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JOHN BOMAN, son of George and Christine (Hachenbarg) Boman, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 28, 1839. His father was a shoemaker, but occasionally worked at farming ; he came to Williams County in 1853, settling on the place now owned by our subject. John Boman's early life was passed on a farm, yet he acquired a fair education. In September, 1861, he became enrolled in Company H, Third Ohio Cavalry, continuing in the military service for three years and three months, and taking part in the battles of Perrysburg, Stone River, Chickamauga, Snow Hill, Woodsonville, Bardstown and others. He was under Gen. Thomas during his Georgia campaign, and was discharged at Nashville December 30, 1864, since which time he has been employed in farming. It was largely due to Mr. Boman's influence that the town of Blakeslee can trace its origin, he having donated about four and one-half acres to the Wabash Sz. St. Louis Railroad Company, for depot and grounds ; he also caused a survey and platting of the town, which was done November 15, 1880. At that time the only improvements were one log house and a- grocery, built for the railroad company. Since then,

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Blakeslee has groin' rapidly, Mr. Boman having erected a building now used as a hardware store, as well as disposing of about twenty-nine acres of land in town lots and for depot grounds. He still has, however, a snug farm of fifty-seven acres. He is a Free and Accepted Mason.

J. A. BOWSER was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 25, 1826, being one of a family of three born to John J. and Barbara (Opt) Bowser. Mr. Bowser left Fairfield County for Seneca County when about twenty-one years old, learning while there the trade of a shoemaker. At this place he married Nancy A. Bordnet, on January 13, 1852, remaining four years, when he returned to Fairfield County, coming to Williams County in 1857, and settling on the place he now owns, a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres ; this farm is now nearly all cleared, and has good buildings, but was only partly cleared when Mr. Bowser took possession. His family comprises four children: Laura E., John J., Ida J. and Alta L., the two eldest being married and residing in this township. Mrs. Bowser died January 1, 1873. Mr. Bowser is a communicant of the German Reformed Church.

STEPHEN E. BURKE was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 27, 1839, one of a family of four children born to Thomas and Theodosia (Morris) Burke ; but two are now living. His parents came        to Williams County, Ohio, in 1841, when Mrs. Burke's failing health decided their return, but ere they reached their old home, death claimed his victim, and the children were motherless. Mr. Burke returned to Williams County in 1843, after his second marriage, where he resided until his death, in 1866. Previous to 1872, Stephen E. was engaged in farming, at which time he purchased an interest in a saw-mill, of which, in connection with other mills, he had charge for nearly eight years. In 1880, he formed a partnership with Mr. Johnson in the agricultural implement business in Edon, Ohio, and in the autumn of 1881 he purchased a hardware store, of which, in connection with the trade in agricultural implements, he is now sole proprietor, keeping a large general stock and doing a good business. Mr. Burke was married, in 1858, to Miss Sarah Lee, and their family consists of five children, viz., Solon. Susetta, Edmund, James and Flora. The two eldest are married and living in Williams County.

J. G. CAMERON, M. D., has been a successful practitioner of medicine in Edon and vicinity for the past fifteen years, and is necessarily identified with the earlier business interests of this place. He is a graduate of Rush Medical College of Chicago, of the class of 1868 and 1869. He Was married February 5, 1869, to Hannah Webb, of Williams County, Ohio, and they have a family of three children, viz., Edna, Blaine and Beulah. Dr. Cameron was born in Steuben County, Ind., January 22,

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1844, and is one of a family of eight children of John and Mary (Carlin) Cameron. His father was a farmer by occupation and held the office of County Commissioner of Steuben County at the time of his death, which occurred in 1878. Dr. Cameron owns a good farm of sixty acres and one of the finest residences in Edon.

T. S. CARVIN, the present Postmaster and prominent druggist of Edon, Ohio, was born in Allen County, Ind., May 10, 1850, one of a family of five children born to Abram and Amanda (May) Carvin. When thirteen years of age, his parents died, and he remained with his guardian until he was sixteen, attending school and assisting in the store, when he began life for himself, soon after, accepting a clerkship for himself in a drug store at Bryan, where he remained until 1877, when he came to Edon and purchased the drug house of J. Aller, where he is still engaged in business, carrying a full stock of drugs, books, stationery, wall paper, and all merchandise usually found in his line. He has been Postmaster here since 1877, and is identified with the benevolent as well as the business interests of this place, being Worshipful. Master of a Masonic Lodge and Noble Grand of the I. 0. 0. F.

J. N. CHILCOTE was born in Crawford County, Ohio, September 19, 1846. He is one of twelve children born to Heathcote and Hannah (McClaire) Chilcote. Of this family, five are living in Williams County, His father is a miller, at present owning a grist-mill in Hillsdale County, Mich., where he resides. Our subject is also a miller, having worked for his father until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to work in Orangeville, De Kalb Co., Ind., continuing in this and other mills until 1875. In 1876, in partnership with Thomas Seeley, he secured a patent for a handle lathe. He then turned his attention to store-keeping and saw-milling, and opened the first store in the village of Blakeslee, besides erecting the first two buildings ; he is now running a circular-saw mill in that place, also furnishes ties and railroad supplies to the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, and getting out different varieties of lumber for the general trade. He was married September 20, 1868, to Eliza B. Gillis, of Edgerton, Ohio. His family numbers five: Anna A., William F., George E., Daisy J. and Frances E. Mrs. Chilcote is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Edgerton. Mr. Chilcote served during the recent war from February, 1864, until the close, in Company K, Forty-Fourth Indiana Volunteers ; he was stationed in Tennegsee, and under Gen. Steedman.

NATHAN DISBROW was born in Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y., February 24, 1813, and is one of six children born to Jacob and Anna (Jolley) Disbrow. The early portion of Nathan's life was passed on the farm, consequently he received but a meager education. His parents moved to

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Allegany County, N. Y., and thence to Canada, where our subject remained until 1838, when he went to Huron County, N. Y., then came to Williams County, where he purchased land and removed to Superior Township in 1839. In 1840, he disposed of this farm and removed to that which he now occupies. There were then no improvements, and he was obliged to clear a space to build a cabin 16x16, in which he lived a number of years. The forest was filled with wild beasts, whose howlings could be heard nearly all night ; these animals preyed upon their sheep. It took two days to reach the mill, and their nearest post office was Pulaski. He was married, May 7, 1840, to Mary Leech, who came to this county in 1839. Their family has numbered seven, three of whom survive—Jacob, William and Minerva. Mr. and Mrs. Disbrow have been members of the Baptist Church for more than forty years. Mrs. Disbrow tells how she crossed the St. Joseph River, the only gangway being a fallen tree, by watching the movements of a coon. Many early settlers will appreciate this.

S. S. EYSTER is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Stark County June 26, 1842. His parents, William H. and Mary (Saeger) Eyster, had a family of seven children ; but four now living. William H. Eyster was a carpenter by trade, but after he came to Williams County in 1854, engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1855. S. S. Eyster learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1878, when he engaged in manufacturing and selling the Fulton Washing Machine, and the Boss Churn ; of the former he has sold nearly 800 in Williams County alone, during the last four years, besides his sales in other portions of the State ; also in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Mr. Eyster saw active service in the late war. He enlisted in 1861, in Company C, Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Gen. Buell ; was taken prisoner at Decatur, Ala., by a Confederate Troop of Cavalry, under Maj. Roddy ; shortly after paroled, and afterward exchanged. He was then taken sick, and sent to the hospital at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and afterward made Ward Master ; here he remained until his time of enlistment (three years) had expired. Mr. Eyster was married March 6, 1867, to Elizabeth Lechleidner, of Steuben County, Ind., and they are parents of six children, five living, viz. : Alice, Charlie, Harvey, Rollie and Jessie E. Mr. Eyster is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Edon.

DANIEL FETTERS is a Pennsylvanian by birth, as were his parents before him, John and Eve (Werehime) Fetters, who resided in Bedford County, where Daniel was born January 26, 1806. His father was a farmer, and the educational advantages for the children were very limited

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at that early day. Mr. Fetters began the struggle of life at the age of sixteen, working out until twenty-one, when he was married to Miss Sarah Wissel. In 1829, the family removed to Wayne County, Ohio, where they resided until 1851, when they came to Centre Township, Williams Co., Ohio, remaining there four years, when they removed to Florence Township on the farm which is now their home. This fine farm of 100 acres was at that time in a state of nature, but energy and perseverance have produced the present results a fine dwelling-house, good barn and outbuildings, six good milch cows, two horses and all the surroundings in fine shape. Of sixteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fetters, but six survive; John, Samuel, Daniel, Levi, Hester A. and Mary. One son, Washington, was killed in the army. Mr. and Mrs. Fetters are both church members Mr. F. of the Disciples' Church, and Mrs. F. of the Lutheran.

MARTIN FIX was born in Alsace, France (now a part of Germany), May 10, 1834. He is one of a family of eight children born to Henry and Sarah S. (Kleiss) Fix ; seven of these are now alive. His father landed in America, at New York, in May, 1843, thence traveling West by steamer and canal, and arriving in Wayne County in July. Here he remained until 1844, when he came to Williams County, settling in Centre Township until 1881, when he came to Florence and made his home with Martin. Martin Fix is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He purchased the farm he owns and manages in 1864 ; it is a good one, and contains 100 acres. He was married, February 20, 1863, to Mary Fetters, of Williams County, by whom he has a family of seven: Sarah S., Ida R., Henry D., Zora C., Irena S., Ethel B. and Hiram M. Mr. Fix is a member of the Lutheran Church and a man of average education, notwithstanding his lack of opportunities in early life.

WILLIAM FORD was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, October 15, 1837, and is one of a family of nine children born to Uriah and Elizabeth (Duling) Ford ; six of these children survive, but our subject is the only one living in Williams County. Mr. Ford has a medium education, and is a carpenter by trade, having begun the business at twenty years .of age. Previous to coming to Williams County, he was engaged in the drug and grocery trade at Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in which he continued about two years, afterward exchanging this stock for the farm he now possesses, 163 acres, eighty under cultivation, in Williams County. He was married, in December, 1857, to Mary C. Hosford, of Sandusky County, to which union six children have resulted, four of whom survive—Isabella, Franklin, Albertie and George U.

C. S. GARRISON is a native of Ohio, born in Portage County July 27, 1835, one of a family of ten children born to Ileff and Elizabeth Gar-

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rison. He was left an orphan at an early age, and when but eleven years old began life for himself by working on a canal, where he remained for six summers. Shortly after this, he engaged in peddling for some time, removing to Williams County in 1854, when he took a clerkship in Edgerton, remaining most of the time until 1869. In 1861, he enlisted in , the Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the three months' service. He was married in October, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Curtis, and their family consists of four children, viz.: Frederick, Grace, Orison and Ileff. Mr. Garrison has been a resident of Edon, Ohio, for thirteen years, and is proprietor of a large establishment, carrying ready-made clothing, dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc., etc.; he is also engaged in grain- buying, dealing in all kinds of produce, and doing quite an extensive exchange business. Mr. and Mrs. Garrison are members of the Disciples' Church of Edon, and Mr. G. is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

JAMES GARSIDE, one of the enterprising merchants of Edon, Ohio, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 7, 1845, the second of a family of five children of Joseph and Mary (Townsend) Garside. His father was a farmer, and James remained on the farm until he came to Williams County in 1866; from there to Steuben County, Ind., where he resided for three years ; he then returned to this county, clerking in Edgerton for two years, after which he came to Edon, which has since been his home ;' he first engaged with J. W. Thomas and afterward with C. S. Garrison & Co. In 1879, he formed a partnership with Mr. Walter Young for business purposes in this place, and, in 1880, he purchased Mr. Young's interest, and now has entire charge of the establishment ; he carries a first-class stock of dry goods, clothing, groceries, boots and shoes, and also deals largely in all kinds of produce. Mr. Garside was married, June 9, 1870, to Miss Emma Hoadley, a resident of Steuben County, Ind., and they are parents of four children, viz.: Clara, Mary, Nellie and Walter. Mrs. Garside is a member of the Disciples' Church of .Edon, and Mr. G. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F.

WILLIAM GILLIS, one of the early settlers of Florence Township, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 11, 1813. He is one of a family of nine, but four of whom survive, born to William and Rebecca Gillis. He remained in Harrison County until 1832, when he went to Richland (now Morrow) County, remaining there until 1845. Moving to Williams County, he settled on the farm he now owns in 1855 ; it embraces 120 acres. Mr. Gillis has spent most of his life in farming and clearing land, and but few men, if any, have cleared more than he. Before his marriage he worked chiefly at chopping and clearing. He was married in Richland County, December 24, 1835, to Jane McClaren. They have had ten children, with six living—Rebecca M., Eliza J., Simeon, Mary, Alexander

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C. and Rhoda L. Mr. and Mrs. Gillis are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gillis has been and is yet a hard worker, and his success is due thereto.

DAVID HISSONG came to Edon, Williams Co., Ohio, in 1872, and has been identified with the business interests of the place since that time. He is by trade a blacksmith, but has not confined himself to that bilsiness, but has turned his time and talents to other fields of labor tliat promised better returns. He is at present owner of a saw-mill and livery stable; and proprietor of the Edon House. His father was a farmer residing in Bedford County, Penn., where David was born January 6, 1831, one of a family of ten children born to the parents, John F. and Sarah (Prinke) Hissong. David was married, December 29, 1853, to Miss Manilla P. Andrews, of Richland County, Ohio, and they are parents of seven children, viz.: Sarah M., Thomas B., Cynthia A., Nancy E., Millie A., Frances I. and James C.

FRANCIS X. HOEGER, M. D., was born in Walborg, Bavaria, a province of the German Empire, February 23, 1826. He is one of nine children born to Belchal and Catharine (Kern) Hoeger. His father was a State Attorney of Bavaria, which office he held as a life position. Our subject graduated in medicine at the Julian University, in Bavaria, in 1849, coming to America in 1853, and stopping in New York for eighteen months, where he practiced medicine and had an interest in a drug store. He came to Williams County in 1855, and settled in Florence Township, on the place on which he now resides. He has a good practice, which was interrupted in 1861, when he entered the army in the Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He remained with his regiment three months, until transferred to the Medical Department, headquarters at Nashville, where he remained during the two sieges of Bragg and Hood. In 1864, he was appointed Chief Druggist in the Railway Department at Nashville ; here he remained during the remainder of the war, then returning to his home and practice. He was married November 15,1853, to Fredericka Taulhaber, of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Dr. Hoeger is a Mason. On first coming to this county, it was a dense wood, discouraging to one from a large city, the nearest trading-point being Bryan. He assisted in raising the first house in Edon. On the whole, notwithstanding occasional reverses, he has been successful, being now able to pass his remaining days in comfort.

THOMAS INGRAM was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 17, 1833, the fifth child of twelve in the family of his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Lees) Ingram. His father was a carpenter by trade, and came to Williams County and entered land in 1840, moving his family here the year following, and encountering all the privations incident to

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pioneer life. At that time the country was an unbroken wilderness, and the howling of wolves was no unusual sound. They built a cabin for a home, and here the father died June 28, 1852. Mr. Ingram has since resided on this farm, consisting of 141 acres, and by his efforts has acquired all the comforts and conveniences of modern life, with good buildings, conducive to the happiness of his family. Mr. Ingram woo married November 26, 1857, to Miss Magdalena Allman, of Williams County, and a family of nine children have blessed their union, viz., Ellwood, Margaret, John, Carrie, James, Susan, William, Bessie L. and Ellen. Mr. Ingram was a soldier in the war of the rebellion ; he enlisted February, 1865, and remained in the service until the close.

DAVID KOLLAR, one of the early settlers of Florence Township, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, August 14, 1812. He is one of the nine children of George and Susan Kollar, of which number but four are now living. Our subject remained at home until his twenty-second year, at which period May, 1835 he was married to Amelia Van Buskirk, who is still living. He followed farming for a number of years, coming to Williams County in 1846, although previous to this time he had entered 160 acres of Government land ; he has now 240 acres, with good buildings, one-half of which is under cultivation. He has had a family of six: Henry, Thomas, Martha, Hiram, George and Maria ; three of his sons are stock-dealers. Mr. and Mrs. Kollar belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kollar's life may be said to have been a successful one. When he located on his present farm it was in an unbroken forest, and he was obliged to cut roads . through the woods in order to reach his site. It was late in the fall, but he got a cabin built, moved in and cleared up as the weather permitted. The first year after his arrival, he spent twenty-six days in attending " raisings," and the next year he passed twelve days in assisting his neighbors.

ANDREW KUSTER, proprietor of the Edon Tin and Galvanized Iron Cornice Works, was born in Horb, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, a province of the German Empire, January 22, 1840. His father, Andrew Kuster, was a watch-maker and jeweler, and himself and wife, Barbara (Kriedler) Kuster, were parents of fourteen children: six now living. The parents died on their voyage to this country in 1852, and the children were thrown on their own resources. Andrew remained in New York, serving a six years' apprenticeship at the tinner's and cornice-maker's trades, as well as that of the locksmith ; here he remained for about fifteen years, and was married, May 15, 1859, to Miss Barbara Dahl. They decided to make the West their home, and removed to Dayton, Ohio, where Mr. Kuster was employed by the National Cornice Works for nearly nine years. He also worked some time at Scranton, Penn., and at

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Toledo and Bryan, this State. He came to Edon in 1878, and otehed an establishment for .the prosecution of his business, which has grown t,o its present dimensions. Mr. Kuster is a thorough workman, and has superintended the cornice work on many public buildings in Bryan, Edgerton, West Unity, Pioneer and other places ; also, the work on the Sandusky ,City Court House, the Winchester, Ind., Court House, the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, the Coldwater State School of Michigan, and many others. Mr. and Mrs. Kuster are parents of ten children, viz., Lena, Andrew, Loney, Charlie, John, Mary, Hannah, Lydia, Frederick and Adam, and are both members of the Baptist Church at Bryan, Ohio.

W. H. LATIMER first came to Williams County in 1860, when his business was that of salesman of dry goods, notions and confectionery ; he remained here for three years, when he removed to De Kalb County, Ind., where he lived nine years, but returned to Williams County in 1874, where he has since resided ; engaged principally in milling and in lumber business, making a specialty of walnut and ash. Mr. Latimer was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 27, 1837, one of a family of eight children born to James and Sarah (Leany) Latimer. Mr. James Latimer is a farmer by occupation, and himself and family are still living in Trumbull County. W. H. Latimer was married, July 25, 1868, to Miss Ann Singer, whose parents were among the first white settlers in Florence Township, and to their union have been born four children: Idella, Sarah I., William H. and Franklin W. Mr. Latimer is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. of Edon, and himself and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the same place.

C. W. MATTHEWS, son of Thomas and Charlotte (Disbrow) Matthews, was born in Upper Canada, February 18, 1840. His father was a native of Canada, and his mother of New York. They came to Williams County, settling on the place our subject now owns, in 1842. At this time the site was a dense wood ; but his father cleared a space, built a cabin of logs, and continued his work of clearing, encountering the usual trials incident to new settlements. TO get money to pay taxes he was obliged to work on a railway. He died in 1880, and his wife in 1882. C. W. Matthews has an ordinary education. He lived at home, taking charge of the farm, until his marriage, which took place February 16, 1864 ; his wife was Lucinda Cain; her parents being also among the early residents. They have three children: Thomas, Wesley and Debora. Mr. Matthews served in the late war, enlisting in Company F, First Michigan Volunteer Infantry, February, 1864, and continuing until discharged finally ; he was in the battles of the Wilderness, being severely wounded at Spottsylvania Court House. Since the war he has resumed farming.

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J. R. McCONNELL was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, March 1, 1811, and was one of the three children of James and Elizabeth (Reed) McConnell ; he passed his earlier years in working on a farm and at the joiner's trade, and in 1835, came West as far as Putnam County, Ohio, located in a township where there were but three white families, and there farmed until 1851, when he came to this county and settled in Northwest Township, on the site of the present village of Columbia. In 1854, Mr. McConnell assisted Mr. William Rannels in platting and surveying this village, and here for ten years our subject kept hotel. In 1861, he enlisted in Company. K, Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. E. J. Evans (now deceased), and remained with his company nine months, when he was discharged on account of illness. His son, Amos W., also served his country in Company C, Seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and now sleeps in the cemetery of the Soldiers' Home at Washington, D. C., having died October 13, 1862. Mr. McConnell was married December 22, 1836, to Mary Hofsteater, of Trumbull County, Ohio, who bore him eight children, four of whom are still living: Thomas J., John D., Mary C. and Eli E. He moved on his present farm in 1864, and now owns 127 acres of highly improved land. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Columbia, and stands 'high in the estimation of all his fellow-townsmen.

BENJAMIN C. PICKLE, one of the early settlers of Florence Township, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., February 22, 1818, being one of five children born to Joseph and Sarah (Campbell) Pickle. They are all living. His father was a farmer. Our subject worked for his parents until his majority. He was married, February 6, 1840, to Olive S. Benson, and at once moved to Fulton County, residing there five years before coming to Williams County. He settled on the farm he now owns in 1847. At this time, Florence,0with nearly all the eastern porof the county, was a wilderness. Previous to this time, he had sold fanning-mills during the summer, and taught school during the winter, and from money thus saved he bought his farm. This farm, which he cleared and improved, contains ninety-five acres. In 1854, he purchased a store and ashery, so continuing until 1861, when he sold the store, and returned to farming. His wife died in 1861, leaving a family of seven: Irene M., Lodema J., Joseph W., Silas B., Adelmer B., Myron S. and Phylena A. He married his present wife, Agnes Bostater, December 25, 1864, and has by her six children—Ella, Elva, Ellie, Effie, Clyde and Lloyd. Mr. Pickle was elected Justice of the Peace of Florence in 1875, holding the office six years.

JOSEPH W. PICKLE, son of Benjamin and Olive S. (Benson) Pickle, was born in Lucas County, Ohio, January 18, 1845. His parents came

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from Knox to Lucas County in 1840, and to Williams County/ in 1847. His father is a farmer, his biography appearing in this work. Joseph W. Pickle has a fair school education. He enlisted during the recent war, but was rejected from his minority and under-size. In 1862, however, he was passed as a substitute, entering the Sixth Ohio. Cavalry under Gen. Sigel, and afterward under Gens. Averill and Kirkpatrick ; he fought at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, as well as at other minor engagements ; he remained in the field one year, when he was discharged and sent home, but re-enlisted in 1864, continuing until the war was closed; he followed farming from this time until 1870, when he opened a general store at Union Corners, keeping a good and large line of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, etc., and farming somewhat in this connection. He was married, December 1, 1875, to Laura E. Bowser, of this township.

ANDREW SHELINE was born in Washington County, Penn., April 20, 1819, and is one of a family of seven children born to David and Mary (Ashbrook) Sheline, four of whom are now living. His father was a farmer and teamster. His parents came to Carroll County, Ohio, in 1824, where Andrew Sheline resided until 1855, when he came to Williams County, which has since been his home ; he is both carpenter and farmer, but has not confined himself to any one business. Seeing the opportunity for a broader field of enterprise in the building up of the West, he laid the foundation of the present village of Edon, building the first dry goods and grocery stores, cabinet shop and doctor's Ace in the place ; he also erected the first grist-mill and woolen factory in Florence Township, and the second saw-mill, and is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres; he has been proprietor of a hotel since Edon has needed one, but has recently disposed of his hotel and factory interests, and will soon retire to private life to the rest and quiet from activity he so deservedly merits. Mr. Sheline was married, October 4, 1840, to Miss Ann Kintner, a native of Carroll County, and they are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living--Mary, Louise, Jennie, Eli, Harriet A., Benjamin F., Samantha and Edwin ; one daughter, Martha, is deceased.

E. R. SHELINE, proprietor of Edon Woolen Mills and manufacturer of fork, rake, hoe and broom handles, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Carroll County December 4, 1848, and is a son of Andrew Sheline, a sketch of whose life appears in this work. Mr. Sheline came to Edon with his parents in 1855, and has since resided here. His early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm and in his mills. In 1865 and 1866, he attended school at Hiram, Ohio, and afterwaid at Bryan for several terms. Upon his return home he resumed work in the mills for

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his father until 1872, when he worked at carpentering for three years. He then took a third-interest, afterward a half-interest with his father in the woolen mills until 1880, when he purchased his father's interest, and is now engaged in custom carding and spinning, and also in manufacturing moldings, shingles and laths. His mills give employment to from seven to fifteen men daily. He was married, February 25, 1871, to Rebecca J. Eyster, of Florence Township, and their family consists of three children: Cordelia,. Arthur E. and Holland L. Mr. and Mrs. Sheline are members of the Church of the Disciples of Edon.

HENRY SINES was born in Putnam County, Ohio, August 18, 1855. He is one of a family of six children born to Henry and Katie A. (Warns) Sines ; five of these children are yet living. His father was a blacksmith, and labored at his trade in various localities in Ohio and Indiana. When our subject was about three years old, he went to live with one of his father's neighbors, Samuel Warwick, remaining there until Mr. Warwick's death, February 9, 1877. From that date until 1881, he was engaged as a farmer and a railroader, but afterward opened a dry goods and grocery store at North Creek, Putnam Co., Ohio, where he remained but a short time before coming to Blakeslee, Ohio, to engage in the grocery business. He also deals in queensware, tobacco, cigars, etc. He was married, October 2, 1879, to Melissa Steveson, of Henry County, Ohio. Two children have been the issue—Otto and Anna E. Mr. Sines is a member of a Masonic Lodge at Edon, Ohio.

DAVID SINGER was the first white child born in Florence Township. His parents were among the first white settlers here, coming in 1837. His father was a farmer, and himself and wife, Margaret (Kragore) Singer, were parents of eight children. They entered one-half section of government land here and still own 220 acres. David was born in 1839, April 11, and his educational advantages were necessarily limited, as at that early day the time of the pioneers was employed in a struggle with the forces of nature for dominion, and the present state of cultivation and progress speaks more plainly than words of the result. Mr. Singer has witnessed the gradual transformation of the wilderness into one of the finest farming sections in Williams County, is a successful farmer himself, and a large stock dealer. He was united in marriage to Harriet Kentner, of Carroll County, Ohio, March 19, 1859, and to this union have been born seven children: Calvin, Willis, Margaret, Clara, Howard, Ambrose and George. Mr. Singer saw active service in the late war. He enlisted in 1861 in the Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a soldier for over three years. Mrs. S. is a member of the Disciples' Church of Edon, and Mr. Singer belongs to the mystic brotherhood of Masons

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SIMON STULLER was born in Carroll County, Ohio,, May 23, 1840, one of a family of nine childrenlorn to Henry and Macy (Ashbrook) Stuller. His parents were amen the early settlers of this country, and came to Williams County in 1858, purchasing a farm where Edon is now situated. Mr. Stuller remembers well the clearing "bee" for the purposing of making a start in causing the wilderness to blossom as the rose. Mr. S. is the owner of a fine farm of 110 acres, all under cultivation. He was married July 6, 1861, to Isabella Day, who died August 24, 1875, leaving a family of seven children: Alsynus, Stillman F., Jason B., Franklin, Ralph, Rosa B. and Bertha. Mr. Stuller was married to his present wife, Miss Elizabeth Brady, March 2, 1876, and they are the parents of four children: Mary E., Simeon, Firm and Blaine.

J. W. STULLER is a native of the " Buckeye " State, having been born in Carroll County July 18, 1846. His parents, Henry and Nancy (Ashbrook) Stuller, were natives of Pennsylvania, and reared a family of nine children. Mr. Henry Stuller came to Williams County in 1853 and purchased a farm; part of which is the site of the present village of Edon. His early years were spent as a day laborer. His death occurred in 1868. J. W. Stuller received the advantages of a good education, and learned the mason's trade, at which he worked for nearly nine years. He was a patriotic citizen at an early age, and enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, when but seventeen years old, and remained in the service until the close of the war. He was married December 19, 1873, to Miss Ann J. Lash, a resident of Williams County. Mrs. Stuller is a member of the M. E. Church of Edon, and Mr. Stuller holds a membership in the brotherhood of the I. 0. 0. F. in the same place. Mr. S. is at present engaged in the ministering to the comfort of his fellow-men, and improving their general appearance at his fine barbering establishment in Edon, which is a popular and general resort for all in need of his services.

R. J. VANDERBOGART was born in Beekman Township, Clinton County, N. Y., March 7, 1810. He is one of a family of nine children born to James and Hannah (Vandervoort) Vanderbogait ; five are now living. His father was a farmer. The parents of our subject died when he was still young, and then he began to struggle for himself. At the age of eighteen, he went to learn the carpentering business, at which he worked for about fifteen years. He moved from Clinton County, N. Y., to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1843, remaining there two years ; he then returned to Clinton County, N. Y., living there until 1847, at which time he returned to Seneca County, Ohio. He was married to Margaret Campbell, of this (Seneca) county, February 9, 1848. He purchased a piece of land in Wyandot County, living there something more than one

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year ; he soon disposed of this and cam, back to Seneca County, and worked at his trade for three years. Afterward he purchased forty acres, keeping this for one year, and.bought again, this time eighty acres in Seneca Township, on which he lived until 1866, when he came to Williams County and settled on the farm he now possesses, embracing 240 acres of land as good as can be found in the whole county. Mr. Vanderbogart possesses an ordinary education, but is blessed with superior. intelligence. Mrs. Vanderbogart is a member of the M. E. Church at Edon, Ohio.