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250 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Pennsylvania, and is also a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Knights of Commercial Travelers. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Wagenman are Presbyterians. RICHARD E. SMITH has had some share in the industrial work of Allen County, though the greater part of his years have been spent at farming. He is a dairyman and stock farmer and owner of one of the best improved places in Perry Township, his home being on rural route No. 6 out of Lima. Mr. Smith was born in American Township of Allen County November 4, 1864, son of William B. and Barbara (Conrad) Smith. His parents were natives of Fairfield County, Ohio. His maternal grandfather, George Conrad, was a native of Pennsylvania. From Fairfield County William B. Smith and wife moved to Allen County and bought more than 300 acres of land in what was then German, now American, Township. He had barely started the improvement of the farm when his death occurred on July 2, 1864, several months before the birth of his son Richard E. The widowed mother afterward married Samuel Baumgardner, who died five or six years later, and she continued to live on the old homestead farm until her death at the very advanced age of ninety-five, in March, 1920. Richard E. Smith was the youngest of a number of children. Isabel, the oldest, is Mrs. Wesley Reed, of Bucklin, Ohio ; Taylor lives at Lima ; Harrison is deceased ; George is a resident of Cleveland ; Mary, widow of Jackson Keller, is a resident of Muskegon, Michigan; Martin lives at Lima ; William has his home in American Township ; Ellen is Mrs. John Baumgardner, of Elida, Ohio ; Sarah is Mrs. Gilbert Shook, of Muncie, Indiana ; and Jacob is deceased, his widow living in Perry Township. Richard E. Smith grew up in his mother's home, was educated in the district schools, and was married at the age of twenty-six, on May 20, 1890, to Elizabeth Alexander. She was born at Allentown in Allen County, a daughter of James and Lydia (Crimeau) Alexander. Her grandparents, Adam and Elizabeth (Housel) Alexander, were natives of Connecticut, while her maternal grandparents were John and Nancy (Docerty) Crimeau. After his marriage Mr. Smith continued to live on the home farm and managed it for his mother two years. He then went to Lima and found a place in the steel works of that city, and for some time was foreman of a crane crew. He was with the steel works fifteen months, until the plant was shut down on account of fire. Mr. Smith then went into the oil fields around St. Mary's, and had a varied assignment of duties at nearly everything connected with the oil industry for about seven years. In the meantime he had bought twenty acres in Amanda Township, and on leaving St. Mary's moved to that farm, where he resided three years. Leaving Allen County, he bought seventy acres in Wilshire Township of Van Wert County, and was busily engaged in farming there for several years. Mr. Smith lost his wife while in Van Wert County on May 30, 1905. In 1906 he returned to Allen County and bought ninety-five acres in section 32 of Perry Township. He has added to the residence, built a complete new equipment of barns and other farm buildings, and has made many improvements to increase the efficiency and value of the place. Ninety acres are under cultivation and five acres still constitute a wood lot. This is the Elm Row Farm, and is devoted to general farming, the raising of Holstein cattle for dairy purposes, registered Duroc Jersey hogs and White Leghorn chickens. Mr. Smith has both children and grandchildren, most of whom live in Allen County : Terry, a resident of Lima, married Florence Kitterman and has three children, Lester, Ralph and Floyd; Violet Chloe, her father's housekeeper, is the wife of Roy Pethtel and has a son, Melvin Gail; Lelia Grace is the wife of Walter Fritz, of Perry Township, and has four children, Matilda, Violet, Geraldine and Walter ; Belva lives with her sister Leila Grace, and has one daughter, Vivian Vondale; Berlin, of Lima, married Claudice Young. Mr. Smith is a member of the United Brethren Church at Elida, is an independent voter and has filled all the chairs in Tent No. 190 of the Knights of the Maccabees at St. Mary's. WILLIAM FRANCIS FOUST. Noteworthy among the well-known and highly esteemed citizens of Lima is William Francis Foust, who is intimately associated with the advancement of one of the most important industrial interests of the community, being manager of the Lima branch of the Ohio Dairy Company, of which he is a stockholder. He was born in 1878 in Hicksville, Defiance County, Ohio, a son of George and Nettie (Horton) Foust, who are now living in Bryan, Ohio. He is of Dutch and English lineage, and is descended on both sides of the house from early American families of note, his ancestors on the maternal side having been interested in the banking affairs of the country, and on the paternal side having been prominent agriculturists. Acquiring his elementary education in the public schools of Defiance County, William Francis Foust was prepared for college at Fayette Academy, and in 1902 was graduated from the University of Toronto with the degree of Veterinary Surgeon, at the same time capturing the Materia Medica honors. Locating immediately in Bryan, Ohio, he was engaged in the practice of his profession in that place until 1912. Moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin, he served as road superintendent for the Denmark Condensed Milk Company for a year and a half, and was afterward associated with the Ohio Dairy Company at Toledo for two and a half years, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in scientific dairying. Continuing with the same company, Mr. Foust superintended the management of the plant at Columbus, Ohio, for fifteen months, and when that was sold assumed charge of the Lima plant, with which he has since been identified. In this capacity he has built up an extensive and remunerative trade, manufacturing nothing but butter, which he ships to all parts of the country, even to the far east, the products of his factory being known in the leading markets and are in great demand. Mr. Foust married in 1902 Estelle Fancannon, daughter of S. L. and _____ (Burkstresser) Fancannon, of Wauseon, Ohio. They have no children. Politically Mr. Foust supports the principles of the republican party in national affairs, but locally votes for the best men and measures. Fraternally he belongs to two Bryan lodges, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 251 THOMAS N. KINN. Possessing good executive and business ability and a thorough knowledge of everything pertaining to plumbing, heating, and ventilating, Thomas N. Kinn, junior member of the Jones-Kinn Engineering Company, of Lima, is actively and prominently identified with the growth and expansion of the industrial interests of city and county, his services being in constant demand. A son of Frank and Clementina (Kochomeyer) Kinn, he was born in 1883 in Hestrich, Belgium, where his father was for many years engaged in business as a lumber dealer. Immigrating to America with his family in 1892, Frank Kinn settled in Fostoria, Ohio, where he is still a resident. He was a stationary engineer during his active career, and having accumulated a fair share of this world's goods is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil. Brought up in Fostoria, Thomas N. Kinn was educated in the parochial schools of that place, and at the age of seventeen years began life as a wage earner, clerking in a grocery store for a year. Going then to Toledo, Ohio, he was for five years in the employ of the Shaw-Kendall Engineering Company, beginning work as a helper and eventually obtaining a practical knowledge of plumbing and of the different systems of heating and ventilating. The ensuing two years he was steamfitter in the Buick Automobile Company's plant in Flint, Michigan, coming from there to Lima, Ohio, where for seven years he was superintendent of the construction and heating department of the Claus & Jones Company. Forming a partnership with E. B. Jones in 1917, under the firm name of the Jones-Kinn Engineering Company, Mr. Kinn has since been busily employed, the firm having filled many large and important heating, plumbing,' ventilating and engineering contracts, among others having been the installation of the heating system of the Young Menls Christian Association Building in Lima ; of the Askin's Flat ; the Biesel Building ; the Postoffice Building; the Central Church of Christ Building; the Lima Manufacturers' Supplies Building; the Lima Packing House; the Banta Candy Company's Building; the Bellefontaine and Tecumseh, Ohio, High School buildings ; and the Federal Building at Pontiac, Illinois ; and the Masonic Building in Lima. Mr. Kinn has other interests, being one of the stockholders of the Lima Thermotor Engineering Company, in which he is also a director. Mr. Kinn married in June, 1917, Grace Nermeyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Nermeyer, and they have two children, Thomas Camillus and George Francis. Mr. Kinn is independent in politics, casting his vote for the best men and measures. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Knights of Columbus. Religiously he belongs to Sb. Rose Catholic Church. EVERETT BLAINE JONES. Prominent among the wide-awake, brainy men who have been actively associated with the building interests of Lima is Everett Blaine Jones, head of the engineering firm of Jones & Kinn, which is kept constantly employed in filling large plumbing, heating and ventilating contracts. A close student, doing his own drafting and blue printing. Mr. Jones invented the Jones Thermoter, a furnace heat controller for keeping an even temperature, and in 1917 he had it patented, the patentee having been the Thermoter Engineering Company of Lima, although Mr. Jones himself has the controlling interest in this practical device. A son of J. S. Jones, he was born in 1884 in Tunnelton, Lawrence County, Indiana, coming from Welsh-Irish stock. One of a family of four children, J. S. Jones was but a boy when he accompanied his parents to Indiana, settling with them in Martin County. Growing to manhood in that locality he embarked in the lumber business as a young man and after operating a sawmill in Indiana for a few years migrated to Whitley County, Kentucky, where he was similarly employed until his death in 1902. He married Clara Guthrie, who was of honored Colonial ancestry, the founder of the American family of Guthries having come to this country with the Lees, who have long been famous in the annals of Virginia, being among its first settlers. Her grandfather Guthrie, a pioneer settler of Indiana, located in Lawrence County, and there built as a protection against the Indians, who resented the intrusion of the white men, Fort Ritner. Mrs. Clara Jones is still living, her home being in Lima, Ohio. After leaving the public schools of Williamsburg, Kentucky, Everett Blaine Jones took an academic course at the Williamsburg Academy, now known as Highland College. At the age of seventeen years he began working with his father in a sawmill at Williamsburg, Kentucky, but preferring some other occupation he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he served an apprenticeship of four years at the steamfitter's trade with Clarke Brothers. Going from there to Chicago, Illinois, he was for a time superintendent of construction for the Johnson Service Company, and later was located in Cincinnati, Ohio, three and a half years. Coming to Lima in 1908, Mr. Jones was engaged in the heating and ventilating business for eight years as junior member of the firm of Clark & Jones, contractors and engineers. In 1916 Mr. Clark sold his interest in the business to Thomas N. Kinn, and the newer organized firm of Jones & Kinn has since carried on a very prosperous and extensive business, having had charge of the plumbing, heating and ventilating of nearly all of the more important business, school, church and public buildings of the city and county, its contracts extending even beyond the boundaries of the state. Mr. Jones married in July, 1919, Miss Vanna Linn, a daughter of Edward and Ida (Gambrel) Linn of Lima. JAMES B. JACKMAN is a man whose life has become an essential part of the history of Allen County, and he has exerted a beneficial influence in the city honored by his residence, where he has been successful in his business affairs. Mr. Jackman's chief characteristics seem to be unswerving integrity, keenness of perception, fidelity of purpose and sound common sense, which have earned for him the esteem of the entire community. James B. Jackman was born in Paris, France, on February 27, 1838, the son of Wilbert and Mary Jane Jackman, who in 1844 came to the United States, landing at New York City. From there they came to Seneca County, Ohio, where the father conducted grist mills. In France he had been mainly engaged in the gathering of wheat and sending it to mill, though later he became interested in milling there. He also speculated in wheat and other com- 252 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY modities. His death occurred in Seneca County, after which his widow went to live with Mr. William Young, a son-in-law, in Henry County, where her death occurred. James B. Jackman was reared by his parents until eight years of age, when he went to live with Mr. Starr, by whom he was employed to do farm chores, such as feeding the live stock, and he remained there until lie had attained his majority. He then went to Cary, Ohio, and learned the trade of harness making under a Mr. Graw, serving three tad a half years. He then worked at that trade for a Inv years, at the end of which time he bought the business from his employer, and to that he added a clothing department. He engaged in the manufacture of clothing, in which he was successful, and at times had eighteen or twenty women sewing for him. In the early '70s he sold the business in Cary and moved to Bowling Green, Ohio, where he went into railroad contracting, building thirteen miles of railroad bed of what is now the Nickel Plate Railroad. He then moved to Defiance. Ohio, buying the Russell Hotel, also building two miles of road bed for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Mr. Jackman then went to Kenton, Ohio, where he ran the Dugan Hotel for two years, then coming to Lima, where he was successful in his business affairs and erected a large brick business block on North Central avenue, which was the first four-story block in Lima. Later he became a dealer in coal. He also established a junk business, in connection with which he had a number of wagons on the road, carrying a stock of tinware, glassware and other similar lines, for which he took in trade iron, copper, brass and rags. This proved a profitable enterprise. Mr. Jackman also deals extensively in hardware, stoves, furniture, etc., and enjoys a splendid business, being a shrewd business man and good manager. In 1859 Mr. Jackman was married to Mary Josephine Simons, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, and whose parents were of German nativity. Her death occurred in 1913. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackman were born the following children: Laura, who died at Sidney, Ohio, was the wife of Alex Goodman; Emma, the wife of Augustus Phillips, of Toledo, Ohio ; Myrtle, of Toledo ; Grace, the wife of Joseph Kunn, of Lima ; Wilbert J., of Lima ; Edward, deceased; Oswald L., deceased; Leo, who died in infancy; Adloph J., of Tulsa, Oklahoma ; Harry, deceased ; Ralph J., of Lima ; Walter S., deceased ; and Alvin J., of Lima. James B. Jackman gives his political support to the democratic party and takes a keen interest in local public affairs, having served as a member of the City Council from the Second Ward. He is a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and gives his support to all worthy charitable and benevolent movements, being a man of high character and public spirited disposition. Wilbert Joseph Jackman is a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born at Cary, Ohio, on August 23, 1865. He received his educational training in the public and St. Rose schools of Lima. At the age of fourteen years he ran one of his father's peddling wagons through the surrounding country, in which work he formed good habits of business at an age when most boys are still ignorant of such things. When twenty years of age he began to take charge of this branch of the business, in which he is eminently successful. Since 1906 he has devoted part of his attention to the installing of furnaces and sheet metal work. He is thoroughly conversant with every detail of the business and has done a vast amount of furnace work in Lima and the surrounding country, anything done by him standing as a mark of excellence. Politically Wilbert Jackman gives his support to the democratic party, while religiously he is a communicant of St. Rose Catholic Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of St. John, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose and the American Insurance Union. A man of forceful individuality, he has been well equipped for the duties of life, while his probity of character and his genial personality have gained for him universal esteem and friendship in the city and county where he has made his home for so many years. EDWARD W. STUMPP is a veteran grocery merchant, a man of progressive ideas, and was the first to give Allen County one of the modern cash and carry stores. His business is popularly known as the Stumpp Basket Groceries, and he now operates two prosperous and busy stores, one at 209-211 South Union street and the other at Metcalf and Brice streets. Mr. Stumpp was born in Wyandot County. a mile west of Wharton, Ohio, on a farm, November 23, 1877, the youngest of the three children of F. G. and Mary (Snyder) Stumpp. His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled on a farm at Forest, Ohio, and three generations of the family spent their active careers as farmers in this state. Edward W. Stumpp attended the schools two miles west of Wharton until he was thirteen years of age. He was only two years old when his father died, and as soon as possible he had to take up the serious responsibilities of life. On leaving home he was for two years in the employ of one farmer at $15 a month. For two years he worked in the Wharton Livery, and was then in the butcher business with his brother Fred as Stumpp Brothers at Wharton for two years. Selling out he lived on his farm of forty acres near Wharton two years, and then for a year and a half was in the grocery business at Forest. From there Mr. Stumpp came to Lima and was in the wholesale fruit commission business, part of the time on the road, until he had saved capital that enabled him to open his first grocery house at Metcalf and Haller streets. He was in that location six years. He then rented his present building at 209-211 South Union, and in 1914 sold his first grocery establishment and now operates another in that section of the city at Metcalf and Brice streets, employing a manager for the branch store. In 1897 Mr. Stumpp married Iva Wise, a daughter of Daniel and Helen (Parks) Wise of Forest, Ohio. They have two sons, Carl and Ralph, both of whom are ex-service men, Carl having been in training as a soldier at Philadelphia, while Ralph was with the navy at Philadelphia. Mr. Stumpp is an independent democrat and fraternally is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Moose and the Elks at Lima. ELLIS C. BROWN, proprietor of the Ohio Scale and Repair Company at 113 East Spring street in Lima, is a successful business man who has prospered through concentrating his time and skill almost HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 253 entirely along one line. As a youth he learned all there was to be learned about scale mechanism and manufacture, and has been a practical service man and salesman of scales for many years. He was born at Cincinnati July 31, 1881, a son of Frank 0. and Ida M. (Blades) Brown. He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his paternal ancestors having come from the north of Ireland and settled in Virginia, while the maternal stock settled on the eastern shore of Maryland. Frank 0. Brown was born in Harrison County, Ohio, lived on a farm to the age of eighteen, and since then has been in the scale industry. He served as a scale mechanic with the Fairbanks Company in the Pittsburgh branch, and in recent years has joined his son Ellis as a practical scale man at Lima. The older of two children, Ellis C. Brown graduated from the high school at Dennison, Ohio, in 1899, and at once went to work for the Pittsburgh branch of the Fairbanks Scale Company as a repair man and mechanic. After three years he was sent on the road as a salesman, covering Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Eastern Maryland. He sold the Fairbanks scales until 1912 as a road man, and then moved to Lima and established the Ohio Scale and Repair Company. He has built up a complete and adequate organization not only in the sales end but for the repairing of scale equipment, and for a number of years has been official inspector of scales for members of the Northwestern Ohio Hay and Grain Dealers' Association. He handles the Fairbanks scale equipment, and later added the Toledo Computing scales to his line, and since 1916 has been district manager for the Toledo Computing Scales Company over eighteen Ohio counties. His business has grown and he now maintains three offices and sales rooms, the home office being at Lima, while branches are at Dayton and Springfield. The company has eleven salesmen and practical salesmen on the road. Mr. Brown, who is unmarried, is a member of the Lima Club, Chamber of Commerce and the Presbyterian Church. S. OTIS DOTSON. One of the leading industries of Lima is the Roloson Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, makers of canvas goods products which are distributed to practically every state in the Union. The sole owner of this business is S. Otis Dotson. That has been only one of a number of successful concerns with which Mr. Dotson has been actively identified and a stimulating factor in the management. He is perhaps best known as a theatrical man, and has been identified with the successful management of a number of entertainment enterprises. He was born at Cridersville in Auglaize County, Ohio, September 30, 1883, son of R. M. and Anna (Jones) Dotson. The Dotsons are an old and prominent family of Auglaize County. The parents of Anna Jones were natives of Wales and were among the first settlers near Cridersville. R. M. Dotson spent many years as an oil operator but is now a building contractor at Lima. The oldest of four children, S. Otis Dotson attended school at St. Mary's and at Mendon, Ohio, and later graduated from the Chicago School of Elocution and Dramatic Art. He had natural gifts and tastes qualifying him for the dramatic stage, and for six years he was connected with Tent Variety Shows and went all over the country, traveling both in the United States and Mexico. He is still interested in the theatrical business, though chiefly as owner or stockholder in theaters. Mr. Dotson owned property and helped organize the town of Columbus, New. Mexico, which in recent years became one of the tragic centers in the Mexican border troubles. The main street of that town is Lima street, and it was so named by Mr. Dotson in honor of his home town in Ohio. He owned the Dotson Amusement Park in Columbus, and in 1910 was elected on the democratic ticket as justice of the peace at Columbus, serving a two- year term. When he left office he returned to Lima, and at that time bought the Roloson Manufacturing Company, and has given most of his time to the management of this important enterprise. In addition he is also a stockholder in the Shawnee Amusement Company, owning the Regent, Lima's finest theater, and in the Dotson Brokerage Agency in the Holland Block. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, enlisting from Lima in 1899 in the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but did not see active service. In 1902 Mr. Dotson married Miss Nettie Duncan, daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Foss) Duncan of Lima. They are the parents of three children : Byron Ursinus, born in 1904 ; Ronald Eugene, born in 1911 ; and Alice Evelyn, born in 1913. While Mr. Dotson was elected on the democratic ticket to the only important public office he ever held, he is an independent in politics at the present time. He is a member of the Lima Chamber of Commerce and is affiliated with the lodge of Elks. EDWARD D. SINKS, M. D. To achieve an eminent standing in as exacting a .calling as the medical profession requires something more than mediocre talents—a fidelity to duty and the happy faculty of winning and retaining the confidence and good will of all classes. These qualifications are evidently possessed by the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article, for he has, unaided, attained a high rank in the medical profession in Allen County, a county widely known for the high order of its medical talent. Doctor Sinks' career is extremely interesting, being something out of the ordinary routine of everyday happenings, and will be read with interest by the readers of this work. Edward Dimmitt Sinks is a native son of the old Buckeye State, having been born at New Richmond, Clermont County, on August 3, 1877, and he is the son of William Raper and Jane (Dimmitt) Sinks, the former a native of Williamsburg, Clermont County, Ohio, and the latter born in Maysville, Kentucky. The paternal grandparents were John and Margaret (Salt) Sinks, the former a native of Williamsburg, Ohio, and the latter of Scotland. The maternal grandparents, Charles and Martha Dim- mitt, were natives, respectively, of Scotland and Maysville, Kentucky. After their marriage Mr. Sinks' parents settled in Clermont County, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. Edward D. Sinks received his preliminary education in the district schools, and then attended the Highland Military Academy at Worcester, Massachusetts, completing his general education in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Then having determined to devote his life to the practice of medicine he matriculated in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, 254 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then went to Paris, France, and took special work in the French Academy of Medicine. In January, 1899, Doctor Sinks entered the United States army as assistant surgeon, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was sent at once to the Philippine Islands, where he served from that time until November, 1902, during which period his faithful service gained for him promotion to the rank of captain. During the famous Boxer uprising he was sent to China and was in the siege of Pekin. After his return to the United States he was stationed at Fort Bayard, in New Mexico. There he resigned from the United States army, and, going into Old Mexico, served with Madero during the Mexican revolution. In 1911 Doctor Sinks came to Lima, Ohio, and entered upon the active practice of his profession, in which he was successfully engaged until the United States entered the great World war, when he again entered the service of his country. In August, 1917, he was commissioned as captain in the Medical Corps, being later promoted to the rank of major. In June, 1918, he sailed for France, where he was in active service until after the signing of the armistice. He embarked from Europe on April 13, 1919, reached the United States on April 29th, was honorably discharged from the service on April 30th and returned to his home in Lima on May 5th. While in France he served with the Thirty-Second and Seventy-Sixth divisions of United States troops, the Seventeenth French Army and the Fourth French Colonial Army, and he left the service with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Since returning home Doctor Sinks has again been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and has gained wide recognition because of his professional skill and the success which has followed his labors. On January 13, 1915, Doctor Sinks was married to May Morrison of Lima, the daughter of T. C. and Cordelia Morrison, and to them has been born a daughter, Sarah Jane. Doctor and Mrs. Sinks are members of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally the doctor is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and William Paul Gallagher Post No. 96, American Legion, of which he is the present post commander. His political support is given to the republican party. Professionally he is a member of the Allen County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, as well as the Association of Military Surgeons. Personally Doctor Sinks is affable and popular with all classes and stands ready at all times to encourage and aid all laudable enterprises and measures for the general good. By a life consistent in motive and because of his many fine qualities of head and heart he has earned the sincere regard of a vast acquaintance, and his success in his chosen field of endeavor bespeaks for him the possession of the right attributes. LEO VIRGIL BECKMAN. This representative and honored citizen and successful business man of Lima has been distinctively the architect of his own fortunes, has been true and loyal in all the relations of life and stands as a type of that sterling manhood which ever commands respect and honor. He is a man who would have won his way in any locality where fate might have placed him, for he has sound judgment, coupled with great energy and business tact, together with upright principles, all of which invariably make for success. By reason of these principles he has won and retained a host of friends in the community with which he is identified. Leo Virgil Beckman, senior partner in the business conducted under the name of Beckman Electrical Service, is a native son of Allen County, having been born and reared at Elida, and is the youngest of the two children born to Lee and Hannah (Hunt) Beckman. On the paternal side the subject is descended from sturdy Holland Dutch stock, his grandfather having came to the United States from Holland and settled in Wood County, Ohio, where he became a successful farmer. Lee Beckman became a commission merchant in Lima and was numbered among the leading business men of this city up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1900. His widow is still living there. Leo V. Beckman received his educational training in the public schools of Elida, graduating from the high school there at seventeen years of age. He then went to work for the Reed Brothers Electrical Company to learn the trade of an electrician, and remained with that concern for three and a half years. He then engaged in business on his own account at 130 South Central avenue, Lima, opening a shop for general electrical repairs and wiring and carrying a modest stock of electrical supplies. He carried on this business for about eighteen months, his business constantly increasing, but with keen foresight as to the future of the trade, he then changed his line of work to automobile electric repairs and installations, in which he has met with most pronounced success, and today he has the most complete equipment for this line of work in Allen or neighboring counties. He specializes in automobile starting and lighting systems, and carries the agency for the sale of the Delco, Remy, Klaxton, Westinghouse, Atwater-Kent, Bosch and Spitdorf systems, also carrying the Exide batteries. In 1917 Mr. Beckman took Robert Holderidge in as a partner, the firm name then becoming the Beckman Electric Service. Their service covers a radius of forty miles and they have become known as one of the most reliable and competent houses of the kind in this section of the state. Mr. Beckman was married in 1914 to Irene Miller, the daughter of Clarence and Almeda (Shook) Miller of Lima, and they have two children, Lee and Eleanora. Mr. and Mrs. Beckman are members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and politically is independent preferring to reserve the right to vote for the men and measures which he considers for the best good of the general public. Industrious in habits, sound in judgment and honest in his relations with others, he has earned the confidence and good will of all who have had dealings with him. J. A. CARPENTER. Deeds are thoughts crystallized, and according to their brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to his community, and in his works do we expect to find the true index to his character. The study of the life of the representative American never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction, developing a mastering of expedients which has brought about wonderful results. The subject of this review is a representa- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 255 Live of that type of American character and of that progressive spirit which promotes public good in advancing individual prosperity. Jesse Andrew Carpenter, president of the Manufacturers Supply Company at Lima, is a Hoosier by nativity, having been born at Vevay, Switzerland County, Indiana, in December, 1887, and he is the son of W. T. and Margaret E. (Jackson) Carpenter. On the paternal side Mr. Carpenter is descended from sterling old English stock, though his grandfather, Jesse Carpenter, was a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, where he spent his entire life, his sons moving from that state to Indiana. On the maternal side he is descended from the family to which belonged Andrew and "Stonewall" Jackson, two of the most famous figures in American history. J. A. Carpenter received his educational training in the public schools of Goodland, Newton County, Indiana, and at the age of seventeen years went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a telegraph operator, in which capacity he was employed at various points on the lines of that company for four years. He then came to Lima and became connected with the Good Tool and Supply Company, acquiring an interest in the business. This proved a prosperous enterprise and grew so rapidly that a reorganization became necessary, at which time the name of the concern was changed to Manufacturers Supply Company, of which Mr. Carpenter was made president in 1918. The company deals in railroad, mill and plumbing supplies, etc., selling its goods through the states of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. They employ fifty persons and are enjoying a constantly increasing trade, this company being now recognized as one of the most important enterprises of the kind in this section of the country. In addition to the Manufacturers Supply Company, to which Mr. Carpenter devotes the major portion of his time, he also holds other business interests in this community and has become a prominent factor in the commercial life of Lima and Allen County. In 1908 Mr. Carpenter was married to Leila C. Street, the daughter of Hamilton and Nellie (Broadsword) Street of Kewanna, Indiana, and they are the parents of one child, Margaret Elizabeth. Politically Mr. Carpenter is independent, voting according to the dictates of his own judgment. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter, and to the Benevolent an Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Lima Club, the Rotary Club and the Lima Chamber of Commerce. Religiously he and his wife are members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of influence in local affairs and is thoroughly in sympathy with every movement looking toward the betterment or advancement of his community in any way, and he is regarded as being worthy of the utmost confidence and respect on the part of his fellow citizens. FRANK CLAUDE MOYER. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship Frank C. Moyer, well known business man of Lima, is a notable example and none stands higher than he in the confidence and esteem of the community. His career has been characterized by duty faithfully performed, and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efforts he has not only gained a good business standing, but also the good will of all who have dealings with him. Mr. Moyer is a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born in Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1882. His parents were Isaac R. and Jennie (Runyon) Moyer, who lived on a farm in that locality, and amid the health-giving and body-building environments 05 farm life he was reared. During the winter months he received his educational training at what was known as the "Camel Back" schoolhouse in Allen County, where he attended until twenty years old. His first paid employment was with John Hoffman, a butcher, with whom he remained for six years, learning every detail of the business, in which he has become an expert. Then for some time he was employed as a butcher by various meat dealers until 1912, when he engaged in business on his own account at 518 North Jackson street, Lima, where he continued for seven years, at the end of which time he sold out and opened another shop at 203 South Main street, where he was in business for six months. In 1918 he formed a partnership with his brother Arlow V. under the firm name of Moyer Brothers, and they have since been engaged in the wholesale and retail meat business, in which they have met with pronounced success. They do all their own killing, thus insuring fresh meat to their customers, and with his thorough knowledge of the business he is able to cater to the tastes of the most exacting. They have a large and constantly increasing city and country trade and are numbered among the leaders in their line in this section of the country. In 1900 Mr. Moyer was married to Barbara Schafer, the daughter of John Schafer of Auglaize County, and to them have been born two children, Marie Letha and Oliver Virgil. Politically Mr. Moyer is an ardent supporter of the republican ticket ticket and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, especially as pertaining to local interests. Fraternally he is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. Mr. Moyer enjoys distinctive prestige in local commercial circles, his practical intelligence, mature judgment and sound business sense winning for him the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. O. WARREN SMITH. It has been the pleasure of Mrs. Josephine Cunningham Smith of Lima to enroll her late husband, 0. Warren Smith, in the annals of the community. He was born March 8, 1832, in Marion County, and met with an accidental death October 26, 1908, in Lima. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (McNeil) Smith. The father came from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1828, traveling overland to Marion County, and about the same time the mother came with her parents, Samuel and Anna (Martin) McNeil, from the same community. The grandmother, Anna Martin, was captured by the Indians when she was a small child, and she was a prisoner in New York for several years. She was finally identified by a scar on her forehead and returned to her own relatives. She was born in 1810, and that long ago there were many white children captured by the Indians. O. Warren Smith was educated at Hiram College and as a young man studied law with Judge Van Fleet of Marion, Ohio. In 1867 he came to Lima and engaged in practice before the bar of Allen County. It was his life work, and he was eminent in his profession. Mr. Smith voted with the democratic party. He was a member of the Congregational Church and was for many years a deacon. On June 23, 1874, he married Josephine Cunningham. She 256 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY was born July 27, 1844, and is a daughter of John and Emeline Street (Holloway) Cunningham. She has always lived in Lima. The father came from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and the mother from North Adams, Massachusetts. The grandparents, Archibald and Margaret (Vosbinder) Cunningham, were natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was born there in 1774, and in 1821 traveled overland to Wayne County, Ohio, dying soon after his arrival. John Cunningham came to Lima in 1831 from Wayne County. For a number of years he was a school teacher in Allen County. For many years he owned and operated a pottery, and he was a successful business man. He was liberal with his money, giving to the needy and always contributing to community benevolences. He was later a promoter and contractor, and was an active man in the Lima business community of his time. Mr. Cunningham was a Presbyterian and very active in church work in the community. Mrs. Cunningham died April 22, 1881, and he died March 10, two years later. In the Cunningham ancestry, Archibald was a son of James, of Washington County, Pennsylvania. James was a son of James, and James was a son of John, who in turn was a son of the James Cunningham who came from Scotland in 1737 to Philadelphia. In 1789 the Cunninghams migrated from Philadelphia to Wash-. ington County, Pennsylvania, and in 1821 to Wayne County, Ohio, and since 1831 there have been Cunninghams in Lima and Allen County. Mrs. Smith's mother, Emeline Street Holloway Cunningham, was a daughter of Dr. George and Lois (Street) Holloway, and her grandmother, Lois Street Holloway, was a daughter of Jesse and Lois (Cook) Street, the father a Revolutionary war soldier and a Minute Man at the battle of Lexington and a descendant of Nicholas Street, who came to America from England in 1630. The Cunninghams have no difficulty in establishing their eligibility to membership in the Revolutionary patriotic societies. Mrs. Smith is a member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Smith are : Ethelwyn, with her mother in the family homestead on Lakewood avenue, Lima ; Helen is the wife of Albert L. Gibbs of Jacksonville, Florida, and they have a daughter, Marion Josephine. Marion is the wife of Paul Leche, of New Orleans, Louisiana, and they have two children, Marion Jeanne and Paul Warren. Lenore is a teacher and lives at the family home. In her young womanhood Mrs. Smith was a teacher in Lima and Bellefontaine, and served as principal in Bellefontaine. She is active in the social life of Lima, having been a member of the Woman's Club since 1886, and she has frequently served as its president. She is a member of the Woman's Musical Club, and an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, and for many years has been a Sunday school teacher there. GRANT MILLER. It is in a large degree to the self-made men of Allen County that this section of the Miami Valley owes its present prosperity ; to those who, starting life entirely upon their own resources, have worked their way to the front, placing themselves by the sheer force of their energy and perseverance among the men of substance in their various communities. A representative of this class in Amanda Township is Grant Miller, who is now the owner of a farm in section 27, seven miles northeast of Spencerville. Mr. Miller was born on a farm in Marion Township, Allen County, August 29, 1868, a son of Jesse P. and Susan M. (Furry) Miller, the former born in Amanda Township in 1833, and the latter a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. Mrs. Miller was still a child when brought by her parents to Allen County, and here grew to young womanhood and married Mr. Miller. At that time they settled on a farm in Marion Township, where Mr. Miller continued to be engaged in agricultural operations until his death in January, 1881, following which his widow sold the farm and moved to Amanda Township. Her home was continued in the rural districts until 1900, in which year she took up her residence at Lima. During the active years of her career she was a helpful worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which both she and her husband were consistent members. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the following are living: Sherman, who resides at Lima ; Elizabeth, the wife of George Herring; Grant; Viola, the wife of William Little of Amanda Township ; Austin, of Lima ; Josie, the wife of Lewis Cremean, of Lima ; Clarence, of Spencerville ; and Jesse, a worker in the oil fields and a resident of Lima. The boyhood of Grant Miller was passed on the home farm, where he divided his time between attendance at the district schools and assisting his father in the work of the home. acres. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty- one years, at which time he faced the world on his own account and established a household of his own by his marriage, in 1889, to Rosa B. Culver, who was born in Amanda Township in 1867, a daughter of Basil Culver. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller : Clarice, who is single and makes her home with her parents ; Florence, the wife of James Sawmiller, a farmer of Amanda Township; and Velma, Homer and Lucile, who reside with their parents. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller started farming in Amanda Township, where their combined efforts have served to bring them success. They are now residing in a comfortable home on a well-cultivated farm which boasts of all the modern improvements and which produces large and remunerative crops. Mr. Miller is a stockholder in the Peoples Bank at Delphos and has other interests. He is a republican in politics, and has served as township clerk. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he is a member of the Official Board, class leader and superintendent of the Sunday school. WILLIAM S. RIDENOUR. It was his long and active connection with the agriculture of Allen County that gave William S. Ridenour the prosperity he enjoys today in a cheerful and attractive home in Perry Township, and enables him to take life somewhat at leisure, allowing others to operate his farm. Mr. Ridenour was born in section 7 of Perry Township, December 1, 1854. His ancestry includes several names long familiar in Allen County. He is a son of Peter and Lydia (Lash) Ridenour, the former also a native of Perry Township, while his mother was born in Licking County, Ohio. The paternal grandparents were Isaac and Lydia (Cotterman) Ridenour, natives of Hagerstown, Mary- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 257 land. Isaac Ridenour was one of the early settlers of Perry Township, and acquired direct from the Government a tract of timber land which largely through his labors was cleared and improved. Peter Ridenour after his marriage settled on the old farm in section 7 of Perry Township where his son William was born. The mother also bought forty acres near the town hall. Both lived there until their death. Their children included Frank, who died in infancy; William S.; Isaac, who died at the age of six years, and Daniel, at the age of twelve; Luey, Mrs. S. S. Coats of Perry Township ; Delila, wife of Frank Sodders of Shawnee Township ; Etta, Mrs. H. J. Marshall of Perry Township ; and Minnie, who died in infancy. William S. Ridenour was fourteen years of age when his mother died, and after that he soon left home and began working for wages on the farm of Isaac McClain. He remained in this line of employment until he married, in 1881, and then moved to the seventeen-acre farm given Mrs. Ridenour by her father. Five years later this was sold and they then bought 100 acres in Union Township of Auglaize County. Mr. and Mrs. Ridenour had their home in Auglaize County for more than thirteen years. Returning to Perry Township, Mr. Ridenour bought forty acres in section 7, close to his birthplace, and still owns that well improved farm, though it has been in the hands of a renter since 1915. In that year he bought two acres of land with a fine modern residence on St. John's road, just outside the city limits of Lima, and is no longer under the necessity of strenuous work to provide him and wife with all the comforts they desire. Mr. Ridenour acquired his early education in the country school of district No. 5 in Perry Township, while Mrs. Ridenour attended school in district No. 9 of the same locality. Mrs. Ridenour is a member of Fletcher Chapel of the Methodist Church. She is a republican in her political affiliations, while Mr. Ridenour is a democrat. February 24, 1881, he married Louise Jane Failor. She was born in Perry Township September 18, 1857, daughter of Peter and Ann Maria (Ruthrauff) Failor, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Hagerstown, Maryland. Her maternal grandparents, John and Mary (Shriver) Ruthrauff, were also from Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Ridenour have one daughter and five grandchildren. The daughter, Breta, is the wife of Harry M. Smith of Lima. The grandchildren are: William Albert, born August 26, 1902 ; Dorothy, born September 3, 1904; Sarah Louise, born January 7, 1906; Robert Barr, born June 9, 1912; and Carolyn Keith, born March 3, 1918. ISAAC LUDWIG. Three and a half miles southeast of Delphos on rural route No. 1 is the home of Isaac Ludwig, one of the honored survivors of the great Civil war and a man whose work as a farmer and whose good citizenship have been factors for good in the affairs of Marion Township for a long period of years. Mr. Ludwig, whose home is in section 32 of Marion Township, was born at Stringtown in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 3, 1842. He represents a very patriotic ancestry. His great-great-grandfather, Jacob Ludwig, was a Revolutionary soldier. A son of this patriot, named Jacob, married a Miss Reece, probably a native of Germany, and they spent their last years at their home on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. Of their nine children one was given the name Jacob. He was born in Pennsylvania and married Elizabeth Fink. This Jacob, grandfather of Isaac Ludwig, served as a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1818 he moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, and died there in 1824. His children were Sophia, William, Jacob and George W. The widowed mother married George Crites and had two daughters, Fredericka and Ozilla. Fredericka became the wife of John Deal, while Ozilla was married to Josephus Drum. Mrs. George Crites died September 26, 1879, having survived her second husband. Sophia Ludwig, the only daughter of her first marriage, became the wife of Charles Crites in 1833 and in 1839 moved to Allen County, Ohio. Her children were Daniel, Jacob, Catherine, Betsey, Rebecca, Cyrus, Elias, Emanuel, Mary E., Charles, George and Fredericka. The father of Isaac Ludwig was also named Jacob and was born in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, December 10, 1818. He was six years of age when his father died. He was then bound out to Peter Maney and later to John Pontius, both of whom proved hard taskmasters, and the years when he should have been in school were devoted to the labor of the fields. At the age of fifteen he went to the home of John Crites, with whom he remained three years. He was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade with Charles Crites, and eventually became proprietor of a shop. He married Louisa DeLong, daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Lau- dig) DeLong, Pennslyvania families that were pioneers in Pickaway County. Louisa DeLong was the seventh in a family of eleven children, the others being John, Rebecca, Isaac, Elizabeth, Susan, Catherine, Caroline, Sarah, Amelia and Andrew. Both the DeLongs and Ludwigs were of Huguenot French ancestry. The DeLongs were driven out of France about 1620, and a century later Peter DeLong came to the United States, settling near the present City of Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania. One of his descendants was drowned in the Little Schuylkill River in 1799, leaving a wife and five children, one of whom was Andrew, father of Louise DeLong. Andrew DeLong married Catherine Loudig, daughter of Peter and Catherine Loudig. Catherine, the wife of Peter Loudig, was of Hebrew ancestry. Jacob Ludwig after his marriage to Louise DeLong located at Stringtown in Pickaway County, but soon after the birth of their son Isaac moved to Adlephi in Ross County, where he remained seven years. In 1849 Jacob Ludwig brought his family to Allen County and settled near Elida. For a few months he worked at his trade and in September of the same year bought thirty-nine and a fourth acres in section 33 in Marion Township. Sixteen acres of this tract had been cleared, but all the rest was in heavy timber. A log cabin sheltered the family for a year, until he had completed a better residence. Jacob Ludwig owing to the circumstances of his youth had little or no education, but profited by his keen mind, habits of observation, and a practical knowledge gained by work and contact with men. He showed good business judgment, and became one of the large land owners of Allen County, accumulating 575 acres. He had come to the county a poor man, but for years his signature was honored at any of the county banks for large sums. He was a thorough Bible student and was devoted to the church as Vol. 11-17 258 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY a worshiper and also as a liberal supporter. He united with the Presbyterian Church at Delphos February 12, 1869, and subsequently two of his sons, Isaac and Obed, became elders in the same church. Jacob Ludwig died February 21, 1903, being survived by six children, twenty-five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His second wife is also deceased. Jacob and Louisa DeLong Ludwig had the following children : Isaac; John D., who died at Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Charles C., who was born May 12, 1853, and lived in Marion Township at Delphos ; Mary Jane, born February 21, 1856, is the wife of George W. King ; Obed A., born March 20, 1859, lives at Bluffton, Ohio and Jacob L., born December 13, 1861, lives at Lima. Isaac Ludwig was seven years of age when brought to Allen County, and he grew, up on his father's farm and acquired his first educational advantages in a log schoolhouse. He was a little past nineteen when the Civil war broke out, and he enlisted in Company B of McLaughlin's Squadron of the Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He was in service three years, and for a short time was a prisoner in Libby Prison. Leading up to his confinement in this famous southern prison was an interesting incident of his military career. March 11, 1865, while with the armies near Fayetteville, North Carolina, he and four companions were sent for forage supplies. Arriving at a mill, two were detailed to grind corn, while two others went to a nearby farmhouse for some chickens. A squad of Wheeler's Southern Cavalry belonging to the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry surprised the two at the mill and made them prisoners. The officer in charge was Lieut. A. K. Houk, and before sending Mr. Ludwig and his companions to Richmond, Virginia, requested a favor of his prisoner, that when exchanged he should write the circumstances of his capture to the father of Lieutenant Houk and incidentally assure the father of the son's welfare. Mr. Ludwig complied with this request, and the reply he received from the family is one of his most interesting mementoes of the war. Just thirty years later, in 1895, while attending a National Grand Army of the Republic Encampment at Louisville, Kentucky, he paid a visit to the home of Lieutenant Houk and their meeting was exceedingly cordial and Mr. Ludwig was most hospitably entertained. In 1866 Mr. Ludwig married Sophronia J. Harbaugh, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Exline) Harbaugh. Her father, who died in Steuben County, Indiana, April 7, 1884, was born in Harbaugh's Valley, Frederick County, Maryland, in 1796, son of Yost Harbaugh, a farmer. The Harbaughs were among the first converts of Otterbein and Boehm, founders of the United Brethren Church. The Harbaugh barn was a meeting place for the early converts of this denomination. Ludwig Harbaugh, grandfather of Thomas Harbaugh, was born in Switzerland about 1728. Thomas Harbaugh became a skillful cabinet maker and was a man of excellent business ability and of fine character. After his marriage in Maryland he moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, and later to Sandy Valley, Ohio, where all his children but four were born. About 1848 he moved to Putnam County, Ohio, and bought a quarter section in Pleasant Township, then an almost unsettled community. Twelve children were born to Thomas Harbaugh, two of whom died in infancy and one at the age of seventeen. Two of his sons, Valentine and Rev. Thomas J., were Civil war soldiers, and the latter for forty years was active in the ministry of the United Brethren Church, serving two terms as presiding elder and was twice State Senator. He was also chaplain in the Sixth Ohio, Spanish-American war. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig had the following children: Thomas J., Omar I., Luella and Edwin Guy. The daughter, Luella, died at the age of sixteen. Thomas J. married Daisy Peters and has two children, Mary and Lawrence D. The second son, Omar, married Daisy Musetta Taylor, and their four children are Cecil R., Sidney M., Nellie and Dwight L. The youngest son, Edwin Guy, is an engineer of the Pennsylvania Railway Company and lives at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mr. Ludwig during his long residence in Marion Township has been one of the successful cultivators of the soil and has been very active in farmers' organizations. He has served as president of the Farmers' Institute, is a member of the Marion Grange No. 302, is a past master of Edith Lodge, Knights of Honor, and a member of Hope Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons, Delphos Chapter No. 105, Royal Arch Masons, Council No. 72, Royal and Select Masters, and belongs to the Eastern Star. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. SAMUEL NEFF. A mile north of Kemp is the home and farm of Samuel Neff. For many years Mr. Neff's labors have been a direct contribution to the agricultural welfare and enterprise of Allen County. His neighbors have learned to speak of him as a hard-working and as a successful farmer who pays close attention to his own work, is quiet and unassuming, and at the same time willing to uphold his share of community responsibilities. Mr. Neff was born in Logan Township of Auglaize County, April 22, 1873, son of Christian and Magdalena (Hager) Neff. Both his father and mother were born in Germany and were brought to this country by their respective parents, the father at the age of seven and the mother at five. They grew up near Marion, Ohio, were married there, and leaving that locality moved to Auglaize County, where they lived out their lives. Both parents were active members of the Antioch Church, and the father always voted as a democrat. Of nine children seven are still living : John, an Auglaize County farmer ; Catherine, unmarried ; Louis, a retired farmer at Lima; William, of Amanda Township ; Mary, wife of Gus Oen, of American Township ; George, of Portland, Oregon ; and Samuel. Samuel Neff grew up on his parents' homestead in Logan Township, and attended the common schools of that locality. At the age of eighteen he became employed in the dairy business, and after two years farmed his father's place, remaining there five and a half years. On May 18, 1895, he married Leoni Bertha Stoup. She was born in Amanda Township of Allen County August 18, 1869, a daughter of Nathaniel and Hannah J. (Bowers) Stoup. Mrs. Neff is a highly cultured woman, having supplemented her common school education with work in the Elida High School and the Ohio Northern University at Ada. For about ten years she was a successful teacher. Her father was born in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1840 and her mother in Amanda Township of Allen County in 1844. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 259 Mr. and Mr. Neff have two children : Mildred L., born in 1899, is a graduate of the Lima High School, and has been a teacher for two years ; Albert E., born November 7,.1908, is still a scholar in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Neff are members of the Christian Union Church at Bethel, Ohio. Politically he has always worked with the Democratic party and has filled with credit two terms as township treasurer. In his farming efforts for a number of years he has been a breeder of Percheron horses. GEORGE HENRY MEILY. Although several years have passed since the death of the late George Henry Meily, both Allen and Miami counties are still benefiting from his public spirit and enterprise, and his name is cherished by all who had the honor of his acquaintance. A man of unusual attainments, he not only acquired distinction as an attorney of state-wide reputation, but he made an equally prominent place for himself in the business world, and developed several successful enterprises. He was a native son of Lima, where he was born in August, 1849. His father, John Henry Meily, a native of Pennsylvania, was married in his native state to Catherine Fisher, another Pennsylvanian, and they moved to Mansfield, Ohio, and lived there until their family was increased by the brith of four children. They then came to Lima and bought a large tract of land now included in the west portion of the city. A log cabin was the first house, but after a few years it was replaced by a comfortable residence on North Main Street. As time went on John Henry Meily platted his land and sold it for city lots. He and his wife had nine children, three sons and six daughters. Growing up at Lima, George Henry Meily attended its public schools and then, having decided upon a legal career, studied law with Ballard & Lamison, a prominent firm of lawyers of the city, and was admitted to the bar. For some years thereafter he was engaged in the practice of his profession, but in time became interested in oil lands, was an oil producer upon an extensive scale, and was secretary of the Dayton & Miami Gas Company, with headquarters at Piqua, Ohio. The death of this eminent man took place March 27, 1914, and in his passing his community lost a useful citizen. In December, 1875, George Henry Meily was married to Eugena Tucker, who was born at Lucas, Richland County, Ohio, in December, 1856, a daughter of Warren and Nancy (Williams) Tucker, natives of New Hampshire and Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Meily had one son, Warren Paul. Mr. Meily belonged to the Lutheran Church, but his widow is cally he has always worked with the democratic party his time was so fully occupied with professional and business cares that he took but little part in public affairs. Warren Paul Meily was born July 22, 1878, at Lima, Ohio, and attended its public schools and Miami University. Later he became a student of the law department of the Ohio State University with the intention of preparing himself for the profession of a lawyer, but owing to trouble with his eyes he was forced to change his plans and leave school in the spring of 1899. For some years thereafter he found occupation for his energies and an outlet for his talents in a real estate business, in which he specialized in oil lands. Later, his attention being turned to advertising, he went with the Republican Gazette as advertising manager, leaving it to hold the same position with the Times Democrat, and after three years with that journal became the advertising manager for the Lima News, and rose with it to be business manager. He held the same position with the Lima Times Democrat, and on May 1, 1920, he was made advertising manager of the Lima Gazette, which position he still holds. On May 15, 1911, Mr. Meily was married to Virginia S. Strange, who was born at Greenfield, Ohio, a daughter of J. L. and Josephine (Boatright) Strange, natives of Highland County, Ohio. Mr. Meily is an Episcopalian. In politics he is a democrat. The Lima Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Lima Rotary Club and the Lima Advertising Club hold his membership. Mr. Meily is a worthy son of a fine father, and is recognized as one of the most enterprising men of Lima, as well as one of the city's greatest boosters. JOHN S. STEIGER. The capacity for finding enjoyment in what one has to do, of being able to invest one's labor with interest and enthusiasm, are essentials of success which were incorporated in the career of the late John S. Steiger, who died October 9, 1920. Mr. Steiger was born on a farm lying three and one-half miles north of Spencerville May 23, 1856, and was a son of John George and Mary A. (Wein) Steiger. John George Steiger, the elder, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, May 27, 1797, and died May 15, 1882. His son, John George Steiger, Jr., the father of John S., was born January 5, 1823, and was married September 7, 1843, to Mary Ann Wein, who was born November 4, 1820. After their marriage they resided for a time in Richland County, Ohio, but in 1852 came to Allen County, where the father entered land in Spencer Township June 1, 1852, this being the same property that, was owned and cultivated by his son. Here John George Steiger had eighty acres, all in the woods, and after making his original clearing and building his first small log cabin he settled down to the work of making his land ready for crops. During the active period of his career he succeeded in accomplishing this achievement and ultimately became one of the substantial farmers of his locality, removing in middle life to his comfortable home at Delphos, where he died April 19, 1902, the mother having passed away on the farm. They were active and faithful members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Steiger was a democrat, but never sought public honor or office. There were five children in the family: Sarah A., born November 17, 1844; Amos E., born July 1, 1846 ; Adessa J., born November 3, 1848 ; Amelia, born February 6, 1852 ; and John S., born May 23, 1856. Sarah A. died March 10, 1845 ; Adessa J. passed away September 5, 1849 ; Amos E. was called to rest September 17, 1849; and Amelia A. is the wife of W. H. McKinsey, of Delphos, to whom she was married April 7, 1870. John S. Steiger was reared on the farm where he died, and as a youth divided his time between assisting his father in the work of the home farm and in attending the district school in Spencer Township. He continued under the parental roof and was married September 29, 1881, to Anna Doty, who was born at Mount Vernon, Ohio, in January, 1858, a daughter of William and Lydia Doty. Mr. and 260 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Mrs. Steiger started housekeeping on the farm in Spencer. Township, and here were born six children, of, whom five are living: George William, born December 5, 1882, a graduate of the Spencerville High School, formerly a teacher in the public schools and now manager of the Farmers Union Elevator ; Harry E., born February 23, 1885, who operates a farm in Spencer Township; Myrtle May, born September 25, 1887, the wife of John Beerman, an agriculturist of Spencer Township ; Arthur R., a graduate of Spencerville High School, now timekeeper for a railroad at Hammond, Indiana ; Bessie A., born in 1890, who died January 5, 1897 ; and Guy F., born June 16, 1899, who assisted his father on the home farm. The mother of these children died November 7, 1913, greatly respected and esteemed by her numerous friends and acquaintances, to whom her excellent traits of character were well known. Mr. Steiger was married April 29, 1916, to Mrs. Jennie (Drewery) Cremeau, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, November 17, 1857. She was first married February 28, 1875, to W. A. Cremeau who died October 2, 1893, and they were the parents of two children : Charles, who is deceased, and Edith E., the wife of Charles McKee, living at Elkhart, Indiana. Mrs. Steiger is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Steiger always lived on the farm which he occupied at the time of his death, and this land has never been out of the family name. It is a tract of 108 acres, fertile and well-cultivated, which has good buildings and modern improvements, and which Mr. Steiger devoted to general farming and to the raising of registered Jersey cattle and Chester White hogs. He used modern methods in his work, was industrious and a good manager, and made a success of his activities. He was a stockholder in the Farmers Union Elevator at Spencerville and maintained an excellent reputation in business circles. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which he was past chancellor, while Mrs. Steiger belongs to the Pythian Sisters, and both held membership in the American Insurance Union. In politics a democrat, Mr. Steiger displayed a commendable and public-spirited interest in local affairs, and served capably as a member of the board of township trustees. EDWARD J. THOMPSON. Farming has been the life business of Edward J. Thompson. His home is five and a half miles southeast of Delphos on Elida rural route No. 1. Out of many years experience he has achieved a satisfying degree of success, has won the esteem of his neighborhood and has always been ready with his co-operation in movements to promote the general welfare. Mr. Thompson was born in Allen County December 27, 1875. He is a son of William and Margaret (Holmes) Thompson, a venerable couple who have been married fifty-six years and have lived in Alien County since childhood. The father was born in Champaign County November 25, 1827, ninety- three years ago, while the mother was born in Hocking County in April, 1842, They came with their respective parents to Marion Township, grew up here, were educated in the public schools and were married March 13, 1864. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary more than six years ago. They have long been sustaining members of the Marion Baptist Church, and the father has been identified with the republican party since the time of its organization. Their three children still living are Della, wife of C. L. Allen, of Ridge Township, Van Wert County ; John W., of Marion Township; and Edward J. Edward J. Thompson grew up on the old homestead in Marion Township, and after getting his education in the district school lived at home with his parents and helped his father run the farm from the time he was twenty-one until he was thirty. April 12, 1906, he married Emma Ridenour, who was born in Marion Township September 15, 1877, a daughter of Peter and Catherine Ridenour. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thompson lived a mile and a half southwest of their present home, where he owned twenty acres. For a year and a half he rented his father's place, and then bought his present property, where he has ninety-three acres well cultivated and improved. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two sons : Roscoe, born August 8, 1907, a student in the public schools ; and Richard, born July 13, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of Morris Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he votes with the republican party. Besides his farm Mr. Thompson is a stockholder in the Elida Equity Exchange Elevator and in the local telephone company. SAMUEL S. BRENNEMAN. Farming and its attendant activities, the duties of good citizenship, have presented Samuel S. Brenneman with a busy program during the years since he attained majority. He is one of the prosperous farm owners of Marion Township, his home being three miles southeast of Delphos, on rural route No. 6. Mr. Brenneman was born in the same township, in section 33, July 5, 1859, son of David and Leah (Stemen) Brenneman. His father was born September 13, 1826, in Perry County, Ohio, while the mother was born June 29, 1831. They grew up and were married in Perry County on April 5, 1849, and continued to live on a farm there until they came to Allen County in 1854. David Brenneman entered 160 acres in Marion Township. Most of it was covered with heavy timber and a patch had to be cleared away in which to erect their log cabin home. Eventually as a result of his labors David Brenneman saw a wide area in cultivation, and his industry and good judgment brought him the ownership of 240 acres. He was one of the highly esteemed pioneers of Marion Township, where he spent his active life. He and his wife were Mennonites, and he was a liberal contributor to the church. Politically he cast his vote as a Republican. In the family were five children : Lydia, born April 14, 1850, wife of W. H. Chandler, of Putnam County, Ohio; Catherine, born July 2, 1852, died April 16, 1920; Elizabeth, born December 3, 1854, is the wife of P. F. Heidlebaugh, a prominent farmer and business man of Allen County ; Samuel S.; and Ezra, born November 10, 1862, died January 23, 1863. Samuel S. Brenneman grew up on the home farm, and attended the district schools. When past his majority he rented his father's place and subsequently bought part of the farm. On February 8, 1883, he married Elizabeth Stemen, who was born in Sugar Creek Township, Allen County, October 6, 1861, daughter of Andrew and Jane (Sakemiller) Steman. Her father was born in Perry County, HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 261 Ohio, December 31, 1825, while her mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1829. On coming to Allen County they settled on a farm in Sugar Creek Township, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were zealous members of the Mennonite Church. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman lived on the old Brenneman homestead until November, 1909, when they moved to their present place, where he has 143 acres, practically all in crops and devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman are members of Morris Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a republican. They have two sons, Ira and Hershel. Ira, who was born December 1, 1883, married Annie Richie and has four children. Hershel, born September 2, 1888, married Edna Good, who died leaving one child. The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman are Oren, Richard, Nile and Esther, while Carroll is the only child of Hershel Brenneman. Ira and Hershel though reared as Methodists are now members of the Mennonite Church. HOBART M. MUMAUGH is an architect by profession and is junior partner of E. W. Mumaugh & Sons, general contractors and builders, whose scope of work in Allen County has been one of wide and great importance. The firm have their offices in the Eilerman Building. Mr. Mumaugh was born in Lima, a son of E. W. and Dora (Resse) Mumaugh. As a boy he attended the public schools, spending two and a half years in the Central High School, and for one year pursued the civil engineering course in the Ohio Northern University at Ada: Mr. Mumaugh had five years of experience with the Lima architect J. A. (lapin, and then for one year practiced as an architect on his own account. Since 1916 he has been actively associated with his father, and during that time among more important construction contracts handled by the firm might be mentioned the Saint Rita Hospital, Saint Rose High School, the Knights of Columbus Home, Regent Theater and the Telephone Building. In 1918 Mr. Mumaugh married Leona Van Natta, a daughter of Harry Van Natta, of Lima. Mr. Mumaugh is a republican, a member of the Baptist Church and is affiliated with the Lima Lodge of Elks. HARMON T. BUSSERT. The part played in advertising by the expert photographer can scarcely be over-estimated, and he has become a very important adjunct to this branch of commercial life. A number of skilled photographers are specializing on commercial work, finding in it an opportunity for carrying out ideas of their own and developing their artistic sense as well as giving scope to their knowledge and experience. One of the photographers of Allen County who is making a great success in this line, although he is also doing all kinds of photographic work, is Harmon T. Bussert, of Lima. Harmon T. Bussert was born in Marion Township, Allen County, Ohio, in September, 1877, a son of Peter Ambrose and Mary (Thomas) Bussert, natives of Allen County, Ohio. The maternal grandparents were James and Ann Elizabeth (Morgan) Thomas, natives of Wales and pioneers of Allen County, in which they settled on a farm near Gomer. After their marriage Peter A. Bussert and his wife located on a farm in the vicinity of Scott's Crossing, and there he died in August, 1880. Following his death his widow moved to Delphine, Ohio, where she died in April, 1915. Their children were as follows: Iva M., who married Edward L. Morton, of Toledo, Ohio ; Harmon T., who was second in order of birth; and Ann Elizabeth, who married Carl Gantvoort, of New York City, New York. Growing up on his father's farm, Harmon T. Bussert attended the local schools and the high school of Delphine, Ohio. When a lad he sold newspapers and worked at whatever came to hand, and when he was nineteen years of age he went to Columbus Grove to operate a photograph gallery. After six years there he went to Otway, Ohio, where he bought a photographic establishment, and conducted it very successfully for three years. At the expiration of that time he came to Lima, and for six years was one of the skilled employes of Fenner Brothers, when once more he went into business for himself, and has built up a large and valuable patronage. There are few men who can distance him in commercial work, but everything he does shows care and skill, and his reputation is an enviable one. In February, 1910, Mr. Bussert was united in marriage with Audrey Weaver, born at Beaver Dam, Ohio, a daughter of B. W. and Cora (Schull) Weaver, natives of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Bussert have one daughter, Julianno, who was born May 8, 1916. Mr. Bussert is a republican in his political faith, but has never cared to enter public life. Lima Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, holds his membership, and he has held all of the offices in it except that of exalted ruler. He is also a member of the Rotary Club, and through it is effecting some desirable changes and improvements at Lima, and in every way is proving his worth as a good business man and constructive citizen. ORA B. CRITES, township clerk of Amanda Township, is one of the best known men in that community. He still has the advantage and resources of comparative youth, and is in the high tide of his career as a successful and progressive farmer. Mr. Crites was born in Allen County January 8, 1877, son of 0. B. and Eliza R. (Anderson) Crites. His father was born in American Township May 16, 1853, and the mother was also a native of Allen County. She died in 1893, while 0. B. Crites is now living in Auglaize County. There were two children, Ora B. and Bessie, the latter the wife of Ernest M. Burget, of Amanda Township. Ora B. Crites spent his boyhood days in American Township, attended the common schools, the Lutheran Business College at Lima, and after graduating spent one summer with the Ohio Southern Railroad Company. He then returned to the land and has found farming both a pleasant and profitable vocation. Mr. Crites married Daisy Daugherty on June 25, 1898, and they have one son, Roy E., now in high school. Mrs. Crites was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 28, 1878, but was reared and educated in Allen County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crites began housekeeping in American Township on rented land, and from the position of renters their thrift and industry have brought them the ownership of 103 acres in Amanda Township, on rural route No. 3 out of Spencerville. Mr. Crites 262 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY is a man of generous sympathies and interests. He is one of the trustees and a member of the official board of the United Brethren Church at Kempton, for five years was superintendent of its Sunday school and is now assistant superintendent. He is a member of Elida Lodge No. 818 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Acadia Lodge No. 306, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Royal Arch Chapter. He has filled two offices in Amanda Township, treasurer and clerk, and was elected to both on the democratic ticket, JOHN A. BURGET. The farming interests of Allen County are in charge of effrcient, industrious men who have given to their labor that application of scientific effort that is bound to bring the best results. Years of observance of the best methods have brought the occupation of farming up to the standard of one of the sciences and the constant improvement of farming machinery has been a helpful factor in the vocation's development. Among the agriculturists of Allen County who have carried on their work in a scientific way, one who has been the architect of his own fortunes and has won success through his own industry and good management, is John A. Burget, of Amanda Township, and a member of the board of trustees of that township. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, November 11, 1860, a son of Bartholomew and Elizabeth (Peters) Burget. Bartholomew Burget was born in Pickaway County, where he was educated in the public schools, and as a young man adopted the vocation of farming. This he followed in his native county until late in 1860, when he came to Allen County and purchased a farm of eighty acres in the woods of Amanda Township. He was engaged in clearing this land when the Civil war came on, and in 1863 was called into the service of the Union army, being connected with an Ohio infantry regiment at the time he met his death by drowning in the Potomac River. He left at his death his widow and six children : Mary, who became the wife of James Imler, of Van Wert County, now deceased ; Josephine, who died as the wife of Charles Bowers, of Amanda Township; Jacob, engaged in farming in Putnam County, Ohio; John A.; Anna, the wife of Andrew Starkey, of Allen County; and Sarah J., the wife of Clement Culp, of Amanda Township. John A. Burget had only an ordinary education in the public schools, and as a youth was called upon to perform a man's duties on the home farm, for the death of his father had left the family in straightened circumstances and it was necessary that all the children do their part in contributing to the family income. He was engaged in working by the month or by the day until his marriage, April 26, 1883, to Miss Jennie Herring, who was born December 6, 1865, in Allen County, and educated in the public schools of American Township, a daughter of Penrose Herring. They commenced their married life as a poor young couple, but their industry and good management brought about a change in their affairs and finally they were able to purchase the interest of the other heirs to Mr. Burget's father's estate, thus obtaining 280 acres of land, of which they now retain 230 acres. On this land he has made a decided success of his farming operations, at this time being looked up to as one of the well-to-do men of his community. He is a stockholder in the Equity Exchange Elevator at Elida, and is influential in his community, where he is at present serving as a member of the school board and of the board of trustees of Amanda Township. In politics he is a staunch supporter of the democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Burget belong to the United Brethren Church and have been active in its work. Mr. and Mrs. Burget are the parents of two sons: Ernest M., born February 7, 1884, is a graduate of high school and a farmer of Amanda Township. He married Bessie Crites and has five children. Waller A., born May 1, 1899, is also a graduate of high school and an Amanda Township agriculturist. He married Ilo Stayer and to them has been born one daughter, Helen Louise. HENRY F. BABER. While he has carried the responsibilities of farming for over forty years Mr. Baber is still only partially retired, and owns, occupies and looks after a well cultivated place on rural route No. 6 out of Delphos, about eleven miles southeast of that town. He has spent practically all his life in Allen County and was born seven miles southwest of Lima, in Amanda Township, July 9, 1856. His parents, James and Susan J. (McMullen) Baber, were natives of Virginia, where they were reared and married. His mother was a sister of Fayette McMullen, at one time a distinguished United States Senator from Virginia. After their marriage James Baber and wife came to Ohio, first settling in Ross Counly and then moving to Allen County, where they were residents for many years. The mother was active in church affairs, and the father as a democrat held various local offices, including that of justice of the peace. Henry F. Baber is the last survivor of eleven children. He grew up on a farm, had a common school education, and at the age of nineteen began working as a farm hand. He earned his early capital by work and saving, and his life has been one of industry through all his years. He has been prosperous, has reared a large family, and still retains in his individual ownership fifty acres, having divided his original farm of 102 acres, deeding fifty-two acres to his wife. He is a democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Baber have the following children : Theodosia, wife of Albert Hanley; C. V. Baber, a prosperous farmer owning 160 acres near Elida ; Ira E., a farmer east of Lima ; Henry E., of Allen County; Susie A., wife of Ernest Odem, of Shawnee Township, Allen County; Alta B., wife of William Rader, of Spencerville, a pumper in the oil field; Lillie, wife of Charles Thomas; Lester F., a contractor of ditches of Kemp, Ohio ; and Ida E., wife of Clarence Thomas, a farmer in American Township of Allen County. LEWIS A. MILLER. Steadily through the years of his early and mature manhood Lewis A. Miller has seen his affairs prosper as a farmer, made his acres respond to his intelligent care, has laid the secure foundation of a good home, and has achieved the respect and confidence of all his neighbors and friends in Allen County. Mr. Miller, whose home is in section 3 of Amanda Township, was born November 13, 1860, a son of Anderson and Eliza J. (Coon) Miller. Both his father and mother were born in Allen County, the HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 263 former near Allentown in American Township and the latter in Shawnee Township. Anderson Miller died in 1866, when his son Lewis was only six years old. The mother has survived to a good old age, and for her second husband married Samuel Miller. The two children of her first husband are Lewis A. and Pleasant R., the latter deceased. She had a son by her second marriage, Oris Miller, of Amanda Township. Lewis A. Miller grew up on a farm in Amanda Township, and gained his education in the common schools. He assisted his mother and stepfather on the farm until he was twenty-seven, and on November 24, 1887, he established a home of his own by his marriage to Cora Umbaugh. Mrs. Miller was born in Shawnee Township of Allen County December 2, 1867, a daughter of Elias and Amanda (Berryhill) Umbaugh. Her father was born in Carroll County, Ohio, in 1821. Her mother, who was born in Fairfield County in 1832, is still living at the advanced age of eighty-eight. Mrs. Miller is the only survivor of two daughters, Cora and Mary. At the time of their marriage thirty-three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Miller moved to their present farm, where they have 100 acres, well cultivated and improved and devoted to the crops of this section. Mr. Miller is also a stockholder in the Elida Elevator. He is a republican voter, and he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Church near their home. They have two children. Flavius M., the older, was born April 15, 1890, was well educated in the district schools and the Spencerville High School, and now lives at Lima. He married Zelma Bird. Elias E., the younger son, was born June 4, 1893, and has completed his education and is assisting his father in the management of the farm. GEORGE W. STRAYER. Some of the most important interests of agriculture and stock industry of Allen County have been concentrated in the Strayer family for a long period of years. Living on land originally acquired by his father, George W. Strayer has for many years been one of the men of enterprise in the agricultural section of Amanda Township. His home is six miles northeast of Spencerville. He was born in the same township, near Zion Church, July 4, 1860, son of Samuel K. and Sarah A. (Elliker) Strayer. His father was born in Pennsylvania in September, 1820, while his mother was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1830. After their marriage they settled on the land where George W. Strayer now lives, and in course of time Samuel Strayer owned 164 acres, well improved, and from this soil he gained his prosperity and provided for his family. He was a democrat in politics, and his wife was a faithful member of the Christian Union Church at Hartford. In their family were seven . children : Mary E., widow of Joshua McGath, of Delphos, Ohio ; Lydia A., wife of Frank F. Miller, of Amanda Township ; Isabel, wife of Samuel F. Ditto, of Marion Township ; George W.; Adaline, widow of George Busset, of Delphos ; Clara A., wife of Levi Roush, of Amanda Township ; and Samuel S., a farmer in Amanda Township. George W. Strayer grew up on the old farm in Amanda Township, acquired his education in the local schools, and lived at home until he reached his majority. He then began renting a farm, and on July 5, 1884, married Mattie E. Haverstick, who was born in Amanda Township February 7, 1860. For over thirty-five years Mr. Strayer has been a practical farmer, and largely from his own earnings has paid for and developed the farm of 100 acres he owns. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Union Elevator at Spencerville, and has associated himself with all progressive movements in his community. He is a democrat, and with his family is a member of the Methodist Church. There are three children: Samuel F.; Jennie, wife of Ira Miller, of Spencerville ; and Nile M., at home. Samuel F. Strayer has already achieved a place of consequence in his community, both as a practical and business-like farmer and as the present treasurer of Amanda Township. He was born in Marion Township of Allen County April 21, 1885, and was educated in the district schools and the Lima Business College. Since leaving school he has been associated with his father in the farm and owns twenty acres in his own right. He is a member of the Methodist Church and is affiliated with Deep Cut Lodge No. 311 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. ROBERT H. BROOKS. A highly esteemed and widely known resident of Allen County, who has made his home here for the greater part of half a century, Robert H. Brooks has given successful management to his farming interests and also to the duties of public office entrusted to him by his fellow citizens. Mr. Brooks, whose home farm is three miles northeast of Spencerville, in section 31 of Amanda Township, was born near Washington Court House, Ohio, December 27, 1849, son of James and Susanna (Burnett) Brooks. His parents were born and reared in Fayette County, Ohio, and after their marriage and when Robert was two years of age they moved to Allen County, in 1851, settling in the woods and clearing a farm in Amanda Township. They lived to see the work of their hands prospered, and they died at the home whore their son Robert now lives. They were very earnest members of the Methodist Church, liberal supporters of church activities in their community, and James Brooks also served as township trustee and as a member of the School Board. Politically he was a democrat. In their family were four children: Robert H.; Mary, wife of Samuel Kief, of Amanda Township ; Naomi, who died in infancy ; and Adda, wife of Dr. C. W. Sellin, of Arkansas. Robert H. Brooks grew up on the home farm and besides the advantages of the common schools attended a normal school and was a teacher for three terms. Otherwise his years have been spent most effectively in the vocation of agriculture, and he still owns a farm of 121 acres and gives it his personal supervision. Mr. Brooks married Albina Dunn, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was born February 9, 1855. Her parents were Beracha and Artemesia (Patterson) Dunn. Her father was born in August, 1808, in Hamilton County, Ohio. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church, and he was a stanch democrat who held the offices of justice of the peace and mayor of his home town. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks after their marriage located on the farm where they still reside. They have six living children : Effie, wife of Samuel L. Sakemiller ; Beatrice, widow of William Sawmiller ; Robert, of Oklahoma ; John, who lives in Wisconsin ; and Paul and Howard, both at home. Mr. Brooks is a democrat in political 264 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY affiliation and for twelve years filled the office of justice of the peace with admirable effrciency. WILLIAM BURTCHIN. After a long period of useful endeavor along agricultural lines William Burtchin is now enjoying a well-earned leisure in his beautiful home at Lima. He is a man who did his duty as a soldier during the war between the two sections of the country, and he has been equally loyal to his country during its times of peace. Mr. Burtchin was born in Baden, Germany, November 18, 1840, a son of Jacob and Mary Catherine (Dreher) Burtchin, natives of Germany, where the former was born January 1, 1813, and the latter in 1814. They came to the United States and located near Columbus, Ohio, where he died in August, 1891, she having passed away in September, 1890. Their children were as follows: Jacob, who is deceased; William, whose name heads this review ; Frederick, who was born in March, 1851, lives in Franklin County, Ohio ; Mary Catherine, who was born in May, 1853, is Mrs. William Dunning of Columbus, Ohio ; and Christina, who is Mrs. William Kaylich of Columbus, Ohio. On September 5, 1868, William Burtchin arrived in Allen County, where he has since resided. For the first three years he was engaged in working by the month for farmers, and then bought sixty-six acres of land, a portion of which was cleared, and on which was a log cabin and a log stable. Here he and his two brothers made their home until he was married at Columbus, Ohio, but later moved to Turo took up the work of improving the farm. He cleared off the land, improved it, and was engaged in farming until October, 1918, when he rented his farm and bought a fine bungalow at 770 Oak street, Lima, where he is now living. In addition to his original farm Mr. Burtchin owns another farm of 114 acres, both properties being located in section 18, Shawnee Township, Allen County. Each farm has its own set of buildings, and is in excellent condition. Mr. Burtchin has always been in favor of good roads and other township improvements, and he and William Rusler built the first piece of road pike in Shawnee Township. He is a republican and has served as road supervisor and school director. In March, 1872, Mr. Burtchin was married to Mary M. Spindler, born at Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of Isaac and Anna Susan (Paulus) Spindler, natives of Pennsylvania and Germany, who were married at Columbus, Ohio, but later moved to Truro Township. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Burtchin were Matthias and Elizabeth Spindler, the former a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Burtchin became the parents of the following children : Anna, who was Mrs. Albert Lacey, died at the age of twenty-five years ; Mary, who is the widow of Gahart Stoll, lives at Lima; John Jacob, who is at home ; Andrew J., who is a farmer of Marion Township ; Matilda, who is Mrs. F. H. Folker of American Township ; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. J. W. Zerkel of Lima ; Charles, who is a farmer of Amanda Township ; and Harry, who is a farmer of Logan Township, Auglaize County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burtchin attended the district schools of Ohio, in the several communities in which they were then residing. They are consistent members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Lima. When the Union was threatened William Burtchin was one of the young men of the country who entered its service, he enlisting August 22, 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Altoona Pass, and was in the campaign against Atlanta, the March to the Sea and in the Grand Review at Washington. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 8, 1865. During his period of service he escaped being wounded or being taken prisoner, although he was in some of the most hotly contested engagements of the war. Having now considerable time upon his hands Mr. Burtchin is able to study local conditions, and as he is a great believer in Lima and Allen County, he favors those movements which have for their object the improvement of this section, although of course he is not a supporter of an extravagant expenditure of the taxpayers' money. FRED J. MOENTER is a farmer both by inheritance and by choice, and like many modern farmers has also interested himself in the affairs of his community, both business and civic. Mr. Moenter's home farm is in Marion Township, three miles southeast of Delphos, on rural route No. 1. He was born in the same township September 8, 1865, son of J. H. and Mary A. (Wulfhorst) Moenter. J. H. Moenter, who was born in Germany May 12, 1839, came with his parents to the United States in 1849, and grew up in Marion Township of Allen County. He had a very limited education in local schools but became a practical and industrious farmer. His wife was born in April, 1840. After their marriage they farmed for two years near Fort Jennings, after which they sold their place and moved to Marion Township, where for a long period of years they were honored and respected citizens. The father died in 1911 and the mother in 1919. They were active members of the Catholic Church at Delphos and the father was a democrat. Of ten children six are still living : John, who lives in that portion of Delphos in Van Wert County; Fred J.; Henry, who is the present county treasurer of Putnam County ; Elizabeth, wife of William Recker, of Liepsic, Putnam County ; Joseph and Louis, both farmers in Marion Township. Fred J. Moenter grew up on a farm near Delphos and acquired a practical education in the local schools. He lived with his parents until he was thirty-three years of age. He married Anna Grewe, who died July 14, 1910, the mother of one son, Carl, who was born June 24, 1899. In 1912 Mr. Moenter married Mary Burger, a native of Putnam County. They were active in the Catholic Church at Delphos, and Mr. Moenter is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. Politically he has always acted with the democratic party. He served a term very capably as assessor of Marion Township. He is one of the directors of the German Mutual Fire Insurance Company at Delphos, the executive officials of which are John Wellman, president ; Joseph Elwer, vice president; Arthur O. Wulfhorst, secretary; and Joseph Baumgardner, treasurer. The other directors are Syl Gerdeman of Van Wert County, Felix Clement of Putnam County and Fred J. Moenter of Allen County. Mr. Moenter is also secretary and treasurer of the Delphos Equity Exchange Company. The Moenter farm in Marion Township comprises HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 265 sixty-three acres, and for many years has been the scene of Mr. Moenter's industrious efforts, and in that time he has given it much of its permanent value and equipment. ABRAM J. LAMAN. After a varied experience at a mechanical trade and as a merchant Abram J. Laman settled down to the occupation of farming, and as proprietor of what is known as the old Carey farm has one of the attractive and valuable places in Allen County. This farm is four and a half miles northeast of Spencerville in Amanda Township. Mr. Laman represents an old family of Allen County and was born in Marion Township September 1, 1863, son of John A. and Mary M. (Miller) Laman. His father was born in Pennsylvania June 14, 1834, and his mother was born March 4, 1837. Both are still living, well past the age of fourscore. They were married in Allen County, and spent their active lives as hard working and prosperous farmers. Both have always taken a deep interest in the affairs of their church and politically the father has cast his vote as a democrat for over sixty years. Of ten children seven are still living: Catherine, wife of Allie Miller, of Spencerville; George W., a resident of Middlepoint, Van Wert County, Ohio ; Joseph, of American Township, Allen County ; Abram J.; Anna, widow of John Petree, of Lima, Ohio ; William, who lives on a farm four and a half miles southeast of Lima; and Mina, wife of Frank Musser. The deceased children were Sarah A., John and one that died in infancy. Abram J. Laman grew up in Marion and Amanda townships, made the best possible use of the advantages of the local schools, and as a young man learned the trade of carpenter. In 1889 he married Cynda Miller, who was born February 19, 1870, a daughter of Henry C. Miller. After his marriage Mr. Laman continued to work at the carpenter's trade for two years. He then bought a house with ten acres of ground, but sold that and acquired a general store at Southworth, Ohio, where he was in business for six years. On selling his mercantile establishment he bought his present farm and has occupied it since the fall of 1900. He has 114 acres, well improved and practically all of it used for some purpose. He makes a specialty of Polled Durham cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Laman had six children: Mazie A., wife of Harlie McDonald, of Lima ; Faira A., who married Millie Eley and lives at Lima, Gladys, wife of Archie Staup, of Spencerville; Walter, who is married and lives at Delphos; Dewey, who was a World war soldier, lives at Lima ; and Zella J. is the wife of Titus Moorman. The family are members of' the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Laman is a deacon and trustee, and at present superintendent of the Sunday school. Politically he is affiliated with the democratic party. J. S. F. MCCORMACK, an ex-service man who was an ensign in the navy aviation department during the World war, is manager of the Lima branch of the B. F. Goodrich Rubber Company at 125-127 West Elm street. Mr. McCormack was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1890, son of W. E. and Margaret A. (Fife) McCormack. He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and in most of the generations the family have been farmers. The McCormacks came to America about 1792, and from Maryland transferred their home to the vicinity of Pittsburgh. His parents are still living, retired farmers, and J. S. F. McCormack is the younger of two children. He attended public school at Pittsburgh, at the Washington and Jefferson Academy, and in 1912 entered the University of Pittsburgh, where he was graduated in 1915. For a time he was in the sugar brokerage business for himself at Pittsburgh. In May, 1917, he joined the navy at Cleveland, was sent to Pensacola, Florida, training as a landsman machinist of motor aviation at the air station. In October, 1917, he left there as chief quartermaster and was sent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for an eight weeks' training in the ground school of aviation. Then for three months he was on duty at Akron, Ohio, and went back to Pensacola, Florida, where he remained until June, 1918. In the meantime he was commissioned an ensign, April 23, 1918, and from New York went overseas to Brest, France, and was in active service at several air stations in France until January 18, 1919, when he returned to New York and for a time was on duty at the air station at Cape May, New Jersey, from March, 1919, until he was retired on the inactive list in May. June 1, 1919, Mr. McCormack entered the Goodrich Rubber Company's school at Akron, had further training at Chicago and Cleveland, and in August came to Lima as salesman in the Lima branch. He has since been promoted to manager, and his district comprises nine counties. He has built up a large business for the Goodrich Company. April 26, 1920, Mr. McCormack married Catherine Eberman of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity of the University of Pittsburgh, is affiliated with the Elks, and at Lima is a member of the Shawnee Country Club, Lima Club and Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. STANLEY W. PELTIER. Through several generations the Peltier family has been a prominent one in Allen County, and the men of this name have been known as progressive citizens, substantial farmers and in every way fulfilling their obligations as home owners and members of the community. Of this family Stanley W. Peltier has spent many years in farming in Marion Township, his home being four miles east of Delphos. He was born in the same township August 14, 1869, son of Enos and Evaline (Scott) Peltier. His father was born near Deep Cut in Auglaize County, Ohio. Of six children five are still living: Stanley ; Nettie, wife of G. N. Copris, of Marion Township ; Frank, of Delphos; Bessie, wife of William W. Kantz, of Lima ; and Ralph, at home. Stanley W. Peltier grew up on a farm and acquired a good education in the local schools. When he began his independent career at the age of twenty-one it was as a dairy farmer, and he was active in that industry for ten years, and since then has spread his efforts over a general farming enterprise. He and his son own sixty-one acres ,in Marion Township, but their farming operations are carried on with 130 acres. June 29, 1893, Mr. Peltier married Resa Copus, who was born in Allen County, in Sugar Creek Township, February 12, 1870. She acquired a good education and for several years before her marriage 266 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY was a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Peltier have three children : Kenneth, the eldest, was educated in the local schools and when America entered the war with Germany he went into the service and spent eleven months overseas in France and Germany. He is an active member of the local post of the American Legion. He married Myrtle McCoy, and is now engaged in farming in Marion Township. Dorothy, the only daughter, is the wife of Donald Foust and lives in Lima. Leslie, the youngest child, finished his education in the Delphos High School and is still at home. The Peltier family are members of Morris Chapel of the Methodist Church, Mr. Peltier being one of the trustees. He has twice served as master of Hope Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons, is high priest of Delphos Chapter No. 105, Royal Arch Masons, and is deputy master of Delphos Council No. 72, Royal and Select Masters. In politics Mr. Peltier supports the principles of the republican party. EDWARD J. FORD is head of a prosperous family partnership known as E. J. Ford & Sons, which for many years has carried on general farming and stock raising and also operated a stone quarry near Scott's Crossing in Marion Township. Mr. Ford was born near Urbana, Ohio, December 19, 1853, but has lived in Allen County since March, 1854, when his parents, Joseph and Isabelle (Moore) Ford settled here. His grandfather, Joseph Ford, Sr., was born March 4, 1781, and married Catherine Snell, who was born May 4, 1781. The family were pioneers in Kentucky and later came to Ohio. Edward J. Ford was reared and educated in Marion Township and lived at home until his marriage. Many years ago he took up stone quarrying as an important adjunct to his farming, and has been in that industry since 1894. Associated with his two sons, he continues that industry and also the operation of his farm of ninety-three acres. January 30, 1880, he married Lavina Phillips, a daughter of Isaac and Polly (Crites) Phillips. Mr. and Mrs. Ford had six children: Ernest R., born October 18, 1880, lives at Scott's Crossing; he married Grace Alspaugh; Myron N., born July 5, 1882, was educated in the public schools, in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and is now secretary of the Board of Pharmacy of the State of Ohio. He married Goldie Friedaline of Delphos, who died in February, 1920, leaving two children. Grover R. born September 15, 1884, attended the public schools and the Middlepoint Academy, and is a farmer in Van Wert County. He is the father of three children. Warren W., born September 2, 1886, is a machinist by trade and is a member of the partnership E. J. Ford & Sons. Emmett B., the youngest, born April 4, 1896, was for fifteen months in the army at Camp Sherman. Grace died at the age of fourteen months. The family are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Ford is affiliated with Delphos Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a democrat. ENOS PELTIER. Though retired from farming responsibilities, which he carried for nearly half a century, Enos Peltier is still living on his farm near Scott's Crossing in Marion Township. Mr. Peltier is an honored survivor of the Civil war. He was a member of a family that made a splendid patriotic record during that national crisis, several of his brothers being with him in the Union army. Mr. Peltier, whose home is four miles southeast of Delphos on rural route No. 6, was born at Deep Cut in Auglaize County, Ohio, January 2, 1842, son of James and Jane (Clark) Peltier. His father was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1806, of French ancestry, while the mother was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1811, of Holland Dutch stock. After their marriage they lived in Lima, where James Peltier for a number of years was a general merchant. Later he moved to a farm near Elida, and in 1863 sold that and moved southeast of Delphos. He died at the age of eighty-two. Besides farming he was also a minister of the Methodist Church, serving as a local preacher. Of his six children only two are now living: Louisa became the wife os S. J. Brand; William C., who served three years in the Ninety-Ninth Ohio Infantry, was wounded at the battle of Lookout Mountain and is now deceased; John W., also deceased, served three years in the Eighty-first Ohio Infantry and was wounded at Atlanta; Enos is the fourth in age ; Sheldon, deceased, was for three years a member of the Eighty-First Ohio Infantry; and Charles, the youngest, is a farmer at Hudson, Michigan. Enos Peltier grew up in Allen County, acquired a public school education, at first attending a subscription school. He was nineteen years of age when the Civil war began, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company E of the Ninety-Ninth Ohio Infantry. He saw long and arduous service, marching in the campaigns from Covington, Kentucky, to Atlanta, Georgia, but never received a wound. For many years he has been an honored member of Ruel Post No. 95 of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Peltier is affiliated with Hope Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons, and his wife was active in the Eastern Star Chapter at Delphos. In 1868 Mr. Peltier married Evaline Scott, who was born in 1846, a daughter of William Scott, Sr. To their marriage were born seven children, one of whom died in infancy. Stanley is married and lives in Marion Township ; Nellie is the wife of George M. Copus ; Frank is married and lives at Delphos; Erwin is deceased; Bessie is the wife of William Kantz ; Ralph is married and lives with his father. A grandson, Kenneth Peltier, added to the family record of patriotism by service in the World war, and spent a year and a half in France. The family are members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Peltier has voted the republican ticket ever since the Civil war. The farm where he spends his declining years in comfortable retirement contains fifty-two acres. (He passed away April 6, 1923. Footnote written in the text.) WILLIAM J. SHEPHERD. The increase in the demand for farm products and the better opportunities offered agriculturalists have sent many men back to the rural regions after they have had some experience in more metropolitan centers, with the result that an added impetus has been given to this basic industry. Allen County is one of the best agricultural regions of Ohio, and some of the finest farms in the country are found within its confines, properties which are conducted according to modern methods, with very profitable results. One of these properties is known as "Woodland Farm" and its owner, William J. Shepherd, is one of the substantial men and successful farmers of Shawnee Township. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 267 William J. Shepherd was born in Marion County, Ohio, November 20, 186., a son of Simeon and Elizabeth (Messinger) Shepherd, the former of whom was born near Niles, Michigan, and the latter in Marion County, Ohio. After their marriage they settled on a farm of 126 acres he owned in Marion County, Ohio, on which he was engaged in farming until 1908, when he rented his land to his son and moved to Marion, Ohio. His wife, who was born June 13, 1843, died January 15, 1920. Of the five sons born to his parents William J. Shepherd was the eldest, and he was reared in his native county and attended its schools until he was seventeen years of age. For a year after he left school he remained at home assisting his father, and then went to Marion, Ohio, and worked at whatever came to hand until 1886, when he secured employment in-the roundhouse, and after a few months was made a fireman on a yard engine. After a year at that he was given a fireman's place on a road engine, but in a year returned to yard service. May 16, 1891, he was proinoted to be an engineer and assigned to doing yard duty in the Marion yards until December of that year, when he was transferred to the Lima yards, and placed in charge of the engines there. In September, 1907, he bought sixty-two and one-half acres in sections 13, 14 and 23, Shawnee Township, where he lived from December 9. 1907, until the fall of 1912, when he returned to Lima, and lived there until April 1, 1920, when he came back to the farm, and some of the finest Barred Plymouth Rock chickens of the market are raised on his fields. Between 1907 and 1912 Mr. Shepherd was engaged in raising thoroughbred single comb Black Orpington, White Cochin Bantams, with which he took may prizes and exhibited in nearly all of the adjoining towns and villages. On January 28, 1886, Mr. Shepherd was married to Elizabeth McClain, born near Hagerstown, Maryland. They had no children. Mrs. Shepherd died November 14, 1903. On September 28, 1905, Mr. Shepherd was married to Olive Shadley, who was born near Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio. There are no children of this marriage. Mr. Shepherd is independent in politics. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a past master of the Blue Lodge and past high priest of the Council. He also belongs to Marion Lodge No. 102, Knights of Pythias, and Huntington, Indiana, Lodge No. 221, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Mr. Shepherd takes a deep interest in his farm and prefers living amid rural surroundings to being in the city. Both he and his wife are popular, and their pleasant home is often the scene of pleasant social gatherings. ALFRED CLINTON HOVER. An enterprising and successful business man of Lima, Alfred C. Hover has been actively associated with various lines of industry and in his ventures has been exceedingly fortunate. A son of the late James A. Hover, he was born December 23, 1865, in Shawnee Township, Allen County, of pioneer ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Hover, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, from there coming with his wife and children to Allen County in 1832, making an overland trip with oxen. Born on a farm in Trumbull County, Ohio, James A. Hover was young when he came with his parents to Allen County, where he was brought up and educated. Ambitious and adventurous, he joined a band of gold seekers in 1849, and after walking to Cincinnati proceeded by boat down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers to St. Joseph, Missouri. Outfitting there, the little band continued with ox teams across the dreary plains to California. Locating at Hangtown, he did placer mining and found some gold, but not enough to keep him very long from his family, and he returned by way of Panama, walking across the Isthmus, and then going by boat to New York City. Returning to his farm in Shawnee Township, he was there subsequently engaged in cultivating the soil until his death, April 16, 1902. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy D. Dobbins, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, a daughter of Matthew Dobbins, a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, who settled first in Wayne County, Ohio, but later moved to Allen County, settling there in 1833. She outlived her husband, passing away November 23, 1907. Four children were born of their union, as follows : Ida, wife of William H. Breese of 333 South Metcalf Street, Lima ; Alma, wife of D. C. Ford, living at 610 West Elm Street, Lima ; Cyrus, living with his brother Alfred ; and Alfred C., the subject of this brief sketch. Obtaining the rudiments of his education in the public schools, Alfred Clinton Hover advanced his studies at the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Entering the employ of the Standard Oil Company on September 14, 1886, he continued with that firm five years, and then embarked in the lumber business with T. W. Dobbins, with whom he was associated three years. Mr. Hover was subsequently variously employed until 1910, when he engaged in the real estate business, buying and selling city and farm property. In 1917, in company with his brother Cyrus and Mr. Hooker, he began the raising and breeding of fine stock, making a specialty of raising horses, a line of industry that has proved very profitable and satisfactory. Mr. Hover married September 11, 1911, Minnie Keve, who was born in Lima, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Ida May (Huston) Keve, the former of whom was a native of Mahoning County, Ohio, and the latter of Allen County. Two children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hover, Mary Elizabeth and Nancy May. Mr. Hover is a stanch republican in politics, and both he and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. DON C. LONG. The people of Marion Township, Allen County, are too familiar with the career of Don C. Long for the biographer to call special attention to his record other than to give the salient facts in the same, for here he has spent his entire life and has gained a prominent place in the esteem of the people. He is the representative of one of our old families, members of which have always stood for the highest type of morality and business ethics, so that they have been potent factors in the maintaining of the better interests of community life.. Don C. Long, proprietor of Walnut Farm, consisting of 120 acres and located two and a half miles southeast of Delphos, was born in the township in which he now resides on December 5. 1885. and is the son of Minor T. and Nancy J. (Tucker) Long. Minor T. Long was born in Clermont County, Ohio, on August 24, 1845, and his death occurred June 21, 1920. He was a son of Jacob and Rebecca A. (Westerfield) Long, and a grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth (Carlinard) Long, who came from Fay- 268 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY etteville, North Carolina, to Hamilton County, Ohio, settling with other pioneers on the present site of Cincinnati. Later he moved to Clermont County, Ohio, locating there in the spring of 1852, when the country thereabouts was practically a wilderness. Later he came by canal boat to the vicinity of Delphos, where he settled on seventy-three acres of land which is now a part of the Long estate, located on the banks of the Auglaize River. There he cleared the land and developed a good farm, and there he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring on May 6, 1869. He was twice married, his second wife being Minerva Free, who died November 25, 1876. His son Jacob, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1824, and died in Allen County on July 31, 1895. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of four children, namely : Minor T., father of Don C.; Marianna became the wife of Theodore Culp; Frank E. is a retired farmer and now living in Delphos ; and Minerva became the wife of Samuel W. Wright, and both are deceased. Jacob Long spent his entire life at the vocation of farming, in which he was successful. During the Civil war he enlisted as a member of the. Thirty- Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of General Sherman's army, with which he took part in the "march to the sea." At the close of the war Jacob Long returned to the pursuits of peace, devoting his attention to farming, which he pursued during the rest of his active life. Minor T. Long was reared on the home farm and never forsook the vocation of his father, in which he also was successful, becoming the owner of several large and productive tracts of land. He was a man of rare judgment and had a thorough knowledge , of live stock, his opinion on the subject being so well recognized that he was in frequent demand as a judge of live stock at agricultural fairs. During the Civil war he enlisted as a member of Company B of McLaughlin's squadron, with which he took part in many of the most trying campaigns and sanguinary battles of that great war, including the march from Atlanta to the sea. He was one of the organizers of Reul Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Delphos, of which he was a past commander. He was a republican in his political views and served two terms as trustee of Marion Township. He took an active interest in local public affairs and was a stockholder and president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Allen County. He was a member of Morris Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he was a liberal contributor, having taken a leading part in the erection of the chapel. To him and his wife were born five children, namely: Cora, the wife of Edward E. Truesdale, of Delphos ; Mattie, deceased ; Delmer D., a farmer in Marion Township ; Don C., the immediate subject of this sketch ; and Charles C., of Marion Township, who is referred to specifically elsewhere in this work. Don C. Long was reared on the parental farmstead in Marion Township and received his educational training in the district schools of his neighborhood and in the schools of Ada, Ohio. He has always devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and is operating a fine farm of 120 acres, comprising a part of the old farm. He is thoroughly progressive and up to date in his ideas and has maintained his land at the highest standard of excellence. He raises general crops and also gives due attention to live stock, which in this section of the country is so valuable an adjunct to farming. Mr. Long married Leah P. Ludwig, a daughter of Charles C. and Melissa J. (Neff) Ludwig. She is a graduate of the common schools and was engaged in teaching school for ten years prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Long have been born two children, Zoe B., born on July 8, 1914, and Verna J., born on June 28, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Morris Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Long is superintendent of the Sunday school of that society. Fraternally he is a member of Delphos Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Mrs. Long is a member of the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Long belongs to Riverside Grange No. 2072. Politically he gives his support to the republican party, though he is not a seeker after public office. He is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and is a stockholder in the Peoples Bank of Delphos and of the Farm Bureau. He possesses many sterling characteristics of head and heart and holds a high position in the esteem of his fellow citizens. JOHN W. RED. Five miles east of Delphos in Marion Township is situated the highly developed farm of John W. Red. Mr. Red has been a factor in that community for many years, carries on general farming and stock raising, also operates an extensive orchard, and has found many useful interests to occupy his time and attention. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 14, 1853, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Polting) Red. His father was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and his mother of Hocking County, in which county they were married and settled there on a farm. His father was born in 1830 and died in 1907, and the mother is still living at Logan, Ohio. Both were very devout members of the United Brethren Church and the father was a democrat in politics. Of eight children the following are still living : John W., Alonzo of Columbus, Levi of Perry County, Irena, wife of Mr. Hamilton of Hocking County. John W. Red grew up on a farm, having a district school education, and has been a resident of Allen County since 1876. On December 12, 1878, he married Miss Herring, who was born near Allentown in Allen County December 22, 1859, daughter of Penrose Herring. She grew up on a farm in American Township and had a common school education. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Red lived in American Township for a year and a half and then came to their present farm. Mr. Red is owner of ninety-five acres, and while he has contended with some adversities in the past he has achieved real prOsperity as an Allen County agriculturist. Ten and a half acres of his farm is devoted to an apple orchard, one of the larger orchards in this section of Ohio, and under his management usually a source of much profit. Mr. and Mrs. Red had thirteen children and ten of them are still living. Jesse, the oldest, married Bessie Ditto and lives in Marion Township; Lydia is the wife of Charles Myers, of Marion Township; James is married and lives in Allen County; Goldie is the wife of Marion Heidlebauch, of Marion Township ; Ray married Florence Rand and lives at Delphos; Penrose is a graduate of Otterbein College, is a minister of the United Brethren Church at East Palestine, and during the World war was a chaplain HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 269 with the army at Camp Jackson, Georgia ; Homer ; Ernest was in training as a soldier at Camp Jackson; Bertha is the wife of Dr. Lewis Brunk, of Rockford, a dentist; and Gail H., the youngest, is fourteen years of age. The family are active members of the United Brethren Church, Mr. Red being a trustee of his local congregation and has also served as superintendent of the Sunday school. He keeps in touch with progressive agricultural interests, is a member of the Marion Grange, and is a member of the Township School Board. Politically he votes as a democrat. HENRY L. LEILICH. For a good many years past the citizens of Delphos have needed no reminder of the prominent position Henry L. Leilich has held in the community. A successful business man, Mr. Leilich has exemplified that fine degree of public spirit which draws out the same qualities of energy and good judgment in behalf of public undertakings as those affairs which depend altogether upon private initiative. In practically every progressive movement recorded in Delphos during the past thirty years Henry L. Leilich has had an interested part. Mr. Leilich, who is president of the National Bank of Delphos, of the Delphos Building and Loan Association, vice president of the Delphos Telephone Company, a director in the Delphos Stinely Company, and district manager of the R. L. Dollings Company, has lived in that part of Allen county for nearly forty years. He was born in Hesse, Germany, July 15, 1865, and received his early education in Germany. At the age of sixteen he came to the United States. His uncle at that time was a Lutheran minister at Delphos and for several years the young lad made his home with him. Henry L. Leilich reached America and came to Delphos on July 24, 1881. At that time his sole capital consisted of thirty-two dollars. The first work he did was on the old narrow gauge, now the Clover Leaf Railroad. It was heavy work, and he soon found his health giving way. He then sought indoor employment in the woolen mills of Delphos, and in December, 1881, became clerk in a shoe store, and besides selling shoes he also learned the trade of cobbler. In 1883 he began learning the boiler maker and blacksmith's trade in the Clover Leaf shop, and served a three years rigid apprenticeship. From this mechanical trade he again became clerk in a store, with the Leon Clothing House, with which he remained until May 1, 1892. At that date he bacame a partner and manager in the Delphos Brewery, and that was his first important independent enterprise. He was connected with that business until 1898, when he sold his interest. He then bought the building and the stock of the Delphos Hardware Company, and was a hardware merchant until 1902, when he sold the business but retained the building. For about a year he was also associated with R. J. Gillespie as an oil operator at Pittsburg. He was elected to his first bank directorship in 1893, and his interests for many years have made him a prominent banker in Allen, Van Wert and Putman counties. He also became associated with the Delphos Building and Loan Association and was its vice president in 1894. An industry that meant a great deal to Delphos was the Delphos Can Company, which Mr. Leilich helped establish in 1902 and of which he was manager, president and general manager in 1917. All the manufacturing processes were carried on in a room 40x100 feet. He started with only two men, but in thirty days had ninety people working, and there was a steady growth and development of the business, the working capital being increased from twenty-five thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars, then to a hundred thousand dollars. The original quarters had to be expanded, and eventually ground was bought along the Pennsylvania Railroad and a three story building erected. Mr. Leilich reorganized the company, giving it the name Delphos Manufacturing Company, with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, most of the outside capital being owned in the surrounding district. One feature of the company's progressive record is that a new building was erected annually for eleven years, and by 1917 four hundred people were employed in the industry and the volume of business for the year 1916 aggregated two and a fourth millions of dollars. About that time Mr. Leilich retired and has since given his time to the banking and financial interests mentioned above. Through all these years he has borne a heavy weight of responsibilities in connection with local progress. He started the first petition to establish waterworks at Delphos in 1893, and when the proposition was carried he was made president of the Board of Trustees and under his administration fifteen miles of water main were laid in the city. He also carried a petition for a sanitary sewer system, a proposition approved at a formal election. He circulated the petition for the beautiful high school of Delphos, the vote being almost unanimous in its favor, and also for the Delphos Waterworks Park. Mr. Leilich is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, Shriner and Eastern Star, and for years has been a prominent member of the Lutheran Church. He is a former trustee of the church and was chairman of the building committee of the present Masonic Temple. He is also affiliated with the Elks at Lima. At the age of nineteen Mr. Leilich married Miss Louise Werner, daughter of Jacob and Agnes Werner. Mrs. Leilich died in 1916. They had two sons and one daughter who died in infancy. The only living child is C. J. Leilich, who is a graduate of the Delphos High School, took a business course at Lima, and for several years has been associated with his father. He is now Allen county manager for the R. L. Dollings Company, stocks, bonds, securities, investment banker and general insurance. He is also a member of the School Board and is a former councilman of Delphos. C. J. Leilich is married and has two daughters. Mr. Leilich was one of the promoters of the Delphos High School Building,, the City Park and the Delphos Carnegie Library and is one of the directors of the Delphos Commercial Club. JONATHAN WONNELL is one of the interesting survivors of the pioneer enoch of Allen County. He did his own part in clearing up the forests and making the land available for cultivation. He represents some of the very early families settled in this part of Ohio. He was born in Perry Township January 10, 1843, and is still living in that township, on rural route No. 6, out of Lima. His parents were William and Sarah (Stiles) Wonnell, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Vermont. His maternal grandparents, Jonathan and Olive Stiles, were Ver- 270 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY mont people who on coming to Ohio first settled in Auglaize County and in 1834 established their home in Allen County. William Wonnell came to Allen County about 1835. He had married in Hamilton County, Ohio. In Allen County he settled in the woods, on land secured by his stepfather, who had entered a tract from the Government in section 35 of Perry Township. William Wonnell built a log house as his first home, built a double log barn, and with the aid of his sons cleared much of the land and had a well-developed farm of 150 acres. He was one of the leading horsemen of this section. He died in 1896, at the age of eighty-six, while his wife passed away aged fifty-six. Their children were: Edward, born in 1836 and died in May, 1917; James, born in 1838 and died in 1913; Olive, born in 1840 and died in 1902; Jonathan ; Manen, who died during the Civil war at the age of sixteen; and Eveline, born in 1851 and died in 1919. Jonathan Wonnell grew up on his father's homestead and secured his early advantages in the Cherry Grove district school. In 1862, when he was a youth of nineteen, he joined a party of ten men bound for California. From New York they took a vessel to Colon, thence crossed the Isthmus, and went up the Pacific Coast to San Francisco. Then followed a number of months of varied experience and adventure, during which he was at Sacramento, Marysville, Red Bluff, traveled by stage to Shasta City, California, and worked at a number of occupations 'in the meantime. For a time he conducted a boarding house in Trinity County, at the foot of Scott's Mountain. A year later he went to Fort Jones in Siskiyou County, worked in a store, took care of horses, later was a clerk at Deadwood and also drove a four-horse team to Red Bluff. After about six months at Deadwood he started for home, being a passenger on a steamboat to Nicaragua, crossing to the Gulf of Mexico by the Nicaragua route, and thence a steamboat carried him to New York. He traveled by rail west to Lima, and toward the end of his journey was in a collision between a passenger and freight train in October, 1865, but escaped without injury. From his earnings during his California experience Mr. Wonnell sent money home to buy a forty- acre farm in Perry Township. The spring following his return he moved to this farm, but a year later sold and bought 170 acres in section 34 of Perry Township. Only a small part of this had been cleared, and it is largely a monument to his strenuous personal exertions that 135 acres were cleared and ditched and rendered available for cultivation. Mr. Wonnell has always been a consistent republican in politics. December 28, 1865, soon after his return from California, he married Sarah Ann Lacock, a native of Brown County, Ohio, and daughter of David W. Lacock. Mr. Wonnell has three children : James Harrison, at home ; Nora C., who was born in 1869 and died in 1895 ; and Alta May, who is Mrs. Oliver H. Scooler, of Lima, and has a son, Leon Don. FRANK HUDSON HOVER. After a varied experience in different parts of the country Frank Hudson Hover is now engaged in conducting forty acres of his father's original homestead in Shawnee Township, Allen County, which he owns. He was born on this farm June 7, 1863, a son of Newton and Sarah (Watt) Hover, natives of Trumbull County, Ohio, and Lima, Ohio, respectively, he born in 1820 and she in 1832. The maternal grandparents, Hudson and Hilda (Down) Watt, the former of Irish and the latter of Welsh descent, were among the earliest settlers of Lima, where he was a shoemaker and later became owner of a large amount of real estate in Lima and its vicinity. Newton Hover was one of the first physicians of Lima, and he conducted one of the first drug stores of the city. Subsequently he moved to his farm in Shawnee Township on account of the ill health of his wife, who passed away in March, 1864. Later he married Mrs. Mary Deem, who died in 1877. Mr. Hover was engaged in farming in Shawnee Township until 1879, when he moved to southwestern Colorado and went into the cattle business, and at the same time served as post doctor at Fort Lewis, and was engaged in an active practice at Pagosa Springs, Colorado, but after some years returned to his old Allen County farm, and there passed away in 1901. His children by his first wife were as follows : Clara, Hulda, Watt and Newton, all of whom are deceased, and Joseph and Frank Hudson, who were twins. Joseph Hover is now a resident of Lima. Frank Hudson Hover was in the cattle business with his brothers and sister Hulda, they running on an average 500 head of cattle on the open range in Colorado. In 1883 and 1884 he was at Ada, Ohio, taking a course in the Ohio Northern University, but in the latter year returned to Colorado. When he reached Alamosa he made the acquaintance of a school master, who suggested that they make the attempt to walk across the Great Divide of the Rocky Mountains. The hardships these venturesome young men went through Mr. Hover will never forget. At times they were nearly overcome with fatigue and the cold, and at times were forced to walk on the crust of snow which lay from ten to forty feet deep, and on the edge of canyons thousands of feet in depth. Fortunately they were overtaken by a party going after provisions, and were able to ride a portion of the way or it is doubtful if they would have lived to tell the tale. When Mr. Hover finally reached his destination he started to gather up his cattle, which had been feeding on the Vincent Range. To his surprise he found that a number of them had been rebranded by cattle thieves. He called upon the sheriff of the country to assist him. Fourteen head were recovered and placed in a corral, which Mr. Hover carefully guarded for some time, but being obliged to be absent for several nights when he returned he found the cattle gone with the exception of one. The thieves were caught and indicted and held under bonds of $10,000 each. The leader of the band took a bunch of horses to Arizona and was reported dead, although this was not true. He simply circulated the report through a tribe of Navajo Indians and the report was accepted as a fact. His associates testified they bought the cattle from Vincent and all were cleared. Once more Mr. Hover tried to get a start in the cattle business, but discovered after one and a half years' association that his partner was stealing from him, so he closed up this partnership, and taking his share of the cattle from the range in New Mexico, where he had been running them, started for Colorado. His dishonest partner, not content with his former peculations, swore out a warrant accusing Mr. Hover of taking his cattle out of the HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 271 state, and he was held under bonds. The case was postponed from time to time, costing Mr. Hover considerable money, great annoyance and two years of his time. Finally he was exonerated, but felt that he had enough of the cattle business, and went to San Diego, California, and was employed in the Coronado Hotel of that city, and did other jobs, leaving finally for San Francisco, California. After a brief stay in the latter city he went to Wilbur, Washington, and lived there until his marriage, which occurred June 2, 1891, when he was united with Mary E. Whitestien, born near Santa Rosa, California. Eighteen months later he returned to Allen County, Ohio, and bought forty acres of his father's homestead. He and his wife became the parents of the following children : Vergil and Claude W.. both of whom live at Lima, and Grace Marie, who died at the age of eleven years. Mrs. Hover died in 1900, and in March, 1903, Mr.. Hover was married to Laura A. Neff, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Abelia (Zerkel) Neff. She was a widow with one daughter, Hazel, who is now Mrs. Thomas France, of Lima. Mr. Hover is a republican. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. While Mr. Hover has had some trying experiences he does not regret them, for they have taught him the desirability of his home township and county, and stimulated in him a pride in the Buckeye State nothing can quench. While he does not participate actively in public affairs, no movement comes up that he is convinced will work out for the good of his section to which he does not give an intelligent and effective support, and he is justly considered as belonging to the worth while citizens of Allen County. Vergil N. Hover, who was born August 18, 1893, while his father lived at Sprague, Washington, enlisted in the regular army September 26, 1914, at Columbus, being assigned to Company E, Twentieth Infantry. He was with that regiment during the Mexican border trouble. July 29, 1917, he re-enlisted at Spencerville in Company F, Second Ohio Infantry, left for Camp Sheridan, Alabama, in September, was appointed corporal and transferred to Headquarters Company, One Hundred and Forty- Sixth Infantry. June 13, 1918, he embarked at Hoboken on the Leviathan and June 22 landed at Brest, and on July 29th had his first experience with hostile bombing planes. After several weeks of duty in the Baccarat sector he and his command on September 16th started for the Argonne Forest, arriving in the support trenches September 24th and two days later went to the front and participated in the great battle known as Argonne Forest. His command was relieved from front line duty on September 30th, and about three weeks later was recalled from the front in the vicinity of Toul, and by way of Paris moved into Belgium to co-operate with the British forces, participating in the drive from Thielt beginning October 31st and remaining in that vicinity until the signing of the armistice. On March 18, 1919, he embarked on the U. S. S. Maine, landing at Hoboken March 31st and on April 13th was honorably discharged at Camp Sherman, and reached Lima the same day. Corporal Hover married June 18, 1919, Miss Lela E. Stein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Stein, of Celina, Ohio. They have one son, Lloyd H. Hover, born May 18, 1920. The second soldier son of Mr. Hover, Claude W., was born November 22, 1895, at Lima. June 18, 1916, he enlisted in the Medical Corps of the Second Ohio Infantry, and during the Mexican border troubles was at El Paso from September 9 until March 9, 1917. He was mustered out of the Federal service at Fort Sheridan March 22 and was held in reserve until July 15, 1917, when he was again mustered into the Federal army and in September started for Fort Sheridan. He was transferred to the Medical Corps, One Hundred and Forty-Seventh Infantry, and to the Medical Corps of the One Hundred and Twelfth Mortar Battalion in October, 1917. June 28, 1918, he embarked on the transport Plassy at Hoboken, landed at Glasgow, Scotland, July 10th, crossed the channel to LaHavre and on September 10th, while on French soil, was appointed sergeant. He was held near Verdun and Nancy, was in action along the Marbach sector eight days, and was then in the Meuse and Argonne, in the reserve line, until the signing of the armistice. At St. Nazaire he embarked on the Mercury April 18, 1919, reached Philadelphia April 30th, was discharged at Camp Sherman May 17th and reached Lima on May 8th. February 5, 1920, Claude Hover married Leota Saddler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Saddler of Wapakoneta, Ohio. HENRY GOOD, who came to manhood in Allen County and for half a century has been identified with agricultural affairs, was a poor man when he married, but is now owner of one of the best farms in Marion Township. This farm is on Elida rural route No. 1, three and a half miles west of that town. Mr. Good was born near Harrisonburg in Rockingham County, Virginia, August 7, 1851, son of Abraham P. and Rebecca (Rhodes) Good. His parents were natives of the same county of Virginia, the father born in 1824 and the mother in 1826. At the time of the Civil war they left Virginia, drove overland with their family to Putnam County, Ohio, and three years later established a home in Allen County, where they lived the rest of their years. The father died March 12, 1892. Both were active in the Mennonite Church and in politics the father favored the republican principles. Of eight children the following are still living: Simon P. of Marion Township ; Elizabeth, wife of J. B. Huber ; Fannie, wife of J. M. Shenk ; Tena, wife of Christ Culp of Sugar Creek Township ; Jacob of Franklin County, Ohio ; Lydia, wife of John Mumah of Elkhart County, Indiana ; and Henry. Henry Good was about ten or twelve years of age when brought to Ohio, and he finished his education in the common schools of Marion Township. He found work at home assisting his parents until September 22, 1873, when he married Miss Elizabeth Culp. She was born August 22, 1851, a daughter of Christian Culp, and was reared and educated in Sugar Creek Township. Two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Good went in debt for the purchase of ninety acres of land and though their thrift and energy were put to the test by many trying circumstances, they paid out, and have contrived to make their affairs prosper until their present farm contains 200 acres. Both are active in the Mennonite Church, Mr. Good being a trustee. He is a general farmer and stock raiser and is a republican voter. 272 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Good, five of whom died in infancy. Those still living are Christian of Marion Township; Fannie, wife of Walter Ross of the same township; Abraham, who lives in Idaho; Lizzie, wife of Clarke Berry; Loma, wife of Christian Stalter ; Aaron, who is married and lives in Marion Township; John of Marion; and Ezra, whose home is in Colorado. CLYDE M. BAXTER, one of the prosperous young farmers of Marion Township, is a son of the late C. T. Baxter, who for many years carried the burdens of a substantial farmer and good citizen in that locality. C. T. Baxter was born in Marion Township September 7, 1859, son of Curtis and Emily (John) Baxter. His great-grandfather was a native of Ireland. The grandfather, Samuel Baxter, brought his family to Allen County in October, 1828, and settled on the banks of the Auglaize River in Amanda Township being one of the earliest pioneers of the county. Curtis Baxter was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 26, 1822, and was six years of age when he arrived in Allen County on October 29, 1828. January 8, 1843, he married Emily John. Curtis Baxter, though in advanced years, joined the Home Guards during the Civil war, enlisting September 22, 1864, at Lima, and being in the ranks until honorably discharged June 5, 1865. C. T. Baxter was the fifth in a family of nine children and grew up on the home farm in Marion Township, acquired a good common school education, and on February 8, 1883, married Osie D. Westerfield. Mrs. Osie Baxter, who is still living on the old homestead in Marion Township, was born in that township August 12, 1858, a daughter of William F. and Frances C. (Hart) Westerfield. Her father was a native of Clermont County, Ohio, and was a soldier in the Civil war from the beginning to the end of the struggle, being discharged June 16, 1865. In the Westerfield family were nine children, six of whom are still living: Osie D.; Eva, wife of William Baxter of Delphos ; Rilla, who is married and lives at Jackson, Michigan ; Minnie, unmarried and a deaconess at Danville, Virginia ; Don Westerfield, a druggist at Dayton, Ohio ; and Jessie, wife of Al Hodel of Fort Wayne, Indiana. C. T. Baxter after his marriage lived on the farm in Marion Township, and was diligently employed in its cultivation and management until his death on October 5, 1919. He was a very active member of Morris Chapel of the Methodist Church and a republican in politics. C. T. Baxter and wife had four sons: Clinton C., a farmer in Marion Township.; W. E. Baxter ; Clyde M., a Marion Township farmer ; and Carl, who also follows the vocation of farming. Clyde M. Baxter was born in Marion Township July 26, 1888, and spent his boyhood days alternating between the common schools and the work of the farm. He qualified as a teacher and for twelve years was actively identified with school work in Allen County. April 23, 1919, he married Velva Humphreys, daughter of David Humphreys. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter are members of Morris Chapel of the Methodist Church. He owns a good farm of eighty acres, and handles that place with the skill of a born agriculturist. He votes as a republican and is a member of Elida Lodge No. 818 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His younger brother, Carl W. Baxter, who was born June 1, 1892, was a soldier of the World war. He acquired his education in the public schools of Marion Township. He was trained as a soldier at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, going there July 27, 1918, and sailing for France on August 22d, in Battery E of the Three Hundred and Seventh Field Artillery, Seventy-Eighth Division. He was in France until April 30, 1919, and arrived home May 14, 1919. For seven weeks of his army experience he was an invalid in a hospital. Carl Baxter married Mildred Lutz, a daughter of George G. Lutz. He is a member of Morris Chapel, of the Lodge of Odd Fellows at Elida, belongs to the post of the American Legion, and is a republican. DANIEL A. BOWSHER. The fundamental industry of farming is universally recognized to be of paramount importance and looms up large among other callings of the world. Not only are all of the leading colleges and universities of the country including departments of agriculture in their courses of study, but there are also a number of educational institutions which are devoted to the science of agriculture. The governments of each state, following the example of the Federal Government, are giving encouragement to the farmers, and the men who till the soil are feeling the effects of this nation-wide impetus and working accordingly. One of the substantial agriculturalists of Allen County, whose fine farm, known as "The Retreat," shows the effect of modern methods and progressive management, is Daniel A. Bowsher of Shawnee Township. Daniel A. Bowsher was born in section 21, Shawnee Township, Allen County, Ohio, June 30, 1872, a son of George W. and Harriet (Arthur) Bowsher. George W. Bowsher was born in section 28, Shawnee Township, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Delong) Bowsher, the former of whom was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1803, and the latter June 8, 1809. Harriet Arthur was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, a daughter of Daniel M. and Malinda (Rue) Arthur. The Bowsher family was located in Shawnee Township by the grandfather and his two brothers, who came here in 1835, entering land in section 28. This land was covered with virgin forest, and hard work was necessary to clear it off. A religious man, he helped to found the Lutheran Church of Shawnee Township, and supported it until his death, which occurred December 30, 1873. His widow survived him until September 15. 1888, when she, too, passed away. George W. Bowsher and his wife settled in section 21, Shawnee Township, after their marriage, this being some of the land his father had acquired from the Government, and they later added to their original farm until they had 300 acres in Allen and Auglaize counties, the greater portion of which he cleared of the timber. He was a man of local prominence and held a number of the township offices. In his agricultural activities he gained considerable repute as a raiser of Berkshire swine and Hereford cattle, and his two youngest sons, Albert and Carl, are now living on the old Arthur farm in Auglaize County that their mother inherited from her father's estate, and this is now one of the finest and best equipped stock farms in the county. The young men are raising Berkshire registered swine. George W. Bowsher died in November, 1913, aged seventy-three years, as he was born April 16, 1840, HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 273 and his widow, who was born March 12, 1842, died in April, 1917, aged seventy-five years. Their children were as follows : Laura Etta, who was born February 4, 1865, died in April, 1917, having been married to Marion J. Crawford; Ellen M., who was born January 27, 1867, is Mrs. Nelson Bowsher of Lima, Ohio ; Jasper W., who was born November 26, 1869, is a farmer of Shawnee Township ; Daniel A., who was fourth in order of birth; Myrtle, who was born March 31, 1875, married Eugene T. Lippincott of Lima, Ohio ; John R., who was born June 1, 1878, died in infancy ; Albert, who was born July 16, 1880, married Burt McKinley of Wapakoneta, Ohio ; and Benjamin Carlton, who was born March 1, 1883, married Ilo Kelly. Growing, up on his father's homestead, Daniel A. Bowsher attended the local 'schools and later took a course in the Ohio Northwestern University at Ada, Ohio. On March 17, 1897, he was united in marriage with Tessie Jane Rusler, who was born in Shawnee Township, a daughter of William and Anna (McClintock) Rusler. After his marriage Mr. Bowsher built a new frame residence and other buildings on the Bowsher homestead and has been interested in farming ever since, although from 1909 until 1913 he was deputy county clerk under C. A. Graham, and on August 2, 1913, was elected county clerk, and served Allen County in that capacity for two terms in succession, and during all of that time resided at Lima. In 1917 he returned to his farm. While in the county clerk's office he bought eighty acres in addition to the thirty-four acres he had previously owned, and later inherited forty-eight acres, so that he now has 162 acres and also owns two lots in Lima. He is a large raiser of horses, cattle and hogs, specializing in grain farming in addition to his stock operations. He has other interests and is president of the Shawnee Thresher Company, and is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Hume, Ohio. In politics he is a democrat, and in addition to being county clerk has held the office of township clerk for five years. Brought up in the faith of the Lutheran Church, he early joined it, and is one of the valued members of the local \congregation. Fraternally he belongs to Lima Lodge Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order.of Elks ; Lima Camp, Modern Woodmen of America; Lima Lodge No. 91, Knights of Pythias, and Shawnee Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Bowsher have three children, namely: Doris, who was born June 29, 1905; Kent, who was born January 7, 1908 ; and George Robert, who was born June 22, 1912. The oldest child, William Arthur, was born May 6, 1898, and died October 21, 1917, his demise being deeply felt by his family. WILLIAM ALEXANDER MCBETH. During a long, successful and eminently honorable career, the late William Alexander McBeth was engaged principally in agricultural pursuits in Allen County. His was a life in which he exemplified in marked degree the possession of qualities and characteristics of a superior order, and his death, which occurred April 12, 1920, removed from his community a man who, although unostentatious and modest, wielded a distinct influence for good upon the lives of those about him. Mr. McBeth was born at Plattsville, California, in July, 1861, a son of James and Eliza (Gardner) McBeth. His father, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, went to California following the discovery of gold in that state, and there met and married Miss Gardner, a native of Mansfield, Ohio. In 1862 they came to Allen County, Ohio, and purchased land in Shawnee Township, and James McBeth became one of the substantial men of his community, the owner of three farms and a man held in high esteem. In the evening of life he retired from active pursuits and took up his residence at Lima, where his death occurred in 1896, his worthy wife having passed away in 1890. William A. McBeth enjoyed good educational advantages in his youth, attending first the public schools of Allen County and later the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Returning to the home place, he began farming in association with his father, and was thus engaged until his marriage, in February, 1886, to Aldulia Reed, who was born in Shawnee Township, daughter of Emanuel and Mary (O'Hara) Reed, the former a native of Trumbull County and the latter of Columbus, Ohio. Following his marriage Mr. McBeth removed to a farm of thirty-seven acres located in Shawnee Township which his father deeded to him, and there resided for eleven years, later removing to the homestead of his father, which now consists of forty-three acres. In addition to this McBeth Amusement Park consists of forty acres, and forty-seven acres are included in the grounds of the Shawnee Country Club, both of these latter still remaining in the family name, although they are leased to outside parties. Mr. McBeth, a practical farmer and good business man, continued to be engaged in agricultural operations in this locality until the time of his death in 1920. He had so directed his operations that he had made a success of them, and was able to leave his family in comfortable circumstances, also bequeathing to them the heritage of an honored name, free from any taint of wrong-doing. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he had filled several offices, and in politics was a democrat. He acted as township clerk and in other capacities, and always demonstrated his good citizenship. As a fraternalist he was affiliated with the local lodge of the Masonic order. Mrs. McBeth, who survives her husband, is the owner of the home property, on which she resides. She is a faithful member and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is greatly esteemed in her community, where there are many who recognize and appreciate her numerous appealing qualities of mind and heart. She is the mother of the following children: James R., Harry C. and Dwight C., all residents of Lima ; Hazel D., twin of Dwight C., and the wife of Russell Tam, an agriculturist of Shawnee Township ; and Quay W., an employe of the Lima Stone Company, residing with his mother on the home farm. SAMUEL STRAYER. Though born in another Ohio county, Samuel Strayer has spent practically all his life in Allen County, and for the greater part of half a century has devoted his efforts consecutively and with a rising degree of prosperity to the vocation of farming. He has one of the complete and well systematized farms of Amanda Township, located six miles southwest of Elida on rural route No. 2. He was born in Fairfield County May 2, 1852, and was about four months old when his parents, in Vol. II-18 274 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY August, 1852, moved to Allen County. Nicholas and Elizabeth (Layman) Strayer were born in Pennsylvania but were married in Fairfield County, Ohio. On coming to Allen County they settled in the woods of Amanda Township. Their first home was a cabin built in a small clearing. Nicholas Strayer was well fitted for pioneer duties, and gradually the acres of his cultivated fields expanded and long before his death he had one of the good farms and was rated as one of the prosperous men of the community. He and his wife were very active in church relations and in politics he was a democrat. In the family were seven children : Catherine, wife of David Baxter ; Samuel; David, a farmer living near Elida ; Rebecca, deceased; John, an Amanda Township farmer ; William, also of Amanda Township; • and Della, widow of George Clark, living at Fort Worth, Texas. Samuel Strayer while growing to manhood on the old farm in Amanda Township attended the common schools and worked in the fields as his strength permitted. At the age of twenty-one he began selling sewing machines, but followed that occupation only about a year. April 15, 1875, he married Emeline Miller, who was born in Amanda Township, and died in 1892. She was the mother of Mr. Strayer's six children, named Charles, Jennie, Guy, James, Roy and Lester. The son Roy did his duty as a soldier in the World war, went overseas, and is now living at Lima. Mr. Strayer on November 11, 1893, married Emma A. Miller, a cousin of his first wife. She is an active member of the Methodist Church and in politics he is a democrat. Mr. Strayer's farm comprises ninety-four acres, and he has it well stocked with good grades of cattle, hogs and other animals. He is also a stockholder in the Peoples Bank of Delphos, Ohio. ELMER ELSWORTH DELONG. Aside from whatever prestige may be his by reason of his connection with a family that has been prominent in Allen County for more than seventy years, Elmer Elsworth DeLong is widely and favorably known because of his own achievements in the field of agriculture. The owner of Sunnyside and Pleasant View Farms in Shawnee Township has passed his entire life in this community and has been industrious as an agriculturist, public spirited as a citizen, honorable as a business man and loyal as a friend. Mr. DeLong was born in Shawnee Township July 16, 1867, a son of John and Esther (Mowery) DeLong, the former a native of Ross County and the latter of Pickaway County, Ohio. They were married in 1848, and in the following year came to Shawnee Township, where Mr. DeLong secured eighty acres of unimproved land, which he subsequently cleared, as he did also the eighty acres located across the road from the home place, which Mrs. DeLong had been given by her father. From time to time during his career John DeLong added to his holdings until he was eventually the owner of 600 acres of Allen County land, included in several farms. Much of this he improved and on it carried on general farming with much success until his retirement, some twelve or fifteen years prior to his death, which occurred at Cridersville in June, 1909. His wife passed away February 27, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. DeLong were the parents of the following children : Mary Catherine, who is the wife of Benjamin Bowsher of Shawnee Township; Sarah Angeline, the wife of Ephraim Crider of Lima; Henry Allen of West Kibby street, Lima; Jacob Cornelius of South Metcalf street, Lima; John Franklin of Cridersville; Amanda Rosetta, the wife of John Mayer, formerly of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but now of Idaho, Ohio ; Elmer Elsworth, and Lydia Alice, who died as the wife of Ira Betler. Elmer Elsworth DeLong was educated in the public schools of his native locality, and on leaving them he became his father's associate in the cultivation of the home acres. He was married May 26, 1889, to Rachel Rosetta Beeler, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, daughter of Henry and Rachel (Bowsher) Beeler, the former a native of Ross County and the latter of Allen County. Following his marriage Mr. DeLong continued to be associated with his father until his parents' removal to Cridersville, at which time he was deeded the old home place of eighty acres, to which he later added an additional eighty, this latter being possessd of an old barn. This structure Mr. DeLong has since replaced, and has built a modern frame residence, comfortably furnished and with all modern conveniences. This is known as Pleasant View Farm, and Mr. DeLong has sixty-five acres under cultivation, the remainder being in timber and pasturage. He does general farming thereon and conducts a small dairy and is achieving a worth-while success from his labors. The home property, known as Sunny- side Farm, he rents to a tenant. He is a man of practical ideas and much industry, and the success which has come to him has been well deserved. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. DeLong: Edna Fay, who is the wife of Irvil Hanes, a farmer of 'Perry Township, Allen County, and has one son, Harold Irvil; Harvey Ellsworth of Kemp, Ohio; who married Grace Miller ; and Charles Adrian and Lola Iona, who reside with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. DeLong and their children are members of the Lutheran Church, where Mr. DeLong served eight years as a member of the official board. He is a democrat in politics, and has been a trustee and member of the School Board for two terms each. An active member of the local Grange, he has acted very acceptably as its treasurer. ELIAS BOWSHER. The Bowsher family is one of the old established ones of Allen County, and no history of this region would be complete without ample reference to its members. One of the men bearing this honored name is Elias Bowsher, a substantial farmer of Shawnee Township. He was born in Shawnee Township in December, 1858, a son of Jacob and Susanna (Beeler) Bowsher, and grandson of Benjamin and Elizabeth (DeLong) Bowsher, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Allen County, Ohio, in 1835, after a stay in Pickaway County, Ohio, where Jacob Bowsher was born. The maternal grandparents were Jacob and Rosanna Beeler, natives of France, who came to the United States and for a time resided in Hamilton County, Ohio, where their daughter Susanna was born, and then journeyed on to Allen County, Ohio, where they, too, were among the early settlers of this part of the state. Jacob Bowsher and his wife were married in 1855 and settled on a farm in Shawnee Township, where in time they became the owners of 340 acres of land, the greater portion of which he had cleared. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 275 His death occurred on this farm in 1902, when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife died in 1865, and he was afterwards married to Elizabeth Killian, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, the widow of Jacob Boyer, and she died in 1892. By his first marriage Jacob Bowsher had three children, namely : Elias, who was the eldest ; Frank, who is a farmer of Shawnee Township ; and Mary, who is deceased. By his second marriage he had the following children: Charles, who was the eldest ; Jacob E., who is a farmer of Amanda Township ; and Lafayette, who died at the age of six years. In May, 1885, Elias Bowsher was married to Wilhelmina Arthur, who was born In Auglaize County, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Reichelderfer) Arthur, natives of Auglaize County. Following his marriage he settled on one of his father's farms, in section 21, Shawnee Township, which contained 120 acres of partly improved land, and this he later inherited under his father's will. He has always carried on general farming and stock raising, and has been very successful in his undertakings. In June, 1914, Mr. Bowsher lost his first wife, who had borne him the following children: Oscar L., who is a farmer of Shawnee Township ; Horatio L., who is at home ; Gladys Marie, who married Harry Frederick of Lima. The son, Oscar L., married Blanche Roser, and they have two children : Eugene and Clifford. On December 11, 1919, Mr. Bowsher was married to Cora Howell, born in Auglaize County, Ohio, the widow of James Longworth. She had two children by her first marriage, Esther, who is Mrs. Carl Tran of Wapakoneta, Ohio ; and Dorthea, who is with her mother. Mr. Bowsher is a very intelligent man, well posted in current events, and has been called upon to fill some of the local offices, although his educational advantages were confined to those offered by the little red schoolhouse. He is a democrat and was elected on his party ticket to the office of township clerk, and held it for nine years, and for twenty-five years has been a member of the Board of Education. The Lutheran Church has in him a faithful member, and he has held a number of its lay offices. Mr. Bowsher is a past master of the Patrons of Husbandry and has also held other of its offices, and has aided very materially in making this organization successful in his neighborhood. HENRY O. BARNT. While one of the younger citizens of Allen County, practically every farmer and grain grower in Amanda and surrounding townships know him and esteem him as the manager of the Southworth elevators. He has been manager of this business for a number of years, and is also one of the proprietors in partnership with George A. and A. C. Lutz. Mr. Barnt was born in Marion Township of Allen County June 22, 1883, and his people have been identified with Allen County from earliest pioneer times. His parents were J. P. and Eliza (Roush) Barnt. His paternal grandparents, Henry and Delilah Barnt, were natives of Perry County, Ohio, and the original stock came from Perry County, Pennsylvania. Henry Barnt was a settler in Allen County as early as 1832, and spent the rest of his life near Elida. James P. Barnt grew up on the old homestead, acquired a country school education, and after his marriage to Eliza Roush began housekeeping on a farm two miles west of Elida. He was a capable farmer, provided well for his family, and was an active member of the Methodist Church. His first wife died in 1902, the mother of three children: Henry 0.; Bernice, wife of Aaron Good, living three miles west of Elida ; and Harold, a farmer in Amanda Township. Henry 0. Barnt in connection with his elevator work is associated with his brother in operating the 185 acres known as the James P. Barnt farm, and together they have made a notable success in the breeding of Jersey cattle. Henry O. Barnt grew up on the homestead and acquired a liberal education, at first in the public schools of Marion Township. He was a teacher himself for two years, attended the Lutheran College at Lima one year, and after graduating from the Lima Business College became clerk and bookkeeper in a hardware store at Delphos. He left that to come to Southworth as an employe of the elevator, and managed it for one year before he acquired an interest in the business. June 25, 1908, Mr. Barnt married Iva M. Lutz, a daughter of George A. Lutz. They have four children: Helen M, Catherine C., Wanda B. and Henry C. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Barnt being a steward. He is secretary of Marion Grange and is active in Odd Fellowship, being affiliated with Elida Lodge and is past chief patriarch of the Encampment at Delphos. He and his wife are members of the Rebekahs at Delphos, and he is affiliated with Hope Lodge of Masons. Politically he is a democrat. WILLIAM M. LUTZ. A life of industry steadily devoted to the pursuits of agriculture, with ready fulfillment of the obligations of good citizenship, is the chief distinction of William M. Lutz, whose home is in section 19 of Amanda Township, on rural route No. 1, five miles south of Delphos. Mr. Lutz was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 3, 1852, son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Lutz. His father was born in Maryland December 13, 1820, while the mother was born five years later and died December 24, 1859. They had four children : William M., Samuel, Sarah J. and George A. The father married for his second wife the Widow Doner, and by that union there were four children, only two of whom are now living: Idetta, unmarried, and a resident of Lima, and John, a farmer in Vermont. John Lutz was an active Methodist and a republican. William M. Lutz was four and a half years of age when his parents moved from Fairfield to Allen County, and as he grew to manhood he acquired an education in a log cabin school. After reaching his majority he farmed the old homestead for several years, continuing for two years after his marriage. More than forty years ago he came to his present location, where he first bought sixty acres and now has a well regulated and improved farm of 102 acres. February 18, 1875, Mr. Lutz married Susan South- worth, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Harter) Southworth. Her father was a native of Clark County, Ohio, and was brought to Allen County by his parents at the age of ten years. The Southworths were among the pioneers and they entered land and developed it, the Village of Southworth being named in honor of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz had the following children : Almeda, wife of S. S. Strayer of 276 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Amanda Township ; Myrtle, wife of John Knoop of Portland, Indiana; Charles, deceased; Mabel, who lives at home; Clarence, deceased; and Richard, who married Lulu Culver, her two children, Merlin, born June 25, 1908, and Howard, born July 17, 1910, now having a home with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Lutz. Mr. Lutz is a faithful member of the Zion Methodist Church and in politics casts his vote as a republican. CHARLES C. LUDWIG. The biography of a man is of importance and interest to other men just to the degree that his life and work touches and influences the life of his time and the lives of individuals. Only in a feeble way, at best, can the life story of any man be told on the printed page. The story is better as it is written on the hearts of men and women, and the man himself does the writing. A name familiar to the people of Allen County is that of Charles C. Ludwig of Delphos, known as a man of high attainments and practical ability as an educator, which has been his principal life work. He achieved an extraordinary measure of success in his profession because he has worked for it persistently and in channels of honest endeavor, and his prestige in the educational circles of Allen County stands in evidence of his ability and as a voucher for his intrinsic worth of character. Charles C. Ludwig was born May 12, 1853, on his father's farm in Marion Township, Allen County, it being the farm now owned by S. S. Brenneman. For his ancestral history the reader is referred to the sketch of Isaac Ludwig, which appears elsewhere in this work. Charles C. Ludwig was reared on the home farm, where he worked as a tiller of the soil during the summer months, and attended the district schools during the winters. He also attended the public schools of Delphos, completing his studies in the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and in the Illinois State Normal School. In 1873, when twenty years. of age, he began teaching school in Sugar Creek Township, at the Dutch Hollow School, where he received $35 a month. He taught there four months, and of the $140 which he received for this first labor he gave his father $135. He taught eight successive terms in Sugar Creek Township and also taught in Union Township, Putnam County. He then was engaged as a teacher in Marion Township, Allen County, where he was so well liked that he was retained for twenty-nine years. W. J. Judkins erected a building in which was established what was known as the Marion Township Normal School, and in this school Mr. Ludwig taught three years, and it is a noteworthy fact that seventeen of his pupils here secured teacher's certificates. Mr. Ludwig has taught forty-three years, and is this year engaged to teach in the same district where he was born and reared, subdistrict No. 6, Marion Township. This is a very unusual record and is a silent but irrefutable testimonial to his faithful and effective work during these more than twoscore ,years. In his educational services he has taught the third generation of the same family. On February 8, 1883, Mr. Ludwig was married to Melissa J. Neff, who was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, on October 9, 1856. She was educated in the district schools of her native county and her marriage occurred in that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig were born four children, three of whom are living: Lucien Earl, born on October 30, 1883, is a graduate of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and of the law department of the University of Michigan. He is now successfully engaged in the parctice of law at Lima, Ohio. Leah Pearl, born January 18, 1887, attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada and Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana, and was a teacher for ten years. She is now the wife of Don C. Long, a farmer in Marion Township. Verna Hazelle, born April 28, 1889, attended the school at Ada and was a teacher in the public schools. She is the wife of D. C. Campbell of Columbus Grove, Ohio. Halcyon F., born in April, 1892, died on June 25, 1911. Her death was a distinct loss to the community for she was a lovable and accomplished young lady. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraterally he is a member of Hope Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons; Delphos Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; Delphos Council of Royal and Select Masters ; and of Lodge No. 201, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which order he joined in 1877 and of which he is a past noble grand. Politically he gives his support to the democratic party. He was elected a justice of the peace three terms, serving nine years in all, and was deputy assessor of Marion Township two years. He was appointed by Probate Judge Lindermann county examiner of school teachers twenty-seven years ago. He was also one of the six incorporators of Walnut Grove Cemetery. Mr. Ludwig is the owner of forty-six acres of land and also owns a comfortable home on South Franklin street, Delphos. Because of his long and successful career as an educator, his public spirited attitude as a citizen and his excellent personal qualities he enjoys to a notable degree the confidence and esteem of the entire community. EVAN C. HUMPHREYS. In this new and modern era when farmers are becoming alive to their responsibilities and realize that their interests are not confined within the limits of their own farm, one of the sterling and progressive leaders in the community of Marion Township is Evan C. Humphreys, who M various ways has made his influence count in the township and county. Mr. Humphreys' farm and home are four and a half miles northwest of Elida on rural route No. 3. On an adjoining farm he was born March 1, 1880, a son of Evan P. and Margaret (Davis) Humphreys, and is of Welsh ancestry. His father was born in Sugar Creek Township May 14, 1851, while his mother was born in southern Ohio in 1856. They were married in Allen County, and have lived here for many years. Both are active in the Congregational Church, in which the father is a deacon, and politically he supports the republican party. In the family were six children: Evan C.; Anna E., unmarried; Edward, a farmer in Sugar Creek Township; Margaret, deceased; John, at home; and Alice, wife of H. R. Roberts. Evan C. Humphreys grew up on his father's farm and acquired a good education, beginning in the common schools and later attending the Ohio Northern University at Ada. December 20, 1911, he married Edna Beiler, who was born in American Township, a daughter of J. C. and Ida (Faze) Beiler. J. C. Beiler was born at Delphos April 20, 1850, and is now a retired farmer at Elida. Her mother was born in Massachusetts HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 277 March 31, 1852. J. C. Beiler was educated in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and became a successful teacher. Mrs. Humphreys' mother was also a teacher until her marriage, after which she and her husband settled on a farm in American Township, where they lived until 1916, when they retired to Elida. J. C. Beiler and wife had four children, Edna M. being the oldest. The second, Ethel E., is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, from which she received her Master of Arts degree, and is now a teacher of Latin in the Delphos High School. Zoe graduated from the Michigan State Normal School at Ypsilanti, and is supervisor of drawing in Dover College. The youngest of the family, Lois Beiler, is a graduate nurse from Lima Hospital. Mrs. Humphreys after completing her work in the district schools took a normal course, and was also a student in Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. For seven years she was a teacher in graded schools. Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys have a daughter, Florence M., born October 31, 1912. The family are members of the Congregational Church, in which Mr. Humphreys is a deacon. He is the present republican trustee of Marion township. One of the important interests to which he gives much of his time is the Elida Equity Exchange, of which he is president. He is also a director of the Elida Farmers Bank. the executive officials of which are S. D. Crites, president ; J. W. John, vice president; Abner Brenneman, cashier ; and the other directors are J. W. Cotner, Dr. George W. Brunk and Dr. B. F. Thut. ORA M. BOWERSOCK. It is not remarkable when a man is spared to round out three score years and ten if he accomplishes much and leaves the world better for his having lived in it, and a name and fortune behind him; but it is worthy of more than passing comment when one, whose span of life failed to reach over four decades, was equally successful in every respect. The late Ora M. Bowersock was less than forty years of age at the time of his 'death, July 24, 1917, but during the comparatively short tenure of his life he had become known as one of the most substantial farmers of Shawnee township, and as a citizen who had contributed in many ways to his community's development. Mr. Bowersock was born in German (now American) township, Allen county, Ohio, December 16, 1877, a son of Samuel and Mary (Dennis) Bowersock, residents of American township, both of whose parents were early settlers of Allen county. He attended the district schools of his home community and the business college at Lima, following which he was associated with his father in farming until his marriage, April 4, 1906, to Miss Alta Hanes, who was born in a log cabin in Shawnee township September 10, 1884, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Ansbach) Hanes. Her parents were natives of Hardin county, Ohio, born respectively in 1850 and 1858, while her grandparents, Isaac Hanes and James and Louisa (Brouches) Ansbach, were natives of Perry county, Ohio. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bowersock moved to the Hanes homestead, one of the finest farms in Shawnee township, the home upon which, a structure built in 1890, is one of the best residences in this locality. Here Mr. Bowersock applied himself industriously' to agricultural operations. He was not only a large general farmer, but an extensive raiser of Jersey cattle and marntained a large dairy. He was a Republican in his political affiliations. He was known as a man of sound and practical ideas, progressive in spirit and energetic in his nature, and his citizenship was such as to cause him to be a supporter of all worthy movements. His friends were numerous, and his death was the cause of much sorrow in his community. He and his wife were the parents of two children: Evelyn Margaret, born July 25, 1907; and Lavon Samuel, born June 23, 1910, both of whom are attending school. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Bower- sock has made her home on the farm, where her widowed mother also makes her home. Mrs. Ora M. Bowersock received her education at the Helsel district school and is a woman of many accomplishments and superior intellectual attainments. She is a faithful and active worker in the Helsel Methodist Episcopal Church. As a business woman she is making a distinct success of her management of the 160-acre farm. WILLIAM HUFFER. Some of the first land in Allen County cleared and made available for growing crops is contained in what is known as the old Huffer homestead, five miles east of Delphos on Elida rural route No. 1. On that farm today lives William Huffer, grandson of the pioneer who came into Allen County nearly a century ago as one of the very first settlers. His grandfather came here from Fairfield County in 1822 and entered 160 acres in what was then German Township. At that time Lima contained only one log hut. The family had to cut their way through the dense woods to reach their location. One of the first settlers, Grandfather Huffer, remained here the rest of his life and saw his early efforts rewarded by a good home and a large and populous community grow up around him. One of his family of five sons and four daughters was George Huffer, who was born in Fairfield County, and was fourteen years of age when brought to Allen County. Here he grew up, and after reaching his majority married Keziah Nihizer, who was born in Fairfield County in 1828. She was a child when her parents died, and she was reared in the home of William Knittle, with whom she lived until her marriage. George Huffer and wife settled on a farm he had purchased in Marion Township, and in 1868 moved to the old Huffer homestead, where he lived out his life. He was a man of great energy and resolute purpose, a successful farmer, and at one time owned 240 acres. His wife was a member of the Lutheran Church, and he was a liberal supporter of that denomination. He also served as township trustee and was a democrat in politics. George and Keziah Huffer had ten children, all of whom reached mature years. Rebecca and Catherine are now deceased, as is also Charles, who died March 1, 1921. Those still living are Ellen, Delilah, Margaret A., William, George, Enos and Simon. William Huffer, who has never married, was born in Marion Township August 28, 1864, and has lived practically all his life on his present farm. He was educated in the district schools, and took care of his parents during their declining years. After their deaths he bought 105 acres of the old home- 278 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY stead and is still giving his time and energies to its management. JOHN W. ROWLANDS, president of the reliable furniture house of J. W. Rowlands & Company, the oldest concern of its kind at Lima, is a man who is justly recognized as one of the leading and representative men of Allen County. Mr. Rowlands was born at Lima on December 16, 1860. The parents were Daniel and Elizabeth (Hardesty) Rowlands, natives of Wales and Allen County, Ohio. Daniel Rowlands was born in Grothenshire, Wales, and came from there to the United States with his family during 1843, and after arrival in this country settlement was made in Allen County, Ohio. The grandfather was a farmer, and Daniel Rowlands followed that calling and also was a millwright, erecting many of the early mills of the neighborhood. On the maternal side the men were farmers. John W. Rowlands was reared on a farm, but left it after reaching his majority and became an employe of the Union News Company at Muncie, Indiana. Later he was interested in the oil industry, and then began working in a furniture store, where he remained for five years. When he had saved sufficient capital and acquired a working knowledge of this branch of commercial activity he established himself in a general house furnishing business and conducted it under his own name. In September, 1915, the business was incorporated as the J. W. Rowlands Company, with J. W. Rowlands as president and W. D. Rowlands as vice president and general manager. Mrs. L. M. Rowlands, his wife, died in June, 1919, but J. W. Rowlands survives her and makes his home at Los Angeles, California. Their children were as follows : Pearl, who died at the age of three years ; Carl K.; Walter D., who is a resident of Lima, Ohio ; and Gladys, who died in infancy. Carl K. Rowlands attended the graded and high' schools of Lima, Ohio, and the University of Notre Dame, from which he was graduated at the age of nineteen years. He then went west and became timekeeper in the commissary department during the period of construction of the Roosevelt Dam. Four years later he returned to Lima and entered his father's store, where he remained until September, 1920, when his health required a change, and he is now a resident of Phoenix, Arizona. Walter D. Rowlands was born in Lima February 22, 1893, was educated in the public schools of his native city and was graduated from the Lima High School and from Notre Dame. In September, 1917, he joined the aviation branch of the United States Army and was commissioned a flyer. He acted as an instructor in Rockwell and Mather Fields in California, remaining in the service until December, 1918. In May, 1920, he married Miss Irene Bruley, of Sacramento, California. He is now vice president and general manager of the J. W. Rowlands Company. J. W. Rowlands belongs to the Masons, Elks, Moose, Modern Woodmen, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Lima Club and the Rotary Club. He possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the numerous and intricate problems connected with his business, and is able to solve them efficiently and practically. He holds liberal views on public questions and gives to civic affairs the same intelligent attention he bestows on his own matters, and, while not very active in politics, renders his community a valuable service as a citizen of the highest type. OTTO J. ROSE, engaged in the real estate business in Lima, was born December 1, 1859, in Shawnee Township. He is a son of Dr. Ezekiel S. and Mary (Andrews) Rose, the father born in Trumbull County and the mother in Franklin County. The paternal grandfather, Charles Rose, was born it England, and the grandmother, Mary (Hover', Rose, was born in Holland. The maternal ancestry Simon P. and Lyman (Percy) Andrews, were flatly( Ohioans. Dr. E. S. Rose practiced medicine it Union County, but in 1858 located on a farm it Shawnee Township, Allen County. Doctor Rose remained on this Shawnee faro until 1890, when he sold it and moved to Lima. Two years later he moved to Indianapolis. Otto J. Rose is the only child living today. There was a brother Charles Lyman. The sister, Emma, was the wife of Orlo Hadsell, of Hartwell ; May was the wife of Dr. J. B. Funk. Otto J. Rose went to the dis trict school and later attended public school it Lima. He clerked one year in a notion store ant then went to Ada, where he opened a bargain house —a ninety-nine-cent store. Two years later he sole it and learned photography in Lima. Mr. Rose opened his first photograph gallery it Marion, and one year later removed to Spencerville where he operated a gallery until 1890, when he removed to Lima again. In 1895 he sold the Unit gallery and became a newspaper reporter, continuing some years in the newspaper work and finally becom ing Lima city clerk and continuing eight years it that position. From the clerk's office he went into the post office as assistant postmaster, remaining there until 1916, when he engaged in the real estate business in Lima and vicinity. Mr. Rose is having his share of local patronage. On September 1, 1891, Mr. Rose married Alice Hussey. She was born at Mendon and is a daughter of John Milton and Mary (Severns) Hussey. They are both natives of Pickaway County. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have one son, Waldo H. Rose. He was a member of the aviation corps in the war of the nations. He lives in the home of his father. The mother died June 1, 1907, and on October 1, 1913, Mr. Rose married Alice M. Shively, of Goshen, Indiana. She had been the wife of Dr. C. B. Chester, The family are members of Trinity Methodist Epis- copal Church in Lima. Mr. Rose is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 54 of Lima, and of the Modern Woodmen of America EDWARD C. YOUNGPETER. The gentleman to whorl' the reader's attention is herewith directed is one of the best known farmers of Marion Township Allen County, and one of his community's mosl representative citizens. Earnest perseverance, careful management and a willingness to work in the face of all obstacles are the elements which have brought him prosperity, and while he has labored for his own advancement he has at the same time ever been vigilant in his efforts to forward the general interests of the community. Edward C. Youngpeter, whose fine farm is located one mile southeast of Landeck and four miles southwest of Delphos, was born on the farm which he now owns on the 15th day of January, 1876, and he HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 279 is a son of Adam and Louise (Freund) Youngpeter, the former of whom was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on July 3, 1847. His wife was born in Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, on March 13, 1852, came to the United States in 1871, when nineteen years of age, and her death occurred in 1908. She first located in Seneca County, Ohio, where she remained a short time, and then came to Landeck in Spencer Township. She was married to Adam Youngpeter in the Landeck Catholic Church, and then they settled on the farm in Marion Township where Edward C. Youngpeter now lives, and there they made their home until 1899, when they retired and moved to Landeck to make their future home. They were members of the Catholic Church and in politics Mr. Youngpeter was an adherent of the democratic party. To this worthy couple were born four children, as follows: Hubert, of Landeck ; Edward C., the immediate subject of this sketch ; Anna, the wife of Stephen Krugh, of Ottawa, Ohio ; Emma, the wife of Lawrence Koester, also of Ohio. Edward C. Youngpeter has spent practically his entire life on the farm where he was born and which he now owns. He was educated in the district schools of his home community, and he has never forsaken the pursuit of agriculture. He maintains the farm at a high standard of agricultural excellence, raising all the crops common to this locality. He also gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, handling Poland China hogs and Aberdeen Polled cattle. His farm contains many substantial and up-to-date improvements and its general appearance reflects credit on its owner. On May 10, 1899, Mr. Youngpeter was married to Frances Williams, who was born in Marion Township, one-half mile west of Landeck, the daughter of Frank and Margaret Williams. To their union have been born five children, namely ; Adam, who is unmarried and remains at home ; Marcella, Lucy, Agnes and Clarence. The family are members of the Catholic Church at Landeck, of which Mr. Youngpeter is secretary and a trustee. Politically he is a democrat and has taken an active interest in party affairs, being at the present time a member of the County Central Committee. He is now serving his fourth terms as a trustee of Marion Township, his continued re-election being distinct evidence of his honesty and capability as a public official. He is the owner of 140 acres of land, is a stockholder in the Farmers Exchange ; is a director of the Allen County Fair Board; and a stockholder in the People's Bank of Delphos. He is public spirited and enterprising, giving his support to all measures for. the advancement of the locality, and as a friend and neighbor he combines the qualities of head and heart which have won confidence and commanded respect. HOMER J. HILTY has made his mark among the citizens of Allen County and is a very progressive, live and enterprising farmer. His present home is in Amanda Township, three miles east and a mile and a half south of Spencerville. Mr. Hilty was born May 10, 1886, a son of John S. and Magdalena (Suter) Hilty. His father was born at Bluffton in Richland Township, Allen County, in 1845, while the mother was born in Riley Township of Putnam County, Ohio, in 1849. They were married in Putnam County and soon afterwards moved to Allen County, settling near Bluffton, where they spent many years as farmers and substantial citizens. Their last days were passed at Pandora. They were faithful members of the Mennonite Church and.John S. Hilty voted as a democrat. Of eleven children ten are still living, Susan, Adam, Noah, Peter, Christian, Oswin, Homer J., Wilford, Eldon and Monroe. Homer J. Hilty spent his early life on the farm near Bluffton, and acquired a good education in the common schools of Allen County. Up to the age of twenty-one he remained at home assisting his parents, and following that spent about two years in Detroit, Michigan, was then home for a year, and for over six years lived in the Northwest, working his own farm of 160 acres. In 1914 Mr. Hilty married Alvina F. Basinger, who was born at Columbus Grove, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools. Three years after their marriage they returned to Mr. Hilty's farm, then lived in Putnam County one year, and in the spring of 1918 settled in Amanda Township, where Mr. Hilty ,owns half of the 175 acres which he farms. He is very progressive in his agricultural policies and management, and is also a stockholder in the Farmers Union Elevator at Spencerville. Politically he votes as an independent, and he and his family are members of the Mennonite Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hilty have two children: John D., born April 5, 1918, and Alice Marjorie, born December 31, 1919. WILLIAM MACK. It is signally consonant that in this work be incoporated at least a brief resume of the life and labors of William Mack, who has long been one of the influential citizens of Allen County, in fact, has spent his life here. A man of forceful individuality and marked initiative power, he has been well equipped for the larger duties of life, while his probity of character and his genial personality have gained for him universal esteem and friendship in the community where he has spent the years of his life. William Mack, whose attractive farm is located in Amanda Township, Allen County, was born on April 26, 1866, and is the son of Christian and Christiania (Kephart) Mack, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in 1840, and in 1851, when eleven years of age, was brought to the United States, locating in Marion County, Ohio. He lived there until twenty-three years of age, when he came to Allen County. His wife came to the United States when twenty-three years of age, her family also settling in Marion County, Ohio, where she became the wife of Christian Mack. After their marriage they established their home on the farm where their son William now lives in Amanda Township, and there they spent the remainder of their lives. Christian Mack was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Eightieth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served honorably until the end of the war. He died at the age of fifty-four years. He was a republican in his political views, and he and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of ten children, of whom the following are living, namely : John, a farmer iq Auglaize County, Ohio ; Henry, of Lima ; William, of Amanda Township ; Lena, the wife of J. M. 280 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Albright, of Lima; Sarah, the wife of Frank Wheeler, of Buckland, Ohio ; Emma, wife of George Greesley, of Auglaize County. By a prior marriage Christian Mack became the father of a son, Isaac, who is now a farmer in Logan Township, Allen County. William Mack was reared on his father's farm in Amanda Township, and his educational training was secured in the common schools of the home neighborhood. Reared to the life of a farm, he has never forsaken that vocation and has demonstrated that he is in every way entitled to be numbered among the progressive agriculturists of his section, for during the subsequent years he has successfully carried on his farming operations in a manner that has gained prosperity for him. He is the owner of 240 acres of land lying in Allen and Auglaize counties, all of which he has acquired by his own efforts and which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. In 1890 Mr. Mack was married to Lydia Fisher, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, on March 14, 1867. To them have been born two children, Ralph, of Auglaize County, who is married to Chloe Henley, and Mildred, the wife of George Place, of Saint Marys, Ohio. Mrs. Mack and the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Mack gives his support to the republican party and takes a commendable interest in local public affairs, though not in any sense a seeker after public office. He has worked hard and honestly earned the reputation which he enjoys as one of the leading farmers and public spirited citizens of his locality, being held in the highest regard by all with whom he has come in contact. JOSEPH E. PIERSON. The experience of Joseph E. Pierson as a practical farmer covers a period of nearly forty years, and includes eras of great financial depression and low prices as well as the phenomenally prosperous period of recent years. Mr. Pierson as a testimony to his industry and thrift managed to prosper and lay a sound foundation of success even in years when conditions were adverse. He owns one of the fine farms of American Township, comprising 135 acres, his home being on rural route No. 2 out of Elida. He was born in Allen County, near the site of old Fort Amanda, June 19, 1862, son of Joseph and Hannah (DeLong) Pierson. He is of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, his grandfather, Simon Pierson, being a native of Pennsylvania. The family as a rule have been farmers. Joseph Pierson was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and in 1841 settled in Allen County, near old Fort Amanda. Sixth in a family of seven children, Joseph E. Pierson lived on his father's farm, had regular duties to perform almost from childhood, and his education was the product of a scanty three months' winter terms in the schools of Logan Township, Auglaize County, this intermittent educational period continuing until he was about twenty-two years of age. In 1884 Mr. Pierson married Maggie Esther Anderson, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Walker) Anderson. They have two children. Bernard Herman, who lives at Louisville, Indiana, married Junie Core, by whom he has one child, Vilas. The second son, Harold Throne, born in 1892, lives at Elida, and by his marriage to Freda Moorman has a son, Wayne. After his marriage Mr. Pierson rented a house near Elida for two years and did farming for some of the farmers living in that neighborhood. He then moved to the vicinity of Amanda Center, where he rented eighty acres for three years. Another three years he lived near Pittsburgh Road, east of Elida. His next home was on 300 hundred acres near Elida, where he lived for nine years. Then selling out, he went to Van Wert County, bought 160 acres, but a year and a half later sold it and returned to Elida. In 1903 he began farming sixty-six acres as a renter, subsequently bought sixty-seven acres, and in 1913 acquired an additional sixty-six acres, these bodies constituting the large and well improved farm which he is still conducting. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Equity Exchange at Elida. In matters of politics Mr. Pierson is an independent democrat and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. NELSON H. MILLER. It is the good fortune of Nelson H. Miller to own and occupy the homestead of his father, and he takes a pride in keeping the property in the family and intends to hand it down to his children. This farm is located in Shawnee Township, and comprises 100 acres of very valuable land. Mr. Miller was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1857, a son of Henry H. and Margaret E. (Davis) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, who in the spring of 1859 came to Lima, Ohio, and secured rented land in Bath Township, which they farmed until they bought 100 acres, all woodland, in Shawnee Township. He started to clear and improve the farm, but died in 1881, before he had completed the work. His widow survived him until 1888. They had the following children: Clarissa, who is Mrs. Milo Hadsel ; Sarah J., who is Mrs. Christ Hawk, of Findlay, Ohio ; James, who is of Mercer County, Ohio ; Ellen, who married Jacob Lewis, is deceased, as is her husband; John, who lives in Mercer County, Ohio ; Ann, who is Mrs. Charles Chivington, of Michigan ; and Nelson H., who was the youngest born. Growing up on the home place, Nelson H. Miller attended the district schools and learned to make himself useful at home. When the family first located on the farm they lived in a log cabin, but he now has splendid buildings on the property, all of which were erected by him. Following his father's death he bought out the interests of the other heirs to 100 acres of the homestead, and has cleared what land was then in timber, and has devoted himself to farming with the exception of a few years when he was engaged in carpenter work. In May, 1883, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Minnie Hanes, born in Shawnee Township, a daughter of Isaac Milton and Elizabeth (McClintock) Hanes, natives of Shawnee Township, and granddaughter of John Hanes, one of the early settlers of this township. Isaac Milton Hanes was a Union soldier in the Civil war and lost his life near the close of that great struggle. Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of the following children: Milton, who died at the age of thirty-three years; Zella, who is Mrs. Ross Bacome, of Lima, Ohio ; Rollie, who lives at Victory, Montana; Mabel, who is Mrs. Lewis Heffner, of Lima ; Earl and Firl, twins, both of whom live at Lima ; James T., HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 281 who also lives at Lima ; and Vernie and Catherine, both of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Miller is a democrat, but has not participated actively in public events. He is a man who has attended to his own affairs, worked hard, and made a success of his undertakings, and deserves the respect he commands from his fellow citizens. The family all stand very well in the several communities in which they are living, and Mr. and Mrs. Miller have every reason to be proud of their children, for they are a credit to their parents and their home community. Earl D. Miller, a son of Mr. Miller, is a veteran of the World war, having been in the army one year and three days. His military record has an appropriate place in this connection. He was a first class private in Company A, Seventeenth Infantry, Three Hundred and Fifty-Fifth Regiment, One Hundred and Seventy-Eighth Brigade of the Eighty- Ninth Division, and participated in one battle and two counter attacks, being on the front line from September 26 to November 11, 1918. He was summoned to the colors May 27, 1918. left Lima the following day for Camp Taylor, Kentucky, where he was attached to the One Hundred and Fifty- Ninth Depot Brigade for twenty-six days, and then transferred to Company M, One Hundred and Fifty- Fifth Regiment, Thirty-Ninth Division, and was in training at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, until August 6th. The division then started on its long journey to France, spending ten days en route at Camp Merritt, New Jersey. Earl Miller embarked with other portions of his division August 22d at Hoboken, September 3d, landed at Brest, and during the subsequent drill he was made a first class private in the infantry. He was one of the privates selected from the Thirty-Ninth Division and transferred to the Eighty-Ninth, joining his new command September 24th, and was assigned to Company A, Three Hundred and Fifty-Fifth Regiment and Seventeenth Infantry. After the front line duty above noted the regiment returned to the Beney Xammes area, which they held until relieved October. 8th and then followed an interesting and unforgettable experience in the removal from the Saint Mihiel area to the Argonne position. October 12th the regiment moved out of Recicourt to take up a new position, and participated in the advance resulting in the capture of the towns of Beaufort, Lunenville and Luzy, and remained at the front until the signing of the armistice. November 24th the regiment march into Belgium, and on the 1st of December began the advance across Luxemburg, five days later entering Germany. Earl Miller was with his command at Saarburg and Beurig until May 7, 1919, and five days later arrived at Brest and on May 15th embarked on the Leviathan, which made New York Harbor May 22d. From Camp Upton he returned to Camp Sherman and received his honorable discharge May 29th. SILAS ULREY is a native of Perry Township, still lives within its borders, and his long life is a record of success achieved after difficulties and disadvantages, and his name is always spoken with the honor and respect paid to a citizen of the highest character. He was born in Perry Township November 22, 1846, son of William and Phoebe (Slater) Ulrey. His grandparents on both sides were very early settlers of Knox County, Ohio. The paternal grand parents, David and Margaret Ulrey, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Knox County, Ohio. David Ulrey, though living in Knox County, acquired about 600 acres of land from the Government in Perry Township of Allen County. This land was all covered with heavy timber. He gave 144 acres of this to his son William, who after his marriage took possession of it, built a home and eventually cleared up and put into cultivation about thirty acres. Silas Ulrey was only two weeks old when his mother died. His father married Jemima Vaughn, and he died in 1849, when Silas was three years of age. Silas then lived with his stepmother until 1863, and had limited advantages in the district schools in the meantime. On leaving home he worked out at different places and wandered about through the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. After eighteen months he returned home, and then lived with his brother-in- law, William Buchanan, until his marriage. Mr. Ulrey was the youngest of six children, and is the only survivor. At the age of eighteen, while he was working in a saw mill, he dislocated his left shoulder, and he never fully recovered from the injury, that being an additional handicap to his efforts. December 27, 1868, he married Fannie L. Munch, who was born at New Lexington in Perry County, Ohio, daughter of David and Martha (Dawson) Munch, her father a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and her mother of Lynchburg, Virginia. After his marriage Mr. Ulrey bought ten acres in Perry Township. After four years he sold that and bought another place of twenty acres. He lived there twenty-two months, and selling out went west to Union County, Iowa, and bought forty acres of improved prairie land. As an Iowa farmer he made a specialty of raising hogs, and was doing quite well in that business until an outbreak of hog cholera swept away his stock and practically all his accumulated capital. After seven years in Iowa he sold his land and returned to Perry Township, where for about five years he was employed in operating a saw mill and in the general lumber business. He then resumed farming, and in 1900 bought twelve and a half acres of his present farm. He has since increased his land holdings, all of which are in section 31 of Perry Township. Much of his land was timber when he bought it, but he has cleared away the trees, has built all the present group of buildings, and has developed a fine fruit farm, raising apples, peaches, cherries, persimmons and small fruit. He has about twelve and a half acres in cultivation. For a year or so Mr. Ulrey has rented out his farm. He served two terms as township assessor, is a democrat, and has been a trustee of the Disciples Church since 1902. His children are: Daisy, wife of William Sellers, of Perry Township ; Philip, also of Perry Township ; Frank, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; May, Mrs. Henry Brinkman, of Camden, Arkansas ; Clara, Mrs. Cloyd Vance, of Lima ; and Ralph, of Lima. HARVEY D. GRINDLE, attorney-at-law and referee in bankruptcy, is one of the sagacious and dependable members of his profession located at Lima. He is a man of strong personality and extraordinary abilities, who has always been able to capture and hold the confidence of those with whom 282 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY he is associated. His strong and well-balanced mind easily brought him into the position to which his talents entitle him, and as a referee in bankruptcy he is rendering a service which cannot be overlooked. The birth of Harvey D. Grindle took place at West Unity, Ohio, November 25, 1866, and he is a son of David J. and Catherine (Rogers) Grindle, of German-Scotch-Irish stock. David Grindle was a merchant for a number of years and a man of considerable importance in his community. After graduating from the high school at West Unity, Ohio, Harvey D. Grindle taught in the country schools for one year, and then for a year had charge of the grammar department of the West Unity schools. In 1887 he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated in 1891, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and for the next four years was superintendent of the public schools at Montpelier, Ohio. From there he went to Columbus Grove, and was superintendent of the Columbus Grove public schools for six years. For the next two years he was superintendent of the public' schools at Paulding, Ohio. In the meanwhile he studied law in the offices of attorneys at Paulding and Toledo, and was admitted to the bar in 1904. In 1906 he moved to Lima, Ohio, and was with the Lima College as one of the faculty for two years, and at the same time was engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1914 Mr. Grindle was a candidate for the office of common pleas judge on the republican ticket, but, although he made a good showing, was defeated. In the meanwhile, during 1908, he was made referee in bankruptcy for Allen, Auglaize and Putnam counties, and his jurisdiction now extends over ten counties. In 1916 he was appointed to a seven-year term as a member of the Bar Examining Board by the Supreme Court of Ohio. Mr. Grindle is a stockholder in the Old National Bank and the Lilly White Oil Company, and is interested in other enterprises of the city. He is a member of the Lima Club, the Rotary Club and the Lima Chamber of Commerce. In his religious faith he is a Presbyterian, and belongs to the Market Street Presbyterian Church of Lima. His knowledge of the law, especially as regards bankruptcy cases, is profound, and he has long been a recognized authority in the problems which arise in such jurisprudence. ALBERT L. DAVIS is a widely known stockman and farmer of Allen County, where he has lived for over forty years. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, December 24, 1854, son of Jesse and Matilda (Judy) Davis, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Perry County, Ohio. The paternal grandparents, Jesse and Matilda (Stewart) Davis, were natives of Pennsylvania and were early settlers in Pickaway County. The maternal grandparents were Simon and Margaret Judy, also Pennsylvanians who moved to Pickaway County. Albert Davis' parents lived all their lives in Pickaway County. Albert Davis as a youth acquired his education in the district school that was a mile and a half from home, and he walked back and forth the greater part of the way through woods. At the age of eighteen he was working as a farm hand near home. March 24, 1875, he married Salina Crites, a native of Pickaway County and daughter of Elias and Catherine (Mowery) Crites. Mr. Davis came to Allen County soon after his marriage and first rented a farm in what was then German Township, now American Township, near Elida. After two years he moved to Elida, where he took up what has been his chief business in life, dealing in all kinds of livestock. He continued active in that industry for thirty years, with Elida as his headquarters, and subsequently continued the same business at Lima for eight years. On leaving Lima Mr. Davis rented a large 465-acre farm in Hardin County, and for the next five years carried on an extensive program as a farmer and stock raiser. He subsequently bought forty acres of partly improved land in section 2 of Perry Township, Allen County, and that has been his home for several years past. He rebuilt the residence, making it one of the most comfortable country homes in the township, has erected many other buildings and has supplied all the equipment needed on a first class farm. Mr. Davis is a democrat and is a member of the United Brethren Church at Lima. He and his wife had four children: William, of Elida ; Otis E., of Lima ; Otto G., of Bath Township ; and Harry, who died at the age of nineteen. JOHN H. BLATTENBERG. One of the best known and most successful veterinary surgeons of the Middle West is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this paragraph. He has won success in life in a definite manner because he has persevered in pursuit of a worthy purpose, and is gaining thereby a most satisfactory reward. His life has been exemplary in every respect, and he has always supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit his community. He is the representative of honored old families who have courageously borne their part in the wars of their country and have been equally consistent in their support of civic welfare and development, and he himself gave of the best of his efforts in the great European struggle which has just passed into history. John H. Blattenberg is a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born in Wayne County on the 2d day of May, 1869. His parents, Horace M. and Esther (Lutz) Blattenberg, were also natives of Wayne County. His paternal grandparents, John and Mary (McCracken) Blattenberg, were born and reared in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The former was a blacksmith by trade and in the early '30s moved to Wayne County, Ohio. His wife was a daughter of Philip McCracken, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. The maternal grandparents were Jacob and Ann (Musser) Lutz, of Pennsylvania, where the former followed the profession of medicine. He also gave attention to agricultural pursuits and in 1828 or 1830 moved to Wayne County, Ohio. Horace M. Blattenberg,sfather of John H., was a farmer by vocation and also conducted a harness and carriage trimming shop in Wayne County. His death occurred there in March, 1914, at the age of seventy-seven years, and he is survived by his widow, who now resides in Smithville, Ohio, at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of two children, John H., and a sister, Anna, a physician, who became the wife of Homer M. Yoder, also a physician, of Smithville, Ohio. John H. Blattenberg secured his elementary education in the common schools and then attended HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 283 the Normal College at Smithville, where he was graduated in 1890. He then matriculated in the Ontario Veterinary College at Ontario, Canada, where he was graduated in 1893. He located in Toledo, Ohio, and engaged in the practice of his profession for about a year, and in 1894 came to Lima. Doctor Blattenberg opened a veterinary hospital, his first location being in the car barn, formerly the first car barn of the first electric street railroad operated in the United States. A year later the place was completely destroyed by fire and Doctor Blattenberg moved into a new building erected for his special use by E. W. Jackson at 130 North Union Street. Here he remained until 1910, when he bought a lot, 50 by 100 feet in size, and erected the finest veterinary hospital in the State of Ohio. Later he bought a lot of similar size, adjoining the other property, and on it he erected a brick three-story garage. John H. Blattenberg is widely recognized as one of the ablest and most successful veterinarians in this section of the country, having many times been called to other states for the performance of veterinary surgery. He has also done considerable service as instructor in his profession, particularly in the Cincinnati Veterinary College and the Chicago Post-graduate Veterinary School. He has been honored by his professional colleagues by being elected president of the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Association, and was first vice president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, which comprises the United States and all its possessions and Canada, and was first vice president when he entered the army. In October, 1917, John H. Blattenberg received from the Federal authorities at Washington a telegram asking him if he would accept a commission as major in the Veterinary Corps of the army. As the Doctor was past military age, and at the same time was anxious to do something for the Allies in the great World war, he immediately went to Washington and after making necessary investigation accepted and took the required examination. In December he was ordered to Washington, received a course of instructions and his commission as major, and was ordered to join the Fifth Division of the General's Staff at Camp Logan, Houston, Texas. On March 6, 1918, he was ordered to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, and on March 15th sailed for Europe with his division. Their ocean voyage was an exciting one, for a German submarine torpedo missed them by but a few feet. The Fifth Division took an active part in the operations of the American Expeditionary Forces, and bears the distinction of being the first American troops to drive the Germans back from the line which they had held from the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. That this division was in the thick of the fighting is evidenced by the following figures : Total casualties, killed in action, 1,362; died of wounds, 329; wounded in action, 6,182; gassed in action, 1,110; missing in action, 256 ; taken prisoner, 60. The total number of prisoners captured by the Fifth Division was 2,268, besides immense stores of ammunition and many guns of various sizes. After the armistice John H. Blattenberg, in command of fifteen officers and three companies of men, was placed in charge of a large American veterinary hospital, and he also conducted schools for instruction in veterinary work in the United States Army. The Fifth Division was sent into Germany with the Army of Occupation and Major Blattenberg was given charge of the Division Hospital, about fifteen miles back of the German line, at Neufchatteau. On his return to the United States the Major brought with him many war trophies, such as guns, helmets, army revolvers and muskets, besides an English officer's saddle and bridle which were recaptured from the Germans. Major Blattenberg was discharged from the service in April, 1919, after overseas service of more than a year. He has the unique distinction of having personally witnessed the beginning and end of the World war, for in August, 1914, when the Germans began their great drive through Belgium, he was touring in Europe, and was also a delegate from the American Veterinary Medical Association to the International Veterinary Congress, which was to meet in London. He hastily withdrew with thousands of other tourists from the Continent to London, and after considerable waiting for transportation and unpleasant happenings, one of which was being arrested for a German spy, he returned home. It is a source of considerable satisfaction to him to have participated in the recent war from the sentimental standpoint of family pride, for he possesses the discharge paper of his great-grandfather from the Continental Army, with General Washington's signature ; his grandfather was a veteran of the Mexican war, and his father served in the Union Army during the Civil war. Politically Doctor Blattenberg is an ardent supporter of the republican party, and has taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs. His religious membership is with the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken all the York Rite degrees and those of the Scottish Rite up to and including the thirty-second and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a member of the Allen County Historical Society, the Lima Club, the Shawnee Country Club, the Rotary Club, of which he was president from June, 1919, to June, 1920, and the Young Men's Christian Association. John H. Blattenberg has one hobby, namely, the collection of Colonial mahogany furniture. He has searched far and wide for genuine pieces of this kind and possesses a valuable collection. His favorite sports are boxing, horse racing, horseback riding and auto racing. He enjoys a contest of any kind and takes a great interest rn all sports. Measured by the true standard of excellence, Major Blattenberg is an honorable, upright, courteous gentleman, true to himself and to others, and his influence has been potent for good. He is public spirited, giving his unstinted support to every movement for the advancement of the general welfare, and he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He was married November 29, 1920, to Helen May Hoffer, of Mansfield, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph F. and Laura A. (Pike) Hoffer, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Indiana. Major and Mrs. Blattenberg sailed June 1, 1921, to attend the International Rotary Convention held at Edinburg, Scotland. From there they visited London. On the Continent their itinerary included the larger cities of Holland, Belgium, France, the battle fields of France and Belgium, Italy and Switzerland, a 284 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY trip up the Rhine, and returning to England, sailed from Southampton for America. BENJAMIN F. JENNINGS Public-spirited co-operation in civic affairs and an industrious application of intelligent and practical farming abilities have characterized the career of Benjamin F. Jennings, whose well-cultivated and valuable country estate is located in Monroe Township, three miles east and three-quarters of a mile north of West Cairo. Mr. Jennings is a native of Allen County, having been born on the farm of his father one-half mile east and one mile south of Beaver Dam August 26, 1864, a son of Lewis and Mary (Everett) Jennings. Lewis Jennings was born in Jackson Township, Allen County, in 1828, a son of James and Elizabeth Jennings, who came in 1826 to Allen County from Tuscarawas County, and, settling on an undeveloped farm in Jackson Township, passed the remainder of long, honorable and useful lives in the work of development and cultivation. They became the parents of Lewis, Thomas, John, Abel, Lucinda and Sarah. Of these, Lewis Jennings received a country school education, and on growing to manhood on the home farm first married Anna McKee, who died leaving three children : James, John and Anna. Mr. Jennings afterward married Mary Everett, who was born in Allen County in 1838, and they became the parents of these children : Francis, Benjamin F., Alfred, George, Jasper, Clara and Kitty M., of whom B. F., George and Jasper are living, the last two being residents of Oklahoma. B. F. Jennings was reared on a farm in Richland Township, and received good educational advantages in his youth, attending the schools of Beaver Dam and the normal school at Angola, Indiana. He entered upon his career as a teacher, and for 'twenty years instructed classes in Allen and Putnam counties, Ohio, and Steuben County, Indiana, becoming one of the most efficient and popular educators in this region and making and retaining countless friendships among his pupils and their parents, as well as among his associates in the profession. In the meantime, when not engaged in his duties in the schoolroom, he applied himself to farming. Mr. Jennings was married December 24, 1890, to Miss Clara Norman, who was born on the farm on which she now makes her home September 3, 1866, and was educated in the public schools. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jennings started housekeeping on the present home property, and here were born their four children : L. D., born October 22, 1892, who is married and resides at Celina, Ohio; Zoe, a graduate of high school who also attended Ohio Northern College at Ada, and is now the wife of R. H. Jacobs, of Sugar Creek Township ; J. E., a student at Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio ; and Freelin L., born December 24, 1902, a graduate of Lima High School. Since giving up his educational work in the schoolroom Mr. Jennings has applied himself uninterruptedly to farming, with the exception of five years when he was in the employ of the Extension Department of the State University, lecturing on agricultural subjects. At present he has a well-improved and highly productive property, on which his buildings and equipment suggest the progressive spirit and good management of the proprietor. Mr. Jennings is a republican in his political allegiance, and while not a politican, is well informed as to the issues of the day, and is a public-spirited supporter of all movements tending to make for the betterment of his community. With Mrs. Jennings he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. HARLEY J. VAN METER. Some of the leading citizens of Allen County are to be found carrying on operations on well-regulated farming properties which, in their prosperity, evidence the ability, business acumen and intelligence of the owners. One of these men is Harley J. Van Meter, whose valuable and productive property is situated six and one-half miles southwest of Bluffton in Richland Township. Mr. Van Meter was born in Monroe Township, Allen County, February 5, 1881, a son of George S. and Hannah (Reeder) Van Meter, natives of the same township, the former born April 7, 1850, and the latter January 5, 1855, and died October 10, 1901. Throughout his career George S. Van Meter was engaged in agricultral pursuits and was accounted one of the substantial and reliable men of his community. He was a supporter of worthy movements and had the confidence and respect of those with whom he associated. He and his worthy wife were the parents of seven children : Harley J.; Carl R., who is engaged in agricultural operations in Putnam County, this state ; George R., who is deceased; Carrie F., the wife of Joseph Steele, who lives in Glad- win County, Michigan ; Paul, who is deceased; Ralph A., in Amherst, Massachusetts ; and Clark, who is engaged in farming in Monroe Township. Ralph A. Van Meter graduated from the high school at Columbus Grove, following which he pursued a course in horticulture at the Ohio State University. He next entered Amherst College, which he was attending at the outbreak of the World war and the entrance of the United States therein. Leaving his studies, he entered the United States Field Signal Corps, went overseas and was sent to the front. He saw much dangerous service, and on one occasion was the only one to return to the American lines of a party of twenty signal men sent out during an engagement. After his honorable discharge he returned to Amherst, where he is now completing his educational training. Harley J. Van Meter was reared on the old home place in Monroe Township, and attended the country schools. He remained at home until reaching the age of twenty-one years, as his father's assistant, and was married October 28, 1902, to Miss Mary M. Cupp, who was born and reared in the same community, where she attended the public schools. Following his marriage Mr. Van Meter rented a farm, to which he moved, and this was his status for the next six years, at the end of which time he purchased a modest farm in Richland Township. Two years later he disposed of this property and bought eighty-seven and one-half acres of land, this at present constituting his farm. Here he has made improvements with the passing of the years, and now has a modern farm in every way, with substantial buildings, a comfortable home, numerous up-to-date appliances and the latest improvements in machinery. He carries on general farming and raises a good grade of stock, and in both departments has met with well-merited success. Mr. and Mrs. Van Meter are the parents of five children : Mary Esther, who is attending the Beaver Dam High School ; Lloyd E., attending the graded schools ; and Loren C., Francis E. and Donald R. Mr. and Mrs. Van Meter are HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 285 consistent members of the Rockport Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Van Meter is a member of the Board of Trustees, and both he and his wife are active in church and Sunday School work. In his political allegiance Mr. Van Meter is a staunch republican. JACOB LUGIBILL. Four generations of the Lugibill family have contributed to the development of the property owned and occupied by Jacob Lugibill in his lifetime, a tract lying four and one-half miles northwest of Bluffton in Richland Township. Those bearing this name have been noted for their industry, farming ability and good citizenship, and all have been factors in adding to the advancement of this prosperous part of Allen County. Jacob Lugibill was born on the homestead October 16, 1852, a son of David and Anna (Amstutz) Lugibill. David Lugibill was born in Alsace, France, in June, 1819, and was but one year old when brought to the United States by his parents, the family first settling in Holmes County, Ohio, and subsequently removing to that part of Putnam County which is now included within the borders of Allen County. Here the grandfather of Jacob Lugibill secured wild land in what is now Richland Township, cleared and developed a farm, and passed his life in the peaceful pursuits of the farm, being assisted in his industrious efforts by his worthy wife. They were members of the Mennonite Church and the parents of six children : John ; Christian; David; Mary, who became the wife of John Geiger ; Catherine, who became the wife of Christian Basinger ; and Barbara, who became the wife of Christian Welty. David Lugibill was reared in what is now Allen County, and here married for his first wife Anna Geiger, by whom he had four children. After her death he married Anna Amstutz, who was born in Putnam County, Ohio, and they became the parents of three children : Benjamin P., who died in 1916, married Catherine Shively and after her death Bertha Stettler ; Jacob, the subject of this review ; and Fannie, who died as the wife of the late Samuel Neuenswander. For his third wife David Lugibill married Anna Letherman, but they had no children. The children of Mr. Lugibill and his first wife were: Regina, who became the wife of Christian Basinger, and had two sons; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Peter B. Amstutz and had one child; John, who died at the age of twenty years ; and Mary, who never married and died at the age of seventy-one years. When David Lugibill secured his farm it consisted of eighty acres, to which, through industry and good management, he added until he was the owner of 192 acres. Like his father, he was a man who bore an excellent reputation in his community and had the good will and esteem of his associates and neighbors. Jacob Lugibill attended the district schools of the home community until he was twenty years of age and in the meantime made his home on the old place where he was associated with his father in the task of cultivation and development. He was married May 13, 1878, to Susanna Neuenswander, who was born on a farm in Richland Township, Allen County, July 13, 1856, and died April 19, 1920, and they were the parents of the following children: Angeline, who died May 3, 1920, as the wife of John E. Lauby; David, a resident of Richland Township, who married Hattie Amstutz ; Edward of Richland Township, who married Cora Diller ; Harry G., who is now operating the home place and who married Metta Moser ; Isaac, residing in Richland Township, who married Della Moser ; Sadie, the wife of Milton E. Steiner, living at Yerbalinda, California; and Bertha L. and Mary, who are unmarried. There are seventeen grandchildren in the family. Mr. Lugibill devoted his energies largely to farming, and at the time of his death had 271 acres of splendidly productive land in Richland Township. This property is one of historic interest, made so by the presence of two mounds, the supposition being that two tribes of Indians met in battle here and after the fray buried their dead in these mounds. Mr. Lugibill was a large breeder of registered Shorthorn cattle. In addition to his farming ventures he had other interests, having been the president, a director and the largest stockholder in the Bluffton Milling Company, the other directors of which are Noah Diller, Elmer Diller, Enos Burkholder and Hurley Mann ; and a stockholder in the Pandora Lumber Company and electric light plant, with a branch at Bluffton. He belonged to the Swiss Mennonite Church, in which he was an elder, and was active in church and Sunday school work. Politically he was a democrat. During the lifetime of his wife, it was Mr. Lugibill's custom to take occasional trips, during which he and his family visited California and various others of the western states. Mr. Jacob Lugibill died February 5, 1921. His son Henry G. is now operating 192 acres and owns 112 acres of the homestead. DAVID P. BASINGER, a retired farmer living in the west corporation of Bluffton, was formerly very actively engaged in agricultural operations in Allen County, and is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of his community. He was born in Richland Township, Allen County, Ohio, August 14, 1841, a son of Christian and Catherine (Lugibill) Basinger. Christian Basinger was born in Alsace- Lorraine, France, February 20, 1817, and in 1824 was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Rockingham County, Virginia. The passage over was a long and tiresome one and consumed fifty-six days, so the little party was glad indeed to see land once more. In 1834 Christian Basinger left Virginia and came to Ohio, first stopping for three years in Mahoning County, and then moving to Putnam County, Ohio, where he entered 240 acres of land, and on it he spent the remainder of his life. He erected a log cabin on his land and in it he and his wife lived for many years. She was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, in April, 1817, and was brought to the United States by her parents, who located in Holmes County, Ohio. At the time they located on their farm it was located in Riley Township, Putnam County, but this section is now Richland Township, Allen County. Christian Basinger was a democrat. He belonged to the Swiss Mennonite Church and was very active in its work. There were twelve children born to Christian Basinger and his wife, three of whom died in infancy, those to reach maturity being as follows : David P., Mary, Jacob, Christian, Peter, Joel, Annie, Elias and Noah. Growing up on his father's farm, David P. Basinger learned early to be a farmer in a practical manner under the guidance of his experienced father. He attended school held in a log schoolhouse, first 286 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY conducted as a private enterprise but later becoming a public one. When he was a little older he went to the Bluffton public schools and the Lima High School, for six terms was engaged in teaching school and then became a farmer and for a number of years was engaged in that occupation. A man of religious turn of mind, he subsequently entered the ministry of the Reformed Mennonite Church, and has been one of its bishops since 1900. On March 20, 1914, Mr. Basinger moved to Bluffton, where he owns seven acres surrounding his comfortable home. David P. Basinger was married to Barbara Schumaker Amstutz, the widow of Christian Amstutz, and she died September 9, 1913. She was the mother of seven children, namely : N. W. Basinger, who is deputy treasurer of Allen County, lives at Bluffton ; Joel, who died at the age of nineteen years; Noah, who is a funeral director at Bluffton ; Lydia, who is unmarried ; Julia, who is the wife of Peter Geiger ; David E., who is a resident of Bluffton ; and Reuben, who is a resident of Lima, Ohio. A man of high principles and unblemished integrity, Mr. Basinger has earned and holds the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, and his church, and is accepted as being one of the representative men of the older generation now living in Allen County. WILLIAM C. RHODES. In every branch of industry the advance of Allen County has been remarkably rapid during recent years, and its progress has been equal probably to that of any other section of the state. The present prosperity of the county is well represented in its stockmen and agriculturists, and among these may be mentioned William C. Rhodes, the owner and operator of a well-cultivated farming property in Jackson Township, three miles east of Lafayette. Mr. Rhodes was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, February 10, 1864, a son of Jacob and Mary (Shaffer) Rhodes, the former a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Rhodes was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and was a young woman when she came to the United States and settled in Montgomery County, where she met and married Mr. Rhodes. Following their union they settled on a farm, on which they rounded out well-ordered, honorable and useful lives, winning and holding the esteem and respect of their neighbors. They were faithful members of the church in their locality and always supported worthy enterprises of a religious, charitable and educational character. While Mr. Rhodes was reared in a democratic family, he early advocated the principles of the republican party, which he continued to support throughout his life. He and his wife were the parents of four children : Amanda, who is deceased ; a child who died in infancy ; William C.; and John F., a resident of Jackson Township. William C. Rhodes received his education in the public schools'of Montgomery County and at the age of thirteen years completed his studies and came to Allen County, where he was employed by one man for four years. During the first year he received $6 per month for six months, the second year $7 per month for the same time, the third year $8 per month for half a year, and the fourth year his salary was advanced $1 for the same length of time. During the remaining six months in each year he worked for his board without pay. Mr. Rhodes then farmed for one year for one-fourth of the crop, and at that time decided to form a home of his own, although he was without means. In the spring of 1883 he was united in marriage with Miss Millie A. Long, and they faced the future courageously, confident of their own ability to weather any financial storms that might arise. In 1884 they were assisted by the receipt of Mr. Rhodes' share of the home estate, the sum of $2,100, which he immediately invested in fifty-seven acres of land in Jackson Township, to which, through industrious work and good management he has added until he now has 128 acres, all in a good state of cultivation. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Elevators at Lafayette, and is accounted a business man of the highest integrity and straightforward principles. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have seven children: Wilbur, who assists his father on the home farm, married Clara Long and their three children are Vernon D., Edna M. and Isbell ; Bertha is the wife of Mason Kingler; Charles, also at home, married Alice Meyers ; Josephine is the wife of Newton Kingler; May; Elmer, who is married; and Mabel, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes are consistent members of the Reformed Church, in which he has been a deacon and elder for eighteen years and a faithful supporter of all church movements, as well as superintendent of the Sunday school for seven years. Fraternally he is affiliated with Jackson Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has numerous friends. He has been active and influential in the ranks of the republican party, and has been a member of the County Central Committee for several years. For four years he served very efficiently as a member of the Jackson Township Board of Trustees. JOHN L. SHEIK. A worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Allen County is found in the person of John L. Sheik, the owner of a well-cultivated property in Sugar Creek Township, whose home, two miles northwest of Gomer, stands on the line dividing Allen and Putnam counties. Mr. Shiek was born in Hocking County, Ohio, August 9, 1858, a son of John and Rebecca J. (Allen) Sheik. John Sheik was born July 26, 1832, in Wittenburg, Germany, and in 1833 was brought to the United States by his parents, John and Mary Sheik, the family settling in Perry County, Ohio, July 20, 1835. He was there married to Rebecca J. Allen, native of Perry County, and later moved to Hocking County, Ohio, where he resided for forty-eight years, celebrated his golden wedding anniversary February 14, 1904, and died in 1911. He was a well-to-do farmer and the owner of 247 acres of land, and was a member and generous supporter of the United Brethren Church. In politics he was a democrat. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, of whom ten are living: Pleasant A., John L., James M., Margaret M., William S. and Philip (twins), Mary J., Rebecca A., Laura M. and Francis A. John L. Sheik attended the public schools of Hocking County, and in young manhood adopted the vocation of agriculture, which he has followed all his life. At this time he is the owner of 116 acres of good land in Sugar Creek Township and ten acres in Putnam County, and in addition to general farming carries on the breeding of Red Polled HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 287 cattle, his herd being headed by the famous Liberty V. He is a member of the Gomer Equity Elevator, and has a number of other interests which substantiate his claim to good citizenship. In politics he is a democrat, and he and his family belong to the Gomer Presbyterian Church, in which he is a member of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Sheik married November 12, 1895, Miss Nellie Siebenthall, who was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 18, 1873, and died July 12, 1909. They had four children: Elizabeth, a graduate of the Gomer High School and Lima Business College, who is employed at the old National Bank of Lima; Richard, born December 28, 1898, who resides on the home farm and is extensively engaged in the breeding of Spotted Poland China hogs; Robert S., born July 23, 1901, a graduate of the Gomer High School; who also spent some time at the Ohio State University; and Anna, born March 25, 1904. CHARLES C. LONG. The true worth of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and citizens. The life of Charles C. Long, one of the successful farmers of Marion Township, Allen County, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best. He has spent his life here at home, engaged in the pursuits for which nature and training have best suited him, and is a creditable representative of one of our much respected old families. Charles C. Long was born on the parental farm in Marion Township about two and a half miles east of Delphos, December 5, 1889, a son of Minor T. and Nancy J. (Tucker) Long. The father was born in Clermont County, Ohio, August 24. 1845, and was a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Westerfield) Long, who came to Allen County in 1851, locating in Marion Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Minor T. Long was reared from the age of six years in Marion Township, and attended the common schools of his home neighborhood. He remained under the parental roof until the Civil war, and on February 20, 1863, enlisted in McCochlin's Squadron, with which he served until the end of the war, receiving his discharge on October 30, 1865. He was with General Sherman on the historic "March to the Sea," and took part in many of the most important engagements and campaigns of that great struggle. After his marriage he located on a farm which he had bought in Marion Township, and on a part of which Charles C. Long now lives. He was an industrious worker and good manager, so that he was enabled to accumulate 430 acres of land, which he owned at the time of his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, belonging to Morris Chapel. He helped to build this chapel, took an active part in its work, and was a liberal supporter of it. For many years he supported a missionary in China, a form of benevolence which his family have decided to continue, as he would have done had he lived. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was one of the organizers of the post at Delphos. Politically he was an earnest supporter of the republican party ; he served as a township trustee; as a member of the County Board of Education, of which he was the first president; was a member of the Marion Township Board of Education for thirty years; and was one of the organizers of Walnut Grove Cemetery. His death occurred on June 21, 1920. On November 10, 1867, Mr. Long was married to Nancy J. Tucker, who was born at Crossingsville, Perry County, Ohio, August 23, 1851, and she came with her parents to Allen County in 1853. To this union were born five children, namely : Cora E., the wife of Ed Truesdale of Delphos; Mattie B., who died at the age of three years ; Dane D., who was married to Hazel Bradley of Marion Township ; Don C., who lives in Marion Township and was married to Pearl Ludwig; and Charles C., the subject of this review. Charles C. Long has spent his entire life on the farm which he now occupies, comprising 103 acres of well-cultivated land, in the operation of which he has been very successful. He not only carries on general farming, but also gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, in which he has been successful. He gives special attention to registered Jersey cattle, and is the owner of a fine registered bull, Louise's Little Lad, H. R. No. 194113, from a noted stock herd of Lowell, Massachusetts. His estate, known as Riverside Farm, is well improved and is numbered among the best properties in the community. Mr. Long is a practical farmer, a hard worker and a good manager, elements which form the keynote of practically all successful careers. He was married on May 26, 1914, to Chloe Mericle, and they have a son, Maynard F., born May 3, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a republican and is a member of the Republican Central Committee from Marion Township. Mrs. Long has the honor of being one of the first women appointed on the Republican Executive Committee of Allen County after the inauguration of woman suffrage. Fraternally Mr. Long is a member of Delphos Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is universally recognized as a splendid citizen, and enjoys the confidence and good will of all who know him. S. W. WRIGHT was not only a farmer but was regarded as one of the ablest men of affairs in Allen County. He has to his credit two terms of capable service as county commissioner, and discharged other obligations in the common welfare. The Wright farm and home are a mile east of Delphos in Marion Township. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 19, 1851, son of William G. and Louisa (Manker) Wright. His father, who was born in Virginia, May 3, 1827, a son of William and Rhoda R. Wright, came with his parents to Highland County, Ohio, at the age of eight years. William G. Wright married Louisa Manker January 2, 1850. She died October 4, 1871, mother of the following children: Sylvenius W., V. H., Luella B., deceased, Eugenia, Nevada E. and Lena. William G. Wright enlisted in the Thirteenth Ohio Cavalry early in the Civil war, was wounded in the knee at Perryville, and for the rest of the war performed duties as a recruiting officer at Cincinnati. He then resumed farming, and on June 13, 1872, married Martha R. Judkins, daughter of Franklin and Caroline Judkins. The children born to that union were Birdie D., Lulellis, Mabel, Rosaline, Cleotus, Lillie A., Rhoda D. and Goldie, 288 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY four of whom died in infancy. In 1882 William G. Wright moved to Van Wert County, buying a 100 acre farm east of the county seat. He was a democrat in politics and in 1893 was elected trustee of his township. Besides being a practical farmer he gained a great reputation in early life as a hunter and killed many deer in Ohio and other states. For a number of years he conducted an apiary in connection with his general farming. He was a member of the Masonic order and his wife was a Methodist. S. W. Wright spent part of his early life in Allen County, acquired an education in the district schools and the schools of Delphos, and for nine terms was a teacher, his work being done in seven different schools. November 5, 1872, Mr. Wright married Minerva Long, who was born in Marion Township April 9, 1852, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Long. Her father was a native of Clermont County, Ohio, and after his marriage settled in Allen County in 1850 and lived out his active career in Marion Township. The Longs were active members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Wright's father was also a Civil war soldier. To Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born two children: Alvin Otto, born April 6, 1874, and died August 31, 1875, and Grace E., born December 20, 1884. The daughter is the wife of Jesse A. Cochran and the mother of one child, Byron W., born July 9, 1908. Mrs. Wright died February 27, 1921, and Mr. Wright passed away in the following month, March 7, 1921. Mr. Wright and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. He was affiliated with Delphos Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and Lima Lodge No. 54 of the Elks. Politically he was a staunch republican, and was elected on the republican ticket to the office of county commissioner for two terms, at a time when the county was normally 1,600 democratic. Mr. Wright served for fourteen years as a director on the County Fair Board, was a director of the Allen County Children's Home, a stockholder in the Equity Exchange at Delphos, and was always ready to respond to demands upon him for aid in civic and patriotic movements. As a farmer he gave much attention to stock breeding, and for twenty years was a breeder of Percheron horses, Polled Durham cattle and Poland China, Chester White and Duroc hogs. His fellow citizens gave him repeated proof of their confidence in his judgment and once he came within fourteen votes of being elected a member of the Legislature. JOHN ORIN CUPP. The farming interests of Allen County are in charge of efficient, capable men who have given to their labors that application of scientific effort which is bound to bring the best results. Years of observance of the most satisfactory methods have brought the vocation of farming up to the standard of one of the sciences, and the constant improvement of farming machinery has accomplished wonders in making the harvesting of large crops a surety. Among the intelligent and practical farmers of Allen County, one who is taking advantage of modern conditions is John Orin Cupp, proprietor of Pleasant Plain Farm, situated in section 2, Monroe Township. Mr. Cupp was born in Monroe Township, November 23, 1877, a son of Henry and Mary A. (Light) Cupp, and a grandson of John and Anna (Miller) Cupp, natives of Rockingham County, Virginia. The grandparents came to Allen County in 1847, settling in Monroe Township, in which they lived until the death of John Cupp, after which his widow moved to American Township, where she passed away. Mr. Cupp was a democrat and served as a trustee of his township, and he and his wife were faithful members of the Dunkard Church. They had nine children, of whom four are living at this time: Susan, the widow of E. J. Cook, formerly a farmer of American Township ; Henry, the father of John O.; Abraham, who is engaged in farming in Logan County; and Barbara, the wife of Henry Sear fosse, of Beaver Dam, Ohio. Henry Cupp was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, February 25, 1843, and was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Allen County, where he secured his education in the country schools of Monroe Township. He resided on the home farm until he joined Company C, One Hundred and Fifty- First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for 100 days of service during the Civil war, following the close of which service he spent one year in teaching the school which he had attended as a youth. He then resumed farming on the home place until his marriage, October 24, 1867, to Mary A. Light, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 15, 1845, and came to Allen County with her parents when seventeen years of age. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cupp settled on a farm of sixty acres in Monroe Township, and this formed the nucleus of their splendid property, which at this time consists of 240 acres in Monroe Township and 160 acres in Logan County. Henry Cupp has served his township as assessor, and is a staunch supporter of the republican party. He belongs to Ogilvie Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his wife are active workers in the Rockport Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Cupp has been an elder for many years. There are seven children in the family: Lena A., the wife of D. R. Palmer ; Cora B., the wife of Harry Maple; John Orin; Henry C.; Mary May; Lulu L., the wife of David W. Core; and Walter J., who is engaged in farming operations in Monroe Township. John O. Cupp was reared on the home place originally owned by his grandfather and later by his father, and a part of which he himself now owns. He attended the public schools and the Lima Business College, and after his graduation from the latter returned to the home place, where he was engaged in farming for three years prior to his marriage. Mr. Cupp was married September 12, 1900, to Miss Lois L. Marshall, who was born December 12, 1878, in Monroe Township, a daughter of John R. and Ida (Boyer) Marshall, and a graduate of the public schools and the Lima College. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cupp settled on a rented farm, but at the end of one year purchased forty acres, and since then Mr. Cupp has added to this property until he now has 160 acres, forming one of the most productive and valuable properties of its size in the county. Mr. Cupp is a general farmer, but specializes to some extent in the breeding of Shire horses and Shorthorn cattle, and is known as a good judge of stock. 11e has well merited the success that has been gained by him, as he has been an industrious worker, an honorable business man and a citizen who has HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 289 always been a supporter of worthy measures which promise to be of benefit to his native community. He belongs to the Board of Directors of the Exchange Bank at Columbus Grove, and is a member of the local Board of School Directors. Politically he is a democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Cupp are consistent members of the Rockport Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Cupp is a trustee and treasurer, and was formerly a chorister and active worker in the Sunday school. To Mr. and Mrs. Cupp have come three children: Edwin M.; born December 12, 1901, a graduate of the Columbus Grove High School and who is a student at Purdue University, Edith I., born May 28, 1904, who is attending the Columbus Grove High School; and Mary Gertrude, born September 12, 1905, also a student of that institution. HARVEY S. BOWERS. The agriculturist of today who would truly succeed in his work must be a man of intelligence and education, carefully trained and specially skilled in the different departments of his calling. His is a vocation that will allow of no stand-still methods, for the calling is advancing steadily and its devotees are called upon to keep abreast of its advancements or fall back into the rut of mediocrity. Among the agriculturists of Allen County who are alert to their opportunities and who are thereby winning a full measure of prosperity, one who is progressively industrious is Harvey S. Bowers, whose extensive operations are being carried on in Monroe Township. Mr. Bowers was born in this township February 19, 1866, a son of Ephraim P. and Margaret (Reed) Bowers. Ephraim P. Bowers was born in Athens County, Ohio, February 3, 1834, and was just four years of age when brought, in February, 1838, to Allen County by his parents, the family settling in Richland Township. There he grew to young manhood and became a teacher in the rural schools, and while thus engaged met and married Miss Reed, who had been born in Mahoning County. Ohio, December 31, 1828, and had come to Allen County to visit a sister. They were married in Mahoning County, where they rented the Bowers farm for several years, then buying 112 acres of land in section 14, Monroe Township. Later Mr. Bowers bought eighty acres more in the same township, and at his death was the owner of 192 acres. He was one of the substantial citizens of his community and a man universally respected and admired. He and his estimable wife were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as a member of the Board of Trustees and was a teacher in the Sunday school for many years. In politics a democrat, he became one of the influential men in his part of Allen County, and at various times was called upon by his fellow citizens to serve in positions of public preferment, he acting on different occasions as the incumbent of the offices of township trustee, township treasurer and clerk and member of the Board of School Directors. His entire career was one in which integrity was made his guiding principle. He and his wife became the parents of four children, namely: Alice, who died when eleven years of age; Harvey S., of this review ; Mary E., an accomplished artist who completed her art training at schools at Findlay and Ada, and is now the wife of F. W. Collins of Findlay; and Ida J., a graduate of the Vol. 11-19 normal school at Ada and the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. Harvey S. Bowers was reared on a farm and was given excellent educational advantages in his youth, attending the district schools and the Ada, Fayette and Wauseon normal schools. For five terms he taught in the public schools of Mahoning and Williams counties, and then applied himself to farming on the property which he now operates in Monroe Township. He and his sisters are the owners of 249 acres of valuable and productive land, on which there are spledid improvements. Mr. Bowers carries on general farming operations and also raises a good grade of all kinds of live stock. He and Mrs. Bowers hold membership in the Richland Grange, and she is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bowers is a democrat, and while not a politician takes a good citizen's interest in public affairs. He is a stockholder in the Beaver Dam Farmers Elevator, and has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Monroe Township. ALBERT E. LUGIBILL. The live stock interests of Bluffton form an important part in the business life of the community, and some of the most aggressive men of Allen County are engaged in this line, thereby acquiring a comfortable income and increasing the commercial prestige of the city. One of these men is Albert E. Lugibill, junior member of the firm of Hall & Lugibill, stock buyers. Albert E. Lugibill was born in Richland Township, Allen County, January 26, 1869, a son of Emanuel P. and Elizabeth (Amstutz) Lugibill. Emanuel Lugibill was born in the same township as his son, and his father, John Lugibill, was brought to Allen County from Wayne County, Ohio, in a wagon by his parents about 1835, they being among the very early settlers in Richland Township. John Lugibill later on secured a tract of land in the woods, cleared off enough of it to erect a log cabin, and in it lived for some years. He died on his farm, which comprised 152 acres of land. He was a Mennonite, one of the first in Allen County. He and his wife had four children, namely : Christ, Emanuel, Barbara and a second daughter. Emanuel Lugibill was reared on the homestead and attended the district schools. When he married he left home and located on a farm, but subsequently retired from an agricultural life, moved to Bluffton, and there died. Brought up a Mennonite, he early joined the church of that faith, and was very active in religious work. In politics he was a democrat, but he never aspired to office. He and his wife had six children, four of whom are living, namely: Albert E., who was the eldest; Bertha, who is the wife of George W. Rupewright; Louise, who is the wife of William Bowers of Lima, Ohio and Tillie, who is the wife of E. R. Stockhart. Until he was twenty-one years old Albert E. Lugibill made himself useful on the home farm, and at the same time acquired a district school education. He was then married to Anna Lichty of Berne, Indiana, who was born in Adams County, Indiana, March 21, 1870, and there educated. After they were married Mr. and Mrs. Lugibill settled at Bluffton, where he has since been engaged in handling live stock. He also owns 125 acres of land in Orange Township, Hancock County, Ohio, and has other interests. Mr. and Mrs. Lugibill have six children, namely: Waldo, who is a farmer of North 290 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY Dakota ; Clarence, who is a resident of Detroit, Michigan ; Estella, who was graduated from the Bluffton High School and Bluffton College, received the degree of Master of Arts from the latter institution; Nellie, who was graduated from the Bluffton High School, took a year's course at Bluffton College and is now employed by Marshall Field & Company, Chicago, Illinois ; and Homer and Catherine, both of whom are at home. The entire family belong to the Mennonite Church. In politics Mr. Lugibill is a democrat. He is one of the directors of the Commercial & Savings Bank of Bluffton, the officials of which are as follows : N. W. Cunningham, president ; Julius Wise, vice president ; and I. B. Bleby, cashier, and the directors are: N. W. Cunningham, Julius Wise, I. B. Blesby, John R. Marshall, Jesse Montgomery, Noah Mosnee and Albert E. Lugibill. Mr. Lugibill is a stockholder in a stock commission company of Clelevand. Understanding the stock business because of his long connection with it, he has been able to form very desirable connections, and has risen until he is doing extremely well in this line, as well as in the others in which he is interested. While he has not entered actively into the life of his community, he holds himself in readiness to respond promptly to any demand made upon him as a ciitzen, and has rendered valuable assistance in advancing the interests of Bluffton. NOAH MATTER. Among the citizens of Richland Township who have lent strength of purpose and progressive ideas to the development of the farming interests of this community, one who has contributed his full share of agricultural skill and public- spirited citizenship is Noah Matter, whose well- developed farm is located within the corporate limits of Bluffton. Mr. Matter was born two miles south of Bluffton July 5, 1864, a son of Christian and Regina (Stauffer) Matter. Christian Matter was born in Richland County, Ohio, and in young manhood came to Allen County, where he married Miss Stauffer, a native of Adams County, this state, following which they settled on a farm in the woods, two miles south of Bluffton. There they passed through the rigors and hardships of pioneer existence, clearing their farm, gradually developing it, rearing their family and eventually taking their places among the substantial and highly esteemed residents of their community. They were faithful and active members of the Reformed Church, and in politics Mr. Matter was a democrat. There were eleven children in the family: John, deceased ; Samuel S. of Richland Township ; Daniel of Orange Township, Hancock County, Ohio ; Noah ; Peter, residing on a part of the home farm ; a child who died in infancy ; T. A., a farmer in Allen County; Sarah, the wife of J. A. Walker of Lima ; Anna E., the wife of Joseph Groman of Allen County; Arnold, who is deceased ; and Catherine, the wife of Gideon P. Oberly of Allen County. Noah Matter acquired his education in the district schools and was reared to manhood on the home farm, where lie was associated with his father until attaining his majority, at which time he began to receive wages. He was married September 29, 1892, to Caroline Kern, who was born in Allen County, daughter of Abraham Kern, and started housekeeping on the farm on which they now reside, a tract of 120 acres, a part of which is included in the corporation of Bluffton. Mr. Matter has followed general farming and stock raising, and his good management and industry have combined to give him well-merited success. Both agriculturally and in the matter of good citizenship he is held in confidence by those with whom he has come into association and contact. He is a stockholder in the Commercial Bank and Savings Company at Bluffton. A democrat in politics, he has never taken any active part in public affairs. He and his estimable wife are members of the Reformed Church, in the work of which he has been active. Mr. and Mrs. Matter are the parents of three children : Marie, who is unmarried and resides with her parents on the home farm; Marvin, a graduate of the Bluffton High School, who is a veteran of the World war, having been at the front at the time of the signing of the armistice, following which he returned to his home and is now associated in farming operations with his father ; and Rhoda, born in 1908, who is now attending the public schools. ASHFORD D. HALL, a buyer and shipper of live stock at Bluffton, is one of the successful business men of Allen County who is engaged in developing the natural resources of this region and increasing the agricultural supremacy of this county by affording the producers a convenient market. Mr. Hall was born in Jackson Township, Allen County, November 17, 1860, a son of William J. and Elizabeth J. (Watts) Hall. William J. Hall was born in Allen County, and his wife was a native of the same county. The paternal grandfather, Richard Hall, came to Allen County from Pickaway County, Ohio, and became a farmer of some prominence. Reared on his father's farm in Jackson Township, William J. Hall was married in that township, and he and his wife settled on a farm and lived on it until they moved to Bluffton after their retirement, and both died in this city, he at the age of eighty-one years, and she when seventy-five. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and very active in church and Sunday school work. In politics he was a democrat. They had seven children, six of whom survive, namely : Huldah, who is the widow of M. L. Boyd, lives in Jackson Township ; Ashford D., who was second in order of birth ; Electa, who is the wife of Wilson Hawk ; Leanna Florence, who is the widow of David Bogart ; Jasper, who is a resident of Texas ; and Burdette, who is operating the homestead. A daughter, Minnie, died at the age of one year. Ashford D. Hall, was reared on the home farm and sent to the neighborhood schools. He remained at home until his marriage, when he rented the homestead and conducted it for three years. In 1880 he left the farm, moved to Bluffton, and for three years was engaged in the livery business, and then sold it, and began handling live stock, which undertaking has been developed to large proportions through his energy and knowledge of the market and the sources of supply. Reared a Methodist, Mr. Hall early united with that denomination and has been very active in the local church, serving as a member of its official board and otherwise rendering it a very commendable service. A democrat, he was on the School Board for twelve years, and is present clerk of the board. He is a stockholder of the Commercial & Savings Bank of Bluffton, and in the Cleveland Union Stock Yards at Cleveland, Ohio. HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 291 Mr. Hall was married to Miss Emma McKee, who was born in Richland Township and educated in the common schools of Allen County. Three children were born to them, as follows : Edgar C., who is a wholesale coal dealer of Toledo, Ohio, was graduated from the Bluffton High School in 1903, took an extra commercial course at Toledo, Ohio, and married Florence Huff of Toledo, Ohio ; Edith M., who was graduated form the Bluffton High School, married Dr. Albert E. Bixler of Rawson, Ohio ; and Harry M., who was graduated from the Bluffton High School and a commercial course in the Business College of Toledo, Ohio, is a veteran of the great war, having been in the Medical Supply Department at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio. After his honorable discharge he engaged with the Elmer Miller Coal Company. Harry M. Hall was married to Miss Jean Hoyt of Toledo, Ohio. GEORGE MALLERS. Lima knows George Mailers as a very enterprising amusement house owner and manager, and as a young business man who has made surprisingly good use of his American opportunities since he came to this country a decade ago. Mr. Mallers is of pure Greek stock, and his father and several other forebears lived in the community of Tripolis, where George was born. He is a son of Anthony and Vaseleki (Chakeres) Mallers. The family record includes a number of professional men. Mr. Mailers' father died in 1907 and his mother is still living in Greece. One of his brothers is in the Greek army and has seen much service in Turkey and elsewhere. Mr. Mailers completed four grades in the public schools and three grades in the high school in his native country. It. was in 1910 that he started for America. On account of his youth he was kept at Ellis Island thirty-five days, and the authorities were on the point of refusing him permission to land, and planned to send him back to his native country. An uncle in Dayton was interested in his welfare, and it was through the intervention of the governor and presidential nominee, Mr. Cox, who wired to the immigration authorities, that George Mailers was permitted to achieve his desire to become an American citizen, and joined his uncle at Dayton. He worked for his uncle in a restaurant for three years, and though he came to this country with only three dollars he made such good use of his thrifty character that he was able to buy a restaurant of his own. After a year he sold out at a double profit, and then removed to Springfield, Ohio, where he bought and conducted another restaurant for a year. He still owns a half interest in the Fountain Restaurant at Springfield. His next enterprise was the purchase with his uncle of the Hippodrome Theater, which he conducted for one year. Coming from Springfield to Lima, Mr. Mailers on February 1, 1919, bought the Star Theater on the Public Square, and after completely remodeling and refurnishing it opened it under the present name of the Rialto. He is still proprietor of the Rialto and is also a half owner of the Lyric Theater, and owner of the Royal and Dreamland Theaters. Mr. Mallers is still unmarried. Since coming to this country he has regularly remitted sums of money to his mother in Greece and has also helped support his brothers and sisters there. He brought one younger brother, Nicholas, to this country and has assisted him to acquire an American education. N. W. CUNNINGHAM, president of the Commercial Bank & Savings Company at Bluffton, is a native of Allen County, and during his active career has become well known in journalism, politics and business. He was born at Lima February 24, 1856, youngest child of James and Martha Cunningham, pioneer settlers of the county. He secured his early education at the "old red brick," the site of which is now covered by the Lima High School Building. He attended school only to the age of thirteen. The summer he was thirteen he worked for John Carlysle at his brickyard on what is now South Pine street, Lima, and the next summer worked as a farm hand for Russel Ballard in Perry Township. Subsequent experiences, while affording him a living, also presented the equivalent of a higher education. When he was fourteen he entered the office of the Allen County Democrat, owned by D. S. Fisher, and served with that paper an apprenticeship of five years. When he was nineteen he removed to Bluffton and started the Bluffton News, and his name was associated with the editorial and business management of that Allen County journal for sixteen years. In 1893 Mr. Cunningham entered the banking business, taking a half interest in the Commercial Bank with Frank Scott and forming the firm of Scott & Cunningham. Their private bank was converted into the Commercial Bank & Savings Company, a state bank, of which Mr. Cunningham is still the active president. This bank has a capital and surplus of $85,000, with total footing of over $1,000,000, and under the old and new organization it has had a consecutive record of more than thirty years, having been established in 1887. Mr. Cunningham has had a rather successful business career, as the above facts indicate. He was at one time democratic candidate for Congress, and has been otherwise active in his party. He is now president of the Elida Pioneer Society, and takes a great interest in the early history of the county. WILLIAM O. WALLACE. In every community of Allen County there are found men who have risen above their fellows in business and agricultural life, not because of superior advantages, but because their natural abilities and mental endowments created opportunities of which they have taken advantage. In a section like this, where good and reliable men are easily found, he is indeed worthy of consideration who has been given preferment over his fellows. In this connection mention is made of William 0. Wallace, a veteran of the Civil war and a highly respected farmer living three and one-half miles southeast of Columbus Grove, in Monroe Township. Mr. Wallace was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1838, a son of John and Rebecca (Poyer) Wallace, natives of Pennsylvania. He is descended from ancestors who were natives of France, from which country, because of religious persecution, they came to America and settled on the Hudson River in New York. The branch of the family to which he belongs later went to North Carolina, whence members moved on to Pennsylvania. John and Rebecca Wallace resided in the Keystone State until 1846, in which year they came to Allen County and settled in Bath Township, subsequently moving to Monroe Township, where they passed the remainder of long, useful and honorable lives in the pursuits of agriculture. They were faith- 292 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY ful and stalwart members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in which Mr. Wallace was an exhorter for many years. In politics he was a democrat. He and his wife had four children, of whom two are living: William O. and Harriet, the widow of Jacob Hall of Monroe Township. William O. Wallace was eight years of age when he was brought to Allen County, and his education was acquired in the district schools of Monroe Township, where he assisted his father in the clearing and cultivation of his farms. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Miss Lavina Beemer, and at that time rented a farm in Monroe Township, on which he continued operations until he enlisted in 1864 in Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, an organization with which he fought bravely until the close of the Civil war. Returning to Monroe Township, he resumed farming as a renter and that continued to be his status until 1874, when he purchased land where he now resides. He has been successful in his farming operations and is the owner of a valuable property on which there are to be found improvements of the most modern character. Throughout his career he has borne the reputation of being a man of the soundest integrity and a citizen of public spirit and constructive ideas. He is a member of Ogilvie Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Columbus Grove, and a republican in politics. He has several important business connections, and is a stockholder in the Columbus Grove Mutual Telephone Company. Mrs. Wallace died in 1911, leaving four children: Clara T., the wife of J. L. Turner of Columbus Grove; Mary, the wife of J. H. Hooper, of Lima ; James M. and W. H. Wallace. James M. Wallace was educated in the public schools of Monroe Township and has passed his entire career in farming on the home property. He is accounted one of the progressive agriculturists of this region, and has been active in politics, having been a member of the Monroe Township Republican Executive Committee, and for five years a member of the Board of Elections, appointed by the secretary of state. Fraternally he is affiliated with Columbus Grove Lodge No. 376, Knights of Pythias, in which he has numerous warm and appreciative friends. ENOCH P. BASINGER. Prominent among the agriculturists of Richland Township whose industrious and capable efforts have contributed to the development and advancement of this productive section of Allen County is Enoch P. Basinger, whose well-cultivated farm is located two miles north of Bluffton. Mr. Basinger was born in Riley Township, Putnam County, Ohio, November 13, 1868, a son of P. C. and Mary C. (Sutter) Basinger, natives of the same township and county, the father born May 18, 1842, and the mother October 31, 1847. The parents attended the public schools of Putnam County, where they grew up amid agricultural surroundings, and were married December 18, 1867, following which they settled on a tract of undeveloped land in the woods of Riley Township. Mr. Basinger applied himself industriously to the clearing and cultivation of this property, which he developed into a good farm and on which he made his home until 1891. In that year he retired from active pursuits, and since then, having sold his property, has lived in a modest home at Pandora. He is independent in politics, in which he has never cared to take an active part, and he and his worthy wife are consistent members of the Mennonite Church. They have been the parents of nine children: Enoch P.; Martha, who died as the wife of William Baumgartner, leaving two children; Anna, the wife of John A. Shcneck, with four children; Dinah, who married A. F. Sumner and had twelve children; Sarah, a graduate nurse with headquarters at Chicago ; Mary, the wife of M. Edwards of Laporte, Indiana; Doctor Adam, a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College and now a practicing physician at Blanchester, Ohio ; and two children who died in infancy. Enoch P. Basinger secured his education in the public schools of Riley Township, Putnam County, and was associated with his father in the work of the home farm until he reached his majority, at which time he began to receive a salary of $100 per year. This continued to be his status until he was thirty years of age, after which he bettered his condition to some extent, and in the meantime carefully saved what he could of his earnings. Mr. Basinger was married February 26, 1905 to Miss Sarah A. Reichenbach, the daughter of a neighboring farmer in Putnam County, after which he continued to carry on his work on the home farm until he was forty years of age. In 1908 he purchased eighty acres of land in the northeastern corner of Allen County, this being unimproved land, on which he has wrought a great transformation since becoming its owner. He has brought it all under cultivation and has erected substantial buildings, in addition to which he has installed other improvements, with the result that he is now the owner of a valuable and attractive property. Mr. and Mrs. Basinger are the parents of two children : Gail L., born January 11, 1908'; and Nelson H., born August 10, 1911, who are attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Basinger are members of the Mennonite Church. In politics Mr. Basinger is an independent voter. HERBERT B. MARSHALL. Industry, perseverance, intelligence and good judgment constitute the price of success in agriculture in these modern days of farming and stock raising, when the hard, unremitting work of former years has given way largely to the scientific use of modern machinery and a knowledge of the proper treatment of the soil. Allen County has many skilled farmers who treat their vocation more as a profession than a mere occupation, and take a justifiable pride in their accomplishments, and among these may be mentioned Herbert B. Marshall, a young and successful agriculturist of Richland Township. Mr. Marshall was born in Monroe Township, Allen County, April 20, 1893, and is a son of John R. and Ida (Boyer) Marshall. John R. Marshall was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, February 22, 1851, a son of Cyrus and Mary (Reed) Marshall, the former born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, June 22, 1826, and the latter near Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, December 24, 1826. They were married in the year 1850 and in the fall of 1851 came through to Allen County, Ohio, in a wagon, where James Marshall, the father of Cyrus, had previously entered about 1,000 acres of land. Cyrus Marshall and his four brothers came to this land, on which they carried on operations throughout the remainder of their HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 293 lives. Cyrus Marshall improved his property, developed a productive farm and became a substantial agriculturist, and when he died, in 1891, his community lost one of its strong and reliable citizens. Having been a school teacher in his youth, as was his worthy wife, he always took an intense interest in educational affairs and for a number of years served as a member of the Board of School Directors in his community. He and his wife were charter members of the Rockport Presbyterian Church, in which he was a member of the Board of Trustees. In politics he was a republican. Mrs. Marshall survived him until 1911. They were the parents of four children: John R.; Albert H. of Richland Township ; Harvey, who died in infancy ; and Alice, who died when four and one-half years of age. John R. Marshall received his educational training in the district school and spent three terms at Ada. Following this for six winter terms he taught school, the summer months being passed in farming. Mr. Marshall was married December 24, 1876, to Miss Ida I. Boyer, who was born in Allen County, Ohio, August 4, 1854, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Boyer. Mrs. Marshall had been reared on a farm in Monroe Township, Allen County, and she and her husband started housekeeping in section 18, lRichland Township, where they lived until 1885 or 1886. At that time they moved to section 13, Monroe Township, where Mrs. Marshall died in 1918, leaving the following children: Earl, who died at the age of eighteen years; Lois, the wife of J. 0. Cupp of Monroe Township ; Mary, the wife of J: C. Begg of that township ; Elnora, who is unmarried and resides with her father ; J. Harold, living on the old home place, who married Blake Lemley; and Herbert B. The parents of these children were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Marshall has been an elder for more than forty years. He is a republican in politics and at various times has been called upon to fill public offices within the gift of his fellow citizens, having served his community capably and conscientiously as a member of the Board of Township Trustees and of the School Board. He has been successful in a material way, and at this time is the owner of 333 acres of good, valuable and productive farming land in the townships of Richland and Monroe. He is likewise one of the directors of the Commercial Bank and Savings Company at Bluffton, vice president of the Allen County Farmers' Bureau and a large feeder and breeder of live stock. Herbert B. Marshall was reared on the old home place in Monroe Township and received good educational advantages in his youth, first attending the district schools, later graduating from the Bluffton High School with the class of 1912, and, after two years of farming, entered the College of Agriculture at the Ohio State University, from which he was duly graduated with the class of 1917, when he received the degree of Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture. Mr. Marshall then returned to the home farm, but July 27, 1918, his career was interrupted when he went to Camp Jackson, South Carolina, to begin training for service in the World war. He became a sergeant of heavy artillery and was out six months, but the signing of the armistice terminated his service. On his return to his home he again took up farming, in which he has been engaged ever since with much success. Mr. Marshall is a republican, is a member of Bluffton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, belongs to the college fraternity of Alpha Zeta, and, with Mrs. Marshall, attends the Presbyterian Church. He was married February 22, 1918, to Miss Hazel Augsberger, who after her graduation from the Bluffton High School, class of 1914, was employed for three years as a teacher in the public schools. She is a daughter of W. C. and Belle (Lewis) Augsberger. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are the parents of one son, Herbert B., Jr., born August 22, 1919. JAMES HARRISON DUDGEON, who did a thriving business as a general merchant in Perry Township and was well known in different sections of Allen County and in other portions of northwestern Ohio, where he had been a farmer, business man and active citizen for a long period of years, was killed by a train December 16, 1920. He was born in Union Township of Auglaize County in April, 1848, son of Thomas and Lucinda (Fausset) Dudgeon. His parents were natives of Knox County, Ohio, but after their marriage settled on a farm in Auglaize County. The father died soon after the birth of James H., and his widow was afterward twice married. James H. Dudgeon had few opportunities to attend school. At the age of fourteen he was earning his own living and doing for himself, although he lived with his mother until he was twenty. In 1870, after his marriage, he remained at the old farm of his father for two years, and then went out to Wapello County, Iowa, and bought forty acres of prairie land. After farming it for four years he returned to Auglaize County, continuing farming there, and in 1890 moved to Allen County. For one year he worked out for others in Auglaize Township, and then lived on rented land in Perry Township for six years. Leaving the farm, Mr. Dudgeon bought some property at Lake View in Logan County and for eleven years conducated a feed and livery business and hotel in that town. He then returned to Perry Township and farmed a year, for two years was in the restaurant business at Venedocia, in Van Wert County, and then started a general mercantile store near there. After two years he returned to Allen County, was a merchant for a year, and in the fall of 1909 moved to Westminster Station, where he bought about two acres of land, built a store building, and did a very prosperous business as a general merchant and dealer in coal, oil and other supplies. While living at Lake View Mr. Dudgeon served as a member of the village council. He was a democrat in politics. April 10, 1870, Mr. Dudgeon married Sarah Blaine, Who was born in Auglaize County, daughter of John and Barbara Blaine. She was his wife and companion for twenty years, until her death in 1890, and she was the mother of the following children: William of Ashtabula County, Ohio; Samuel, who lives in Canada ; Emma Viola, Mrs. Bert Higbee of Auglaize County; Roy and Lewis, both of Auglaize Township; Blanch, deceased; Ona, Mrs. Otto Cook of Lima ; and Bessie, widow of Charles Harrod of Lima. In the spring of 1895 Mr. Dudgeon married Ann Elizabeth Douglas, a native of Auglaize County, and Edna, Mrs. Frank Pierce of Kenton, Ohio, is the daughter of his second wife. Mrs. Dudgeon died in 1900. In 1902 he married Mrs. Sarah Alice Lamb, a widow. 294 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY PETER MATTER. An instance of substantial citizenship and agricultural progressiveness is found in the career of Peter Matter, one of the industrious farmers of Allen County, whose well-cultivated acres are located two miles south of Bluffton in Richland Township. Mr. Matter has spent his entire career in this locality, having been born on his father's farm, near where he now makes his home, January 19, 1866, a son of Christian and Regina (Stauffer) Matter. Christian Matter was born in 1840 in Richland County, Ohio, and with his parents came to Allen County and settled in Richland Township, where he married Miss Stauffer, a native of Adams County, who had also accompanied her parents hither. They first settled four miles south of Bluffton, where they passed through the experiences of life in a new country, then moving to Hardin County, Ohio, for a time, and finally returning to Allen County and locating on the farm where their sons Peter and Henry Matter now live. There they hewed a home from the wilderness and passed the remaining years of their lives in agricultural pursuits. They were people who were highly esteemed in their community and were members of the Reformed Church, while Mr. Matter was a democrat in politics. They were the parents of twelve children: John, who is deceased; Samuel S. of near Bluffton, Richland Township; Daniel of Orange Township, Hancock County; Noah, engaged in farming near Bluffton ; Peter and Henry of Richland Township ; one child who died in infancy ; Theophilus, a farmer of Perry Township, Allen County ; Sarah, the wife of J. A. Walker of Lima ; Anna E., the wife of Joseph Gromann of Allen County; Arnold, who is deceased; and Catherine, the wife of Gideon Oberly of Allen County. Peter Matter was reared on the home farm where he now lives and secured his education in the district schools of Richland Township, remaining as his father's assistant until he reached the age of twenty- one years. For the three years that followed the attainment of his majority he was hired by his father at a yearly wage, after which he worked around at different places in the community until his marriage in 1900, to Sarah Badertscher, who was born in Richland Township May 30, 1873, a daughter of Mathias and Lydia (Augsberger) Badertscher, both parents being deceased. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Matter : Richard R., born April 8, 1901; Mabel M., born September 6, 1902, a graduate of the Bluffton High School ; Lillian M., born March 8, 1905, attending that school; and Carrie L., born March 26, 1907, and Earl L., born February 12, 1911, who are attending the graded schools. Following his marriage Mr. Matter settled on his present farm in Richland Township, where he now has 100 acres of valuable and highly improved land. In addition to being a general farmer he devotes his attention to the business of stock raising and has all kinds of high grade stock, especially Spotted Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle, his herd of cattle being headed by "Autumn Lad." Mr. Matter is a stockholder in the Bluffton Milling Company and is highly thought of in business circles of Bluffton and elsewhere, where he has numerous friends. In politics he is a democrat, and his religious affiliation is with the Reformed Church, in which he has served on various occasions as elder, deacon and trustee. HIRAM S. LOCHER, vice president of the Citizens National Bank of Bluffton, and one of the leading men of this part of Allen County, has fairly earned the prominence he now enjoys through his own efforts, and is in every way worthy of the confidence of his fellow citizens. He was born in Putnam County, Ohio, October 20, 1872, a son of Christ and Fannie (Lugibill) Locher. Christ Locher was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, and his wife was born in Putnam County, Ohio. When he was ten years old Christ Locher was brought to the United States by his parents, who located in Putnam County, Ohio, and there he was reared and educated, attending the district schools of his neighborhood. After his marriage Christ Locher settled down on a farm and was occupied with conducting it for many years, but finally retired and the last ten years of his life were spent in Bluffton, and he became one of the directors of the Commercial & Savings Bank after leaving the farm. Both he and his wife belonged to the Mennonite Church. In politics he was a democrat, and he was a township trustee and member of the School Board for some years. Nine children were born to him and his wife, as follows: Gideon, who is postmaster of Bluffton ; Hiram S., whose name heads this review ; Ephraim, who is superintendent for the Standard Oil Company at Roumania, Europe; Eli, a farmer of Richland Township, Allen County; Mary, who is the widow of Samuel Diller ; Cyrus, who is an attorney of Cleveland, Ohio; Samuel, who is a farmer of Putnam County, Ohio; Christ, who is a farmer of Putnam County, Ohio; and Milton, who is an attorney of Cleveland. Ohio. Hiram S. Locher was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of his neighborhood and Findlay College. For eight years after completing his educational training he was engaged in teaching school, and then went into business, handling clothing and shoes at Bluffton, and was so occupied for twenty years, when, in October, 1919, he disposed of his store to A. L. Baumgartner. He owns 155 acres of land located two miles north of Bluffton and his residence at 226 South Main street. At the time the Citizens National Bank was organized Mr. Locher was elected its vice president, and he still holds that responsible office, his connection with the bank giving it added solidity. On November 1, 1903, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Green, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, in June, 1883. Mrs. Locher attended the common and high schools of Bluffton, and after graduating from the latter she became a student of Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. Three children were born to Mr. Locher and his wife, namely : Anna R., on April 16, 1906; and Oliver and Olive, twins, on February 16, 1909. Mrs. Locher died June 20, 1918, firm in the faith of the Mennonite Church, to which Mr. Locher also belongs. In politics he is a democrat, but aside from casting his vote for the candidates of his party does not take much part in public matters. Gideon Locher, a brother of Hiram S. Locher, and postmaster of Bluffton, is another worthy representative of the Locher family at Bluffton. He was born in Putnam County, Ohio, June 16, 1868. He grew up on the homestead, attended the district schools and remained at home until he attained to his majority. His first business venture was operating a threshing outfit, and he continued in this line for four years, and then, coming to Bluffton, estab- HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 295 lished himself in a grain and wool business, and successfully carried it on for about ten years. His attention was then called to handling horses, and for a number of years he was profitably engaged in buying and selling horses. A prominent democrat, he received a reward for party services by being appointed in 1916 postmaster of Bluffton, which office he is still holding. On September 5, 1897, Gideon Locher was married to Grace Russell, who was born at Bluffton July 12, 1876. She is assistant postmistress. Mr. and Mrs. Locher have no children. Mr. Locher is a Mennonite and his wife belongs to the Disciples Church. Since he has been postmaster Mr. Locher had secured city delivery for Bluffton, added thirty families to the city, and secured permission to dispatch mail over the Ohio Electric Railroad. It was he who selected the site for the new postoffice, and in every way has been a• very efficient postmaster, and his reappointment June 4, 1920, met with almost universal approval. Cyrus Locher, another brother, is one of the eminent lawyers of the City of Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the law department of the University of Ohio, from which he was graduated, and entered upon a general practice at Cleveland. For two terms. he has served as county prosecutor. Milton Locher, still another brother, is also a lawyer of Cleveland, Ohio. He was graduated from the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and in law from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and then went to Cleveland and since then has been a practicing attorney of that city. HENRY CUPP. The annals of Allen County show many records of the lives of farmers who are rounding out the duties connected with agricultural pursuits, and who have amassed considerable fortunes gathered from the fertile soil of this part of Ohio. One who has met with remarkable and well-deserved success along these lines is Henry Cupp, an honored veteran of the Civil war, whose home farm of 240 acres is located in Monroe Township, three miles southeast of Columbus Grove, in addition to which he is the owner of 160 acres of land in Logan County. Mr. Cupp was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, February 25, 1843, a son of John and Anna (Miller) Cupp, natives of the same county. The parents were reared, educated and married in Rockingham County, where they received their education under private teachers of the day, and in 1847 came to Allen County, Ohio, and located on a farm in Monroe Township, on which they carried on agricultural operations until the death of Mr. Cupp, following which his widow removed to American Township, where she passed away. Mr. Cupp was a democrat, and a leading and influential citizen of Monroe Township, which he represented as a member of the Board of Trustees. He and his worthy wife were members of the Dunkard Church, in the work of which they were active, and were the parents of nine children, of whom four are living at this time: Susan, the widow of E. J. Cook, formerly a farmer of American Township ; Henry, of this notice; Abraham, who is engaged in farming in Logan County; and Barbara, the wife of Henry Seariosse of Beaver Dam, Ohio. Henry Cupp was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Allen County, where he acquired his educational training in the public schools of Monroe Township, and until twenty-one years of age acted as his father's associate in farming on the home place. During the war between the North and the South he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he was identified 100 days, and from which he secured his honorable discharge. In September, 1864, he returned to Monroe Township and taught one term in the school which he had attended in his boyhood, and then resumed his operations on the home place with his father. Mr. Cupp was married October 24, 1867, to Miss Mary A. Light, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 15, 1845, and came to Allen County with her parents as a maiden of seventeen years. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cupp settled on a farm of sixty acres in Monroe Township, and this formed the nucleus for their present splendid property, which, as before noted, consists of 240 acres in the home farm in Monroe Township and 160 acres in Logan County. Mr. Cupp is essentially a self-made man, as all that he owns has been secured through his own efforts, the only outside assistance which he received having been an inheritance of $2,500. He has been industrious, painstaking and persevering, and has directed the management of his interests in a practical and intelligent manner. He early won the respect and esteem of those with whom he came into contact, and his reputation for integrity and fair dealing has been maintained throughout his career. Mr. Cupp has served his community in the capacity of township assessor for one year and has been an advocate of progressive measures where they have applied to the welfare of his community. He and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Rockport Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Cupp has been one of the elders for many years, a liberal supporter of its movements and very active in church and Sunday school work. In politics he is a staunch republican. He belongs to Ogilvie Post No. 64, Grand Army of the Republic. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cupp: Lena A., the wife of D. R. Palmer ; Cora B., the wife of Harry Maple; John 0., who is engaged in farming operations in Monroe Township ; Henry C. and Mary May, who reside with their parents ; Lulu L., the wife of David W. Core ; and Walter J., who is engaged in farming in Monroe Township. GEORGE L. SNIDER has lived to fourscore years, and these long years have been accompanied by substantial achievement. As a resident of Allen County for half a century he is widely known and esteemed. Mr. Snider though retired from the burdens of agriculture is still living in his home in Perry Township, on rural route No. 5 out of Lima. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, May 9, 1840, son of George N. and Rhoda (Schofield) Snider. Daniel Snider, his grandfather, moved his family out of Pennsylvania with wagon and team and settled in Perry County, Ohio, in 1805. George N. Snider was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and grew up in the pioneer section of Perry County. His wife was born in Maryland, and her parents, Elijah and Mrs. (Farmer) Schofield, natives of that state, also came across country at an early date to Perry County. George N. Snider after his marriage settled on a farm in Perry County, but in 1875 sold 296 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY out and joined some of his children in Allen County. George L. Snider was the youngest of ten children and is the only survivor. He acquired his education in the common schools of Perry County and on February 8, 1862, at the age of twenty-two married Delila Roberts. She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Catherine (Horn) Roberts. Her parents were natives either of Maryland or of Virginia. After his marriage Mr. Snider lived with his father about three years, then moved to the farm of his wife's father, and four years later sold forty acres he owned in that section of Ohio and moved to Allen County. His first home in this county was in Jackson Township, where he bought 100 acres, partly improved. He had most of the land in cultivation before he sold the farm to his father. He then bought 100 acres in Auglaize Township and as his prosperity justified he added more land until at one time he had 212 acres. Subsequently he sold out portions of this, and in August, 1920, he sold the remainder, 120 acres, and thus relieved of the cares and responsibilities of property management, he lives with his son George in Perry Township. He is an active member and deacon of the Church of the Brethren and a republican voter. Mr. and Mrs. Snider had a large family of children : Amanda, Mrs. Monroe Thayer, of Lima ; Solomon, who died in February, 1920, leaving a widow in Jackson Township; Mary, deceased; Rhoda, Mrs. Isaac Mowrey, of Jackson Township ; George A., of Perry Township ; Della, Mrs. Solomon Lehmer, of Los Angeles, California ; Malinda, Mrs. Ira Buck, of Franklin Grove, Illinois ; Jesse, who lives in California ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Robert Clark, of Mount Morris, Illinois; and Whitney, who was the eighth in order of birth, died at the age of sixteen years. JOHN M. DECKER. One of the dependable men of Spencerville, who has built up a large and flourishing business of his own as a cement contractor, is John M. Decker, well known over Allen County. He manufactures all of his own work and cement building material, and is recognized as one of the leaders in his line. Mr. Decker was born in Logan Township, Auglaize County, on July 20, 1867, a son of Isaac and Margaret (Richardson) Decker, the latter a daughter of Rev. Daniel Richardson, a minister of the Christian Church. She was born in Logan Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, and he was born in Pennsylvania in 1834, but came to Auglaize County at an early day and continued to live there until his death in 1895. She survives him and makes her home at Lima, Ohio. Both belonged to the Christian Church. In his political belief Isaac Decker was independent. He and his wife had the following children : Elnora, who married William Berryman of California ; Viora, who is the wife of Charles Fletcher of Lima, Ohio ; Victoria, who is the wife of Frank M. Harvey of Spencerville, Ohio ; and John M., who was the youngest. Growing up on the homestead, John M. Decker remained at home until he was twenty-three years old, and in the meanwhile attended the local schools. He was married to Naomi Rider, who was born in Allen County, Ohio, in April, 1874, a daughter of Henry Rider. Her mother's maiden name was Anna Fryer. Mrs. Decker attended the public schools of her native county. Mr. and Mrs. Decker became the parents of the following children: Lethea A., who was born July 30, 1891, married Samuel Rhorbach of Spencerville; Oches, who was born on March 9, 1893, married Leroy Reed; Harold, the child artist, who married Hazel Crumrine, was born March 5, 1896; and Edna N., who was born February 3, 1914, is attending the public schools. Realizing the opening offered by the increased use of cement, Mr. Decker went into this line of business and is doing a large amount of contract work, for he is recognized as a leader in his line in the county. Both he and his wife belong to the Reformed Church. He is a member of Deep Cut Lodge No. 311, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand, and his wife is a member of the Rebekahs, in which she is a past grand and present secretary. She also belongs to the Maccabees, and is serving that organization as collector. Mr. and Mrs. Decker are very popular and are not only held in the highest esteem by their fellow lodge members, but also by the community at large. SAMUEL B. EARLY. As far back as there are any records of the human race agriculture has been the basic industry, and with the development of civilization nothing has been brought to light to change this, for upon the tilling of the soil and the raising of stock depend the very life of the people. Therefore from the beginning of the world until the present the farmer has occupied a very important position in the life of his community, and this is specially true in those localities where the soil is fertile, the water courses abundant, and conditions are in every way favorable for this industry. Such conditions do prevail in Allen County, and therefore many of the most representative men are devoting themselves to agricultural activities, among them being Samuel B. Early, who owns 198 acres of valuable land in American Township, and eighty acres in Bath Township. Samuel B. Early was born in Sugar Creek Township, Allen County, Ohio, April 15, 1848, a son of Jacob and Mary (Simmons) Early. Jacob Early came to Allen County in 1839 from the Shenandoah Valley in Rockingham County, Virginia, bringing with him his two small children, Noah and Isaac, and making the trip with horses and wagon. He located in Sugar Creek Township, where he bought 160 acres of land in the woods, and this he cleared himself. Later he bought eighty acres more, his first purchase being made from a Mr. Gander, and the last one from a Mr. Pretty. Other children were born to him and his wife, they having nine in all, seven sons and two daughters, and of them all Samuel B. Early was the seventh in order of birth. Jacob Early died in 1903 at the age of about eighty- eight years, his wife having passed away in 1868, aged sixty-eight years. Like the majority of the farmers' sons in his neighborhood Samuel B. Early was sent to the district schools in the winter months, and in the summer ones helped in the farm work. When he reached his majority he began working for other farmers, and going to Illinois spent a year in Menard County. Returning to the homestead, he remained on it, buying 160 acres of it at the time of his marriage, and since then has added to this property. He has since been engaged in operating his farm and has one of the most valuable ones in the county. He takes great pride in keeping everything nice and up-to-date, HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 297 and his premises show that an experienced man is the owner. Mr. Early carries on general farming, and raises cattle, sheep and hogs. In politics he is a republican. The Dunkard Church holds his membership and receives his financial aid. In 1870 Mr. Early was married to Emeline King, a daughter of Aaron and Christine (Plank) King, who bore him thirteen children. She died May 14, 1896. In 1899 Mr. Early was married to Elizabeth Wenger of Augusta County, Virginia, and their children are as follows: Carrie B., Fleta C. and Henry S. JOHN HENRY CHAPMAN is one of the oldest residents of Perry Township, and has had one farm in that township for over sixty years, and almost continuously until recently, when he retired, managed it as a productive unit in Allen County agriculture. Mr. Chapman, whose name is regarded with special esteem in this county, was born rn Butler County, Ohio, August 16, 1834, son of Lewis and Catherine (McTagert) Chapman. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, John Chapman, was a pioneer settler in Indiana. The maternal grandparents, Henry siand Isabel (Tiger) McTagert, came on the same ship to New York, being six weeks on the sea. They were married soon after reaching this country, in 1802 came west by the Ohio River and settled in Butler County, Ohio. Lewis and Catherine Chapman moved to Allen County in June, 1837, when their son John Henry was three years old. As pioneers they entered Government land in Perry Township in sections 26. The father paid $40 for forty acres, a payment which took all his capital except $8. That balance he loaned to a needy friend and it was never repaid. Lewis Chapman did not have many years to carry on his work as a pioneer settler of Allen County. He was born in 1800 and died in 1845. His widow, who was born in 1798, survived him many years, passing away in 1878. Their children were: Hiram Burns and Andrew J., both deceased; and John Henry. John Henry Chapman had only such advantages as were afforded by the subscription schools of his locality in Perry Township. He has improved his opportunities, has always been a deep Bible student, and since 1880 has been a licensed preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has filled all the church offices. On September 23, 1858, he married Eliza Ann Berry, who was born in Madison County, Ohio, April 16, 1838, daughter of John C. Berry. In the meantime Mr. Chapman had acquired 100 acres of land in section 35 of Perry Township. He moved to that land after his marriage. It was covered with heavy timber and year after year when the crops were gathered he went into the woods with his axe and cleared away additional lands for cultivation. He also put up the necessary buildings, and that farm has been his home continuously for more than sixty years, though during 1862-63 he lived at Roundhead in Hardin County and conducted a general merchandise business. Mr. Chapman continued to be active on his farm until about 1917. He has sold all his land to his sons except about forty acres, including the old homestead. Mr. Chapman had a large family of children: Alice, widow of C. M. Shaffer, living in Ellington, Florida ; Louis, of Perry Township ; Addie May, Mrs. F. K. Sidner of Perry Township ; Albert and Ulysses, both deceased; Frank H., a resident of Lima; Lutrella, deceased; Orville, of Omaha, Nebraska ; Ira T., who was the seventh in age, now superintendent of the public schools of New Brunswick, New Jersey; Elsie, Mrs. Charles McCabe of Toledo ; and Claude E., who lives on the home farm with his father. Mr. Chapman is a republican in politics. He has taken an intelligent interest in local affairs and served as a member of the School Board for more than thirty years. For three years he also held the office of justice of the peace. TIMOTHY CHARLES O'BRIEN. Not only are the railroads the forerunners of civilization, but they are the foundation upon which rests the maintenance of all modern progress. Without them and their successful operation mankind would lapse back into a state of barbarism, and millions would perish because of a lack of the absolute necessities of life. Without the railroads coal cannot be moved, industries must close, crops rot in the fields, communication between distant points cease, and chaos reign. Within recent years the problems confronting the men in authority of the various railroads of the country have multiplied until the solving of them require the abilities of men of the highest intelligence and long experience. Such an important industry cannot be run by theory, stern practicality has to control. Therefore as never before in railroad history do the men who are promoted have to possess a superior order of qualifications, and when they are put in positions of grave responsibility the fact is taken for granted that they do possess these necessary characteristics, natural and cultivated, or they would not be there. One of these men who is measuring up to the requirements of his position in a remarkable manner, and also holding his place in his community as a good citizen, is Timothy Charles O'Brien, superintendent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops at Lima. Timothy ,Charles O'Brien was born at Lima in 1879, a son of P. W. and Bridget (Noonan) O'Brien. The O'Brien family is of Irish ancestry but has long been established in this country, and the men have been practical mechanics. P. W. O'Brien was also engaged in railroading. He and his excellent wife became the parents of seven children, and of them all Timothy Charles O'Brien was the fifth in order of birth. Growing up at Lima, he was given the advantages offered by St. Rose parochial school until he was fitted for earning his own living, leaving school when he had completed the first year of the high school course. At that time he was fourteen years old and he was apprenticed by his practical father to learn the boilermaker trade in the shops of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company at Lima, and he remained with that road for seven years and thoroughly learned his trade. He was then with the Lake Erie Railroad for two years as a journeyman boilermaker, leaving it for the Big Four Railroad shops at Bellefontaine and Delaware, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana, spending six months in each place, and doing the same class of work. Returning to Lima, he spent six months in the Lima Locomotive Works, still working at his trade. Going back to the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton shops, he worked as a journeyman boilermaker for two years, and then, in 1907, went to the Lake Erie shops as a 298 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY journeyman boilermaker and assistant foreman, resigning this position in 1908 to go with the Star Iron Works of Lima as foreman, and held that position for six months. He was then offered and accepted the position of boilermaker and inspector for the Ohio Oil Company in Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey and Oklahoma, and remained with this concern for eighteen months. Once more he returned to Lima, and was foreman of the boiler department of the Lake Erie Railroad for two years. For the subsequent two and one-half years he was inspector of the motive power and general inspector of the boilers of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Transferred to Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. O'Brien was general inspector of western lines west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for two and one-half years, and then, in 1915, w, as made general superintendent of the Lima shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and has 1,700 men under his supervision. In 1914 Mr. O'Brien was united in marriage with Josephine Kruse, a daughter of William and Anna (Lautman) Kruse, of Lima, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have two children, John Charles and Anna Mary. While in a general way Mr. O'Brien supports the principles of the democratrc party, he prefers to cast his vote for the man, and so retains his independence in politics. He belongs to St. Gerard's Catholic Church of Lima. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, both of Lima. A sound, reliable and experienced man, Mr. O'Brien has risen to his present position from the bottom rung of the ladder of success and knows just what to expect of his men and how to accomplish good results for his road. As a citizen he is held in high esteem, for he has a keen sense of civic responsibility and takes a deep and abiding pride in the place of his birth and the scene of so much of his successful endeavor. SAMUEL S. BIXEL. Among the properties of Richland Township which have won distinction as producers of agricultural products and live stock, one worthy of mention is the Daylight Farm, a tract of eighty acres situated four miles west and one mile north of Bluffton. The proprietor of this farm, Samuel S. Bixel, is one of the progressive and energetic farmers and stockmen of his community, and has combined practical ideas with an intelligent use of modern methods in bringing about the development of a first-class property. Mr. Bixel was born in Richland Township, Allen County, May 18, 1875, a son of Abraham and Magdalena (Schumacher) Bixel. His father was born in 1843 in Holmes County, Ohio, and was reared one mile north of Bluffton, where he was married in 1865 to Miss Schumacher, who had been born in Richland Township in 1842. Following their marriage they resided on a farm there until 1883, in which year Mr. Bixel purchased the old Schumacher farm of 196 acres, on which Mrs. Bixel had been born and reared. There they made their home and continued to be engaged in agricultural operations until their retirement rn 1904, when they moved to their home at Pandora. Mr. Bixel is a democrat in politics, and he and his wife are worthy and highly respected people of their community and active members of the Mennonite Church. Abraham Bixel came of a family in which there were sixteen children, and in the family of his wife there were the same number, all of whom grew up and had large families of their own. To Mr. and Mrs. Bixel there were born twelve children, of whom nine are living: Dr. Peter D., of Pandora ; D. C., a jeweler of Bluffton ; Noah, of Pandora ; Lizzie, the wife of P. C. Steiner ; John W., a professor at Tacoma, Washington; Samuel S.; Adam, a jeweler of Pandora; Menno, of the Dixie Garage, Bluffton; and Susie, the wife of Abraham Smith, conducting a mission at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Samuel S. Bixel attended the district schools of his native locality and spent one year at the Bluffton High School, following which he began assisting his father in the cultivation of the home place. He was married in 1900 to Miss Ellen Niswander, who was born in Putnam County, Ohio, and educated in the public schools there, and to this union there were born eight children: Stanley, a graduate of the Pandora High School, class of 1920; Edgar, also a graduate of that school; Odessa, who is attending high school; and Hildah, Phares, Savilla, Magdalena and Dorothea, who are attending the graded schools. After his marriage Mr. Bixel began operations on his own account, and at this time has one of the handsome and well-developed properties of Richland Township, the Daylight Stock Farm, on which he makes a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle. He has substantial buildings, modern improvements and complete equipment, and carries on all transactions in a manner that gives him a substantial place in public confidence. Mr. Bixel is a stockholder in the First National Bank at Pandora, where he also has an interest in a store. As a citizen he has always contributed willingly to all movements making for civic betterment. With the members of his family he belongs to the Mennonite Church, where he has rendered long and efficient service in the capacity of church treasurer. PETER C. HERR. The career of Peter C. Herr of Richland Township has been one of constant and consistent advancement, starting from the time that he was a hired hand and gradually developing into his ownership of a well-cultivated and valuable farm situated two miles north of Bluffton. Mr. Herr has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded well upon the foundation of integrity, industry and good citizenship. He is a native of Riley Township, Putnam County, Ohio, born July 8, 1869, a son of Christian and Fannie (Basinger) Herr. Christian Herr was born January 10, 1848, and was married in 1867, to Fannie Basinger, born in Richland Township, Allen County, January 21, 1846. Following their marriage the parents located on a farm in Riley Township, Putnam County, where they passed the remainder of their long and honorable lives, developing a good property, rearing their family and winning and holding the respect and esteem of their neighbors. The father died December 3, 1910, and the mother June 27, 1916, both in the faith of the Reformed Mennonite Church, in which Mr. Herr was an official. They were the parents of the following children : David, born January 25, 1868, died May 18, 1893, married January 21, 1892, Anna Amstutz, and had one child ; Peter C., of this notice ; Noah C., born September 23, 1871, a resident of Mexico City, Mexico ; Sem, born October 2, 1873, died December 9, 1910, married August 31, 1905, Tillie Leichly of Silverton, Oregon, where both he and his wife passed away, leaving one. child, HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 299 Clarence, born May 31, 1906; Daniel J., born September 23, 1875, who married March 20, 1904, Lavina Burkholder and has six children; Sarah, born April 11, 1877, the wife of Amos C. Geiger ; Lizzie, born October 11, 1878, who married September 24, 1901, Calvin Diller of Richland Township and died November 20, 1902, leaving one child, Emery P., born November 2, 1902; Mary, the wife of Ira Moser ; Fannie, born May 4, 1886, who died December 8, 1910; and Ella, born August 4, 1889, who died September 19, 1905. Peter C. Herr was reared on farms in Putnam and Allen counties, in the meantime securing his educational training in the district schools, and resided at home as his father's associate until he reached the age of twenty-one years. At that time his father began to pay him $17.50 per month, and he continued to work thus for a year, at the end of which time he learned the trade of carpenter, to which he applied himself for four years. Mr. Herr was married March 19, 1895, to Barbara Diller, who was born in Richland Township, Allen County, May 24, 1874, and to this union there were born the following children: Eddie, born February 2, 1896, now a resident of Dayton ; Milo, born March 6, 1898, a graduate of the Bluffton High School, who attended Bluffton College for two years ; Barbara V., born October 15, 1901, a graduate of the Bluffton High School, class of 1920; Nelson, born October 24, 1903, attending that school; Kermit, born October 7, 1907; and Vidella, born January 23, 1910. Following his marriage Mr. Herr again turned his attention to farming, to which vocation he has since devoted his energies. He has succeeded in developing a productive and profitable property, located two miles north of Bluffton in Richland Township, and is impressing himself upon his community as a man of agricultural ability and sound ideas. He is one of the stockholders of the Farmers Elevator at Bluffton, and in business circles is known as a man of integrity. In politics a democrat, for four years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of Richland Township, and at this time he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the First Mennonite Church, of which Mrs. Herr is also an active and helpful member. PERRY F. HEIDLEBAUGH. The proprietorship of the East View Farm of 160 acres in section 32 and 33 in Marion Township constitutes Mr. Heidlebaugh one of the highly successful farmers of Allen County, but in addition his interests have extended to some of the broader affairs of his community and his initiative and public spirit have helped sustain and promote several of the business organizations in which his fellow farmers and other citizens are vitally interested. Mr. Heidlebaugh, whose farm home is three miles east and two miles south of Delphos, on rural route No. 1, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, March 22, 1856, son of Noah and Rosanna (Merick) Heidlebaugh. His parents were also natives of Hocking County, his father born December 25, 1832, and his mother November 9, 1834. They grew up in the same community, attended the same district school and were married in 1855. For two years they lived on a farm in their native county and then moved to Illinois, in which state they had their home until Noah Heidlebaugh entered the Union army. He enlisted rather late in the war and hostilities ceased before he saw active service. In the meantime his wife and children had returned to Hocking County, where he rejoined them, and he remained there an active farmer until 1872, in which year he moved to Allen County and lived in Marion Township, but subsequently went to Putnam County and died there January 30, 1893. He was a man of superior education and for a number of years taught school in Hocking County. At one time he held the office of township clerk and was an active democrat. His wife was a Methodist. In their family were eleven children, Willard dying in infancy, while the ten that reached mature years were : Perry F.; Harriet, born December 23, 1857, is the wife of Peter Stemen ; Maria, born November 3, 1859, and unmarried; Martin, born September 9, 1861, is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, for many years was prominent in the Methodist ministry but is now living retired at West Plains, Missouri; Albert, born November 10, 1864, died in November, 1919 ; Minerva, born August 21, 1866, is the widow of John Downing; Amos, born January 29, 1869, died September 6, 1897; Newton. born August 17, 1871, lives in Hamilton County, Ohio ; William A., born October 28, 1873, entered the army at the time of the Spanish-American war, served three years and is now a rural mail carrier ; John, born August 25, 1876, was also for three years in the army, beginning at the time of the Spanish-American war and now lives in Hocking County. Perry F. Heidlebaugh grew up on a farm in Hocking County and was about eighteen years of age when he came to Allen County. He had a common school education, and at the age of nineteen began working out as a farm hand. August 13, 1878, he married Elizabeth E. Brenneman, a daughter of David and Leah (Stemen) Brenneman. Her parents were born and were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, and soon afterward came to Allen County, where they entered land in Marion Township. They were highly respected and useful citizens of that community the rest of their lives and were active in the Mennonite Church. David Brenneman was a republican. Of the five children in the Brenneman family three are still living : Lydia, wife of Henry Chandler ; Mrs. Elizabeth Heidlebaugh ; and Samuel S., of Marion Township. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Heidlebaugh, but the first died in infancy. The other two are Marion B. and Leah Olive, wife of E. D. Howard, both being in Marion Township. Mr. Heidlebaugh has given allegiance to the democratic party. He has also given some very efficient service to public office, serving as township trustee nearly seven years and also as a member of the School Board. He is now president of the Delphos Equity Exchange Company, and is a stockholder in the National and the Commercial banks at Delphos. Marion B. Heidlebaugh, his son, is a successful farmer whose well-developed stock farm of forty acres lies in Marion Township, three miles southeast of Delphos, on rural route No. 1. He was born in the same township June 3, 1880, grew up on the homestead and made good use of his advantages in the local schools. August 27, 1903, he married Goldie Redd, a daughter of J. W. and Emma (Herring) Redd. They have three children : William, born June 13, 1904; Breta, born May 17, 1906, and Albert, born January 20, 1917. Marion Heidlebaugh and wife are members of the