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662 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. MONROE TOWNSHIP. JACOB ALTSTETTER, farmer, P. O. West Cairo, was born February 21, 1811, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, son of George F. and Elizabeth (Bauer) Altstetter, the former of whom died in 1818 in his fifty-third year, the latter in 1849 in her seventy-third year. Their children were : George L. (deceased, leaving a family in Hessen-Darmstadt), Mrs. Magdalene Miller (deceased, leaving a daughter in Delphos, Ohio), George F. (deceased, leaving a family at Delphos), Peter (deceased, leaving a family residing in Monroe Township, this county), Philip (deceased, leaving a family in Wiesbaden, Germany), Jacob and Mrs. Elizabeth Buedinger (a widow residing in Delphos, Ohio). Jacob Altstetter received his education under the compulsory school law of his " fatherland and served six years at the cabinet-maker's trade with his uncle. In 1832 he came to America, landing at Baltimore, August 28. He worked at Hagerstown, Md. for a time, and in 1834 came with a party to Cincinnati, Ohio, soon removing to Dayton, Ohio, thence to Salem, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he worked at his trade, and was married October 26, 1835, to Miss Catharine Bucher, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Bucher, natives of Vermont, but very early settlers in Ohio. Mr. Altstetter located upon forty acres in Section 19, Monroe Township, this county, receiving a patent from the Government and paying therefor the sum of $50. In this isolated spot he built a hewed-log cabin, worked at his trade and made a clearing in the wilderness. Seven years later he purchased the first horse he ever owned, his neighbors, in the meantime, doing the necessary teaming for him, he exchanging work with them. In 1846 he delivered at Delphos his crop of oats at six cents, and corn at ten cents per bushel. Notwithstanding the scarcity of money at that time be deprived himself of the necessities of life, rather than run into debt, and by adhering closely to that rule he is one of the most substantial citizens of his township. His children, thirteen in nnmber, were Mrs. Elizabeth (Naas) Roederer, living in Bath Township ; George F.; John, died at twenty-four years of age of typhoid fever ; Mrs. Susanna Haas, living in Dayton, Ohio ; Mrs. Sarah Zulinger, living in Lima ; George L., living in Monroe Township ; Michael, residing in Bath Township ; Mrs. Maria M. Rummel, residing in Monroe Township ; Mrs. Louisa Haas, residing in Monroe Township ; Catharine, at home, single ; Bertha, died at nineteen years of age ; Philip J., single, residing in Dayton, Ohio ; and Frederika A., died at two years of age. Mr. Altstetter was one of six men who organized the Evangelical Society and built the first church, in 1856, since which time he has been one of its pillars ; he assisted in building the first schoolhouses of the neighborhood, and has always taken a great interest in educational affairs. He was one of the first to engage in the nursery business in the county, the propagation of fancy fruits, trees and hedging, much of the seed used MONROE TOWNSHIP - 663 being sent from Germany. George Ludwig, his son, was married in Montgomery County, Ohio, November 9, 1871, to Margaret A. Olt, who was born February 24, 1849, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, daughter of Adam and Eve (Orth) Oldt (deceased), and to this union were born seven children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are Eva B., Catharine L., Margaret A. and Louis M. George Altstetter has been chosen by the voters of his township for various offices of trust. He is one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of Monroe Township, taking an active part in the improvement of agriculture and stock. The family are members of the Evangelical Church in which he is superintendent of the Sunday-school. GEORGE FREDERICK ALTSTETTER, farmer, P. O., West Cairo, was born January 26, 1838, in Allen County, Ohio; was married, October 18, 1806, to Elizabeth Krouse, who was born August 18, 1846, in Richland County, Ohio. Her father, John Krouse, was born September 11, 1820, in Beckenbach, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America in August, 1831, with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Roder) Krouse, who died in Putnam County, Ohio, after a residence in Richland County, Ohio, of several years. The mother of Mrs. A ltstetter, Margaret (Stein) Krouse, was born May 21, 1815, in Hessen-Darmstadt, and landed in Baltimore in July, 1834. Her parents were Adam and Margaret (Young) Stein, the latter of whom died in her native land, the former came to America in 1834. Mrs. Krouse is the only one living of the family ; her brothers Adam and Christopher left families in Richland County, Ohio. Henry and Elizabeth (Roder) Krouse had ten children : John; Adam, living with family in Putnam County, Ohio ; Mrs. Catharine S. Clevenger, and Mrs. Margaret Clevenger, also in Putnam County ; Christopher, living with family in Arkansas ; Henry, with family in Putnam County ; Mrs. Elizabeth Clevenger, with family in Illinois ; Peter (deceased, leaving a daughter in Nebraska) ; Mrs. Susanna Ripley (deceased, without issue) ; and Mrs. Nancy Goodman, with family in Putnam County, Ohio. To our subject and wife were born the following children : John, born July 21, 1867 ; Charles, born May 21, 1872, and George F., born April 10, 1876. Mr. Altstetter is a man of prominence in his township. He and his family are connected with the Evangelical Church. J. S. CLIPPINGER, physician and surgeon, West Cairo, was born May 30, 1840, in Butler County, Ohio ; son of Humphrey and Sarah A. (Jacques) Clippinger, who moved to this county in 1841, settling in Shawnee Township, about four miles from Lima. where the former followed farming and carpentering: Humphrey Clippenger is said to have started the first nursery in the county, and after moving to Lima was engaged largely in building, the machine shops at that place being among the important contracts. His wife was killed near Dayton, Ohio, in a railroad collision, in the latter part of the year 1863. They were parents of nine children : Mary (deceased at the age of eighteen years) ; Mrs. C. M. Hughs (a widow) ; Mrs. Susie M. Seaver, a resident of Toledo ; S.; Mrs. Sarah J. (Kiplinger) Stiles, in Washington, D. C., where her husband holds a government position ; Samuel D., a member of Company G, One Hundred and Eighty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer 664 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Infantry, killed at Atlanta, Ga.; Mrs. Adelia Nye, in Wisconsin ; A. H., in Streator, Ill.; and Mrs. A. B. Raitt, in Pierce City, Mo. Humphrey Clippinger's second marriage was in 1865, with Mary Delap, who bore him three children, all now living : Clifford, Fred and Edward ; last named being a prominent resident of Joplin, Mo. Our subject attended the common schools, and assisted his father until the spring of 1860, when he began the study of medicine with Drs. Ashton and Kinkead of Lima, and graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati in the spring of 1863. The same year he located at St. Mary's, Ohio, where he remained four years, when he returned to Lima and engaged in mercantile business, until 1869, in which year he commenced his profession at West Cairo, where he now resides, making a specialty of the diseases of children. The Doctor is a member of the Northwestern Medical Association, and has been prominently identified with the educational and municipal progress of the village, having been elected, to the office of mayor two terms, and is now a member, of the town council. He was married in 1870, to Emma A., daughter of William and Hulda S. (Howey) Reeder. They have one child, Lowell M., born July 20, 1871. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he is an officer. In politics he is a Democrat. WILLIAM Mc. CRANE, farmer, P. 0. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born February 18, 1809, in Colerain Township, Ross County, Ohio, where he lived until thirty-two years of age, son of James and Margaret (McClure) Crane, former born about 1762, died in 1844, latter born in 1766, near Harrisburg, Penn., died in 1843. Their children were Sarah (deceased wife of Joshua Hall, leaving a family in Hocking County, Ohio), Jane (wife of Robert M. McCartney, died leaving a family in Noble County, Ind.), Mary (wife of Dumah Bartlett, died leaving a family in Adelphi, Ross County, Ohio), Margaret (deceased, unmarried), Mrs. Rebecca Bartlett (died leaving a family at Adelphi), James (deceased, was engaged in the furniture businesss at Circleville, Ohio, where he left a family), and William Me. Our subject commenced the cabinet-maker's trade, working at it three years, then engaged in business with his brother at Adelphi, Ohio, where they continued thirteen years. He then came to this county in 1840, where he entered eighty acres of his present farm, and purchased forty acres of a Mr. Maberry, where there was a little clearing. Here he endured the trials and hardships of pioneer life, doing odd jobs at his trade to secure the necessaries of life. Mr. Crane was married, May 28, 1837, to Susan Swinehart. who was born April 3, 1818, near Adelphi, Ohio, daughter of Anthony and Susan (Frederick) Swinehart, natives of Pennsylvania, and who settled in a very early day in Ross County. (They had three sons and six daughters, all of whom had families but one daughter. Those now living are Rebecca, wife of Enoch Pertee in McLean County, Ill.; Sarah, widow of Jacob Will, of Vinton County, Ohio; Daniel, residing near Ligonier, Ind.; Susan, Caroline, wife of William Kieffer, residing near Decatur, Ill.; Mary, widow of John Layton, in Springfield, Ohio). To our subject and wife were born Jane (wife of John Whitis of Macon, Mo.), Elmira (deceased in young womanhood), Sarah, James A., Margaret (deceased wife of Harrison Turner, MONROE TOWNSHIP - 665 leaving a family in Harvey County, Kans.), Mary (wife of John Marshall, residing near Columbus Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Crane are members of Rockport Presbyterian Church, in which he was the first elder. ROBERT E. DAVIS, general merchant, and ex-mayor of West Cairo, was born November 10, 1852, on Paddy's Run, Butler County, Ohio; son of David D. and Elizabeth (Evans) Davis. David D. Davis, born in 1821, in Wales, immigrated to America in 1842, settling in Butler County, Ohio, where he married Elizabeth Evans, a native of that county and daughter of John and Sarah (Nicholas) Evans, the former a native of Wales, the latter a native of America, and sister of Squire Nicholas, of Gower, Ohio. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education in this county, remaining on the farm until sixteen years of age, after which he received three months' schooling. At seventeen years of age he engaged as clerk in the dry goods store of J. H. Dague, of Lima, where be remained for a time, when he was employed in the store of J. C. Thompson, remaining until the spring of 1878, when he came to West Cairo, and engaged in merchandising in partnership with John B. Morris, until early in the year 1882. In June of that year he formed a partnership with N. M. Johnson, with whom he continued until January 1, 1884, since which time he has carried on the business himself. Mr. Davis was married December 14, 1875, to Esther Neff, a native of Lima, this county, and daughter of John G. and Catharine (Faurot) Neff. By this marriage he has two children: Elsie May, and Donald. Our subject was a member of the town council for a term; was chosen to fill the office of mayor, made vacant by the resignation of David Hartzog, and at the expiration of that term, he was elected to the office, which term expired April 1, 1885. He was also president of the township school board, and assistant chairman of township committee. In politics he is a Republican. DANIEL EVERSOLE, farmer, P. 0. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born April 14, 1833, in Sandusky County, Ohio, son of Peter and Rebecca (Snyder) Eversole, natives of Perry County, Ohio, former a son of Peter and Nancy (Shelhorn) Eversole; latter a daughter of Daniel Snyder. They had seven children: Eliza (wife of Elijah Helser, in Jackson Township, this county), Catharine (widow of John McCarty, in Perry County, Chio, with her family), Frances (wife of Henry Hersey, farmer in Noble County, Ind.), Nancy (deceased wife of Jacob Helser, also deceased, in Perry County, Ohio), Rebecca (wife of William Wolf in Fairfield County, Ohio), Lemuel (farmer in Jackson Township, this county), and Daniel. The parents dying when our subject was about three years of age, he was then taken back to his native county, where his uncle raised him, and for whom he worked, receiving through him a very meager education. At sixteen years of age Mr. Eversole was bound out for three years to learn blacksmithing, having two weeks each harvest in which he could work in order to earn spending money for the whole year. At nineteen years of age he went to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he worked one year at his trade at $12.25 per month. The following year he came to this county, locating near Lafayette where he followed his trade several years. In 1858 he moved to a piece of land where there was a small clearing. On January 10, 666 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 1857, Mr. Eversole was married to Malvina Tompkins, who was born November 25, 1837, near Lima, Ohio, daughter of Abel and Elizabeth (Heindel) Tompkins, who arrived at Lima, from Marion County, Ohio, on election day of President Jackson's second term. They had twelve children, eight of whom died in infancy. Those living are William H. (married in August, 1879, to Jane Searfoss, by whom he has two children, Earl and Charles), Francis M. (married in February, 1880, to Sadie Allen, of Putnam County, Ohio, by whom he has one child, Mary M.), John H. and Walter H. William H. and Francis M. are farming along with their father. Mr. Eversole came to his present home in March, 1866, where he has accumulated a large and well-kept farm of 320 acres. Mrs. Eversole's parents are stilh living, the father born March 14, 1799, the mother October 15, 1801. Of their fourteen children two are living: Mrs. Eversole and Eleanor (wife of Theophilus Raines, by whom she has a family of five children). Mr. Eversole is a man of enterprise and prominence among the people of the township in which he lives, having been chosen to fill the offices of trustee and treasurer, which latter he now holds. He was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Ohio National Guards, doing duty at Washington, D. C., resisting Gen. Earlysis attack on that city. He takes much interest in educational and religious matters. In politics he is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Christian Church. FRANK EWING, physician and surgeon, West Cairo, was born May 19, 1843, in Trumbull County, Ohio, son of John A. and Elizabeth (Clemmens) Ewing, the former a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, the latter a native of Pennsylvania. They moved to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1850 where they engaged in farming. Their children were Mrs. Sarah J. Walker, residing near Ada, Ohio; Alexander C., residing near Bluffton, this county; Frank; Thomas C., who fell in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain in 1864, while fighting nobly in the western army; Myron J., professor of natural sciences rn Ada Normal College; Mrs. Eliza A. Miller, residing near Bluffton, this county. The father of our subject was twice married, on second occasion to Mary Battles of Hancock County, Ohio, and by this union were born five children: Flora, Chase, Calvin, Nettie D., and Cora. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject, Daniel Clemmens, who is mentioned in the history of the Revolution, was Gen. Washington's cook. Dr. Ewing's educational advantages were not great until his seventeenth year, when he began teaching, closely applying himself to study until August 11, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under General Thomas. He participated in numerous deadly battles, and saw considerable hospital service in wound dressing, &c. until discharged July 26, 1865. Returning home he engaged in teaching, traveling and laboring as a lumberman in the lumber regions of northern Michigan for his health, and attending school until 1867 when he began the study of medicine, pursuing the lecture course at the University of Michigan during the years 1868. 1869, 1870 graduating from that institution in medicine, March 30, 1870, and in chemistry and pharmacy June 27, 1870. The Doctor is truly a self-made man, having relied exclusively upon his own resources for his own education, showing subsequently his magnanimity in assisting in MONROE TOWNSHIP - 667 educating his brother, Prof. Ewing, of Ada. He located at West Cairo in August, 1870, where he has met with marked success in his profession and other important business interests. Our subject is a stockholder in the First National Bank at Lima. owns and controls a farm, and is an active partner in a grist-mill. The high standing of the village schools is largely due to his great interest in educational matters. He is a member of the Northwestern Medical Association also of the Pharmaceutical Association of Ann Arbor, Mich. He was married. December 29, 1872, to Nancy, daughter of Robert Downing, and they had three children: Dolly (deceased), Addie, and Bessie. A. M. FASIG, druggist, West Cairo, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 19, 1850; son of Samuel and Lucinda (Greenland) Fasig, former a native of Pennsylvania, a Baptist minister located at Havensville, Kans., latter a native of Ohio. Their family numbered nine children. The names of those living, and those deceased having issue, are: Mrs. Ella Reed (deceased) late of Forest, Ohio; W. B. who at fifteen years of age entered the service of his country under Gen. Garfield, in which he remained three years, was cashier of the Cleveland branch of the Now York Mutual Life Insurance Company, and is now a man of prominence in the State as a horseman, is secretary of the Cleveland Driving Park Association; A. M.; and Charles S., a druggist of Cridersville, Auglaize County. The subject of this sketch at seventeen years of age began the mason's trade under his father, with whom he worked for a number of years, contracting and building, which he still carries on in connection with his other business. He came to West Cairo in the spring of 1877 engaging in the drug business with a branch store in Cridersville, with his brother Charles, as a partner. He was married November 1, 1870, to Marietta Clark, who was born September 9, 1851, in Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of George W. and Martha J. (Randolph) Clark. To this union have been born two children-Walter S. and Cora B. Mr. Fasig takes a lively interest in educational and municipal matters. He and his family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of the village; in politics he is a Republican. PETER HOFFERBERT, farmer, P. 0. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born August 11, 1834, in Koenig, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany; son of Philip J. and Mary E. (Naas) Hofferbert (deceased). Our subject landed in New York in the spring of 1852, locating in Westmoreland County, Penn., finally engaging in farming. He came to this county, settling on Section 7, in 1863, moving to his present farm. He received his education under the compulsory school law of the " fatherland," and learned the butcher's trade, serving for three years, for whieh his father paid fifty gulden. He was married, January 2, 1854, to Mrs. Philopina Weaver, born December 15, 1819, daughter of Robert and Anna Mechling (deceased), natives of Pennsylvania. They have four children-Anna E., at home; John L. married and living in Putnam County, Ohio; Philip J. in Monroe Township, this county; William, also in Monroe Township. Our subject is next youngest in a family of twelve children, of whom two sons and two daughters, only, are now living. Three died leaving families in Germany, and one sister still resides in het native land; his brother Leonard lives in Delphos, and a sister, Mrs 668 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Eve C. Urick, lives in Monroe Township, this county. Mr. Hofferbert, being drafted during the late war, entered the One Hundred and Sixty- eighth Pennsylvania Regiment as corporal in Company H, and received his discharge in 1863. He is a Republican in politics; is a prominent man in Monroe Township, having heen chosen by the people to the offices of trust. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Church in which he has been trustee. ISAAC HOLMES, farmer, P. 0. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born November 30, 1827, in Carroll County, Ohio; son of William and Elizabeth (Davis) Holmes, former a native of Washington County, Penn., born August 20, 1801, died in February, 1884. He was a son of John and Sarah (Norris) Holmes, first named being a native of England, and one of the early settlers of Seneca County, Ohio, where he and his wife died; latter a native of Carroll County, Ohio. William Holmes was first married to Mary Joseph, by whom he bad four children-William, residing near Carrollton, being the only one now living. By his second marriage there were eighteen children: Isaac, Mrs. Catharine Fishill (deceased, leaving family in Carroll County, Ohio); Mrs. Martha Crumbecker in Carroll County, Ohio; Jonathan, killed by a falling tree when sixteen years of age; James (deceased), a surgeon in the Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Rebellion: Mrs. Myrian Harlan (widow), in Wayne County, Ill.; Samuel, in Greenwood County, Kans.: Mrs. Eliza Best, and David, residing in Wayne County, Ill.; Oliver in Fairfield, Ill., where he was county clerk for eight years; Martin and Daniel died young; Milton in Wayne County, 111.; Mrs. Sarah Webb in Lyon County, Kans. ; Mrs. Eleanor N. Enlow in Wayne County, Ill. ; Mrs. Samantha J. Robertson in White County, Ill.; Calvin, near Clifton, Tex., and an infant (deceased). The third marriage was with Mrs. Martha Weisman, who bore him following children: Eli, living in Wayne County, Ill.; Mrs. Melissa Statten and George, residing near Denver, Col., and Mrs. Mary Westfall. in Wayne County, Ill. Six of the sons were in the late war of the Rebellion, and all held offices-James, Samuel, Oliver, David, Milton and Calvin; five sons-in-law were also in the service-A. Best, M. Webb, J. Enlow, J. Robertson and J. Crumbecker. Calvin served five years in the regular army. All of these twenty-six children were born between the years 1821 and 1859, all single issue, and seventeen of them are still living. Our subject was married, August 22, 1850, to Elizabeth Downs, born in Carroll County, Ohio, February 26, 1828, daughter of George and Sarah (Miller) Downs, and by this union were born nine children, five of whom died in early childhood; those now living are George William, married and living in Putnam County, Ohio; Amos B., also married and residing in Putnam County; Martha A. and Clark B., at home. Mr. Holmes. in 1870, was one of the land appraisers for Putnam County. He has held the offices of justice of the peace, assessor and township trustee, of the latter of which he is present incumbent. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat. GREGORY JENNINGS, farmer, tile and brick manufacturer, P. 0. West Cairo, was born September 13, 1836, in Monroe Township, this county ; son of Aaron and Lucy (Hughs) Jennings, who were married in MONROE TOWNSHIP - 669 Tuscarawas County, Ohio; latter, a daughter of Daniel Hughs, a native of Ireland, was born near Emmittsburg, Md., and came to - Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in early life. Aaron Jennings was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, December 26, 1804, died December 22, 1872, son of Gideon Jennings. born December 24, 1778, in Virginia. son of Benjamin Jennings, born December 8, 1748, in England. The children of Aaron and Lucy Jennings were eleven in number, five dying young; the others were Mrs. Gracie J. and Elizabeth J. Curtis, both deceased, leaving families at Beaver Dam, Ohio; Gregory; Margaret. Mrs. Amos Lewis, living in Monroe County, Micb; Malinda, widow of T. Crane, living in Putnam County, Ohio; and Daniel, in Monroe Township. this county. The father of our subject came to this township in 1834, where he patented 160 acres of land, locating on Section 34, his brother David also locating on same section. His grandfather, and brothers Gideon and John, located in Bath, and brother James in Jackson Township. In this swampy wilderness, without money, they endured all the trials and hardships of pioneer life. Our subject remained with his father until twenty years of age, when he took the contract for cutting one mile 100 feet wide, on the track of the Dayton & Michigau Railroad, receiving therefor $195, this he completed in forty-two days. In the spring of 1857 he learned the Rary system of horse-training, and traveled through different States and Canada engaged in that business. Mr. Jennings was married, February 27, 1859, to Salinda Hall, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio, February 27, 1837, daughter of William and Christina (Smith) Hall, natives of New Jersey, but who moved to Carroll County in 1833, to Tuscarawas County in 1837, and to this county in 1857, for. mer born July 27, 1799, latter September 15, 1798. They were married February 19, 1819, and have following: nine children, sixy-one grandchildren, seventy-seven great-grand and four great-great-grandchildren. To our subject and wife were born the following children: Adelia (died, aged two years); Celia A.; James William; Lillie Florence; Aaron E.; Lucy E.; Homer B.; Gregory M.; Sherman Grant and Blaine. Mr Jennings is a member of the firm of Jennings, Harding & Umbaugh saw-mill and tile factory in Perry Township, this county, established in 1880, also of the firm of Jennings & Snyder, saw-mill, tile and brick making on his farm in Monroe Township, this county; the business was established in the spring of 1883. He received in 1809. a patent for clod-fender, and later a patent for a rein-holder for harness and buggies he also applied for a patent on an improved kiln for burning tile which has proved by thorough testing to be the best in use; patent granted. patented February 3, 1885. Mr. Jennings was first sergeant in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment, Ohio Nations Guards, called into service in Mar, 1804. and doing duty at Fort Sumner D. C. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Our subject and famil belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. JACOB KOHLI. farmer. P. 0. Columbus Grove. Putnam County was born April 1, 1839, in Holmes County, Ohio, son of Christian an Marzret (Berkey) Kohli, former of whom. a native of Germany, can to Holmes County in 1821. when about thirteen years of age; latter daughter of John and Christina Berkey, natives of Pennsylvania. an 40 670 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. who died in Holmes County, Ohio. Jacob Kohli, who was a son by his father's first marriage, received a common school education, and began life for himself at eighteen years of age. He learned wagon manufac- turing, at which he worked until August 25, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Fourteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served three years, was discharged and immediately re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company and regiment, and was discharged at the close of the war as sergeant. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga. Mis sion Ridge, Jonesboro and others, his life being twice saved by the bullets striking his gun barrel while in the act of shooting; in the engagement at Goldsboro, he was color-bearer of his regiment. He came with his father to Putnam County, Ohio, settling near Columbus Grove, in 1845. Our subject was married, August 24, 1865, to Nancy Featheringill, a native of Putnam County, Ohio, born October 3, 1846, daughter of John and Martha (Ramsey) Featheringill, who came to Putnam County, from Franklin County, Ohio, in 1833. The father died in 1867, aged sixty- three years, the mother is still living aged seventy-six years. To this union were born nine children: John C., Charles H., Annie M., William F., Peter N., Mary I., Theodore G., Brice J., and Jesse G. Mr. Kohli came to his present farm in the fall of 1870. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. HENRY MILLER, farmer, P. O. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born April 29, 1841, and is a son of Michael, born December 19, 1805, and died October 7, 1879, and Catharine (Kunkleman) Miller, latter born May 27, 1806, daughter of Leonard and Magdalena (Koch)Kunkleman, natives of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. and is still living. Our subject's parents were married June 18, 1830, and their children were John, born February 2, 1831, died at the age of twenty-nine years, Christopher, born April 21, 1833, and died at thirty-seven years of age; leaving widow and four children (she afterward married to Aaron Huysman, and is now living in Putnam County); Leonard, born June 15, 1838, and died at thirteen years of age; an infant (deceased), Henry, born April 29, 1841, and Adam. Our subject was married, November 14, 1863, to Mary Sauer, who was born January 21, 1846, in Schlesien, Prussia, daughter of Frantz and Catharine (Harmon) Sauer, who came to America and settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, where they resided a few years, then moved to Monroe Township, Allen County, where they now reside. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Miller are Maggie M. (married to William Hofferbert, April 27, 1884), John F., Emma L., Anna C., Alice M., Sarah A., Caroline R., Bertha A., William H., Harmon M., and Lewis P. Mr. Miller is one of the sturdy farmers and influential men of his township, taking a great interest in schools, having been a member of the board for several years in succession. ADAM MILLER, farmer, P. O. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born February 8, 1845, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to Allegheny County, Penn., with his parents, in 1849. They moved to Allen County, Ohio, April 9, 1852, settling on the farm of 100 acres, where the subject of this sketch now lives, two-thirds of which farm the latter had purchased from the other heirs. Our subject received his education from the district schools, and assisted his father until 1871, MONROE TOWNSHIP - 671 'farmed on shares for a time, and finally made the purchase of the farm. He was married, December 17, 1874, to Lovina C. Hartman, who was born March 7, 1856, daughter of John S. and Elizabeth (Morris) Hart- Man, natives of Ohio. By this marriage there are three children: Mary E., John M. and Joseph W. Mr. Miller is one of the enterprising young men of his township, interested in agricultural, educational and religious matters. In politics he is a Democrat. HENRY MORRIS, farmer, P. O. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was twice married; first. November 20, 1866, to Nancy Palmer. by whom he had two children, Margaret V. being the only one now living, born September 24, 1869. His wife dying February 7, 1872, Mr. Morris was married, November 11, 1875, to Rachael Sherret, born January 1, 1855, daughter of Malinda (Suery) Sherret, natives of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They have three children living: John E., David L. and Elizabeth L. Our subject's father, Judge Henry Morris, a native of Kentucky, came to Clark County, Ohio, with his parents, in 1812, when but six years of age. In the fall of 1832 he came to the farm on which his widow now lives, and where he died in 1877. It was then Putnam County, and in 1833 he was made first associate judge of the Territory, which he held three years. and then resigned to attend to home duties. He was a leader in the affairs of the community, as well as in religious matters, being a teacher, for over thirty years, of the doctrine of predestination. His parents were Joseph M. and Lovina (Drake) Morris, who died in Clark County, Ohio. He was married August 30, 1832, to Margaret Weaver. born May 11, 1812, in Clark County, Ohio, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hempleman) Weaver, natives of Virginia, but very early settlers of Clark County. The children born to this union were George, living in Monroe Township, this county; Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman, residing in Monroe Township, this county; Mrs. Lovina Holcomb (deceased-leaving one son, Henry M., who is now residing in Russell County, Kans.); Joseph, a physician in Columbus Grove. Putnam County, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Crables (deceased-leaving, a son, Henry M., in Russell County, Kans.), and a daughter, Mrs. Bogard, in Putnam County, Ohio; Henry; Mrs Mary Schaffer, residing in Putnam County, Ohio; John, residing in Russell County, Kans. ; Mns. Ellen Schlosser, and Mrs. Catharine Schlosser. John Hartman was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, August 11, 1832. JACOB B. RINEHART, farmer, P. O. West Cairo, was born November 30, 1840, in Montgomery County, Ohio, son of Daniel and Esther (Brumbaugh) Rinehart, former a son of Jacob and Susanna (Bromer) Rinehart. latter a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Folk) Brumbaugh. Our subject, who is the eldest of ten children, six of whom are now living, was first married, January 27, 1863, to Elizabeth M. Emrick, of Miami County, who died January 3, 1864, in her twenty-first year, and Mr. Rinehart then married, October 1, 1867, Mary E. Early, born March 7, 1842, by which marriage were born seven children, two deceased in infancy. Those now living are Jesse S., born July 31, 1868; Chalmer F., born September 12, 1869; lHenry E., born March 25, 1872; Mary E., (a twin) born May 23, 1874; Cora Emma, born April 24, 1883. The family are members of the German Baptist Church. 672 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. In politics Mr. Rinehart is a Republican. The brothers and sisters of our subject are Sarah (wife of Levi Spitler), John, Hannah (wife of Aaron Sollenberger). Henry (at present a medical student in Brooklyn. N. Y.), and Noah, all residents of Montgomery County, Ohio. Mrs. Rinehart's parents, both now living, are Samuel and Harriet (Wright) Early, natives of Virginia, the former born May 19, 1810, in Rockingham County, son of Jacob Early (who lived to be ninety years of age, blind the last forty years of his life) and Magdalene (Wanger) Early, a daughter of Henry Wanger. Samuel and Harriet (Wright) Early were married August 11, 1831, and bad ten children; three daughters died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were David (farming near Salem. Oreg.), John (a minister in the German Baptist Church in Cherokee County, Iowa; Jacob (died leaving a family in Bath Township, this county), Noah (farming in Johnson County, Mo.), Mary E. (with whom her parents reside), Samuel (farming in Newton County, Mo.), Isaac (residing with his family in Barry County, Mich.). Two sons, Jacob and Samuel, served in the late war. The family are members of the German Baptist Church. JOHN SCHLOSSER, farmer, P. 0. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, is a son of Daniel Schlosser who was twice married; first to Sarah Richards (deceased) a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, daughter of Henry and Mary (Kroeninger) Richards, natives of Pennsylvania, and by this union were born John (subject of this sketch) born March 19, 1843, Mrs. Mary A. Herring, born April 23, 1845, residing at Rochester, Ind.; David born April 15, 1847, living in Monroe Township, this county. The second marriage of Daniel Schlosser was with Priscilla Bennett, October 9, 1848, who bore him eleven children. Those now living are Daniel W., born October 9, 1853, residing in Monroe Township, this county; Nathan, born October 7, 1865, in Putnam County, Ohio; Mrs. Melvina Gander, born May 28, 1858, in Putnam County, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret E. Granger, born July 14, 1860, residing in Columbus Grove, Ohio: and Permellia, born July 19, 1866, at home. The subject of this sketch was married, May 3, 1866, to Ellen Morris, born July 25, 1850. They had a family of seven children : James William, born March 22, 1867; Oliver, born February 21, 1869; Elizabeth M., born February 26, 1871; John Frankie, born July 24, 1873, died November 10, 1884, of typhoid fever and inflammation of the bowels, aged eleven years, three months and sixteen days; Anna May, born July 23, 1875; Bertie L., born October 1, 1880, and Sarah J., born July 6, 1883. Our subject served three years in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in 1862, and was honorably discharged in 1865. Mr. Schlosser is an energetic and enterprising young farther, and is held in high esteem by the people of his community. LEWIS SIGLER farmer, P. 0. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born May 10, 1821, in Mifflin County, Penn., son of Jacob and Mary A. (Stoneroad) Sigler, also natives of Mifflin County, Penn., the former a son of John Sigler, the latter a daughter of Lewis and Sarah (Gardner) Stoneroad. Jacob Sigler was born July 9, 1797, died October 3, 1846, aged forty-nine years, two months and twenty-four days. Mary A. (Stoneroad) Sigler, was born July 11, 1795, died January 22, 1870, aged seventy-four years, six months, eleven days. Jacob and Mary A. (Stone. MONROE TOWNSHIP - 673 road) Sigler were married in June, 1818. They were parents of nine children : Mrs. Sarah Crepps, in Page County, Iowa; Lewis; David, single. in Page County, Iowa; Mrs. Johanna Montooth (widow) in Putnam County, Ohio; Joel, in Leipsic, Putnam County, Ohio; Thomas in Putnam County, Ohio; Mrs. Hannah Miller (deceased) leaving four children in Indianola, Neb.; Valentine, enlisted in the service, was in Prentiss' division, was taken prisoner at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and died in rebel prison; Rebecca M., died in infancy. Mr. Sigler's parents settled near Leipsic, Putnam County, Ohio, in the spring of 1837, where the father died. The subject of this sketch received but meager educational advantages until thirteen years of age, assisting his father before and after that age in the blacksmith shop and on the farm. He was married September 25, 1849, to Sarah J. Wafters, who was born September 18,1831, in Wayne County, Ohio, daughter of Judge John W. and Jane (Miller) Watters, natives of Pennsylvania, but who moved to Wayne County, thence to Putnam County, in 1836, the latter part of their lives being spent near Lima. To our subject and wife were born seven children: John D., deceased in 1875: Lewis C., in business at Columbus Grove, Ohio; Anna, at home; William W., at home; and Margaret, at home; Mary J. and Sarah E. died in infancy. Mrs. Sigler died February 3, 1880. Our subject came to his present farm in 1851, clearing most of it himself. He carries on general farming, stock-raising and blacksmithing. He has held the offices of trustee and school director and was elected a justice of the peace, but did not serve. The family are members of the Presbytertan Church in which he has served as elder. In politics he is a Democrat. JABEZ SMITH, blacksmith, P. 0. West Cairo, was born September 23, 1849; son of Henry and Rebecca (Crites) Smith, who are now living in Pickaway County, Ohio, former a son of John Smith, latter a daugbter of Samuel Crites. They were parents of ten children: Sophia, wife of Francis Ward; Jacob; Perlina (deceased), wife of Josiah Ward; Jabez; Caroline, wife of Henry Ward; Jerome; Samuel, in Fairfield County, Ohio; John; Samantha (deceased), wife of Edward Atkinson; Frank (deceased at age of twenty years); those now living being residents, with their families, of Pickaway County, Ohio; all the sons learning blacksmithing in their father's manufacturing establishment. The subject of this sketch was married, April 26, 1868, to Catharine, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Ward) Moyers, and born in Sugar Creek Township, this county, July 11, 1848. They have had eight children, three of whom died in childhood. Those now living are Jennie F., Drusilla E., William F., John H., Sarah A. V. L. Mr. Smith came to Cairo, this county, in 1870, where he plied his trade, entering into partnership with 0. H. Waltz, in 1879, in manufacturing and repair work. In the spring of 1881, F. W. Snyder was taken into the firm, and the following fall Mr. Waltz retired, In the spring of 1883 Mr. Smith retired from the firm and worked at Buckland, Ohio, until 1885, when he again entered into partnership with F. W. Snyder, in general shop work and the manufacturing of a combined roller, harrow and cultivator of the Hines patent. Mr. Smith is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. at Columbus Grove, Ohio; has been a member of the village council several years, being one of the first members of that body. In politics he is a Republican. 674 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. LEVI SNYDER, farmer, P. 0. West Cairo, was born January 28, 1842, in Stark County, Ohio; son of Benewell and Margaret (Snyder) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born April 4, 1817, and the latter March 15, 1815. They moved to this county in about 1849, where they died during the war. Their 'children were Susanna (died young), Levi, Catharine (died young), Oliver (who enlisted in June, 1863, in the heavy artillery, was discharged and returned to this county, where he died a short time after of consumption, contracted by exposure while in the service), Lovina (Mrs. Thomas Myers, in this county), John N. (a carpenter residing in Steuben County, Ind.), Emily (Mrs. E. Snyder, in Steuben County, Ind.), Mrs. Lucy A. Thorp (residing with her sister Emily), and Franklin (a mechanic in West Cairo). Our subject was twice married, his first wife being Lydia Moyer, who bore him five children : two died in infancy, Franklin S., Richard L. (born July 23, 1868), and Willie J. Mr. Snyder was married on the second occasion May 2, 1874, to Mrs. Mary A. (Faunce) Jennings, who was born August 12. 1837, in Trumbull County, Ohio. She was a classmate of Mrs. Lucretia Garfield, and a student at Hiram College while the lamented President Garfield was yet a student and teacher in that institution. Mrs. Snyder taught many terms of school before her marriage and while a widow; she taught sixteen terms in this county. Her first husband, John Jennings, was a soldier in the Seventy-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was discharged on account of ill health and returned home. Being urged by his friends to join the Ohio Volunteer Militia, he was made First Lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Thirty-third Battalion. He was honorably discharged, returned home and died a few months later of consumption. They had one child-Sadie-now Mrs. Edward McDonnell, residing in Monroe County, Mich. By her second marriage Mrs. Snyder has had one child-Urton, born April 13, 1878. She is a daughter of Robert and Lexcina (Everitt) (Smith) Faunce, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of New York. Ancestors of the Faunce family came over in the " May Flower " and settled at Plymouth Rock. Robert Faunce is now living at Cortland, Ohio. Mr. Snyder enlisted in August, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of the Western army.; was severely wounded four times in the charge at the battle of Resaca. and, supposing that he was beyond recovery he was left forty-eight hours without treatment ; then the bullets were extracted, and during the following two weeks the wounds were dressed twice. After lying on his back three months, and spending one year in the hospital, he was discharged May 18, 1865, and returned to Monroe Township, this county. JOSEPH A. STATES, farmer and county commissioner, P. 0. West Cairo, was born April 20, 1848 ; son of "Uncle Daniel" and Jane (Jennings) States, former born April 14, 1810, in Lycoming County, Penn., son of Peter and Susan (Praul) States, natives of Berks County, Penn., who were parents of eleven children, four of whom died without issue, Daniel being fourth in the family. The father of Peter States was Daniel States, a native of France, and the father of Susan (Praul) States was Nathan Praul, a native of England. Peter States and his wife died MONROE TOWNSHIP - 675 in 1842, within one day of each other, he in his sixty-third and she in her fifty-third year. "Uncle Daniel" States came to Monroe Township, this county, in March, 1835, settling on Section 21, and assisted in the organization of the township, being one of nine men who voted at the first election. He entered 120 acres of land, receiving the patent from Gov. Lucas, and here he endured all the trials and hardships of pioneer life. He hauled his provisions from Perry County, and being a man of wonderful strength, endurance and enterprise, he accomplished a great amount of work for himself, and assisted in building all the first churches and schools of his neighborhood, the first school of that vicinity being built upon his farm. He was a public-spirited man, and took an active interest in the affairs of his township, having been elected township treasurer and trustee, holding the latter office about fourteen years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopah Church. He was married April 1, 1833, to Jane Jennings, a native of Perry County, born June 16. 1810, daughter of Benjamin and Betsey (Milick) Jennings, the latter a relative of Gov. Tod, of Ohio, and daughter of John Milick, a Pennsylvanian. They had seven children : John, now living in Crawford County, Kans.; George and Susan E. (deceased in childhood), Margaret (deceased wife of Scott Harris, left a family in Monroe Township, this county); Mary J. (deceased, leaving no children), Joseph A. and Huldah R., wife of Ephraim Fussing, of Van Wert County, Ohio. The mother of the family died January 20, 1873. Our subject was married September 3, 1867, to Mary J. Powell, who was born March 6, 1842, near Spencerville, Ohio., daughter of David and Sophia (Walden) Powell, who were natives of Juniata County, Penn., former born March 12, 1812, and died aged thirty-six years ; came to this county when a young man with his father, Amos Powell, who was a native of Wales ; the latter is still living in Hicksville, Ohio, in her sixty-third year. To them were born Mary J.; William, residing at Hicksville, Ohio; Harriet, now Mrs. Klickner, of Hicksville; George, located near Walton, Kans. To our subject and wife have been born Anna V., William C., Arthur L., Samuel E. (died in 1877) and Mary L. Sophia Walden, a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, came to Bath Township, this county, in 1838, with her parents, Jonathan and Maria (Curtis) Walden, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Connecticut ; they subsequently removed to Defiance County, where they died. Mr. States was elected to the office of county commissioner in the fall of 1881, and re-elected in 1884. He is the youngest member of that board, a man of prominence, having held the important township offices. VALENTINE H. WRIGHT, farmer, P. 0. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 2, 1832, son of Samuel and Margaret (Hoffman) Wright, natives of Allegany County, Md., and who moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1830, where the former died in 1859, aged fifty-nine years; the latter in this county in 1883, aged seventy-two years. Their children were twelve in number, two dying in infancy; those reaching maturity were Elizabeth, deceased; George; Mary, deceased; Valentine H. and .Rachael A., twins; Henry (deceased) and John, twins; William; Margaret, deceased; and Elisha, deceased. Elisha was a member of Company D, Fifty-second Regiment, and was killed at the age of eighteen years in a railroad col- 676 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. lision. Until fifteen years of age our subject attended the winter schools of the time, assisting his father on the farm until he attained his majority, when he commenced daily labor for himself. He was married, in 1830, to Julia A. Salisbury, who was born in Tuscarawas County, November 28, 1838, daughter of John and Sarah Salisbury, natives of England, both of whom were exhorters in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject and wife have had eight children: John, William, Thomas, Mary A. and George; three died young. Mr. Wright enlisted, August 9, 1862, in Company D, Fifty-second Regiment Obio Volunteer infantry, serving under Gens. Rosecrans, Sheridan and Sherman, and participating in the battles at Perryville, Stone River, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Allatoona, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Marietta, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Columbia, Averysboro and Bentonville. He never was in the hospital a dlay as a patient, and was discharged in 1865, without receiving a scratch, and in August of that year came to his present home, where he has become one of the most honored men of Monroe Township. Since 1858, Mr. Wright has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been steward many years. NOAH B. YANT, farmer, P. 0. West Cairo, was born near Carrollton, Ohio, April 27, 1827, son of Henry and Margaret (Stoody) Yant, natives of Washington County, Penn., and who moved to Carroll County, Ohio, about 1810. Henry Yant, a son of John Yant, was born February 6, 1784, died December 14, 1833. His widow, a daughter of George and Barbara (Shooster) Stoody, born January 21, 1798, is now hiving with her son in Clarke County, Mo. They were parents of eleven children: Mrs. Mary E. McCreery, deceased, leaving a family in Sandusky County, Ohio; Mrs. Catharine Carnahan, deceased, leaving a family in Carroll County, Ohio; Mrs. Magdalene Redman, living in Wooster, Ohio; George W., farming in Clarke County, Mo.; Mrs. Barbara A. (Tresel) Hayes, living in Carroll County, Ohio; Solomon, died at eighteen years of age; Noah B.; Daniel H., druggist, in Hancock County, W. Va., held position of quartermaster in a regiment during the war; Mrs. Sarah A. Baxter, living in Carrollton, Ohio; Elizabeth, deceased in childhood; Mrs. Margaret Moore, residing in Carroll County, Ohio (by second marriage with Jacob Moore there was one child-Lovina Moore. The subject of this sketch was married September 11, 1851, to Drusilla Miller, who was born April 7, 1828, daughter of James and Rachel (Knotts) Miller,. natives of Virginia, but who came to Carroll County, Ohio, at an early date. James Miller was a son of Isaac and Drusilla (Downing) Miller. Rachel Knotts was a daughter of William and Hannah (Van Meter) Knotts, all natives of Virginia. By this union there were seven children: Mrs. Samantha A., of \Vest Cairo; Mrs. Sarah R. Waltz, of Clinton County, Mich. ; James M., married and farming in Coffey County, Kans.; William H. ; Hugh M.; Jonathan K.; and Frank E., born August 18, 1870, died August 14, 187,5. Mr. Yant came to Allen County in 1864, locating on Section 32, Monroe Township, where he has since resided, carrying on general tanning and stock-raising. He is a member of the extensive firm of Ferguson, Ewing Yant. millers of West Cairo. He has filled offices of trust in the township. He is earnest in his labors for the advancement of educational and religious matters, being connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a trustee.