. He improved his land in Riley Township and lived there until 1891, when he moved to Fremont, where he died in the following year. His widow resides at Fremont and is now numbered with the older residents. She was born on her father's farm in Germany and is a daughter of David Deehr. Adam Karbler and wife had eight children, namely : George, who died aged twenty-seven years ; Christian, who died aged twenty years; and William F., Theodore, David, Daniel, John and Adam. William F. Karbler attended, the district schools through boyhood and after leaving the home farm lived on a. rented farm in Riley Township for four years, after which he bought from Minerva Prentice twenty-four acres in Townsend Township, on the Erie County line. In 1898 Mr. Karbler bought the Philip White farm, on which he has lived ever since. To this purchase he still further added. buying the Cowell farm, making his total holdings very AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 923 near to 200 acres, all of it being desirable, well improved land. On February 7, 1882, Mr. Karbler was married to Miss Anna L. White, a daughter of Philip White, one of Townsend Township's old residents, and to this marriage were born five children, four sons and one daughter, namely : Lewis E., Burton W., William E., John P. and Emma E. The latter, a beautiful girl of fifteen years, died March 10, 1904, from an attack of measles, this disease being epidemic at the time in the school district. The Karbler family are members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, at Muscash, in Erie County. Ever since attaining his majority, Mr. Karb ler has taken an active interest in politics and has always been a strong Democrat. He is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens and on many occasions they have elected him to public office. He has served acceptably as assessor and for six years was constable in Riley Township and at present is taking care that the people of Townsend Township enjoy good roads. He is one of the directors of the Sandusky, County Agricultural Association. N. B. ERVIN. M. D..* has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Gibsonburg, Ohio, longer than any other physician, and has been prominently identified with the building up of the village and the development of its resources and enterprises. He is proprietor of a drug store here, which does a thriving business ; is vice president of the Gibsonburg Banking Company; stockholder and president of the Seneca Telephone Company and of the Gibsonburg Electric Light Company and Telephone Exchange ; and as an oil producer is identified with the Zorn-Hornung Company and the Flint Oil Company. Dr. Ervin was born in Richland County, Ohio, January 15, 1853, and attended the public schools in the vicinity of Mansfield. He attended medical college at Cleveland, Ohio, and after graduation located at Gibsonburg in 1881, and there became established in a large and remunerative practice. Possessed of a keen business sense and with a firm faith in the future of Gibsonburg, he saw and grasped commercial opportunities which have been of advantage to the village and of profit to himself. He is a Republican in politics, without political aspirations, but served eight years as a member of the school board, and six years as water works trustee. In September, 1880, Doctor Ervin was married to Miss Josie Smith, a daughter of John and Rebecca Smith, and they became parents of the following children : Mabel, who is the wife of Rowland Newcomer and has two children, Ervin and Ned ; James S., who attends Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, and during the summer vacation travels for the Chicago Electric Company of Chicago, Illinois; Norman B., Jr., who is bookkeeper for the Gibsonburg Banking Company ; and Dale, who is attending high school. Mrs. Ervin was called to her final rest in May, 1901, and was buried in the Gibsonburg Cemetery. Fraternally, the Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. In religious faith he is a Methodist. CLARK N. WILDER,* proprietor and publisher of the "Clyde Democrat" of Clyde, Ohio, has, with the exception of about four years, been a resident of Sandusky County all his life. He was born at Clyde, October 23, 1876, and is a son of N. T. and Sarah A. (Nettleton) Wilder. Clark Wilder spent his boyhood in Clyde, where he attended the grade and high schools. During his younger days he worked in his father's grocery except during the summer months, when he was employed on the farm. He spent about four years—from 1895 until 1899—in Toledo, Ohio, where he was connected with the E. P. Breckenridge Company. Returning to Clyde, he helped his father on the farm in Green Creek Township for two years. The "Clyde Democrat," of which he is proprietor, was established April 20, 1899, by W. 0. Kenan and T. L. Hunt. In August, 1899, Mr. Hunt disposed of his interest to S. B. Sturtevant, and in December of the same year Mr. Kenan became sole proprietor. In January, 1903, Mr. Wilder purchased a half. 924 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY interest in the enterprise, and January 3, 1905, became sole owner. It is a weekly publication, Democratic in its politics as its name indicates, and has a circulation of about 1,050 copies. Mr. Wilder was formerly a stockholder in the Clyde Kraut Company, of which he was one of the incorporators. September 17, 1901, Mr. Wilder was married to Miss Helen Lytle Snyder, a daughter of Merritt and Susan (Bowland) Snyder, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Snyder was prior to his death one of the best known lawyers of Fremont. FRANK C. KISER,* justice of the peace at Fremont, is also one of the city's active business. men, engaged in the insurance and real estate business, with offices at No. 520 South Wayne Street. He was born at Fremont, Ohio, June 11, 1871, and is a son of Anthony and Eva M. (Myers) Kiser—good old German names that carry worth with them. The late Anthony Kiser was brought from Germany to America by his parents, when he was nine years old and he was reared in Jackson Township, Sandusky County. He learned the carpenter's trade and in the course of years became a well known building contractor at Fremont, where he died in 1893. He married Eva M. Myers, who was five years old when her parents brought her from Germany, and she was reared in Riley Township. To Anthony Kiser and wife were born seven children, namely : Frank C., Cecelia M., Peter D., Edward, Benjamin D., Stanislaus and Cordelia. The mother survives and still takes her part in the pleasant social life of her neighborhood and resides in a pleasant home on Haynes Avenue. Frank C. Kiser was reared in his native place and was educated in the St. Joseph parochial school and the Hayes .Avenue public school. He then worked for a time in the oil fields and later learned the carpenter's trade with his father, becoming a builder and contractor. Mr. Kiser has numerous business interests. He is vice president of the Henkle Company, of Fremont, manufacturers of manicure and pedicure instruments, which is the largest concern of its kind in the world making a feature of these specialties. He is also secretary of the Carbo Tool & Die Company, a comparatively new enterprise, for the manufacture of gas engines and special machinery. Mr. Kiser is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, including : the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Woodmen of the World, the Pathfinders, the Home Guards, and the Eagles. In politics he is a Democrat and he was elected a justice of the peace in 1903 and has acceptably served ever since. He is a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. ALPHEUS L. KISER,* manager of the Lindsey Butter Manufacturing Company, a large enterprise of Washington Township, Sandusky County, has had a thorough training in the milk and creamery business, having been identified with this line throughout his entire business life. He was born March 17, 1868, at Fostoria, Ohio, and is a son of Lorenzo D. and Amanda (Ragon) Kiser. The parents of Mr. Kiser had three children. namely : Alpheus L., whose name heads this record ; Burton, born at Fostoria. in 1870, who lives in Los Angeles, California; and Rosa, born in 1873, who married Leonard Schlegel, and also resides in California. Alpheus L. Kiser, after his period of school attendance was over, entered the employ of T. M. Jones, who was in the milk business, and during the eight and one-half years that he remained with him he never lost one single day. His next employer was , P. W. Kemp, with whom he stayed one year, and he then worked four years for the E. Jones Company, at Fostoria, gathering cream. By this time he determined to learn all the details of butter manufacturing ; he entered the works of the Morning Glory Creamery Company at Fostoria, where he remained three years, going from there to Huron, Ohio, to become manager of the Huron Elgin Butter Company, and thus continuing for five years, when he resigned and accepted a position with the Galena Creamery Company at Galena, Ohio. After six and a half years, Mr. Kiser resigned this position and went into the business for himself, purchasing the Fremont AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 925 Creamery at Fremont, Ohio, which he operated alone for four years and then sold a half interest to Charles T. More. The partners then went into the wholesale milk business, in addition to the creamery and they maintained a fine plant and were incorporated under the name of the Sanitary Milk and Cream Company. After one year Mr. Kiser sold his interest to Mr. More and went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the George C. Mansfield Company, and from there to Hamilton, Ohio, where he was with the Frechtling Dairy Company until he came to Lindsey as manager of the Lindsey Butter Manufacturing Company. This company was organized September 1, 1908, and has a weekly output of 2000 pounds, Mr. Kiser having had entire management since the beginning. He is also manager of the Gilt Edge Ice Cream Company of Fremont. Mr. Kiser was married (first) in 1888, to Miss Anna Groh, of Munger, Ohio, who died at Galena, Ohio, leaving two children, Orlo, born in 1889, and Gladys, born in 1899. Mr. Kiser married secondly, December 25, 1903. Miss Minnie M.. Schelien, of Huron, Ohio, and they have one son, Alpheus Lee, who was born September IS, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Kiser are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fremont. Mr. Kiser is a member of McPherson Lodge No. 667 at Fremont. of the Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a Republican. JOHN W. SANDWISCH, * president of the Board of County Commissioners of Sandusky County, Ohio, and the owner of a valuable farm of 200 acres, situated in Woodville Township. is a representative of a well known pioneer family of this section. He was born in Ohio, November 5, 1841, and is a son of F. W. and Louisa (Clousing) Sandwisch. The father of Mr. Sandwisch was born May 17, 1819, in Hanover, Germany, a son of Randolph and Jane (Daterman) Sandwisch. In 1836, when seventeen years of age, F. W. Sandwisch came to America to make his own unaided way in the world, his courage and his health being his only capital. He sought and found work, becoming an employe of a steamboat company operating boats on Lake Erie. In 1839 he married and then worked for one year at the carpenter's trade at Perrysburg, Ohio. Later he was employed in the construction of the turnpike road in Troy Township, Wood County, and during these years he managed to save $200, which he applied on the purchase of a farm, a tract of forty acres Of wild land. This he improved and sold, subsequently buying seventy acres, which he also sold, after which he secured 169 acres, in Woodville Township, in whch place he made his home. It was a wild, unsettled, malarious region in those early days, but Mr. Sandwisch survived all sickness, and pioneer hardship, saw many members of his own family and many of his neighbors pass away, and died of the infirmities of old age, October 24, 1895, having lived seventy-six years. He carried on general farming and stockraising during his active period, retiring from labor in 1884. He was a man of sterling qualities and was appreciated by his fellow citizens. In 1873 he was elected a county commissioner of Sandusky County and was re-elected for a second term, but failing health made him decline the honor. He was one of the pillars of the Lutheran Church. He was twice married (first) to Louisa Clousing, who was born in 1815 and died October 24, 1855, and (second) to Angeline Bossan. Three children were born to the first union, the eldest being John Sandwisch of Woodville Township, and ten to the second union. John Sandwisch was reared on the home farm and was educated in the Woodville Township schools. In early manhood he married Miss Elizabeth Myers, a daughter of the late Henry Myers, and they have had the following children born to them : Dora, George, August, Margaret, Martha, Martin, Carrie, and William. Mr. Sandwisch and family are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Democrat and has been elected to a number of local offices, and in 1903 was made a county commissioner. The performance of his duties was so satisfactory that he was subsequently re-elected and he has since served as president of this important public body. He is one of the representative men of this part of Sandusky County. 926 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY DOLPH LINEBAUGH* is a well known farmer of Ballville Township, Sandusky. County, Ohio, and resides on a farm of 13 1/2 acres located about two and one-half miles southeast of Fremont, which has been in the family for more than half a century. He was born in Fremont, January 14, 1857, and is a son of John and Susan (Parrish) Linebaugh. John Linebaugh was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1820, and was a small boy when his father, Peter Linebaugh, moved to Sandusky County and was the first settler on what is now known as the Huss Farm in Ballville Township. John learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for many years and lived here until his death in 1906. He served in the Mexican War, going to the front with Captain Thompson, and he served through a greater part of the Civil War as a member of the Third Ohio Cavalry. He was afterward a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was united in marriage with Susan Parrish, who was born in Putnam County, Ohio, and is still living, making her home with the subject of this sketch. They became parents of four children : Dolph ; Nora (deceased), who was the wife of Frank Pero of Fremont, by whom she had a son, Charles; Ida, who is the wife of Charles Wonderly and resides in California; and Frank of Ballville Township. who married Nellie Calkins and has a daughter, Marian. Dolph Linebaugh received a good common school education in Ballville Township, where he always lived. He has always followed farming in a general way and is meeting with deserved success. February 20, 1894, he was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Worthington, who was left an orphan at an early. age. He was called upon to mourn her early death on March 17, 1897, since which time his mother has kept house for him. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fremont. CHARLES THAYER,* an influential citizen of Lindsey, and owner of a fine farm of 80 acres, of which 40 acres lie within the town limits, and 40 in Washington Township, was born at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and is a son of George and Jane Thayer, who were the parents of the following children : George, Jr., now deceased (was first united in marriage with Etta Tyler, by whom he had one daughter, Etta Tyler Thayer; his second union was with Laura Robison) ; William, a resident of Dakota; and Charles, the subject of this record. Charles Thayer was joined in marriage with Rebecca Schwartz of Hessville, Ohio, a daughter of Christian and Margaret Schwartz. Of their union have been born the following offspring: Edward, who married Ada Bowers of Lindsey and has two children, Harry C. and Mary Elizabeth; Alice; Gladen, who resides at home; and Edith, who is attending the high school at Lindsey. Mr. Thayer takes an active interest in the affairs of the Democratic party, and the family holds membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hessville. FRANK COLLINS LEMMON,* a worthy member of one of the old pioneer families of Townsend Township, Sandusky Counts-, Ohio, resides on the farm on which he was born, in 1848. His parents were Matthew M. and Sarah (McIntyre) Lemmon, and his grandfather was James Lemmon. James Lemmon, the founder of the family in Townsend Township. came here from Livingston County, New York. in 1828. It is said of him as typical of his strength. courage and perseverance, that he walked the whole distance to Columbus, in order to enter his selected tract of eighty acres, and provided for his subsistence with his gun, being somewhat noted as a hunter. The land which James Lemmon secured is partly located on the North Ridge and partly in the marsh. It is supposed that the place at one time was the site of an Indian village or graveyard, but if so. the fact antedated the knowledge of the Indians who yet lived in the county when the whites came here. When the Lake Erie & 'Western Railroad was built through Sandusky County. the Lemmons sold a tract from the north end of the farm for a gravel pit. In excavating this pit numerous bones and skulls, together with stone utensils and tools. were found, at a depth of from two to three feet. This discovery, which aroused much interest among local scientists, is elsewhere referred* to in this vol- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 927 time. At the time of his death, James Lemmon owned 200 acres and was one of the leading men of this section. He served in the War of 1812, going out with a company from Livingston County. He lived until 1853, dying when aged eighty-three years and was survived one year by his widow. Matthew M. Lemmon was born in Livingston County, New York, but was quite young when brought to Sandusky County and his subsequent life was spent in agricultural pursuits on the farm in Townsend Township. On December 3, 1847, he married Sarah McIntyre, daughter of John McIntyre, an early settler, and they had five children, namely : Frank Collins; Edward, who is now deceased ; Charles H., who is pastor of the North Congregational Church at Cleveland; Ella, who is the wife of Charles Durning, of Cleveland; and George, who is engaged in the fruit business in Cuba. Matthew M.. Lemmon died November 30, 1888, and was survived by his widow until 1903. Frank Collins Lemmon spent his boyhood on the farm, attending- the local schools in the meanwhile, and then learned the carpenter's trade. This he followed for thirteen years at Clyde, Ohio, after which he returned to the homestead, where he has resided ever since. On October 3, 1873, Mr. Lemmon was married to Miss Hannah Keller, daughter of Isaac Keller. She was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and died October 14, 1897. She is survived by one daughter, Pearl E., who was born January 29, 1879, and who is the wife of S. E. Ensign, residing in Thompson Township. Mr. Lemmon and family are members of the North Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Democrat, but he has never sought political favors. For many years he has been identified with the Odd Fellows and is connected with Clyde Lodge, No. 380, at Clyde, Ohio. COLUMBAN PFEFFERLE,* one of the substantial farmers and highly respected citizens of Green Creek Township, and owner of two tracts of land consisting of seventy-six acres, was born August 15, 1838. in Baden, Germany. He is one of two sons born to Columban and Lutwin (Wasmer) Pfefferle, both of whom were born and died in Baden,. Germany, where they followed farming. Conrad, the younger son, still lives on the old home place in Baden. Columban Pfefferle was reared on his father's farm in Germany and attended the schools. of that country, remaining at home until 1866. He then emigrated to America, locating at Monroeville, Ohio, where he worked for about one month for his uncle, Joseph Wasmer. He next went to Sandusky, Ohio, where he worked in the vineyards for one year, in 1868 buying in Green Creek Township a tract of twenty acres, on which he lived in a log house until 1890, when he purchased his present farm of fifty-six acres. Here he has since followed general farming, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Pfefferle had no money when he came to this country, and his success here has been due entirely to his own efforts, much hard work, combined with honest and conservative business methods. In April, 1867, Mr. Pfefferle was married in Erie County, Ohio, to Gertrude Leffler,. also a native of Baden, Germany, and of their union were born eight children—Alben, The resa, Lucy, Anna, William, Catherine, Bertha, and Annie. In politics Mr. Pfefferle is a Democrat and he is a member of the German-Catholic Church of Fremont. M. PUTMAN,* formerly county surveyor of Sandusky County, a civil engineer and a retired farmer, owns 200 acres of fine land which is situated in Sections 20, 21 and 29,. Scott Township. Mr. Putman was born January 16, 1861, in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, Ohio, and is a son of Michael and a grandson of Jacob Putman. Michael Putman was born near Freeport, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1815, and was a son of Jacob Putman, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1783, and who came to Wayne County, Ohio, among the earliest settlers. Michael Putman was married to Elizabeth Bates, March 23, 1837. She was a daughter of Andrew and Ann Bates. After marriage the parents of Mr. Putman lived on a farm in Hancock County for several years and then 928 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY moved to Sandusky County and settled on the land in Scott Township which their son now owns. There the father died December 11, 1897, having survived his wife since July 22, 1886. They were members of the Lutheran Church and were interred in Trinity Cemetery. Mr. Putman attended school both at Fremont and Tiffin and afterward lived for two years on the home farm. When he was elected county surveyor, he moved to Fremont and resided there during his period of office, which was eight years. He then returned to Scott Township, settling on an eighty-acre tract, which was a portion of the old homestead. Of his 200 acres, Mr. Putman cleared about sixty and has his whole farm drained. There are some ten acres still in timber and he has twenty-three oil wells. All the substantial buildings now standing Mr. Putman erected, and he also did all the fencing and made other improvements. He has practically retired from agricultural operations, a large part of his time being devoted to engineering work over the county, road building and ditching. There are few men in the county better known and the confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens has been shown on many occasions when he has been elected to office. In addition to his long term as county surveyor, Mr. Putman has been township clerk two terms, a justice of the peace for one year and for a long period has been a useful member of the school board. In politics he is a Democrat. On December 23, 1873, Mr. Putman was married to Miss Melissa Inman, a daughter of William and Calista Inman. Mrs. Putman died June 23, 1908, and was laid to rest in the Metzger Cemetery. Three children were born to them, one son and two daughters, namely : Alfred R., who married Lucy Dotty; Louisa, who resides in California ; and Hazel M., who married Clyde Smark. GEORGE W. JORDAN,* one of the leading farmers of York Township, who owns in partnership with his two sisters, a tract of eighty acres, was born January 14, 1844, on a farm in Seneca County, Ohio. and is a son of Adam and Sophia (Alwick) Jordan. Adam Jordan and wife were both natives of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but were married in Union County, that State, where they resided for five years subsequent to their marriage. They then removed to Seneca County, Ohio. where they entered a small tract of land, later coming to Sandusky County, where they located on the farm now owned by our subject. Here they resided until the time of their death. Adam Jordan and wife were the parents of the following children : Sarah, a resident of Toledo, Ohio, and the widow of Uriah Weaver ; Lucy, the widow of John McCaulley, residing in Bellevue ; Mary, residing with her brother George. and part owner of the farm; George W.. the subject of this sketch ; Hannah, who lives on the home farm, of which she also is part owner ; James, who lives in Erie County, Ohio; Martin, residing in Toledo, Ohio, who is a veteran of the Civil War (was the first to enlist in York Township. first in the 8th O. Vol. Inf.. and afterwards in the 72nd. Regt., O. Vol.. Inf.) ; Joseph, who died aged sixty-four years : and John, who died aged fourteen years. The fine large brick house, in which Mr. Jordan and his sisters reside, was erected in 1852 by his father, but was remodeled in 1888 by him and his sisters. Mr. Jordan is one of the substantial farmers and leading citizens of York Township, but has now practically retired from farming. MOSES GUSDORF,* vice president of the First National Bank at Fremont. Ohio, is one of the prominent men of this city, active in many lines and a leading factor in a number of important business enterprises. He is a native of this city and is a son of Abraham and Helen (Swartz) Gusdorf. Abraham Gusdorf was one of the pioneer merchants of Sandusky County, coming to this section in 1848. He embarked shortly afterward in the pork and grain business at Fremont, which he continued until 1864. His death occurred March 30, 1894. Moses Gusdorf obtained his primary education in the public schools of Fremont and then entered Cornell University, where he re- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 929 mained until he graduated. When he returned home he entered into the pork and grain business in association with his brother, which was continued until 1863, when produce, hides, wool, seeds and grain became the main commodities handled, but it was not until 1876 that the present firm style of Gusdorf Brothers was assumed. This is the oldest business firm at Fremont in this line and the business has always been conducted according to the honest principles upon which it was founded. Mr. Gusdorf is also interested in the oil industry. In 1887 he became one of the board of directors of the First National Bank and in 1895 he was elected vice president. His name as an honorable and prudent business man, adds value to any institution with which it is connected. Mr. Gusdorf is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, being a Vhail-Vtith, and of the Commercial Travelers. JACOB RIMMELSPACHER.* formerly township trustee and member of the school board, is one of the representative citizens of Ballville Township and lives on his well improved •farm of ninety-two and one-half acres, which is situated about four miles south of Fremont. He was born in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, December 26, 1842, and is a son of George and Barbara Rimmelspacher. The parents of Mr. Rimmelspacher were natives of Germany. The father was born at Baden, in 1812, and died in Ohio, in 1897, surviving his wife for one year. When they came to the United States, George Rimmelspacher worked first at Buffalo, New York, as a blacksmith, and was then employed by General Zachary Taylor in Florida, who proved so kind and just that when Mr. Rimmelspacher came to Ohio and learned that General Taylor has been nominated for President of the United States, he hastened to take out his naturalization papers in order to be able to vote for him. He bought forty acres of land in Ballville Township and resided here during the remainder of his life. There were thirteen children born to George Rimmelspacher and wife, namely : Jacob; Madeline, who married Henry Oaks; Andrew ; John; Catherine, who married Anthony Oaks; Mary, who married Anthony Swint; William; Amelia, who married Jacob Swint; Rose, who married Lewis Ingleman; George, who is now deceased; and three that died at birth. Jacob Rimmelspacher has spent his life in Sandusky County, with the exception of almost five months during which he was in the army, serving in the Civil War. He enlisted in Company I, 169th Regt., O. Vol., Inf., on May 2, 1864, and was honorably discharged September 21, 1864, and mustered out at Cleveland. His regiment was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen during the greater part of this period. He is an interested member of the Grand Army Post at Fremont. Mr. Rimmelspacher carries on general farming and stock raising and as a business man and citizen stands high in the esteem of his community. On January 28, 1867, he was married to Miss Anna Garber, a daughter of Fred and Amelia Garber, and they have had seven children: Florence E.., Henry C., Pheras, Pearl, Phillipina, Chester and Ida, the four older ones surviving and two being married. Florence is the wife of Charles A. Peck, of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Henry C., who resides at Fremont, married Bertha Oaks and has two children, Irene and Paul. Mrs. Rimmelspacher's father was born November 29, 1812, and died in August, 1905. Her mother was born February 16, 1824, and died in August, 19o3. They had seven children, namely : Anna, Mary, Helen, Frederick, Amelia, Rosa and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Rimmelspacher are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Fremont. P. J. NIESET,* residing on his splendid farm of 100 acres, which is situated in Section 17, Madison Township, was born April 3, 1873, in Washington Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Kahler) Nieset. Mr. Nieset's school days were passed in Washington and Scott Townships and he remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age and then turned his attention to the various industries of the oil fields. 930 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY He worked in both Sandusky and Wood Counties as teamster, rig builder and tool dresser, and prospered. He located at Carrie, in Ross County, following his marriage and moved from there to Gibsonburg and then bought his present valuable farm, on which he has erected all the substantial buildings. About twenty acres he cleared himself and has done some draining. He is an energetic and enterprising young man who has shown a large amount of foresight in his business transactions and continues to be somewhat interested in oil, having eleven wells on his own land. On February 8, 1907, Mr. Nieset was married to Miss Mary Cook, a daughter of John L. and Mary Cook. They are members of St. Michael's Catholic Church at Gibsonburg. In politics he is a Democrat. JOSIAH GEPHART,* general farmer and carpenter, residing on an excellent farm of forty acres, which is situated in Jackson Township near Burgoon, on the road between Fremont and Helena, was born in Jackson Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, October 20, 1844, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Baker) Gephart. The parents of Mr. Gephart were old settlers in Jackson Township, coming to this neighborhood in 1837, from Pickaway County, Ohio. Both are now deceased, the mother surviving until February 14, 1889, and the father dying when aged forty-three years. They had the following children : George, Valentine, Rebecca, Sarah, Josiah, John and Frank. The latter was born in Jackson Township December 9, 1858, and owns a farm of thirty acres and also works at the carpenter's trade. He was married in 1899 to Inez, daughter of John Brubaker, of Jackson Township. and they have one daughter, Ruth. For seven years he has been township clerk, for fourteen years president of the school board and has also served as road supervisor. Josiah Gephart assisted his father during his early years and then learned the carpenter's trade. For two years he worked as a carpenter in Michigan and then settled in Seneca County, Ohio, where he did a large amount of business as a carpenter and contractor. During six years of his residence in that county he served on the school board and served as township supervisor, an office he has also filled in Jackson Township. The present home farm belongs to his wife, his main business having been in other lines than farming and many of the substantial houses and barns in this section testify to his workmanship. On December 26, 1872. Mr. Gephart was married to Miss Mary E. Rineboat, a daughter of John Rineboat, and they have had four children : Herbert, J. P., Estella and Orville. Herbert is deceased. J. P. died aged twenty-six years. He married Alice Hudson and they had two children. Burton and Russell. Estella married J. W. Fox and they live in Jackson Township and have two children, Sarah and Clarence. Orville, a youth of fifteen years, resides at home. MICHAEL W. HUNT.* ex-prosecuting attorney of Sandusky County, Ohio, who is a leading member of the bar at Clyde, was born May 25. 1866. at Clyde, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Tohanna ( Patten) Hunt. John Hunt, father of Michael W., was born in Ireland. He came to America and subsequently to Ohio and for many years was a prosperous farmer in Sandusky County. His death occurred May 14, 1903. His family contained five children. Michael W. Hunt was educated in the Clyde schools and being possessed of a quick and active mind resolved to adopt a professional life. He began his law studies in the office of the late Hon. John L. Lemon, cornpleted them with -the well known law firm of Finch & Dewey. at Clyde and was admitted to the bar in 1889. Mr. Hunt's ability very soon brought him to the front in his profession and caused his selection by the Democratic party, in 1902, as their candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney of Sandusky County. He was easily elected and in November, 1905, was re-elected and served out his second term with the same efficiency as the first. Since then he has given his whole attention to his large private practice. He is one of Clyde's active and representative citizens. Mr. Hunt is connected with a number of fraternal organiza- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 931 tions, including the Eagles. the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. ANDREW JACKSON WOLFE,* deceased, formerly treasurer of the Sandusky Pioneer Association, for many years was prominently identified with the grain trade and also owned a valuable farm of 163 acres, situated in Sandusky Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. He. was born at Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania. July 19, 1842, and was a son of Michael and Margaret (Engieman) Wolfe. The parents of Mr. Wolfe carne in pioneer style from Pennsylvania to Washington Township, Sandusky, when he was a babe nine months old and there he was mainly reared. Late in life they purchased a small farm on State Street, then about two miles out from Fremont, and there passed the remainder of their lives. The late Andrew J. Wolfe was educated in the district schools and at Oberlin College, and quite early in his business life he became interested in the grain trade. At various times he owned elevators at different points and also a farm of 165 acres, situated in Sandusky Township. He divided his time between his farm and Fremont, sometimes passing- three or four years in the country and then a like period in the city. As a reputable and successful business man he was known all through this section. He always took a great interest in pioneer matters and for many years was an official of the representative pioneer organization of the county. Although not particularly identified with any religious body, Mr. Wolfe recognized good in all and was generous in his support of church enterprises and was a liberal dispenser of charity. At all times he was a loyal citizen and (luring the Civil War he served 100 days as a member of the 109th 0. Vol. Inf. On February 16, 1865, Mr. Wolfe was married to Miss Jemima Stultz, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Smith) Stultz. Her father was born in New Jersey, and her mother near Columbus, Ohio, while her native section was Washington Township, Sandusky County. Jacob Stultz came to Sandusky County as early as 1828. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe two children were born, namely, William E.. and Nancy. William E. Wolfe, who is a prominent grain man of the county, owns three elevators, one at Vickery, one at Erlin and one at Whitmore. He was married (first) to Miss Hattie Tindel, who died in 1895, leaving one child, Helen, also deceased. Mr. Wolfe was married (second) to a Mrs. Broadfuer. Nancy Wolfe, the only daughter of the late A. J. Wolfe, married Albert Stull. The death of Andrew J. Wolfe occurred November 27, 1904. His widow survives and still retains the ownership of the farm in Sandusky Township. A. B. HUGHES,* oil producer and contractor and sole proprietor of a machine shop which is located on South Main Street, Gibsonburg, was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of W. A. and Mary L. (Leeper) Hughes, residents of Oil City, Pennsylvania, where W. A. Hughes is in the oil producing business. A. B. Hughes attended school in Venango County and did his first work as a driller in the Pennsylvania oil fields. Later he worked in the same capacity in West Virginia and Ohio and in the latter state drilled some of the earliest wells. Following his marriage in 1892, Mr. Hughes went to housekeeping in Gibson-burg, where he subsequently invested in property and in March, 1903, built a handsome modern residence at No. 301 South Main Street. His oil interests take up a large portion of his time and the remainder is given to his work in his machine shop, which has a large amount of steady trade. Mr. Hughes was married June 20, 1892, to Miss Myrtle M. Beatty, a daughter of Myron and Sarah (Bess) Beatty, and they have five children : N. Franklyn, Audine Bernice, Dale B., Thelma, and A. B., Jr. Mr. Hughes and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 575 F. & A. M., at Gibsonburg and to the Chapter and Commandery at Fremont. FRANCIS MARION PARMENTER,* contractor and builder, doing a large business 932 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. in his line at Clyde, Ohio, has had a life of more than usual interest and is one of the honored veterans of the great Civil War. He was born April 20, 1844, at Kenton, the county seat of Hardin County, Ohio, and is a son of Ezra and Eleanor B. (Pardy) Parmenter. Ezra Parmenter was born in Vermont and was a son of Ezra and Sarah Elizabeth (Grant) Parmenter. The latter lived to the unusual age of one hundred and three years. The older Ezra Parmenter brought his family to Ohio from Vermont, in very early days. He was a noted Indian fighter and had much trouble with the savages after he settled in Allen County, near the present site of Lima and subsequently, with four of his sons, was killed by the Indians at Fort Findlay in 1812. His family numbered twelve sons and two daughters. The younger Ezra Parmenter, the father of Francis M., learned the blacksmith's trade, at Lafayette, Ohio, and worked in many towns and villages. At Kenton he engaged in a sawmill business and the family lived at that place when Francis Marion was born, he being the youngest of the six children of the family. While at Lafayette, Ezra Parmenter married Eleanor B. Pardy, who was born in Genesee County, New York. She died aged sixty-six years. The five oldest members of their family were : Harvey D., who was a soldier in the Civil War, and lives at Crydersville, Ohio ; David, Titus and Nancy, all now deceased ; and Charlotte, who married John Campbell, and resides at Toledo, Ohio. Ezra Parmenter not only sent his sons into the army when the Union was threatened, but he also became himself a soldier, enlisting in Company B, 49th 0. Vol. Inf., which was recruiting at Tiffin. His death occurred while he was in the service, being occasioned by an accident, in Kentucky. Francis M. Parmenter spent his early boyhood in Big Springs Township, Seneca County, and when twelve years old accompanied his parents to Green Spring, where he went to school and learned the carpenter's trade. He had worked at this trade for about three years, when, in 1862, led by patriotic impulses, he enlisted in Company A, 55th O. Vol. Inf., tinder Captain Gambey. After serving seven months he was seriously wounded a. t the first battle of Fredericksburg, in December, 1862. This injury sent him home, where he remained until September 17, 1863, when he re-enlisted, entering the 9th Ohio Cavalry, with which he remained identified until the close of the war. While serving as a scout and dispatch messenger—a very dangerous branch of the service —he was taken prisoner, at Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was imprisoned for seventeen days and was sent to the prison pen at Salisbury, from which, with two companions, he was fortunate enough to make his escape the first night during a furious tropical storm. He reached the Union lines in safetv and thus survives to tell the tale which might otherwise never have been told, as the hundreds of Northern soldiers' graves in North Carolina give evidence. When the war closed, Mr. Parmenter returned to Green Spring and resumed work at his trade, which he continued there until 1869. He then made a trip west, and remained away from his native State until 1882, when he came to Clyde. In the following year he married and settled at Center City, Nebraska. In 1890 he came back to Ohio and located at Crydersyille, in Auglaize County, two years later moving to Wisconsin, where he lived until 1900, when he took up his residence again at Clyde. For many years he has been engaged in contracting, has also been in the oil business and has farming interests. In May, 1909, he opened his lumber yard on Maple Street, Clyde. where he carries all kinds of builders' supplies. He has been very successful in his business enterprises and has done a large amount of creditable work as a contractor and builder, in the different sections in which he has lived. Since coming to Clyde in 1900 he has erected more than twenty-three residences, has also built the handsome Baptist Church and a fine business block on one of the principal streets. He filled some very large contracts through the West, building a court-house at Trinidad, Colorado, at a cost of $75,000; a $14,000 schoolhouse in Kansas ; an equally large one in Nebraska, together with churches and public buildings at numerous other points. On November 13, 1883, Mr. Parmenter was AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 933 married (first) to Elizabeth Huling, of Clyde, who died in July, 1887, leaving two children, Mabel, who is the wife of Charles S. Brooks, of Jackson, Michigan ; and Daniel, who is a resident of Clyde. Mr. Parmenter was married (second) December 22, 1888, to Isabella Series, of Center City, Nebraska, and they have three children, Francis Leroy, Floyd and Elizabeth. In politics, Mr. Parmenter is a Republican. He is identified with both the Masons and the Odd Fellows and belongs also to Eaton Post, G. A. R., at Clyde. ADAM JORDAN,* general farmer, owning forty acres of excellent land in York Township, Sandusky County, which is situated one mile northwest of Colby Station, was born near Clyde, in York Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, November 20, 1860. His parents were Joseph and Hannah (Gamby) Jordan. Joseph Jordan was born in Seneca County, Ohio, and was a son of Adam Jordan, who was a native of Union County, Pennsylvania. The parents of Joseph Jordan moved from Seneca to Sandusky County and settled in York Township when he was ten years old, their land being located near the center of the township. There Adam Jordan, the grandfather of the present Adam, died and on that farm Joseph Jordan grew to manhood. He married Hannah Gamby, who was born in Lime Township, Huron County, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel Gamby, an old settler there. To Joseph Jordan and wife the following children were born : Adam ; Samuel and Alice, both of whom are now deceased ; Clara, who is the wife of George Parker ; Minerva, who is the wife of Allen Salsbury ; and Irvin J., who resides at Clyde. The death of Joseph Jordan occurred May 1, 1898, when York Township lost one of its most esteemed citizens. His widow still survives. Adam Jordan was reared in York Township and was educated in the country schools. His business has always been farming and in addition to cultivating his own land, he manages eighty adjoining acres, which belong to his mother, and also a part of the Lefever farm. Mr. Jordan married Miss Susie Spriggs, .a daughter of John Spriggs, and they have one son, Carmi, who is nineteen years old. The family home is a handsome residence that Mr. Jordan built and he also erected the other substantial farm buildings. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum. PHILIP J: WAMMES,* a prominent agriculturist of Sandusky Township, residing on his valuable farm of 138 acres, a large portion of which is under a fine state of cultivation, was born February 20, 1871, in Washtenaw County, Michigan. His parents were Anthony and Sophia (Fisher) Wammes. The father of Mr. Wammes was born near the river Rhine, in Germany, and the mother was born in Austria. In 1864 they came tb America and to Sandusky County, Ohio, residing at Fremont until 1869, when they moved to Washtenaw County, Michigan. There Anthony Wammes, was engaged in farming until 1873, when he returned to Sandusky County and settled in Sandusky Township, on the farm which is now owned by his son, Philip J. In 1903 he removed to Washington Township, where he yet resides, now being in his seventy-eighth year. Of his children the following survive : Philip J. ; Frank J., who resides at Millersville, Ohio; Catherine, who is the wife of John Slope, of Ballville Township; Mary M., who is the wife of Frank L. Myers, of Washington Township; Ida A. and Victoria, both of whom reside at Fremont. Philip J. Wammes was about two years old when his parents came from Michigan to Sandusky Township. He .obtained his education in School District No. 2, where his children now attend school. He has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and is numbered with the successful farmers and stock raisers of the township. Mr. Wammes was married (first) January 21, 1892, to Miss Anna M. House, a daughter of Henry G. House, who is now a resident of Fremont. Mrs. Wammes died May 27, 1901, leaving four children, Rosa A., Clarence F., William F. and Carl S. Mr. Wammes was married (second) July 28, 1903, to Miss Mary Ehrman, who was born in Paulding County, 934 - HISTORY. OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Ohio, a daughter of Gregory and Magdalena (Andrews) Ehrman. One daughter has been born to this union, Annie M. In his political views, Mr. Wammes is in accord with the Republican party. He takes an interest in the public schools of his township and assists in all movements which advance the general welfare and make living conditions more comfortable in his community. JOHN W. COLVIN,* an extensive grain shipper and a dealer in coal and grain, at York Station, in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, and the owner of seventy-two acres of valuable land at this point, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, M.ay 6, 1857, and is a son of George H. and Cornelia Jane (Shutts) Colvin. George H. Colvin was born in York Township, Sandusky County, and was a son of John Colvin, who was one of the first settlers to come into Sandusky County and buy Government land. George H. Colvin was an early school teacher in his native county. In 1864 he came to Townsend Township and purchased what was known as the Richey farm of eighty acres and there he resided until his death in March, 1887. He was township trustee and in every way a useful citizen, one held in high esteem. He married a daughter of William Shutts, who was one of the early pioneers of the county and a contractor on the first railroad, about 1840. Later he engaged in farming and continued in Sandusky County until 1865, when he moved to Indiana and died there. Mrs. Colvin survived her husband for two years. They had the following children : John W., of Townsend Township; William S., of Monroeville, Ohio; James P., Frank and Clinton, all of Townsend Township; Clifton, of Erie County,Ohio; Clara, wife of N. C. Holcond, of Norwalk, Ohio; Stella, formerly wife of Warner Waring, both being now deceased ; and Lula, wife of L. D. Carey, -)f Monticello, Indiana. John W. Colvin was reared on the home farm and obtained his education in the public schools. He first began farming operations on rented land in Ballville Township and for fourteen winters was engaged in buying and ship- ping poultry. In 1894 he purchased forty-three acres of land at York Station, from Morris Haff, and in 1908 bought twenty-nine more lying south of his homestead. In addition to his farming operations, he conducts a large business in coal and grain and is an extensive shipper. He is an enterprising business man, with a large endowment of good judgment and commercial integrity. Mr. Colvin was married April 4, 1883, to Jennie A. Sanford, a daughter of Henry Sanford, of Townsend Township, and three children have been born to them, namely: Lloyd R., who died at the age of sixteen years; Henry Leo, who was born in 1888 ; and Blenn H., who was born in 1892. Mr. Colvin and family are members of the Universalist Church at Norwalk, Ohio, but they take part and enjoy the Methodist Sunday-school services near York Station. Mr. Colvin is an active citizen of his neighborhood, in every way giving encouragement to public movements and contributing liberally upon call. In politics he is a Republican and has served as trustee of Townsend Township.