700 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY at stated seasons from Delphos, being pastor of the Church of St. John the Evangelist of that city and the successor of Rev. John Otto Bredeick, who was the founder of the Catholic Church at Delphos. At that time Landeck had about 40 Catholic residents. Father Seltzer became the regular pastor, and he was succeeded by Father Brem and he by Rev. J: B. Heiland. . The latter officiated for some years and was followed by a priest who remained but a few months, and then Father Zinsmayer took charge. When Father Zinsmayer came to this charge, he realized that the first need was a new church. He had saved $7,000 and this he contributed and by a general subscription sufficient sum weas realized to enable the parish to build the present handsome edifice, which has but $7,000 indebtedness upon it, the sum of $33,000 having been paid. No descriptive words can give. an adequate idea of the beauty and structural dignity of this building. It is constructed of brick with stone trimmings, in 13th century Gothic style. The steeple is 15o feet high. The interior of the Church is architecturally beautiful and is :adorned with rare works of art of a Scriptural .design ; the whole place is heated by steam and a fine pipe organ has been placed. A new "brick schoolhouse has also been built to accommodate 52 pupils, this being but one of the four schools the parish supports. In 1877 the parochial residence was built. The present church edifice was dedicated July 31, 1904, by Bishop Hartsman of Cleveland, the corner-stone having been laid in 1902. It has been conceded that this church in its almost priceless interior furnishings, including pictures and statuary by masters in art, has no equal outside the large cities. The windows in particular, gifts from different members of the congregation, are most beautiful, one of these having been dedicated by Father Zinsmayer, representing Saint Dominic receiving the Rosary from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Another window represents the Holy Family. The congregation includes 115 families at present and the new church has a seating capacity for 750 individuals. Father Zins mayer has opened all the usual avenues for religious and material progression,' including an altar society of 100 members and a sodality of 40 members, and. gives encouragement to the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the Ladies of Ohio, which have about 35 members. B. F. MATTHEWS, a well-known architect of Lima, whose fine professional work may be seen on many of the city's busy streets and attractive avenues, is a native of Ohio, having bees born in Perry County. From childhood until he was 14 years of age Mr. Matthews lived upon his father's farm in Athens County, and then went to Nelsonville, where he completed his high school course and resided until he was 30 years old. After leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade and was employed for a prolonged period in a planing mill and in various building operations, thus becoming interested in mechanical drawing and designing and discovering that he possessed considerable talent in this direction. In 1891 he determined to give serious attention to these professional lines and went to Columbus, where he engaged as draughtsman and superintendent with John Flynn, a well-known architect of that city. He remained with that gentleman for three years, and during that period of study assisted in making designs for a number of important structures of that city, including six fire department buildings and St. Mary's Academy. When prepared to enter the field as a competent architect, he formed a partnership with H. C. Jones, an association which continued in force for one year. From 1895 until 1898, Mr. Matthews pursued his professional work alone at Columbus, where he had many commissions, both in the city and in the surrounding towns. In 1899 he opened an office in the Cincinnati Block in Lima, and for the past six years has given his best efforts to the people of this city. He employs two draughtsmen, and he is kept busy designing and superintending the construction of buildings. In a long AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 701 list of substantial business and public buildings and elegant, tasteful homes credited to Mr. Matthews, may be mentioned the following : City Market House; the grand stand at the Lima Driving Park ; the pavilion at McCullough Lake; the Adgate Building; Dr. Johnson's fine residence apartments and the handsome homes of W. S. East, A. L. White, Dr. W. B. Van Note, W. T. Agerter, E. M. Gooding, R. T. Gregg, O. W. Bell and George Mehaffey. Mr. Matthews was married in 1886 to Lizzie Powell, of Nelsonville, Ohio, and they have three sons, H. Orville, Lewis Powell and Burl Burnham. Mr. Matthews is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Nelsonville, and is the designer and superintendent of the $20,000 building now being erected by the order at that place. and is Cincinnati. Our subject was reared and educated in his native locality, and began his business life as a clerk in a grocery store at Scott's Crossing, this county. After four years of training, he removed to Cincinnati. There he was connected with the street car system for six years, then .embarked in a gasoline and oil business, and for two years controlled a dressed poultry business. In August, 1897, he came to this locality, was engaged in a meat business for some 14 months in South Lima, and then ex-changed his stand there for his present grocery and meat business, favorably located on the corner of Central avenue and North street, Lima. In addition to all the standard and fancy groceries and meats, Mr. Carl transacts a large business in country produce. He is vice-president and a director of the wholesale fruit house of The Lusk Brothers Company. In 1882 Mr. Carl was married to Hattie Scott, who is a daughter of W. B. Scott, of Scott's Crossing, her family being among the pioneers of that section of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Carl have two sons, viz : Clifton, who is in the employ of The Lima Gas Light Company, and Scott, who is still in school. Mr. Carl is an Odd Fellow.   DAVID EZEKIEL HOVER, a well-known resident of Shawnee township, where he carries on general farming and stockraising on his estate situated in sections 14 and 15, was born November 22, 1837, in an old Indian cabin in Shawnee township, and is a son of Manuel Hover. Ezekiel Hover, the grandfather of our subject, with his brothers, Emanuel and Joseph, who at an early date had removed from Pennsylvania to Trumbull County, Ohio, settled in Allen County in May, 1833. All married members of the Adgate family. The children of Ezekiel and Sarah (Adgate) Hover were : Emanuel, born May 18, 1808 ; Maria Belinda, born December 15, 1809, who married Abraham Boyd; Sarah Ann, born February 9, 1818, who married Amos Alvord; Caroline, born March 28, 1814, who died young; St. Clair, born September 13, 1815 ; Charles Ad-gate, born May 13, 1818 ; Newton, born December 18, 1820; Columbia Ann, born October 7, 1827, who married George Lathrop ; and William Ulysses, born March 18, 1830. In 1836 Emanuel Hover returned to Trumbull County, and after marrying Margaret Carlisle in that year, located in Amanda township, Allen County. He lived at Fort Amanda, in 1837, and then settled in Shawnee township, residing in the log cabin which his father had occupied before him. After Emanuel Hover's death in 184.0, his widow returned to Trumbull County, and in 1849 was married to Jonathan Howard. She celebrated her 89th birthday on December 18, 1905, and still retains her faculties, encumbered by few physical ailments. The parents of our subject had two children—David Ezekiel and Sarah COURTLAND CARL, one of the prominent merchants of Lima, who has been established here for the past eight years, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in May, 1860, a son of Thomas Carl, formerly of 702 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Ann. The latter was born in August, 1839. She taught school at Lima in 1861 and 1862, married John Hanson and died in 1881. In 1840, at the death of his father, David E. Hover went to live with his grandfather, residing with the latter and an uncle until 1860. On December 18th of this year he married Susan Boyd, who was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, and died in 1886. She was a daughter of John Boyd, who moved from Mahoning to this county. The five children of the above marriage were : Charles Adgate, born November 22, 1861, who resides on a farm adjoining his father ; Frank M., born October 13, 1863, who died October 8, 1865 ; a third child, who died in infancy; Margaret Anna, born March 3, 1868, who resides at home; and Howard B., born March 3, 1868,' who is a druggist at Lima. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. David E. Hover commenced housekeeping in the old Shawnee Council House, but two years later came to the present farm in sections 14 and 15. The land was partly cleared, but Mr. Hover has made all the improvements. He has given much attention to the growing of sheep, and shortly after the Civil War, in 1870, sold wool at 90 cents a pound. He is one of the township's reliable citizens, and at various times, has been appointed to a number of honorable positions. Since 1895 he has been a trustee of the Children's Home. He is secretary and clerk, as well as trustee, of the Shawnee Cemetery. Politically he is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. WILLIAM F. MOHLER, a prominent farmer residing in section 24, Shawnee township, was born in Pennsylvania, November 12, 1841. His father, Henry Mohler, came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and later moved to Indiana, where he died. William F. Mohler has been engaged in farming for many years with very successful results. Mr. Mohler married Mrs. Mary (Spyker) Sharp and is the father of two sons, Clarence and John Roscoe, Clarence married Clara Bradford and had five children, all of whom are deceased. He is employed in the oil field and resides at Wapakoneta. John Roscoe married Goldie Swyart and lives at home. Mrs. Mohler was born in 1840 on the Spyker homestead in section 25, Shawnee township, and is a daughter of Samuel and a sister of Joel Spyker, sketches of whom appear in this volume. Mary Spyker grew to womanhood was married to Charles D. Meffley, a native of Allen County, where his father, Peter Meffley, had located after leaving Pennsylvania. The young couple made their home at Elida for a time, later moving to Cridersville where Mr. Meffley conducted a dry goods and hardware store. He was thus engaged when he died, about 1865, leaving his young widow, before she had reached her 25th year with two small children. The elder child, Shelby Ellsworth Meffley, was born in Cridersville, Auglaize County, Ohio, January 12, 1862, and is today the leading merchant of that place, where he carries a large stock of staple and fancy groceries and has an extensive patronage among the best citizens of the conmunity. He was married February 21, 1893, to Etta Tidd Spyker, a most estimable lady, who was left an orphan in early childhood and adopted by John Spyker. To this union five children were born, namely : Charles Theodore, Edgar Allen; Mary Elizabeth; Shelby E., Jr. ; and Catherine Gertrude. The younger son, George W. Meffley, was an infant of seven weeks when his father died. He now resides at Ottawa, where he conducts a dry goods store. He married Mary Ann DeFord • of Ottawa and they have six children living : Samuel Fletcher DeFord, Gladys, George W., Robert, Harold and De Graces. Mrs. Meffley was married to Dr. Hiram Miller, a native of New York, who was practicing medicine at Cridersville. They had three children, William W., deceased; Margaret M., deceased ; and Charles, who married Nellie Bitsler, and lives on a farm adjoining that of his mother. After the death of Dr. Miller, his widow married Daniel Sharp, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a man of considerable prop- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 703 erty. They had two children Frederick Henry, who married Dula Reichelderfer and resides at Cridersville; and Eva Gertrude, who married Charles Berry. Mrs. Mohler is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose faith has strengthened her in her hours of adversity. DAWSON & McLAUGHLIN, the beauty of any city is almost entirely dependent upon the good taste of the architects who build the city. After the great fire of London, in 1666, the authorities, wishing to beautify and perfect the new city, engaged Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's, to superintend the rebuilding of the great city. Had this plan been fully carried out, London would be a far more beautiful city today than it is. The architecture of the city of Lima until in very recent years has not had much to commend it. The dwellings have, in part, lacked that which constitute beauty to the eye. Among the men who have studied architecture under the really great masters is Charles Wilmott Dawson, born at Plainfield, New York, December 10, 1867, who came to Lima about six years ago. Mr. Dawson entered Haverford College, where he studied for two years, preparing for his future professional work. He then matriculated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating from that noted institution in 1888. Not content with his course of study thus pursued, he spent a full year in careful study under the great Henry Van Brunt, at one time president of the American Institute of Architects. Mr. Dawson has had 18 years of successful professional work in various parts of America. He has traveled widely, and has gained a thorough knowledge of his profession. In Lima he has constructed the most prominent commercial buildings found in the city today ; these buildings are largely to his credit. Among them is the extensive manufacturing plant of The Deisel-Wemmer Company, the wholesale warehouse of The Moore Brothers Company, the Central Building and the Renz Block. Mr. Dawson has also constructed a large number of the most beautiful residences to be found in Lima, including those of J. D. S. Neely, F. T. Cuthbert, Henry G. Wemmer, W. J. Wemmer, W. K. Boone and G. E. Bluem. Mr. Dawson has long been noted for the thoroughness with which he does his work. He is unswervingly honest, paintaking and accurate. At the beginning of the present year, 1906, Mr. Dawson associated with him in the business, Thomas D. McLaughlin, a young man of great promise, who was born at Oil City, New York, August 4, 1882. Mr. McLaughlin obtained his first collegiate training at Lima College, Lima, Ohio, where he did most excellent work. He then spent three years at Hamilton College, New York, in careful preparation for professional work. Mr. McLaughlin then became a pupil of the architectural department of Columbia University, New York City, where he studied architecture for three years. He has had experience in the various practical lines of architecture, at one time being superintendent of construction for The Buckeye Pipe Line Company. The confidence which the people repose in this firm is further shown by the fact that they have been unanimously selected by the trustees of the Lima Library Association to construct the new $50,000 Carnegie Library. Such remarkable preparation and talent for the work in hand is rarely found as in the firm of Dawson & McLaughlin.   WILLIAM L. PARMENTER, a prominent attorney of Lima, junior member of the law firm of Cable & Parmenter, can be claimed as a product of this city, for here he was born on May 12, 1867, here obtained a part of his education and here has met with professional success. He is a son of the well-known citizen, Cornelius Parmenter, who has been identified with journalism in this section for many years. In 1884 William L. Parmenter was grad- 704 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY uated from the Lima High School, being rec-ognized as one of its brilliant pupils. Two years later he entered the University of Michi-gan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from the law department of that institution in 1888. In July of that year he formed his present partnership with Davis J. Cable, adopting the present firm style, and together these attorneys constitute one of the strongest law firms in the city. Mr. Parmenter has been secured by a number of corporations as special attorney. one of these being The Lima Trust Company. His career has been followed with interest by old family friends, and his many victories have been the cause of sincere congratulation. He has interests outside his profession, including banking and other business enterprises. On June 2, 1891, Mr. Parmenter was mar-ried to Hattie A. Crippen, who is a daughter of the late Milton A. Crippen, and they have two children, Warren C. and Mary E. Mr. Parmenter is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. JOHN P. STAMETS, who was one of the honorable business men and old-time citizens of Lima, died here on April 26, 1897. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1829. In his early business life, Mr. Stamets left his native State and moved to Ohio, where he resided in Wayne and Ashland counties. During the five years prior to coming to Lima, he resided in Bucyrus, where he was engaged in the dry goods business. In 1877 he located at Lima, engaging first in a hardware business and later, in the sale of wagons and buggies. Failing health induced him to dispose of many of his interests, several years before his death. The deceased was a man of business principle and commanded the respect of all associated with him. On February 1, 1855, Mr. Stamets was married to Malinda Kern, who, with one son, Lorin E., still survives him. For 45 years he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and alike in his religious, business and social connections, his worth as an upright Christian man was recognized. He was known as one of the city's most liberal contributors to worthy objects of charity. In his political sentiments he was a life long. Democrat. Mr. Stamets was a large owner of real estate, and erected the handsome flat building which bears his name, his widow and son re-siding- there in much comfort. SAMUEL MOWERY is a substantial farmer who owns and cultivates 80 acres of fine land in section 36, Bath township, and is also proprietor of a farm of 60 acres in Perry township. He was born January 17, 1855, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gensell) Mowery, both of whom were natives of the county named. The family is of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, although Jacob Mowery, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia. From that State he migrated to Pickaway County, and later settled in Allen County, where he died at the age of80o years. He and all his children spoke the German language, and were upright, honorable men and women, whose descend-ants today are among the most highly esteemed residents of this county. Samuel Mowery, Sr., was born in Pickaway County, this State, about 1819, being one of a family of 17 children, eight of whom became residents of Allen County, viz : Jerry, Amos, Isaac, Joseph, Samuel, Kate, Esther and Lydia. In early life he learned the tailor's trade, in which he engaged until after iss marriage, when he turned his attention to farming, at which he was very successful. He came to the county about 1858 and purchased a tract of land, for the payment of which he was obliged to mortgage his property for$1,500.. Soon after this he contracted con-sumption, as the result of an attack of the measles, and died in his 40th ear--188 months after coming to this country. The deceased left AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 705 a widow and eight children, viz : John F., of Henry County, Ohio; Jacob, of Bath township; Henry; of Henry County ; Samuel ; Susan, now deceased ; Leanna, wife of M. L. Whip, of West Cairo ; and Caroline and Cassie, both deceased. Some years after Mr. Mowery's death, his sons paid off the mortgage on the farm and continued the cultivation of the property. Mr. Mowery was a member of the Lutheran Church and a man who enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was married in Pickaway County to Elizabeth Gensell, born August 15, 1820, and a remarkably well-preserved lady of 85 years, who resides with our subject. She was married a second time to a Mr. Shuler by whom he had one son, E. W. Shuler, a resident of Henry County. Samuel Mowery, the subject of this biography, has been a resident of Allen County since his third year, and for more than a quarter of a century has resided on his present homestead, upon which he has erected a modern residence, and convenient and commodious out-buildings. He was married February 17, 1880, to Anna Hanthorn, of Perry township, a daughter of Ashby and Nancy (Daniels) Hanthorn. They have no children. Mr . Mowery is a strong Democrat. He is a member of the English Reformed church, of Jackson .township, of which he has been deacon for the past two years. JONATHAN M. McPHERON, who resides on his well-improved farm of 80 acres in section 16, Perry township, engaged in general farming and stock-raising, belongs to one of the pioneer families of the county. He was born on the old family homestead, a tract of 80 acres situated a half mile east of his present home and which he now owns, on April 17, 1848. He is a son of John and Hulda (Crossley) McPheron. James McPheron, great-grandfather of Jonathan M., was born in the North of Ireland and was of Scotch descent. He came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary War, accompanied by his wife and three child ren,—James, John and Robert—and settled in Greene County, Tennessee. Two more child-. ren were born after the parents came to this country—William and Betsey, the latter of whom became the wife of David Logan. William McPheron, son of James and grandfather of Jonathan M., was born in Tennessee in 1781. He learned the trade of blacksmith and followed the same, in addition to manufacturing gun-barrels for a number of years, and was an expert in the latter business. While living in Tennessee he also followed farming and had a distillery, a custom very common in the early days. In 1835 he moved to Champaign County, Ohio, and located near the town of Liberty which, through later surveys, has been located in Montgomery County. He followed his trade there until 1837, when he came. to Allen County. He purchased 80 acres of wild land in section 10, Perry township, and erected a blacksmith shop.. The rest of his active life was spent in clearing his land and in pursuing the making of gun-barrels and in working at his forge. He was a well-known and respected citizen, a leader in Democratic political affairs. He was at one time elected township trustee. He was a zealous member of the New School Baptist Church. After a long and useful life he died on his farm in 1844. William McPheron married Jane McCamish, and they had the following children : James, who died in Illinois; Elizabeth, who married David Logan and died in Indiana; William, who died in Indiana; Margaret, who married William Goetz and died in Indiana ; John, who died at Dayton, Ohio; Thomas, who died in Indiana ; Samuel, who died in Miami County, Ohio; Susan, who married Samuel Crossley and died in Perry township; Andrew, who died in Indiana ; George, who-died in Perry township ; David, who died in Perry township; Alexander, deceased; Mar- tha (Wilson) who resides at Terre Haute, Indiana ; and Mary A., deceased, who was the wife of Henry Lippincott. John McPheron, father of our subject, was born in Tennessee, and was a boy in years 706 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY when he accompanied the family to Allen County, Ohio. According to the law his time -was his father's until the age of 21 ; but when 16 years old he bought his time by the payment of $80 and started out for himself. Out of his wages of $8 per month, he managed to save the sum of $100. This hard-earned money he used in payment for 80 acres of land, the same being the homestead on which our subject was born. The latter has in his possession the original deed for this property, secured from the government. Mr. McPheron resided on this farm during the remainder of his active life, dying aged 66 years. He was a life-long Democrat. His religious connection was with the Christian Church. John McPheron married Hulda Crossley, a member of the well-known Crossley family of Perry township, and their children were : William C., who lives in Perry township; Hester Ann, deceased in 1898, who was the wife of Enos Osborne; Jonathan M., of Perry township ; Sarah Margaret, who married James Bailey and resides near Westminster ; Jacob, who resides in the northeastern part of Lima, and three children who died in infancy. Jonathan M. McPheron was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools of Perry township. He remained at home until 1892 when he came to his present farm in the northeastern part of section 16. As noted above, he owns the old farm which is one of considerable value on account of oil "having been discovered there, seven wells being in operation. The Ohio Oil Company, of which he bought his present farm, reserved the oil rights on it. It is well adapted to both farming and pasturage and Mr. McPheron has made a success of his agricultural labors. When 32 years of age, Mr. McPheron married Sally Franklin, who was born in Perry township. She was a sister of Clifford Franklin, a merchant at Yoder, and of James Ike Franklin, who lives in the southern part of Perry township. The children born to this marriage were: Elvin Otto, who resides on the 'borne farm ; Walter Ray. of Perry township. who married Edna Hardesty, a daughter of Joshua Hardesty, and has one child; Myrlen Ross, who resides at home; Charles Dean, also at home; and a babe that died in infancy. On April 10, 1898, Mr. McPheron was married to Alice Ditzler, of Perry township. In politics Mr. McPheron has always been a Democrat, but is no seeker for office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the congregation which holds services not far from his home. JOHN MARTIN, one of the best-known and oldest business men of Lima, who has conducted a saddle and harness business here for more than a quarter of a century, was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 19, 1827, and is a son of Charles and Christiana (Men chey) Martin. Charles Martin, father of our subject, was born in Germany and in 1820 became one of the early settlers of Richland County, Ohio, where he remained until after the birth of his son John, removing then to Crawford County. Some years later he located in Huron County, where he lived until his death, which occurred about 1875. He reared a family of five children, namely : Henry, John, Mary, George and Samuel. John Martin obtained his education in the district schools of Crawford and Huron counties and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until 1845, when he commenced to learn the saddle and harness-maker's trade at Savannah, Ashland County, which was then in Huron County. He finished his apprenticeship and became a journeyman at Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio. Later he settled at Tiffin, Seneca County, this State, where he engaged in business. In 1876 he came to Lima and established himself at his present business site, No. 144 South Main street, which is also his residence. Mr. Martin has seen Lima expand from a town into a city, and in every legitimate enterprise has assisted in its development. During all the years of his business life he has enjoyed a satisfactory AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 709 amount of patronage since he has retained his customers through honorable and intelligent dealings. It has been a matter of pride with Mr. Martin to keep a complete stock of goods, standard in every way, and to continue to conduct his business in the same honorable way in which it was started. His stock is valued at $3,000. He has survived many of the old business firms. At Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, Mr. Martini married Lucy K. Parker, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio. Her father, who was a native of New York State, was a farmer in the years of his early manhood, later becoming an attorney. Mrs. Martin's mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, of whom three reached maturity, namely ; C. F., born in Pleasant township, Hancock County, Ohio, September 29, 1854, who is a resident of Ottawa, Ohio; Samuel H., born in McComb, Ohio, February 10, 1857; Harry H., born August 2, 1863, and who died May 23, 1896, and Eva May, born August 8, 1866, who is the -wife of Wallace Landis, of Lima. Mr. Martin is a Republican. HARISON HEFNER, a retired farmer residing at LaFayette whose portrait is herewith shown, was for many years actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. His homestead—a tract of 200 acres—is situated in section 19, Jackson township. He also owns another farm of 200 acres. He is a native of Colerain township, Ross County, Ohio, where he was born December 25, 1834, and is a son of Isaac and. Mary (May) Hefner, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. When a young man Isaac Hefner located in Ross County with his parents being among its first white settlers. There he married Mary May. When he came to Allen County with his wife and children in 1840, he was a poor man, and could neither read nor write ; but 'le possessed a shrewd business sense which enabled him to see and take advantage of the opportunities offered and which placed him among the leading men of his time and section. On coming to this county, he entered 80 acres of land from the government and dealt extensively in cattle. He added to his acreage from time to time until he became a very large land owner. He possessed at the time of his death about 1800 acres all of the land being in Bath and Jackson townships. He was a Democrat, but did not take an active part in politics. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Reformed Cnurch, furnishing the timber for the erection of the first log church which was built. Later he donated the land when the present edifice was erected for both church and cemetery, and contributed to the building fund for the brick church. He passed away in 1884 at the age of 75 years. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1901 at the advanced age of 94 years. Two of their nine children died in infancy. The seven who grew to maturity and are still living are as follows : Jacob, of Jackson townhip, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work ; Harison ; Amos, of Auglaize township ; Clarissa, wife of Jacob Mowery, of Bath township ; David, of Bath township ; and John and Albert, of Jackson township. Harison Hefner has been a resident of Jackson township since his sixth year. He remained with his parents until his marriage when he purchased 371/2 acres of land in partnership with his brother Amos. Later he bought his brother's share and converted the property into a most desirable homestead by building an attractive brick residence and two large barns, with other improvements to correspond. As he prospered he added to the farm from time to time until he owned 1,000 acres, 120 acres of which was in Auglaize and 16o in Perry township, the remainder being in Jackson. Most of this large tract has been turned over to his children ; he still retains 400 acres, 200 being included in the homestead. He has been a successful breeder of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle for many years. On April 30, 1861, Mr. Hefner and Mahala Ice were joined in marriage. She was a daughter of Samuel Ice and a native of Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio. Her death, which occurred December 22, 1901, at the age of 60 years, was felt as a personal loss by all 710 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY who knew her. Her children were as follows : Anna, wife of Lige Frederick ; Charles E.; Samuel Martin, deceased; John G., deceased ; Jennie Alice, wife of Jacob Bogot ; Brice B. ; Willard; and Harry H., who cultivates the homestead farm. Mr. Hefner has been a lifelong Democrat, and has served as trustee of his township for three years. He is a member of the Reformed Church and one of the most influential men of Allen County.   JASPER L. COCHRUN, one of Amanda township's leading citizens and substantial farmers, resides on his home farm of101 acres in section 10, his place being known as the "old Archelaus Martin farm ;" he also owns 179 acres in Auglaize County. Mr,. Cochrun was born in Amanda township, February 1. 1859, and is a son of Simon and Lucinda (Miller) Cochrun, a grandson of Wesley Cochrun and a great-grandson of Rev. Simon Cochrun. Rev. Simon Cochrun was a Revolutionary soldier, and for almost half a century was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His birth occurred about 1756, in Kentucky, and he died in this county in 1845, aged 89 years, 11 months and 6 days. He had three sons, one of these, Wesley, becoming the grandfather of Jasper L. Cochrun. In 1832 Wesley Cochrun settled on a farm some four miles from Lima, on which he resided until the close of his life, at the age of 88 years. Of his large family, seven reached maturity; John, Simon, William;, Rebecca, Susan, Jane and Sarah. Simon Cochrun, father of our subject, was born in Ohio in 1822 and died February 11, 1895, at his home in Amanda township, where he had settled in 1855, when our subject was four years old. For many years he was a teacher in the local schools and was a man much honored by the entire community. He married Lucinda Miller, a daughter of William and Nancy Miller, and five children were born to them, namely : James, Lambert Y., William, Elizabeth, and Jasper L. Jasper L. Cochrun was reared on the home farm, attended the common schools of Amanda township, and preparatory to teaching enjoyed two terms at the Ohio Normal University at Ada in 1877 and 1878. He was 19 years old when he commenced teaching and continued in the profession for five consecutive years. He then entered into partnership with his oldest brother, James Cochrun, under the firm name of Cochrun Brothers, engaging in the buying and selling of stock and the raising of cattle and hogs. His brother later removed to Spencerville and engaged in business there, but our subject has remained on the' farm and has carried on extensive farming and stock-dealing operations for a number of years. He buys and ships from two to four car-loads of stock a week, and keeps from 20 to 50 head of cattle, being one of the leading' stockmen of his part of the county. In June, 1881, Mr. Cochrun was married to Catherine Belle Cameron, who is a daughter-of James and Sarah (Borsock) Cameron, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Cochrun is one of a large family and was born at Spencerville, February 28, 1859. Of the four children born to our subject and wife, three survive:. Paul Wesley, James Lee and Helen Ruth. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal. Church, of which Mr. Cochrun is a trustee. Both he and his wife take an active part in church work and he has served as Sunday-school superintendent and class leader. He was only 17 years old when he united with-this church, and but two survive who then were members. He has seen many changes in his section of the county and has done his full share in bringing about its development and improvement. For many years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias. SCOTT T. RUMBAUGH. who owns a fine farm of 114 acres, situated in section 32, German township, was born in Bath township, this county, on October 13, 1859, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary Jane (Roberts' Rumbaugh. Benjamin Rumbaugh, father of our sub- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 711 ject, was also a native of Bath township. He died at Lima, in February, 1903, and was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery. The mother of our subject still survives and resides at Lima. Scott T. Rumbaugh was reared and educated in Bath township, and remained there until he was 25 years old, when he came to Lima and secured work in the L. E. & W. Railroad shops. In 1902 Mr. Rumbaugh bought the fine farm which he now occupies, and in 1905 erected the handsome residence which is the family home, the old farm house being occupied by his son-in-law, Charles Smith. On December 25, 1884, Mr. Rumbaugh was united in marriage, at Allentown, with Rachel Coon, who is a daughter of Wesley and Caroline (Craft) Coon, and a sister of Mrs. W. H. Benedum. The Coons were very early settlers of Allen County, locating in the vicinity of Spencerville. Mr. and Mrs. Rumbaugh have two children living, viz : Tressie, born June 22, 1887, who was married April 11, 1903, to Charles Smith, and has one child—Frank, born October 9, 1904; and Pauline, born May 15, 1900. A twin boy and girl, Nellie and Edgar, born June 13, 1895, lived but a few hours. Mr. Rumbaugh and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, at Allentown, and accord it liberal support. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. HOMER CLARK BENNETT, M. D., M. E., Ph. G., D. P., M. Ph., editor and publisher of The Electro-Therapentist, a monthly journal of electricity as applied in medicine and surgery issued at Lima, a member of the faculty of the the National College of Electro-Therapeutists, and an author of numerous works on electromedical treatment, is one of the leading physicians in his school of practice. Dr. Bennett was born in 1865, in Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio, and is one of a family of three children born to his parents, the late Rev. Silas Bennett, A. M., D. D., an eminent divine, and Catherine K. (Clark) Bennett. Dr. Bennett's education along literary lines was liberal, including the common and high school courses, at Batavia, Woodward High School, at Cincinnati, and Ohio 'Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. After leaving college, he was trained in business methods for two years at Bellefontaine, Ohio. For four years, 1886-89, Dr. Bennett was engaged almost continuously in laboratory and medical study and he received medical degrees and diplomas from the medical department of the University of Wooster (now Delaware), Cleveland, Ohio, in 1888; from the medical department of the University of Cincinnati (the Medical College of Ohio), in 1889, at the latter institution winning the coveted Dawson prize , a handsome gold medal for the best surgical dissection. This was but the first of many honors won. During these four years of study and close application, for five months he served as director of the Clinical Medical Dispensary in Cleveland, and for 10 weeks as chief dispensary clerk of the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati. In 1888 Dr. Bennett located for the practice of medicine at Bellefontaine, Ohio, en tering into partnership with his preceptor, Edwin A. Swan, M. D., M. E., one of the best diagnosticians in the State. This connection brought the young physician into a large and varied general practice, an advantage he duly. appreciated. While here he first made a special study of diseases of the eye and refractive errors and had already won attention by his careful and thoughtful methods, when he became still more deeply interested in the then young science of electro-therapeutics, and soon took up work on that line, recognizing its great value from the beginning. In search of a wider field for his operations he removed to Lima in 1889, and this city has been his home ever since (except for an interval of 10 months in 1896), and here he has won honors and reaped large financial rewards. During the interval above mentioned, Dr. Bennett served as superintendent of a large mineral-water bath and electric cure sanitarium, in Indiana. Dr. Bennett's success in his chosen line, as exhibited in his successful experiments and his 712 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY useful inventions of electrodes and apparatus, as well as his numerous contributions to the medical and electrical press, attracted the faculty of the National College of Electro-Therapeutics, at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he went for a course of instruction, who tendered him a position in that body, in 1896, and he has been associated with this well-established institution ever since. This college, which is now known throughout the entire world, was the first correspondence school of its kind ever organized. It was founded in January, 1896, and has ever since been doing an extensive increasing correspondence. Its teaching has extended to every continent, the records showing that it has satisfactorily and successfully given instruction in electro-therapeutics to over 2,000 students at their homes, many of whom afterward came to the college seeking personal instruction, a number of whom have become noted specialists. When the health of the founder, Dr. William F. Howe, gave way, and he was compelled on this account to seek a different climate, the school was removed to Lima, Ohio, and Dr. Bennett was elected general secretary and treasurer of the college, and assumed entire charge of the correspondence and business part of the school work. He also became the editor and publisher of the college journal, The Electro-Therapeutist, which has met with much public favor, and has just closed its ninth year's volume. Dr. Bennett gives personal instruction in general electro-therapeutics, and the demonstration of apparatus, and technique, to students. He also enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice in his specialty, while his many inventions and improvements in electrodes are being sold, and are in use, all over the world. They are constructed on scientific principles, and each year finds them more in demand, as the medical profession, and public becomes more and more convinced of the great value of electricity as a remedy. Dr. Bennett's private offices are equipped with an elaborate and extensive selection of up-to-date electrical apparatus, much of which is of original design and construction. Dr. Bennett has been, and still continues to be, a prolific writer in his special line. He is the author, editor and publisher of the "Electro-Therapeutic Guide," which is recognized as the most condensed, concise and thoroughly practical book on the subject, which has ever been issued. It is intended particularly for the use of the busy physician, and it contains the only complete electro-medical dictionary. Its popularity may be judged by the fact that the demand has already exhausted six popular editions and the seventh is now in use. Dr. Bennett has also compiled and published the only complete and scientific resume of the subject of electrocution, to which he has devoted a great deal of scientific study. In addition to the medical degrees mentioned, Dr. Bennett has received the regular degree of Master of Electro-Therapeutics, from the National College of Electro-Therapeutics, this honor being given-in Indiana, and he has also been the recipient of the same, as an "honorary degree," from the Eastern College of Electro-Therapeutics, at Philadelphia. He holds diplomas conferring both the regular and post-graduate title of Ph. G. from the Ohio Institute of Pharmacy at Columbus, and the degree of D. P., from the Chicago School of Psychology. He also was given the first "honorary degree" of Master of Physiological-Therapeutics, from the Cincinnati Post-Graduate School of Physiological-Therapeutics, and is a consultant to that institution. For several years he served as city physician and also police surgeon, to the city of Lima, served also as a member of the Lima Board of Health, and has been examiner for a number of the leading life insurance companies. He thus has had a wide and varied experience in treating all kinds and classes of ailments, and he is often consulted and quoted as an authority in matters electro-medical. Dr. Bennett is a valued member of the National Society of Electro-Therapeutics, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, and is a charter member of the American Roentgen Ray Society, and of the American Electro-Medical Society, of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 713 which he was vice-president in 1904. At its convention in 1905, when the name was changed to that of the American Pr0gressive Therapeutic Society, Dr. Bennett was honored by election to the presidency. As is natural, other schools and cities want his services and influence, and he has received numerous flattering 0ffers, from pr0minent metropolitan specialists, schools and electrical houses, to leave Lima for other points, all of which he has declined, preferring his present congenial field. On January 19, 1887, Dr. Bennett married Carrie Elizabeth Deeds, of Bellefontaine, Ohio. They have one son—Clark Leroy. The home of Dr. Bennett and family is located at No. 125 North Pierce street, Lima. In 1901 the Doctor built a handsome four-story apartment residence building at Lima, known as the "Elektron," which he subsequently sold. Its total cost was $25,282.76, and the sale was effected at a considerably higher figure and was consummated June 17, 1905. In national politics Dr. Bennett is affiliated with the Republican party, but his busy life gives him very little opportunity to be an active politician, even if his tastes led in that direction. However, he finds time for many social pleasures in his hospitable home, and in numerous fraternal orders. He is an Odd Fellow, a Modern Woodman, a Good Templar, an Oriental, a Khorassan, and is a prominent member of the Senate team of the famous Lima Lodge No. 91, Knights of Pythias. Dr. Bennett is well and favorably known b0th at h0me and abroad, as a physician, scientist, inventor, author, poet, and student. In addition to his scientific writings, he has also written many beautiful poems, which have been pronounced by able critics to be "literary gems," and which have been widely copied, in both literary and medical publications. If questioned what he considers three of his greatest blessings, it is probable that he would reply in his genial way : "to be alive at the beginning of the loth century ; to be young ; and to be in the enjoyment of splendid health." That he may continue to enjoy these blessings which promise future usefulness and added honors, and, as youth necessarily departs, find just as desirable middle and advanced age, is the united wish of thousands who have come under his influence either personally or through his writings. LAMBERT Y. COCHRUN, the leading dry goods merchant and notion dealer, at Spencerville, belongs to one of the old-established families of the county. Mr. Cochrun was born in Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Simon and Lucinda (Miller) Cochrun, a grandson of Wesley Cochrun and a great-grandson of Rev. Simon Cochrun. Rev. Simon Cochrun was a very early settler of the county, one of the pioneer ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had fought in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War. He was born about 1756 in Montgomery County, Kentucky, and very early in the '30's migrated to Ohio and settled in Allen County. Of his three sons, Wesley, the grandfather of our subject, entered land four miles north of the city of Lima, in 1832. He was born in Kentucky, in 1800, had served in the War of 1812, and at the age of 32 years was already a family man. He developed a fine farm from the wilderness, was a promoter of religion and education in his locality, and concluded a life of 85 years in useful service to his family and community. Their humble home of logs was one of good cheer and hospitality, as it was also the gathering place for the founders of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the locality, the wh0le family having been cl0sely identified with its establishment. Seven of his children reached maturity, namely : John, Simon, William, Rebecca, Susan, Jane and Sarah. John Cochrun became a farmer in Franklin County, Ohio ; Rebecca is deceased ; Susan, widow of A. G. Pague, lived and died on the old Cochrun homestead ; Jane became Mrs. West and removed to Texas, and Sarah became Mrs. McGuire and lived at Ada, Ohio. Simon Cochrun, father of Lambert Y., was 714 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY a man of native ability and acquired education. He was born in this county in 1822, and died at his home in Amanda township February 11, 1895. He became one of the leading educators of the county, teaching a number of years and training three of his sons to the profession. In 1855 he settled in Amanda township, where the remainder of his life was passed. He mar-ried Lucinda Miller, a daughter of William and Nancy Miller, wh0 resided some two miles west of Cairo. Mrs. Cochrun survived her husband, and at the time of her death was a resident of Spencerville. The five children of this marriage were : James, a prominent busi-ness man and well-known citizen of Spencer-ville ; Lambert Y. ; William, who died at the age of 17 years ; Elizabeth, who died when 22 years of age ; and Jasper L., a farmer of Amanda township. Lambert Y. Cochrun was carefully reared and well trained in agriculture on the home farm, where he lived until his 16th year. He passed creditably through the public schools ; in 1869 completed a course at the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, and began teaching when 17 years of age. He thus continued for five years and then decided to enter into business. In the spring of 1875 he formed a partnership with Joseph August in the hard-ware and grocery business, which the firm continued for 18 months, when Mr. Cochrun withdrew and resumed teaching. In the spring of 1878 he reentered business, purchasing a stock of groceries and opening up in a small frame building, which has since been replaced by a business block of fine proportions. Hav-ing made a success of his grocery, he enlarged the scope of his enterprise by adding a line of boots and shoes, and was ;preparing to still further expand the establishment when the disastrous fire of 1884 destroyed both property and stock. In a very short time, however, he had completed the erection of his present two-story brick building, the second to be constructed of that material in Spencerville. He now has a commodious store, 26 by 90 feet in dimensions, and equipped in modern style, as befits the leading dry goods emporium of the place. His well-selected stock would do credit to a city of much larger population than Spen-cerville, and Mr. Cochrun takes pride in the fact that he satisfies a very discriminating pub-lic. An excellent business man, his patrons find him also a courteous gentleman with whom it is a pleasure to deal. On March 31, 1872, Mr. Cochrun was . married to Margaret E. Berryman, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, July 9, 1852, and is a daughter 0f Russell and Elizabeth (Whetstone) Berryman. These children were born to this union, viz : Bert C., Carrie M., Jannette, Raymond F. and Frank W. All sur-vive with the exception of Raymond F., who died aged six years. The family home, one of the most comfortable and attractive in the place, is also one of the most hospitable. The young people are all bright, intellectual, culti-vated young Americans, who enjoy social pleasures with zest, and many literary pro-grams have been carried out in their pleasant parlors. Mr. Cochrun and family are con-nected with the Baptist Church. Mrs. Cochrun represents one of the old Ohio families. Tradition, well established, tells of the beginning of the Berryman family on American soil. Seven brothers of the name came from England, the names of the five preserved being John, James, George, William and Thomas. Prior to the Revolutionary War they emigrated to New Jersey, and from William Berryman have descended the Berry-mans of Ohio. He had left England on account of religious persecution, afterward joining the patriot army and fighting under Washington. His death is not recorded, but as his family resided in New Jersey it is probable that he died in that State. One of his sons—his namesake emigrated to Virginia, after the Revolutionary War, settling in the vicinity of Wheeling, whence he removed to Montgomery County, Ohio. He then settled on a farm near Dayton, and subsequently removed to what afterward became Auglaize County, entering 200 acres of land in Logan township and residing upon it until his death in 1830. He joined a Virginia regiment in the War of 1812, and was buried in Amanda township. William Berryman (2) married, in Vir- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 717 ginia, Rachel Clauson, who was born in New jersey. When she was a child her parents had emigrated to Virginia. These grandparents of Mrs. Cochrun reared five sons and four daughters—the third son, Russell, becoming the father of Mrs. Cochrun. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1815, and died anuary 9, 1878. When he came to Allen County with his parents he was seven years old. During his boyhood he spent much of his time with the Indians, so mastering the Shawnee tongue that he was able to talk fluently in it. His life was mainly passed on the homestead. Although a strong Democrat, he was not anxious for political preferment, the only office he ever accepted being that of director of the County Infirmary. He was married (first) to Margaret Slain, of West Virginia. who died in 1846, leaving three sons and two daughters. His second wife was Elizabeth Whetstone, and Mrs. Cochrun is the fourth member of a family of five daughters and three sons. Mr. Cochrun has always been an active and useful citizen. For two terms he served as corporation clerk ; two terms as treasurer of Spencer township ; 14 years as a member of the Board of Education, and its treasurer for eight years ; one term as township clerk, and six years as a member of the Town Council. SOLOMON H. ARNOLD, proprietor of the "Golden Ridge Stock Farm," which is located in sections 9. and 10, Jackson township, is one of the representative self-made men of this locality as well as an honored survivor of the Civil War. Mr. Arnold was born in Tusca- rawas County, Ohio, 12 miles east of New Philadelphia, August 10, 1843, and is a son of Hickman and Martha (Garree) Arnold. The grandparents of our subject were Solomon and Barbara (Stonebrook) Arnold, who were born in Pennsylvania. They were early settlers in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where the father entered land and also followed his trade of cabinet-making. The family is of German extraction. Hickman Arnold, father of Solomon H., was born in 1820 in Tuscarawas County, and died on his farm there in 1848. He married Martha Garree, who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 16, 1827, and still survives residing in the vicinity of Beaver Dam. She is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Cochran) Garree, the former of whom was born near Yorkville, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Scotland. They had two children, viz : Solomon H. and Joseph. The latter died May 12, 1903, in Fulton County, Indiana, where he was engaged in farming. During the Civil War he served one year in the 151st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. After a period of widowhood, Mrs. Arnold, mother of our subject was married to Samuel Fackler, and they had these children : Philip, of Union County, Ohio ; Catherine (Welch), of Hardin County, Ohio; Isaac, of Richland township ; Simon W., of Beaver Dam ; Eva (Hesser), of Larue, Ohio ; Henderson, of LaFayette, and three children, who died in infancy. Mr. Fackler is now deceased. Solomon H: Arnold remained on the farm on which he was born until his father died and his mother, subsequently remarried, when he was about six years old. The family then located on a farm five miles south of New Philadelphia, where Solomon remained until he was T0 years old, when his stepfather purchased a farm of 160 acres at Beaver Dam and removed the family thither. When but 14 years of age the youth began to care for himself by working for, the neighboring farmers, and as he was economical and thrifty, by the time he was 18 years old he had sufficient capital to warrant his purchasing a farm of 1 00 acres of timberland, which he finished paying for from the proceeds of his day labor. Early in 1864 Mr. Arnold located in Bureau County, Illinois, and in March entered the employ of the firm of Moss & Fettro, who operated flouring mills there, but he resigned this position on May 6th in order to enlist for service in the Civil War. He entered Company A. 139th Reg., Illinois Vol. In., under Capt. E. R. Virden. Col. P. Davidson and General Meredith. The regiment was mustered into the 718 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY service at Peoria, Illinois, on June 6, and was ordered to Cairo where it relieved the 122d Regiment. The command to which our subject was attached was then transferred to the commissary department and later was assigned to the duty of transporting prisoners up and down the river, continuing in this employment until the ranks were thinned by measles to which our subject fell a victim in August. He also injured himself by carrying a heavy box of guns and was therefore placed on the sick list. Mr. Arnold was entered at the Cairo hospital and was detained there under medical care until his regiment was sent in pursuit of Bragg, who made his last stand at Pilot Knob.. Our subject did not accompany that expedition, but was dismissed from the hospital and ordered home on a furlough. He was honorably discharged at Peoria on October 28, 1865. Having profitably spent his furlough at Princeton, Illinois, he returned there and engaged as a carpenter with the firm of Archer & Robbins, but in the following November he returned to Allen County. On January 25, 1866, Mr. Arnold was married to Sarah Emeline Millikin, who was born August 27, 1843, in Richland County, Ohio, and died June 5, 1904. She was a daughter of Thomas B. and Elizabeth (Moore) Millikin, the father a native 0f Washington County, Pennsylvania, and the mother, of Monroeville, Ohio. The children of this marriage were : Thomas, of Bath township, who married Alma Cramer and is the father of Mabel, Madge, Harley, Wava and Herbert ; Emmet B., of Marshall County, Kansas, who married Belle Robison and has three children—Stanton, Maud, Hazel, Joseph and Minor; William A., of Jackson township, who married Eva LeRue, and has these children—Roy, Thurman, Genevieve and Merrill William ; Joseph, who married Dile Ransbottom, has had two children (now deceased) and resides with his father on the farm ; Carey C., who married Clara Heffner and resides near, the homestead, and is the father of Rolla, Walter, Wilbur, Garold and Velma Levern ; and Isaac Fremont, who died aged two years. The death of the mother of these children was a great blow to Mr. Arnold and family, and a matter of deep degret to all, who fully appreciated her as a kind neighbor and a faithful friend. With Mr. Arnold she took the most affectionate interest in her bright, intelligent grandchildren and her love was returned by them all. After his marriage, Mr. Arnold removed to a farm of 100 acres two miles from the one on which he now lives. This he sold two years later and bought the 160 acres composing the homestead, for which he paid $6,000. Five years later he erected his present modern brick residence at a cost of $3,000, which was the first brick house built in the vicinity. He erected also a substantial barn, 57 by 40 feet in dimensions, and has added such other buildings as became necessary. Later Mr. Arnold bought the 240-acre Milikin farm adjoining, 4o acres of which he sold to his son, and on this property he built a barn 4o by 60 feet, and made many improvements thereon, including the building of a wind pump. He has cleared 30 acres of each farm. He also owns an interest in a farm at Beaver Darn. He has been a very extensive dealer and raiser of fine stock and the results of the T0 large stock sales which he has conducted indicate that the products of the "Golden Ridge Stock Farm" have a first-class reputation throughout the State. Politically, Mr. Arnold is a Democrat and cast his first vote, while in the army, for General McClellan. He has been township trustee, served six years as infirmary director and has been many times selected as a delegate of his party to important conventions. He belongs to Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R. at Lima ; is president of the Farmers' Institute, of Jackson township, and was a member of the local grange until the work of the order was discontinued in the township. He is a member and a liberal supporter of the Methodist Church, being one of the trustees ; he was formerly Sunday-school superintendent and president of the township association. Personally Mr.. Arnold, like the other men of his family, is of fine presence and large and generous stature. He recalls his great-grandfather, John Garee, as of similar appearance, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 719 and remembers sitting on the latter's knee and listening to his tales of the War of 1812 and of the pioneer struggles with the Indians. Mr. Arnold's only brother, the late Joseph Arnold, weighed 229 pounds, was as large mentally as physically, and a very successful business man. The younger generation is also coming to the front, and the indications are that Mr. Arnold will have reason to be as proud of his grandchildren as he is justified in being of his children. Mabel, when a little miss of 10 years, successfully passed a very difficult examination at the Boxwell examination ; she graduated from the Lima High School in 1905, and is now teaching in the Garfield School, Lima, as a substitute. A group picture of the Arnold family accompanies this sketch, being shown on a foregoing page. EZEKIEL HOVER, the veteran ice dealer of Lima, was born in this county in 1849 and has lived here all his life, having been reared and educated in Shawnee township. His father was Charles Adgate Hover, who came to this county in 1833 with his parents, Ezekiel and Sarah (Adgate) Hover, and followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life. Charles Adgate Hover married Adaline Smed ley and to them were born eight children. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and followed agricultural occupations until 1875, when he located in Lima and engaged in the ice business, which he has since conducted. For 28 years the company was known as Thomas & Hover, his partner being John Thomas, who retired in January, 1902, leaving Mr. Hover in sole possession of the business. In addition to his large ice business, which he has conducted so profitably, Mr. Hover is interested in various enterprises, and is an energetic, enthusiastic citizen whose influence is an inspiration to his community. In 1872 Mr. Hover was married to Elizabeth A. Bresler, a daughter of the late Joseph Bresler, who was a pioneer citizen of Lima and was marshal of the cif— during the Civil War. Of the children born to this union, three are - 37 - living, namely : C. A., manager of the Muncie (Indiana) Builders' Supply Company ; Kathrine, wife of Charles Herbst, of Nelson & Herbst, merchant tailors of Lima ; and Harriet. Mr. Hover is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was reared a Presbyterian. JACOB MOSER, secretary and treasurer of the South Side Building & Loan Association, of Lima, and a member of its board of directors, is one of the city's well-known and respected business men. Mr. Moser was born in Moutier, Canton Bern, Switzerland, April 13, 1835, and is a son of David and Anna (Habegger) Moser. David Moser was also a native of Switzerland, where he married and carried on business as a hatter. After he came to America, in 1853, he engaged in farming in Wells County, Indiana, in the vicinity of Newville. His family consisted 0f five children, viz : Jacob ; Mary, wife of A. Ramseyer, of Lima; Eliza, wife of G. Sourer, of Newville, Indiana ; Mrs. Rosina Anner, of Newville, Indiana ; and Fred, who is in the drug business at Lima. Jacob Moser, who was the eldest of the family, was educated in Switzerland and learned the hatter's trade with his father. After coming to America, he located at Bluffton, this county, and embarked in the drug business, in which he continued for some eight years, then locating in Lima, where, in association with J. Myers, he conducted a well-patronized drug-store for five years. In 1884, after selling his interest, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business and as a member of the firm of Townsend, Moser & Company, was so occupied until 1893. Mr. Moser is known as one of the honest and upright business men of this city, and has a wide circle of personal, as well as business friends. He is social by nature, and for many years has been active both in the Odd Fellow and Masonic fraternities. In 1888 Mr. Moser became associated with the South Side Building & Loan Association, 720 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY and has been its secretary since that year. He is a man of public spirit and may always be found with those who work for the best interests of the city. On March 11, 1861, Mr. Moser was united in marriage with Elizabeth Neuenschwander, of Wayne County, Ohio, a native of this State. Four children have been born to them, viz : Emma, who married Dr. F. G. Stueber, of Lima; Bertha, wife of W. H. Deakin, of Lima ; and Calvin and Albert, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Moser have a very pleasant and attractive home, which is located at No. 506 West North street. Albert Moser, A. M., M. D., Mr. and Mrs. Moser's younger son, was a graduate both of Oberlin College and the medical department of Harvard University. He served in the Spanish-American War, where he contracted the illness which terminated in his death, December 8, 1903, at the Saranac Lake Sanitarium, New York. JOHN BIXEL, cashier of the First National Bank 0f Bluffton, has been a lifelong resident of the town, having been born here June 11, 1869. His father is Peter Bixel, Sr., a farmer residing near Bluffton. Mr. Bixel acquired a good, practical business education, attending the Bluffton High School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1889. The following eight years were spent in teaching in district schools, during which time he took the work of the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. His first venture in the commercial world was in the grocery business with his brother David. Bixel Brothers conducted their store for three years, and then our subject disposed of his interest in the concern to his brother and became a partner of B. C. Mann, who was engaged in the shoe and clothing business. Two years later the firm of Bixel & Mann was dissolved by Mr. Bixel's withdrawal from the company. About this time the First National Bank was organized, Mr. Bixel being one of the promoters of the enterprise, and he was chosen as cashier, a position which he has since retained to the perfect satisfaction of all concerned. The first officers of the bank were : Simon Herr, president ; Lewis S. Duper, vice-president ; John Bixel, cashier, the foregoing with Amas A. Geiger and A. J. Solomon constituting the board of directors. The only change made since in this list of officers was occasioned by the withdrawal of Mr. Solomon, who sold his stock to Henry Gratz, who was later elected a director. Mr. Bixel was one of the chief promoters of the Beaver Dam Bank, which was organized in 1902. This is a private bank, of which Mr. Herr is president and our subject, one of the directors. Mr. Bixel married Halla Russell, who is a native of Bluffton and a daughter of Orin and Ella (Halla) Russell. Her grandfather was Daniel Russell, one of the first residents here. He was president of the first bank established, the People's Bank, and also conducted a general merchandise store and grain depot, his son Orin being a partner under the firm name of Russell & Son. Both are deceased. Mr. Bixel has one child, a son, Russell L., born April 19, 1899. Our subject is a member of the Mennonite Church and one of Bluffton's most forceful and enterprising men. JAMES M. COCHRAN, one of the well-known residents of Marion township and a veterinarian of great skill, belongs to one of the very old families of Tennessee, which is also numbered among the old and honored pioneer families of Allen County. His male ancestors were distinguished both in the War of the Rev0lution and in the War of 1812. James M. Cochran, the great-grandfather of the present James M., was born in Scotland and came to America prior to the Revolutionary War. He settled am0ng the mountains of Tennessee, took an active part in the affairs of his section, participated in the border wars and, as far as known, protected his property and family in those pioneer days, as became a man of sturdy courage. His three sons were named, William, Benjamin and Isaac. William Cochran, the eldest, was our subject's paternal grandfather. He was born in Tennessee and served seven years in the In- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 721 dian wars of his native State. In the War of 1812 he also served as a soldier and for this service received a land grant of 200 acres located in Paulding County, Ohio. He had settled, prior to this, among the pioneers of Ross County, Ohio, where he married Betsey Mannery, a lady of Irish extraction and of Revolutionary ancestry. To this marriage were born 10 children, of whom the following reached mature years : John M., Jane, James, Catherine, Nancy and William. Of these, John M. was treasurer, of Putnam County. When he went to the county seat to make settlement, he carried the funds in his wallet on horseback, the amount at that time not exceeding $6o. William, his brother, was one of the early sheriffs of Putnam County, a representative man of his day, prominent in political and business life. William Cochran the elder was an able man and left the impress of his sterling character on every locality in which he lived. From Ross County he moved in 1821 to what is now Allen County. He "squatted" on a small farm on the Auglaize River and during his short period of residence cleared up one field. This farm, located in section 4, Marion township, is now owned by the King family and is occupied by a Mr. Wagner. After. the land came into the market Benjamin Cochran bought it and William then removed to the farm now occupied by Mr. Long, located two miles north of Dr. Cochran's home in section 22, with the Auglaize River bordering it on the west. Later he bought 103 acres at Middlepoint, Van Wert County, and this, together with his land in Paulding County, made him the owner of 310 acres. He died on his farm at Middlepoint, at the age of 88 years, one of the few survivors of the pioneers who had come to Allen County before the Shawnee Indians had departed. He served officially in Putnam (Allen) County, and was a circuit court judge, being appointed at Kalida, Ohio. James Cochran, the third son of William Cochran and the father of Dr. Cochran, was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 25, 1804. Born among pioneer surroundings, his education was limited. School terms were of short duration in those days and accommodations necessarily poor in the small, hastily constructed log school-houses ; but he possessed the native ability of his family and was reckoned among the well-informed men of his day. The large amount of active, outdoor exercise involved in clearing and cultivating the pioneer farm, gave him a stalwart frame and the robust health which prolonged his years for beyond those of his contemporaries. He died in Marion township, Allen County, June 12, 1893. His son, our subject, can recall many of the conditions of pioneer life from his own experience and many others from hearsay, and they are very interesting as presenting a picture so different from what may be seen here at the present day. The family home was built first of round logs, right in the forest, but a more secure one was later constructed of hewed logs. The clearing of the 100 acres, on which Dr. Cochran now resides, was done with ox teams, the great strength of the oxen performing the tasks which now would be done by machinery. Mr. Cochran used the old wooden mold-board plow and threshed his grain with a flail. The Shawnee Indians were yet a powerful tribe in this section, in fact, when Mr. Cochran came to the county he had but three families of white neighbors. Treating the Indians with justice, Mr. Cochran made friends with the braves and they traded together to their mutual benefit, and no Indians ever endangered the peace of his family. With the assistance of his white neighbors, Mr. Cochran blazed paths through the forests. Wild animals still roamed all through this section, the wolves and deer coming to the very door. A number of the latter were shot from the doorstep, for food. The larder was also easily supplied with fish from the clear Auglaize River. For household supplies it was necessary to go to Defiance by boat, and to Pickaway with grain for the mill, the latter trip being one of importance and requiring a week's absence from home. With his neighbors Mr. Cochran assisted in the building of the canal, worked in the timber getting out material for the building of the locks on the same, and also worked on flatboats which were built at Wapakoneta for use on the river. 722 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY James Cochran was twice married; first on September 10, 1826, to Julia Ann Russell, who was a daughter of one of the first settlers in Amanda township, where he located in 1817, lived at Fort Amanda and was a large Indian trader. The children of this marriage were : William R., who was born in 1829, and two daughters, both of whom died. The mother of these children died in 1834. Two years later Mr. Cochran married Isabella Sunder-, land, and 12 children were born to this union, the survivors being: Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Stemen, of Huntington, Indiana ; Julia Ann, wife of Henry Temple, of Convoy, Ohio ; Mary, wife of Robert Martin, of Nebraska ; James, the subject of this sketch ; Ellen, wife of William Daniels, of Missouri; Nancy, wife of Clarence Hurlbutt, of German township; and Orlando, a resident of Boston, Massachusetts. Hattie, deceased, was the wife of Frank Elder. George served in the Civil War as a member of McLaughlin's Squad, Ohio Cavalry, and was taken prisoner in Stoneman's raid. He was incarcerated in Andersonville Prison and died in Mellon Prison in October, 1848. James Cochran was a magistrate in Marion township and served in a number of the township offices. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. James M. Cochran, the immediate subject of this sketch, was educated in the schools of Marion township, in which township he has always had his residence. When not more than seven years of age, he assisted in filling in the embankment of the P., Ft. W. & C. Railway near his home; hauling the dirt in his little cart. He well remembers the old days of harvesting, when he used the old-fashioned cradle almost from sunrise to sunset, for 75 cents a day. His present fine farm is operated by a tenant along modern lines. His beautiful residence and substantial farm buildings are very noticeable from the Lima turnpike road, the highway which passes his gate. Dr. Cochran has always taken more than the usual interest that an agriculturist and stockman takes in the health and development of animals, appreciating their many admirable qualities and understanding their structure and ailments. During the Civil War, as a member of Company B, McLaughlin's Squad, Ohio, Cavalry, he put many of his theories into practice) which resulted in the saving of many horses to the service. Since 1880 he has given. almost constant attention to a veterinary practice which extends all over the county. He has attended no college ; but he has gained a wonderful amount of useful knowledge in his profession through practical experience and real interest in his work. Dr. Cochran has been twice married ; first to Ellen Roush, who was a daughter of Jacob. Roush of Amanda township. The death of his first wife and two sons, William S. and Edward, left him not only with his domestic peace disturbed, but just at that time overcome with financial difficulties, in fact without a dollar. He was living on his father-in-law's farm and Mr. Roush insisted upon his remaining there. Through great industry and perseverance he managed to regain his financial standing, and now is one of the substantial men of the township. In 1878 he married, second, Catherine Baxter, who is a daughter. of Samuel Baxter. He has one daughter by his first marriage, Almerta, who is the wife of Charles Ford, of Marion township. The three children of his second union are : Dora, wife of Jesse S. Myers, who resides in Marion township, south of the homestead; Orlando Bertrue, living at home; and Viola, wife of Ernest East, of Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Cochran remained for a time on Mr.. Roush's farm in Amanda township, then rented the homestead farm and finally pur chased it. It is a fine property and possesses more than the usual amount of interest for the Doctor, as he assisted very materially in the clearing of the greater part of it from the: primitive forest. HOWARD B. HOVER, pharmacist, controls one of the largest drug-stores in the city of Lima, his business having a very favorable location at No. 38, Public Square. Mr. Hover represents one of the old pioneer families of the county. A son of David E. Hover, he was born in 1868 in Shawnee township, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 725 within 1,000 yards of the old Shawnee Council House, on the first ground cleared by the Indians. The Hover family claims Scotch descent, but the founders of it in the United States sailed from Holland. The American forefathers were John, Emanuel and Peter, who probably settled in New Jersey some time prior to the Revolutionary War, in which they all participated. John Hover was killed by the Indians in the early period of the conflict, and Emanuel Hover, the head of the branch from which our subject sprung, was a captain under Washington. Ezekiel Hover, the great-grandfather of our subject, removed in 1800 from Sussex County, New Jersey, to Western Pennsylvania, and then to Trumbull County, Ohio, in the Western reserve. In 1833 he located in Allen County as one of the first settlers. His son, Emanuel Hover, was born in the Western Reserve and accompanied the family to Allen County. In 1836 he returned to Trumbull County, there married Margaret Carlisle and then returned to Allen County, locating first in Amanda township and later removing to Shawnee township. Two children were born to him and his wife : David Ezekiel and Sarah Ann (Hanson) the latter deceased in 1881. David Ezekiel Hover, was born in the cabin of the Shawnee chief, Pht, in Shawnee township, in 1837, but he was mainly reared in Trumbull County. In 1859 he returned to Allen County. He resides in Shawnee township near Lima and is a member of the board of trustees of the Allen County Children's Home. He married Susan Boyd, and to them were born five children, of whom Howard B. and his twin sister, Margaret Anna, are the youngest. Howard B. Hover was reared and educated in Shawnee township. His literary training was obtained at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he also took a course in pharmacy. He then entered the drug-store of Mr. W. M. Melville, and in 1893 became connected with Mr. Truesdale, at Lima. In 1897 he purchased Mr. Truesdale's entire interest and has not only continued the business, but has greatly enlarged its scope. He is recognized as a reliable pharmacist and compounder of prescriptions and an enterprising and honorable business man: His professional standing is evident by his close association with - the leading drug organizations of the country ; he is a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists, and the Ohio State and Lima pharmaceutical association, and has served as secretary of the last named body. In 1897 Mr. Hover was married to Florence Fisher, a daughter of George Fisher, who is a hardware merchant of Auglaize County. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hover's fraternal connections are with the Elks and Knights of Pythias. B. F. THOMAS, while yet a young man, has evinced an aptitude for business which has placed him at the head of one of the leading industrial establishments of Lima. As president of the Lima Pork Packing Company, which he founded several years ago, he occupies a prominent position among the leading men of the city, and has been the means of drawing to this city a volume of business which has largely added to her present prosperity. Mr. Thomas was born in New York City in 1871, and is a son 0f Morgan Thomas, who conducts a very profitable butter, egg and poultry business in Lima and is one of the city's representative men. B. F. Thomas was a small child when his parents moved from New York to Sidney, Ohio, and a lad of 12 years when they located in Lima. After his school days were past, he became a partner with his father in the butter, egg and poultry business, the company of M. Thomas & Son doing an extensive business and handling large quantities of produce. Young Thomas saw the success that would result from a packing plant in Lima, and in 1898 withdrew from the partnership with his father and opened a pork packing plant. This he conducted more profitably than he had anticipated, and as the volume of business continued to increase the present company was incorporated in 1901, with a capital stock of $60,000. The officers 726 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY of the company are : President, B. F. Thomas ; vice-president, Ira P. Carnes ; treasurer, W. C. Bradley ; secretary, D. W. Leichty. The plant slaughters weekly from 4o to 6o beeves, and from 200 to 600 hogs, besides sheep, lambs and calves, in addition to handling about 25 carloads of pickled meats a year. It manufactures daily about 4,000 pounds of sausage, bologna. Employment is given to some 35 men. The two traveling salesmen of the concern visit 6o or 70 of the leading towns in this part of the State, where they find a ready market for the products of the plant. Mr. Thomas is a stockholder and director of The Ohio National Bank and the Superior Brick Company. He was married in 1896, to Anna M. Armstrong. His portrait accompanies this sketch. W. D. CARPENTER, one of the old and well-established business men and a leading confectioner of Lima, was born at New Salem, Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of H. M. Carpenter, a pioneer merchant at Granville, Licking County, Ohio, where he was a valued business man for over 30 years. During our subject's infancy his parents moved from Fairfield to Licking County, where his father, as above stated, established himself at Granville. Here the child grew to young manhood, receiving his education in the schools of that place. He then learned the tinner's trade, and subsequently became foreman of the tin department in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, at Xenia. After remaining four years in that institution, he removed to Wellington, Clinton County, and there found a favorable opening for a bakery and confectionery business. During his three years there he developed such skill in this line that he removed to Lima to occupy a wider field. Here he carried on both lines of business for a year and then sold his bakery interests in order to give more attention to his rapidly expanding confectionery trade. He is the pioneer in this business here and at present controls the bulk of it. He is a large manufacturer, and Carpenter's caramels and Carpenter's ice cream are well known throughout this entire section. In 1880 Mr. Carpenter was married to Julia Miller, who is a daughter of Albert Miller, a prominent farmer of Greene County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are members of the Presbyterian Church at Lima. Fraternally he is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. His business location is No. 9 Public Square, where his display of confections is large and attractive, and where a visitor may discover the sanitary conditions and scientific methods, which makes the sweets manufactured here both digestible and wholesome. NEWTON C. BEERY, one of the trustees of German township, and one of the county's substantial farmers and representative men, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, January 7, 1854, and is a son of John H. and Delilah (Niswander) Beery. The father of Mr. Beery was born in Virginia, August 20, 1831, came to Allen County and settled in German township. He died September 11, 1896, and is buried in Sugar Creek cemetery. He married Delilah Nis-wander, who was born near Edom, Rockingham County, Virginia, May 5, 1830, and died November 23, 1904. She was a daughter of Christian and Susan Niswander. Her last years were spent with her son, Newton C. The children of John H. and Delilah Beery were : Lydia E., born March 23, 1857 ; Isaac N., b0rn August 10, 1860, who died December 2, 1863 ; Benjamin F., born November 2, 1863, who died January 5, 1864 ; and Newton C. Newton C. Beery was reared and educated in Rockingham County, Virginia, where he remained until the spring of 1875, when he came to his present farm, on which his father, settled. He has continued to reside here ever since and is considered one of the township's foremost agriculturists. On September 5, 1878, Elizabeth Herzog became our subject's wife. Mrs. Beery is a native of Pennsylvania, born February 20, 1858. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 727 To Mr. Beery and wife have been born these children : George W., born near Lima, Ohio, September 20, 1879, who married Minnie Irvin December 25, 1901 and has two children—Irvin, born November 16, 1902, and Edith E., born January 18, 1904; Minerva, born July 5, 1881, who died August 23, 1881 ; Cora E., born July 15, 1885, who is a professional nurse; Isaac, born March 1, 1888; Ephraim, born July 24, 1890 ; and Lydia E., born May 12, 1893. Mr. Beery is a prominent member of the Dunkard Church. He is a stanch Democrat, and in 1899 was elected trustee of German township. The duties of this office were performed with the integrity which marks the character of Mr. Berry, and makes him a man honored and esteemed by his neighbors. J. OSCAR HOVER, one of the leading and influential men of Lima, vice-president of The Lima Trust Company and The Hall & Woods Company, operating the Model Mills, interested in many other enterprises, and for years closely identified with the oil developing in the Ohio and Indiana fields. He was born at Lima, April 19, 1850, and is a son of - the late William Ulysses Hover. The father of Mr. Hover come to Lima among the early settlers, locating here in 1833, when the present city of some 22,000 people was represented by only eight families. Migrating from Trumbull County, Ohio, he established a foundry and tin-shop at Lima, but subsequently engaged in farming and devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1896. J. Oscar Hover was educated in the public schools of Lima, and of Shawnee township, his entrance into business life being as a clerk in a merchantile establishment of his native city. After an experience of five years, he became associated with his brother, T. L. Hover, under the firm name of Hover Brothers, in a general mercantile business at Cridersville, Ohio, which was successfully continued for 25 years. In 1897 the brothers sold their business in order to give their attention to the oil interests in which they had commenced to invest in 1887. In that year they assumed the first leases in the vicinity of Cridersville, and to them is mainly due the development of the rich oil field of Auglaize County. Mr. Hover also became interested in the oil field in the neighborhood of Geneva, Indiana. At one time they operated 00 wells in Ohio and Indiana, and of that number still retain 50. In 1897 Mr. Hover removed to Lima, where he has a pleas- ant home and has ever since been c0nnected with the city's business and civic life. In 1878 Mr. Hover was married to Ella Brown, who is a daughter of the late Hon. D. I. Brown, formerly a prominent attorney and Democratic politician at Ottawa, Ohio. Mr. Brown served three terms in the State Legislature—first during the Civil War, and again from 1876 until 1880—and died in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Hover have one daughter, Hazel. Mr. Hover is connected with several fraternal organizations, and is prominent in business and social societies.   CHARLES W. JOHNSTON, ex-mayor of Harrod, and at present a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Allen County, was born March 18, 1857, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Kelsey) Johnston. The Johnston family originally came from Scotland, while our subject's paternal grandmother was of German descent. His grandparents were among the pioneers of Fairfield County, which was the birthplace of his father and mother. In 1859 his parents moved from near Bremen, Fairfield County, to the farm of 80 acres in section 1, Auglaize township, Allen County, which the father had bought in the fall of 1858. They continued to live there until the spring of 1872, when they moved to Hardin County, having bought a tract of land near Kenton on which was located a sand and gravel bank, whose product was furnished the town of Ken- 728 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ton in addition to the crops of the farm. Both father and mother resided on this farm during their remaining days, the father dying February 19, 1892, and the mother, July 18, 1894. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Kenton. Samuel Johnston enlisted in Company D, 180th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., at Lima, on September 22, 1864, and served until the close of the war. He was a strong Republican, and an ardent friend and admirer of U. S. Senator J. B. Foraker. Mrs. Johnston was a voluminous reader and brilliant conversationalist. Four children survive them, namely : Hattie A., whose husband, Professor Hufford, occupies a chair in the Ohio Northern University at Ada ; Charles W ; Newton D., a prosperous farmer of Hardin County ; and Edward C., who at present is in the hospital at Toledo, suffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever. Coming to this county with his parents, at the age of two years, Charles W. Johnston may be claimed as a lifelong resident. When 15 years of age he accompanied his parents to Hardin County, and at 17 began teaching school. He continued in that profession until 1880, teaching in winter, and attending the Ohio Normal University at Ada, during the spring and fall terms. He pursued a full course in mathematics, which included surveying and civil engineering, and when he had almost completed the classical course became the agent of a school-book publishing house, continuing on the road for several years. On January 1, 1888, Mr. Johnston moved to Harrod and the following fall resumed his old calling as a teacher, serving as superintendent of the Harrod schools for two or three years. He then accepted a position as traveling salesman with Seiberling, Miller & Company, manufacturers of harvesting machinery, and later represented The Deering Harvester Company, as an expert. Later he became general agent for Aultman, Miller & Company, having charge of their branch office at Fostoria, Ohio. He retired from the road in 1903. Mr. Johnston has been a resident of Harrod about 18 years and fully 15 years of that time has seen him closely identified with municipal government, either as councilman or mayor. Three times he has been elected to the mayoralty, from which he resigned before the expiration of his last term on account of his frequent enforced absences from the city. In 1890 he was elected justice of the peace, serving six years. So faithful and fearless has he been in discharging the trust confided to him that he was elected county commissioner in the fall of 1904, succeeding Albert Hefner, whom he defeated. This contest was a close one, as both men were exceptionally popular and each had a strong backing, resulting in the polling of one of the largest votes ever cast in the county—in fact, exceeding the number cast for Roosevelt and Parker at the same time, the Republicans winning the day. Mr. Johnston is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, for the past two years serving as venerable consul of Harrod Camp. Mr. Johnston was married October 10, 1886, to Clara Groff, who is a native of Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, and a daughter of Isaac Groff. They have two children—Pansy, born August 29, 1887, and Lily, born March 8, 1890.   JOHN W. SCHNABEL, cabinet maker, who has been connected with the coach department of the C., H. & D. Railway Company, at Lima, since 1899, was born in this city in 1861, and is a son of John Schnabel. The late John Schnabel was an old resident of Lima, coming to this city from Germany in 1854. He w0rked in a foundry for some time and then became an employee of King & Day, pork packers, with whom he remained for a long period. He married Magdalena Beck, who was also a native of Germany, and the two sons born to them were : Henry, who for 12 years was in charge of the shoe-making department in the Institute for the Feeble Minded at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and who died in December, 1905 ; and J. W., the subject of this sketch. J. W. Schnabel was reared at Lima and attended school in the old West School Building. He first worked in a furniture factory, where he remained for 17 years. Then he ac- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 731 cepted a lucrative position in the coach department of the C., H. & D. Railway shops, assuming his duties in April, 1899, .where, as a valued employee, he has remained for the past seven years. Mr. Schnabel owns his pleasant home at N0. 314 West Wayne street, and is a substantial citizen. In 1882 Mr. Schnabel was married to Maggie Walther, who is a daughter of George J. 'Walther, and they have three children, viz : Philip W., who is time-keeper at the Solar Refinery ; Lena, a graduate of the Lima High School, who is in her second year as a teacher of the Spring Street School, Lima ; and John Leonard, who is a member of the graduating class of 1906, at the Lima High School. The family belongs to the German Reformed Church, and Mr. Schnabel has been a member of the board of elders. He is one of the prominent Odd Fellows of this part of the State, and is past grand of the lodge and past chief patriarch of the Encampment, and on several occasions has attended the Grand Lodge of the United States. Mrs. Schnabel belongs to the auxiliary body, the Rebekahs. JOHN B. AUGSBURGER, one of the substantial farmers and representative citizens of Richland township, is a large land owner, residing on his well-improved homestead in section 10, several miles west of Bluffton, which embraces 80. acres of land ; he also owns 135 3/4 acres in sections 3 and 4. He was born in a pioneer log cabin in Union township, Wayne County, Ohio, January 18, 1835, and is a son of John and Magdalena (Balmer) Augsburger. John Augsburger was born in Neuensberg, Switzerland, where he was educated and lived until he was 35 years of age. At that time he married and he and his wife departed the following day for America. They took passage on a sailing vessel, which required three months to make the voyage, but were safely landed in the port of New York and made their way to Wayne County Ohio, where it is probable that other friends had already settled. They lived for 12 years in Wayne County and then located in Allen County, where John Augsburger died, aged 65 years. The mother of our subject was also a native of Switzerland. She died a few years after coming t0 Allen County. The family consisted of five sons and two daughters, namely : Benjamin, who died in infancy ; John B., of Richland township ; Moses, of Richland township ; Mrs. Elizabeth Amstutz, deceased; Alidia, widow of Mathias Badercher, of Richland t0wnship ; Benjamin (2), of Riley township, Putnam County; and Aaron, of Bluffton. John B. Augsburger can easily recall the journey from Wayne to Allen County, which took place in May, 1847, when he was 12 years of age. All the family possessions were taken along. The great white, covered wagon was drawn by two yoke of oxen, three cows followed peacefully behind, and even the family watch-dog was not forgotten. The long journey was mostly through the woods, and the route frequently led across streams and over tracks but poorly broken. When the family arrived at the place where the father. had bought land, they found their only shelter was a log stable, and they were obliged to occupy this until a log house could be built, which was fortunately completed before the winter snows set in. The beloved mother died in the following year, and the father became so discouraged that he broke up housekeeping, sold the household effects, and for two years boarded his children with the neighbors. Mr. Augsburger subsequently recalled the children and once more a family home was established. Our subject remained there eight years and then worked in the neighborhood for a year and eight months. He learned t0 make shoes and for four winters before leaving home he busied himself at his trade, finding patrons in the neighborhood who were pleased with his work, his industry and his perseverance. When he was 21 years of age, one of his first purchases was an axe, with which he cleared timber land for other parties. He also learned the business of shingle making, which at that time was entirely hand work. That Mr. Augsburger became a very expert workman may be imagined when it is stated 732 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY that he, with a companion, made 70,000 shingles from a tree that grew where the Cratz Church now stands, the body of which was 70 feet high and seven feet in diameter. In the following fall he helped to cut timber to build the largest bank barn in this vicinity, which still stands and is 46 by 109 feet in dimensions. During the following summer Mr. Augsburger worked until the latter part of August on this structure and then returned to Wayne County, where he was married September 3, 1857. He returned to Allen County, bringing his bride with him, and remained with his brother-in-law, C. U. Amstutz, until he had completed a comfortable hewed-log cabin on his present farm and in which the house-warming was held on December 24, 1857. During that winter he made 300 pounds of maple sugar and 60 gallons of maple molasses, and cleared 18 acres of his land. He continued the improvements of his property for 14 years and then built his first frame barn ; previously he had built a log house, a log barn, horse stable, corn crib and wag0n shed, all serving their purposes until he was prepared to make more modern improvements. In 1873, two years after building the barn, he erected his present convenient and attractive residence, and in 1876 he completed other substantial buildings on his place. In 1877 a convenient summer kitchen was built, adding greatly to the comfort of the inmates in hot weather; he completed his improvements by building, in 1880, a first-class workshop. Few mechanics have a better equipped shop than Mr. Augsburger, and it may be remarked, few know better the use of tools. Mr. Augsburger has been generous in his support of the Swiss Mennonite Church. He gave an acre of land to the church and assisted in the construction of the present church as well as the one that preceded it. The schoolhouse of District No. 2 stands on his homestead tract of 80 acres, opposite the church. At one time Mr. Augsburger had the best orchard in the vicinity, but a severe storm in 1895 partially destroyed it. He has a fine system of ditching and drainage, and has thus, in a marked degree, increased the productiveness of his land. He devotes his attention mainly to the growing of live-stock, and raises large crops of corn, wheat, hay and clover. He has a fine farm in which he takes a reasonable pride, for he has worked faithfully in its developing and literally brought it out of the woods. On September 3, 1857, Mr. Augsburger was united in marriage with Barbara Neuenschwander, who was born in East Union township, Wayne County, Ohio, March 22, 1834, and died on the present farm of our subject, July 8, 1900. She was a daughter of Ulrich and Elizabeth (Basinger) Neuenschwander, who were born in Germany near the Switzerland line. The children 0f our subject and wife were : Elizabeth, who is the wife of Daniel Moser, of Riley township, Putnam County ; Leah, who died in infancy ; Daniel, who died aged eight years ; John, who died aged seven years ; Sarah, who died in infancy ; Mary, the wife of Peter J. Moser, of Richland township; Lydia, the wife of David Burkholder, her husband operating Mr. Augsburger's second farm; Magdalena, the wife of Amos Neiswander, of Richland township ; Barbara, who died aged eight years ; Susan, the wife of Amos Thut of Richland township ; and Lavina, the wife of M. S. Burkholder, who manages our subject's home farm. Mr. Augsburger has been a stanch and lifelong Democrat, but has never accepted political office. He is a devoted member of the Mennonite Church and has assisted in the erection of three religious edifices, and has otherwise liberally contributed to the cause of religion. A portrait of Mr. Augsburger acompanies this sketch. ISAIAH GARRETSON, timekeeper at the Lima Locomotive & Machine Works and formerly a well-known educator and business man, is also a survivor of the Civil War, in which he bore an honorable part. He was born June 7, 1843, in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of William Garretson. The father was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and came to Allen County in 1836, entering land from the government in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 733 Perry township. This tract at a later period he traded for a farm in Shawnee township, on which he lived until his death in 1886. Isaiah Garretson was reared on his father's farm, and his education was secured in the district schools in its vicinity. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, he was eager to enlist, but was induced to remain at home until he was 20 years of age, when, in 15863, he was mustered into the service, at Cleveland, as a member of Company G, 12th Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav. During his years of army service he had his full share of hardship and during his first battle, at Mount Sterling, Kentucky, was captured by the enemy. Fortunately for him, conditions in the Confederacy at that time were such as to preclude the transportation of large bodies of prisoners to any of their prison camps, and Mr. Garretson was paroled in less than a week. His regiment was stationed at Johnson's Island until the spring of 1864, and was then dispatched to Kentucky, subsequently making a creditable record in the campaigning through Kentucky, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee. After his return from the army, Mr. Garretson engaged in farming and teaching until about 1888 from 1869 to 1873 in Missouri. Since 1888 he has been a continuous resident of Lima, where he engaged for a number of years in a large real estate business. Since closing out those interests he has been timekeeper for the Lima Locomotive & Machine Works. In 1873 Mr. Garretson was united in marriage with Barbara A. Jenkins, who was born in Ohio and is a daughter of Reuben Jenkins. Her parents removed to Iowa, when she was a child of two years, and subsequently settled in Missouri, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Garretson have four children, viz : Laura, who is the wife of S. T. Garber, of Greenville, Ohio; Flora, cashier of the Western Ohio Railway Company ; Lena, employed in the office of The Lima Locomotive & Machine Company ; and Ora Earl, a student in the senior class of the Lima High School. Mr. Garretson and family are members of the First Congregational Church at Lima, and their attractive home is situated at No. 923 West High street. Mr. Garretson is a member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., an organization which is held in very high regard in this city, its membership being composed of men who deserve the grateful consideration of their fellow-citizens. FRED SNOOK, superintendent of the packing department of the DeiselWemmer Company, of Lima, is one of the capable and experienced men which this manufacturing concern has a reputation for selecting. Mr. Snook was born at Lima, July 3, 1866, and is a son of Fred and Rosa (Miller) Snook. The parents of Mr. Snook were both born in Germany. Fred Snook, Sr., was one of the early residents of this county. For a period of 258 years he was a section foreman for the Pennsylvania Railroad, a man noted for his fidelity to duty and most highly respected by his employers. He was struck and killed by an engine on January 19, 1887, his wife still surviving him and residing in Lima. The subject of this sketch was reared at Lima and enjoyed the advantages afforded by the city's excellent public schools. His first work was as an employee in a brick-yard, for one summer, and then commenced his connection with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which was continued for a period of years. After leaving railroad work, he entered the packing department of The Deisel-Wemmer Company, where his ability and faithfulness brought him such promotions that he finally became superintendent of the entire department. This proved a very important position, carrying with it the supervision of 58 employees and the proper packing of the firm's enormous output. In September, 1890, Mr. Snook was married to Annie Wolf, who was born in Germany. They have three children—Bertha, Carl and Lester. Mr. Snook is a worthy member of the German Reformed Church. 734 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY EDWIN J. YOST, second foreman of the great Deisel-Wemmer cigar factory, at Lima, has been a resident of this city for a period of 15 years. He was born in Germany in 15873, and is a son of Philip Yost, whose entire life was spent in Germany. At the age of 18 years Edwin J. Yost emigrated to America and located at Lima, where he was soon employed at the bench by The Deisel-Wemmer Company. As this corporation has a well-deserved reputation for rewarding faithfulness and ability among its employees, Mr. Yost gradually advanced until he became foreman over the cigarmakers in one of the largest cigar factories in the world. C. C. Hosselman is general superintendent, and Mr. Yost, his able assistant. On August 3, 1895, Mr. Yost was united in marriage with Magdalena Decker, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of the late William Decker, who was also a native of the Fatherland. Mr. and Mrs. Yost have two children, Florence and Ruth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Yost are members of St. Rose Catholic Church, Lima. LEWIS KREILING, of the firm of Kreiling & Bedford, proprietors of the Riverside Mills of Lima, was born in 15839 in Wayne County, Ohio, where he grew t0 manhood and acquired an education. His father was the late Henry Kreiling, for many years a wagon-maker of Marshallville, Wayne County. Mr. Kreiling learned the trade of a plasterer and for many years followed that calling, abandoning it, after 30 years, to engage in farming and dairying in German township, Allen County. He engaged in these occupations for six years, then moved to Lima on the day which saw Benjamin Harrison elected to the presidency. He soon entered the Riverside Mills, and in 1901 formdd his present partnership with Mr. Bedford. Messrs. Kreiling, Bedford and others also have four oil- wells in active operation within the city limits of Lima. Mr. Kreiling was married June 9, 1863, to Mary E. Berkhart, by whom he has three children, namely : Alice, wife of F. M. Mullenhour ; Maud, wife of Benjamin Dennis; and Edward, a resident of Findlay, Ohio. Both daughters reside in Lima, where their husbands are engaged in business. Mr. Kreiling was formerly a Republican, but in more recent years has cast an independent vote. He is an active member of the Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church, and has held the office of treasurer ever since the present edifice was erected. He is also a member of the board of trustees. CHARLES ADGATE HOVER, one of the prominent farmers and representative citizens of Shawnee township, resides on his valuable farm in section 14, which adjoins that of his father. Mr. Hover was born in the Shawnee Council House, on the home place, November 22, 1861, and is a son of David Ezekiel Hover and a member of one of the oldest settled families of the county. Mr. Hover has been a resident of Shawnee township all his life and since his school days has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 67 acres in section 14, which farm he operates himself, also assisting in the operation of the homestead. On February 29, 1888, Charles A. Hover, was married to Jennie McCoy, a daughter of Alexander H. and Margaret A. McCoy, of whom extended mention will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Hover have two children, viz : Myra Ethel, born August 30, 1892 ; and Harry Howard, born May 20, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Hover commenced housekeeping in an old log cabin which stood on the farm at that time, but in 1891 their present comfortable residence was built. All of the substantial improvements, to be seen here on every side, are the result of Mr. Hover's own industry—with the exception of the orchard, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 735 which was set out by his father many years ago. In the patent to his farm of 67 acres, Mr. Hover possesses a very valuable and interesting document. It was given first to Griffith Breese, passed then into the Hover family, and bears the signature of Andrew Jackson, President of the United States in 15835. Like his father, Mr. Hover is identified with the Republican party. He has taken little interest in politics, but his active participation in educational matters is evidenced by his present membership on the School Board. In religious faith he is a Methodist. JAMES COCHRUN. Among the old families of this county which possesses a most interesting history—both on account of the prominence of its living representatives and its connection with the public affairs and personages of this section for almost a century—is that of Cochrun, the earliest record of which relates to the birth of Rev. Simon Cochrun, the great-grandfather of our subject, James Cochrun. Rev. Simon Cochrun was a notable man in his day, having been a Revolutionary soldier and subsequently, for 47 years, an active minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, about 1756, and died in this county January 9, 15845, aged 589 years, 11 months and 6 days. In all probability he came to Allen County very early in the '30's, being then a minister ; as, in the old records, may be found the statement that he performed the marriage service for Elias Wright and Sarah Bowman early in 1835. Rev. Simon Cochrun had three sons : Thomas, born in Kentucky in 1800, who located on a farm in German township, in 1800 ; and Wesley and John, both of whom served in the War of 1812. In 1833 the first schoolhouse in the township was built on the Cochrun farm, with either Asa Wright or John Summerset as teacher. Church services were held in the home of John Cochrun by Rev. Krellum, the pioneer members being John Cochrun and wife Hester, James Hayes and wife, a Mr. Ryan, a Mr. Jackson and Nancy Lippincott. Later Rev. Sullivan ministered in a church that was destroyed by fire, another being erected in the northeast corner of the township. In 1832 Wesley Cochrun, the grandfather of James Cochrun, of Spencerville, located four miles north of Lima, where he entered land and improved a farm on which he lived until the close of his life, dying at the age of 85 years. He was an enthusiastic member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife survived him some years, dying at the age of 88. Of their children, seven reached maturity, viz : John, Simon, William, Rebecca, Susan, Jane and Sarah. John located in Franklin County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits ; Simon, named for his grandfather, became the father of the Spencerville Cochruns; Rebecca is deceased; Susan, widow of A. G. Pague, lived and died on the old homestead; Jane married a Mr. West and they removed to Texas ; and Sarah married a Mr. McGuire and resided at Ada, Ohio. Simon Cochrun was born in Ohio in 1822, and died at his home in Amanda township, February 11, 1895. He was 1ca years old when the family came to this county. He settled in Amanda township in 1855. While he engaged in various kinds of employment working for a time on the canal, then in course of construction, and following agriculture as suited his convenience—he was more fitted for a professional life, being a man of natural mental superiority. In the early days he taught a subscription school in the old log schoolhouse, being thus irregularly employed throughout the township until after his marriage. When he reached mature years, Simon Cochrun married Lucinda Miller, a daughter of William Miller, who, with his wife Nancy, resided some two miles west of Cairo, where they reared a family well known throughout the county. Mrs. Cochrun survived her husband and later moved t0 Spencerville, where she died. The five children of this union were James; Lambert Y. ; William and Elizabeth, both deceased ; and Jasper L. James Cochrun, the eldest son of Simon 736 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY and Lucinda Cochrun, was born in Amanda township in 1847. He was reared on the home farm, completed his education in the local schools, and, like his father, for some years combined farming and teaching. In the winter of 1865, after his return from military service in the previous August, he began his career as a teacher and continued thus employed through the four succeeding winters. He conducted a farm in section 10, Amanda township, in partnership with his younger brother, Jasper L. Cochrun, the firm making a specialty of stock-raising. After moving to Spencerville, in 1888, he continued to be interested in stock and still handles a large amount, being probably one of the best judges in that line in the county. From his dealings in live-stock was developed his butchering business, and for a number of years he conducted a fine meat-market at Spencerville, to which he later added an ice business. The latter increased to such proportions that he disposed of his meat business and devoted his attention to ice, coal, lime, sand and cement. He now controls the largest coal business in the place and is one of the town's representative business men as well as a leading citizen in other ways. In political sentiment Mr. Cochrun has always been a Republican. He has twice been honored by the citizens of Spencerville by election to the mayorality, and has served two terms as justice of the peace. His enlistment in February, 1865, for service in the Civil War, was for one year, but the close of hostilities brought about his honorable discharge in August of the same year. He was a member of the 191st Ohio Reg. Vol. Inf., under General Brooks and was mustered out of Company H., at Winchester, Virginia. His service had been in the Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Cochrun was married (first) to Jennie Martin, who died in 1881, and they had two children, both of whom died in infancy. She was a daughter of Archelaus and Catherine (Russell) Martin, the latter of whom was a sister to Susanna Russell, who was the first white child born in Allen County, her birth occurring July 13, 1817, at Fort Amanda. Archelaus Martin was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, July 30, 1805, and removed in youth to Champaign County, Ohio, settling four miles east of Urbana. Subsequently he removed to Amanda township in what is now Allen County, and was the second teacher here, having 15 pupils in 1829. He later returned to Champaign County, but permanently located in Allen County, in 1833 marrying Catherine Russell, daughter of Andrew Russell, and settling in section 10, Amanda township. He was a justice of the peace for three terms. In 1840, after Mr. Martin's death, his widow married Hon. Charles C. Marshall. She died at Delphos, in 1871. Mr. Marshall was born in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1814, was elected to the Ohio Legislature, in 1857, and to the State Senate in 1861. In 1865 he removed to Delphos, where he served as justice of the peace, and later as mayor, being in official life for a period of 10 years. Andrew Russell was one of the founders of Fort Amanda. With his family he occupied the block-house in the southeast corner of the fort and here his daughter Susanna was born. He died in 1822, and was buried near the fort. In 1887 Mr. Cochrun was married (second), in Amanda township, to Minnie Hover, who is a daughter of Cyrus and Martha (Post) Hover—the former of whom is deceased, while the latter resides in Lima. with her daughter, Mrs. Hitchcock. The Hover family is very numerous in Allen County and holds yearly reunions, the last one being held at old Fort Amanda. Cyrus Hover, father of Mrs. Cochrun, was an early settler of this county, locating at Lima, with his parents, in 1833. In 1846 he engaged in a foundry business, removing it to Delphos in 1850. In 1863 he purchased a farm of wild land in Amanda township, which he improved, but later removed to Spencerville and retired from active labors. On August 4, 15847, he married Martha Post, a daughter of C. C. and Elizabeth (Bryant) Post. She was born in Knox County, Ohio, August 7, 1827. Of their 11 children, Mrs. Cochran is the eighth. Mr. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 739 and Mrs. Cochrun have no family. They reside in the old Cyrus Hover home, on the Lima turnpike, where they enjoy the comforts of a beautiful modern residence. They are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cochrun is identified with the Knights of Pythias. THEODORE A. HANDEL, a pioneer of Marion township, was born in Granville, Ohio, May 1, 15834, and died May 28, 1904, having just passed his l0th birthday. He was a son of Nicholas and Myla (Hays) Handel. John Handel, the paternal grandfather, was the founder of the family in America. For generations the family occupation had been milling, and as a young man in his native land John Handel was employed as a traveling grain buyer. While on one of his purchasing trips, he was accompanied by four assistants and the entire party were seized by the military authorities, being impressed into the service of King George III, of England, who was then engaged in his struggle with the American Colonies. On the arrival of the vessel at Boston harbor, John Handel and his companions evaded the vigilance of their captors, escaped to an American vessel by swimming, and enlisted with the patriot forces. Grandfather Handel proved a valiant defender of American liberty and fought throughout the Revolutionary War. After the close of the struggle, he settled in .Baltimore and engaged in milling. He married there and then moved to a point on the Shenandoah River, Virginia, about 20 miles above Harper's Ferry. There his first child, Nicholas Handel, was born, and the only other record is of the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth. John Handel probably died in the locality mentioned aged about 580 years. It is a family belief that the great musical composer Handel, was of the same original stock as John Handel. Nicholas Handel, father of our subject, adopted the family calling, and in early days he also dealt in grain and other products all along the Potomac River, as far as Alexandria. He enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, when a youth of 18 years. The date of his coming to Ohio has not been recorded, but it is known that for 40 years he was chief miller in the Fassett mills, on Raccoon Creek, near Granville, Licking County, where he was a grain contractor and a large shipper of flour. Nicholas Handel married Myla Hays, who was a daughter of Alanson and Rhoda (Slater) Hays, both of English descent, but natives of New York. The Hays family consisted of seven children, the mother of our subject being the fifth in order of birth. Her father came to Allen County in 1848. The latter part of the life of Nicholas Handel was spent at the home of his son, Theodore A., but just prior to his death he returned to Granville, Ohio, and there passed away at the age of 586 years. For a long period he was a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Theodore A. Handel attended the common schools at Granville, Ohio, until he was 10 years old, when he came to Allen County. From the age of 14 until he was 21, he worked on the farm of his uncle, Ormond Kephart, in section 4, Amanda township. At the age of 23 he married and settled on a farm of 40 acres in that township, which property proved the nucleus of a property that afterward was increased to 200 acres. He continued to farm until 1861, when he loyally offered his services to his country. At the close of the war he resumed agricultural pursuits in Allen County, continuing to reside on his farm until the time of his death and to increase its value through many substantial improvements. When Mr. and Mrs. Handel settled on the present farm it was almost a wilderness, very little of the land having then been cleared, and their first home was a small, windowless log cabin. Mr. Handel used his original capital of $500 to such good advantage that at the close of his life he was one of the most substantial men of his township. During his early days he dug ditches, chopped wood, split rails, and was always one of the foremost not only to improve the roads, but to promote education and religion. On August 58, 1861, Mr. Handel enlisted for three years in Company I, 34th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served until he was honorably 740 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in September, 1864. He took part in 35 regular engagements and many skirmishes, chiefly in Virginia and West Virginia, a partial enumeration being : Chapmansville Gap, Fayetteville, Louisburg, Trenton, Fayetteville (2), Charleston, Red House, Mud Bridge, Cloyd Mountain, Greenbrier, James River, Lynchburg, Staunton, Paw Paw Station, Stone Spring House, the Shenandoah Valley campaign, including Winchester ; Martinsville, the two battles of Fredericksburg, Monocacy Junction, Charlestown and Cedar Creek, the closing battle being a fiercely contested engagement in the vicinity of Winchester. Mr. Handel was wounded in his first battle while humanely supporting an in comrade. The shot was in his ankle, and he was the second unfortunate in the company. In spite of his painful wound, he refused to leave the battle-field and did not even enter a hospital. He was promoted to the rank of corporal, for more than two years performed the duties of a deputy sergeant, and at all times was a reliable, loyal and courageous soldier. On April 5, 1857, Mr. Handel was married to Angelina Harris who was born October 13, 1836, at Lockland, Hamilton County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Calvin Harris, who was born at Olean, New York, a son of Samuel Harris, of English descent. Calvin learned the trade of a wagon-maker, his father being a boat-builder. His parents settled in Hamilton County, Ohio, when he was six years old. At the age of 24 he married Edith Dunn, a daughter of Beracha and Mary (German) Dunn. In 1847 Mr. Harris sold his shop at Lockland and bought and operated a boat on the Miami and Erie Canal, subsequently trading the latter for 120 acres of partly cleared land in section 20, Amanda township, this county. His son now resides on the place. Mr. Harris was township trustee, township clerk and filled other public offices. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church and for many years a trustee. The four survivors of his nine children are : Mary Angelina, widow of our subject ; Roscoe B., living on the old home farm ; Florence B., wife of David Ditto, of Marion township ; and Clarence Blake, residing on the Harris homestead. The mother of these children died December 9, 1881, aged 68 years, 9 months and 16 days. The father died on the farm on January 28, 1892, aged 81 years, 8 months and 258 days. Mr. and Mrs. Handel had no children of their own. They reared and educated four other children, and one of these, Ernest Handel, has proven a son indeed to those wh0 took pity on his helpless infancy. During the long sickness which preceded the death of Mr. Handel this adopted son's filial devotion was so genuine that no child of the blood could have been kinder or more helpful and loving. He was deeded 45 acres of land, lying opposite the old homestead. He married Lydia Heisler, who died in April, 1905. They had these children : Myrtle Angelina and Burton Alfred (twins) ; Gladys Gail, Bessie Nelore, and John. Myrtle Angelina, one of the twins, born in 1884, is the wife of E. Humphreys and resides with Mrs. Handel, who adopted her when she was four weeks old. Mrs. Handel lives just north of her father's old home, the farms adjoining. She has 120 acres in section 17, Marion township, and rents the farm to her adopted grandson. Her residence is beautifully situated in a grove. The property will finally revert to Mrs. Humphreys. Mr. Handel was baptized in the Marion Baptist Church, 0n November 17, 1867, having been converted in the preceding October by Rev. D. D. Spencer, assisted by Father Bryant. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of this church, a position now filled by his venerable wife. He was deacon and trustee for several years. Mrs. Handel comes of a long line of Baptists. She was converted in the winter of 1854, was baptized by Elder Freyer and first united with the Amanda Baptist Church. Although for the past seven years Mrs. Handel has been an invalid from rheumatism, she has always found time to devote to religious and charitable work. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs Handel were members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and he served as overseer and lecturer of his grange. He also was a member of Reul Post, No. 95, G. A. R. of Delphos. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Handel accompany this sketch. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 741 GEORGE M. McCULLOUGH, proprietor of McCullough Lake and Park, the finest summer resort in the vicinity of Lima, belongs to one of the old families of the county. He was born at Lima, October 9, 1856, and is a son of Hon. M. H. and Sarah J. (McKibben) McCullough. Hon. M. H. McCullough, who died. at Lima in 1901, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1818. In 1835 he migrated to Ohio and settled at Lima, where he became a man of wealth and influence, an extensive farmer and a leading dealer in real estate. He was prominent in public life, served in the Ohio Legislature, and stanchly supported the Democratic party. For a number of years he was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church. He married Sarah J. Mc. Kibben, a daughter of John McKibben, a pioneer of 1835, who located on the farm which is now the site of McCullough Lake and Park. In 1893, the Senior McCullough presented this property to our subject and his one brother, J. C. McCullough, of Texas, who is connected with the Texas Oil Company. In 1898 George M. McCullough purchased his brother's interest and has been sole proprietor of the beautiful resort. McCullough Lake and Park cover 44 acres, 26 acres of which is water, the lake furnishing the water used by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway Company at Lima. In 1903, after having already made many improvements on the property, Mr. McCullough erected a fine auditorium, with a seating capacity for 2,000 people, the resort being equipped with bath houses, pleasure boats and every modern convenience demanded by visitors. In winter the lake affords fine skating and in summer; excellent fishing, its waters abounding in black bass. The new auditorium has been fitted with a stage, 30 by 40 feet in size, and entertainments of an interesting character are frequently presented. During the season it is largely patronized by those who thus find, near at home, better accommodations and attractions than can be obtained at a distance. 38 George W. McCullough was educated in the schools of Lima and the Iron City Commercial College of Pittsburg, from which he was graduated in 1882. He then entered into a mercantile business on East Market street, Lima, which he conducted until 1898. Since then his attention has mainly been given to his present enterprise. In 1886 Mr. McCullough was married to Ella E. Kelly, who is a daughter of H. B. Kelly, editor of the Allen County Democrat. Mr. McCullough has been active in civic life, and at one time served as a member of the City Council. JOSEPH WOOLEY, a substantial business man of Lima, and an extensive dealer of walnut lumber, was born in Miami County, Ohio, October 12, 1845. His father was W. L. Wooley, who,, during the childhood of our subject, moved to Shelby County, this State, and there was engaged in farming until his death. Joseph Wooley was reared and received his education in Shelby County and was a farmer there until he was about 32 years of age, when he embarked in the sawmill business. This he continued until 1885, when he located in Van Wert, Ohio, and opened a mill for the manufacture of sporting goods. While thus engaged he was led to realize the difficulty experienced in obtaining the raw material, and in 1901 came to Lima to establish a sawmill for the purpose of better supplying this demand. He thus handles walnut lumber and sporting goods exclusively, and sells to manufacturers of golf clubs, ball bats, tennis racquets, etc. He has been supplying stock for the manufacture of the "League" bats to A. G. Spalding & Brothers, of Chicago, who have recently placed an order with him for 30 carloads of timber to be used in this line. Mr. Wooley's stock now sells so readily that he not only disposes of the output of his own mill, but the product of four other establishments as well. Mr. Wooley was married, in 1876, to Laura E. Monroe, who is a native of Shelby 742 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY County. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a man whose energy and enterprise have placed him among the leading business men of this section. JAMES ALEXANDER, an influential citizen of Allentown, this county, was born December 31, 1842, in German township, Allen County, Ohio, about one mile from his present home. He is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Howsel) Alexander and a grandson of James Alexander, who came here from Pennsylvania about 1838. James Alexander, subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in German township, where he enlisted in the 118th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and served during the Civil War. He was a farmer and upon returning home resumed his old-time occupation. He owns a fine farm in section 32, German township and the home residence in Allentown. Among the near neighbors of the Alexanders was the family of John and Nancy (Dougherty) Cremean, who had also located in the county at an early day. The children of the two families played together, attended the same school and grew up together, and, on December 24, 1865, a still stronger bond was formed in the union of James Alexander and Lydia Cremean. Six children were born to them, namely : William, born October 7, 1866, who married Annie Coon, resides in Lima, and was the father of one child, who died in infancy ; Elizabeth. born March 20, 1868, who married Richard Smith and is the mother of six children—Terry Palmer, Violet Chloe, Lela, Belbe, James Berlin and one who died in infancy ; Elizabeth, who resided in Van Wert County, where she died May 30, 1905; Charles, born January 7, 1870, who married May Snyder, of Albany, Indiana, and has one child, Beatrice—he resides in Bloomdale, Wood County, Ohio, where he is engaged in the ministerial work of the United Brethren Church ; Oras Albertus, born March 12, 1874, who died January 26, 1881 ; Emma, born April 12, 1876, who married John Bowersox and is the mother of two children—Irene and James Cecil ; and Harley, born April 12, 1884, who married Jesse Long and is the father of one child, James Wayne. Mr. Alexander is a member of the United Brethren Church of Allentown, and a man of integrity and sterling worth. W. T. AGERTER, secretary and treasurer of The Lima Locomotive & Machine Company, whose works are among the largest industrial plants of this city, was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, October 16, 1859, and is a son of John Agerter, formerly a well-known civil engineer who now lives retired at Upper Sandusky. Mr. Agerter was reared and educated at Upper Sandusky, and later completed a commercial course at the Poughkeepsie (New York) Business College, after which he entered the employ of F. B. Hedges & Company, at Pittsburg, as bookkeeper. On January 1, 1881, he assumed a similar position with The Lima Machine Works. In 1884, on the death of his uncle, Frederick Agerter, he became secretary and treasurer of the Lima Machine Works, and continued in the same capacity after the reorganization of the business and the forming of The Lima Locomotive & Machine Company. He has other business connections, being proprietor of The Dairy Implement Company. He is also interested in the "Glen Oak Stock Farm," situated 10 miles west of Lima on the Auglaize River. He owns much valuable live stock, all of high grade and much of it registered. Mr. Agerter married Carlotta Disman, a daughter of George W. Disman, one of the proprietors of the Lima Machine Works, who died in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Agerter have two children—Rose E. and W. T., Jr., both of whom are attending school at Lima. For eight years Mr. Agerter was a member of the Lima Board of Education and is one of the most useful members of the Lima Progressive Association. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 743 Politically Mr. Agerter is a Democrat. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, an organization which, in Lima, numbers the majority of the business men. Socially, Mr. Agerter belongs to the Lima Club and the Shawnee Country Clubs. EMORY H. DORSEY, one of Lima's hustlers, was born in Carroll County, Maryland, in the year 1868, being a son of A. C. Dorsey, who was a painter by trade. In the year 1871, when three years of age, he came with his parents to Lima, which city has since been his home. He began his active business career in 1889 at the age of 18 years as a clerk in the grocery of Watson & Company. Later he opened a store himself, engaging in the flour and feed business with a very limited capital, which business he conducted with very good success. In the year 1900 he added a complete line of staple groceries, since which time he has prospered beyond his expectations. He is regarded as one of the leading business men of Lima. In 1899 Mr. Dorsey erected the Dorsey Block, a beautiful two-story structure at Nos. 206-208 South Main street, in which the lower floor is divided into two fine business rooms, while the upper floor is arranged in two elegant flats. This building he recently sold and then purchased the Judge Collett property at No. 218 South Main street, and is at the present time preparing to erect a three-story structure upon the lot with ground dimensions of 52 by l00 feet. The lower floor is to be divided into two business rooms, while the second and third floors are to be fitted up into up-to-date flats. He also owns other very valuable real estate in Lima, among which is a very modern and comfortable home at No. 742 West Spring street, in which the family reside. In 1888 Mr. Dorsey was married to Ella Anspach and to them have been born three children : Two sons—Earl C. and Karl J., aged 16 and 11 years respectively—and one daughter—Gail, aged nine years. All the children are attending school. Mr. Dorsey belongs to that class of citizens whose push and energy have so materially assisted in the development of the city, and in bringing about its present prosperity. CASSIUS M. JOLLEY, one of Lima's most esteemed residents and older business men and also an honored veteran of the Civil War, was born in Marion County, Ohio, in 1844, and is a son of Elisha and Achsa (Davis) Jolley. Elisha Jolley was a pioneer at Lima, coming here first from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1833. He remained but a short time, locating then in Marion County, but in 1845 he returned to Lima and engaged in a merchant tailoring business during the remainder of his active life. His wife was born in Ohio. Cassius M. Jolley was only one year old when his parents came to Lima, and this city has been his settled home ever since, his absence from it being only during the years in which he was at the front as a soldier of the Civil War. He was one of the earliest to enlist after the first call for. troops ; during this term of three months he suffered so severe an injury to his foot that he was obliged to return home. About two years passed before the member was sufficiently strong to enable him to again return to the ranks. In 1864 he was a second time accepted and became identified with Company F, 32nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., being mustered into the service at Columbus. The 32nd Ohio immediately joined Sherman's army in the historic campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, taking part in the seige of the latter city. Mr. Jolley witnessed the mortal wounding of the brave and beloved General McPherson, and, as the regiment was under almost daily fire, saw many of his comrads fall. He was engaged with his company in the battles at Jonesboro and Bentonville, and 744 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY participated in the Grand Review at, Washington. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 5, 1865. Upon his return to Lima, Mr. Jolley immediately entered into business. For the first 12 years he engaged in making boots and shoes, then was interested in a grocery, and later in the manufacture of nitro-glycerine and in shooting oil-wells. For about 15 years he engaged in the manufacture, handling and use of that explosive without any accidents, but since October, 1904, he has carried on a safer business. He is now engaged in the cigar, tobacco and periodical business, with his son, Erle E., under the firm name of Jolley & Jolley, having excellent quarters in the Lima House Block, on East Market street. He is one of the substantial business men of the city, and owns some valuable property, including five acres of land, situated in German township, adjacent to the city. Mr. Jolley was married, in 1873, to Grace Weiler, who is a daughter of William and Ann E. (Filson) Weiler, both natives of Pennsylvania. Formerly Mr. Weiler was a farmer in Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jolley have five children, namely : James L., connected with the Michael Clothing & Shoe Company, at Lima ; Erle E., of the firm of Jolley & Jolley ; Ralph C., engaged in a milk business at Lima; Lena Dot, wife of Bert Wilson, of the L. E. & W. Railroad shops ; and Iva, living at home. Mr. Jolley and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an active member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R.   L. W. PAGE, assistant superintendent of the South Lima Division of The Buckeye Pipe Line Company, is a native of Nova Scotia. He is a son of James M. Page, who was engaged in handling monuments for many years, but is now retired from business and residing at Rothesay, New Brunswick. Mr. Page was educated in Nova Scotia, taking an academic course and then locating in Boston, Massachusetts, where he conducted a drug-store for about five years. From 1890 to 1895 he was engaged in the same business in Brooklyn, and then accepted a place on the construction gang of the Eureka Pipe Line Company, which was stationed at Sistersville, West Virginia. He was made assistant foreman of the company and sent to Marietta, Ohio, later going to Kentucky as foreman of the Cumberland Pipe Line Company. For a time he was located at Van Buren, Indiana, as. foreman of the Indiana Pipe Line Company, and thence came to Lima, on July 1, 1905, as assistant superintendent. Mr. Page was married, in 1896, to Zaidee Fullerton, of Montclair, New Jersey, a lady of many pleasing qualities. They have four children, namely : Florence Virginia, Lawson .Ful lerton, Elvena and Daniel. Mr. and Mrs. Page are prominent and popular members of the First Baptist Church of Lima. Mr. Page. was made an Elk in the Marietta lodge, and still retains his membership in that body. M. C. RICKETTS, locomotive engineer on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, with a passenger run. between Lima and Tipton (Indiana), is one of the well-known and valued citizens of the former place, whose residence here covers a period of 25 years. Reis also an honored survivor of the Civil War. Mr. Ricketts was born near Morrow, Warren County, Ohio, in 1843, and is a son of Zadock Ricketts. The Ricketts family is one of age and distinction in old Virginia, and there the father of Mr. Ricketts was born in 1803, at Fairfax. Court House, Culpeper County. He came to-Ohio about 1830 and settled in Warren County, where he became a man of substance and a. leading agriculturist. M. C. Ricketts attended school in Warren County until he was 15 years of age, and then assisted on the homestead for two years longer. At the age of 18 years he enlisted for. service in the Civil War, joining Company A, 35th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., entering the service at. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 745 Hamilton, Ohio, and being mustered out at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The years intervening were filled with the hardships which attend a soldier's life, and that his service was one of constant activity and danger may be inferred by recalling the battles in which he participated. The list includes : Perryville, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Corinth, Chickamauga, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the fall of Atlanta and the "March t0 the Sea." Upon his return from the army, Mr. Ricketts resumed work on the home farm until January 19, 1872, when he began railroading. For four years he served as fireman and for one year as engineer, on the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad, and then became an engineer on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. In 1881 he located at Lima, becoming connected with the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, of which he is a trustworthy passenger engineer running between Lima and Tipton, Indiana. On October 26, 1871, Mr. Ricketts was married to Cynthia Brant, who died October 10, 1899, leaving one son, F. B., who is employed in the drug-store of Harold Cunningham in Lima. Mr. Ricketts was married on August 28, 1903, to Jennie R. Conrath, who is a daughter of Israel Conrath, of Lima. Mr. Conrath was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, where he married Elizabeth Lydict. Mr. Conrath is now 580 years of age, while his wife is 76; they have long been residents of Ohio. In political sentiment, Mr. Ricketts is a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote on the occasion of the second election of Abraham Lincoln, and has consistently supported the party candidates and measures ever since. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities. In religious views he is a Methodist, while Mrs. Ricketts is a member of the Christian Church. The pleasant family home is located at No. 514 South Pine street, Lima. MADISON L. BOWYER, a venerable and esteemed farmer of German township, has been a resident of Allen County for almost three-quarters of a century. An only child of Isaac and Elizabeth (McMullen) Bowyer, he was born in Monroe County, Virginia, January 12, 1826. His father was a son of Adam Bowyer and was born in Monroe County, Virginia, in 1802. The mother was born in Bedford County, Virginia, and was a daughter of Matthew McMullen. When our subject was a child of four. years, his parents decided to try their fortunes on the broad and fertile prairie lands of Illinois, the new territory which was alluring so many settlers t0 the then far West. Accordingly all their household goods and farming implements were loaded into wagons and. the journey begun. It was a tedious trip, through an almost trackless forest with the houses of the settlers sometimes miles apart, but as no quicker mode of transportation was then known in the section of country traversed the travelers doubtless thought they were completing their journey in very good time. Winter .found them still on the road and, as the weather was severe, it was thought best to stop over until spring. The halting place was in Ross County, Ohio, where the winter of 1830 was spent. When they resumed their journey the following year, they came only so far as what is now Allen C0unty, settling on a farm near Elida. This property is still owned by our, subject and was the home of the family for over 60 years. Madison L. Bowyer has been twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Priddy, a native of Ohio and daughter of William Priddy. They had the following children : Josephine, who married James Leech of Lima and has two sons, Guy and Dale,. both of whom are married, the former having four children, of whom one is dead; Martha Jane, who married Anderson Llewellyn ; Clara Lindi, wife of Lon Bower, of Lima and the mother of four children, three of whom are living; Amanda Ellen, wife of Albert Busha, of Cleveland ; Isaac ; John ; Charles; Mary ; Annie Eliza ; and Georgia, the three last named having passed 746 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY to the higher life. About 28 years ago Mr. Bowyer was married to his present wife who was then Delia Strayer, daughter of Daniel Strayer, of Fairfield County, Ohio. The one child born to this union was with them here but a brief space, before it was taken to the home above. Mr. Bowyer has been a hardworking, industrious man and has richly earned the prosperity which has attended him and enables him and his estimable wife to spend their declining years in ease amid the scores of warm friends by whom they are surrounded. Mr. Bowyer is a Republican and for a number of years was a school director in German township, an office he accepted on account of his deep interest in all educational matters. He is a consistent member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, of Lima, and a man of the strictest integrity. LEVI BALSBAUGH, superintendent of the boiler department of the Lima Locomotive and Machine Works, the largest manufacturing plant at Lima, efficiently fills a very responsible position. He was born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Henry Balsbaugh, - also of that city. Mr. Balsbaugh was reared and educated in his native city. When a lad he began to take an interest in machinery, with the result that when he was only 20 years old he had so thoroughly mastered the boiler-makers trade that he was sent to Roanoke, Virginia, to take the position of assistant foreman of the Norfolk & Western Railway shops. This position he filled for five years, learning every practical detail in connection with the complicated machinery used in the great plant. From this responsible position in Roanoke, he entered the Richmond, Virginia, Locomotive Works as a journeyman worker, and served in every capacity until he became foreman, remaining with that company for 10 years. His next place of employment was with the Baldwin Locomotive Works, at Philadelphia, which are the largest in the United States, and he re- mained there for five years as assistant foreman. With this record behind him he came to Lima, in 1903, to become superintendent of the boiler department of the Lima Locomotive & Machine Works. He is a skilled artisan and a man thoroughly competent to also exercise executive authority. In 1887 Mr. Balsbaugh was married to Rosa Hoover, who is a daughter of Alexander Hoover, of Wytheville, Virginia. Mr. Balsbaugh has associated himself with the Young Men's Christian Association since coming to Lima and has won the esteem and friendship of those with wh0m he has come in contact. He belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (both the subordinate lodge and the encampment). He is largely a self-made man and the success he has won has been secured through his own efforts, persistently and intelligently directed. HOWARD L. KAY, one of the progressive young business men of Spencerville, conducts a large real estate, loan and investment business, with office on Broadway. Mr. Kay was born at Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois, and is a son of James W. and Adeline (Ellingwood) Kay. The father of Mr. Kay was born in Illinois and the mother in Indiana. They were pioneer in Iroquois County, where they became prosperous farmers, and there the father still lives, advanced in years. The mother died February 19, 1889. Their children were : Wendell P., who is master in chancery at Watseka, Illinois ; Howard L. ; Wilbur Jones, late of the Chicago University, who now fills the chair of public speaking, in the faculty of Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pennsylvania ; and Miriam Ruth, who married Ralph Fraser Paine and resides near Paines, Michigan. Howard L. Kay completed the primary school course in his native locality and continued his studies in Grand. Prairie Seminary at Onarga, Illinois, where he was subsequently AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 747 graduated. 'He then entered Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, as a member of the class of 15897. In addition to being an excellent man of business, Mr. Kay, from childhood, has possessed musical talent. This talent has been cultivated and he is an accomplished musician. His fine tenor voice has been carefully trained under celebrated vocal teachers, both in New York and Chicago. He has entire charge of the choir of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Spencerville, and the music rendered in the services of this church would reflect credit upon a musical organization of a much larger place. Howard L. Kay was united in marriage with Bessie Bice, who is a daughter of William and Tabitha (Sunderland) Bice. They have two children, viz : Webster Bice and James Philip. Mrs. Kay, like her husband, is a talented and accomplished musician. She has had musical instruction from many of the noted teachers of the country, and her beautiful, sweet, clear soprano voice assists in making the music rendered by the Spencerville church choir especially enjoyable. She belongs to one of the old and honorable families of substance in this part of Ohio, one which has been connected with its material development for many years. WILLIAM BICE, father, of Mrs. Kay, was born at Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio, March 158, 1824, and died on his homestead, in Allen County, just out of Spencerville, on February 58, 1900. He was first married on January 20, 1847, to Anna Sunderland, and there were two children born to them, viz : Francis and Orlando. The latter married Lucretia Courtshire, who was reared by Leonidas Post, another of the old settlers of the western section of Allen County. On December 11, 1856, William Bice was married to his second wife, Tabitha Sunderland, who was born September 1, 1836, and is a daughter of Dye and Mary (Berryman) Sunderland. The Sunderlands were the fourth white family to settle in Allen County. They had 12 children, of whom one died in infancy, and another at the age of three years ; the remaining 10 all reached maturity and reared families of their own. Mrs. Bice and her sister, Mrs. Mary. Jane Mars, now past 88 years of age, a resident of Decatur, Illinois, are the only survivors. The children of William Bice born to his second union were nine in number, the survivors being as follows : Amarilla, who is the wife of R. T. Sutton ; Anna M., who is the wife of S. W. Kemp, of Spencerville ; William Adolph, who married Effa Gallant ; Mercy Naomi, who is the wife of B. G. Hover, of Lima ; Andrew W., M. D., who was coroner of Allen County from 1902 to 1905 ; and Bessie, who is the wife of Howard L. Kay. The late William Bice was reared among the Quakers at Salem, Columbiana County, and all his life lived according to their upright teachings. After his second marriage, he settled on the homestead now occupied by his widow, which is situated just south of Spencerville. At present Mrs. Bice's son-in-law, Mr. Kay, has the historic 0ld farm under lease. An old Indian burying ground once occupied a part of it, and Dr. Andrew W. Bice has taken a great interest in making a collection of relics of the days of the aborigines found here. Mr. Kay has recently stocked the old farm with a fine assortment of sheep and hogs, and the management has been entrusted to an experienced farmer, and stock-raiser. Mrs. Bice belongs to one of the oldest families in the c0unty, as mentioned above, and her recollections of the days of her girlhood and early married years are most entertaining and instructive. It scarcely seems possible, in conversing with this animated, intelligent and well-preserved lady, to believe that she lived in the days when the Indians still wandered in numbers over all this country and sat at her father's hearthstone, receiving his bounty. She recalls only their friendliness and their willingness to barter fur for, food. In the days of which Mrs. Bice tells, it was not considered a very great hardship to live in a log cabin with earthen floor and with home-made quilts hung at the open door for protection. Mr. Bice kept on accumulating land until he owned 530 acres. Subsequently he gave 748 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY his children all but 225 acres, retaining this in the home stead farm, which is now a property of large value. Mrs. Bice recalls well the old walnut canoe which was used in early days to cross the Auglaize River. She was carefully reared by an excellent mother who taught her all the housewifely arts of those days. Her. mother was a famous weaver and she taught her daughter to spin and weave and also to dye the coverlets, such as are now occasionally found in the possession of old families and are preserved as treasures. The old Bice homestead has many of these wonderful examples of industry and taste. At school Mrs. Bice stood as one of the best spellers, that being quite a distinction in her day. She was also an expert horsewoman and relates that upon one occassion, being invited to attend the wedding of Lenora Pupinore with Thomas Leach, she started on horseback, with a party consisting of six couples. Upon reaching the home of the bride there being no gates, she jumped the bars and as she was the first on the scene had the honor of receiving the first taste of the "wedding bottle," a feature of these occasions. General Black- burn was present at this wedding. Looking at the life lived in the early days of Mrs. Bice, it seems to modern views to have been one filled with toil, hardship and privation ; but it was not so regarded by many of those who still survive ; for they undoubtedly possessed a will and courage equal to the emergencies they met and successfully overcame, and a practical habit of thought that converted their necessary industry and frugality into pleasure. The old orchard standing on the homestead was partly set out by Indians who thus assisted Mr. Bice, with whom they were always on friendly terms. Under on old locust tree still standing in the orchard is the old horse mill where Mr. Bice converted bushels of apples into sweet, wholesome cider. It gave the family refreshments during the long, winter evenings ; Mrs. Bice also boiled it down for cooking purposes, making in one year 60 gallons of the real old-fashioned apple-butter, which she disposed of in Delphos, realizing the sum of $300 for her work. W. H. WOOLEVY, senior member of the firm of Woolevy & Ramseyer, proprietors of the City Book Store, the oldest institution of its kind in Lima, was born in 1854 at Selma, Alabama, where he lived until after the close of the Civil War., when his parents moved to Miami County, Ohio. Mr. Woolevy began his business career as traveling representative of the National Wall Paper Company, which he served for 11 years. For the past six years, in partnership with Otto F. Ramseyer, he has been interested in the present enterprise, the firm .having purchasd the business from Mr. Robinson. Both Mr. Woolevy and Mr. Ramseyer are also interested in the National Anchor Company. In 1881 Mr. Woolevy was married to Emma Leyburn, and they have one daughter, Nellie, who is the wife of W. O. Davis, who is a conductor on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. JACOB EDWARD BOWSHER, one of the representative citizens and intelligent farmers of Amanda township, was born April 2, 1873, in Shawnee township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Israel and Elizabeth (Killian) Bowsher. Mr. Bowsher comes of pioneer ancestry in Ohio, and of a family which is numerous all over the United States. His grandparents, Benjamin and Elizabeth (De Long) Bowsher, came to Shawnee township, Allen County, in 1836, settling in what was then a wilderness. The family lived in an Indian wigwam until the round-log house of the period was constructed, it being necessary to clear a site on which it could be erected. The father of our subject, Israel Bowsher, was not born here, being six years of age when the family came, but he was reared in Shawnee township, married here and reared a very large family. The survivors are : Elias, a farmer of Shawnee township ; Franklin, of Shawnee township ; Mary E. (Mrs. Ridenour), of Paulding