1000 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY a native of Germany, who married in his native land and came to America, settling in Perry county, Pa., .about 1798, he and his wife dying in that state at an advanced age. They were farmers by occupation, Mrs. Smith being a Presbyterian in religion. The parents of our subject were both born in Perry county, Pa. Joseph Smith (the father) was brought up to farming and married his first wife, Mary Kirkpatrick, in Perry county. After the birth of their first two children—Leonard and Mary E.—they removed, in 1837, to Ohio, making the journey with teams, and stopping here and there by the wayside. When they reached Crawford county, Joseph Smith selected and entered 150 acres of solid timber land, in Jefferson township, and, being a practical carpenter, he cut out timber and built himself quite a comfortable home. There were no roads in the locality at that time, so for some years the family liver a real pioneer existence in the wilderness. His first wife Mary, who had accompanied him to this section, did not long survive, dying on the day that her last child, the subject of this sketch, was born, Dec. 17, 1839. She was only 23 years old. Joseph later married in this county a cousin of hers, Nancy Kirkpatrick, who was born in Pennsylvania, and she diet] on the homestead at the age of 58, leaving two children, Alvin and Matilda, the former of whom now resides on the homestead, is married and has a family. Matilda married William Michaels, who is now deceased, and died herself when over 69 years old, leaving two children. Joseph Smith, after the death of his second wife, contracted a third marriage, this time to Sarah Welsh, nee Kirkpatrick, who was a sister of his second wife. She died without issue, and her husband Joseph, died April 26, 1870. Joseph Gilbert Smith grew up on his father's farm and was trained to agricultural pursuits. He conducted a farm for his father until 1870, when he came to Galion, where he remained five nears. He then purchased a farm near No. Robinson, in Whetstone township, this county, which was his home until October, 1911. He then sold 64 of the 84 acres he owned there and took up his residence again in Galion, purchasing his fine home at No. 225 No. Union street, where he is enjoying a well earned respite from hard labor. He was married in Jefferson township, this county, Nov. 8, 1863, to Miss Amanda Van Voorhis, who was born at Olentazie, this county, April 20, 1843, a daughter of William R. and Almeda (Johnson) Van Voorhis, Her paternal grandparents were Samuel N. and Sarah (Meyers) Van Voorhis, who came to this section in the second decade of the 19th century, locating at the early settlement known as Olentazie, south of Bucyrus, and on the plains. Samuel N. Van Voorhis assisted in laying out the city of Bucyrus, the site of which lay partly on his early farm. He helped to organize the first Christian (or Campbellite) church in this county, and was a member of that faith at the time of his death, which took place when he had attained an advanced age. His wife died several years before him. William R. Van Voorhis was born near Schuylkill, N. Y., May 25, 1802, the early Dutch ancestors of the family having settled on the Hudson and Mohawk rivers several generations before. After coming to Ohio with his parents he grew up on the homestead in Bucyrus township, where he remained until after his marriage. He then purchased a new timber farm in Whetstone township, where he lived for several years. He then went to Michigan and while living there, not far from St. Joseph, he lost his wife, who was in maidenhood Miss Hannah Jones. She left him with five children. He returned with them to Crawford county, O., where later he married his second wife, Almeda Johnson. Here they spent the rest of their lives, Mr. Van Voorhis dying Aug. 4, 1893, and his wife at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Smith, on July 7, 1910. She was over 92 years old, having been born March 19, 1818. They were lifelong members of the Christian church and he was a strong Democrat in politics. They had a family of twelve children, of whom five are still living and one is yet unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been the parents of eleven children, as follows: (1) Lora A., born Aug. 11, 1864, is the wife of Henry S. Evert, of Galion and has three children — Beatrice, Stewart and Arthur. (2) Alice F., born Oct, 2, 1867, is the wife of Newton Evert, a farmer of Whetstone township and has two children—Marion A. and Paul G. (3) Bertha, who has been a public school teacher in Galion for some years and who re- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1001 sides at home. (4) Jessie E., born 1872, July 12, who is the wife of Charles A. Throckmorton and lives in Columbus, O. Her children are Warren S. and Maxwell H. (5) Eva E., born Nov. 5, 1875, who is the wife of Michael Eusey and lives in Galion. She has three children—Cora, Fred and Gordon. (6) Charles B., a farmer in Chatfield township, who is unmarried. (7) Lettie E., a school teacher, unmarried, who resides at home. (8) Helen M., who married Orvin Braden, resides in Wooster, 0., and has a son Donald. (9) Ethel T., who died at the age of eleven years. (10) Edna L., unmarried, who is a stenographer and resides in Cleveland, O. (11) Josephine, born in September, 1878, who is the wife of Dorsey Littler and resides in Galion, has no children. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the English Lutheran church. They are well known and have a wide circle of friends. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics. PEARL J. HILLS, whose well cultivated farm of 100 acres is situated in section 21, Auburn township, Crawford county, O., is a native of Auburn township, born June 24, 1878, and is a son of Julius and Alvira Hills, both of whom are now deceased. Pearl J. Hills was reared in Auburn township and attended the public schools and began his farm training on his paternal grandfather's estate, where he grew up. For four years after his marriage he rented land, after which he purchased his present valuable place. He is an up-to-date, progressive agriculturist and has drained and tiled his land at an expense of hundreds of dollars and has it all under tillage except 14 acres woodland and pasture. He devotes some attention to raising fine Jersey cattle, feeds from eight to twelve horses a year and never sells hay, finding it more profitable to feed the crop and in this way return to the soil what is taken out of it. Mr. Hills is one of the well informed farmers who own and value a silo and he is confident that it saves him three hundred dollars worth of feed a year. He has taken pride in the appearance of his property and all the buildings have been remodeled and all surroundings are attractive. Mr. Hills is also agent for the Overland Automobile for Auburn. Vernon and Cranberry townships and has disposed of a number of these fine cars. Mr. Hills married Miss Mary E. Melick, who was born in Richland county, O., and they have four children: Harry, Florence, Otis and Ross. In politics Mr. Hills is a Democrat and is a member of the Board of Education at the present time and served previously in the same office for two terms. He belongs to the local Grange and also to the Knights of Pythias and to the Odd Fellows, at Tiro. With his family he attends the Baptist church. FRANK E. LAMB, a representative and substantial citizen of Bucyrus, O., property owner and civic official, was born in Ingham county, Mich., March 11, 1850, and is a son of George S. and Laura (Silsby) Lamb. George S. Lamb was a well known man in several sections of the country. He was born in Ohio and for a number of years engaged in farming, after which he became an Indian trader and subsequently located in Murray county, Minn., his being the eighth family to settle there. It was a wild region at that time and Mr. Lamb's business often left him unprotected and on one of his trips he was killed by the Indians, this occurring in what is known as the Little Crow massacre. He married Laura Silsby, who was born in New York, a daughter of Felix Silsby, and three children were born to them : Frank E. Emma, deceased, who was the wife of Sanford Peck ; and a child that died when five years old. Frank E. Lamb had but meager educational opportunities, growing up on a farm that was 65 miles distant from any town. He was only a boy of 14 years when he succeeded in enlisting for service in the Civil War and was out for nine months and fifteen days as a member of Co. C, 195th O. Vol. Inf., from Williams county, O. He then returned to Williams county and was but 18 years old when he was married, on Nov. 19, 1868, to Miss Mary Ogle. She was born in Williams county, where her grandfather, Robert Ogle, was the fifth settler in its early days. Her parents were Thomas and Jerusha (Clark) Ogle, the former of whom was a native of Columbiana county, O., a civil engineer and a farmer. The mother of Mrs. Lamb was born in Pennsylvania. They had three children: Robert, Eliza, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Champion; and Mary. 1002 - HISTORY OF CRAW FORD COUNTY To Mr. and Mrs. Lamb the following children were born: Cora, the widow of Neal Sullivan, who has four children—Eunice, Frank, Clyde and Russell; Edgar F., who married Mary Quinn, and has tell children—Herbert, Cora, Howard, Elsie, Maurice, Edgar, Hilda, Vivian, Ralph and Glen; Laura, who married Milo R. Haynes, and has two children—Donald and Naomi; Nellie, who is the wife of Clarence N. Haynes, and has one daughter, Lila; and Mary, who is a popular and successful teacher at Bucyrus. For many years Mr. Lamb has been prominent in political life at Bucyrus and at present is serving in his second term as a member of the city council. He is also in his fourth year as probation officer and formerly officiated as constable and for a long time as a justice of the peace. He has property investments at Bucyrus that include two handsome and valuable residences. He is a member of Keller Post No. 128, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is the present quartermaster, having been interested in this post ever since it was organized. His family attends the United Brethren church. He is identified politcally with the Democratic party. On August 3, 1912, Mr. Lamb was appointed justice of the peace in Bucyrus township. GEORGE R. FOSTER, whose well cultivated farm of 19 acres lies in sections 14 and 23. Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., two and one-fourth miles southeast of New Washington, was born in Richland county. O., Jan. 25, 1877, a son of Reuben H. and Sarah F. Foster, who still reside in Richland county. After his school days were over, George R. Foster lived for five years in Richland county, following farming. In March, 1907, he settled on his present farm, which he bought from his father-in-law and the Cox heirs. He has greatly improved his property, erecting the substantial buildings, fencing and draining, and raises hay, grain, cattle and hots. He follows modern methods and believes in the best kind of farm machinery. Mr. Foster is a stockholder in the Toledo Life Insurance Company, of Toledo, O. On Oct. 24, 1891, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Maude E. Hageman. who was born on this farm, a daughter of Henry and Martha Hageman. Mrs. Foster is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which Mr. Foster attends and liberally supports. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias and belongs also to Cranberry Grange. He is not very active in politics out has always been identified with the Democratic party and never tails in the duties of a good citizen. T. E. HILLBORN,* who is serving in his second term as trustee of Tod township, Crawford county, O., residing on the old Hilborn homestead, situated two miles south of Oceola, O., was born here in 1874 and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Rhinehart) Hilborn. Samuel Hilborn was born in Ashland county, O., and came to the present home farm when a young man, cleared it, developed its agricultural possibilities and erected the substantial buildings. His death occurred here when he was aged 68 years. He married Mary Rhinehart, who is now in her Both year and resides at Nevada, O. Ten children were born to them, namely : Mrs. Krickbaum, of Wyandot county; Charles and Joseph, both of Bucyrus; Clara, deceased; Mrs. Stella Gregg, of Nevada; Mrs. Floe Gingery; T. E.; Mrs. Hilborn, of Iowa; Royal, of Nevada; and Mabel, living at home. T. E. Hilborn has been engaged in farming ever since his school days and operates the home place of 120 acres for his mother. He is known as a capable and successful farmer and as a good business man. He married Mabel Todd, of Tiro, O., whose mother resides at Akron. In politics Mr. Hilborn is a strong Democrat and as township trustee is a valuable township official. He is identified with the Junior Order of American Mechanics and with the Knights of Pythias. With his wife he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Nevada, O. WILLIAM J. GEER, one of the oldest practicing lawyers at Galion, O., may easily be numbered with the leading members of the bar and at the same time is more or less prominent in other lines of business. He was born at Clermont county, O., Oct. 8, 1838, and is a son of Rev. John J. and Sarah (Smith) Geer. Rev. John J. Geer was born in 1833, in Rockbridge county, Va., where his father and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1005 grandfather were native born, the family having been established there prior to the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Geer became convinced of the injustice of slavery and after liberating his negroes came to Ohio and in the late 30's settled near Sidney, in Shelby county, where he died in 1870. He and wife were Wesleyan Methodists. Their son, John J. Geer, grew up mainly in Shelby county and when he united with a religious body it was with the Protestant Methodists, in which he became a preacher and was pastor of the old George Street Church, Cincinnati, when the Civil War broke out. In May, 1861, he enlisted as chaplain in the 48th O. Vol. Inf. At the battle of Shiloh he was captured by the Confederates and with his unfortunate comrades was afterward incarcerated in Andersonville Prison. In some way he managed to escape but was pursued by the blood hounds kept by Capt. Werz for that purpose and was recaptured and again made to suffer within that terrible stockade. When he was finally exchanged there was little hope entertained by his friends that he would recover his health, but his constitution at that time was strong and in 186• he determined to again face the dangers and hardships that so many of his fellow men were bravely enduring. Although he had enlisted as chaplain it was his own wish that he be given an active place in the command and the company elected him captain and later became adjutant general on the staff of General Buckland. He enlisted a second time as a member of the 183rd O. Vol. Inf. and at the close of the war was made chaplain and superintendent of the Geer Hospital at Wilmington, N. C., and was honorably discharged in 1865. He was the author of a stirring story of those memorable days, relating his personal experiences, the title of it being "Beyond the Lines" or "Yankee Prisoner Loose in Dixie." These hardships had shattered his health to such an extent that he never recovered and two years after the close of the war, on Aug. 2, 1867, this brave and good man passed away, a true martyr in the cause of his country. John J. Geer married Sarah Smith, who was born Jan. 25. 1836 and died on the old farm on which she was born in Clermont county, O., July 7, 1880. She was a woman of such rare qualities that she impressed her personality on all who knew her and in loving, reverent remembrance her son, William J. Geer, bears testimony that all he is and has been of good is due to her. She came of worthy ancestry. Her parents were David and Sarah (Conklin) Smith, who came from New Jersey to Ohio in 1798, and settled at what is now known as Walnut Hill. The Smiths of Smithville and the Conklins and Cranes of Crane's Mills, N. J. were kindered through intermarriage and their ancestors were Revolutionary soldiers. David Smith was an early park packer, a pioneer in that great industry and formerly it was his custom to take his meats down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on rafts. Late in life he retired to a farm in Clermont county, O., where he died. His wife subsequently remarried but her last days were spent with a daughter at Galion. To John J. Geer and wife four children were born, the two survivors being: William J. of Galion, and Charles E., of Cincinnati, O. William J. Geer was an ambitious boy and is largely a self made man. While still on the farm and facing many early problems relating to his future advancement, he determined in some way to secure an education in the law. His opportunities were meager indeed, but he secured some law books and absorbed the foundation principles before he ever left the farm. He then earned the money which insured him a course in the Normal School at Lebanon, 0., and afterward, for seven years he taught school, in the meanwhile devoting all possible time to his law studies. On May 27, 1886, he was admitted to the bar and immediately opened his law office at Galion and has occupied the same quarters in the Citizens Bank Building since June of that year. For many years Mr. Geer has stood at the head of the bar here and many honors have been tendered him by his associates during this long period. They recognize his personal as well as professional qualities and know that no lawyer in the State is readier with his legal knowledge nor better qualified for professional advancement. At one time he was the nominee for Common Pleas judge for three counties and for four years he served as city solicitor. Politically he is a Republican and for six years he was mayor of Galion, his long administration 1006 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY being noted for its many admirable things accomplished. Mr. Geer was married at Plymouth, O., to Miss Edith Katherine Drenan, who was born in Richland county and educated at Delaware University. She is a daughter of W. W. and Hannah (Brinkerhoff) Drennan and a niece of the late General Roeliff Brinkerhoff, formerly of Mansfield, O., well known for his philanthropies. Mr. and Mrs. Geer have two sons : William Drenan and David Smith. Mrs. Geer was reared in the Presbyterian church but Mr. Geer retains his Methodist membership. He is identified fraternally with the leading organizations, is a Knight Templar Mason, has been exalted ruler of the Elks at Galion since its organization, and is one of the oldest members of the Knights of Pythias in this city, having united with this body in 1887. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is secretary of the Galion Building & Loan Association. He has numerous other business interests and belongs to various charitable and benevolent bodies. FRANK J. KREIM, who resides on his well improved and carefully tilled farm of 100 acres, which lies in section 23 Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., one mile south and one mile west of New Washington, is one of the enterprising agriculturists of this section of the county. He was born in Huron county, O., March 31, 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Barbara (Holley) Kreim. Joseph Kreim was born in Germany and there learned the trade of nailsmith. He married in Germany and when he came to America he was accompanied by his wife and their three children: Catherine, Philip and Madeline. After reaching the United States he worked as a general laborer for a time and then bought 40 acres of the present home farm, on which his family lived during the nine months he served as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil war. After his safe return he resumed farming and continued until he retired, some r years before his death, when aged 75 years. His widow survived into her 84th year, for some ten years before her death having made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Shell, in Cranberry township. They were devout members of the Roman Catholic church at New Washington. After reaching America they had six other children born to them : Joseph, Frank J., Amelia and Annie, and two that died in infancy. Frank J. Kreim remained on the home farm after his school days, his father adding 40 more acres and as much of it was swampy there was a great deal of work to be done before it was ready for cultivation and the services of the sons were needed. Later Frank J. bought the homestead and also an additional 20 acres that adjoins it and has put the greater number of the improvements here, including buildings, fences, laying drains and putting down tiling. All the land is now under cultivation except eight acres still in valuable timber. A general farming line is carried on and Mr. Kreim has every reason to be satisfied with the prosperity he enjoys. Mr. Kreim married Miss Elizabeth Niedermeier, a daughter of Peter and Barbara Niedermeier, of Cranberry township, and they have eight children, namely: Clemens L., Edward M., Petronilla, Alphonse A., Reinald J., Rozena A., Marie C. and Walter A. Mr. Kreim and family are members of the Catholic church and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He has always given his political support to the candidates of the Democratic party. JOHN S. ZIMMERMAN, who is somewhat retired from business activity although he keeps interested in many former avenues of activity, gives considerable attention to superintending his well improved farm of r 18 acres, which is situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county. He was born in that township, Dec. 28, 1840, and is a son of Rev. Daniel and Charlotte (Schneider) Zimmerman. Daniel Zimmerman and wife were born in one of the Rhine provinces, Prussia. and were married before starting for the United States in 1834. They took passage in one of the old-time sailing ships that offered no luxuries but took 60 days to make its slow way across the mighty Atlantic and safely landed its passengers at Baltimore. Md. Their objective point being Crawford county. O., they made the land journey by means of ox-teams per- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1007 haps, as the roads were difficult to travel over at that time, but they finally reached Whetstone township with the babe that had been born on the ocean. It did not long survive. Daniel Zimmerman was the only member of his family to come to America but there was quite a party made up of members of his wife's people, the Schneiders, who had been of consequence in Germany and who became good citizens of Ohio. At the head of the family was John Schneider, the father of Mrs. Zimmerman, and he was accompanied by his wife, four sons and four daughters. Two of these sons, John and Peter J., both became widely known as preachers in the German Methodist church in Ohio. The father of Mrs. Zimmerman was a man of such fine character that in 1852 his son, Rev. Peter J. Schneider, published a memorial book of 325 pages setting forth his life as an encouragement and inspiration to others. The Zimmermans and Schneiders finally settled on a tract of 160 acres which is now in Polk township, for which they paid the sum of $350. Shortly afterward, however, Daniel Zimmerman purchased a separate farm, in Whetstone township, all of which was wild land, and this he cleared and on this property he and his wife lived for many years, moving to Galion late in life, where she died in 1882. in her 70th year and he in 1884, when aged 72 years. During the entire period of his life in Ohio he was a minister in the Reformed church and continued to preach up to within a year of his death. He was a man of high character and consistent in every relation of life. He was the father of ten children, four of whom survive, namely : Elizabeth, who is the widow of Daniel Stump, of Whetstone township, and has two children ; John S.. whose name heads this sketch ; William, who resides with his family on West Plain street, Galion, and has one son: Anna. who resides with her brother, John S., at Galion. John S. Zimmerman grew up ill Whetstone township and attended the district schools, afterward assisting his father. For twelve years prior to 1877 he engaged in farming and then moved to Galion, where, in partnership with a brother-in-law. Wendell Helfrich. he went into the shoe business and continued for seven years. Failing health then caused him to retire and prudence has made him give considerable attention to interests that require his being in the open air. On his farm he has made many improvements and it is one of the fine properties lying adjacent to the Winchester road. Mr. Zimmerman was married in Whetstone township, to Miss Eliza J. Kester, who was born there May 13, 1844, a daughter of Jacob and Salome (Wise) Kester. They were born in Pennsylvania and came to Crawford county in the late thirties and spent the rest of their lives in \Whetstone township, the mother of Mrs. Zimmerman dying at the age of 62 years and the father when aged 82 years. They were good, Christian people, members of the Reformed church. Of their eight children two died young, six grew to maturity and two survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman three children were born, namely : Mary E., who died in infancy; Sarah C., who is the wife of Louis Martin and has three children, Carl, Aurelia and Mary: and Clara E., who is the wife of Rev. Benjamin Stern, a minister in the Reformed church, in Philadelphia, Pa., and has one son, Adiel, who is a student of architecture. Mr. Zimmerman and family are all members of the Reformed church. MRS. PHEBE GRAFMILLER, one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., who, for 38 years has lived on her present farm of 100 acres, situated in section 5, was born in this township, and is a daughter of Enoch and Sarah (Hutchinson) Baker, the former of whom died in Knox county, O., and the latter in Auburn township, Crawford county. Mrs. Grafmiller was reared to womanhood in Auburn township and attended the public schools. She was married on Nov. 5, 1878, to August Grafmiller, who was born at Canton. Wayne county, O., a son of Andrew Grafmiller, who was born in Baden, Germany. In Stark county, O., Andrew Grafmiller was married to Salome Weisard, who was also a native of Germany. They settled on a farm in Auburn township. Wayne county, and they had six children : Andrew, August, Christian, Jacob, Adolphus and Caroline. Andrew Grafmiller died at the age of 76 years and his burial was in Auburn township. His wife 1008 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY was 66 years old at time of death and. her burial was at New Washington. To August Grafmiller and wife the following children were born: Frederick, who carries on the industries of the home farm; Otis, who is a rural snail carrier; Etta Matilda, who is the wife of George Coffee, of Creston, Wayne county. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Grafmiller lived for one year on the Baker homestead and then came to the present farm, where Mrs. Grafmiller has lived ever since. Mr. Grafmiller was an industrious and judicious farrier and was very successful in his business, carried on general farming and made many substantial improvements on his land. He died in November, 1907, at the age of 66 years, and his burial was at Plymouth, O. He was a well known and much respected man and was a member of the Church of God. He was interested in supporting the laws and in assisting in making his neighborhood one of moral influence but was never active in politics, although, as a citizen he cast his vote, a Republican in his preferences. Mrs. Graf-miller and family belong also to the Church of God. CHRISTOPHER ALBRECHT, a representative business man of Galion, O., who established himself in the grocery business at No. 123 Parsons street, Galion, some 15 years since and has continued at the same location, was born Nov. 18, 1856, in Neckarbischofsheim in Baden, Germany, a son of Johann and Margaret (Kessler) Albrecht. Johann Albrecht spent his entire life in his native village in Baden, a cabinetmaker by trade and a Lutheran in religious faith. He died in February, 1911, when aged 92 years. His father, Henry Albrecht, was with Napoleon's Prussian Army and assisted in the storming of Moscow. He was one of the comparatively few soldiers of that unhappy and disastrous campagn that lived to return. He survived into old age, being in his 90th year at time of death. Johann Albrecht married Margaret Kessler. who was born in Hessen, Germany, and died in Baden, in October, 1904, being then aged 87 years and the mother of 14 children. Eight of this family grew to maturity, all of these married and six are yet living. Christopher Albrecht was reared in a home of considerable comfort and was given good educational opportunities. When he decided to come to the United States in 1881 he was 25 years of age, reaching Ohio and joining his brother, John Albrecht, who had come ten years previously. This brother carried on a baking business for some years afterward, at Louisville, Ky., where he died and is survived by his widow and seven children. Christopher Albrecht came to Galion in 1883 and for several years was connected with a business house here in a clerical capacity and for two years was with the Erie Railway Company, afterward establishing his present grocery business and has carried it on with very satisfactory results. He has a large trade and necessarily carries a well assorted stock both in staple and fancy goods in his line. Mr. Albrecht was married at Galion, Crawford county, O., in 1884, to Miss Marie Elizabeth Kehrwecker, who was born at Cardington, May 24, 1864, a daughter of Christian and Sophia (Benz) Kehrwecker. They were born, respectively, in Schuetzingen in Wertemberg and Neckarbischofsheim, Baden, Germany, and both cane to the United States when young people and were married in Morrow county, where they spent their subsequent lives and died so near together that their burial was in one grave, on Jan. 7, 1912. They were members of the German Lutheran church. In politics the father was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht have one son. Henry Ludwig, who was born Feb. 16, 1889. After graduating at the Galion High School, he became a railroad man and now fills the important position of chief timekeeper for the Erie Railroad Company, at Marion, O. He was married, however, at Galion, to Miss Minnie Boehm, who is a daughter of Peter Boehm, one of this city's highly respected citizens and one of the head men in the German Lutheran Peace church. Mr. Albrecht and son are both identified with the Democratic party. The family belongs to the German Lutheran church, where the son Harry is still superintendent of the Sunday school. He has from his boyhood up taken an especial interest in his church affairs, filling the place as organist and choir leader at different times. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1009 A. A. LOUDON, whose valuable farm of 120 acres lies in section 14, Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., was born near Wayneburg, O., and is a son of James and Sarah Loudon, both of whom died in Auburn township, Crawford county. A. A. Loudon was about 15 years of age when his parents moved to Auburn township and he completed his school attendance there. Since his marriage he has resided on his present farm and here carries on a general agricultural line, working according to modern methods, as Mr. Loudon is a thoroughly informed farmer and a very progressive man. On Jan. 18, 1885, Mr. London was married to Miss Cora M. Cox, who was born on this farm and was educated in the local schools, and also the High school at New Washington. She is a daughter of Luther and Lucinda Cox, old residents of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Loudon have four children : Ray E., now at Toledo, O. ; Vera; Ivan W., and Millard C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Loudon have been prominent in the Grange movement in this section and are charter members of the Cranberry Township Grange, assisting in its organization in the winter of 1895 At that time the membership was about 28 but the interest has spread and at present the lodge is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of fifty. Mr. Loudon is grange lecturer and Mrs. Loudon is an ex-official. Mr. and Mrs. Loudon have given their hospitable residence as a meeting place for the order for the past three years. Nominally Mr. Loudon is a Republican. PROF. SIMEON R. WACHS, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Crawford county, O., who now lives in comfortable retirement on his farm in Jackson township, not far from Crestline, O., for many years was a valued and successful educator and for five years served with the greatest efficiency as superintendent of the Crestline schools. He was born on his present farm, Aril 26, 1840, a son of Peter and Lydia (Bell) Wachs. Peter Wachs, the first of the name known in America, was a native of Switzerland and crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled in Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary war, spending his subsequent life as a farmer in Perry county. Of his family of sons, Philip, the grandfather of Simeon R. Wachs, was a farmer in Perry county, and died there when aged 60 years. His widow subsequently married a Mr. Bruner, all natives of Pennsylvania. Philip Wachs left four sons and four daughters, the eldest child, Peter, being the father of Prof. Wachs of Crawford county. Peter Wachs (2) was born in Perry county, Pa., Dec. 2, 1807, and grew up on his father's farm. In those days work in the woods, lumbering and logging, was usually a part of a young man's industrial training, in Perry county, and Peter Wachs was somewhat noted for his strength and skill in wielding his axe, thinking nothing of cutting down a tree and making it into stove wood or preparing it for the fireplace, for 25 cents a cord. He also skillfully made use of the flail and through thus threshing out rye, for three cents a bushel, secured enough money to enable him to accompany Rev. Mr. Smith to Ohio, in 1832. Here he subsequently purchased 8o acres of wild land, situated in Jackson township, from the man who had entered the same from the Government, and here lie continued to live until his death. July 31, 1884. He was well preserved in mind and body notwithstanding a very laborious life, with the exception of being quite deaf and it was through this misfortune that his death was caused by a railroad train, not far from his home. He was widely known among the pioneers and had helped to build the first log house that was ever erected in the city of Galion. His own land was mainly cleared by himself, with the aid of his trusty axe. In politics lie was a Democrat and all his life held connection with the United Brethren church, with which his people were associated in Pennsylvania. Peter Wachs was married near Galion, O., to Lydia Bell, who was born in. 1813, in York county, Pa.. a daughter of John and Sarah (Ritchie) Bell. She was one of a large family, and as she was a twin, she was taken by an aunt to be reared, who brought her to Ohio when young, all the other members of the family remaining in Pennsylvania. She died in Jackson township after the celebration of her Golden Wedding anniversary with her husband. A lifelong member of the United 1010 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Brethren church, she was noted for her natural gifts as a vocalist and could remember 100 hymns and sing them in church or for the pleasure of family and friends. She was the mother of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity and four of these survive: Philip, a farmer in Michigan, who has lost his wife but has a married daughter and three grandchildren; Daniel C., living retired at Grand Haven, Mich., who for years was a justice of the peace and city recorder, and has a married daughter and two grandsons; Sarah E., who now owns and occupies a part of the old homestead, who has been twice married and twice widowed. She has no children. Simeon R. Wachs is the third child of his parents' family of those who survived infancy. In his boyhood and youth this was yet a new country, to a large extent, and Jackson township still was included in Richland county. He early showed a quickened intellect and was given educational opportunities, attending the local schools and afterward the Galion High School, and in 1872 was graduated from the National Normal School at Lebanon, O. He began to teach school in Vernon township, Crawford county, and his activities as a teacher covered about 51 years, mainly in Crawford county and, with one exception, he is the oldest teacher in years of service here. In 1876 he went to Missouri and spent one year teaching in Johnson county, later was principal of the schools of Upper Sandusky; for one year, in the seventies was superintendent of the schools of Crestline and continued active in the educational field until 1908. He has served on the board of school examiners and in 1864 was one of the organizers of the Crawford County Teachers' Institute, and its first secretary, and ever since has been more or less a leader in local educational bodies. In 1868 Mr. Wachs was married (first) in Crawford county, to Miss Ruth A. Reinehart, who was born Oct. 8, 1843, and died at Crestline, Sept. 6, 1878. Their one child, Tycho C., died at the age of eight months. Mr. Wachs was married (second) at Crestline, to Miss Ida J. Newell, who was born at Elyria, O., March 13, 1857, where she was reared. She was of English and Irish ancestry, a daughter of Edmund and Margaret (Gaffney) Newell. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother in Ireland and they were married at Lorain, O., and after some years at Elyria they moved to Oberlin, where the father died in 1909, when aged 82 years. The mother still lives there and is now in her 77th year. To Mr. and Mrs. Wachs the following children were born: Victor H., Ferriden N., El Rito, Ruth, Milo, and Paul. The eldest son prepared for an active and useful life. After graduating from the Crestline High School he spent live years at Oberlin College and three years at the University of Boston, Mass., and in 1905 was ordained a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and volunteered to go as a missionary to the Orient and is stationed in Korea. He married Sylvia Allen, who was also educated at Oberlin College and they have a daughter, El Rito, and a son, Miller Allen, who was born in Korea, May 13, 1912. The second son, Ferriden N., adopted a trade as his life work and is a skilled machinist residing at Crestline, but he also is a great student of the Scriptures and is deeply interested in his brother's missionary work. He married Byrda Richey and they have three living children : Mildred and Wilbur and Dale, twins. El Rito, the eldest daughter, who is a High School graduate, is the wife of Daniel Pry, a farmer in Vernon township, and they have an infant daughter, Florence. Ruth, Milo and Paul, all reside at home, Ruth and Paul being High School graduates and Milo, still a High School student. Mr. and Mrs. Wye achs have always been hearty church workers and supporters of all moral movements in which opportunity has been afforded them to exert influence. He has long been a class leader and other official in the church at Crest-line. In his political sentiments he is nominally a Democrat but considers favorably the claims of the Prohibition party. E. J. BREHMAN,* a well known agriculturist of Liberty township, Crawford county. who lives on his farm of 5o acres located two miles south of Sulphur Springs, was born in Whetstone township, this county. April 28, 1875. His father, Stephen Brehman, owns a farm of 110 acres adjoining that of our subject. E. J. Brehman was one of eight children born to his parents and was brought up on the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1011 farm. After completing his education in the district schools lie went to work on a farm two miles west of where he lives at present. He also worked two years for Mr. Jerry Hopple and then bought his present farm, on which he has successfully carried on general farming and stock raising since. He has built a new house and barn and other buildings. Mr. Brehman was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Grogg, a native of Liberty township. To them have been born two children, Mary and Belva May, the former of whom is deceased. Our subject is a Democrat in his political views and with his wife belongs to the Lutheran church of Sulphur Springs. ALBERT HAWORTH, who has served continuously as postmaster of Crestline, O., since April, 1898, has been a resident of this city since boyhood, but his birth took place in Manchester, England, March 22, 1848, a son of Benjamin and Martha A. Haworth. When Benjamin Haworth brought his family to the United States in 1848, he settled at Providence, R. I., subsequently moving from there to Cleveland, O. In 1861, when the call was issued for volunteers for army service for three months, Mr. Haworth went to Massachusetts and there enlisted as a private soldier in the First Mass. Vol. Inf., later reenlisting and at the close of the Civil War, a veteran through three enlistments, started for home, in 186. While crossing the State of Tennessee, he, with others, met death from the muskets of bushwackers, not far from the city of Chattanooga. He had been a brave and cheerful soldier throughout the long struggle and on several occasions had been wounded, and it was a sad ending to the career of one who had so continuously done his duty to his adopted country. On account of the disorder of the times, his assailants, border ruffians as they were, were never brought to justice. The widow of Benjamin Haworth survived until June, 1892, dying at Cleveland, when aged about 7 years, having been a faithful member of the Catholic church all her life, while Mr. Haworth was a member of the Episcopal church. They were parents of eleven children, seven of whom grew to maturity and six of whom survive. One son, Joseph Haworth. who died unmarried, was a well known actor and for many years was connected with the Boston (Mass.) Museum. The four daughters all live in the city of Cleveland, the eldest, Kate, being unmarried. Martha is the wife of George Schneider; Nora is the wife of John E. O'Conner; and Emma, the wife of M. Kelly. Albert Haworth came to Crestline when Cleveland capitalists opened the Continental Hotel, and he became its manager in 1886, conducting it until 1891. Prior to becoming manager he had been chief clerk for many years and was interested in other activities, in the meanwhile completing his education in the night schools and for some years being the chief support of the family. Later Mr. Haworth purchased and operated the Central Hotel for somc time, closing out his hotel interests one year before he became postmaster. He has always been active in the Republican ranks and for 20 years has been a member of the county organizations. For 41 years he has been identified with the Knights of Pythias here and belongs also to the Elks, at Bucyrus. Mr. Haworth was married at Youngstown, O., to Miss Magdaline McCutcheon, who was born at Montreal, Canada, being of Scotch ancestry, and they have two children; William Joseph and Effie A. William Joseph Haworth, who is in the marble and mosaic business at Cleveland and a representative business man of that city, is a graduate of the Crestline High School and also of Kenyon College, of the class of 1896. He married and has two children. Martha and Marion. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to the Commandery at Cleveland. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Haworth, is the wife of Carl Martin Babst, a son of Judge Daniel Babst, a prominent jurist of Crawford county. Mr Pabst is a graduate of Oberlin and Kenyon Colleges and is a member of the Crestline bar. Mr. Haworth is paymaster for the railway mail clerks on the Pennsylvania Railroad between Pittsburgh and Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Haworth are members of the Presbyterian church and he is serving on its hoard of trustees. He has been a citizen of activity and Public spirit, and is a marked example of self made man. 1012 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY WILLIAM SIEFFERT, one of the substantial and well known citizens of Crawford county, O., resides on his valuable farm of 224 acres, situated in section 11, Cranberry township, on the north side of Angling road, one and one-fourth miles northwest of New Washington. On this farm he was born, Oct. 26, 1863, and is a son of Michael and Christine (Hoffses) Siefert. Michael Siefert was born in Stark county, O., Oct. 8, 1830, and died at New Washington, O., June 17, 1904. He was a son of John and Salome (Lantz) Siefert, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were married in Stark county, 0., and had four sons and two daughters: Michael, George, John, Jacob, Anna and Catherine. From Stark county they came to Crawford county, when Michael Siefert was four years old, and here John Siefert secured land from the Government, located in Cranberry township, which was then the home of many Indians. At that time New Washington was little but a hamlet. When Michael Siefert entered into business it was first as a farmer in Cranberry township, where he lived until 1882, moving then into New Washington, where he had an elevator and conducted a large grain business and also baled hay. He was an excellent business man and an honorable and upright citizen. In his political preference he was a Republican. In January, 1856. Michael Siefert was married to Christine Hoffses, who was born in Germany, Aug, 12, 1834, attended school there and was 19 years of age when she accompanied her mother to America. Her parents were George Jacob and Catherine Hoffses. The father died in Germany and it was in 1853 that the mother and daughter crossed the Atlantic Ocean and began life in a new country. The mother had also a son, Matthew, who is deceased. From Shelby, O., Mrs. Hoffses and daughter walked to New Washington and within two days the latter secured a situation at Plymouth, O., in which she remained until her marriage with Mr. Siefert, when she was reluctantly parted with by those who had become her attached friends as well as her employers. The mother survived to be Si years old, dying at New Washington and her burial was in the Lutheran Cemetery. she having been a devout member of the Lutheran church for years. To Michael Siefert and wife the following children were born: Jacob, a resident of Galion, O., who married Mary Rhoades and has three children—Dora, Malinda and Josephine; John, who died when aged four and one-half years; Michael, who died when aged three years ; Caroline, who is the wife of John Knodle, of New Washington, and has eight children—Emma, Ella, William, Ralph, Nora, George, Paul and Frederick; George, who resides at New Washington, and married Sarah Sutter and has had four children—Orlando, Sylvester. Alva, deceased, and Christian; William, the subject of this sketch; Anna, who is the wife of Frederick Michaelfelder, of New Washington, and has three children—Carl, Lydia and Walter; John (2), who married Ada Sheets, and has four children—Christine, Ernest, Carl and Esther; Michael, who died when one year old ; Adam, who died when aged two years; Clara, who is the wife of George Sheets, of New Washington, and has four children—Mary, Margaret, Jacob and Martin; Emma, who is the wife of A. F. Donnenwirth, of Tiro, O., and has four children—Oliver, Helen. Walter and Ruth and Frederick, who married Wilhelmine Mohrhoff and resides at New Washington, and has three children—David, Mildred and Paul. William Siefert attended school in Cranberry township and later at New Washington, in the meanwhile performing the usual duties that fall to youths on the farm and in this way securing the training that prepares them for the very serious business of later years when they assume the management of large estates of their own. For nine years Mr. Siefert worked as a farm hand and then settled for himself on the homestead, of which he is the owner, in the third generation. His grandfather secured the original 8o acres from the Government, in 1826, and this 80 is included in Mr. Siefert's present farm of 224 acres. He has done a great deal of improving here and built the first brick house in the northwestern part of this township, a modern residence with city comforts and conveniences, including a hot and cold water system and electric lighting. Mr. Siefert carries on general farming and makes something of a specialty of producing hay. Mr. Siefert was married to Mrs. Elizabeth AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1013 (Schafer) Mohrhoff, who was born in Chatfield township, Crawford county, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Schafer and widow of William Mohrhoff. The latter was survived by two children: David, who married Louetta Sutter; and Wilhelmine, who is the wife of Frederick Siefert. Mr. and Mrs. Siefert have two sons: Freeman and Arnold, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Siefert and family are members of the Lutheran church. He casts his political vote with the Democratic party. THOMAS BENTON BURGERT, who has been a continuous resident of Galion, O., since about 1856, and for many years a prosperous business man here, now lives in comfortable retirement but has not lost interest in all that contributes to the progress and development of this city. He was born in 1838, at Paris, in Stark county, O. and comes from German stock and old and responsible settlers of Pennsylvania. John Burgert, grandfather of Thomas B., was born in Pennsylvania and in early manhood married there and early in the twenties came as a pioneer to Stark county, O., where he and wife both died in their seventies. He was a weaver by trade, an excellent one in those days, but by the time his sons had reached manhood other occupations paid them better and David, his eldest son, who subsequently became the father of Thomas Benton, became a wood worker and established the Burger Fanning mills. He was yet youthful when the family came to Stark county, where he lived until 1860, when he moved to Crestline, and worked for the Pennsylvania railway company, and there his life was lost through an accident when he was aged 55 years. He was an active and enterprising man, highly respected by his business associates and useful as a citizen. He was married in Jefferson county, O., to Margaret Shultz, who died at Tiro, O., in her 76th year. They were members of the Christian church. Eight sons and one daughter were born to them, all of whom reached maturity and married, and four sons and the daughter still survive, Thomas Benton being the eldest born. Thomas Benton Burgert had the usual school advantages that were afforded children in his boyhood, and then was apprenticed to a tinner at Canton, O., where he learned the trade. In 1856 he came to Galion and worked at his trade until 1860, when he went to Crestline with his fathers family, but five years later returned to Galion and then established himself in business here, as tinner and hardware dealer, subsequently admitting L. W. Banister as a partner. They continued this business association for 17 years, but in 1906 sold out to the Diamond Hardware Company, both partners then retiring. Mr. Banister removed to Springfield, O., where his death occurred in 1909. For many years the firm had led the trade in their line and both partners enjoyed the confidence of all dealers and their fellow citizens as honorable business men. Mr. Burgert was married at Galion to Miss Mary A. Riblet, who was born in 1840, in Richland county, 0., and three children were born to them, namely: Harley J., Lulu and Olie. Harley J. Burgert is in the hardware business at Cleveland, O. He married Maude Flagel and they have two children, Mary L. and Ruth. Lulu is the wife of Henry Hause, a conductor on the Erie Railway. Olie, who died in 1907, was the wife of Charles Hall, and is survived by two children, Howard B. and Mildred. In politics Mr. Burgert, like his deceased father, is a Republican and served one term as a member of the city council. He was interested in many of the earlier enterprises of the city of a public nature and belonged to the Galion Fire Department when the company was organized as the Phoenix Fire Company and continued with it under its later title of the Niagara Fire Company, and is still in the service as fireman. His period of service covers 57 years, he first joining in Canton, the father of President McKinley's wife being the secretary of that company and then later while in Crestline he organized the fire department there. For many years he has employed his spare moments in working out inventions of different kinds and a railway lantern that he invented and patented in 1862, is still in use on many railroad lines, no later invention having displaced it, its utility being so evident. On Feb. 22, 1910, Mr. Burgert was granted a patent for water cut off for cisterns with a special feature to filter the water before it goes into the cistern. 1014 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY JAMES M. SPILLETTEE, one of the substantial citizens and successful farmers of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., where he owns 60 acres of well improved land, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born Jan. 31, 1849, a son of Samuel and Lydia (Laddich) Spillette. Samuel Spillette was born and reared in England and left his native land for Canada in early manhood, and later learned the manufacture of brick. He was married in Canada to Lydia Laddich, also a native of England, and they had eight children, all but the youngest being born in Canada: Charlotte, Richard, Martha, Samuel, Stanley, James, Amy and Laura. From Canada the family moved to Buffalo, N. Y. and from there to Cleveland and afterward to Bucyrus, O., Mr. Spillette working at his trade and in other lines, for 35 years his main business being brick making. For two years he made brick and also followed ditching at Sulphur Springs. In 1861 he came to the present family farm in Auburn township and improved the place to a considerable extent and at the time of death, in his 75th year, owned about 200 acres. He was a man of sterling character, honest and upright and was a member of the Church of God. His wife died at the age of 4 years and both were buried in the Goodwill Cemetery. James M. Spillette obtained his education in the district schools and afterward assisted his father and later, when farming became the family occupation, took the most of the responsibility on himself, as, by that time, his father was past middle life. Mr. Spillette has remained here and has always given his main attention to agricultural pursuits. On Dec. 25, 1874, Mr. Spillette was married to Miss Lucinda Glosser, who was born in Wyandot county, O.. Sept. 10, 1855, a daughter of John and Barbara (Graffmiller) Glosser. The parents of Mrs. Spillette were born in Germany and were married in Wayne county, O., afterward moving to Wyandot county, where they died, the father at the age of 77 years and the mother when aged 54 years. Their burial was in Salem Cemetery, near Sandusky, in Wyandot county, O. They were good. Christian people. members of the German Reformed church. They had thefollowingg children: Elizabeth, Barbara, Rosanna, Henry, Catherine, Caroline and Lucinda. To Mr. and Mrs. Spillette the following children were born: Frank H. who is married and has a son; Olive May, who is the wife of Jacob Godfried and has two children—Norman and Theora; and Pearl and Ina Merl, twins. The former married Ethel Carson and they have two children—Elaine and Vivian L. The latter is the wife of Daniel Bordner of Auburn township, and they have three children—Gradonnn S., Thoburn E. and Evelyn A. Mr. Spillette and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is affiliated with the Republican party. PHILIP TRAUTMAN,* who occupies the important office of chief of police, at Bucyrus, 0., has been identified with the publicguardianshipp of this city, for the past 14 years, gaining merited promotion at different times and during the administration of Mayor Valentine,, in 1903, was appointed to his present position. Chief Trautman was born 50 years ago, in Bavaria, Germany, a son of George and a grandson of George Trautman. The grandfather of Chief Trautman was a small German farmer and he married in Bavaria and both he and wife died there. Three of their children lived to maturity, two daughters who spent their lives in Germany, and George, the only son. They were of the Roman Catholic faith. George Trautman, Jr., was born in 1835. attended the village schools and then learned the milling trade. He there married Catherine Becker and after the birth of two sons, George and Philip, decided to emigrate to America where he believed existed better business opportunities for a man of family. Hence he reached the United States, in 1862, and almost immediately secured a position as an army cook in a New York regiment serving in the Civil War, and he continued with this military body for two years, when he came to Bucvrus. Here he engaged first in the milling business and then, with rare foresight, opened up an ice business, being, the pioneer in what is now one of the important industries of the city. He continued to handle ice as long as he was engaged in business, his death occurring in 1877, having survived his wife for two years. When he found his business prospects AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1015 promising, he sent for his wife and sons to join him at Bucyrus and they crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the steamer Harmony. Three more children were born to George Trautman and wife, in America, making five in all, Philip being the eldest of the family. The second son, George, is yard master at Bucyrus for the T. & O. C. Railroad, and has two sons, George and bred. John, who was born in America, died in 1896, at Denver, Colo., his widow being a resident of Chicago, Ill. Anna, the only daughter, is the wife of Fred K. Petersilge, and they have two children : Augusta and Ralph. Frank, the youngest of the family, is a plaster contractor doing business at Bucyrus. Philip Trautman was about four years old when his mother brought him to America and was 16 years of age when this good mother died. Four years later he lost his father. He attended school during the life of his mother, who was concerned in the education of her children, and afterward learned the plastering trade, which he followed continuously for four years. He was engaged in contract plastering during the building of the beautiful White City of Chicago, for the World's Fair. After his business was concluded there he returned to Bucyrus accompanied by William Lutz, his partner of Chicago, and together they continued in business at Bucyrus. A hen the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Lutz returned to Chicago, and in 1897, Mr. Trautman was appointed a patrolman of the police force at Bucyrus. He served on his beat until 1902, when he was elected city marshal by a majority of 500 votes, and in the following year, on account of a change in the law, the mayor appointed him to a second term as marshal and in 1904 made him chief and head of the force. Since taking full charge Chief Trautman has introduced many changes, all for the good of the public, and all progressive in character. He not only gives extreme satisfaction to the citizens of Bucyrus, but impresses strangers with his efficiency, the following being a quotation from a leading newspaper in another part of the state: "Perhaps no man in the State of Ohio, who holds the position of chief of police of a city, is more highly respected and more universally esteemed than Philip Trautman of Bucyrus." It is gratifying for 57 a public official to read such words of sincere praise, for often an elevated position is a thankless one, while, at the same time, it is heavy with responsibility. Chief Trautman was married at Bucyrus, in 1882, to Miss Lucy Metzger, who was born in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, a daughter of Charles Metzger, formerly a well known farmer in Bucyrus township. He and wife had come to this section from Baden, Germany, and the mother of Mrs. Trautman died when her daughter was but two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Trautman have two daughters: Blanche and Mazie. The former graduated from the Bucyrus High School in the class of 1902 and afterward attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, O. She is an accomplished and capable young woman and for the past four years has been a stenographer in the Fort Wayne, Ind., Electric Works. Maxie, the second daughter, is a graduate of the class of 1904, Bucyrus High School, and is a. stenographer in the employ of the American Clay Machinery Company, Bucyrus. The one son, a youth of ten years, Robert Trautman, is a bright student in the city schools. The family attends the German Lutheran church. Politically Chief Trautman is a stanch Democrat and is a member of the Crawford County Democratic Committee. From 1882 until 1900, he was identified with the Ohio National Guards and was a sergeant in the 8th Infantry from the time of its organization in 1884. His fraternal connections are with the Eagles and the Knights of Pythias. PETER BAUER, who, for seven years served with honesty and efficiency as a county commissioner of Crawford county, O., is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of this section of Ohio and a substantial retired farmer of Jackson township. He was born in Vernon township, Crawford county, Feb. 23, 1837, and is a son of John Philip and A. Catherine (Tike) Batter. John Philip Bauer, the father, was a soldier under Napoleon, suffered capture and as he was put in the ranks to fight against his own people and country, took advantage of the first opportunity to desert and made good his escape. John Philip Batter, father of Peter Bauer, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 1016 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY many, and in his native section learned the cabinetmaker's trade. He married in his neighborhood and he and wife remained there until after the birth of all but their youngest child. In order to secure better opportunities for these children, Mr. and Mrs. Bauer decided to undertake the long journey to the United States, which, at that time, when only sailing vessels ventured on the ocean, was a formidable enterprise and very different from the camparatively easy conditions under which people of other lands now reach America. After 72 days of buffeting on the water, the Bauer family was safely landed at Baltimore, Md. Their objective point was Crawford county and many miles had to be covered before it was reached. The small capital that the family possessed was pretty well exhausted by the time the city of Pittsburg was attained and from there, to Leesville, O., the distance was covered on foot. They paused long enough here for the mother to recuperate from the birth of their youngest son, Peter, and then moved to the 40-acre wild land which Mr. Bauer secured in Vernon township. By this time they were so accustomed to hardships and deprivations that they patiently awaited the building of their first log cabin shelter, the gradual clearing of their land and its subsequent cultivation. A comfortable hewn-log house supplanted the first one, more land was acquired and through German industry and thrift, they prospered and saw many years of ease in their old age. This land is still owned by the family and the old hewn-log house yet stands. Of their children the youngest is the only survivor. Peter Bauer grew up on his father's farm in Vernon township and had district school opportunities. For many years he successfully carried on farming and stock raising and, although retired for some years, still owns many acres of valuable and productive land, mainly situated near Crestline. He has been a very active and useful citizen, a lifelong Democrat, and frequently has been called to public office. In 1873 he was elected a county commissioner and served continuously until 1880. When he retired from this office, a mark of confidence and appreciation was shown him by the presentation of a fine gold-headed cane, which he values very highly. Mr. Bauer was married to Miss Elizabeth Cook, who was born in Richland county, O., Aug. 4, 1842, and died Aug. 14, 1900. Mrs. Bauer attended a picnic and afterward was attacked by what was probably ptomaine poisoning, which caused her death. She was beloved by family and friends and was a faithful member of the German Reformed church. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bauer, namely : Margaret, who is the widow of Jacob Eichorn, and has one son, George Fred, a resident of Crestline; Elizabeth, who is the wife of [-rank S. Shepard, a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and has six children; Mary, who is the wife of William T. Muntis, a farmer in Jefferson township, and has two sons and one daughter ; Carolina, who is the wife of Joseph E. Winters, a rural mail carrier, and has three daughters ; Catherine, who is the widow of George B. Scott, a resident of Crestline and has one child; and Emma L., who is the wife of Joseph E. Mitchell, a railroad man, and has four children. Mr. Bauer is a leading member of the German Reformed church and has been a liberal contributor to all its different benevolent and charitable movements. He is recognized as one of the sterling men of Jackson township. MRS. THOMAS NEDOLAST, who is a well known and highly esteemed resident of Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., residing on her farm of 152 acres, located in section 13, owns 470 acres of land. She was born in Germany, in June, 1856, and is a daughter of Andrew and Lena (Schiefer) Wenzelick, and the widow of Thomas Nedolast. Andrew Wenzelick, father of Mrs. Nedolast, was born in Germany, Feb. 28, 1808, and died on his farm two miles north of New Washington, O., Nov. 10, 1867, and his burial was in the Catholic Cemetery at New Washington. He married Lena Schiefer, and after the birth of their children they came to the United States and spent the rest of their lives in Crawford county, O. They were well known people, kind and hospitable, and were liberal supporters and faithful members of the Catholic church. To them were born the following children: Margaret, who became the wife of George Hepp; Barbara, who married AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1017 Peter Ruebuck; Mary, who is the wife of Martin Durnwald; Barto, who married Martin Durwent ; Anna, who married Thomas Nedolast; Lizzie; and Lena, who is the wife of Philip Studer. In January, 1872, Anna Wenzelick was married to Thomas Nedolast, who was born in Germany, a son of John and Mary (Yockaland) Nedolast, the former of whom was born in 1812. He settled east of New Washington, in Crawford county, O. He and family were members of the Catholic church. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nedolast the following children were born : John, who resides on the home farm; George, who lives in Cranberry township, who married Kate Schister, and has four children—Helen, Martha, Gerhart and Anna ; Nicholas, who married Elizabeth Yackland, and has three children—Lucy, Dora and Albert; Martin, who lives on the home farm, Peter, who married Dora Studer, and has two children—Gilbert and Frederick; Lena, who is the wife of Joseph Raymond, and has two children—Isabel and William ; and Leo and Joseph, who remain with their mother on her farm. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Nedolast lived for a time four miles southeast of New Washington and then came to this place, on which his death occurred. He was a well known and highly respected man, a good farmer, kind neighbor and loving husband and father and gave faithful service to the Catholic church to which lie and all his family belonged. CHRISTIAN P. SHAFTSTALL,* a well known agriculturist of Bucyrus township, is the owner of 82 acres of land. He was born Nov. 23, 1845, being a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Frantz) Shaftstall, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married but came to Crawford county, being among the early settlers. Both are now deceased and are buried in Mt. Zion cemetery. Peter Shaftstall was a farmer all his life and a Republican in his political views. To him and his wife were born a number of children, namely : Susan ; Elizabeth, who was married first to James Banks and second to J. S. Cook; Christian P. ; Frederick: Rebecca, the wife of John Marvel; Catherine; Mary Ellen. the wife of T. J. Williams; and Sarah, the wife of Frank Sweitzer. Christian P. Shaftstall grew up on the home farm and was given a common school education. He then learned the carpenter's trade and was engaged in this occupation for nine years when he turned his attention to farming, in which lie has since been interested. He bought 28 acres of land in 1874 and 27 ½ acres in 1880 and in 1883 he added to this so that lie now owns 82 acres and on this land he successfully carries on general farming. He has remodeled his house and built a new barn after the first burned down. Christian P. Shaftstall was married first in 1873 to Miss Irene Morehead who died in 1874. To them was born one child who died in infancy. Irene Morehead was a daughter of George Morehead. Mr. Shaftstall was married secondly in 1885 to Miss Esther Shemer, whose parents, John and Mary Shemer, were farmers in this county, and had the following children, besides Mrs. Shaftstall; Levi, Garrison, George, Corvin, Priscilla, Delilah, Anna and Amanda. To our subject and his wife were born: Clarence Otto, who married Blanche Wilson and has a son, Russell; and Lester Earl, who is at home. Mr. Shaftstall is a Republican in politics and he and his family attend the U. B. church. JOHN A. QUIG, who is one of the prominent men of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., a. member of its school board for ten years and during seven of these president of this body, resides on his excellent farm of 80 acres, which lies in section 30, Auburn township. He was born three miles northeast of New Washington, O., Nov. 12, 1849, and is a son of John and Hannah (Dickson) Quig. John Quig was born in Ireland and was a young man when lie accompanied his mother to the United States, locating in New Jersey. Later he cane to Crawford county, O., and went to work for John Dickson, a substantial farmer in Vernon township, whose daughter, Hannah Dickson, he subsequently married. They became parents of seven children, two of vvhom died in infancy, John A. being the third in order of birth. After marriage John Quig and wife lived in Cranberry township for ten years, during which time John A. was born, and then moved to Sandusky township, where he died when his above named son was nine years old, his age being 52 years. His 1018 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY widow survived to the age of 66 years. They were members of the Presbyterian church and were people who were highly respected in their neighborhood and long were remembered for their many good qualities. John A. Quig attended the district school in Sandusky township and ever since then has been engaged in farming. After he married he lived for six years in Vernon township and then moved to his present place which he bought from Thomas Bear. It was partly improved and he remodeled the buildings and added others as his farm industries demanded and now has all his land under cultivation except twelve acres which are in valuable timber. Mr. Quig married Miss Maggie Smith, who was born in Ashland county, a daughter of Jacob Smith, and they have the following children: F. J., L. M., C. G., A. E., O. L., and C. L. Mr Quig and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been practically a lifelong Democrat and has been one of the most interested citizens of his township in educational matters. DAVID F. AUGER, M. D., deceased, who was once a well known physician in several sections of Ohio, and whose descendants are representative people of Crawford county, was born in New Jersey, in 1829. The early records of his family have not been preserved but they were substantial people and he enjoyed educational advantages and was graduated from a medical college, following which he entered into practice at Wapakoneta, in Auglaize county, O. At the commencement of the Civil War, Dr. Abger entered the Federal Army as a surgeon, enlisting at McComb, in Hancock county O., and served out a first enlistment of three months. During this period he so fully realized the pressing necessity of skilled medical men in the army that at Galion, O., he reenlisted and after serving as a surgeon again for six months, was sent to a Western post and after that was lost to his family, the disturbed condition of the whole country at that time easily explaining this disappearance, which was harrowing in the extreme to wife and children. In Crawford county, O., Dr. Abger was married to Miss Mary Shawber, who was born in this county, Sept. 11, 1831, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Rhinehart) Shawber. The lather of Mrs. Abger was born in Pennsylvania, where lie grew up on a farm and then came to Columbiana county, O. Here he married Rebecca Rhinehart, who, like himself, was of German ancestry. After they had two children born to them they left Columbiana county and in the early twenties moved into Crawford county, settling in a great belt of unbroken timber, which is now a part of Jackson township. Their first house was built of logs with a mud and stick chimney, all hastily put together as it was necessary to get ground cleared on which to plant corn. The rich soil easily responded and, although the hills of corn were located here and there between stumps of trees, a fair crop was harvested and thus life began for them in the wilderness. Wild game abounded and for this reason many Indians came into their neighborhood. Mansfield, 14 miles distant, was the nearest purchasing point. The first log cabin was succeeded by a comfortable brick house, built in 1835, which still stands and is at present occupied by a grandson, Grant Shawber. After many years John Shawber and wife left the farm and retired to Wapakoneta, where his death occurred at the age of 68 years, while his widow survived to be 83 years of age. They were faithful members of the Lutheran church an he was one of the organizers of the First Lutheran Church at Galion. Of their 12 children, all reached maturity and married and one daughter became the mother of 12 children like her own mother. Of this family there are but two survivors : Mrs. Abger and Mrs. Margaret Shick, wife of John Shick, substantial people of Bellefontaine, O. Four children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Abger, namely : John V., who died at the age of 20 years ; Eugene, who died in California; survived by a widow and two children: Edwin, who died in Indiana ; and M. Olivia, who is the wife of Rev. George Butterfield, who is a missionary minister of the Presbyterian church, with home at Los Angeles, Calif. They have one daughter, Dorothy C., a graduate of the Occidental College, a music teacher and church organist. Mrs. Abger has traveled considerably and has lived in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Californio and Ohio. Additionally she is well informed in young womanhood AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1019 having prepared herself for a teacher's career and for some years prior to her marriage with Dr. Abger taught school with marked success. When young she was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church and has ever since retained her membership. ANDREW FRAZEE, one of the leading citizens of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., who is chairman of the township board of trustees, on which body he is serving in his third year, resides in section 16, where he owns a well cultivated farm of 524 acres. He was born in Cranberry township, Crawford county, Sept. 28, 1867, and is a son of George and Caroline (Goodyear) Frazee. George Frazee was reared in the southwest corner of Auburn township and after marriage resided on several different farms and owned the one adjoining Andrew Frazee's farm on the west. After the death of his wife, who was a daughter of Andrew Goodyear, George Frazee moved to Galion, where he now lives retired. Of their seven children five survive. Andrew Frazee attended school in Auburn township and his first wage-earning work was cutting stone, which he continued for two years, since when has mainly been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has his farm well drained and tiled and all is under cultivation with the exception of eight acres in valuable timber. He is progressive in his ideas and follows modern methods in cultivating his land and selecting his stock. Mr. Frazee was married June 16, 1898, to Miss Temperance Wilt, who was born July 6, 1873. at Oceola, 0., a daughter of James and Melvina (Canable) Wilt and a granddaughter of John Wilt, all of Fulton county, Pa. During the Civil War, James Wilt served one year as a member of the 168th O. Vol. Inf., and until the close of his life was a member of Harker Post, G. A. R., at Defiance, O. While living at New Washington, 0., Mr. and Mrs. Wilt had two children born to them and later, after moving to Oceola, four more children were born. The family lived at Oceola when Mrs. Wilt died, at the age of 42 years. For some eight years Mr. Wilt lived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frazee. He was a blacksmith by trade and worked at different places, his death occurring in January, 1909, at Dayton, O., and his burial was in the Greenlawn Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Frazee have one son, George Rowland, who is attending the public schools, a bright and satisfactory pupil. The family belongs to the United Brethren church at Tiro, O. He is somewhat prominent in local political circles and is a valued office holder as above indicated. Both he and wife are interested in the order of Patrons of Husbandry and for two years Mrs. Frazee has been master of the Auburn Township Grange, of which Mr. Frazee is the present treasurer. HENRY LEPP, a retired farmer and for many years a successful agriculturist in Marion and Crawford counties, O., has been a resident of Galion for about 13 years but retains possession of a large body of valuable farm land in the latter county. He was born June 14, 1830, in Baden, Germany, where his father died in middle age. The mother, late in life, came to America and died at Galion, O., when aged 72 years. Henry Lepp grew to manhood in his own German province and became a small farmer and then was married to Elizabeth Ikon, who was born on a neighboring farm, in April, 1830. In 1853 they set out for America, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in one of the old-time sailing ships, and after 42 days on the water, were safely landed on American soil, in October of the above year. Their objective point was Crawford county, O., and when they reached here Mr. Lepp and wife both found work, his wages being six dollars a month and hers one dollar a week. Both were industrious and frugal and little by little their combined capital grew sufficiently until they were able to rent a farm. On that farm they again combined their efforts and after nine years of saving and hard work had $1,200 and with that money Mr. Lepp bought 157 acres of land in Marion county. He kept that farm for 18 years and then traded it for 270 acres situated in Crawford county, five miles from Galion and later increased the acreage to 700 acres. This land was all placed under the finest possible cultivation before Mr. Lepp consented to retire, which he did in 1899. In addition to his acquisition of land Mr. Lepp has been so excellent a manager of finance that he has saved an additional $10,000. He gives 1020 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY credit to his faithful wife, who was a helpmate indeed, for a part of his success. She lived long enough to share in the ease that came to herself and husband as a result of their industry and saving, her death occurring Sept 22, 1910. Five sons and two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lepp, namely: John, of Morrow county, O., who married there and has one son and two daughters; Henry H., who owns an excellent farm in Morrow county, who is married and has one son and three daughters; William, also is an independent farmer in Morrow county, who is married and has two sons; George, who also owns much land in Morrow county, who is married and has one son and six daughters; Charles, who is also a successful farmer; Margaret, the wife of Leopold Long, a farmer in Crawford county, who has two sons and one daughter; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Wesley Messmore, a substantial farmer in Morrow county, and has three sons. The five sons and one daughter own 1,175 acres in Morrow county. in politics Mr. Lepp and sons are Democrats. He is a member of the Reformed church. JOHN J. HEINLEN,* a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Holmes township, Crawford county, O., residing on his farm of 80 acres, situated three miles north of Bucyrus. O., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1845. In his own land Mr. Heinlen attended school and lived until he was 24 years of age and then he came to the United States and on coming to Ohio, located in Bucyrus township, Crawford county. There he engaged in general farming until 1902, when he moved to his present place in Holmes township. He married Miss Catherine Rilling, who was also born in Germany and died in Ohio, in 1911, when aged 58 years. They had the following children born to them : Frederick, Jacob, Emanuel, Mrs. Mary Spade, Mrs. Catherine Burwell, Martha and John. the last named marrying Marie Rapp, of. Cincinnati. Since his father's retirement, Jacob Heinlen has been operating the farm and also follows the carpenter trade. His birth took place in Bucyrus township in 1886. In politics the Heinlens are Democrats and as a. family they belong to the German Lutheran church at Bucyrus. AMOS BAER, who was a conductor in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad for almost 40 years, retiring on account of age limit on July 1, 1909, and is also an honored veteran of the Civil War, has been a resident of Crestline, O., since 1870, in which city he is quartermaster of Snyder Post No. 129, Crestline, Department of Ohio. He was born near Mapleton, Stark county, O., March 31, 1844, a son of David and Mary (Doll) Baer, both of whom died on their farm in Stark county. Amos Baer was a little over 17 years of age when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, Sept. 6, 1861, entering Co. I, 19th O. Vol. Inf., as a private, and when he was honorably discharged and mustered out at San Antonio, Tex., on Oct. 24, 1865, he held the rank of second sergeant in his company. He took part in the great battles of Shiloh and Corinth, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, went through the Atlanta campaign, fought at Franklin, Nashville and Missionary Ridge and all other points where his company was engaged, ever being at the post of duty, but was fortunate enough to escape both wounds and imprisonment. In 1866 he came to Crestline, where he entered the Pennsylvania Railway service and from December 31st of that year until Sept. 13, 1869, served as local freight brakeman, when lie was made freight conductor. During his long term of service, which was 42 years and 6 months, he had almost a clear record, several minor and unavoidable accidents only occurring, none of these in any way reflecting on his carefulness or lack of railroad knowledge. His retirement, with the usual pension accorded faithful employes, came according to the established railroad law, and it was with regret that lie severed connections with employers, with whom mutual esteem existed, and with the comrades of many years. On Oct. 2, 1870, at Crestline, Mr. Baer was married to Miss Margaret C. Lienstarger, who was born in Richland county, 0., but was reared and educated at Crestline. Mr. and Mrs. Baer have the following children : Olive A., who was educated here in the common and High schools and resides at home: E. Pearl, who conducts a millinery business at Urbana, O.: Edgar G., who is a freight conductor on the Pennsylvania line and lives at home : and Curtis C., who married Laura Cummings and has a daughter, Margaret L., who was born AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1021 July 26, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Baer have also reared Myrtle Brownsburger, who is now 14 years of age. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. Mr. Baer and son are members of the Railway Association of Conductors and of the Volunteer Relief Society. All are people of high standing at Crestline and are widely known. D. C. BOYD, secretary and general manager of the Galion Iron Works Company, of Galion, O., a prosperous manufacturing concern, was born and reared in Mercer county, Pa. He obtained his education in his native county and at the age of 18 years began to teach school. His first business experience was gained as salesman in a local store, and subsequently he was for seven years a dealer in hardware and machinery. He then went to Orville, Wayne county, O., where he established a large trade in road machinery and supplies and developed a very good business. While here lie also invented an improved culvert or sluice-pipe device possessing unusual strength and efficiency, with a minimum of parts—a simple and valuable contrivance. He has also invented and patented other useful inventions. He organized the Galion Iron Works Company with which he is now connected, it being incorporated in February. 1907, with a capital of $100,000, which was increased in 1912 to $150,000. The company started with a small plant, having a building 200x60 feet, which was increased the second year by the addition of 50 feet more. The third year another addition, of 100 feet in length was added and again, in 1911, an extension of rob feet was constructed, these buildings all being two stories high, with fire-proof out-shoes for oils, paints, etc. Another larger building is used for a pattern storage house. The works are supplied with a powerful electric plant to operate the massive machinery used in the manufacture of their heavy road machines, their large corrugated drainage sluice-pipes and Mr. Boyd's own patent culvert, or sluice-way pipe of all sizes. All these products find a ready market. Their road machines are sold all over America. Every practical device is used in the shops to promote the convenience and safety of the employees. The company now employs 200 people, with ten salaried men on the road. They have branch offices at Pittsburg, Pa., Memphis, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga. The officers of the company are H. Got- tinger, president; Frank W. Faber, vice president; D. C. Boyd, secretary and manager and G. L. Steeffel, treasurer. Mr. Boyd married Miss Lizzie May Findley, a native of Mercer county, Pa., and they are the parents of six children, namely : Hazel, John Scott, Findley, Ruth, Ralph and Theodore. Hazel, who was well educated in Orrville, O., is the wife of George E. Stenson and resides in Cleveland, O. She has no children. John Scott, who was graduated from the Wenomona Technical Institute at Indianapolis, Ind., took a business course at Mansfield. O., and is now shop superintendent of the Galion Iron Works Company; he married Gladys Oice. Findley is attending the Galion high school. Ruth, Ralph and Theodore are attending school in Galion. Mr. Boyd is a capable business man and an active, enterprising citizen. He has great mechanical ability, as his various patents prove. He and his family are well known and highly respected residents of Galion. JOHN P. SHECKLER, one of the well known retired residents of Crawford county. O., resides on the farm on which his birth took place, in section 22, Auburn township, on March 3, 1829, this property lying three and one-half miles northeast of Tiro and consisting of 222 acres. His parents were John and Rachel (Pettit) Sheckler. John Sheckler was born in Huntington county, Pa., and remained with his father until he was 21 years of age, when he, in company with his brother. David Sheckler. left home and started for Ohio on foot passing through Mansfield. then a village, in 1812. They worked at carpentering or farming or anything that came their way, and finding the people friendly and plenty of fine land to be secured. decided to return to Pennsylvania and make arrangements to return and become home builders in Ohio. They returned on foot to Pennsylvania but in 1819 came back. again on foot, and David secured his land south of Mansfield, while John entered 160 acres, a part of the farm now owned by his son. It was then covered with forest and lie secured it for $1.25 per acre. His first log 1022 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY cabin was built southeast of the present house site on account of a large spring being situated there, to which the deer came to slake their thirst in those early days. He married Rachel Pettit, who was born in Virginia, a daughter of Thomas Pettit, later a resident of Richland county. She was the mother of eight children, four of whom survive : Thomas, John P., George and Christina. Here John Sheckler lived from 1821 until his death in 159, being then aged 69 years and his burial was in the Hanna Cemetery in Auburn township, where his wife rested, she having died at the age of 35 years. They were members of the Baptist church. In his earlier years Mr. Sheckler was a Democrat but later approved of the principles on which the Republican party was founded. John P. Sheckler and his brothers and sisters had such educational opportunities as the Center school, in Auburn township, offered at that time. He remained with his father and has followed an agricultural life and spent it all in this section with the exception of a few months passed in Indiana. About 50 acres of his land is yet timbered, all being exceedingly valuable. Mr. Sheckler married Miss Leonora Ashley, who was born in Auburn township, a daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Aumend) Ashley. The Ashley family came to America from England in 1630, the first of the name being Robert Ashley, who had the following sons: Elkanah, John, Jonas, Thomas, Solomon, and a daughter, Sylvia. Jonas Ashley married Elizabeth Eaton and they had the following children : Jonas, Jr., born May 20, 1797, who married Sarah Hawks; Salmon, born Dec. 13, 1799: Horace, born Dec. 23, 1801 ; Ebenezer, born May 6, 1804, in New York, who came unmarried to Ohio, and in 1830 married Mary Aumend, born in Pennsylvania in 1812, and died July 28, 1843 ; Almira, born Aug. 29, 1806, died May 6, 1886: Clarissa, born Dec. 23. :1809, died May 4. 1886 : Eaton. born Tune r, 1811 ; Elisha and Elijah, twins, born Dec. 21, 1814, the former of whom died in 1894 and the latter in 1850 : Elizabeth, born July 6, 1817, who died in 1820: Delilah, born Sent. 22, 1819. who died August 20, 1820: Phila Ann, who was born Nov. 4, 1821, and died Aug. 28, 1901 ; and William Henry Harrison, who was born May 5, 1824, and died Sept. 18, 1856. This was one of the best known families of this section of Crawford county, O. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheckler the following children were born : Rachel Elida, who died when aged one and one-half years; Mary, who resides at home; and Edith Blanche, who is the wife of D. F. Grove, who carries on the farm for Mr. Sheckler. Mr. and Mrs. Grove have seven living children and one deceased. For many years Mr. Sheckler has been a member of the Auburn Baptist church. Formerly he was interested in the Grange and in all other movements that promised to benefit his neighborhood. He belongs to the progressive wing of the Republican party but has never accepted any public office except that of supervisor. In his long life he has seen many changes take place in his immediate community as well as in the country at large, his years having bridged a very important period in the history of the world. JONATHAN F. KIMERLINE,* formerly county auditor of Crawford county, O., for many years has been prominently identified with public affairs and business interest of Bucyrus as well as other places of former residence, and may be said to bear a name that is a household word in educational circles throughout the county. And yet no man ever had to face more difficulties or overcome harder conditions than lie in his efforts to secure an education for himself. He was born December 6, 1855, at Wooster, O., and is a son of John and Hannah (Derr) Kimerline. John Kimerline was born at Stuttgart and his wife at Baden, Germany, and after their marriage in the latter place and the birth of four children—William, Louis, John and Margaret—they decided to emigrate to America. In 1834 they left Hamburg, Germany, on board a sailing vessel which landed them, 52 days later, in the harbor of New York. A brother had already established himself at Wooster. O., and to that place the German family proceeded. John Kimerline followed the shoemaking trade during the rest of his active life at Wooster. He came to Bucyrus in 1804 to spend his last days with his son, Jonathan F., and died there in 1893 in his AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1023 79th year, having survived his wife since 1881. Both he and wife were members of the German Lutheran church. They had seven children, three having been born in America. William, the eldest son, became a confectioner at Findlay, O., where he died in 1865. Louis, who is a retired drover and butcher, resides at New Washington, O., and has a family of two sons and four daughters. John died at Cleveland, O., in 1889. He had been assistant cashier for 14 years with the Cleveland Provision Company. Margaret married Anthony Gillis, a provision dealer at Half Moon Bay, Calif. Christina died at New Washington, Crawford county, while her parents were visiting there. Jonathan F. was the sixth in order of birth. The youngest child, Elizabeth, died in 1866, when aged seven years. Jonathan F. Kimerline was the one member of the family that determined to have a thorough education and living in a college town but stimulated this ambition. He attended the: common schools regularly until he was i6 years of age but his father was not able to help him on the way to further education and for a time the youth had to contend with many obstacles. However, he later made arrangements by which he was able to clothe himself decently and pay his way through college, and long ago has settled all the obligations he then assumed. He passed through Smith. ville College and then took a course in the Ohio Normal School at Ada, O., and in 1874 was called to Chatfield township, Crawford county, to become principal of the schools and this position he satisfactorily filled for two years and then became principal of the schools of New Washington and for 20 years thereafter he was principal and superintendent. During this time he made many changes all progressive ones and when he left that city a fine school building and many graduates testified to his educational an executive ability. In 1895 Mr. Kimerline was elected county auditor of Crawford county and served efficiently in that office for six years and afterward for seven years was deputy auditor, under his brother-in-law. J. I. Smith. Later he became clerk of the hoard of county commissioners, an office he holds at the present time. While still engaged in aducational work lie was a member of the State Board of State Examiners and at present is clerk of the Bucyrus Board of Education. He is interested in everything along educational lines and for the past five years has been a member of the Public Library Board. For four years he has had charge of the educational department of the Crawford County Agricultural Society and is a member of the board of directors of the Bucyrus Y. M. C. A., of which lie was one of the organizers. Mr. Kimerline was married in 1881, at Congress, O., to Miss Ida M. Brenneman, a popular teacher and accomplished lady, a native of Wayne county, O., and a daughter of J. H. and Lydia Brenneman, formerly of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Kimerline have had four children, two of whom, Florence and Clifford Dale, died on the same day, in 1890, aged respectively five and six years. The two survivors are Marie L. and Harry B. Marie L. graduated in the class of 1908 from the Bucyrus High School. She is talented in music and makes use of her gifts as a teacher. Harry B. Kimerline is making a name for himself as a mining chemist and at present is prospecting in the Altal mining district of Mexico. He graduated from the Bucyrus High School in the class of 1904 and later took a course in applied science at Case College and then spent one year at Ann Arbor, Mich., and subsequently graduated at Perdue University of Ind., taking his degree. Mr. Kimerline is prominent in two fraternal orders, having filled all the chairs of Lodge No. 661, Knights of Pythias, at New Washington. and being past chief of the order of Ben Hur. CHARLES FREMONT MONROE, proprietor of the Commercial Printing Company, at Galion, O., is a well known newspaper man of this section and is widely known all over Crawford county. He was born in Franklin county, O., Oct. s8, T87, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Vorys) Monroe. The name Monroe has been one of distinction in the United States and in all probability the hearers of this name descended from three brothers who came together from across the Atlantic Ocean. one of these locating in New England, one in Virginia and the third in what is now Ohio. Leonard Monroe was the name of the Ohio settler. Possibly he was 1021 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY born in 1755 and it is known that he served in the War of the American Revolution and that he died in Delaware county, O., where he had long been a resident. Names of his children as follows have been preserved: Lemuel Franklin, Alonzo, Samuel, Isaac and Elsie. Lemuel Franklin Monroe was born in Delaware county, O., May 18, 1790, served in the War of 1812 and later became a Universalist minister. On Dec. 29, 1814, he married Margaret Brown, who was born March 7, 1798, and to this union twelve children were born. Isaac Monroe, the eldest son of Rev. Lemuel Franklin and Margaret Monroe, was born in Delaware county, O., July 17, 1816, and died April 28, 1887, in Knox county, O. He became a school teacher and even at that day this profession was considered one of extreme importance and formidable contracts were drawn up between teacher and patrons. From school records of that day the following is copied as an interesting bit of family history. "An article of agreement made and concluded this 16th day of April, 1824, between Isaac Monroe of the county of Delaware and the State of Ohio of the one part and we, the undersigned subscribers of the other part, witnesseth that the said Monroe loth agree to teach a regular English school, for the term of one year, consisting of reading, writing and arithmetic, in a school house in the district near Leonard Monroe's where the majority of the subscribers may think proper, in consideration of which we, the subscribers do agree to pay the said Monroe one hundred and twenty-five dollars, to he paid in wheat, rye, corn, linen, tallow or beeswax, to be paid at the expiration of each quarter, at cash price, also to furnish a sufficient supply of fire wood for the use of said school, likewise to make and keep said house comfortable. Said teacher is to keep six hours in each day and five days and one-half each week, school to commence the third day of May next. The trustees of said school may discharge the teacher at the expiration of any quarter if he neglect his duty in any respect. Said teacher may quit the school at the end of any quarter if he thinks proper." This maner was signed by a dozen patrons who agreed to pay sums ranging from fifty cents to $4. Educators of the present day night hesitate to sign documents like the above and it is doubtful if many of them would be led from other occupations by the compensation offered. For a number of years, however, Isaac Monroe appears to have engaged in teaching and he also became prominent in the work of the Union Sunday-school. He married Mary Vorys, who was born March 26, 1824, in Washington county, Pa., and died at Galion, March 6, 1907. They were the parents of nine children. Charles Fremont Monroe was well instructed in boyhood and youth and at the age of 19 years began to teach school, later attending Prof. Holbrook's Normal School. at Lebanon, O., and was graduated in the teachers' class from that institution in 1881. For 15 years Mr. Monroe was superintendent of the Taylor Township High School in Union county. For seven years he resided at Milton Center, O., where he was mayor and editor and proprietor of the "Milford Center Ohioan," and from there, in 1904, came to Galion, where, in association with John W. Cupp, he embarked in the newspaper business. He became editor of two old established journals, the "Daily Leader" and the "Sun-Review,'' then operated by the Sun-Review Company. The former newspaper was established by Christian F. Eise, in 1891 and in 1896 had been taken over by the Sun-Review Company. In 1909 Mr. Monroe and Mr. Cupp sold their newspaper interests and organized the Commercial Printing Company, of. which Mr. Monroe became sole proprietor in 1910. Mr. Monroe was married Dec. 21, 1886, to Miss Mary Josephine Burson, and they have had the following children : Florence Olive, who was born at Broadway, Union county, O., March 13, 1887, and is the wife of E. Flickinger, Jr., of Galion ; Willard Taylor, who was born at Broadway, July 3, 1891, and died at Galion, Nov. 17, 18g4; Rowena, who was born Oct. 3, 1901, at Milton Center, O. ; and Charles Fremont, who was born Dec. 8, 1903. Ever since reaching manhood Mr. Monroe has been an interested and active citizen and has been prominently identified with the Republican party. During 1908 and 1909 he served as chairman of the Crawford County Republican Central Committee, and in 1910 became a member of the State Republican Central AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1025 Committee representing the 13th Congressional District. e is a past master Mason and a member of Galion Lodge No. 414 F. & A. M. and belongs also to the Elks and Knights of Pythias. He takes a public spirited interest in everything tending toward the development of Galion and looking to the welfare of the people, and is a. needed and valued citizen. JAMES M. HANNA, one of the leading growers and shippers of thoroughbred stock and cattle in Crawford county, O., resides on his farm of 115 acres, which lies in section 21, Auburn township, was born on a farm that adjoins his own on the east, June 27, 1852, and is a son of James and a grandson of Samuel and Elizabeth Hanna. When Samuel Hanna came to Crawford county from Harrison county, O., he entered 260 acres of land in Auburn township, the record of which is preserved at Wooster, O. His subsequent life was spent on his property and he died there, having lived retired for some years previously. Both he and wife were laid to rest in what is known as the Hanna Cemetery, land that he donated for cemetery purposes. His children were : James ; Samuel, who resides on the east half of his father's old farm ; John, who followed the blacksmith trade at Decalb, O. ; Margaret, who married Andrew Dixon of Vernon township, Crawford county; Thomas, who died while serving in the Civil War; William, deceased, who lived on a farm in Hancock county : Archibald, deceased, who also lived in Hancock county; and Eliza Jane, who died and is buried in Hancock county. James Hanna, son of Samuel and father of James M., was six months old when his parents came to Crawford county and he grew to manhood in Auburn township and later secured 80 acres of the western part of the old farm and lived there until within a few years of his death, when he retired to Tiro. He was a leading member of the United Presbyterian church, there and was a member of the building committee which erected the church edifice. He was one of the solid and reliable men of both township and town and was held in great esteem. He married Clarissa Scott and all their children were born in Auburn township, namely: Catherine. now deceased, who was the wife of James Cahill: James M., subject of this article; and William Scott, who is the present owner of the old homestead of his father and is a resident of Tiro. He completed his education at Ada, O., while his brother and sister attended the Savanna High School, all having enjoyed excellent advantages. After completing his education James M. Hanna married and then settled on his present farm, which was then known as the Jonah Ashley farm, although Mr. Hanna had purchased the property from his father. He has his land all under cultivation with the exception of 15 acres fenced off as a woodland pasture, and this is needed as Mr. Hanna has made a specialty of raising fine cattle and stock and owns the only herd of thoroughbred Shorthorns in this section. He devotes considerable attention to raising Chester White hogs and for some twelve years has grown Shropshire sheep that have become so standard that lie is called on to ship them all over the state. His place shows that many substantial improvements have been made here and that Mr. Hanna is a careful as well as successful agriculturist. On Sept. 29, 1874, in Plymouth township, Mr. Hanna was married to Miss Harriet 1. Chambers, who was born in Morrow county, O., March 30, 1853, a daughter of William Park and Mary Jane (Dougal) Chambers. They were born and reared in Springfield township, Richland, county, and during life made several removals, living mainly in Richland county. Mrs. Chambers died in Jackson township, when aged 52 years and her burial was at Shiloh, O. Mr. Chambers survived her, dying at Cleveland, when aged 69 years and six months. They were members of the United Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanna the following children have been born : Jennie Wilson, who is the wife of John F. Sawyer; Charles M., who resides two miles south of his father, and who married Jenette Carouthers and has two children—Sarah Harriet and Robert Laird; Grace Dora; Martha May, who is the wife of Orian Armstrong of Youngstown, O. ; and Robert R. and Ida Marie, both of whom live at home. The family belongs to the United Presbyterian church at Mansfield. In politics Mr. Hanna is a Republican. 1026 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY A. A. STARNER, M. D., proprietor of the Starner Hospital, at Galion, O., and a well known general practitioner of medicine and surgery, was born at Glenmont, Holmes county, O., and is a son of Alexander and Margaret (Ulrich) Starner. Alexander Starner was born on the Atlantic Ocean during the voyage of his parents from Germany to America, and he died in Ohio, Dec. 21, 1894. In this state he married Margaret Ulrich, who was also of German parentage but was born in Ohio. On March 17, 1912. Mrs. Starner celebrated her 70th birthday. In the schools of Glenmont, Millersburg and Ada, O., A. A. Starner received his early educational training, afterward teaching school two years. He then entered the office of the late Dr. Joel Pomerene, of Mt. Hope, O., who was one of the best known surgeons of that part of the state and with him received his preliminary medical reading, continuing there for two years. In 1892 he became a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, Ill., where he was a brilliant student and was graduated in 1896. At the end of his first year, Dr. Starner was the head of his class in anatomy and at the end of his third year received the Byford prize in gynecology, and at the end of his senior year was one of the six graduates of his class who carried off the highest honors. At the end of his junior year he practiced to some extent in Chicago, having one district in Cook county, and at the end of his senior year, by competitive examination, won the desired position of interne in the Alexian Brothers Hospital, Chicago. Prior to coming to Galion, in 1892, Dr. Starner practiced his profession at Danville, O. In 1906 he opened his private hospital in this city, erecting a commodious building in a favorable situation, fitting it up with all modern conveniences and appliances for hospital purposes. Here patients are treated with professional skill and they come from every section of the country. Dr. Starner keeps fully abreast with scientific progress, having taken two post graduate courses under the famous Mayo Brothers, surgeons of world-wide fame, at Rochester. Minn., since opening his hospital, and prior to this time took two courses in the great medical centers of Chicago. Dr. Starner was married to Miss Emma C. Snyder, who was born and reared at Mt. Hope, O., and completed her musical education at Evanston, Ill., after which she taught music for a time. Dr. and Mrs. Starner have five children : Genevieve, Kathleen, Joel, Virginia and Mary. The eldest daughter was so proficient in her studies that last year at school she was awarded a gold medal. Dr. Starner and family are members of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and is identified with the leading medical organizations of county and state. JOSEPH NIEDERMEIER, who carries on general farming on section 23, Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., where he owns 80 acres of valuable land, situated on the south side of the East and West road, was born on this farm, June 28, 1866, and is a son of Peter and Barbara (Rauner) Niedermeier. Peter Niedermeier was born in Australia and married there and then came to America and settled in Auburn township, Crawford county, O., where they lived until they moved to the farm above mentioned. When Peter Niedermeier took possession of this farm it was covered with a native forest growth and it took much hard work and a number of years to place it in its present high state of cultivation, it now being one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Niedermeier and wife finally retired to New Washington and lived there for four years, and there his wife died, June 27, 1898, aged 76 years. After her death he returned to the old homestead and his last years were spent with his son Joseph, and here he died June 27, 1903, his birth having taken place May 23, 1825. Both he and wife were faithful members of the Roman Catholic church and they were interred in the church cemetery at New Washington. There were seven children in the family and five of these survive. Joseph Niedermeier, with his brothers and sisters, attended school in Cranberry township. While the others left home when they formed domestic ties of their own, he remained with his parents and later purchased the farm and has continued here ever since. He has already done much improving and at the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1029 time of writing (1912) is erecting a fine brick residence, with modern improvements which will be a beautiful home. Mr. Niedermeier married Miss Rosa Biglin, who was born in the Shelby Settlement, a daughter of John and Margaret Biglin, and they have five children: Frank, Linus, Clarence, John and Edward. The family belongs to St. Bernard Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat. Andrew Niedermeier, a brother of Joseph, has recently purchased 90 acres in section 11, Cranberry township, two and one-half miles northeast of New Washington. He married Margaret Bigley of Richland county, a daughter of John Bigley, and they have ten children: Rosa, Roman, Blanche, George, Mary, Clara, Joseph, Alfred, Carl and Arthur. Mr. Niedermeier resided on a 4o-acre farm west of the homestead, for 20 years. Like his brother Joseph, he is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Catholic church. The Niedermeier family is known and highly respected all over Cranberry township. JOHN W. STUCKMAN,* who owns and operates 160 acres in Bucyrus township and 40 acres in Tod township, Crawford county, and who is also a stock holder in the Farmers & Citizens Bank, was born in Bucyrus township, Feb. 23, 1867, a son of Peter and Margaret (Bickel) Stuckman. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Stuckman had the following children: George P. ; Anna, the wife of Rev. J. H. Patterson, a minister of the U. B. church, who is an elder of the Eastern Ohio Conference; John W.; Maggie, the wife of John C. Kraner; Aaron A. ; and Esther, deceased. After his education in the common schools of his locality was over John W. Stuckman entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada and spent one year there. He then learned telegraphy and for two years was engaged in that work in the Pennsylvania Railroad office in Bucyrus. He then turned his attention to agriculture and has since devoted himself to that occupation in connection with stock buying. His live stock trade is carried on the markets of Buffalo and Pittsburg and he also deals extensively in poultry in the eastern markets. On March 27, 1895, Mr. Stuckman was married to Grace L. Albright, a native of this township and a daughter of Emanuel and Catherine (Rexroth) Albright. Emanuel Albright was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Germany. He was a Republican in politics and with his wife attended the Methodist church. 'l hey were the parents of the following children: William, Joseph, George, Mary (the wife of Lewis Kissling), Gertrude (the wife of John Kissling), Grace L. (the wife of our subject), Nellie (the wife of George Fahl), Frederick and Margaret (the wife of Henry Gushman). Mr. and Mrs. John Stuckman have the following children: Hazel, Harlan, Helen and Hester. He is a Democrat in politics. He served as central committee man of this district for several terms, was a member of the school board for about 20 years and is now president of the Agricultural Society of Crawford county. He is a member of the F. & A. M., K. of P. and F. O. E., all at Bucyrus. Mr. and Mrs. Stuckman are members of the U. B. church. MRS. CATHERINE SHELL, who is a well known and very highly esteemed resident of Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., was born in Germany, Nov. 28, 1849, and is a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Holly) Kreim. Joseph Kreim was born in Bohemia, Austria, a son of Joseph and Mary Ann Kreim, the youngest of their five children. He and his brother Philip came to America and the latter lived two miles west of Plymouth, O. on the Westfall farm. He was a weaver of cloth in Germany and after coming to the United States learned to weave rag carpets. In Germany Joseph Kreim was married to Barbara Holly, who was born there June 11, 1826, and died Aug. 17, 1910. For six years after marriage they lived in Germany and then carne to America and joined his brother Philip, near Plymouth. Afterward he moved to Sandusky, O., prior to the Civil War, and there assisted to build the Ohio Canal. For five years afterward he and family lived on a small farm near Ripley and then moved on the Westfall farm near Plymouth. He then bought 4o acres of land in Cranberry township on which his family lived during his ab- 1030 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY sence of nine months in the army, during the Civil War. After lie received his honorable discharge he was so anxious to reach home that he walked the entire distance from Shelby and Mfrs. Shell remembers how she was the one that met him at the door in the middle of the night. Later he erected another house on the place and it was in that residence that lie died on Feb. 1, 1897. Both he and wife were devoted members of the Catholic church and it was a source of great pleasure to them that all their children became devout church members. The eldest child of Joseph and Barbara Kreim was an infant that lived but four days. Catherine was the second born. Philip, who was two years old when his parents came from Germany, married Caroline Weis and they live near Cleveland, O., and have nine children Leo, Louisa, Frederick, Fredericka, Rose, Theresa, William and John. Mary Madeline, who was three months old when the family came to America, married F. X. Blum, of Cranberry township. Joseph, the fifth in order of birth, never married. He died in Pennsylvania on April 25, 1909, at the age of 53 years and was buried by his family in the Catholic cemetery at New Washington. Frank J., resides in Cranberry township. Amelia, deceased, was the wife of John Muhr, who lives in Cranberry township. Anna. Mary married Joseph Lang, of Crestline, O., and they have two children, Walter and Anna. Iwo children, Anthony and Mary, died in infancy. Catherine Kreim was educated at Ripley and at Plymouth, O., and under a good mother's supervision, learned all housekeeping mysteries. On Nov. 12, 1868, she was married to Joseph M. Shell, who was born in Austria, Sept. 17, 1845, and they had ten children born to then, the survivors being: Mrs. Rose B. Alt, Edward W., Mrs. Mary M. Uhl, Mrs. Catherine Emlinger, and Frank Joseph and Leon Francis, both of whom live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Shell lost the following children : an unnamed infant ; Joseph A., who died when aged three years and nine months Mary Celesta, who was but two weeks old and Amelia Josephia, who lived to the age of 18 years. Joseph M. Shell is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Lautner) Shell. His father was born in Austria in 1824, a son of Frank Shell, a potter by trade. Joseph Shell, Sr., cane to America in 1872 and located in Venice township, Seneca county, O., where he bought 26 acres of land, on which he lived until his death, April 1, 1877. He was a faithful member of the Catholic church. His wife was born in 1825, a daughter of John Lautner, who was a potter by trade. She died in 1896, the mother of eleven children. Joseph M. Shell attended school before coming to the United States and afterward attended three months in order to learn the language. In 1865 he came to America, landing at New York and when he reached Cleveland, O., he had two dollars as his sole capital. He immediately found work as a potter, and after two years at his trade, embarked in the pottery business for himself, at Shenandoah, Richland county, O., where he remained until the spring of 1868, when he came to New Washington, where he erected a residence and shop and engaged in the pottery business. By this time, however, industrial life and methods had been changed by the concentration of capital and he found his venture unprofitable. He then went to work on the railroad then in course of construction here, and continued until 1874, when he bought 40 acres of land situated one mile west of his present farm in section 24, Cranberry township. e sold his first land for $100 per acre, and in 1884 purchased the first 80 acres of his present farm, to which he has added two adjoining tracts and now has 110 acres, situated three miles southeast of New Washington. Mr. Shell has always been an industrious and enterprising man and a good, law abiding citizen. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as a trustee of Cranberry township for six years and in 1900 was appointed land appraiser. He is a member of the Catholic church. CHRISTIAN A. NUNGESSER, who, for many years contributed to the agricultural prosperity of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., where his farm of too acres is situated, has lived retired since 1898, and has occupied his comfortable residence on the corner of West Main Street and Klymer Avenue, Galion, O. He was born at Auerbach, Ger- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1031 many, in the province of Hesse Darmstadt, Feb. r6, 1833, and is a son of George and Eva ( Kyle) Nungesser. The parents of Mr. Nungesser lived and died in Hesse Darmstadt. The father followed the shoemaking trade and by that means was able to take care of his family although he could afford them no luxuries. The parents were members of the Lutheran church. Three sons were born to them : Peter, who learned his father's trade, and spent his entire life in Germany; Christian 1., our subject; and George, who spent his life as a farmer in Germany. Christian A. Nungesser was taught the trade of shoemaker by his practical father and before he left his native land had become a skilled workman. Those were the days when all footwear was made by hand and the demand was greater in many sections than the supply. In June, 18.52, the youth embarked for America on a sailing vessel and, although he was compelled to be on the water for 47 days, he was safely landed in the harbor of New York. He soon made his way to Cincinnati, O., where he worked at his trade for three years, after which he located at Winchester, in Crawford county, where he conducted a shop until he was married, when he moved on a farm in Whetstone township and developed his land into one of the fine farms of that section. Mr. Nungesser was married in Whetstone township, to Miss Elizabeth Helfrich, who was born at Galion, May 22, 1840, and has always been a resident of her native county. She is a daughter of Peter and Margaretta (Barmouth) Helfrich, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to the United States and became farmers in Whetstone township, settling there in 1833. They had a family of three sons and two daughters and two sons and two daughters still survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Nungesser four children were born: Lila, who is the wife of Isaac Cook, residing in Whetstone township and has a son and a daughter; Maggie, who is the widow of Henry Rexroth, and who lives in Whetstone township and has six children ; Jennie, who is the wife of Jacob Guinther and resides on a farm near Winchester and has four daughters : and M. G., who is a prominent citizen and well known farmer in Whetstone township, a leading Democratic politician and his party's nominee for state representative. Mr. and Mrs. Nungesser are valued members of the German Lutheran church. They are kind and hospitable people and have a wide circle of friends both at Galion and in the country where they lived so long. A. R. CRIDDLE , a leading citizen and representative business man of Tiro, O., manager and owner of the Tiro Handle Factory of this place, one of the town's most important industrial enterprises, was born at Coal Brook, Ashtabula county, O., Dec. 30, 1867, and is a son of Robert F. and Charity ( York), Crick dle. Of their nine children there are seven yet living. A. R. Criddle was reared and educated in his native county and was engaged there in business until he came to Tiro, in August, 1910, and built his present plant, locating in the northwestern part of the town, employment being given 16 men and the product being all kinds and sizes of wood handles, a stationary boiler being used and the motive power being steam. Mr. Criddle is a very enterprising and far sighted business man and has much manufacturing experience. In Ashtabula county, Mr. Griddle was married to Miss Carrie B. Fobes, who was born in Wayne township, Ashtabula county, a daughter of Riveris and Dila (Albridge) lobes, and they have five children : Robert Carl and Riveris, both of whom are employed in the factory: Ethel, who is a student in the Tiro High School ; Ruby, who still is in the common school ; and Raymond. Mr. Criddle and family are members of the Brethren church. He belongs fraternally to the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Rebeccas. Mr. Griddle is not actively interested in politics. HENRY BIEBIGHAUSER, for a number of years an active business citizen of Galion. O., now practically retired, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, March 10, 1848, and is a son of John and Ephra (Rauth) Biebighauser. The father, a horseshoer by trade, spent his life in Hesse-Darmstadt, where he died in 1857, aged 55 years. His 1032 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY widow survived until 1880, dying when aged 70 years. They were members of the German Lutheran church. Of their family of two sons and five daughters, Henry was the youngest. One sister, hate, who is the widow of John Sorten, and his brother, August, also came to the United States and all live at Galion. Henry Biebighauser was nine years old when his father died. He attended a German school in boyhood and then learned the shoemaking trade and in 1866 came to America and joined his brother at Upper Sandusky, O., and in 1867 they came to Galion. He worked for one year at his trade and for another year was with his brother in the blacksmith business, but in 1869 he went into the butchering business and successfully continued in the same until 1905, when he retired, turning over his heaviest responsibilities to his son. In business circles he gained the respect of his fellow citizens for his honest and upright methods and in all that has concerned the public good of the city since he has been a resident, he has been enterprising and public spirited. On Feb. 6, 1873, Mr. Biebighauser was married to Miss Margaret Helfrich, who was born in Crawford county, O., where her life has been passed. Her parents were Philip and Catherine (Rhinemuth) Helfrich, who came from Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, to the United States and settled on a farm in Whetstone township, Crawford county. The father was a blacksmith by trade. He and his wife died at Galion. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Biebighauser, the survivors being : Carl, who operates the neat market located at No. 322 East Main Street, which his father established, and who married at Galion and has three children—Helen, Frederick and Isabel ; Emma, who is the wife of Leon Zigler, of Galion, and has two children—Margaret and Ida; Ida, the wife of Harry Beach, who is in the employ of the Erie Railway Company; and Elizabeth, the wife of Clyde Smith, who is associated with her brother in the meat business. They have one son, Henry. The family belongs to the German Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Biebighauser and sons are Democrats and fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. MRS. AMELIA WECHTER, a property owner and a very highly esteemed resident of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., her farm of 150 acres lying in section 7, was born at Milan, 0., and is a daughter of Anthony and Josephine Fisher, both of whom died. at Milan, O. Amelia Fisher was reared at Milan and attended school there. On Oct. 10, 1872, she was married to Joseph A. Wechter, who was born at Rochester, N. Y., a son of Joseph and Magdalena Wechter, and died at Toledo, O., suffocated by gas. He was buried at New Washington, Crawford county, Dec. 1, 1897. At the time of his death lie was aged 48 years, six months and fourteen days. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wechter settled on a farm in Cranberry township, two miles east of New Washington, and after the birth of two of their children, moved to east of Norwalk, O., where there were three children born. They moved then to Chatfield township where they remained 16 years, when they came to the present farm, known as the old Curtis place, which was partly improved, but Mrs. Wechter and children remodeled the buildings and made many additional improvements. All the farm is under cultivation except 3o acres still in valuable timber. To Mr. and Mrs. Wechter the following children were born: Josephine, who is the wife of John Fries and lives near Norwalk, O. John, who also lives near Norwalk; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Martin Kramer, and lives near Milan, O. ; Mary, who is the wife of August Heydinger, of Auburn township; Frank, who married Clara Pifher and lives in Auburn township; Rose, who is the wife of Scanl Daugherty and lives in Huron county; Willie and Millie, twins, the former of whom married Rose Landoll, of Huron county, and the latter of whom married Phillip Mellein and lives at Milan; Charles, who operates the home farm; Patronillia, who is a successful teacher in Auburn township; Linus, who assists on the home farm; and Gertrude, who lives with her mother. Mrs. Wechter and family are members of the Catholic church, as was Mr. Wechter. In politics he was a Democrat and while living in Chatfield township, served two terms as road supervisor. He was an industrious and successful farmer and was well known all through this section and had many friends. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1033 JOHN FAILE, deceased, was a member of one of the old German families that came early to Crawford county, O., where through industry, sobriety and thrift they became people of substance and of esteem in the communities in which they lived. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Jan. 18, 1822, and was eight years old when he accompanied his parents, William and Mary Faile, to the United States. In 1830, when the Failes came to America the only means of reaching the American shore was by way of the slow sailing ships and the family spent two long months on the water. After landing, as rapidly as possible, they came on to Crawford county and settled on wild land in what is now Chatfield township. There his first wife died and he married Mrs. Caroline Jacob, who had two children Hester and Caroline, who reside in Iowa. To the first marriage of William Faile five children were born, all of whom are now deceased. John Faile was the eldest born. Christian was accidentally killed by a fractious horse when aged 30 years. Adam was accidentally burned when young, at a maple sugar camp. Daniel was a soldier in the Civil War and was accidentally killed by an exploding shell. William followed his trade of brickmaker, at Galion, where he died in middle life. To the second marriage of William Faile a daughter was born, who now resides in Iowa. Late in life William Faile retired to Galion. where his death occurred when aged 8o years, his wife surviving to the age of 75 years. John Faile was a quiet, industrious man and followed farming all his active life, meeting with a large degree of success. At the time of death, which occurred at Galion, April 13, 1899, one year after retiring to this city, he was able to leave to his widow a valuable farm of 100 acres, which is situated in Polk township. In politics he had always been a strong Democrat and as a man of good judgment and high standing in his community, had been elected at times to township offices. He was a faithful member of the German Lutheran church. On April 1, 1851, Mr. Faile was married in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., to Miss Julia Ann Snyder, who was born in York county, Pa., Oct. 15, 1831, a daughter of Rev. Jacob and Elizabeth (Spotts) Snyder. The parents of Mrs. Faile were born and married in Pennsylvania and the father was a teacher and also a preacher in the United Brethren church. He was born in York county, Oct. 30, 1794, and spent his entire life of 60 years there. His wife was born Oct. 23, 1794, and died in 1870. Mrs. Faile was carefully educated by her father and in the public schools. She was 18 years of age when, in 1849, she accompanied her married sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth, to Galion and with the exception of her years of married life spent on the farm, has ever since been a resident of this city. She is well known and greatly esteemed, being an active Christian worker wherever she sees her services needed. She has been almost a lifelong member of the United Brethren church. Of her ten children. eight grew to maturity and six survive. Ida M., who is now deceased, was the wife of Albert Newhouse and left one son. Amanda, who is now deceased, was the wife of Frank Ness, a carpenter at Galion, and she had two sons, Luther Ness, and Roy, deceased. Those living are: Mary, who is the wife of Daniel Dye, of Galion, and has had two children—Archie Leroy, and one who died when aged 14 months; Lucinda Ann, who is the wife of John Raymond, of Alvordton, O., and has one daughter, Olive, who is married and has two children: Susan, who is the wife of Emanuel Crissinger, of Galion, and has two sons. William and Addison : Henrietta, who is the wife of Samuel Christman, of Galion, and has one daughter, Julia I., who was born Sept. 3, 1900; Ella Elizabeth, who is the second wife of Frank Ness; and William, who conducts a boot and shoe business at Bucyrus, and married Elizabeth Andrews. All these children were given good educational opportunities and are representative people who reflect credit on their parentage. JACOB ANSON DENZER.* a prosperous farmer of Bucyrus township, who in company with his sister Jennie, owns 126 acres of land, the latter being one-third owner of same, was born in this county. Dec. 31, 1857, a son of Jacob and Matilda (McNeal) Denzer. e is a grandson of Andrew Denzer, who was born and reared in Baden. Germany, and who 1034 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY fought as a soldier under the great Napoleon, taking part in the disastrous Russian campaign. Andrew survived the horrors of that campaign, where so many thousands of his comrades fell or perished from cold, and about 1833 came to America with his family. Here he lived seven years, dying about 1840. He married in Germany, Hester A. Finfgelt and they had four sons and one daughter, namely: Andrew, George, Jacob, Mary and Simon. Two of the number died in the Fatherland and were buried in Upfingen, Baden. The mother survived her husband many years, passing away in 1876 at the age of ninety-four. Jacob Denzer, father of our subject, was a lad of 13 years when he accompanied his parents to the New World. Not long after their arrival they became residents of Crawford county, the father (Andrew) purchasing 15 acres of timber land in Liberty township, which he cleared and on which he build a log cabin. In the following spring Jacob began to earn his own living by working as a farm hand. He was thus employed until he was 25 years of age, giving his wages to his parents until he attained his majority. At the age of 25 he began farming on rented land, which he operated for three years. On March 13, 1850, he married Matilda McNeal, of Crawford county. She was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., Dec. 6, 1826, and was a woman of energy and thrift, proving of great assistance to her husband. After his marriage Mr. Denzer rented a farm for six years and in the meanwhile purchased 38 acres of land. In 1863 he purchased his fine homestead—one of the best farms in the county—as a result of his energy and thrift and that of his wife. Besides carrying on general farming he operated a sawmill for some ten years. He was prosperous and became one of the representative farmers and stock raisers of the county. He was continually improving his farm and erected all the substantial and commodious buildings which stand on it today. When well advanced in years he retired from active labor and lie and his wife spent their last years on this homestead, seeing their children growing up around them and becoming worthy and respected members of the community. These children were Mary L., Jennie, Andrew. Esther, Simon J., Anson J., Ella, Alexander, Maggie, Lewis I. and Electa V. Two died in childhood—Florence and an infant son. Jacob Anson Denzer attended the common schools in his boyhood and was brought up on the farm, being trained to agricultural pursuits. He has spent all his life up to the present time on the farm on which he now resides with the exception of three years when he was farming in the West. His sister Jennie, who, as already stated, owns one-third of the property, has charge of the household. which she manages capably, there being no idlers in the Denzer family. The other children are mostly married, Mary being the wife of Stephen Brehman, Esther, the wife of James Dobbins, Ella, the wife of Myron Andrews, Margaret, the wife of Ira Quaintance. and Electa, the wife of Lewis Beard. Mr. Denzer is a Democrat politically, as was also his father, but is not an active politician. CHARLES HESS, one of the leading business men of Galion, O., a member of the firm of Hess Brothers, conducting a large meat market at No. 229 South Market Street, successors of their father who established the business at this location, was born at Galion, July 29, 1864, a son of Henry and a grandson of Henry and Mary (Snyder) Hess. The grandparents of Mr. Hess were born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and came from there with their children in 1851, on a sailing vessel to New York City. and from there by team, to Galion, O. They prospered and owned a small farm which is now included in the city limits, on West Main Street, which property is yet owned by their descendants. Only one of their sons survive, Daniel Hess, who lives retired. Henry Hess, Jr., father of Charles Hess, was born in 1832, in Germany, and was 19 years old when he came to Galion. For some years he was in the grocery business in partnership with Jacob L. Schaffer, but afterward qent into the meat business and for more than 40 years conducted his market, being probably one of the first men in the city to conduct the same alone modern lines. He was a useful and respected citizen. He survived his wife, dying in 1905, she having passed away in 1876. She was a member of the Lutheran church. Of their children two died in infancy and one AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1035 daughter, Mary, some years after her marriage to William Weistermann and is survived by two daughters. The survivors are: Henry, who resides at Galion; Charles, our subject; Emma and Lizzie, all of whom reside together on the old homestead on West Main Street and all are members and liberal supporters of the German Lutheran church. Charles Hess obtained his education in the public schools of his native city, grew up in his father's business and in 1888, in partnership with his brother, succeeded to the business, at which time the present firm name was adopted. Both partners are practical meat men and carefully supervise their output and direct their 1 helpers. Both brothers, like their late father, are Democrats. Charles Hess is identified with the fraternal order of Elks, while Henry belongs to the Eagles and also to a German order. They stand high as reliable and enterprising business men. HENRY A. KINSEY, foreman of the erecting department of the Erie Railway shops at Galion, O., came to this city in 1874 and has been identified with these shops since 1888. He was born in Morrow county, O., Dec. 7, 1855, a son of Christian and Mary (Kinsey) Kinsey. The parents of Mr. Kinsey were born in Switzerland and the father came to the United States when a young man and the mother, with her parents. Her father, John Kinsey, was a well known pioneer and gunsmith in Morrow county, O., and there he and wife lived and died, members of the Reformed church. The parents of Henry A. Kinsey were married in Bloomfield township, Morrow county, and began married life there and passed the remainder of their days in that neighborhood, becoming people of property and known and respected far and wide. They were not long separated by death, only a few weeks intervening, the father passing away in March, 1907, when aged 80 years, and the mother in May following, when aged 76 years, their burial being in Fairview Cemetery. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had three sons : Daniel. who still lives in Bloomfield township, who is married and has two children—Frank and Lulu Jacob, who is unmarried ; and Henry A., our subject. Henry A. Kinsey was reared and obtained his education in his native place and in early manhood came to Galion desirous of learning the machinist's trade, and entered the shops of the C. C. & I. Railroad. In 1876 he decided to return to farming and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he went to work for Squires & Horner, foundrymen. In 1888 he entered the employ of the Erie people and has continued here, being gradually advanced until he now fills a position of recognized responsibility. Mr. Kinsey was married in Morrow county to Miss Anna A. Cronnenweth, a granddaughter of Frederick Cronnenweth, who was born in Germany, May 19, 1793, and came to the United States and settled in Morrow county in 1848, where he died Sept. 19, 1884, one of the Old Guard of Napoleon, under whom he had enlisted for the Russian campaign, in 1815. He served 14 years and was at the battle of Waterloo. His son, Frederick, was the fattier of Mrs. Kinsey and was born in Germany. He married Elizabeth Baker in Morrow county, who died there when aged 75 years, her husband passing at the age of 72 years. They were members of the German Lutheran church. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey: Harry G. and Roy E. The former, after graduating from the Galion High School in 1898, learned the machinist trade and later became editor of the Galion Leader, a position he resigned in order to become advertising man for the Canton Republican-News, of which lie later became editor. Roy E. graduated from the Galion High School in 1909 and in the same year became teller in the Citizens National Bank. Mr. Kinsey and sons are all Republicans. The family belongs to the English Lutheran church and the sons are both identified with the fraternal order of Elks. JOHN F. SAWYER, who is one of the leading men of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., treasurer of Special School District at Maple Grove, resides on his farm of 160 acres, situated in section 21, one and three-fourths miles north and one mile east of Tiro. O. He was born in Auburn township, Crawford county, Jan. 31, 1871, and is a son of Albanus and a grandson of Erastus 1036 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Sawyer, who came to this section in very early days. John F. Sawyer was reared on the home farm in Auburn township and in boyhood attended the public schools, afterward the New Washington High School and completed his education in the Normal School at Ada, O., where he profitably spent two terms. Mr. Sawyer returned to Auburn township and has carried on his agricultural activities here ever since, general farming and raising hogs and sheep. He remodeled the old residence which had been built by his father and also built a house on the adjoining 80 acres and has everything in good shape around him. He cultivates all his land with the exception of about 30 acres yet in timber. On. Jan. 1, 1900, Mr. Sawyer was married to Jennie Wilson Hanna, who was born March 6, 1876, a daughter of J. M. and Harriet Adora (Chambers) Hanna, and they have three children : Waldo Verne, Dwight Franklin and Mildred Winona. Mr. Sawyer and family are members of the Lutheran church at Tiro. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally a Knight of Pythias, attending the lodge at Tiro, O. AUSTIN F. LOWE, cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Galion, O., with which institution lie has been identified in his present relation, since 1880, is a native of Ohio and was born at Galion, in 1858. His parents were Lloyd and Elizabeth (Mason) Lowe. Lloyd Lowe and wife were both born in Pennsylvania and in 1834 they were married near York. Pa., and at once started by team, for Galion, O., where lie went into the contracting business. Here his death occurred in 1883, at the age of 76 years, his wife stirviving hire for two years. They were well known and highly respected people. Of their family of six children, Austin F. was the youngest born, the others being as follows John W., deceased, who served four years in the Confederate Army during the Civil war; Isabel, who is the wife of Clinton Payne. residing at Decatur, Ill. ; Isaac, who died at Decatur and who was a veteran of the Union army in the Civil war ; Lewis S., who enlisted for service in the Civil War in 1862, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, in 1863, being the first enlisted soldier of Galion to give up his life for his country; and Mary, who is the wife of Alvin P. Paul, residing at Santa Anna, Calif. Austin F. Lowe was educated in the public schools of Galion and from the school room entered the Citizens National Bank in a clerical capacity and has been connected continuously with this institution tip to the present. The Citizens National Bank of Galion was established in 1866 and was chartered as a National bank in 1872, with ample capital. John Beatty, now a resident of Columbus, O., was its first president and J. H. Green its first cashier, the latter succeeding Mr. Beatty as president, and dying in 1894. The present condition of the bank is prosperous and its officers and board of directors are all men of capital and known responsibility. Mr. Lowe was married at Galion, O., to Miss Emma E. Cave, who was born at Crestline, O., a lady of culture and education, who had been a teacher for several years prior to her marriage. She is a daughter of Francis and Margaret Cave, former residents of Crestline and later of Galion. The father of Mrs. Lowe served in a Pennsylvania regiment in the Civil War. His death occurred at Galion in January, 1911, where his widow resides, being now in her Both year. She has been a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having been reared in the faith. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe have one daughter, Edna E., who was educated at Roanoke, Va., and at Washington, Pa., and is a college graduate. Politically Mr. Lowe is zealous in his support of the principles of the Republican party but has never been willing to consider any political office for himself. In his fraternal connections, Mr. Lowe has long been identified with the Masons and Knights of Pythias at Galion, having been senior warden in the former organization and a charter member since the founding of the latter order here, in 1884. R. E. SAWYER. Among the old and substantial families of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., may be counted that of Sawyer, a worthy member of which is R. E. Sawyer, who resides on his well improved farm of 105 acres, which is situated in section 21, and who is known throughout the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1037 county additionally as an insurance agent, representing a number of mutual insurance companies. He was born on a farm that adjoins his own on the west, June 4, 1860, and is a son of Albanus and Anna Maria (Winn) Sawyer. Albanus Sawyer was born in Auburn township, where he spent his long and useful life, his death occurring Feb. 7, 19o3, when aged 79 years, four months and twenty-one days. His parents were Erastus and Sally Sawyer, the former of whom was born in Schuyler county, N. Y., Oct. 10, 1800, and died July 12, 1870. His wife was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., April 27, 1802, and died Aug. 22, 1873, and their burial was in the Auburn Cemetery. At one time Albanus Sawyer was a very large landowner, having Too acres in Henry county and a. very large body in Crawford county, and a great deal of this land is still held by his heirs. He was a man of sterling character and was held in the highest regard by his fellow citizens. In earlier days he was a Whig but later became a Republican and at different times served in township offices with credit to himself and with advantage to the community. He was interested in the public schools and donated the land which is known as Maple Grove Special School land. He was one of the leading members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church in Auburn township. He married Anna Maria Winn, who was born in Cranberry township, Crawford county, a daughter of John and Rebecca Winn, natives of Pennsylvania. She died July 7, 1890, when aged 70 years, 7 months and 18 days. The following children were born to them : Cornelia, who married William Bender; R. W., who lives at Richmond, Ind. ; Asa, who died Dec. 5, 1884, aged 27 years, 11 months and 15 days; R. E. ; Clara, who died Jan. 4, 1885, aged 20 years, 8 months and 12 days; Anna, who married I. AV. Loudon, of Liberty Center, O. ; Lottie E., who is the wife of James Morrow ; Erastus, who died when two years old : and John F., who resides on the home farm. R. F. Sawyer attended the local schools through boyhood and then spent two years in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, O., and after his return to Auburn township taught the winter school for nine successive terms in the home district and taught also in the Tiro High School, 13 terms in all. During all this time he had resided on his present farm, on which he has made the improvements including about five miles of tiling. With the exception of 12 acres, which he devotes to pasturage, his farm is all under fine cultivation. He is a stockholder in the Shelby Telephone Company. To his insurance business he devotes usually the first three days of the week and writes risks for the Crawford County Mutual Fire and Lightning Company, and the Ohio Mutual Wind, Storm and Tornado Insurance Company, his territory covering four townships in Richland county, two in Crawford and four in Huron county. Mr. Sawyer was married to Miss Eunice L. Trago, who was born in Auburn township, a daughter of S. W. and Amelia Trago, and four children have been born to them, namely: Huron R., who resides with his family at Dayton; Porter, who operates the home farm, and married Carrie Mae Bender, of Sandusky township; Kenneth E., who formerly was a teacher in Crawford county and is now in the employ of the First National Bank at Portland, Ore. ; and Milo B., who is a student in the Tiro High School. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer belong to the Lutheran church at Tiro. In politics he is a Democrat, of the progressive type. For many years Mr. Sawyer has been prominent in the work of the Crawford County Grange and has been county deputy for twelve years and served as first chancellor of Tiro Lodge No. 593, Knights of Pythias. He has filled numerous responsible positions, for six years being a member and director of the Crawford County Mutual Insurance Co., and for ten years was president of the Northeastern Ohio Farm Institute Association. For several years he served as a member of the township board of education and was clerk of that body. WILLIS PRENTICE KIMBLE, a well-known resident of Galion, 0., is the oldest division engineer in term of service on the Erie Railroad. He was born at Paris, Edgar county, Ill., April 6, 1858, a son of George W. and Sarah J. Kimble. Mr. Kimble attended public and private 1038 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY schools in Paris and in 1879 graduated from the College of Engineering, University of Illinois. In August of that year he entered the engineering department of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad at Las Vegas, New Mexico, and continued in various positions with that railroad until January, 1881, when he became connected with the Mexican Central Railroad, remaining with that line until August, 1884, during this time being principally employed as locating and division engineer in charge of construction. It was while he was with the Mexican Central that they ran the first line of railroad from the United States across the line into -Mexico. From August, 1884, to Jan. 1, 1886, Mr. Kimble was engaged in municipal and county engineering at Paris, Ill., but on the latter date he reentered the service of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad on the Kansas City to Chicago extension, filling the position of locating engineer and division engineer in charge of construction. He afterwards was division roadmaster, Kansas City east, and later general roadmaster from Chicago to Kansas City and St. Joseph, Mo. In March, 1894, he entered the service of the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad (now the Erie) as division roadmaster and in 1897 he was made division engineer of the Cincinnati Division of the Erie and has continued in that capacity until the present time. Mr. Kimble was married on Nov. 8, 1888. to Miss Sara. S. Gates, of La Platta, Mo. G. M. KLEIN, who carries on general farming in section 1, Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., where he owns To j acres of valuable and well improved land, is one of the representative citizens of this part of the county. He was born on this farm, Jan. 23, 1849, and is a son of Conrad and Margaret (High) Klein. Conrad Klein and wife were both born in Wittenberg, Germany. They came to America and were married in Cranberry township, Crawford county, on the day preceding Mx. Klein's 30th birthday. They then settled on the farm above mentioned, all of which Conrad cleared, and here he engaged in farming for many years and then, with his wife retired to New Washington. There he died some four years later, at the age of 73, she surviving to the age of 74 years. They were members of the Lutheran church and their burial was in the Lutheran cemetery. They were parents of four daughters and two sons, namely: Elizabeth, who is the wife of John Lederer, residing near Toledo; Matilda, deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Guiss; Mary, who is the wife of John Utz; Caroline, who is the wife of Jacob Michelfelder; Adam, who died at the age of five years; and G. M., who was the second in order of birth. G. M. Klein attended the district school when his father could spare him and remained at home as the only son to grow to maturity. This property has undergone much improvement and in 1900 Mr. Klein erected his comfortable residence, his other buildings being equally substantial. Mr. Klein was married (first) to Miss Mary Herr, a daughter of George Herr. Mr. Klein was married (second) to Miss Mary Vollmer, a daughter of Jacob Vollmer. Mrs. Klein died Sept. 18, 1905, when aged 44 years, 5 months and 23 days. She was a member of the Lutheran church and her burial was at New Washington. No children were born to his first marriage, but Mr. Klein has five children of his second union : Theodore, who married Jennie John, and lives at Mansfield, O. ; and Lydia, Emma, Alfred and Paul. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Klein is a stanch Democrat and on the Democratic ticket lie has frequently been elected to important offices. For some years he served as school director, four successive years was road supervisor and two terms was township trustee. ANDREW HETICH GIBSON , who owns and manages his own farm of 80 acres and also attends to his wife's farm of 356 acres, both situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., is one of the representative citizens of this section and a member of one of its old and substantial families. He was born in Whetstone township, May 27, 1846. and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Kerr) Gibson. John Gibson, who is now deceased, was born in Franklin county, Pa., and was a son of George and Mary (Buchannon) Gibson. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1041 For many years John Gibson was a farmer in Crawford county and died on his farm in Whetstone township. He married Mary Ann Kerr, who was also born in Franklin county, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Campbell) Kerr, old Pennsylvania families of Scotch extraction. To John Gibson and wife the following children were born : Margaret Ann, who married John Campbell; Hannah E., who was married (first) to A. R. Walker, and (second) to Peter Helfrick; Andrew Hetich; George B. ; J. M., who is a physician engaged in medical practice in West Virginia; Mary Belle, who is deceased; and John Edwin, Charles F., Della J. and Leaffe L. Andrew H. Gibson attended the district schools in Whetstone township and the Bucyrus High School for one term, afterward assisting his father on the hone place and lived on the homestead until he was about 30 years of age. During this time he had served in the Civil War in Co. E, 136th O. Vol. Inf., and was out for 100 days. Farming and moderate stock raising have ever since engaged his attention and along this line he is considered one of the successful men of Whetstone township, his judgment in agricultural matters being generally accepted as the result of mature experience. On April 18, 1877, Mr. Gibson was married to Miss Letta J. Campbell, who is a daughter of Edward and Amanda (Tupps) Campbell, and a granddaughter of John and Mary (Jones) Campbell. The parents of Mrs. Gibson were among the leading people of Whetstone township and it was from her father that Mrs. Gibson inherited her large estate, being the youngest daughter. Other members of her family were : Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Franklin Keifer; Samuel K., who is deceased; and John B. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibson the following children were born: Iva May, who is the wife of J. A. Lowmiller and has three children—Roland A., Florence Helen and Earl Gibson; Mervin J., who married Austie Sife, and has one daughter, Edith Carrie: Amanda Vianna, who is deceased: and Claud M., who resides at home. Mr. Gibson and family attend the Presbyterian church at Bucyrus. He is a Republican as was his father, and has served as a member of the township school board and as road supervisor. LEROY McMICHAEL,* one of Whetstone township's well known and highly respected men, was born Sept. 19, 1874, on the farm on which he lives and of which he is half owner, 230 acres situated five miles east of Bucyrus, Crawford county, O. He is a son of John A. and Mary A. (Trimble) McMichael. John A. McMichael and wife were both born in Crawford county, O., he in Liberty township and she on the present farm, the old Trimble homestead, which has been in the family since it was 'entered from the Government. John A. McMichael was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Co. E, 101st O. Vol. Inf., afterward engaging in farming until his death, in April, 1901. He was quite prominent in local politics and was widely known. His widow survives and resides on East Mansfield Street, Bucyrus. They had the following children: Mary Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Frank E. Miller; Eugene T. John Lawrence; Emma, deceased, who was the wife of Leonard F. Quaintance; Ernest Wayland ; Leroy; Bessie, who lives with her mother; and Garfield and Oren A. Leroy McMichael had school advantages in Whetstone township until he was about 20 years of age, attending mainly during the winters and assisting his father in the summers. He continues his agricultural activities during the growing season and in the winter time is mainly interested in contract work on turnpike roads and in street paving. He is a man of much energy and business enterprise and counts largely as a useful and dependable citizen. He is a Republican in politics but in local elections reserves the right to vote independently. On May 19, 1898, Mr. McMichael was married to Miss Daisy L. Beck, a daughter of William and Sarah (Kelley) Beck, the former of whom, in life, was a farmer in Jefferson township, Crawford county, and the latter of whom lives at Leona, Mich. Mrs. McMichael has brothers and sisters as follows : Shannon, who is deceased; Verna, who is the wife of Mack Gledhill; Clark: Harold: Carrie, who is the wife of Orlo Charlton : and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Harry Middlebrook. Mr. and Mrs. McMichael have three sons: Ralph Emmett, who was born March 17, 1900; Harold 1042 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Glenn, who was born August 7, 1903 ; and Maurice Eldon, who was born June 7, 1906. C. F. FIKE,* one of the leading business men of New Washington, conducting a plumbing, heating and lighting establishment and dealing ill plumbing supplies, was born in Seneca county, O., Jan. 31, 1879, and is a son of David and Mary Pike, who now reside at New Washington. After his school days were over, C. F. Fike. made himself generally useful up to 1900, when he came to New Washington and learned his trade with S. J. Kible and remained with that firm for ten years, when lie started into the plumbing business for himself with Thomas Klein as partner, under the firm name of Fike & Klein, which continued from June until January in the following year. Mr. Fike then operated under the firm name of C. F. Fike & Company in a general contracting business with one helper, in the Bordner Block until Nov. 1, 1911, when he secured his present large quarters which are well situated and equipped for the volume of business that he commands. Mr. Fike has been a member of the town council since January, 1912, a good, reliable, dependable business man, but is identified with no particular political party. Mr. Fike married bliss Lydia Schwab, a daughter of Christian and Sarah Schwab, residents of Sulphur Springs, and they have six children: Elsworth, Helen, Odeal, Charles, Alice, and Ruth, the fourth in order of birth, who died in infancy. Mr. Fike and family are members of the Lutheran church. The family residence is on East Main Street. JOHN B. SHUMAKER, a retired farmer residing in Galion, was born in Polk township Crawford county, O., Jan. 11, 1841. His parents were John and Lydia (Beltz) Shumaker, and he is a grandson of Jonas Shumaker, who at an early day came to this section from Pennsylvania, making the journey overland 'by team and accompanied by his family. This region was at that time entirely uncultivated and the Wyandot Indians were still residing here. For their treat supply the family depended largely, if not entirely, upon the wild game which fell before the pioneer's rifle. Jonas Shumaker died when 85 years old, living long enough to see many changes and improvements in the county. His first wife had died. in early life, and he was twice married subsequently. John Shumaker, father of our subject, came to Ohio with his parents in the early thirties of the last century, and here, when arrived at years of maturity he married Lydia Beltz, beginning domestic life in Polk township. He was not, however, destined to long enjoy the fruits of his labors, as he died at the early age of 23 years, when his only son, John B., the subject of this sketch, was four months old. John B. Shumaker was reared on a farm in Polk township. In addition to acquiring a competent knowledge of agriculture, he became a carpenter, but abandoned this latter trade after following it for a few years. He purchased his first land—a tract of 46 acres—in Polk township, where he resided for some years, or until the spring of 1911, when he retired from active labor and took up his residence in Galion. He owns land also in Whetstone township and has been successful in his business and agricultural operations. A Democrat in politics, lie has held several local offices. He was first married in Defiance county, to Catherine Dickerhoof, who was born in Defiance. O., June 11, 1840. She died in. Galion in 1903. She was a member of the German Lutheran church. Of this marriage there were four children born, namely : Belle, wife of Allen Morrow, a fanner in Crawford county; Clara, wife of Michael Bair, a farrier of Bucyrus township; Mary, wife of Frank Tracht, also a Crawford county farther ; and Andy, who died unmarried when 26 years of age. July 21, 1904, Mr. Shumaker married for his second wife, Jemima Kieffer, nee Beltz, who was born in Polk township, this county, and was here reared and educated. By a previous marriage to Charles Kieffer, now deceased, she had a daughter, Cora, who married and had a slaughter, who is now Mrs. Bessie F. Filsinger. They all reside in Toledo and the Filsingers have a son, Levern. Mr. and Mrs. Shumaker attend the Lutheran church. They have many friends in Galion and elsewhere throughout the county and are AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1043 people of substance and worth—good neighbors and faithful to their duties in life. F. L. KEMP, a leading citizen of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., formerly a justice of the peace for a period covered by ten years, resides on his valuable farm of 108 acres, which is situated in section 3, Auburn township. He was born in Venice township, Seneca county, O., May 3, 1859, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth E. (Moor) Kemp. Thomas Kemp was reared in Seneca county and married there, the Moor family being among the earliest settlers. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kemp and two sons saw service in the Civil War. F. L. Kemp was the sixth born in the family and is the only one living in Crawford county. F. L. Kemp attended the district schools in Seneca county and afterward the Normal School at Ada, O., turning his attention then to teaching school, a profession he followed more or less continuously for 25 years, in Huron and Crawford counties. In 1885 he came to settle permanently in the latter county and was married to Miss Clara West, who was born on the present home farm in Auburn township, a daughter of H. A. and Ellen West. H. A. West was born also on this farm, a son of John and Elizabeth (McFarland) West, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Scotland. Grandfather West secured this land and his deed, dated Aug. 6, 1834, was signed by Andrew Jackson, President of the United States. He died here but his widow survived until 1884 and died in Richland county, O. Mrs. Kemp was the third born of her parents' five children and is the only one living in Crawford county at the present tinge. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have one son, Harry, who was born in Plymouth township, Richland county, Oct. 13, 1888. He has been thoroughly educated and after graduating from the Tiffin High School, took a course in civil engineering at the Tri-State College and then located at Winchester, Ind., where he follows his profession as civil engineer. Since locating on this farm, Mr. Kemp has engaged in general agriculture and has done a large amount of improving. He has been a lifelong Republican and has frequently been called to public office by his fellow citizens. He has served as a member of the school hoard of Auburn township and in every way has demonstrated his interest in his community which is a part of good citizenship. Vera De Vail, when nine years old, was taken into the home of F. L. Kemp and was reared as carefully as his own child. She was educated in this township and is still regarded as one of the Kemp family. She was born Feb. 11, 1895. She was a daughter of Joseph and Jennie De Vail. CURTIS J. BAKER, a prominent contractor and builder at Galion, O., is one of the successful self-made men of this city and one who commands the respect of the business world and enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens in general. He was born in Morrow county, O., in May, 1866, and lost his parents when 13 years of age. An orphan has fewer early opportunities than are afforded those in happier circumstances and while Curtis J. Baker had some educational opportunities at Blooming Grove, the necessity of earning his own living when only a boy in years, greatly curtailed his school attendance. On being questioned as to the main element that contributed to his success, he replied that when he had work to do he did it well, from boyhood to manhood. The terse reply explains the situation. For eight years he worked to learn the building trade, tinder M. B. Henderson, at Mt. Gilead, and after coaling to Galion, in 1890, worked as a journeyman for eight years more and then went into the building and contracting business for himself. His good work may be pointed out in many parts of the city, a recent handsome structure being the Enquirer building. He has erected many of the handsome private residences, built the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal church near Galion and at Crestline erected the Newman block and the parochial school and parish house. He erected his own handsome modern residence which stands at No. 336 South Market Street. Mr. Baker was married at Bellville, in Richland county, to Miss Ada A. Grogg, who was born and educated in Morrow county, and died at Galion, March 12 1911, when aged 35 years. She is survived by three sons: Fleet 1044 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY L., Jay and Charles C. Mr. Baker was married second to Miss Myrtle Faine, who was born and reared in Crawford county. She is a member of the Baptist church, but Mr. Baker belongs to the United Brethren body. He is a Democrat in politics. MICHAEL UHL, who is manager of the Uhl Hatchery, at New Washington, O., and widely known as a poultry raiser and fancier, was born in Cranberry township, Crawford county, July 30, 1871, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Nedolast) Uhl. Jacob Uhl came to New Washington in boyhood and his four sons all live in this place. Poultry raising has been a successful industry on the Uhl farm since Michael Uhl was a boy. He is now associated with his brothers, George and Lawrence, in the poultry business which has assumed large proportions. In 1900 the firm of Uhl Brothers started the Uhl Hatchery in a small way, with one incubator, while their present plant covers five acres and has a 120,000 egg capacity in their three buildings. On an average from 30,000 to 35,000 chickens are hatched a week, all pure bred, of 18 different breeds and for these they get fancy prices, sometimes $25 per hundred. Chick shipments are made by express, in specially prepared boxes, and they begin about Feb. 1st of each year to cover their territory which includes the New England states and as far south as Tennessee and Kentucky and as far west as Nebraska, their shipments closing about the first of September. This enterprise has been successful from the start and the business is constantly growing. Michael Uhl lives at the hatchery and employment is afforded eight girls and seven men. Mr. Uhl married Miss Mamie Strausbaugh, a daughter of James and Eva Strausbaugh, former residents of Tiffin, O., but now of New Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Uhl have one son. Robert. They are members of the Roman Catholic church. CHARLES EDLER, a retired farmer now living quietly at Galion, O., where he has very comfortable surroundings and many warm friends, was born near Heidelberg, Baden, Germany, June 24, 1830 a son of Martin and Margaret (Shrake) Edler. For many generations the ancestors of Mr. Edler, lived and died in the province of Sinsbein, Germany. There Martin Edler followed mechanical pursuits during his active life, living to the great age of 95 years. His wife died when aged 53 years. Of their family of nine sons and three daughters, but two survive : Charles and a daughter, the latter a resident of Germany. Charles Edler was the second born of his parents' children and attended school in his own province and when 18 years of age, fulfilled the law of the land by entering the German army. When released from this patriotic service, being then 21 years of age, lie took passage on a steamer to Havre, and from there on a sailing vessel for America and 27 days later was landed at the port of New York. He came on to Crawford county, this being in 1852. Charles Edler secured farm work at which he continued for four years and then rented land for himself, subsequently purchasing a tract in Whetstone township. During the Civil War he sold his Crawford county land and bought 12o acres, situated in Tully township, Marion county, on which he lived for ten years and then returned to Crawford county and bought 120 acres in Jefferson township. This land he greatly improved and still owns, continuing his residence on it until March, 1904, when he retired to Galion. Although Mr. Edler has always been an interested citizen and law abiding in every particular, he has never desired public office, his political activity being covered by his vote, cast with the Republican party. He is one of the leading members of the Lutheran church at Galion. On July 31, 1856, four years after reaching Crawford county, Mr. Edler was married to Miss Martha Beach, who was born within four miles of Galion, May 8, 1836, and has spent her life in this part of the county. Her parents, George and Mary (Zimmerneaker) Beach, were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany and came to the United States before marriage, both locating in Richland county, O., where they were subsequently married. The father was a carpenter by trade and assisted in the erection of many of the first frame houses in Richland county. He also was a coffin maker and on many occasions lie would AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1045 carry the completed coffin on his back to the house of bereavement. The Beach family experienced and overcame all the ordinary hardships of pioneer life. The father died in October, 1862, his birth having taken place in February, 1812. When Mrs. Beach died in 1840, two children survived her: Mrs. Edler and a son, John, who resides in Marion county. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Edler, three of whom died in infancy and one daughter, Irena, at the age of 17 years. The survivors are as follows : Amelia, who is the wife of William Ricker, residing at Bucyrus; Mary, who is the wife of Samuel Ickhorn, a farmer living in this county, and has two sons ; Katie, who is the widow of Levi Smith, who lives at Galion and has one son; Amanda, who is the wife of Henry Ise, and lives at Newcastle, Pa. ; Edward, a resident of Galion, who has one son ; George, who is a musician, and with his two sons are leaders of a band at Galion; Maggie, who is the wife of William Dickerhoof, and lives at Bucyrus, having three children; and Karl, who resides w ith his family, at Galion. Mr. Edler has witnessed many changes take place since he first came to Crawford county and his recollections of early days are very interesting. JOSEPH PIFHER, ,hose fine farm of 135 acres is situated in section 6, Auburn township, Crawford county, O., is one of the well known citizens of this section and is a veteran of the great Civil War. He was born in Thompson township, Seneca county, O.. Aug. 7, 1842, and is a son of Mathias and Otella (Zenk) Pifher. The father of Mr. Pifher sold his farm of 20 acres in Seneca county and then bought 62 acres in Cranberry township, Crawford county, which, at that time was all swamp and woodland. - With the help of his son the father cleared and improved the place and lived there until his death, at the age of 86 years and three months. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church at North Auburn. The mother of Mr. Pifher died in her Both year and she also was a faithful member of the Catholic church. Joseph Pifher did not have many advantages in his youth as he was obliged to assist his father and as soon as old enough he learned the carpenter trade, mastering every detail so that all kinds of carpenter work came easy to him. He assisted to build the largest hotel at New Washington, O., and continued to follow his trade for 21 years. During the Civil War lie served almost one year as a member of Co. F, 64th O. Vol. Inf. Mr. Pifher was ten years old when his parents moved to Cranberry township and he lived there until marriage, since when he has resided on his present place in Auburn township, and has made many improvements here. Mr. Pifher was married Feb. 22, 1870, to Miss Elizabeth Dewitt, who was born on the present farm, a daughter of Alfred and Sarah (Frey) Dewitt. The father of Mrs. Pifher was of German extraction, while the mother was born in Pennsylvania. She was a child when her parents moved to Ohio and spent the remainder of her life here. To Mr, and Mrs. Pifher three children were born, namely Charles, who married Frances Forquer and has had three children, two of whom survive —Clarence and Grover—and who resides on the home farm and assists his father; Rose, who is the wife of Charles Mann; and Mary, who is the wife of Peter Alt, who lives in Auburn township. Mr. Pifher and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church. He is a good citizen and in every public matter acts for the general welfare, but he casts an independent vote. GEORGE J. DIETRICH, deceased, was born at Shippensburg, Pa., in 1837, a son of Philip and Margaret .Dietrich, who were natives of Pennsylvauia but of German ancestry. They were good people and belonged to the German Lutheran church. George J. Dietrich was an only son but there were two daughters, both of whom married dukes. Mr. Dietrich grew to manhood in his native section and about the close of the Civil War, embarked in the hardware business and continued until 1874, when he disposed of it and came to Galion, O. Here he established the hardware store with which he was connected for so many years and in this city became a well known citizen and successful business man, acquiring valuable property in real estate and securing the confidence of his fellow citizens. His death occurred March 7, 1016 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY 1904. Although thoroughly in sympathy with all public movements that meant progress and reform and never failing to give support to the Republican party, he never consented to accept any public office for himself. In his fraternal connections he was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Mr. Dietrich was married at Shippensburg, Pa., to Miss Josephine Boher, who was born, reared and educated there, and is a. daughter of Samuel and Mary (Pague) Boher. The parents of Mrs. Dietrich were of German extraction but were born in Pennsylvania. The father was a cooper by trade and for many years conducted a large cooperage plant at Shippensburg, where whisky and flour and oil barrels were manufactured. He died in 1895, when aged 78 years, his widow surviving until 1904, when then being aged 81 years. They attended the German Reformed church. Mr. Bober was a Democrat. Of their 13 children there are four sons and three daughters living, Mrs. Dietrich being the only one, however, who resides in Ohio, her residence being situated at No. 231 Boston Street, Galion. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich, two of whom, Harry and Clarence, died in early childhood. Mary, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Harry W. Brown, a commercial traveler, and they reside at Logan, O., and have one son, Clarence Mert, who is a registered pharmacist, a graduate of the Ohio Southern University at Columbus. Myrtle, who is the widow of Frank Dehn, lives with her mother. Josephine is the wife of William O'Neil, a hardware merchant of Columbus, O. Mrs. Dietrich is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church as was Mr. Dietrich. JAMES WILLIAM MILLER, * a well known member of the Bucyrus bar and for six years secretary of the Bucyrus Loan and Building Association, an important enterprise of this section, was born at Bucyrus, Aug. 5, 1878, and has always maintained his home in his native city. The grandparents of Mr. Miller were Joseph and Sarah (Henry) Miller, and while they were of Scotch extraction they were born in Londonderry, Ireland. They married and lived there until 1844, when, with their three children, they crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Canada and established themselves in Stratford, Ontario, and both died on their farm there, the grandmother in 1895 and the grandfather in 1905, he being then in his 92nd year. They were members of the Presbyterian church. They had six sons and three daughters born to there, some of whom still reside in Canada, while others are residents of the United States. John Robert Miller, the eldest son, was born in Ireland, Nov. 13, 1839, and was about eight years old when his parents came to Canada, where he grew to manhood and assisted his father in farming and dealing in horses. As his father's representative he cause to Ohio for the purpose of buying horses to send to Canada, and on one of his numerous visits he met Miss Mary E. McKinstry, who was then a teacher at Bucyrus. She was born Jan. 28, 1849, in Marion county, O., and still survives, residing at No. 856 South Sandusky Street, Bucyrus, which city has been her home for 50 years. She is a daughter of James and Rebecca (Garberson) McKinstry, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, June 18, 1811, and in 1831 carne to Knox county, O. He was of Scotch ancestry while his wife was of German extraction. In 1861 they moved to Bucyrus, where Mr. McKinstry died in 1902, the death of his wife having occurred in 1869. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Three of their children are yet living, namely: Amanda, who is the wife of T. F. Shotwell, who is an attorney at Detroit, Mich. ; Mathew, who is in the real estate business in Colorado, and who married Katherine Mealer and has one daughter, Myrtle Amanda; and Mrs. Miller. On May 5, 1874, John R. Miller was married to Mary F. McKinstry and then came to Bucyrus to live, establishing himself in the lumber, carpenter and building business. His death was caused by an accident, on Aug. 21, 1884, he being injured on his father-in-law's farm by some Jersey cattle. His children all survive. Gertrude, who was born June 7, 1878, is the widow of Frank W. Cory and resides at Cleveland, O. James William is the second born. Sarah, who was born in December, 1880, married G. M. Meridith, of Indiana, and he is now a bookkeeper with the American Clay Machinery AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1047 Company, at Bucyrus. John Robert, Jr., who was born May 23, 1884, is a civil engineer on the West Division of the Ohio Central Railroad, with headquarters at Columbus. After completing the High School course at Bucyrus, James William Miller entered the law department of the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he was graduated in 1901 and was admitted to the Ohio bar. He has been interested in the Bucyrus Loan and Building Association since its organization in Feb. ruary, 1887. Its present officers are: W. F. Barth, president; Frank L. Hopley, vice president; George C. Gormley, treasurer; and James William Miller, secretary. The business is capitalized at $200,000, and the company operates mainly in Crawford county. Mr. Miller was married at Bucyrus to Miss Edith Tapling, who was born June 23, 1880, at Lindsay, England, and was two years old when she was brought to Bucyrus by her parents, Francis E. and Elizabeth (Rose) Tapling. They reside at Bucyrus, the father being a carpenter by trade. Mrs. Miller graduated from the Bucyrus High School in 1898 and was a successful and popular teacher previous to her marriage. They have one daughter, Elizabeth Mary, who was born June 11, 1910. They are active members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Miller belongs to the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council, at Bucyrus, and for six years was secretary of the Blue Lodge, and also is past chancellor of Demas Lodge, No. 108, Knights of Pythias. D. M. PEPPARD, one of the retired engineers of the Pennsylvania system, residing at Crestline, O., may he numbered with the old railway men of the State as his connection with railroading began in 1853, about the time the Pennsylvania line was completed to this place, then known as the Ohio & Pennsylvania. He was born near Crestline, Dec. 2, 1834, and has always lived in or near this city, a son of Francis and Mary A. (Morrison) Peppard. Francis Peppard was born in Pennsylvania and in 1831 came to near Mansfield, O., where he married Mary A. Morrison, who was of Irish extraction, her people being pioneers in Richland county. After marriage Mr., and Mrs. Peppard lived mainly at Crestline, where his death occurred when almost 78 years of age, she having passed away at the early age of 36 years. They were of the Methodist faith, worthy people in every relation of life. Their family consisted of two sons and three daughters, all of whom survive, are married and have families. D. M. Peppard was the eldest born of his parents' children and soon after his school days in 1853 went to work in the yards of the old Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad; and in 1854 was made a fireman and in 1859 was promoted to the position of engineer, first on freight trains and after more experience, a passenger engineer. From 1873 until 1882 he had charge of the round house at Crestline and in the latter year was promoted to be a master mechanic, a position he filled until 1891, having had charge of Division B of the Eastern lines and control of the lines from Toledo to Crestline. In 1892 he took an engine again and continued until 1897, when he became an engine shifter, which place of responsibility he held until his age retirement, Sept. 1, 1902. In Feb. 1893, Mr. Peppard met with a serious accident in a collision between Perrysville and Leonardsville, resulting in injuries that confined him to his home for seven months, and this, with one other, were the only disastrous ones in his long career and neither were because of any lack of care or caution on his part for he was known to have a thorough knowledge of every signal used in the service and to be unusually observant of every detail of his work. At Crestline Mr. Peppard was married to Miss Maria A. Huffman, who was born in Knox county, O. and was four years old when her parents. Nathan and Electa (Parrott) Huffman, came to Crestline. Mr. Huffman was born in Ohio and his wife in New Jersey. After marriage he engaged in work at the blacksmith trade and engaged in farming. He was born in 1813 and died at Crestline in 1870, while his widow survived until 1900. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Sixteen children were born to them, Mrs. Peppard being the second in order of birth, and ten of these grew to mature years, and eight married and have families of their own. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 1048 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Peppard, as follows: Mary, who is the wife of George Welshons, a farmer in Crawford county and has two children; Kate, who married E. West, who is connected with the Tube Works at Shelby, O., and has three children; Frank, who died at the age of 26 years, survived by a widow and one child; William E., a merchant at Marysville, O., who married Lillian Gardner and has six children; Grant, who resides with his wife and seven children at Shelby, O. ; Edwin, who owns a claim on which he resides, in Mexico; Harry, who died as the result of an accident when 39 years of age; and Samuel, who is a house decorator and still lives with his parents. Mr. Peppard and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics lie is a Republican but has never accepted public office. He is a member of the F. & A. M., at Crestline; and is a charter member of Division No. 306, formerly No. 8, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and in 1866 was a delegate to a convention of this body. RENO R. SEERY, general farmer and one of the representative citizens of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., who is operating 156 acres of land for his father, which is the old homestead on which he was born June 2, 1872, and is a son of Jacob and Lavinia (Coon) Seery. Jacob Seery was born in Ross county, O., and during his active life carried on farming. He has always been a Republican in his political views and a prominent man of his section. He married Lavinia Coon, who was born in Canada, and four children were born to them : Alvaro, who is deceased; D. B. ; L. M. D., who is now deceased; and Reno R. Reno R. Seery attended the public schools in boyhood and before he took upon himself his present responsibilities, traveled all through the West, visiting points of interest and having a very enjoyable pleasure trip. He is a progressive, well informed agriculturist, successfully cultivating the land and raising some excellent stock. Sugar making is also one of the farm industries, a fine grove of sugar maples being on the farm. Mr. Seery was married Sept. 18, 1894, to Miss Caroline Heinlen, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Ruck) Heinlen, who were substantial and respected people of Holmes town ship and parents of three children; Emanuel, Clara and Caroline. To Mr. and Mrs. Seery a son was born, Orlo Dale, who died when six months old. They are members of the United Brethren church. Politically lie is a Republican and has served several terms on the school board. He is a member of the Grange at Brokensword and of the K. O. T. M. at the same place. EDWIN G. BEAL, cashier of the First National Bank of Bucyrus and an official who has had much to do with the prosperity of this institution was born near Bucyrus on his father's farm Sept. 1, 1876. He is a son of Benjamin and Lydia (Rexroth) Beal both of whom were members of prominent pioneer families of this community. Edwin G. Beal was graduated from the Bucyrus High School in 1893. In the same year he became assistant to his father in the office of the Crawford county Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company of which company his father was then secretary. Upon the death of his father in March, 1898, he was appointed secretary of this company which position he filled acceptably until the end of the company's fiscal year. In 1896 he began his training in practical banking in the Second National Bank of Bucyrus being made assistant cashier of that institution in January, 1898. In September, 1898, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, O., where he was graduated from the classical course in 1901 with his A. B. degree. From this institution he received the A. B. degree in 1904. After his graduation from the Ohio Wesleyan University lie entered the senior class of the Law School at Ohio State University in September, 1901, from which institution he was graduated in 1902 with the degree of LL. B. In June, 1902, Mr. Beal was admitted to the bar of Ohio. After completing his education he accepted a position with the First National Bank of Bucyrus and continued until January, 1903, when he was elected assistant cashier of the bank. In November, 1904, Mr. Beal was appointed cashier of the same institution and has continued in this important position ever since, being now also a member of the Board of Directors of the bank. On Sept. 20, 1911, Mr. Beal married Miss AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1049 Rachel Monnett, who was born at Bucyrus, was graduated from the Bucyrus High School and later from the Cincinnati School of Oratory. Mrs. Beal is favorably known as an elocutionist, having frequently appeared in public and on many occasions has given entertainments for charitable purposes. She is a daughter of Abram C. and Jane (Walwork) Monnett, a granddaughter of Col. William Monnett and a great-granddaughter of Isaac Monnett, who came to Crawford county in 1828. Since its establishment in Ohio the Monnett family has been prominent in the affairs of the communities in which they have lived. Mr. and Mrs. Beal are interested members of the Methodist Episcopal church and both are active and appreciated workers in the Sunday School, Mr. heal at present being its Superintendent. Mr. Beal is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi college fraternity. Mrs. Beal is a member of Hannah Crawford Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. E. C. ASSENHEIMER, merchant tailor, one of the prosperous and representative business men of Crestline, O., who established his present store in 1906, has been connected with tailoring interests here, however, since 1895. He was born at Bucyrus, O., in 1872, and is a son of Christian and Bertha (Marggraf) Assenheimer. Christian Assenheimer was born in the city of New York, Aug. 12, 1834, his parents being Germans. As a young roan he came to Bucyrus and has ever since lived in Crawford county, being now in his 78th year. He married Bertha Marggraf, who was born in Germany in 1838, but has spent the greater part of her life in Crawford county. They are faithful members of the German Lutheran church. Eight children were born to them, seven of these still surviving. E. C. Assenheimer was reared on a farm and attended the public schools prior to learning his trade, at Crestline, after which lie worked at his trade and for three years was in partnership in the merchant tailoring business with Jacob Sutz. In 1906, Mr. Assenheimer embarked in business for himself and has a commodious store well situated, the dimensions of which are 80x16 feet, on Railroad Avenue. He carries a large stock of both foreign and domestic goods and has every facility for doing a first class business in his line. He has a wide city acquaintance and his patronage comes from the most fastidious class. Like his father, Mr. Assenheimer has always been a stanch Democrat. Mr. Assenheimer is unmarried. JAMES B. GORMLY, president of the First National Bank, of Bucyrus, O., and for years identified with numerous very important business enterprises of this section, has been connected with this financial institution since its organization, and has been at its head for a period of 53 years. He was born at Bucyrus, Nov. 23, 1836, and is a son of John A. and Louisa (Bowman) Gormly. John A. Gormly was born at Pittsburg, Pa., July 19, 1804, a son of John and Elizabeth (Gill) Gormly, the ancestry being Irish on the paternal side and Scotch on the maternal. John A. Gill, the maternal grandfather, served in the War of the Revolution. In 1830 John A. Gormly removed from Pittsburg to Brownsville, Pa., where he embarked and continued in a mercantile business until 1836, when he moved to Bucyrus and conducted a store on Sandusky Avenue. He was a man of excellent business perception and his foresight was shown in his acquisition of much property, both in the growing town and in the adjacent region, and in addition to his subsequent holdings in city realty, he had 1,000 acres of land which became valuable for farming purposes. He established one of the earliest financial institutions here, founding the Peoples' Deposit Bank, in 1859, in association with his son, James B. Gormly, and continued the same until he found the time ripe for still broader business dealings, and in 1864 organized the First National Bank of Bucyrus. His business acumen and sterling honesty contributed to the success of this institution as they had to his other undertakings, and lie continued at the head of this bank until the time of his death, which occurred May 8, 1878. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church and served in public capacities at important conventions of this religious body, both in Ohio and in other parts of the country. In 1833 he married Louisa Bowman,