AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 751 County ; Charles A., of Shawnee township ; and Jacob Edward, of Amanda township. Jacob Edward Bowsher was reared on the farm in Shawnee township, where like other youths of the neighborhood, he attended school through the fall and winter months, giving his assistance on the farm during the spring and summer. He also attended Lima College and the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and thus had an advantage over many of his companions. He taught school for some 12 months in Shawnee township prior, to settling down to farming, and is one of the best read and most thoughtful, intelligent men of his community. Mr. Bowsher came to his present fine farm of 106 acres, situated in section 27, Amanda township, in December, 1896, this being a farm once owned by his father. It was mostly new land and Mr. Bowsher has cleared 22 acres and placed the cleared portion of the property under a fine state of tillage, has remodeled and erected buildings and has demonstrated his industry and ability as an agriculturist. In 1895 Mr. Bowsher was married to Amanda E. Hocker, who is a daughter of Louis and Catherine (Herring) Hocker, and they have an interesting family of five children, viz : Brandon De Witt, Waldo Gern, Ethelind Joy, Lovell Constance and Audrey Rudolph. Mr. Bowsher is one of the most zealous supporters of the public schools and for three years has been a member, of the School Board. In April, 1904, he was appointed trustee of Amanda township and in April following he was elected to the office, in which he is still giving intelligent and effective service. He is one of the leading members of the Lutheran Church in Shawnee township near Criderville. WALTER P. BLOOM, proprietor of the largest lumber and coal yards in Lima, is also an agriculturist and stock-raiser of considerable prominence, and is widely known as one of the best posted men in the lumber business. He is a native of Detroit, Michigan, was born August 23, 1867, and is a son of O. C. Bloom, who is a highly esteemed citizen of Allen County, residing on the farm of our subject. The elder Bloom was for 36 years engaged in the mail service in Detroit; he retired to spend the evening of life in the quiet of the country. He is a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Fifth Michigan Regiment. Walter P. Bloom was educated in Detroit, and began his business career as bell-boy in the Michigan Exchange Hotel. A short time later he embarked in the lumber industry, entering the employ of W. A. C. Meller, with whom he remained for more than three years, becoming familiar with every feature of the business and gaining a thorough knowledge of the work required of an inspector. From there he went to Northern Michigan, visiting Bay City, Saginaw and all the principal lumber. centers along the lake shore as inspector, at the same time conducting a small individual trade in lumber. Following this experience, he was inspector and buyer for C. W. Restrick for a few years, purchasing all the material handled by that gentleman. His knowledge of the business was so thorough that he became well known throughout the lumber district, and he was offered a lucrative position as salesman with Bennett Brothers, of Muskegon, Michigan. He remained with them about six years, or until 1894, and was their able representative in Ohio and Indiana and in Pennsylvania and other Eastern States. For some time having contemplated engaging in business for himself, in 1894 he came to Lima and established the largest lumber-yards in the city, placing therein a complete stock of both hard and soft lumber and also a supply of coal. He does a large wholesale and retail trade, and keeps a number of traveling salesmen continually employed, occasionally taking a portion of the territory himself. In order to fill all his orders satisfactorily he purchases his stock in the various markets of the North and South and in California. Mr. Bloom is also largely interested in farming and stock-raising, and carries on this work with a success equal to that which he has achieved in the lumber and coal business. He owns two fine farms in Allen County, and is a breeder of draft horses which have more than a local reputation and find a ready market. Mr. Bloom was married, in 1891, to Flor- 752 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ence Langley, daughter of Charles Langley, deceased, a native of London, England, who came to America and for a number of years was a shipbuilder of Detroit. Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bloom : Milton D., Powell H., and Walter L. The second son died in 1901, aged eight years. Mr. Bloom is a member of the First Congregational Church, of which he is treasurer and trustee. He fraternizes with the Royal. Arcanum. His portrait accompanies this sketch. ALFRED J. YOUNG, formerly an extensive farmer in Bath township, but for the last two years a business man of Lima, who deals extensively in hay, was born in 1863 in Richland township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Freeman and Charity (Roberts) Young. The father of Mr. Young is now a resident of Beaver Dam, Ohio. In 1850 he came to Allen County. Charity Roberts, who became his wife, was a daughter of Washington Roberts, one of the pioneers of Allen County. The children of Freeman Young are : Wilson, a farmer of Richland township; G. Washington, a farmer and hay dealer, of Beaver Dam; Emma, the wife of Cyrus Marshall, of Richland township; Eugene, of Richland township; and Alfred J., of Lima. Alfred J. Young was reared in Richland township, and secured a good, common-school education there. He remained on the home farm until about 25 years of age, and then bought a farm of 100 acres in Bath township, which he operated very successfully until he retired from farming, in 1904. He then moved to Lima and engaged in a feed business for one year, after which he went into the hay business. He is a heavy dealer in this commodity, baling and shipping large quantities every year. Mr. Young was married December 2, 1884, to Phoebe Baker, who is a daughter of William and Deborah (Kollar) Baker. The late William Baker came to Allen County in 1863. His wife Deborah was a daughter of Joseph Kollar, formerly a leading farmer of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and a soldier of the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Baker had nine children, as follows: Joseph, living on the home farm in Bath township; Ella, wife of G. Stockton, of Van Buren, Indiana ; Margaret, wife of G. W. Young, of Beaver Dam, Ohio; Pleaza, wife of William Roeder, of Bath township; Phoebe, wife of A. J. Young; Emma, wife of Samuel Roeder, of Lima; Rilla, wife of Daniel Armentrout, of Bath township; Molly, wife of John Norman, of Lima; and Hays, also of Lima. Mr. Baker died in June, 1904, but Mrs. Baker still survives and resides in Bath township. The members of the family are well and favorably known. Mr. and Mrs. Young have two children, Mertie O. and Grace, the latter still in school. The family belong to the United Brethren Church. Mr. Young is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The family residence is at No. 843 West Spring street. GEORGE KLEIN, one of Lima's well-known citizens, who has been con. nected with the machine shops of the C., H. & D. Railway for over a quarter of a century, and is treasurer of the Citizens' Loan & Building Company, of Lima, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1855, and is a son of Martin Klein, a native of Germany, who came directly to Lima in 1876. George Klein was educated in his native land and was 17 years old when he came to Lima, Ohio. Here he entered the employ of the machine department of the C., H. & D. Railway, and there he has remained for 34 years, with the exception of one year when he worked in the Pennsylvania shops. He has an established reputation for reliability and efficiency. In 1876 Mr. Klein was married to Lizzie Schnabel, who is a daughter of John Schnabel, a mechanic, who came from Germany and settled at Lima in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Klein have five children, namely : Anna, who graduated at the Lima High School in 1896, and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 753 has been teaching in the public schools since 1897; Flora, who also graduated at the Lima High School, in 1902, and is a stenographer for the Chown Commercial Company, having also taken a business course; Bertha, who was graduated in 1903 from the Lima High School and is the wife of Herman Rable, a boilermaker in the railroad shops at Lima; Charles, who is a machinist now serving his apprenticeship with the C., H. & D. Railway ; and Lillian, who is a student in the Lima High School. Mr. Klein and family belong to the German Reformed Church in which he has been an elder for a number of years. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. He is a man of quiet tastes, an independent thinker, and while not active in political life, he is always interested in all matters that promote the general welfare. WILLIAM ROUSH, M. D., one of Spencerville's well established physicians and surgeons, belongs to an old pioneer family of Allen County. He was born on the old homestead in Amanda township, December 6, 1864, and is a son of Jacob M. and Elizabeth (Holtzapple) Roush. The family is of Pennsylvania-Dutch extraction. The father of Dr. Roush was born in Pennsylvania in 1816 and came to Ohio in 1848. He lived to be over 77 years of age. He married Elizabeth Holtzapple, who died in 1903, aged over 76 years. They had 12 children, of whom two sons and two daughters still survive. Dr. Roush received his primary education in the district schools and spent two years at Elida, also two terms at the Ohio Normal University. at Ada, following which he taught school for four years in Marion and Amanda townships. He read medicine for 18 months with Dr. S. A. Hitchcock, at Elida, before entering the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He was graduated in the class of 1891, receiving a gold medal for his high standing on general examination. He settled first at Elida, but removed in 1893 to Spencerville, where he now controls a very satisfactory practice. At various times he has taken postgraduate courses at Baltimore and Cincinnati. He belongs to all the leading medical organizations of county and State. In 1893, he was appointed pension examiner, and served during President Cleveland's second administration. He has always taken a more or less active part in politics as becomes an intelligent citizen, and he has also shown his interest in public matters by serving on the Board of Public Service, the Board of Education and other civic bodies; he was one of the original trustees of the city electric plant. In June, 1894, Dr. Roush was married to Vade Wright, a native of Highland County, Ohio, a sister of County Commissioner Samuel W. Wright and a daughter of W. G. Wright, now a resident of Michigan. They have three children, viz : Gerald, Richard and Lucile. Dr. Roush belongs to Lima Lodge, No. 162, B. P. O. E., and is a past grand of Deep Cut Lodge, No. 311, I. O. O. F., and a past chief patriarch of Spencerville Encampment, No. 279. J. H. SECREST, attorney-at-law at Lima, and junior partner of the law firm of Klinger & Secrest, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1871, and is a son of Noah E. and Eliza J. (Spriggs) Secrest. Noah E. Secrest is a prominent agriculturist of Guernsey County. He married Eliza J. Spriggs, who was a daughter of Morris Spriggs, and a brother of Joseph W. Spriggs, a prominent attorney of Portland, Oregon, and of John P. Spriggs, who was the Democratic candidate for judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio from Woodsfield, in 1902, and was formerly judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Another brother is Judge David S. Spriggs, of Caldwell, Ohio, one of the ablest attorneys in the State, long a judge on the common pleas bench and a popular candidate for Congress. It will thus be seen that Mr. Secrest came naturally into the profession of the law, undoubtedly inheriting a tendency in this direc- 754 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY tion. He remained at home on his father's farm, attending the local schools, until he was 17 years of age, and then entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he was graduated in the classical course, receiving the degree of M. A. in 1894. His law reading was commenced at the university and was continued in the office of Spriggs & Spriggs, at Paulding, Ohio, and later, with Risser & Smith, at Ottawa. He was admitted to the bar in 1903. The following year he located at Lima and entered into his present partnership. The firms are located in the Metropolitan Building. In addition to a large practice Mr. Secrest devotes some time to other important business interests. After completing a very liberal education, Mr. Secrest served for three years as county school examiner of Paulding County. He was superintendent of schools at Antwerp, Ohio, for six years and for three years at Ottawa. In 1903 he was put forward by the Democratic party as the candidate for school commissioner of Ohio. Fraternally, Mr. Secrest is a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Ottawa. He is recognized as a young man of great ability and has already made a name in his chosen profession. M. D. MASON is a representative agriculturist of Allen County, and has passed his entire life on a farm in section 16, Bath township. where he was born October 3, 1840. He lives on a farm of 73 1/4 acres adjoining the place of his birth. His parents were Jarvis and Elizabeth (Hall) Mason, the former a native of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and the latter, of Oneida County, New York. The Mason family was founded in America in 1649 by Alexander Mason, who came to this country from England and took up large tracts of land along the seacoast of Massachusetts. Little more is known concerning him, except that he was of Scotch-Irish lineage. Elisha Mason, the grandfather of our subject, was a descendant of this Alexander Mason, belonging to the fourth generation, and farmed on the ancestral acres in Massachusetts. Jarvis Mason was born January 6, 1789, and learned the trade of a stone mason while a boy and built a great many walls with "niggerheads" or boulders. He went to Oneida County where he was married. Later he returned to his native State, but shortly after again went to New York where he lived until his removal to Ohio in 1834, when he brought with him his wife and seven children, leaving two children in the East. They had a family of 15 children, six having been born after their removal to Ohio. Franklin, an elder son, had preceded the family here one year. He was a blacksmith and set up the first anvil used in Allen County ; but soon abandoned his trade to take up the more lucrative work of teaming, making trips to Columbus, Dayton, Toledo and other points. General Armstrong related to our subject that he had at one time, about 1836, employed Franklin, who had the only horse team here then, to make a trip to Columbus for cannon, the return journey taking six weeks. Franklin Mason was laid to rest in the cemetery at Lima. M. D. Mason owns part of the original quarter section entered by his father and cleared and put under cultivation by the family. For many years the family occupied the little cabin, but Mr. Mason has a cozy, comfortable residence and has improved his place until it is equal to the best. He was married October 2, 1866, to Amy L. Snyder, who was born September 13, 1848, in Bath township, and is a daughter of Peter and Clarinda (Edgecomb) Snyder, the former of New York and the latter of Trumbull County, Ohio. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mason, viz : Clarinda, who married Frank Roeder, of Lima ; Elmer, who was murdered in 1904, aged 36 years ; Frank, killed in an accident ; Pulaski, of Lima ; Jennie, wife of Claud Hennen, of Lima ; Milton ; Luella ; Talma, wife of C. D. Miller, of Lima ; Nellie, wife of James Richards, of Michigan ; Harry ; Charles ; Donald ; and Amy. Mr. Mason is a Republican and has served as trustee three terms ; for several years he was on the School Board. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 755 HENRY C. RICHARDSON, druggist at Spencerville, was born in October, 1860, on the Richardson farm in Allen County, and is a son of George Washington and Julia Ann (Francis) Richardson. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Richardson was William Richardson, a veteran of the War of 1812, who was born and reared in the shadow of the Blue Mountains, in Virginia. He came of sturdy, virile mountain ancestry and lived to the age of 106 years, dying in Ohio. His son, George Washington Richardson, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, February 27, 1822, and died January 30, 1879, in Allen County, having settled in Amanda township in 1858. In 1841 he was married to Julia Ann Francis, who was born near the Ohio River, in Virginia, March 4, 1822, and died July 14, 1900. She was quite young when her parents moved to Auglaize County, Ohio, where she was married. The children of George Washington Richardson and wife were : William, Daniel, Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah Ellen, George Washington, Henry C., David Mc., and Emma Jane. William Richardson was born March 14, 1842, and is a veteran of the Civil War. He was married May 15, 1861, to Mary E. Miller, and they have seven children. Daniel Richardson was born June 8, 1844, and was a veteran of the Civil War. He was married April 6, 1867, to Lydia Miller, who survives him with six children. He died in Kansas, November 26, 1886, and was buried in Allen County. Elizabeth Richardson was born February 7, 1848, and died in March, 1880. She married William Harruff and is survived by four children. Margaret Richardson was born May 14, 1854, and was married June 24, 1871, to Simon Shaffer, of Spencerville; they have six children. Sarah Ellen Richardson was born September 7, 1856, and was married May 8, 1875, and died in Charleston, Missouri, in August, 1902. She is survived by her husband, W. T. Hooker, and children. George Washington Richardson (2), named for his father, was born May 9, 1858, and was married July 21, 1879, to Fannie A. Logan. She was born in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, April 24, 1858, and is a daughter of David and Mary Ann (Graham) Logan. Of their five children, three sons-C. C., G. C. and John E.-survive. David Mc. Richardson was born May 13, 1864, and was married January 18, 1882, to Emma Whirl. Emma Jane Richardson was born May 9, 1866, and was married February 12, 1883, to John McDonald, of Buffalo, New York. The parents of this family united with the Christian Church under Elder Whetstone, when they were about 3o years of age. On February i o, 1888, the mother united with the congregation at Spencerville, under Elder C. J. Hance. At the time of her decease she had been a member of the Christian Church for 50 years, and this fact was dwelt upon by Rev. W. L. Lundy at the time of her funeral. Henry C. Richardson was primarily educated in the local schools and then took a course in pharmacy in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where het was graduated in 1891. After a period of clerking at Ada and then at Cincinnati, he came to Spencerville, and later, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Harmon Dunathan, purchased the Harbison drug business and also was in a drug partnership with Mr. Dunathan at St. Marys. When this business association was dissolved ; Mr. Richardson continued at Spencerville and Mr. Dunathan at St. Marys. In 1884 Mr. Richardson was married to Mary M. Dunathan, who is a daughter of J. H. Dunathan, and they have four children, viz : Luro, who married Elden Core and has one child, Glenn ; and John, Howard and Ruby, who live at home. Our subject was formerly a member of the Board of Education at Spencerville, and is one of the city's representative men. He was the Allen County delegate to the convention of the National Pharmaceutical Association, held in Boston in 1905. The substantial brick residence in Spencerville, now occupied by William Richardson and owned by his brother, the subject of this sketch, was built by their father, who was taken 756 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ill the day before the family intended moving in, and died without ever having had the pleasure of making it his home. THOMAS H. JONES, the efficient treasurer of Allen County, is one of the best known and most popular public officials of the State. Mr. Jones was born February 18, 1835, in North Wales, a country which has contributed largely to America's good citizenship. His parents were Josiah and Mary (Hughes) Jones. Josiah Jones was a large woolen manufacturer prior to emigrating with his family to America, in 1850. He settled in the town of Gomer, Allen County, Ohio, where he engaged in an undertaking business and also carried on farming to some extent. His death occurred there in 1887, at the age of 81 years, his wife surviving him until 1889. They had a family of eight children. Thomas H. Jones was 15 years of age when Ohio became his home. After four months of school attendance at Gomer, he became a clerk in a village dry goods store and later worked in the same capacity at Columbus Grove, Ohio, where he was living at the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil War. He entered Company F, 118th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served until his honorable discharge on July 9, 1865, after a service of three years, a portion of which time he was quartermaster of his regiment. Mr. Jones then returned to Gomer, where his parents were living, and, in September following, accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper for William Ashton & Company, at Lima, and thus continued with their successors, W. K. Boone & Company, who purchased the business in 1867. Subsequently he became an active partner in this firm, and remained in this connection for a period of 40 years. Ever since attaining his majority, Mr. Jones has shown his devotion to the principles of the Republican party, and at various times has been called upon to fill positions of responsibility. In 1903 he was elected treasurer of Allen County, a position in which his sterling integrity and close and careful attention to duty have won him the confidence of his fellow-citizens in the highest degree. On November 7, 1905, Mr. Jones was reelected county treasurer by a majority of 906 votes. He has always shown himself to be a public-spirited citizen, and on many occasions has thrown the weight of his influence in support of measures for the public welfare. He was elected a member of the Board of Education of Lima and served for six years, being president of that body for three years of this period. In 1862 Mr. Jones was married to Susan Francis, a daughter of Ellis Francis, and they have five children, two of whom are also county officials, viz : Harry, who is deputy county treasurer, and Mrs. G. J. Pence, assistant county treasurer. Although Mr. Jones is in his 71st year, the infirmities of age seem to have no hold upon his vigorous faculties ; in fact, with valuable experience, he combines the alert business qualities of far younger men, while his cheerful personality and thorough kindness of heart have won him the affectionate cognomen of "Uncle Tommy." Mr. Jones is an elder in the Market Street Presbyterian Church. He has always been interested in Sunday-school work, and frequently gives lectures before various bodies, which are very popular. He belongs to the Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R. of Lima, and finds a hearty welcome awaiting his attendance. His fraternal connection is with the Odd Fellows. Mr. Jones has a comfortable home at No. 519 West North street. ELMER D. WEBB, who is engaged in a general insurance business at Lima, with offices at No. 56 1/2 Public Square, and is also interested in oil production in the Ohio and Indiana fields, was born in 1876 in Union County, Ohio. He is a son of the late Isaac Webb. The father of Mr. Webb was a prominent farmer in Union County, Ohio, for many years. His death took place in 1901. During AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 759 the Civil War he served his country with gallantry and fidelity, and for his personal bravery was promoted from the ranks to an official position. On several occasions he was severely wounded. He was a veteran of the 17th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. Mr. Webb was reared in Union County and attended the local schools and the Delaware Business College, and for several years was engaged in business at different points, for a short period being on the road for a crockery firm. In 1896 he was called to Fort Wayne to accept the position of assistant superintendent of the Prudential Life Insurance Company, where he remained until 1898, when he came to Lima as special agent for the Union Central Life Insurance Company. Later he went into a general insurance business and now represents such reliable companies as : The United States Casualty Company, of New York ; the Union Central Life, of Cincinnati, Ohio ; the American Central Fire, of St. Louis, Missouri ; and the Traders Fire, of Chicago. For a number of years Mr. Webb has been financially interested in oil productions and is a member of the National Oil Company and of the Surety Oil Company, both operating in the Ohio and Indiana fields, and owns stock in other corporations. In 1903 Mr. Webb was married to Margaret Ballinger, who is a daughter of Rev. A. W. Ballinger, a minister of the United Brethren Church, formerly pastor of the church at Toledo, but now in charge at Findlay, Ohio. Mr. Webb is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is one of the active members of the Young Men's Christian Association at Lima. HON. WILLIAM RUSLER, one of the most prominent and substantial citizens of Shawnee township, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, resides upon a fine farm of 180 acres in section 17. He has not only attained success as a farmer, but as a public officer so discharged his duties as to gain the respect and hearty commendation of the people. Mr. Rusler was born in Shawnee township, about two and a half miles east of his present farm, on March 7, 1851, being a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Anthony) Rusler, and a grandson of George Rusler. The grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and about 1820 located in Trumbull County, Ohio, where his death subsequently occurred. He married Elizabeth Ellenbarger, a native of Germany, and of a large family of children but two came to Allen County—John, who later, settled near St. Marys, and Philip. Philip Rusler was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, October 17, 1825, and about 1847 moved to Allen County, where he thereafter farmed, with the exception of two years during the early part of the Civil War, when he lived just north of St. Marys. Although always of delicate health, he was anxious to serve his country's cause when it needed him. Consequently, during the winter of 1864-65, when the affairs of the nation were at a crisis, he deemed it his duty to offer his services. He enlisted, but owing to his continued ill health never got beyond Camp Dennison, where he remained until the close of the war. He then returned to his farm, but as he never regained good health the bulk of the farm work was done by his son William. He died in 1874, aged 49 years. Philip Rusler married Elizabeth Anthony, a native of Jackson County, Ohio, and a daughter of David and Nancy Anthony, by whom he had five children, namely : William, the subject of this sketch ; David A. ; Mary Catherine ; Franklin, and a child who died in infancy, unnamed. Of these children all died in childhood but William and Franklin ; the latter lived to the age of 3o years, when he too passed away. Philip Rusler was a Democrat in politics. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William Rusler was reared in Shawnee township until the removal of his parents to St. Marys at the beginning of the war. Two years later they returned, and his education was completed here in the district schools and in the Lima High School. Owing to his father's death he was unable to pursue his stud- 760 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ies to graduation in the High School. He engaged in teaching during the winter months and during the summer worked upon the farm. He taught school 13 years, always in this county, except for two terms. He has always been an enthusiastic Democrat and has worked hard for party success. He has frequently been called upon to serve in official capacity and ably discharged his duties. He has been township clerk, land assessor and twice a member of the School Board. For three years he served as Indian farmer of the Lake Court Oreilles Reservation, one of the seven reserves constituting. the LaPoint Agency in Northwestern Wisconsin. At the end of that time he was appointed agent of the LaPoint Agency and served until the end of Cleveland's administration. In 1893, he was elected to the State Legislature, and during his four years' service in that body secured much needed legislation for his constituents. Some of the measures fostered by him showed that he possessed unusual capacity for that service and was somewhat in advance of the times. One of them, an "Anti-Shoddy Bill," required the labeling of all articles 0f merchandise to show of what they consisted, a measure resembling the pure food laws of the present day. This bill passed the House by a vote of 70 to 10, although there were but 23 Democratic members in that body ; but it was killed in the Senate. Another bill, whose aim it was to prevent bossism and corruption in securing party nominations, was the "Primary Election Law," which has since been adopted in many States. Mr. Rusler has a fine farm, improved according to modern methods. To the original tract of 80 acres secured by his father, he has added to0 acres, most of which he aided in clearing. He built a fine modern home, and made all the substantial improvements on the place. He was reared to hard work, and the success attained by him is the result of his individual effort. Mr. Rusler was married, in 1874, to Anna McClintock, who died in 1884, leaving four children : Tessie J., who married D. A. Bowsher and lives in Shawnee township ; C. A., living on the north end of the farm, who married Maud Zurmehly—he teaches school and farms the home place; Eva May, who married John Seref and lives in Shawnee township ; and Daisy, who married Ira Coon and lives in Amanda township. His second marriage, in 1884, was to Sophronia Wiesenmayer, a native of Shawnee township, and a daughter of George Wiesenmayer, who lives in Amanda township. They have a daughter, Bessie M., who was named after an Indian. She married Guy Culp and they live in Shawnee township. Mr. Rusler is a member of the Shawnee Methodist Episcopal Church, and affiliates with the Knights of Pythias. ELIJAH EDMAN, a retired citizen of Lima and an honored veteran of the Civil War, was formerly a prominent farmer of Shawnee township, and still retains possession of his well-improved farm of 196 acres there. Mr. Edman was born November 7, 1827, in Licking County, Ohio. He was educated in his native county and grew to young manhood a practical farmer. In 1853 he came to Allen County and followed farming until 1861, when he enlisted for the 100-day service in the Union Army, under Captain Titus, in the 151st Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. His first term of enlistment was spent mainly in the forts around Washington, on guard duty, after which he returned home for a few months ; but in the spring of 1862 he reenlisted, entering the 192nd Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. During this enlistment he saw much hardship as a soldier, participating in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley ; but during the whole period he was fearless in the discharge of duty and was honorably discharged after making a record for fidelity and bravery. He is one of the valued members of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., at Lima. He draws a pension of $12 per month. Until 1888 Mr. Edman continued his agricultural operations. His fine farm in Shawnee township had been cleared through his own industry and during his many years' residence upon it he continued its improvement. Since coming to Lima, he has lived retired from ac- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 761 tive participation in business affairs. His pleasant home is situated at No. 706 East.High street. On November 28, 1853, Mr. Edman was married to Martha Jane Wagner, and many years of happy wedded life were afforded them before the death of Mrs. Edman on January I 1, 1906. This recent bereavement has saddened a hitherto unbroken family circle. These children were born to them : Wilson, of Portland, Indiana ; Marion, of Auglaize County, Ohio; Charles and Amos, of Hume, Allen County ; Emma, wife of Louis Neff, of Lima ; Martin, of Lima ; Grant, of Waynesboro, Virginia; and Ida, wife of Grant McKay, of Lima, PETER DILLER, who for over 30, years has been one of the leading business men of Bluffton, was born in Riley township, Putnam County, Ohio, near the Allen County line, September 14, 1847, when Bluffton was only a trading-point. He is a son of Peter and Barbara (Sutter) Diller. The father of our subject was born in Alsace, France, February 26, 1813. His father died while he was but a boy, and in 1824 he and his brother John accompanied their mother to America. They located at first in Holmes County, Ohio, and removed from there in 1836 to Putnam County, this State, where the mother died in 1847. Peter Diller, Sr., was a farmer all his life. He cleared a tract of 160 acres in Putnam County, which he entered from the government and to which he later added by purchase. His death occurred September 1, 1866. On January 5, 1837, he married Barbara Sutter, who was also born in Alsace, France, October 5, 1818, and came to Ohio with her parents in 1825. They settled in Virginia, and moved in 1834 to Putnam County, Ohio. She died April 5, 186o. They had eight children, our subject being the fifth in order of birth. Peter Diller, our immediate subject, remained on his father's farm until 18 years of age, and during this time worked for a season at the carpenter's trade. In 1869 he came to - 39 - the village of Bluffton and for a short time was a clerk in the clothing and dry goods store of John Henderson. In June, 1872, in partnership with A. D. Lugibihl, he bought Ransom Bartlett's hardware business, and together they operated one of the first hardware stores in Bluffton, continuing in business partnership for more than a quarter of a century, under the firm name of Diller & Lugibihl The partnership was dissolved in November, 1898, when Mr. Diller sold his interest. For some time Mr. Diller was engaged in the manufacture of a photographic attachment, the "Klay" multiplying plate holder, a unique patented device for producing from 2 to 28 different pictures on a single plate. It was an attachment which proved of the greatest value to photographers, and Mr. Diller continued in the manufacturing business for four years. In 1902 Mr. Diller embarked in his present large enterprise, the cream separator business, which has developed into one of the largest and most important industries of this section. He continued under his own name for two years, then formed a stock company and the business was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, in November, 1904, as The Sanitary Cream Separator Company. Mr. Diller is president and general manager of this large concern. The introduction of the "Sanitary" cream separator has been of the greatest benefit to the dairyman and farmer. It has many noted advantages over its competitors in its general construction, and has been received with the greatest favor by the large dairymen, while it is equally useful to the farmer's wife who looks after the milk from but a few cows. The company gives employment to eight hands. Mr. Diller has other important interests, being the president of and a stockholder in the Commercial Bank & Savings Company. He is a member of the Council and was 0ne of the water-works trustees. In politics he takes no very active part, but votes with the Republican party. Mr. Diller was married May 24, 1876, in Tennessee, to Mary Stalder, who was born in Switzerland, and is a daughter of Ulrich Stalder. They came here in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. 762 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Diller have two children : Estella, born March 2, 1877, who is the wife of Dr. H. O. Frederick, of Bluffton; and Waldo E., born June 25, 1881, who is a stockholder in The Sanitary Cream Separator Company and represents its interests on the road. For a long period Mr. Diller has been a leader in affairs of moment at Bluffton, and his fellow-citizens testified to their continued esteem and confidence by reelecting him a member of their governing body in November, 1905. J. R. COULSTON, roadmaster of the L. E. & W. Railroad, at Lima, where he has been located since May, 1900, was born in 1870 at Toledo, Ohio, and is a son of Mathew Coulston, a landscape gardener of that city. Until 10 years of age, Mr. Coulston attended school both in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and then returned to Toledo, where his education was completed. After teaching school for several years, he studied for a year in the city civil engineering office at Toledo, and in the fall of 1890 went with the engineering corps of the L. S. & M. S. Railway. In the spring of 1891 he entered the government service as harbor inspector of the district between Cleveland and Toledo, efficiently filling this important position before he had attained his majority after completing the season's work he returned to the engineering corps of the L. S. & M. S. Railway and remained connected with the Lake Shore engineer's office until 1893. At this time he was transferred to Adrian, Michigan, where he served as assistant road-master of the Coldwater Division until 1896, being then promoted to be roadmaster of the Fort Wayne Division of the L. S. & M. S. Railway, with headquarters at Jackson, Michigan. After one season's work there, Mr. Coulston was placed in charge of the Lansing Division, his duties being doubled. He then came to Lima as roadmaster of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. Much of the efficiency of this road is directly due to Mr. Coulston's ef forts. All the work with which he has been directly concerned has advanced most satisfactorily and the value of the property has been greatly increased. On October 5, 1894., Mr. Coulston was married to Nita F. Houston, who is a daughter of James and Anna M. (Allardyce) Houston. The former is deceased. Mrs. Houston still survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Coulston. Mr. and Mrs. Coulston have one child, Joseph F. They are members of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church at Lima. Mr. Coulston's railroad supervision covers the Lake Erie & Western tracks from Sandusky to the Indiana State line, a stretch of 145 miles. His ability is so well known that he has been given an opportunity to entertain a proposition connected with the construction of the Panama Railroad. S. D. EVANS, now living retired in his comfortable residence at No. 411 East High street, Lima, is one of the best-known railroad men of this section, and is also an honored survivor of the Civil War, in which he served almost continuously from its beginning to its triumphal close. Mr. Evans was born August 29, 1842, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of William H. and Caroline (Eleck) Evans. The name of Evans was well-known among the pioneer settlers of Allen County. The father of S. D. Evans came here in 1848. He became a prominent farmer and also followed his trade of blacksmith in Marion township, where he and his wife passed away. S. D. Evans attended the primitive log schoolhouse in the vicinity of his father's farm. He was 18 years old when the Civil War came upon the land, and was one of the first in his locality to proffer his services when a call was made for soldiers for a term of three months. He enlisted on April 20, 1861, in Company F., 10th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was mustered in at Columbus. His regiment was used in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 763 guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad lines in West Virginia. After the close of his first term he came home, but on February 6, 1862, he reenlisted, entering Company F, 46th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf. During the years which followed, Mr. Evans saw much of the hardship and hazard of a soldier's life, his regiment taking an active and important part in some of the most dangerous campaigns of those years. At the battle of Shiloh he received two wounds ; but he was too good a soldier to permit these to incapacitate him long, and he was soon on duty and participated in the seige of Corinth, the march to Memphis and to Vicksburg, the long siege there, then back and up the Mississippi, across to Chattanooga, in the terrible fight on Missionary Ridge and then to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. Then followed the wearying march to Scottsboro, Alabama, where the regiment was veteranized. Mr. Evans reenlisted for a possible three years more, enjoyed his furlough of 30 days at home, and then returned to his regiment, which took part in the Atlanta campaign with General Sherman, participated in the last fight, at Bentonville, and then, covered with rags and glory, with battle-flags showing the rents of shot and shell, made the long march to Washington, D. C., and participated in the Grand Review. He was honorably mustered out of the service on July 22, 1865.. For 18 months of his service he was detailed as orderly to his colonel. After the close of the war, Mr. Evans returned home and soon entered into the service of the C., H. & D. Railway, with which com- pany he served as. freight .conductor for years and as passenger conductor for 20 years. He retired from the railroad in October, 1901, with an honorable record and with the most cordial relations existing between him and his superiors in the service. Mr. Evans is one of the stockholders of the Consumers' Fuel, Building & Supply Company and has numerous other business interests in Lima. On September 3, 1868, Mt. Evans was married to Zerelda Bussert, who died in 1901. She was a daughter of Abraham Bussert, one of the earliest settlers in Allen County. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Evans, namely : M. S., an engineer on the C., H. & D. Railway ; and Maud, deceased in 1891, who graduated from the Lima High School and became the wife of Lewis Sanford.   GOTTLIEB F. HENNE, who is now living retired from active business life in his comfortable and attractive home in Spencerville, has been a resident of Spencer township for 39 years, during which period he has been identified with the material development and agricultural progress of the western section of Allen county. Mr. Henne is of German birth and ancestry, being born in Wittenberg, December 14, 1840. Our subject was the eldest of his father's seven children, and was 16 years of age when his parents decided to emigrate to America. The objective point was Marion County, Ohio, where William Britsch, Mr. Henne's maternal uncle, had already settled.The father possessed but little capital, the sum total being $200 when he came to Ohio, in 1856; but he was a man of very practical ideas and a good manager. Two of his sons were old enough to work, and he soon found work with a farmer for our subject for $5 and for his brother William for $4 a month, to be paid presumably in cash. Sometimes this arrangement was not carried out to the letter, as our subject remembers that on one occasion his father came to his employer in Marion County and took, in payment for his services, two likely shoats, which he trundled away on a wheelbarrow. The father lived for a time in Monroe County but later returned to Marion County, and in 1866 settled in AugIaize County. This was Mr. Henne's last removal. He bought a tract of wild land situated half a mile from what is known as Deep Cut, on the canal, and with our subject's faithful assistance cleared this, added to it and placed it under cultivation. At the time of his death he owned 200 acres, which he divided justly among his children. He died on that farm, aged about 83 years, while the mother died near Celina, Ohio, at the same ripe age. 764 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY They were quiet, industrious, frugal people, finding enjoyment in accumulating property and in following out the dictates of kind hearts in their immediate neighborhood. The children of these worthy people who still survive are the following: Gottlieb F., of Spencerville; William ; Frederick, of Auglaize County ; Kale, who is engaged in the saddlery business at Spencerville; George and Jacob, the last named being the only one born in America. Mr. Henne's brother William is a veteran of the Civil War. He served three months in the Fourth Regiment, Ohio Vol. Cav., and then re-enlisted for three years. Gottlieb F. Henne came to Allen County in the spring of 1867, going to housekeeping in a little log cabin in what was then a wild portion of Spencer township. Like many other settlers he had his belongings shipped from Delaware, Ohio, down the canal to Delphos. He had been married but a few months and it was to a lonely and uninviting home he had to bring his bride in those early days. His cabin little resembled the fine brick residence which is the family home at present. This is situated on the west side of the canal, one block from the Keeth House, at Spencerville. On every side may be observed evidences of Mrs. Henne's industry and housewifely accomplishments. T0 her frugality and cheerful helpfulness Mr. Henne attributes a large part of his success in life. In the years that followed their settling in Spencer township, both she and her husband found hard and constant labor their portion, and each one did work which their children have never been called upon to perform. Prior to his marriage, at the time of the last call for volunteers for the Civil War, Mr. Henne enlisted in the 186th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., but the services 0f this regiment were required only a short time and he never participated in any great battle. He has always been interested in the Grand Army of the Republic since his army days, and attends the meetings of the post at Spencerville. In recalling the early events of his life, Mr. Henne can show that his present fortune has been built up through industry combined with good management. In his day the little things were considered of value, and he says that he his rise to affluence from the time when he bought for $3.00 a calf which he cared for until by the time of his marriage it had grown to be a valuable cow. This cow was the first of a number that he owned, and was the beginning of the dairy business which he successfully carried on for a number of years. He is well-known in Lima, where he supplied choice butter to some of the leading citizens. He carried the mail for 20 years and also ran a livery and omnibus business for a considerable period. After settling on his property in Spencer township,Mr. Henne not only cleared his land and put it under cultivation, but he also did much forest clearing and assisted in the building of public roads which were cut through his property. He broke his ground with horses, but he used the old-fashioned plow and for many years employed the old-time cradle in cutting his grain. He raised good stock while on the farm. By the advice of his physician he left the farm in 1884 and located at Spencerville, where he owns a large amount of valuable real estate, still retaining his farming land in the country. He has erected almost all of the business blocks on Main street. Mr. Henne was married December 27, 1866, to Christina Schmidt, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio. Her mother was. born in Germany and came to Ohio when 13 years of age, where she married and became possessed of large means. She died in Allen County, where she had made her home with Mrs. Henne. While on a visit to the latter, she became impressed with the fertility of the soil of Spencer township and the general lay of the land, and purchased 200 acres with the understanding that Mr. Henne should manage it for her. This he did in connection with his own business. Mr. and Mrs. Henne have had three children : Irwin, who is married and settled in Spencer township ; Bertie, who is the wife of George Haas, also residing in Spencer-township ; and Mary, who died in her 15th. year. Mr. Henne gave all his children excel-. lent educational advantages. His gin is a graduate of the Lima Business College. Mr.. Henne has always been one of the active sup- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 765 porters of educational and religious work in his section. When he first came to this local- ity, there was a few houses and no church in Spencerville. In a short time Mr. Henne with John Long, Mr. Sweinfort and Mr. Gaberdiel, took the matter in hand, and together they purchased the old building which was made use of by the German Methodists until they later erected their present church edifice, Mr. Henne being one of the trustees of this church. He has never taken any very active part in politics, his time and interest being concerned closely in his own affairs. He is a man well known in the community where his name stands for honesty and integrity and where he is respected and esteemed by his fellow-citizens. JOSEPH R. MARSHALL, one of the highly esteemed citizens of Lima, now living retired from business activity in his pleasant and attractive home at No. 731 West High street, has been identified with this city for the past 30 years. He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1839, and is a son of Richard B. and Emily (Bartlett) Marshall. Richard B. Marshall was born in Fairfax County, Virginia. In 1840 he came to Allen County and entered a 40 acre tract of land in the woods, where the growth was so dense that he was obliged to clear a spot before he could erect his log cabin. He became one of the leading farmers of the county. He married Emily Bartlett, who belonged to the Virginia Bartletts, and they reared a family of 11 children, the survivors being : Thomas B., a farmer of Perry township ; Malinda, wife of Jacob Stevenson, of Perry township ; William, formerly a soldier of the Civil War, now a resident of Lima ; Mary, widow of Peter Tracy, of Lima ; Hamilton, also a survivor of the Civil War and a resident of Lima ; and Joseph R., of this record. Joseph R. Marshall was an infant when his parents came to Allen County. He was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools. Early in the eventful year of 1861 the young man offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company D, 54th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was mustered into the army at Camp Dennison. His regiment was hurried to the front and participated in the battle of Shiloh, where Mr. Marshall had the misfortune to be so severely wounded as to necessitate his final return home and retirement from the service for some months. In 1864 he re-enlisted, entering Company A, 180th Reg., Vol. Inf., which was sent first to Camp Chase and then through Tennessee, where it remained encamped for three months before being transferred to Camp Stoneman, Washington, D. C. The service given was mainly guard duty: The regiment then went to New Bern, North Carolina, and thence to Wilmington in time to participate in the battle there. Mr. Marshall was taken ill at this place and spent some two months in the New Bern hospital, three weeks at Fort Schuyler, New York, and was then sent to Columbus, where he was honorably discharged in August, 1865. During his second service he held the rank of 4th corporal. He belonged to a patriotic-family, two of his brothers also giving their services in defense of their country. Upon his return from the army, Mr. Marshall engaged in farming in Perry township, where he remained until he moved to Lima, where he engaged in a successful real estate business for 22 years. He has also been a notary public. On May 29, 1872, Mr. Marshall was married to Emma C. Bitner, who is a daughter of Adam Bitner, of Indiana. They have one daughter, Gertrude, a resident of Lima. Mr. Marshall and family belong to Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the leading members of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., of which he has been both senior and junior vice-commander. In 1863, when home from the war he was elected 1st lieutenant of Company K, Second Reg., Ohio National Guard, and for some years was quite interested in military affairs of a local nature. Mr. Marshall is one of Lima's substantial and representative men. 766 - HISTORY OF ALLEN, COUNTY ZALMON R. MASON, a prominent farmer of Bath township, whose farm is located in section 16, was born March 2, 1839, in one of the first log houses erected in this township. His parents were Jarvis and Elizabeth (Hall) Mason, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Rome, N. Y. They were married in New York, and in 1834 came to Allen County, Ohio, settling in section 16, Bath township, where Jarvis Mason cleared 160 acres of school land, which he rented several years before he finally became its purchaser. He died in 1854 at the age of 65 years. He was one of a family of seven brothers and three sisters. His wife survived him many years and died at the advanced age of 96 years, after rearing a family of 15 children, who were as follows : Eliza, widow of A. S. Harrington ; Henry F., deceased ; Laura, widow of George Long; Jane, widow of Dr. Nathaniel Hartshorn; Janette, widow of John Shinnalerny ; Julia, deceased ; Eugene, deaceased Sumner, deceased; Alden, deceased; Elizabeth, widow of James Boyd; Zalmon R. ; Marquis D., of Bath township; Sarah H., who died in early life; Nancy A., wife of Philip Roach, of Bath township ; and Sarah H., who married James H. Neely and resides west of Lima. Zalmon R. Mason lived on the home place until about his l0th year, when he went to Wood County and there engaged in farming, at first on rented land. Later he bought 40 acres of timber land in that county, paying therefor the sum of $400, and a few years afterwards he traded it for 65 acres in Williams County. This in turn was sold and Mr. Mason returned to Allen County, where he bought 50 acres which was afterwards traded for the property on which he now resides. This tract contains 85 acres and has been the home of Mr. Mason for 23 years, most of the improvements having been effected here by him. He formerly owned another tract of 80 acres which he sold to his two sons, 40 to each. Mr. Mason has been twice married ; first, in 188, to Maria Angus, who was born in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, June 16, 1838, and was a daughter of Jacob and Katherine (Monshire) Angus. She died in 1877, leaving nine children, namely : Jeanette, who was a successful school teacher for 10 years and is now the wife of William Wright, of Monroe township ; Sumner F., of Bath township ; Reuben, deceased; Franklin E., of Monroe township, who has been a teacher since he was 17 years of age and who is now a member of the Board of County School Examiners ; Charles Edward, of Bath township, who has been a teacher since his early manhood ; Ida, deceased ; Jessie L., deceased; and Irving Hayes, who taught school for some time and is now township clerk. In 1878 Mr. Mason was married to Elizabeth Kidd, who was born in Monroe township, June 2, 1839, and was a daughter of Nat G. and Rhoda ( Jennings) Kidd, the former born in 1811 and now a resident of Monroe township. To the second union was born one child, William Z., who died at the age of seven years. Mr. Mason is a Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has served as assessor of the township and has always stood well with his fellow-citizens. He was formerly a member of the Methodist Church but is now identified with the United Brethren.   DAVID CULP, a retired farmer of Allen County, supervisor of German township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 10, 1838. His parents were Christian and Elizabeth (Goode) Culp, the former a native of Augusta County, Virginia. When he was about 15 years of age, the parents of Christian Culp moved to Logan County, Ohio, and he later went to Fairfield County, where he married Elizabeth Goode, daughter of Joseph Goode, of that county. Nine children were born to them, viz. : David, Noah, Christian, Magdalena, wife of John Hawthorn, of Osborn, Ohio ; Fannie, wife of Anthony Miller ; Nancy, wife of John Shank ; Annie, wife of Ephraim Howard ; Sophia, wife of Jacob Amstutz, of Allen County, Indiana; and Elizabeth, wife of Henry Goode, of Virginia. All reside in Allen County except AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 767 Magdalena and Sophia. When the parents moved to this county in 1851, they made the trip in covered wagons, five wagons being required to convey them and their goods here. Our subject passed his 13th birthday while they were en route to Sugar Creek township, where they lived several years. David Culp has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has been uniformly successful in his work retiring a few years ago after years of industry to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He was married on June 20, 1861, to Nancy Brenneman, daughter of John Brenneman, of Fairfield County, Ohio, formerly from Virginia. They had the following children : John B., who married Annie Steman and has six children ; Elizabeth, who died October 10, 1880 in her 15th year, just as she was budding into womanhood; Emma J., wife of Samuel G. Moore, of Virginia ; Nancy, who married Moses D. Evers, formerly of Virginia, now of Oregon—they have five children ; Malinda, who married C. H. Steinbuck, a native of Virginia, and resides in Allen County—they have three children ; Martha, wife of Thomas H. Steinbuck ; Ellen Merilla, who died in 1884 at the age of eight years ; Sarah, wife of Burdette LaRue, of Allen County and the mother of one child ; Lena, who lives at home ; and Christian, who married Laura Showalter, of Virginia, and has one child. The subject of this sketch has always supported the Democratic ticket. He is is a member of the Mennonite Church and was trustee for many years. C. C. HOSSELLMAN, who is general superintendent of The Deisel-Wemmer Company's factory at Lima, was born in 1869, at Middletown, Butler County, Ohio, and is a member of a respected family of that section. When 16 years old, after completing the common school course and learning the trade of cigarmaker, he went to Hamilton, Ohio, where he worked at this trade for nine months. From there, in search of employment, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked as a cigarmaker for 15 months, going thence to Connersville, Indiana, where he had six months' of experience in a cigar factory. Other engagements followed, Mr. Hossellman working at Marysville, Kentucky, and at Wapakoneta, Ohio, through the following eight years, and then he came to Lima. Here he entered the employ of The Deisel-Wemmer Company, after working on the bench for two years, he was promoted to be foreman of the shops, and still later to be general superintendent. This position Mr. Hossellman has most efficiently filled for the past four years, during which time the business has expanded to a remarkable degree. His long, practical experience makes him exceptionally well-equipped for his present office, while his executive ability and his tact in the management of a large force of skilled workmen make him almost invaluable to his employers. He also owns stock in the dry goods house known as Feltz Brothers & Company. On February 25, 1892, Mr. Hossellman was married to Eliza A. Sefered, who is a daughter of David A. Sefered, of Wapakoneta, Ohio. They have two children, Vernon C. and Margaret E. The family residence is at No. 1,000 Wayne street. The family belong to the English Lutheran Church. Mr. Hossellman is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Knights of Pythias at Wapakoneta, and of the German order of Red Men at Lima. REV. C. H. ECKHARDT received his ordination into the Lutheran ministry in the spring of 1878, came to Lima on the 19th of September, 1879, and for more than a quarter of a century has been a prominent worker and an inspiration in the advancement and progress of the community. Born in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, February 6, 1851, he was four years old when his parents came to the United States and settled near Germantown, Montgomery County, Ohio, so that our subject is an American by education and sympathies. His father, George Eckhardt, who passed away in December, 1904, at the 768 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY age of 85 years, was a farmer, and it was in the invigorating atmosphere of a country home that our subject spent his boyhood and received his early education. Desirous of devoting his life to the good of humanity, he entered Capital University at Columbus, Ohio, and was graduated from the theological department in 1878, when he was ordained and immediately installed as pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, near Cridersville, Auglaize County, and is still the beloved leader of that flock. He was pastor of Zion Lutheran Church of Lima for 10 years, and in addition to the heavy demands upon his time found opportunity for doing much good outside work. Lima College, dedicated in 1894, was founded through our subject's untiring efforts in its behalf. He was president of the college for many years and is still closely associated with it. He is a member of the Joint Synod of Ohio, and is a man who stands well, not only with the members of his own church, but with the general public. Rev. C. H. Eckhardt was married in 1876 to Ida May Dearth, whose father, S. M. Dearth, is one of the prominent agriculturists of Warren County, Ohio. They have a family of four children, namely : Herman, who is engaged in insurance work in Lima ; Carrie, wife of Frank J. Cupp, a civil engineer engaged in the construction of railroads at Appleton, Wisconsin ; Ethel, who married Roland B. Mikesell, a teacher in the commercial department of Lima College, and has one child, Byron ; and Ruth, who is at home. Politically Mr. Eckhardt has always affiliated with the Republicans. JOHN A. COLE. Few residents of Allen County are more favorably known or more generally esteemed than John A. Cole, who has been engaged in the milling business at Harrod for many years, and whose industry and integrity have placed him among the influential men of his section. Mr. Cole was born at Pemberton, Ohio, July 28, 1853, and is the only surviving child of William and Angeline (Reams) Cole, who were the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy. His grandfather was Henry Cole, a native of Virginia, and of Scotch-Irish descent. William Cole was born in Ohio and became a resident of Pemberton at the time of the "Big Four" Railroad was built through. In 1854 the family moved to North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio, where the father died two years later. John A. Cole began the battle of life for himself at the tender age of nine years when he secured employment on a farm. He remained on the farm until 1867, when he obtained work in a mill and learned to run an engine. For 28 years he was engineer in a mill. This business has appealed to his fancy as he has been identified with milling for almost 40 years, with the exception of a few months. In 1873 he enlisted in the regular army and was stationed at Newport until his discharge the following spring. He then resumed his career as miller, finding practical training in the mills of Bloom Center, West Mansfield, Rushsylvania, Westminster, Bellefontaine and Harrod. The Harrod Mill was established about 1884 by James Harrod. Becoming part of the assets of the Bank of Lima which failed, the mill property passed into the hands of Benjamin C. Faurot, by whom it was sold t0 Donze & Day, who were the properietors at the time Mr. Cole came here. For four years he was an employe of this company and he then rented a half interest in the business from Mr. Donze and carried on the enterprise with Mr. Day. He and Mr. Day continued to operate the plant successfully until 1900 when Mr. Cole disposed of his interest in the business. This step was taken that he might take advantage of what he considered an excellent opening to engage in business at New Lexington, Ohio. However, owing to the shortcomings of his partner, the enterprise failed, and Mr. Cole saw his money, which represented many years of persistent toil and self-denial, slipping out of his hands. This misfortune would have meant complete financial ruin to a less courageous and enterprising man, but Mr. Cole had been AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 773 engaged in the contest for a competency too many years to sit idly down and repine over his loss. Instead, he gathered together the remnants of his shattered capital and returned to Harrod, where he again purchased a half interest in the mill and set bravely to work to repair his loss. He returned to Harrod on September 6, 1901, the day on which President McKinley fell a martyr at the hand of an assassin. Once more a partner of Mr. Day the mill was operated by them until 1905, when Mr. Day retired from the business. On June I, 1905, Dr. M. L. Johnston became an equal partner in the mill with Mr. Cole and it has since been conducted under the name of Cole & Johnston. This is one of the solid industries of Harrod and gives constant employment to four men. The output of the mill is 75 barrels per day, the product finding a ready market in this vicinity. Mr. Cole was married on June 23, 1875, to Mary Louise Curl, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, April 26, 1857. Her grandparents were James R. and Louise (Bayliss) Curl, who came to Logan County, Ohio, from the. State of Virginia and were engaged in farming. Her parents, John M. and Caroline M. (Munsell) Curl, were natives of Logan County, and had eight children, namely: Mary Louise; James Nelson, who lives in Logan County ; Clement, a resident of Lima; Emily, deceased; Nellie, who married Sylvester Seigler and resides in Michigan; Robert, who died at the age of 21 years; Hulda, who married Dalton Alexander and resides in Union County, near York Center; and Charles, who lives at Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are the perents of three children who have passed to the higher life and seven wh0 are living, viz : Lindon, born June 16, 1878, and residing in Columbus, who married Emma Ingledue, and has two children-Herbert and Florence; John, Jr., born December 27, 1879, who married Rosetta Shockey and is the father of one son, Paul ; Lillian, born January 25, 1882, who married James Leroy Thomas and resides in Pasadena, California; Leota, born February 26, 1884, who lives in Lima ; Raymond, born May 14, 1886, who died October 16, 1891, as the result of a kick in the head from a horse; Lena Vivian, born May 7, 1888, who died on August 17th following; Edna M., born May 1I, 1891 ;Cleo H., born June 27, 1893 ; McKinley Hobart, born November 6, 1896, the day of the election of McKinley and Hobart ; and Leland, born December 30, 1901, who died October 9, 1902. Mrs. Cole is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a lady whose personal magnetism has made for her many warm friends. Mr. Cole is a Republican. He was made an Odd Fellow in White Lodge, No. 576, while residing in West Mansfield, Ohio, and has always retained his membership in that order. REUBEN WHITE, one of Lima's esteemed and honored retired citizens, is a valued member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, Grand Army of the Republic, having gained his right to the same by over three years of loyal, faithful service in defense of his country in the perilous days of 1861-65. Mr. White was born in Bath township, Allen County, Ohio, November 7, 1837, and is a son of Adam and Rebecca M. ( Walton) White. The paternal grandfather of Mr. White, Adam White, was born in Germany and came to Brown County, Ohio, as a pioneer. His maternal grandfather was Joseph W. Walton, a native of New York, who settled in Bath township in 1826. Adam White, the second, father of our subject, was born in Kentucky and became a resident of Bath township in 1828. He became a very prominent man of Allen County and was its first treasurer, in the days when Allen County included what is now Auglaize and Mercer counties. He was a justice of the peace in Bath township for many years and was a man looked up to and respected by his fellow-citizens. Reuben White was reared and educated in Bath township, his education being that afforded by the local schools. Up to the outbreak of the Civil War he led a quiet, agricultural life. In October, 1861, he donned the Union blue, became a member of Company E, 81st 774 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and soon, with his company, was sent to Benton Barracks, Missouri. Here he remained until March, 1862, when his regiment was sent to Pittsburg Landing in time to make a record for gallantry at that great battle, and then followed Corinth, a name which brings sad memories to many households to this day on account of the brave soldiers who fell there. Mr. White was kept with his command in that vicinity for 17 months, and then entered upon the Atlanta campaign, taking part in all the engagements, including the battles of Jonesboro and Lovejoy. Mr. White was honorably discharged at Rome, Georgia, October 3, 1864. He had been wounded only once during all these years of danger, and was one of seven left in his company of the 85 who went to war with him, a fact which tells its own tale of the dangers encountered by this gallant band. After the close of his service, Mr. White returned to his old home and, as his parents were dead, bought out the other heirs and subsequently improved the property very much, subsequently selling it to great advantage. Later he purchased another. fine property, within two miles of Lima ; as indications here pointed to probable oil deposits, he sold it during the first oil "boom." Mr. White next engaged for about five years in a mercantile business at Beaver Dam, and then retired to Lima, where he owns a very comfortable home on Second street. On August 21, 1859, Mr. White was married to Ann Eliza Edgecomb, the eldest daughter of Walter and Laura Edgecomb. Mr. Edgecomb was an early settler in Allen County, entering land here in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. White have had 1 1 children, namely : Sarah Alice; Ida Edella, deceased; Kirby ; Laura ; Albert, Walter. Edwin, Emmet Oscar, John Errett, Carey Mott, deceased ; Willis Adam ; and Rebecca. Sarah Alice married John F. Witherill, of Spencerville, and to them were born nine children ; Myrtle, the eldest, married Charles Simmons and has four, children living, the eldest being named Hobart. Ida Edella was the wife of Daniel E. Fetter. Five of her children are now living; of these the eldest, Eva, married Lewis Wingate, and has one son, Edrow. Kirby, who is postmaster at Harrod, Ohio, has four children. Laura is the wife of Frank Rudy, of Allen County, and has five children. Albert died in infancy ; Walter Edwin reached the age of 18 years ; Emmet Oscar died at the age of two years ; John Errett, at his death, at the age of 29 years, left a wife and one daughter ; Carey Mott died as an in-. fant of one year. Willis Adam, who is a resident of Huntington, Indiana, has two children. Rebecca married Lee Higgins of Lima and has two children. Mr. White has always been a Republican and has held office in both townships in which he has lived. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Church of Christ. On preceding pages, in connection with this sketch, are presented two group pictures of the White-Edgecomb family, in each of which five generations are shown, Mr. White and his mother appearing in one, and Mrs. White and her mother in the other. OTTO F. RAMSEYER, of the firm of Woolevy & Ramseyer, proprietors of the City Book Store, at Lima, Ohio, was born near Bluffton, Ohio, in 1870, and is a son of Abraham Ramseyer, formerly engaged in the book-binding business at Lima. Otto F. Ramseyer was five years old when his parents removed from Indiana to Lima, and here he was reared and educated. In 1885 he went into the City Book Store, a business house which had been established at Lima in 1870 by George P. Waldorf, who was succeeded by W. G. Nichols. The latter was succeeded by Trevor & Robinson and this firm by T. A. Robinson. Mr. Ramseyer remained with the store under its different managements and in 1889 he became its manager. In 1899 in partnership with W. H. Woolevy, he bought Mr. Robinson's entire interest. Since that time the business has been enlarged to cover other lines than formerly, a fine art department having been added, which is the only one in the city and the most complete to be found in this section of the State. In 1898 Mr. Ramseyer was married to AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 777 Laura E. Reynolds, who is a daughter of D. R. Reynolds, of Lima, and they have one son, Richard Lee. Mr. Ramseyer is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight of Pythias and belongs also to the Maccabees. He is a member of the German Reformed Church. J. M. LONGCOY, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Lima, and proprietor of the X-Ray and Electro-Therapeutic Laboratory at Nos. 214-218 West Market street, was born in New Jersey, June 24, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Fredenburgh) Longcoy. Dr. Longcoy is one of a family of six children. He was reared and educated in his native State, entering Princeton College and graduating there in 1868. Dr. Longcoy is entitled to write many degrees after his name, both literary and medical, and he is a graduate of many of the leading institutions of the country, viz : McGill University, Montreal, Canada, in 1873 ; Joplin Medical College, Joplin, Missouri, in 1882 ; Little Rock University, Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1884; National College of Electro-Therapeutics, Lima, Ohio, in 1898 ; Institute of Pharmacy, Columbus, Ohio, in 1900; and Chicago School of Phychology in 1901. Since 1900 he has been professor of general electro-therapeutics in the National College of Electro-Therapeutics at Lima. Dr. Longcoy is also associate editor of The Electro-Therapeutist, at Lima, and is consulting surgeon at the Lima Hospital. In 1900 Dr. Longcoy established the Electro-Bathatorium on the corner of Market and West streets, which soon became known all over Ohio for the wonderful cures effected. The X-Ray and Electro-Therapeutic Laboratory, conducted by Dr. Longcoy, who is a scientific physician, is an institution designed to cure those diseases not curable by ordinary medical treatment. The institution has been fitted with all forms of electric currents, electric light baths, X-Rays, Minin's rays, hot air cabinets, mechanical electro-vibrators, pneumatic massage, magnetones, induction coils, high frequency solenoids, in fact every modern appliance of value known to scientific medicine. The diseases treated are: Diseases of women, fibroid and other tumors, Bright's disease, diabetes, cancer, piles, consumption, nervous prostration, varicose ulcers, tuberculosis of the joints and spine, varicocele, neuralgia, rheumatism and lumbago, insomnia, constipation, eczema, moles, warts, scars, birthmarks, superfluous hair and all blemishes. This institution, with its various and modern facilities is recognized as the greatest concern of its kind in the State and it numbers patients all over the country. Dr. Longcoy was married to Marie C. Wolff, who is a daughter of John Wolff, of Pennsylvania. Their handsome home is located at No. 214-218 West Market street. Dr. Longcoy and family are Presbyterians. As a most intelligent man and good citizen, Dr. Longcoy takes an interest in civic advancement and has done his part since locating here to make Lima a business and scientific center. In political sentiment he is a Republican. His portrait is herewith presented. JOHN W. FETTER, deceased, was one of Bath township's most reliable and respected men, and one of the large farmers of Allen County, owning and operating a well-improved farm of 100 acres. Mr. Fetter was born on this farm October 21, 1855, and was a son of George and Sarah (Ward) Fetter. He died January 2, 1902. The father of Mr. Fetter was born in Germany and the mother in Ohio. They had a family of five sons and four daughters and John W. was the eldest. George Fetter operated a farm, a sawmill and a stone quarry and his eldest son was his right-hand man for many years. Mr. Fetter remained with his father until his marriage and then he rented the farm for a time, and subsequently bought 20 acres and his father gave him 80 acres, and here he spent the remainder of his life. He took much pride in the cultivation and improvement of his 778 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY property and he erected the excellent and substantial buildings which are now in evidence. In addition to carrying on his agricultural projects successfully, raising some of the best crops produced in the neighborhood, he did considerable teaming and grading and constructed turnpike roads under contract. Politically Mr,. Fetter was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and on numerous occasions satisfactorily filled responsible offices to which the votes of his fellow-citizens elevated him. He served two terms of two years each as township treasurer, and several terms as road supervisor. Mr. Fetter was a man of the highest integrity and is recalled as a good neighbor, an affectionate husband and a kind father. He reared a family which was a credit to him and left them well provided for. On March 3, 1878, Mr. Fetter was married to Ella E. Hadsell, who was born in this township, December 20, 1856, who is a daughter of Anson M. and Adeline (Thayer) Had-sell. The father of Mrs. Fetter was born in Connecticut and removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, with his parents. Later he settled in Allen County, where he owned a fine farm and being a man of education, taught school a number of terms. He was a man of local prominence, and was justice of the peace for a number of years. In the latter capacity it is remembered that he often performed the marriage ceremony without any charge, and that it was his habit to present to the newly wedded couple a Bible, intimating that within its pages all the counsel needed for their future lives could be found. He was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was notedly kind and benevolent in his conduct toward others. He married, for his second wife, Adeline Thayer, who was the mother of Mrs. Fetter. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Fetter are: Charles E., of Bath township, who has two children—Ella E. and Frank ; Mary E. wife of Brice B. Hefner of Jackson township, who has two children—Elsie J. and Fred A. ; and Fred A., who has three children—Brice B., Claud K. and Harry L. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Fetter, taught several terms of school, as did her sisters. She is an intelligent, companionable lady who has a wide circle of friends. D. CRAMER, a well-known druggist of Lima, was born March 5, 1857, in Butler, Richland County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. His father was Reuben Cramer, a prominent farmer of that county, who died March 4, 1894. Mr. Cramer was reared to agricultural life and followed that occupation during his earlier years ; later teaching his home school and finally entering a grocery store as clerk. He supplemented his early education with a course in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, after which 'he again taught school, this time in Auglaize County. Being offered a clerkship in the drug store of J. M. Beard, of Spencerville, Ohio, he accepted the position. and was with him four and a half years, in which period he thoroughly learned the business. From Spencerville he went to Ludlow, Kentucky, where he clerked for a time and then opened a drug store for himself, which he conducted until he came to Lima in June, 1888, and engaged in the same business here. Mr. Cramer was married to Ella Ridenour, a member of the Ridenour family that has been prominent in the history of this section. Mr. Cramer is a Democrat and has held a number of local offices, having served on the board of trustees of the Lima Water Works, the Board of Education and has but recently been elected president of the City Council. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Odd Fellows. JASPER LAUSE, whose well-improved farm of 48 acres is situated in section 6, Marion township, belongs to one of the honorable old pioneer families of this locality. He was born in 1862 on his father's pioneer farm, situated on the Spencerville road, one mile AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 779 north of the present home. He is a son of Frederick and Mary (Pohlman) Lause. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Henry and Mary (Giesker) Lause, and they had seven children, of whom Frederick was the fifth in order of birth. Frederick Lause was born in Hanover, Germany, March 2, 1825, where he attended the common schools and then learned the carpenter's trade with Mr. Pohlman. In 1844 he came to America, locating in Allen County, where in 1850 he purchased a farm in Marion township. The country was all forest at that time and to settlers less robust and courageous than was Mr. Lause, the clearing and cultivating of this land, within the limits of a lifetime, would have seemed an impossible task. But he had come to America to found a home and in the years that followed no discouragement or hardship was too great to interrupt his industry or dampen his enthusiasm. He lived to see the forest cleared and the land developed into a rich agricultural estate. The old homestead in section 31 is still occupied by his widow and a son, A. W. Lause. Frederick Lause was married on April 3, 1856, to Mary Pohlman, who was born in Hanover, Germany, May 2, 1838. When six years of age she accompanied her parents to America. They were Casper and Clara Hensele) Pohlman. Casper Pohlman was one of the original colony to settle in "Section 0," as Delphos was first called, and he crossed the Atlantic on the same sailing vessel which brought here the late venerable Rev. John Otto Bredeick, the founder of Delphos and the organizer of the Catholic Church at Delphos, known as the Church of St. John the Evangelist. Casper Pohlman was a carpenter and his work, with that of his son-in-law, Frederick Lause, may still be seen in Marion township. This locality soon outgrew log houses, and for many years the two men worked almost constantly in season, at their trade. Mr. and Mrs. Pohlman had 0 children, the two survivors being : Mary, the mother of our subject and Clemens, who resides in section 19, Marion township. In the summer of 1884, Frederick Lause erected on his farm above mentioned, a fine farm residence, one of the commodious and comfortable homes of the locality. Here his last years were passed and here his wife and son enjoy comforts provided by his years of industry. The following children were born to Frederick Lause and wife, namely : Mary, wife of John. Lower, of Ottawa, Ohio ; Dinah, wife of John Laudick, a farmer living in Kansas ; Casper, of Marion township ; Henry, deceased ; Frank, a farmer of Marion township ; Clara, wife of A. J. Smith, of Topeka, Kansas ; Anna, deceased; Clemens, a farmer of Marion township ; Joseph, a blacksmith in the village of Landeck ; Frederick, on the farm north of that of our subject; and Aloysius W., who lives on the homestead with his mother. All this family are consistent members of the Church of St. John the Evangelist. Casper Lause, our immediate subject, was reared on the pioneer farm, and as the oldest of his father's six sons, he had more responsibility placed upon him at an earlier age than on his brothers. His education was obtained in the district and the parochial schools : he also attended night school at Delphos. All his training was along lines to make him a practical farmer. He remained at home until the year of his marriage and then settled on the farm which he now occupies. At that time it was a tract of 48 acres, all forest land—just the same kind of wilderness as that into which his father had penetrated in 1850. This land Mr Lause set about clearing and in the course of time, through persevering industry, it was developed into a fertile farming tract. Mr. Lause has continued its improvement until the present time, setting out shade and fruit trees, erecting substantial buildings and introducing modern methods of tillage wherever found advisable. The present year (1906) finds the family established in a beautiful, well-planned modern residence, one which is a credit to the locality and an abode of great comfort to our subject. In 1886 Mr. Lause was married to Elizabeth Trentman, who is a daughter of John H. and Magdalena (Neidiken) Trentman. The 780 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY former owns a farm in section 6, Marion township, and is in business as a florist at Delphos. Five children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Frederick, Lena, Hilda, Leo and Otto. Four of the children are at home, but the eldest son is a student at Delphos. He is a very promising young man and is a member of the senior class of the Delphos High School, having taken the honors of the class in the junior year. Mr. Lause has reared his family in the Catholic faith and they are communicants at the Church of St. John the Evangelist at Delphos. In his political sentiments he is a Democrat. Casper Lause is a thorough business man, a fine farmer and a most highly respected citizen. He is an earnest supporter of good schools and he has served the township for nine years on the School Board. He was one of those nominated after the number of township members was cut down to five, but declined to continue longer in office. During the building of the school-house in District No. 12, he was a member of the building committee and is now serving as one of the township trustees. The Lause family is one of the best-known in the township. One highly respected member is Aloysius W. Lause, the youngest brother of Casper Lause. He was born in Marion township, January 24. 1880, and was educated in the district and parochial schools. He has always lived on the old homestead. He married Annie Gerdeman, of Van Wert County, and they have one child, Edwin. His aged mother resides with him. She is the center of a large family of descendants, having 27 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is a devout member of the Catholic Church, a noble, Christian woman. Among other kindred of Casper Lause, who have been more or less concerned in the development of Delphos and vicinity, was Casper Mesker. He was born in Germany and came as one of the early pioneers to Allen County. He worked on the canal in the early days, and assisted in the construction of the first church at Delphos, clearing the ground on which it was built. He was one of the party who crossed the ocean with Father Bredeick and was one of that pioneer priest's ready supporters. He settled a half mile east of the Delphos brewery, cleared a 40-acre homestead, added 36 acres more and lived there until his death, which occurred September 10, 1878. He married Clara Lause, an aunt of our subject, who is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Mesker) Lause. At the age of 85 years this lady still survives, residing in "Marbletown" Delphos. She tell many interesting tales of the early days here. One of the chief articles of diet was corn. In order to get it ground, one of the family was obliged to carry a bag of the grain on his back to Fort Jennings, in Putnam County. On many occasions Mrs. Mesker ground enough corn in her coffee mill to make cakes and then cooked her potatoes in the kettle which later had to serve as the coffee boiler. WILLIAM R. COON, whose valuable farm of 180 acres is situated in section 34, in a most desirable part of Amanda township, belongs to one of the old families of pioneer settlers in this part of Ohio. Mr. Coon was born January 27, 1843, and is a son of George J. and Juliet (Decoursey) Coon. George S. Coon, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1783, and died in Allen County in 1873. He married Christiana Moore, of Kentucky. They moved into Ohio at a very early day and settled first at Bellefontaine. In 1832 they moved to Shawnee township, Allen County, and located in section 4, on Hog Creek, securing the land from the government. The country was still wild and practically unsettled, Indians still roaming over the country in search of game. George S. Coon and wife had 11 children, George J., the father of our subject, being the third in order of birth. These worthy pioneers lived into old age, the grandfather attaining g0 years. They were buried in Shawnee township, George J. Coon was born in 1820 and his wife in 1825. In their deaths they were not long separated, both passing away in 1885. They AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 783 reared a large family, those who reached maturity being : William R.; Mrs. Margaret Jane Jones, of Kansas ; D. F., of California ; Caroline O., a widow ; and Rachel A., Charles A., Joshua S. and Mrs. Calista Cowdry, who reside in Kansas, all being married except Joshua S. William R. Coon was eight years old when his parents moved from Shawnee to Amanda township. At that time trading was done at Piqua. As far as school opportunities were afforded, Mr. Coon had very little chance, and since the age of 12 years he has depended upon his own resources. He worked with the tools and agricultural machinery of his day and locality, the old-time axe, cradle, and hoe, and in young manhood was able to split rails and chop cord-wood as effectively as any of his companions. In February, 1864, at the age of 21 years, he enlisted in the 74th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in the Army of the Tennessee, and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. He served with Sherman, through the Carolinas to the sea, and was at the Grand Review at Washington. He then returned home and farmed his father's land for two years. In 1867 Mr. Coon settled on a tract of land, right in the woods, in Amanda township, on which his son William resides, just south of his own comfortable farm residence. This land has all been cleared through his own industry, and he has assisted in every possible way in developing the resources of Amanda township. Great changes have been brought about since he first settled here. He has served two terms as township trustee, has been a justice of the peace for three terms, has been school director and is one of the reliable and substantial men of his locality, whose word and opinion bear weight. Mr. Coon was married first to Jane Place, a daughter of James Place, who at the age of 90 years resides in Oklahoma Territory. She died in 1884. Her children were: William, who married Effa Hutchinson ; Lenora, wife of Solomon Moorman, whose daughter Grace married Ira Hillyard and has two children ; Susan, who married Julius Fetter and has one child ; Jane, who married Charles Hover and has one child ; Elmer, who married Dora Saw-miller and has two children ; Belva, wife of Richard Ward ; and Alma, who married John Lowry, of Spencerville, and has one child. Mr. Coon was married, second, to Lucinda Brandy-berry. In religious belief Mr. Coon is a Christian Scientist, a zealous follower of Mrs. Eddy. FRANK COLUCCI, one of Lima's well-known business men, who has been prominently identified with railroad construction for a number, of years, was born July 3, 1863, in Italy, a country which has contributed many useful and successful citizens to the United States. Mr. Colucci was educated in his own land and was a youth of 19 years when, in 1882; he set foot on American soil. The 24 years which have intervened have been busy ones for Mr. Colucci, and he has demonstrated that a man's nationality has little to do with his ultimate success. From New York he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company and continued with that corporation for three years, going then to Green County, Wisconsin, with Drake & Stratton, railroad contractors. After two years with them he was connected with the Illinois Central for a year, and in the fall of 1888 located in Chicago, where he was engaged in construction work until the summer of 1889—the time of his coming to Lima. Here he became foreman for the construction of the Columbus, Lima & Milwaukee Railway (now the Columbus, & Lake Michigan), in the employ of the late. Benjamin C. Faurot, and then secured a large construction contract on the road between Findlay and Kenton. Here he employed about 60 men and concluded the contract in January, 1890. Mr. Colucci then returned to Lima and for the first time since coming to America made what seemed a bad bargain. One of his countrymen was in the fruit business here, having stores opposite the Court House and on East Market street, and to him Mr. Colucci loaned the sum of $200. His compatriot did not suc- 784 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ceed in his ventures and in order to secure his hard-earned money Mr. Colucci was obliged to take over the fruit business on East Market street. He placed his brother in charge of the enterprise, as his abilities lay in an entirely different direction. On March 22, 1890, he was engaged by the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad to furnish laborers for construction; in the fall of the same year the Chicago & Erie assumed control of the C. & A. road, and he has been with the Erie ever since as a contractor of labor, He has also taken grading contracts and has had business relations with the Standard Oil Company and the Pennsylvania lines. He is so reliable that large corporations know that a contract will be carried out to the letter, if he takes charge of it. On June 22, 1904, Mr. Colucci was married to Rosina Fusco, also of Italian birth. Mr. Colucci has invested largely in Lima real estate, belongs to the Lima Progressive Association and is one of the representative business men of the city, whose industry, honesty and ability have earned him an enviable standing. His portrait accompanies this sketch. SCOTT NEELY, of Allentown, is one of the best known residents of German township. He was born August 3, 1861, in German township, Allen County, Ohio, and is still a resident of the township, his home farm containing 10 acres in section 24, while he is also the owner of a farm of 120 acres in section 23, besides property in the village of Allentown. Mr. Neely's parents were James and Mary Catherine (Barrick) Neely, both of whom were pioneers of Allen County. His grandfather, Thomas Neely, was born in Hanover, Germany, and was a boy in years when his parents became residents of Allen County. Scott Neely's maternal grandparents were William and Mary Barrick, of German township. James Neely, our subject's father, was a volunteer in the Civil War, being in the service four years and eight months. He reared a family of seven children, all of whom are liv ing, namely : Frank, William, Charles, Scott, Alice, wife of W. F. Rathell ; Margaret, wife of Frank Kruse; and Ida May, who was first married to Col. E. Hains and after his death to J. L. Fantz. Scott Neely is a man of resources, having been engaged in a number of enterprises in Allen County, and it would be difficult to say in which he has met with most success. He has bought and sold horses; he has been engaged in crying sales and is one of the best auctioneers in this vicinity ; for more than 20 years he was engaged in hauling straw for the American Straw Board Company, of Lima, and when the plant of that company was destroyed by fire, it was Mr. Neely who was selected out of a crowd of 70 men to act as foreman at a good salary to oversee the laborers in their work of tearing down the ruins. Since then he has bought a hay-baler and buys up hay and straw which he bales and ships to all parts of the country. He also sells wood, which is cut and hauled from his own land. His farm is known as the old T. T. Mitchell farm. While Mr. Neely operates the farm, he has leased the oil privileges to Thomas Mitchell, of Lima.. Mr. Neely was first married December 31, 1883, to Sarah Bruner, daughter of Martin and Sarah Bruner, of Auglaize County. She died October 30, 1886, leaving two children, Clem, who was born August 17, 1884, and lives at home; and Neva Etta, born September 16, 1887, who married A. T. Whyman in June, 1903, lives in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and has two children—Opal Beatrice and Ola May. Or January 5, 1897, Mr. .Neely was married to Lydia Cary, daughter of Henry and Rebecca Cary. Her father was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America when six years old, locating in Allen County, Ohio. The children of the second marriage were as follows : Cary May, born September 4, 1897; Cecil Marie, born February 27, 1899; Lester Lloyd, born February 27, 1901 ; Russell Earl, born April 20, 1903 ; and Oliver, born April 17, 1905. Mr. Neely is a Democrat. At present he is serving on the School Board. He is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Allentown and is treasurer of the Epworth League AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 785 and of the Sunday-school. He was formerly president of the Epworth League and has been an efficient teacher in the Sunday-school for the past 10 years. Fraternally he is a member of Solar Lodge, No. 783, I. O. O. F., of Lima. FRANK A. EATON, one of the prominent and honorable citizens of Bluffton, who served as mayor from 1903 to 1905, and who for years has been engaged in a successful real estate, loan and insurance business, was born near Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, April 30, 1857, and is a son of James H. and Mary Ann (McWilliams) Eaton. The late James H. Eaton was a farmer and large land-owner in Allen County for a number of years, coming here from Crawford County in 1866. He bought a farm of 350 acres, a great part of which is now included within the corporate limits of Bluffton. He died here in 1894, at the advanced age of 84 years. He was prominent both in Crawford and Allen counties, being the first judge of probate elected in the former county, and the first one in the State after the office was created. He served one term as mayor of Bluffton, and throughout life was an honorable, public-spirited citizen. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Mary Ann McWilliams and their family consisted of four sons and two daughters, Frank A. being the third member in order of birth. Frank A. Eaton was nine years old when his parents came to Bluffton. He was educated in the public schools and at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, spending two years at the latter school. After a few years of farming he went into the mercantile business, in which his ability and honorable methods brought him success, and through which he became widely acquainted. In 1897 he embarked in his present line, that of insurance, real estate and investments. The other lines of his business are carried on with the same energy which has characterized his whole business career. Mr. Eaton has always been a good Democrat and has been more or less a party leader in - 40 - this locality for some years. He has served several terms as township clerk of Richland township, and in 1903 was elected mayor of Bluffton for a term of two years, by a substantial majority. In 1879 Mr. Eaton was united in marriage with Nellie Bartlett, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Ransom and Sophia Bartlett. They have one son, Ross, who is in business at Independence, Kansas. Mr. Eaton is a popular member of a number of the fraternal organizations of the country, including among these the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America.   C. H. CORY, president of the Superior Brick Company, has been a resident of Lima for almost a quarter of a century. He was born in Morris County, 'New Jersey, December 26, 1839, and is a son of James Cory, formerly well known in railroad circles. Until 16 years old, our subject lived on the home farm in Morris County. The family then moved to Paterson and the youth entered upon an apprenticeship in the Cook Locomotive Works, which covered four years, nine months and 17 days. As a machinist he then became connected with the old Camden & Amboy Railroad, now the Pennsylvania, but one year later came West in search of fortune, and entered the Illinois Central Railroad shops at Centralia, Illinois. He worked for three months as a machinist and then was foreman there for four and a half years. For six and a half years more he held the same position in the shops at Cairo, still later being advanced to the position of division master mechanic for the Illinois Central Railroad at Champaign, Illinois. Mr. Cory continued to advance, being rapidly promoted from one important position to another. He became general master mechanic at Carmi, for the Cairo & Vincennes Railroad, serving two years, and going from there to Marshalltown, Iowa, as master mechanic for the Iowa Central for two years; thence to Portsmouth, Ohio, as master mechanic for the Scioto Valley Railroad ; thence, two years 786 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY later, to Fostoria, as superintendent of construction for the "Nickle Plate" ; 18 months later he went to Saratoga, New York, as superintendent of the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel & Western, for four years; and then came to Lima as superintendent of the motor power of the C., H. & D. Railway. After serving in this capacity for 19 years, he gave up railroad work. Since February, 1905, Mr. Cory has given his attention to his many personal business interests, many of these being of a very important nature. He is president of the Superior Brick Company, is a director in the National Roofing Tile Company, is vice-president of the Lima Home Savings Association, is a director of the Metropolitan Bank and is one of the trustees of the Lima Hospital. Mr. Cory was married in the spring of 1870 to Mary L. Young, who is a daughter of Rufus Young, formerly a prominent railroad man. They have five children, viz : Charles H., an electrician at Dayton ; Louis H., with the Pacific Coast Pipe Line Company, at Mendota, California; Frederick R., a machinist at Lima; Carrie M., wife of M. C. Purtscher, bookkeeper in the Metropolitan Bank ; and James, a chemist, in charge of the acid department of one of the large refineries here. For years Mr. Cory has been one of the trustees of th Market Street Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Cairo, Illinois. He is identified with the Republican party ; but his many private interests have precluded great activity in public affairs. Like many other successful men, Mr. Cory has risen step by step, by persevering industry, close attention to the duty in hand, and by the exercise of those kindly instincts which have brought him many friends. E. M. GOODING, the leading shoe merchant at Lima, where he has been established since 1881, was born in 188 at Delaware, Ohio, and is a son of the late Mathew Gooding, formerly a farmer at Delaware, where he died in 1902. E. M. Gooding was reared in his native place and attended school until 17 years of age, He then became a partner in a mercantile enterprise, conducted under the firm name of Beathridge & Gooding, and located at Lewis Center, a small town south of Delaware. The business was continued there for five years, following which Mr. Gooding came to Lima, on November 16, 1881, and established himself in the shoe business at No. 230 North Main street, where he has continued until the present time. He has a fine business location, carries a complete line of goods and enjoys the largest patronage in the city. He has additional business interests and is a representative of the commercial men of Lima. On September 8, 1886, Mr. Gooding was married to Anna De Grief, who is a daughter of Jacob De Grief, a prominent politician of Tuscarawas County. They have two sons, Fred E. and Joseph D., the former of whom is a student at Hamilton College. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gooding is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs to the Commandery, Chapter and Council at Lima and to the Consistory at Cincinnati. He belongs also to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Shawnee Country Club and the Lima Progressive Association. E. M. HALE, a successful business man and leading jeweler of Lima, was born May 4, 1835, in Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio, his father being William Hale, one of the best known citizens of that county. William Hale built the Court House in Clinton and was a prominent man during his lifetime. E. M. Hale remained in his native county until 1858, when he entered a jeweler's shop to learn the trade, and in November of that year went to Lebanon, Ohio, to engage in the business for himself. He was a member of the firm of Baker & Hale for 10 years, when Mr. Baker retired and his place was taken by a Mr. West, the new firm being known as Hale & West. They added a line of books to their AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 787 stock of jewelry and built up a brisk business, conducting it together about 10 years, when Mr. West purchased the entire business. Mr. Hale then opened another store where he handled jewelry and musical instruments about three years, until October 3, 1881, when he came to Lima and located his present enterprise on the Public Square. During the quarter of a century in which he has been established in Lima, he has built up a reputation for reliability and integrity that it would be difficult to equal, and his business has flourished to a remarkable degree. He has been ably assisted in his business by J. W. Puetz, who has been confidential clerk and manager for more than 24 years. Mr. Hale was married in 1872 to. Mrs Frances Van Note, widow of William Van-Note, formerly Frances A. Pauley. They have one child, Helen M., wife of E. B. Edmonds, a prominent merchant of Bluffton, Indiana, to whom Mr. Hale has given the business established by him at a previous date. Mr. Hale is a member of the Knights of Pythias (Uniform Rank), Independent Order of Odd Fellows (both subordinate lodge and encampment) and the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council of Free and Accepted Masons. JAMES L. HEATH, postmaster at Herring (village of LaFayette), is engaged in the grain and fuel business. He is a native of this county, having been born in LaFayette, March 14, 188. His parents were Samuel G. and Mary D. (Hadsell) Heath, who came from Massachusetts at an early day and settled in Ashtabula, Ohio, later removing to Allen County. The parents of Mrs. Heath came to this county in 1832, and she lived in Lima when the present Public Square was covered with- dense timber and there were less than a dozezn houses in the town. She was the mother of 10 children, nine of whom she reared to maturity and saw happily married. Four of the sons and one daughter are residents of this county and in comfortable circumstances. Mr. Heath had but meagre opportunities for obtaining an education, being unable to attend school after his 12th year ; but he was given a thorough business training, which has enabled him to become a practical man of affairs and to make his way in the commercial world. When he was 12 years of age, he became a clerk in a general store and later entered the employ of Owen & Treat as clerk in their dry goods store at Lima. He remained in their employ three years. When he was 20 years old he returned to LaFayette and engaged in the grain business with N. R. Park at his present stand. The business flourished and 14 years later he became sole proprietor, handling grain, seed, coal, wool, flour and feed.- Later he became a partner of C. A. Graham and put in a stock of general merchandise, which has proved to be a good investment. Mr. Heath was married February 9, 1881, to Sarah E. Knoble, who was born at Mount Eaton, Ohio, April 12, 188, and is a daughter of Samuel and Jane E. (Chiddester) Knoble. Her father was a native of Switzerland, coming to this country when a boy. There are five children in the Heath family, viz : Olive B., wife of A. M. Barber, who is in the employ of his father-in-law ; Avery C., who died at the age of eight years ; and Ralph L., Paul Marvin and James Richard, aged respectively, 16, 11, and 4 years. Mr. Heath is a Republican and has been elected township treasurer in a township that is strongly Democratic. He enjoyed the distinction which has never bean accorded another of holding every treasurership in the township at one time, viz : treasurer of the township; of the township school funds ; of the special school district ; of the village corporation and of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M. He was appointed postmaster of Herring (village of LaFayette), August 2, 1898, and has been retained in office since. He has served on the auditing committee, appointed by the probate judge, to examine the accounts of the county treasurer. He is a member of the Christian Church and has ordered all the supplies for the Sunday-school for the past 10 788 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY years. He assisted in building the new church and was one of three on the pastoral committee. He is a member of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M.; Order of the Eastern Star ; I. O. O. F. and Rebekahs. F. D. CARPENTER, vice-president and general manager of the Western Ohio Railway Company, has been a resident of Lima since 1900. He was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in July, 1850, and is a son of Richard and Mary J. (Dimock) Carpenter. Richard Carpenter, father of F. D., was born in Dover, Vermont, and was a son of John Carpenter, one of the first settlers on the Cuyahoga River. He made the journey from New England with an ox team, but did not settle in the rich valley land, thinking the sandy soil not adapted to agriculture. He established his home some 11 miles from the river, in the midst of the forest. In association with Judge Coe, another of the first settlers, he bought up a large tract of country and a part of this was later cleared, laid out and sold to settlers, and thus the town of Dover, named for the old Vermont home, came into being. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Rev. Solomon Dimock, one of the pioneer Baptist ministers of Ohio, who rode over a wide circuit and encountered many hardships in order to fill appointments in isolated regions. F. D. Carpenter's schooling included several terms at Oberlin College; but he grew up on a farm from which he did not move until 25 years of age, when he engaged in the flouring-mill business at Cedar Point, Ohio. He remained in that business for seven years and then organized the Walton Fertilizing Company, which was incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000, and began the manufacture of fertilizers. Mr. Carpenter was president of the company and owned three-fifths of the stock and continued to push this business for eight years. It was during this time that he organized the Cleveland & Elyria Electric Railway, which was afterward consolidated and operated as the Cleveland & Southwestern Traction Company. He was associated with L. M. Coe and continued a member of the board of directors of the former road until he came to Lima, still retaining an interest in the latter company. He was also one of the promoters and general manager of the Cleveland & Chagrin Falls Railway, which he operated for one year. In 1899 Mr. Carpenter came to Lima to secure the right of way and to build the Western Ohio Railway, and he has been superintendent of all its work ever since. A company was formed and incorporated with a capital stock of $3,000,000, with E. A. Akins, of Cleveland as president and Mr. Carpenter, as. vice-president and general manager. This road extends from Piqua to Findlay, with branches from Wapakoneta to St. Marys and Celina, Bremen and Minster, with a total mile-. age of 112 miles. Mr. Carpenter is also a director in the Ohio Central Traction Company. His fine homestead is situated 12 miles. west of Cleveland. Mr. Carpenter was married, in 1872, to Levia A. Coe, who is a daughter of the late. Judge Coe, mentioned before as one of the early settlers of Cuyahoga County, and they have two children, viz : Richard H., a graduate of the Cleveland Business College, who is. general passenger agent of the Western Ohio, Railway Company ; and Harriet, who is the wife of Howard Storer, who is in the insurance and real estate business in Cleveland. Mr. Carpenter and family belong to Pilgrim Church, of Cleveland. He takes no active part in politics, but served as township trustee while living on the farm. He belongs to the Masonic order. W. H. TOMPKINS, the well-known dealer in staple and fancy groceries at No. 236 South Pine street, Lima, is one of the progressive business men of the city. He was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1845, and is a son of Joel Tompkins. The father of Mr. Tompkins was born in Pennsylvania and for 18 years was a car- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 789 builder in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Altoona, where he was also a prominent citizen and a member of the City Council. At the opening of the Civil War Joel Tompkins enlisted as a private in the Pennsylvania Reserves, but later resigned, having in the interim been promoted to a 2nd lieutenancy. He then reenlisted in the l0th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol, Cav., and for a time was in charge of the commissary department of the regiment. His death took place in 1884. W. H. Tompkins was reared and educated in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and left school when 18 years of age in order- to enlist for service in the Civil War. His first service of six months was in Company E, l0th Reg., Pennsylvania Vol. Cav., during which time he was engaged mainly in West Virginia. On August 29, 1864, he reenlisted in Company F, 19th Reg., Pennsylvania Vol. Cav., at Memphis, Tennessee, and took part in the closing campaigns of the war in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. He was discharged in June, 1865, having served his country with loyalty and devotion. Mr. Tompkins then returned to Huntingdon County and entered the railroad shops at Altoona, where he worked as a car-builder until 1881, when he came to Lima and resumed work of the same kind in the shops of the L. E. & W. Railroad. Here he was made assistant foreman, in which position he continued until 1887 when he was placed in charge of the car-building department. Mr. Tompkins continued in this responsible position until he retired from the service in April, 1905, after an association of 24 years with this company, during 17 of which he was in charge of the car department. The department in which he was most interested was at that time moved to the shops at Collinwood; but Mr. Tompkins had made investments at Lima and had formed pleasant social ties here and was not disposed to change his home. Hence he-entered into a new line of business, opening up a fine grocery store which has prospered from the beginning. Mr. Tompkins was married September 17, 1865, to Clara Johnston, who died in August, 1901, leaving five children, viz : Emma, wife of J. F. Van Horn, of Lima ; Laura May, widow of W. H. McClellan, a railroad fireman who was killed while on duty ; Charles E., a carpenter ; A. J., in charge of the "Red Cross" drug-store at Lima ; and William Roy, a machinist in the L. E. & W. Railroad shops at Lima. On October 7, 1903, Mr. Tompkins was married to Sarah McClellan, who is a daughter of John McClellan, a retired citizen of Lima. Mr. Tompkins is a member of the order of Odd Fellows and belongs also to the Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Lima. JACOB HALL, a veteran farmer of Monroe township, owning 110 acres of land in sections 26 and 35, to the improvement of which he has devoted the past 50 years, was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, October 5, 1830. His parents moved to Carroll County, Ohio, when he was three years old and one year later settled in Tuscarawas County where they lived for about 12 years, coming to Allen County in 1854. His parents were William and Christina (Smith) Hall, natives of New Jersey. They were farmers and owned about 300 acres of land in Monroe township. The father died at the age of 74 years, while the wife reached her 87th year. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Delila, Mary, John, Abraham, Diadama (Lackey), Sarah Ann, Jacob. Salinda (Jennings) and Isaac.. Except our subject and Mrs. Jennings, who resides in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, these children have all passed away. Jacob Hall resided with his parents until his 24th year, renting his father's farm for two years previous to purchasing his present property of 110 acres. At the time of purchase, this land was covered with a heavy growth. of timber, all of which has since been cleared off. The property has all been put under cultivation except about 25 acres of pasture land. During the war, Mr. Hall was 790 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY extensively engaged in shipping stock, but has since been doing general farming and has improved his place until it is among the best in the vicinity. Mr. Hall was married August 16, 1855, to Harriet Wallace, who was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1836, and came to Allen County 10 years later with her parents, who were John and Rebecca (Poyer) Wallace, of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. They died in Allen County. The mother had one daughter by a previous marriage and four children by her union with John Wallace, namely : Charles, of Van Wert County; Harriet ; William, of Monroe township ; and John M., who moved to Kansas, where he died. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, as follows : Hilas, who died at the age of 32 years ; Annetta Bell, wife of Albert Herron ; Rebecca Alice, wife of Adam Roberts, of Columbus Grove; Christina, wife of Jacob Miller ; and William O. Except Mrs. Roberts, all the children live in Monroe township, the son living on 40 acres of the homestead. Mr. Hall has been a Republican since casting his ballot for Gen. John C. Fremont. He is a member of the Methodist Church and a man universally respected and esteemed. W. L. McCLAIN, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Lima, belongs to one of the pioneer families of Allen County. He was born in 1866 in Perry township, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Crumrine) McClain. Isaac McClain was born in 1837 on the McClain homestead, one and a half miles north of Lima, and is a son of Andrew and Nancy McClain. The former was born near Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a son of Thomas McClain, who came to Allen .County in 1832 and located in Bath township, where few of his contemporaries still live. Not one tree on that land had yet fallen by the hand of man on the farm which he cleared and where he died in 1842. His wife survived him until 1873. They had nine children and Isaac was the seventh of the family. Isaac McClain went first to school in a church in Lima, and then to a select school kept on the old farm in a little log building, which had been constructed for the purpose. After the death of his father, he remained at home with his mother until his marriage, and then moved to the McDonel place. Here he lived one year and then built a shanty on the site of his present comfortable residence. His wife owned 40 acres and Isaac McClain bought 40 east and 80 west, thus making a very fair-sized farm. In 1873 the present excellent home was built, which is supplied with gas from the wells flowing on the place. In 1864 Isaac McClain married Mary Crumrine, who was born September 20, 1841, and is a daughter of Martin and Catherine (Brocies) Crumrine. The nine children born to this marriage were: Lucinda, wife of U. C. Apple, born September 21, 1864; William Leonard, born November 15, 1866; Charles Albert, born December 13, 1868 ; Henry Edward, born April 13, 1871 ; Florence May, born September 10, 1873 ; John Timothy, born March 6, 1875 ; Roscoe Franklin, born March 31, 1877; George Webster, born May 23, 1879 ; and Minnie Rachel, born March 10, 1886. The farm occupied by Mr. McClain is known as the "Central Ridge Farm," where great attention is paid to the breeding of fine sheep. Mr. McClain owns a very valuable full-bred Shropshire sheep, which was bred by Carpenter, of Toronto. Politically lie is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William Leonard McClain, our immediate subject, was reared and prepared for college in Allen County, and spent two years at the Tri-State Normal School at Angola, Indiana. After completing his collegiate course, he went into business in the oil field of his native State and continued thus engaged for 14 years. In 1901 Mr. McClain came to Lima and embarked in the grocery business under the firm name of W. L. McClain & Company. He car- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 791 ries a complete stock of both staple and fancy groceries, at his location, No. 720 South Main street. In 1890 Mr. McClain was married to Florence A. Jamison, who is a daughter of A. W. Jamison, who has interests in the Ohio oil fields. Mr. and Mrs. McClain have two children, viz : Merlin Bonard, born March 22, 1902 ; and Mildred, born August 4, 1905. He is a member of the Odd Fellows. In political sentiment he is a Republican and at the present writing (1905) is the nominee of his party for the City Council as councilman-at-large. WILLIAM WILSON, a respected citizen of Lima, member of the Board of Public Service and a leader in Democratic politics, was born in 1851 in Scotland, and came to America when a youth of 18 years. Although Mr. Wilson was not much more than a boy when he landed in a strange country, he was already provided with a self-supporting trade, that of blacksmith. He had been left an unprotected orphan when J0 years of age, and from that time to the present he has made his own way in the world. It was pretty hard at first, working in a brick-yard where all the bricks were made by hand and he could earn but three pence a day ; but Scotch pluck provided the courage and he managed to improve his condition gradually and, as stated, learned the blacksmith trade. He located first at Detroit, Michigan, and immediately found work with the Detroit Bridge & Iron Works, remaining with that company for three years. He then went to Adrian, Michigan, for a short season, and then to Aurora, Illinois. There he worked for some 18 months in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and then went to Elkhart, Indiana, where he found employment in the shops of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway for a shore time ; later he returned to Adrian, Michigan, and was assistant foreman in the railroad shops there for 12 years. Mr. Wilson then came to Lima and still continued in the railroad shops for about seven years and since then has been foreman for The Sinclair & Morrison Company's shops. For nine years he was also interested in a shoe business on the corner of Main and Kibby streets, this enterprise not interfering with his employment at his trade. Mr. Wilson is one of the directors in the South Side Building & Loan Association. In 1905 he was nominated by the Democratic party for membership on the Board of Public Service at Lima, and was elected by a majority of 449, although the city is considered Republican. Mr. Wilson was married November 15, 1870, to Mary Viola Hill, who is a daughter of Cyrus Hill, and they have one daughter, Margaret, who is the wife of Edward Helser, a photographer at Lima. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Main Street Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the board of trustees. He belongs to the Masons and to the Odd Fellows.   ABIA JOHN, deceased, for many years one of the most. highly respected residents of German township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 14, 1831, and was a son of Griffith John, one of the first settlers of Allen County, whose sketch may be found in the general history of German township in Chapter VII of this work. Abia John was about one year old when he was brought to Allen County, by his parents, who located in German township, where he was reared and educated. He learned the trade of carpenter ; but remained at home, assisting his father on the farm until he reached his majority. Preferring to work at his trade rather than on a farm, he then went to Illinois and remained in that State for four years, working at various points as a carpenter, and at the end of this period returning to Allen County. The death of his father followed shortly after, and on his mother's behalf the young man then took upon himself the management of the general store, which his father had conducted so successfully. On October 18, 1857, Mr. John was mar- 792 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ried to Phoebe Ann Myers, who is a daughter of Silas and Matilda (Bowman) Myers. The Myers family moved from Butler County to Allen County in 1850. Mrs. John was born in Butler County, March 27, 1841, and was nine years of age when the family located in German township, where she was reared and married. One of her brothers, David H. Myers, resides in Marion township, Allen County. He married Mary Ella Mounts, a daughter of Rev. James Mounts, of Van Wert. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John were: Ulysses Franklin, born October 1, 1858, who died at the age of 28 years ; David Newton, born June 28, 1860, who also died at the age of 28 years ; Olive Matilda, born December 7, 1861, also deceased at the age of 28 years; Silas Meeker, born October 9, 1863, who died aged 22 years; Jehu Mounts, born August 1865, who resides with his mother—he married Carrie Conrad, of Elida, who died April 2, 1890, and was laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, near Elida ; Martha Evelyn, born June 14, 1867, who married George Copus, of Elida, and died in 1900, leaving two children —Howard Ray and Guy Edgar; Jesse Roberts, born September 8, 1869, who is single and resides at home; Ella May, born September 28, 1871, who married James Wesley Johns and .lives at Findlay, Ohio; Tirza Arvilla, born June 23, 1876, who married Clinton Shock, of Texas, and has one child—Chadwick Emerson ; Emma Annetta, born March 21, 1879, died aged 16 years; and Pauline Myrtle, born April 11, 1881, who resides with her mother and brothers on the old homestead. Abia John died November 24, 1903, and his burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery, by the side of his deceased children. The death of the two oldest sons had weighed heavily upon him, both of them being promising young men of sterling character. David Newton John was educated at the university at Lebanon, while his brother was educated at Delaware. Both brothers taught school and David Newton John was superintendent of four schools in Texas. The death of Abia John removed from German township one of its most exemplary citizens. He was a man of character and integrity, honest in his dealings with his fellowmen, kind in his treatment of his family and true in every relation of life. His widow, who resides in Elida, is a lady very highly esteemed and on account of her gentle and kind neighborliness is known to every one as "Aunt Ann." Mr. John was a steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was no politician but served on the School Board.J JACOB KISSEL, one of the leading merchants of Lima, in the line of staple and fancy groceries and choice meats, with store located at Nos. 945- 947 West High street, was born in Defiance County, Ohio, in 1854, and is a son of the late Jacob Kissel, who was identified with the business interests of Bryan, Ohio, for many years. Our subject was reared at Bryan, Ohio, and after he completed his education learned the butcher's business. In 1879 he went West and spent four years at Leadville, Colorado, where he engaged in mining and was also interested in a meat business. In 1883 he returned to Bryan for a short season and then came to Lima, where he entered the employ of a Mr. Brunt, in the meat business. Later, in association with J. C. Schwartz, he purchased the business, and for six years it was conducted under the firm name of Kissel & Schwartz, when the latter partner retired from the firm and Mr. Kissel continued alone until 1900. For several years he remained practically out of business, but resumed in 1905, establishing his present grocery and meat market. By his long experience he has become well acquainted with the demands of the public, and he carries a very complete and well-assorted stock, catering to the best trade of the neighborhood. In 1886 Mr. Kissel was married to Kate Koch, who died in 1902, leaving four children, namely : Lenore, William, Florence and Mabel, all students in the Lima schools. The fam- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 795 ily belong to the German Reformed Church. Mr. Kissel is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Elks. THOMAS J. EDWARDS, clerk of the courts of Allen County, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is one of the county's most popular officials. He was born at Gomer, Allen County, Ohio, on the l0th day of June, 1871, of Welsh parentage and is a son of Isaac D. and Elizabeth E. Edwards, who were residents of this county for many years. Our subject's father, who was an extensive merchant at Gomer, died in 1892, at Chattanooga, Tennessee ; his widow still survives, as do also three of their family of six children. At the age of 12 years, Thomas J. Edwards began earning his own way. During school vacations he would drive a mule in the coal mines, receiving for his work very liberal pay for one who would take up the work at that age. At the age of 14 years Mr. Edwards attended Grant University at Chattannoga, Tennessee, for two terms. Soon after this, his father embarked in business as a merchant, conducting a large store at Chattanooga, Tennessee, with a full line of stoves and hardware, and also a large tinning and cornice establishment. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Thomas learned the tinner's trade and completed his trade under his father. He was of pleasant address and was gifted with excellent business ideas ; these facts coming to the attention of the Southern Construction Company, he was engaged for four years as a commercial traveler. After severing his relation with this company, he came back to Lima, Ohio, and visited relatives and friends at Gomer, returning to Lima on the 2nd day of January, 1894. He at once secured a position as a clerk in a shoe store, afterwards going with the firm of Hoover Brothers. Two years later he took up his old position as a commercial traveler and thus continued to be engaged until 1902. In this year at the urgent requests of his many friends, he became a candidate for the office of county clerk. Although there never before had been a contest for the nomination on the Republican ticket for a county office, a lively contest was now precipitated, as two of the most prominent men of Allen County aspired for the nomination ; Mr. Edwards received the nomination on the third ballot. After the nomination, he went out and campaigned the county, man to man and was elected clerk of the courts, he being the first Republican ever elected to the office in Allen County. His friends stood by him most loyally in this election and he did not forget them when he went into office. As the end of his term of three years approached, his friends again secured for him the Republican nomination and on November 7, 1905, he was reelected clerk of the courts with a majority of 1,559 votes, the largest majority ever given any county candidate, with the exception of one or two. It was a remarkable election ; the State losing its Republican Governor, who was running for a second term, and the Democratic candidate for that office carrying Allen County by 1,490 votes ; the city. of Lima, normally Republican by S00 votes, being carried by the Democrats, who elected all of their candidates save one councilman. Mr. Edwards has proven himself to be a very active and progressive citizen. It was largely due to his efforts that Walter B. Richie was selected as a member of the commission to locate the site of the new State Hospital for the Insane. Owing to the over-crowded condition of the insane hospitals of the State, the General Assembly of 1903 empowered the Governor to appoint a non-partisan commission of five members to locate a site for a hospital for the insane. A public meeting of the citizens of Lima was called and the name of Walter B. Richie was selected and the same was presented to Governor Myron T. Herrick for his consideration. Mr. Richie was appointed a member of this commission on June 9, 1904. After visiting sites in different parts of the State, the commission's final decision was Allen County and the report was accepted by the Governor. The Governor will recommend to the next General Assembly that an appropriation be made to erect a State Hospital for the Insane, to be built in Allen County. Mr. Edwards was united in marriage with 796 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Caroline M. Hoover, who is a daughter of John Hoover, a well-known citizen of Lima. They have one son, Louis B. Mrs. Edwards is a devoted member of the Catholic Church, while Mr. Edwards was reared a Congregationalist. Mr. Edwards' fraternal connections include the Elks, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias, Maccabees and Eagles. He is 3d vice-president of the National Travelers' Protective Association of America and in 1906 he was elected president of the Clerks' Association of the State of Ohio and was further honored by being elected president of the organization of the county officials of the State of Ohio. His residence is No. 452 North West street, Lima. As county clerk, Mr. Edwards has met with public approval, giving close and careful attention to the duties of the office, which are of no light character, four assistants being required. He possesses genial qualities, which have made him a successful business man and which are very desirable in a public official. HARRY NEELEY, oil operator and oil contractor, at Lima, has been a resident of this city for the past 15 years. He was born in this county in 1870, and is a son of H. C. Neeley. The father of Mr. Neeley was born in Allen County, Ohio, in 1843, and is a son of William Neeley, one of the early pioneers of the county. H. C. Neeley was a farmer and, also an oil contractor during his active years, but is now living in retirement at Ottawa. Harry Neeley was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the local schools. Almost all of his business life has been devoted to oil interests. In 1895 he commenced to contract at Lima and through the Ohio oil field, and this has been his main occupation ever since. For the past seven years he has been associated with the Ohio Oil Company. He owns three separate sets of drilling tools and. with the exception of a few months, these have been in constant use ever since he has been engaged in the business. On October 23, 1896, Mr. Neeley was married to Della B. Johns, who is a daughter of T. W. Johns, of Lima. They have one son, Robert L. Mr. Neeley is one of Lima's first-class citizens, although he devotes very little time to politics. For some years he has led a very busy life, and is probably as well posted on the different oil fields, their present value and future promise, as any man in this section. He belongs to Allen Lodge, No. 223, I. O. O. F., at Lima. JAMES L. MAUS, the well-known wagon-maker of Lafayette, was born in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, November 14, 1840, and is a son of Nicholas Dill and Elizabeth (Creps) Maus, who were natives of Mary land. The father was born in 1803 near where afterward was to be fought the battle of Gettysburg. He came to Ohio in 1832 and entered land in Perry township, Allen County, where he carried on farming for many years and also operated a sawmill which was run by water-power. He was a miller by trade and followed that business in his native State. He made his home in Perry township until he retired from active life when he spent some time in Fort Wayne and later returned to Westminster, this county, where he passed away at the age of 95 years. He was a Whig and later a Republican. His wife died in 1895 at the age of 85 years. There were four children, namely : William A., Margaret Elizabeth, Rebecca Barbara and James L. William A. served 12 months in the 180th Regiment, Ohio Vol, Inf., under Capt. Calvin S. Brice, and is now a resident of Vaughnsville, Putnam County, Ohio. Margaret Elizabeth became the wife of Samuel Moore and resided in Hardin County where she died about 1899. Rebecca Barbara married Taylor Hefner and lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana. James L. Maus was the fourth and youngest of the family. He attended school until he was 14 when he learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he continued to work for several years. In 1867 he moved to LaFayette and began his wagon-making business, and has AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 799 been thus engaged almost ever since. He operated a sawmill for some 12 years and also started a feed-mill, now run by his sons. On April 13, 1869, he was married to Hannah E. Leatherman, daughter of Michael Leatherman, a prominent character of the early days of Allen County and for many years probate judge. Their children are Arthur Dill, a machinist and a member of the firm of Maus Brothers ; Charles Vinton, who was killed in the mill when in his 17th year ; Harry Page, another member of the firm of Maus Brothers ; Frank H., who conducts a hotel at Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Ruea Mrytle, who lives at home; Jesse Donald, who has great ability as a mechanic and is a photographer and electrician of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and two daughters who died in infancy. Mr. Maus is a Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M., and was a member of the G. A. R. post until its disorganization. In the Civil War Mr. Maus was in Company H, 81st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. Charles M. Hughes and Colonel Morton; but after four months became ill with measles and was discharged on account of disability. As soon as he recovered he reenlisted in June, 1862, in Company E, 99th Reg., Ohio. Vol. Inf., under Capt. John Walters and from that time was in the thickest of the fray, following Bragg's army and taking part in the battles at Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and the Atlanta campaign, not missing an engagement in which his regiment participated. While waiting in 1865 for a transfer home from Salisbury, North Carolina, he was taken down with fever, which ended his army experiences. ADAM SIMONS, prominent in the brick manufacturing line at Lima, has been one of the city's leading business men for a quarter of a century. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1844, and is a son of the late John Simons, who formerly was a substantial and well-- known farmer of Upper Sandusky. Mr. Simons spent all the earlier years of his life on a farm in Wyandotte County, and there obtained his education. In 1872 he left home and removed to Delphos, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick until 1880, when he came to Lima. Here he found an excellent field for his industry and now stands at the head of the brick manufacturers of the city. The quality of his product has done its own advertising, and a canvass of Lima's most substantial structures will prove how large is his local trade. In 1869 Mr. Simons was united in marriage with Maria Hoffman, who is a daughter of Eli Hoffman, a farmer of Upper Sandusky. They have reared a family of nine children, namely : Frank, who is in business at Lewiston, Illinois ; Henry, who is the engineer of the Lima central fire department ; Charles, who is chief engineer of the LaFayette (Indiana) Traction Company ; Minnie, who is the wife of A. McPheron, of Lima; Permilla, who is the wife of E. F. Flaving, of Chicago ; Rosa, who is the wife of Byron S. Langin, of Lima, employed in the Lake Erie & Western Railroad office ; Bertha, living at home; Earl, who is employed at the Lima Locomotive Works ; and Raymond, who is attending school. The inclinations of Mr. Simons' sons have led them into mechanics, where each one is giving an excellent account of himself. In late years Mr. Simons has paid little attention to politics. Both he and his wife are members of St. John's Catholic Church. Their portraits accompany this sketch. CAPT. JOHN M. BINGHAM, auditor of the National Roofing Tile Company, of Lima, with offices in the Masonic Building, is one of the city's well-known and representative men. He was born in 1865 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and is a son of the late John M. Bingham and a member of one of the oldest families of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Captain Bingham was reared in Warren County, in his native State, attending school until the age of 12 years. After working there on a farm for several years, he became a clerk in a general mercantile store at West