1050 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY who died May 6, 1872. They had three children: James B., George C. and Mary L., the last named becoming the wife of Rev. James G. D. Findley. James B. Gormly was educated at Bucyrus and continued at school until he was 17 years of age, when his uncle, James P. Bowman, offered hire a clerkship in his mercantile store, and he remained there for one year. Later he entered Bartlett's Commercial College, at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1856, and then became bookkeeper and teller of the Exchange Bank at Bucyrus, where he gained his first banking experience. He continued there until 1859, when he became associated with his father in financial affairs, which, under careful and conservative management, developed into enterprises of vast importance. Mr. Gormly's name and activities have been of great value to many other business concerns. He served for some years officially with the Gas and Electric Light Company of Bucyrus and later as president of the Bucyrus Water Company; in 1893 was made and served as assignee of the estate of the late Governor Foster, of Ohio; from 1871 until 1875 was secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Central Railroad Company; and was one of the organizers of what is now known as the American Clay Working Machinery Company, of which lie also served as treasurer. In local affairs, where the public welfare is a matter of concern, Mr. Gormly has never failed to perform a good citizen's duty, and has served on many charitable boards and has liberally contributed to benevolent movements. In 1859 Mr. Gormly was married to Miss E. Virginia Swingly, a daughter of Dr. Frederick and Mary (Denman) Swingly, and two daughters and one son have been born to them : Ella K., who became the wife of F. S. Monnett, of Columbus, O., a prominent public man, once attorney-general of the state; Susan E., who became the wife of W. H. Pickering, a representative business man of Bucyrus; and James B., who is now deceased. Mr. Gormly and family attend the Presbyterian church and they are people of social importance, not only at Bucyrus, but also at the state capital and in other cities. JAMES SOWASH, general manager of the Crestline Pump Works, very important business enterprise of Crestline, O., one that is well financed and ably officered, was born at Mansfield, O., in the spring of 1872, where he was educated. Mr. Sowash has been in his present line of business since he was 19 years of age and after learning his trade was foreman for some years for the Humphrey Company of Mansfield and afterward, for seven years, was with the Barnes Manufacturing Company of the same city, coining from there to Crestline in 1903, when the Crestline Pump Works business was started. This company has officers as follows: Judge Daniel Babst, president and a director; Jacob Babst, treasurer and a director; John H. Warden, secretary; and James Sowash, general manager. In addition Mr. Sowash has been chief designer of all the pumps, which include 250 varieties, manufactured by this company. Additional directors of the company arc: J. W. Ross, who is also vice president; Jacob Flowers, Abraham Seib, R. M. Taylor, and John H. Warden, all men of capital and high business standing. They manufacture and handle as jobbers all water supply goods and utensils and in addition to manufacturing hand, power and spray pumps, they cast sinks, traps, brackets, etc. The plant is extensive, 135 pumps alone being turned out per day, and employment is afforded 65 skilled men. In advancing the interests of his house, Mr. Sowash displays those enterprising qualities which mark the successful American business man all over the world. Mr. Sowash was married at Mansfield, O., to Miss Mice Burns, who was born and reared there and their one son, Russell, now 16 years of age, is a student in the Crestline High School. Mr. and Mrs. Sowash are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically Mr. Sowash is a Republican and fraternally belongs to the order of Knights of Pythias, the Blue Lodge at Crestline and Council and Chapter at Mansfield. ALBE MOE, vice president of the Home Savings & Loan Company, at Galion, O., of which city he is a leading business man, was born at French Creek, Lorain county, O., May 22, 1840, and is a son of Husted and Hannah Moe and a descendant of an old French family that came to the United States very early, set- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1053 tling in Vermont before the Revolutionary War. Husted Moe was born in Genesee county, N. Y., and was young in years when the family settled in what was then the wilderness of Lorain county, O. He engaged in farming and later conducted a stage route hotel at French Creek. His death occurred in 1850, when aged about 45 years. He married Hannah Moe, who was born also in New York and was a daughter of Isaac Moe, who engaged in farming near French Creek. Both he and wife lived into extreme old age. Mrs. Husted Moe survived her husband for many years, being aged almost 89 years at the time of her death. She was a devoted member of the Baptist church. Of her five children four lived to maturity and all married and had children. Albe Moe was reared and attended school at French Creek. He and his older brother, Perry Moe, who still survives and resides at Cleveland, entered the Union Army in May, 1861, the latter enlisting while Albe became a teamster and after one year in the transporting department, became team foreman in the commissary department and later was made assistant superintendent of the horse corrals at Washington, D. C. Mr. Moe has a record of sending out more than 25,000 horses during the time this important assisting office to the efficiency of the Government was in his charge. After the war was over he was tendered a position in the quartermaster's department but by that time lie was tired of war and its trappings and a home in the North, amid peaceful surroundings appealed to him and finally he located at Gallon and for some years afterward was in the restaurant business here. Afterward he began to deal in real estate and carry insurance risks and subsequently entered politics and served in the city council in 1888-9. In 1890 he was appointed city appraiser and in 1892 was elected mayor; in 1894 was elected county commissioner and served six years in that office. In 1900 he was made a member of the city board of Review, a position he has continued to fill, being remarkably well qualified for the same. He was one of the organizers of the Home Loan & Savings Company, with a capital of $2,000,000. of which he is a director and for the past 11 years has been vice president. Mr. Moe has been exceedingly active along many lines and has so conducted his undertakings that they have been successful. At Galion, O., Mr. Moe was married to Miss Sarah C. Blosier, who has always lived in Crawford county and is a daughter of David and Leah, (Rex) Blosier, who came from Pennsylvania and settled in Vernon township, Crawford county. One son, Ralph, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Moe, but he died early. Mr. Moe is a Democrat in politics. JACOB F. ROSS, one of the leading citizens of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., where his valuable farm of 119 acres is situated, was born in this township, Sept. 4, 1871, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Schimpf) Ross. Peter Ross and wife were both born in Germany and he yet survives and resides on his farm in Lykens township. She passed away in 1911. They had the following children born to them: Philip, who is deceased; Jacob F.; Charles; Matilda, who is the wife of Chirstian Brown; Adam; Christian; Henry; and Martha, who is the wife of Jacob Kalb. Jacob F. Ross attended the district schools when he was a boy and ever since then has given a large part of his time to general farming, prior to his marriage working by the month but since then has operated his own land. He is a practical, industrious man, not given to experimenting but rather keeping to methods which he has proved to he sensible and safe, and is recognized as one of the successful agriculturists of this section. In 1884, Mr. Ross was married to Miss Anna Shafer, a daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth (Schaaf) Shafer, formerly farming people in Chatfield township but now living retired in Chatfield village. The parents of Mrs. Ross had the following children: Catherine; William Leonard; Mary, who was married (first) to Benjamin Zucker, and (second) to Daniel Koch; Anna, who became Mrs. Ross; Sophia, who is the wife of Albert Hartchue; Henry; Arlena, who is the wife of Harrison Kibler; and Frank, George and Harvey. Mr. and Mrs. Roes have one daughter, Marie. They are members of the Lutheran 1054 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY church. In politics Mr. Ross is a Democrat and has served as supervisor of Lykens township. REV. A. H. SCHRIENER, pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church at Galion, O., has been an active and earnest worker in his present field for a number of years and has been permitted to witness both spiritual and material growth in his congregation as a compensating result. Father Schriener was scarcely 18 years of age when he entered St. Mary's Seminary, at Cleveland, O., completing his classical course at St. John's College, Brooklyn, N. Y. Father Schriener was appointed assistant priest at St. Peter's, Cleveland, later was pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church at Port Clinton, Ottawa county, O., where he remained two years and then had charge of the Catholic church at Bowling Green, O., for four and one-half years, coming from there to Galion in January, 1899. St. Joseph's German Roman Catholic Church organization is one of the oldest in the city, having been founded in 1854 and ever since has been administered to by a regular priest. At present Father Schriener has a congregation of 500 souls and the flourishing parochial school has 8 pupils. He is deeply beloved by his own people and commands the respect of the citizens of Galion, irrespective of religious faith, who recognize his spiritual influence and his zeal in the cause of Christianity. WILLIAM W. BUCK, * chief clerk of a division of the railway mail service, is a well trained and experienced man in his line and in January, 1905, was appointed chief clerk of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Division on the Pennsylvania road, his jurisdiction covering a wide territory, with office at Crestline, O. He was born at Philadelphia, Pa., in February, 1855, where he was reared and was graduated from the High School. In his native city Mr. Buck was appointed a postal clerk, and has been in the Government service for 23 years, serving with efficiency in every department into which lie was promoted, his first run being between Pittsburg and Chicago. The work of the Crestline office, as above stated, covers a wide territory, there being 260 postal clerks under its direction. When he was appointed to his present position he succeeded V. L. Poe, who became assistant superintendent with headquarters at Cincinnati. Mr. Buck has been very loyal to both employers and comrades and is justly held in high esteem. He is prominent in Masonry, belonging to Blue Lodge, No. 272, at Crestline, and to Chapter No. 88 of this city, being treasurer of both branches; belongs to the Commandery at Mansfield and the Shrine at Dayton. In the city of Philadelphia, Mr. Buck was married to Miss Sara K. Hayes, who was born at Camden, N. J., and at that time was a successful teacher in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have one daughter, Leah M., who graduated in music from the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, O., in the class of 1912. Mr. Buck and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Republican in his political affiliation. GEORGE J. STRAUCH, one of the representative men in the hardware line at Crestline, O., a member of the firm of Strauch Bros., the oldest hardware dealers in this city, with commodious quarters on the corner of Main and Seltzer Streets, was born in Richland county, O., Aug. 19, 1862, a son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Lippert) Strauch. Christian Strauch, the grandfather, was born in 1802 in Germany, and in 1848 came to America with his family and settled in what is now Crawford, then Richland county, O., where he and wife died, about 1888, having been farmers ever since coming to Ohio. Conrad Strauch was born in Bavaria, Germany, and was 14 years of age when his parents came to the United States and had followed agricultural pursuits ever since. In politics lie is a Democrat and was reared in the German Reformed faith. He married Elizabeth Lippert, who was born and reared in Ohio, of German parentage. They died of cholera, in Auglaize county, O., when she was two years old. Mrs. Strauch still survives, the mother of ten children, eight of whom survive and seven of these have married. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1055 George J. Strauch was two years old when his parents came to Crawford county, where he was reared and educated and later followed the carpenter trade for 15 years, when he went into the hardware business with his brother, Michael Strauch. The latter is a graduate of a business college at Ada, O., and is bookkeeper for the present firm and serving in his second term as city clerk. In 1892 George J. and Michael Strauch embarked in their present business, succeeding a Mr. Frye, which business was founded by Mr. Frengel in 1862. They have commodious quarters, their main store having dimensions of 160x22 feet and additionally have two warehouses for storage and exhibition of buggies and farm wagons. They carry a full line of heavy and shelf hardware, tin roofing and do gas and sanitary plumbing, carrying all supplies. George J. Strauch was married in Crawford county to Miss Sarah E. Schwarer, who was born in Vernon township, in 1864, a daughter of Jacob Schwarer, and the following children have been born to them : Estella, who is the wife of Charles Pry and lives at Crestline, having one son, Harold; Eric E., who was educated in the Crestline schools and Wooster University, and who is a teacher in the public schools; Frank B., who is a clerk for his father; Clarence J., a student at Wooster University, who is agent for the Cleveland Press, at Crestline; and Ruth, Eleanor M., Alvin and Jacob, all at home. Michael Strauch is unmarried. Both brothers belong to the Knights of Pythias and the Iatter also to the Elks. They are Democrats politically and for some years George J. has been a township trustee and a member of the school board. In their various business relations and in public office, both men command the respect and have the confidence Of their fellow citizens. REV. G. M. SCHMITZ, first resident pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, at North Auburn, Crawford county, O., was born at Luftelberg, Germany, Sept. 13, 1880, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Welter) Schmitz. The parents of Father Schmitz were born in Germany and the father died there when his son was nine years old. The mother came to America in 1906 and resides with Father Schmitz at North Auburn. St. Mary's Catholic Church, like other congregations, was developed from a mission and attained its present standing and importance through the zealous Christian efforts of its priests and the generosity of its faithful members. It was in the spring of 1879 that the Catholics living in the neighborhood of Waynesburg, O., called a meeting to endeavor to make some plans whereby services could be held on Sunday and a Sunday-school started nearer than New Washington, to reach which place was often a tax on both sick and well. The decision was to erect a suitable building, hence arose a frame structure on a corner of the old Faeth farm and from 1880-81 Rev. Amadeus Dambach was pastor of what was the beginning of St. Mary's Church. He was called away in the summer of 1881 and the church was then made a mission of the New Washington Church and from 1881 to 1888, Rev. Laurence Heiland administered to the two congregations. The summer of 1888 brought Rev. George Vogt, who, while serving as priest inaugurated many improvements and it was during his term as pastor that the church was frescoed and the stained glass windows replaced the old plain glass panes, Father Vogt donating one window and Father Horstman another. In 1899 Rev. Vogt left for a larger field and Rev. John Kunnert took charge of the church at New Washington and the mission of St. Mary's and during his administration a basement was dug and the building equipped with a furnace, the roofs of both church and priest's house were slated and the church tower, which had formerly been too high for safety, was somewhat lowered. On July 5, 1906, the members of St. Mary's heard the welcome news that they were to have a resident priest, a favor they had long besought of the Bishop, and Rev. G. M. Schmitz was sent and as been in charge ever since. He met with a hearty reception from the majority of his parish, although there were a few who doubted, at that time, the financial ability of the congregation to give adequate support, but long since then all these fears have been dispelled and the parish is in an exceedingly prosperous condition. He 1056 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY has not only looked carefully after the spiritual welfare of his people but has been a wise executive and the improvements that have been brought about under his direction and encouragement, have added greatly to the value of the property. Under his fostering care various church organizations have become a part of St. Mary's life. The Christian Mother Society was canonically established with the sanction of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstman and a membership of 37 enrolled. In May, 1907, the young ladies and young men of the parish were enrolled into the Sodality of B. M. V. under the name of St. Agnes Sodality and St. Aloysius Sodality, respectively. At different times eloquent members of the Catholic clergy have visited the parish and have carried away good reports. Father Schmitz has about 60 families in his parish and also supplies St. Anthony's Church, which he organized three years since. In connection with St. Mary's there is a successful parochial school. The church owns two and one-half acres of land, which is conveniently located and on which stands the church, the priest's house and the cemetery. Father Schmitz is one of the younger members of the Catholic clergy in this section and is a man of scholarly attainments. He was educated in Europe and completed his theological studies at Washington, D. C., and was ordained at Baltimore, Md., Dec. 17, 1904, by Cardinal Gibbons.. Prior to coming to St. Mary's he was in charge at Cleveland, O. BURT E. PLACE, general manager for the firm of E. M. Freese & Co., Brick, Tile and Fire Proofing machinery manufacturers at Galion, O., has been identified with this concern for 23 consecutive years. He was born Sept. 7, 1870, at Grand Rapids, Mich., and is a son of Rev. Horace Place. The family is of old New England stock and Rev. Horace Place was born in Vermont. From there, in early manhood he came to Ohio, where he worked at the trade of cabinetmaking and later became a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal body, in which work he continued for 30 years, his death occurring at Cleveland, O. He was married while in charge of a church in Michigan, and his wife died in Shelby county, O. Of their family three yet survive. Burt E. Place was educated at Bellevue, O., and attended school also at other points where his father was located. When he first entered the business house with which he has ever since seen identified, it was in a minor position and through ability, intelligence and fidelity he has steadily advanced and not only is indispensable to the firm of E. M. Freese & Co., but is also interested in other business enterprises which indicate his reliability as a citizen and business man. He is vice president of the First National Bank of Galion and a member of its board of directors. Mr. Place was married at Plymouth, O., to Miss Mabel Swope, and they have three children: Lawrence, Margaret and Horace. The eldest son is employed in the First National Bank in this city. Mr. Place and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with a number of the leading fraternal organizations and belongs to committees appointed to promote commercial progress, and, with other leading men accepts the responsibility of citizenship along the line of charity and benevolence. BENJAMIN HEFFELFINGER, deceased, was one of the early business men and prominent and useful citizens of Crestline, O. He was born in Washington township, Richland county, O., Dec. 26, 1833, and died at his home in Crestline, Dec. 30, 19o8. He was a son of Jacob and Esther (Lime) Heffelfinger. Jacob Heffelfinger and wife were of German ancestry and Pennsylvania parentage. Soon after marriage, about 1820 they came to Ohio and settled on wild land in Washington township, Richland county, securing 40 acres, and to the clearing, cultivating and improving of this property, Jacob Heffelfinger devoted his after life. He was an honest, upright, industrious man, qualities which belong to his descendants. She lived to the age of 72 years and he until about 78 years old, both dying in the faith of the German Lutheran church. Of their eight children all survived to be about 70 years of age, with the exception of one who died in his 16th year. The one survivor, Jacob, Jr., a millwright AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1057 living at Brighton, Ia., has passed his 86th birthday. Benjamin Heffelfinger remained on the home farm until 21 years of age and then learned the trade of shingle maker. In April, 1861, he embarked in the grocery business on East Main Street, Crestline, where he continued for 30 years, during this period erecting his own business house and investing in other property, including five acres of valuable realty and owning a handsome residence situated at No. 716 West Bucyrus Street, where he spent the closing years of his life, in comfortable retirement. He was identified with many of the progressive movements that contributed to the city's advancement, was one of the early members of the city council and for years served as treasurer of the school board. In his political views he was a Democrat. Mr. Heffelfinger was 27 years old when he was married, in Washington township, Richland county, to Miss Mary E. Kerr, who was born at Rensselaer, Jasper county, Ind., April 11, 1843, a daughter of John and Susan (Piper) Kerr, natives of Richland county, of Scotch-Irish extraction. They were married in Ohio and in the thirties moved to Jasper county, Ind., where they both died early, the father of Mrs. Heffelfinger when aged but 36 years and his wife, when but 35. They left one daughter and two sons, Thomas and John, both of whom married and died when aged about 66 years. A family of eight children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Heffelfinger, namely: Melvin C., who resides with wife and children at Bucyrus; Martha J., who died at the age of 40 years, who was the wife of Henry Foltz and was survived by four children: Elihu E., who is a resident of Crestline and a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railway; Charles A., who is an engineer on the same road lives at Crestline and has a family of wife, son and three daughters; Thomas D., who died at the age of eight months; Lavina B., who is the wife of John Cook, of Pensacola, Fla.; and Dora and Rosa, twins, who died near together, when aged 19 months. Mrs. Heffelfinger and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. HORACE J. SMITH, a leading citizen of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., who owns 160 acres of well situated land, which he devotes to general agriculture, was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, July 3, 1869, and is a son of John F. and Malinda (Shupp) Smith. John F. Smith and wife were born in Crawford county, members of old families of this section, and spent their lives here into advanced years. Mr. Smith still resides in Holmes township but his wife died in 1887. They had the following children born to them: Lulu, who is the wife of W. E. Pfetcher; Laura, who is the wife of Wesley Lust; Horace J.; Edith and Sylvanus, both of whom are deceased; Leary, who is the wife of George Lecrone; Lottie, who is the wife of Edward Pfeifer; Celesta, who is the wife of Harry Chester; and Lena, who is deceased. Horace J. Smith attended the public schools and remained at home giving his father assistance on the farm until he was 22 years of age, after which, for 14 years, he rented land from his father. In 1908 he purchased his present farm from his father and here successfully engages in farming and raising some excellent stock, not much more, however, that he needs for himself. His surroundings show thrift and good management, an interest in public affairs, schools and good roads and the presence of reading matter, go far to prove the opening statement, that Mr. Smith is a leading citizen in his community. He is a member of the Grange at Brokensword, is serving as school director, and for three continuous terms was a trustee of the township. In 1891, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ida C. Fralick, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Hass) Fralick, one of the old families of the county. Mrs. Smith died Feb. 29, 1912. The other members of her parents' family were: Emma, wife of William Lahman; Benjamin; Elizabeth, wife of J. Shawk; and Edward and Harrison. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith four children were born, namely: Alfred, Lula, Mabel and Alton. In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Broken-sword. 1058 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY DAVID H. CASSEL, a retired merchant of Crestline, O., occupying a beautiful residence which is situated at No. 211 Pearl Street, has made this place his continuous home for the past 17 years and has been active in both business and political circles. He was born on his father's pioneer farm, in Sandusky township, Crawford couity, O., Aug. 6, 1844, and is a son of John and a grandson of Frederick Cassel. Frederick Cassel was of German parentage but was born in the United States, not far from Pittsburg, Pa. He grew to manhood there and married Sarah A. Steel, and late in the thirties the family came to Richland county, O., settling in Springfield township and both Frederick Cassel and wife died there, in advanced years. They were members of the Lutheran church. John Cassel, son of Frederick and father of David H. Cassel, was the eldest born of his parents' large family, his birth taking place in Pennsylvania, in 1821 and he was in early manhood when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. He learned the carpenter trade under John Stough, completing his apprenticeship before he was 21 years old. The Stough family came to Richland county at the same time as the Cassel family and they became acquainted while crossing the mountains and settled on adjacent farms in Springfield township. The families prospered together and both were well thought of in Springfield township, where the Stoughs also lived to be old people. John Cassel married Sarah Stough and continued to work at his trade in Richland county until 1843 when he bought a farm in Sandusky township, all of which was uncleared but seven acres and on which the only improvement was a log cabin. Here the Cassel family increased and thrived and the parents lived into honored old age, passing away with the neighborly esteem that their kind and useful activities during life had won for them. Eleven children were born to them and all but one grew to maturity, nine of these married and four sons and two daughters are yet living. David H. Cassel was the fourth child and early became inured to hard work, his father needing his almost constant assistance. As opportunity afforded, he went to the district school, but had but meagre advantages. When he secured work from neighboring farmers, his wages were 25 cents a day and they were well earned. In May, 1862, he left the farm and came to Crestline and became an apprentice to the tinner's trade, with G. W. Pierce, receiving for his first year's work the suns of $35, $50 for the second year, and $75 for the third year, this including his board. For five years afterward he worked as a journeyman and in 1871 embarked in business on his own account and at that time established a hardware store, which he continued until 1908, when he retired after a long and pros, perous business career. A strong Democrat all his life, he has been active in party movements in the county and city and has served as a member of the city council. Mr. Cassel was married (first) at Upper Sandusky, O., to Miss Maggie Cramer, who was born in Seneca county, O. Her death occurred in 1869, from the effects of a fire which attacked the home. She was the mother of two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other being the wife of H. C. Cotner, of Crestline, and they have one son, Robert, who is a promising student in the public schools. Mr. Cassel was married (second) in Richland county, to Miss Maggie McGuire, who was a teacher. They have two children : Daisy I'd., who is a graduate of the Crestline High School; and Dotty D., who is the wife of E. E. Meister, who is connected with a large mercantile firm at Columbus. Mrs. Cassel and daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. GEORGE SNYDER, a retired business man of Galion, O., and one of the city's most respected citizens, was born at Washington. Pa., Feb. 7, 1837, and is a son of John M. and Anna (Heist) Snyder. John M. Synder was born at Winkle, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and his father had served under the great Napoleon for six years. In early manhood John M. Snyder decided to emigrate to America and after completing his trade of custom boot and shoe maker, he joined his brother-in-law, George Bower, who had established himself in Washington, Pa., in the blacksmith business. It was while living at Washington that John M. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1059 Snyder was married to Anna Heist, who was from his own German province, and they remained at Washington until their son, George Snyder, was one year old, when a family removal was determined on, to what was then the far West. Mr. Snyder and Mr. Bower provided the heavy wagons and strong teams that hauled the household goods over the hills and mountains between Washington and Galion, O. They were disappointed in the appearance of the latter place, at that time only a few scattered dwellings making up the hamlet, and as an encouraging business point they found it totally deficient. In considering whether to choose Columbus or Mansfield for a permanent home, they tossed up a penny and as Mansfield was indicated they started on foot to have a view of the place before moving their families. Apparently they were satisfied with the appearance of that village for they concluded to make it their home and shortly afterward found employment and in the course of time were well established in their trades. George Bower lived to be 92 years old, grew wealthy and locally important. Both Mr. Snyder and Mr. Bower were musical and both were fine singers and their musical gifts served to introduce them to the hospitable people and for a long time no entertainment at Mansfield or in the vicinity was considered complete without their attendance and songs. After some years John M. Snyder and wife moved on a farm in Congress township, Morrow county, O., and there they passed the rest of their lives. The land was unimproved when Mr. Snyder purchased it but perseverance and industry soon changed the wild land into cultivated fields. They were devoted members of the Reformed church and while living at Mansfield, through Mr. Snyder's efforts a church was built. He lived to the age of 76 years and three months but his wife passed away at the age of 64 years. They were people who were well beloved, their sympathy and kindness to every one arousing affection and respect. They had four sons and four daughters born to them and four sons and one daughter still survive. George Snyder was the second child of his parents and was a babe when the family came to Ohio and Was 17 years old when removal was made to Morrow county. Under his father, who was a man of great skill in the trade, he had learned to manufacture custom boots and shoes, his father having made the first pair of stitched boots ever used at Mansfield. For some years George Snyder worked at the trade and then was married, after which he became a farmer, continuing until Sept. i, 1865, when he came to Galion and embarked in the grocery business near the Public Square, on West Main Street, and carried it on until his sons had grown old enough to succeed him and they still conduct it. Mr. Snyder was one of the organizers of the old Hayes National Bank and was its first president and later its vice president. In Morrow county, O., Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Harriet Mitchell, who was born near Iberia, O., Jan. 12, 1840. More than 72 years have passed with their joys and sorrows but the tie has never been severed and on April 12, 1910 these good people celebrated their 50th anniversary, an occasion long to be remembered with pleasure by all who were permitted to attend. The following children have been born to them: Frank J., who conducts the grocery business which was established by his father, and who married Nina Wineland and has two daughters, Naomi and Maud; Alonzo M., who graduated from Kenyon College and took first honors in the class to which he belonged in the Cincinnati Law College, and who is engaged in practice at Cleveland, and is married, having one son, Gaylord; Charles A., who is superintendent of the iron works of Platt & Crady, at Hartford, Conn., and has two sons, Russell G., who lives with his grandparents, and George Barry, who lives with his father. Mr. Snyder and his brother were both soldiers in the Civil War, Mr. Snyder serving for 100 days. He has always been a patriotic and useful citizen and in local affairs has been continuously active, serving as a member of the city council and as a member of the school board for two terms, and when made the candidate of the Republican party for county treasurer, ran far ahead of his ticket. He is a member of the board of Review for the county. Both he and wife attend the Presbyterian church. He is a Mason of high de- 1060 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY gree, a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Mansfield and the Shrine at Cleveland. JOSEPH E. SUTTER, who is in the meat and grocery trade at Crestline, O., located on the corner of Bucyrus and Seltzer Streets, a member of the firm of Sutter Bros., is one of the enterprising young business men of this city. Both he and brother, Otto Sutter, who is his partner, are natives of Vernon township, Crawford county, and there he was born June 29, 1885. The parents are Joseph F. and Theresa (Becker) Sutter. Joseph F. Sutter was born at Crestline, O., in 1856 and has been a farmer all his life. His people came from Switzerland and died in old age in Crawford county. Joseph F. Sutter was married in Shelby county, O., to Theresa Becker, who was born in Bohemia, Germany, in 1858, and was five years old when her parents came to Ohio and spent the rest of their lives in Shelby county. Nine children were born to Jacob F. Sutter and wife, Joseph E. being the fourth in order of birth, all surviving with one exception ; Albert, Susanna, Joseph F., Dorothy, Otto, Herman, Olivia and Henrietta, and Alfonso, who died at the age of 18 months. The firm of Sutter Bros. has been operating at Crestline since 1910, the partners purchasing their present store and market from W. D. Cover. Through a careful study of the demands of their patrons, through honest and courteous dealings and the handling of superior stock only, this firm has been successful from the beginning and occupies a recognized position in commercial circles here. At "Crestline, O., Mr. Sutter was married to Miss Agnes Link, who was born at Galion, April 13, 1886 and was educated at Dayton and Crestline. Her father, John Link was born in Montgomery county, O., and for many years has been in the meat business at Crestline. He married Anna M. Rock, who was born in Germany and came alone t0 the United States, when 19 years of age. Both families are members of the German Roman Catholic Church. JOHN H. ZIMMERMAN,* a well known business man at Galion, O., his hardware and plumbing establishment being located at No. 218 East Main Street, was born at Williamsburg, New York, in December, 1855, and is a son of John A. and Anna M. (Miller) Zimmerman. The parents of Mr. Zimmerman were born in Baden, Germany, and both came to America in 1850, and were married in the State of New York. After they came from there to Galion, O., the father followed his trade of cabinetmaker with the Big Four Railroad and for other firms. He was a careful, reliable and skilled workman. Both he and wife lived to be 81 years of age, and they both were members of the Lutheran church. Of their four children, three survive and all live at Galion. John H. Zimmerman was one year old when his parents came to Galion and here he was reared and attended school. He served his apprenticeship to his trade of tinner and plumber and for several years worked as a journeyman but otherwise has always resided in this city. In 1891 he established himself as a plumber and tinner and three years later admitted F. H. Else as a partner and at the same time added a hardware department, and for 11 years a prosperous business was carried on under the firm style of Zimmerman & Eise, since when Mr. Zimmerman has been sole proprietor and former conditions continue. Mr. Zimmerman is a well known Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Council at Galion and the Chapter and Commandery at Mansfield. He is identified also with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks and is a member of the Country Club. Politically he is a Democrat. He has never married. JACOB R. BISHOP, an enterprising and successful farmer and stock raiser, owns a large body of valuable land, resides in section 15, Cranberry township, his property bordering the southeast side of the corporation limits of New Washington, O. He was born in Peru township, Huron county, O., Feb. 11, 1860, and is a son of Arsaineus and Theresa Bishop, natives of Huron county and both now deceased. After his marriage in 1891, Mr. Bishop bought 73 acres in Cranberry township, Craw- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1061 ford county, of the Springer heirs, paying fifty dollars an acre for the same. It was good land but was not improved to please Mr. Bishop who immediately began his own improvements, including a system of drainage, in 1903 erecting a new barn, with other structures, and the entire remodeling of the house which had been erected in 1858. Mr. Bishop, in 1905, bought 77 acres, from his father-in-law, George Miller, a well improved body of land adjoining his other farm on the west. All of it had been cleared by Mr. Miller with the exception of eight acres of maple grove and every year a large quantity of maple sugar is made on the place. Mr. Bishop raises grain, especially wheat, having at the present date of writing 17 acres of as fine wheat as can be found in Cranberry township, and has a large acreage in hay. He also raises cattle, horses and hogs, disposing of $800 worth of the latter every year. A large number of fowls are produced here yearly also, Mrs. Bishop taking just pride in her Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Orphingtons, thorough-bred stock. She sells eggs to the Uhl Hatchery Company, of New Washington, O., and has made this an important feature of the farm industries. Mr. Bishop was married Jan. 27, 1891, to Miss Mary Miller, who was born in Cranberry township, north of New Washington, O., a daughter of George and Margaret (Heydinger) Miller. George Miller was born in Germany, Feb. 2, 7835, and came to Crawford county and settled one-half mile north of New Washington, where he lived for four years and then bought a farm south of that place and there built a brick house for hotel purposes in 1871, naming it the Washington House, which he conducted for 20 years, then retired and now lives at Chicago, Ill. His wife, Margaret Heydinger, as born in France, a daughter of John Adam Heydinger, who probably came to New Washington in 1835. She was one of three children: John, Margaret and Mary, the brother marrying Mary Gulong, and the sister, Frank Wechter. Mrs. Miller died July 7, 1905, and her burial was in the Catholic cemetery at New Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller the following children were born: Mary, who married Jacob R. Bishop; John R. who is manager of the Miller Department Store at New Washington; Catherine, who is the wife of Matthew Burger, residing east of New Washington; Ignatius, who lives in Cranberry township; Rosa, who lives at Chicago, Ill. Adam, who is interested at New Washington in the Miller Merchandise Company, and who married Amelia Burger; Cecelia, who is married and lives in the city of Chicago; and Tillie, who is the wife of George Schmidt, of New Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have two children: Verona and Otto, the latter of whom is a student in the New Washington High School. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop is talented in music and devotes a part of her leisure time to teaching music. She graduated from the New Washington High School when only 16 years of age and afterward attended college for one year at Tiffin, O. She then taught school for two years and at present is bookkeeper for the Uhl Hatchery Company. Mr. Bishop and family are members of St. Bernard's Catholic church at New Washington. Mr. Bishop votes with the Democratic party but is not unduly active in politics and has never accepted any public office except that of road supervisor, in which he served two terms. JOHN F: MORKEL, who justly claims the distinction of being the oldest grocer, in point of service, doing business at Crestline, O., established himself here in 1887 and has continued uninterruptedly ever since. He was born in Crawford county, one mile west of Crestline, Dec. 7, 1853, and is a son of Christian and a grandson of Peter Morkel. About 1829 or 1830, grandfather Morkel and family came from Germany to the United States and located in Franklin county, Pa., and from there, in 1832, started for Crawford county, O. The means of transportation was a wagon, drawn by a blind horse, and naturally but slow progress was made over the mountains and through uncleared lands, dense timber tracts and unbridged streams, and it took many weeks for the pioneers to reach their proposed home. They settled on virgin land, in what was called the wind fall, and there a log cabin was erected and life was begun anew. Many Indians were visitors to this section, attracted by the abundance of wild game and the pioneers soon learned wood craft from them and in the early days partly 1062 -HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY sustained life by hunting, trapping and fishing. A valuable farm was developed through persevering labor and Peter Morkel and wife lived long enough to enjoy peace and comfort in their last days. Christian Morkel, son of Peter and father of John F. Morkel, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, July 18, 1823, the eldest of seven children, and died in Richland county, O., in Febraury, 1906, when aged 83 years. He learned the trade of wagonmaker and was able to construct an entire wagon from the cutting down of the tree to its completion as a useful vehicle, and in addition owned and operated a saw mill and engaged in farming. He spent his closing years in Richland county, near Crestline, a man widely known and very highly respected. In Crawford county he married Mary Ann Purkey, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Dec. 1z0, 180, and was brought to Crawford county by her parents in the forties, they settling also in the wind fall, where her father followed farming. She died April 30, 1898, in Richland county. She was reared in the German Reformed faith but after marriage united with her husband's church, the German Lutheran. Thirteen children were born to this marriage, twelve of whom reached maturity, ten of whom married and all these survive. John F. Morkel was the eldest born of his parents' children and was reared and educated in his native county about two miles east of Crestline. After some years on the farm he learned the blacksmith trade at Mansfield and for two years followed the same in Delaware county and then came to Crawford county on a farm for seven years, and then came to Crestline and embarked in the grocery business, for the first eleven years being located on Main Street and since then has occupied his commodious store, with dimensions of 22x67 feet, on the corner of Crestline and Bucyrus Streets. He carries a full line of staple goods and all fancy goods for which there is a demand, and does a safe and satisfactory business being able to meet all competition without recourse to any questionable methods. He is one of the reliable and representative business men of the city. Mr. Morkel was married at Massilon, O., to Miss Helen Mathieu who was born in Wayne county, July 8, 1853, and was there reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Morkel have three children: Edith Dora, who is the wife of Lewis Smith, a Pennsylvania Railroad engineer residing at Crestline, and has one son, Neil; Clarence Lee, who lives at Galion, and who married Daisy Snyder, who died when their daughter Ruth was eight days old; and Estelle May, who is the wife of Howard Ackerman, of Mansfield, and has one son, Franklin Kenneth. Mr. Morkel and family attend the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Morkel is a Democrat and he has been active and useful as a citizen, serving for nine years as a member of the school board and serving also on the water works board. He is prominent in Ohio Masonry, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Crestline and the Council at Mansfield and serving officially at different times. RICHARD HOLCKER, senior member of the firm of Richard and Herman Holcker, successful hardware merchants and representative business men of Crestline, O., was born in Germany, Oct. 26, 1866, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Huebsch) Holcker. His brother, Herman Holcker younger member of the firm, was born in 1868, also in Bavaria, and there the brothers grew to manhood and both learned trades, the older becoming a machinist and the younger a carriage-smith. The parents, George Holcker and wife, were born and reared in the same Rhine province and married there and for many years Mr. Holcker followed the machinist trade. In 1901 he and wife came to America and joined their children at Crestline, O., where the father of Richard and Herman Hoicker died in February, 1912, when aged 75 years, having lived retired after reaching this city. His widow, now in her 73rd year, resides with her children at Crestline. They had ten children and all came to the United States and all but one, to Crawford county, O. and all married but two. The hardware business now conducted by the firm of Holcker Brothers, is one of the old established ones of Crestline, having been founded about 60 years ago, on the corner of Seltzer and Main Streets. The present firm, in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1065 1892, succeeded Jacob Sosenheimer, and a large business has been built up here, an immense stock of goods being carried, including all kinds of hardware, tin roofing and farm implements. Business honesty is the watchword of this firm and it has proved good policy. Both members of the above firm have married and each household has children. Richard Holcker was married at Crestline to Miss Catherine (Gehrisch), who was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1874, and was 18 years of age when she came to Crestline. She is a member of the German Lutheran church. One child has been born to Richard Holcker and wife, Frederick, who is two years old. Herman Holcker was married at Crestline to Miss Ida Eckstein who was born, reared and educated here. They have one son and one daughter: Albert G., born March 31, 1896, who is a student in the Crestline High School; and Martha, who was born June 19, 1900. Mr. Holcker and wife are members of the German Reformed church. In politics both brothers are nominally Democrats, but with independent tendencies. Both brothers are identified with the order of Macabees and both are stockholders in many of the successful local industries of the city, while Richard is also a director of the First National Bank. HORACE ANGENE, one of the representative citizens and large tax payers of Crawford county, O., was born in Lykens township, June 2, 1861, and is a son of Jacob and Louisa (Barrett) Angene. The father is now deceased. He was a native of Germany and after coming to Ohio engaged in farming. The mother, who is now in her 73rd year, resides in Lykens township. They had two sons: Horace and Albert. Horace Angene obtained an excellent public school education and then attended the Normal School at Lebanon, O., for oue term, and before settling down to agricultural pursuits, taught five terms of school. Although he was entirely successful as an educator, he had determined on an agricultural life and ever since has devoted his attention to general farming and stock raising. He owns 370 acres of fine land situated in Crawford county and a body of 1840 acres, situated in Texas. In 1883, Mr. Angene was married to Miss Sarah Kaib, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Kalb, substantial farming people in Chatfield township. Mrs. Angene has two brothers: Daniel and Emanuel. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Angene: Orestus, who married Mabel Meck; and Sylvanus, Anita and Amy. Mr. Angene and family attend the Pietist church at Chatfield. In politics a lifelong Democrat, Mr. Angene has frequently been elected to public offices, in which men of high personal standing and education are required, and he has served on the school board and also as a justice of the peace. THOMAS S. KENNEDY, who is one of Crawford county's leading citizens and substantial and representative men, resides on one of his farms in Dallas township, containing 280 acres, and owns a second one, comprising 80 acres. Additionally he has 175 acres in Marion county, and 139 acres in Trumbull county, and is one of the stockholders in the Farmers and Citizens Bank of Bucyrus. Mr. Kennedy was born in Tully township, Marion county, O., Oct. 23, 1848, and is a son of William and Margaret (Shank) Kennedy. The parents of Mr. Kennedy were born in Pennsylvania and both died in Marion county, O. They came to Ohio when young and were reared and educated here and later married and settled down to an agricultural life in Marion county. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and they were respected and esteemed in the section which was their home for many years. They were parents of a large family. After the mother of Mr. Kennedy died the father married Mary A. Lance and they had one daughter born to them, Samira, who is the wife of Ellsworth J. Jones. Thomas S. Kennedy was the third born of his father's first family, the others being: Nancy, who died aged three years; Lydia Jane, who is the widow of Samuel Baker; Martha, deceased, who was the wife of George Watts ; James William: Emma, who is the wife of Madison Roberts, Anzila, who is the wife of George Watts: and Margaret Ellen, who is the wife of John Hill. The paternal grandparents of the above children were Thomas and Nancy Kenedv, and the maternal were Jacob and Lydia Shank. 1066 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Thomas S. Kennedy attended the district schools in boyhood and improved his opportunities so that afterward he taught a term of school in Marion county. He found, however, that his natural inclinations led more in the direction of an agricultural life and therefore became a farmer, in which line of activity he has continued and has been exceedingly successful. In 1882 he bought the farm on which he lives, from J. George Heinlen, and this land as all the other that he owns has been improved and brought to a high productive state. In 1874 Mr. Kennedy was married to Miss Esther F. Monnette, a daughter of Thomas and Esther Ann (Culp) Monnette. The parents of Mrs. Kennedy were early settlers and for many years prominent people of Marion county. Mrs. Kennedy has but one sister: Vansanelia, who is the wife of G. W. Sipe. To Mr, and Mrs. Kennedy the following children have been born: Mervin, assistant cashier of The Farmers & Citizens Bank, at Bucyrus, who married Juna Ethel Newland, and has had three children—Evelyn Lucile, Frances Bernice and an infant, deceased; William, a farmer in Marion county, O., who married Mary Mertie Heinlen, and the following children were born to them—Flossie Marie, an infant, deceased; Clarence Eugene, Harold Stephen, Melvin Oben, Mabel Mertie and an unnamed infant; Otho W., city solicitor of Bucyrus, O., who married Edna Burke; Orange D., a farmer in Marion county, who married Blanche Fink, and has the following children —Milford, Almeda, Vancenella Catherine; Myron G., who is in the drug business at Niles, Trumbull county, O., who married Daisy Knowles, and has the following children—James Thomas, Marion Elizabeth and Richard Knowles; Amy Elva, who married Samuel Stump, a farmer in Whetstone township; James Corbin, a farmer in Trumbull county, who married Eleanora Culler, of Indiana, and has three children—Myron Samuel, George William and Pauline Esther; Olive Edna, who is a member of the class of 1913, at college, at Ada, 0.; Ralph C., who is a student at Fort Wayne, Id.: Myrtle Flossie, who is a student at Ada; Almet E., who lives at home; and Jay Monnette, who died at the age of two years. This is one of the representative fam ilies of Crawford county, not only in numbers but in intelligence and business capacity. Mr. Kennedy and his sons are Democrats in their political allegiance and are deeply interested in public affairs at the present time of writing (1912). Mr. Kennedy has served on the township school board, of which he has been clerk and has been land appraiser for one term and also trustee. Both he and wife were reared in the Methodist faith and in this church their children also have received their religious instruction. AUGUST MARQUART, one of the well known citizens of Crawford county, O., owning 238 acres of valuable land in section 12, Cranberry township, has been a member of the school board for four years and during three of these has been its president. He was born in Cranberry township, one mile north of the old homestead of Michael Marquart, July 31, 1856. August Marquart obtained his education in the public schools of Cranberry township and has devoted many years to agricultural pursuits. The farm located three-fourth miles from New Washington, on which he lives, contains seventy-eight acres. He also owns 80 acres which he purchased from A. G. Lederer, this being previously the Anderson farm and lie has also bought the Rapp farm of 80 acres. His home farm was formerly owned by Daniel Uhl. All this land Mr. Marquart has improved as he has thought desirable and has lived on the 78-acre farm since Oct. 1, 1880. He carries on a general farming line and also raises hogs, sheep and Durham cattle, all good stock, and his methods are those which experience has taught him to be most satisfactory. Mr. Marquart married Miss Mary Jane Tilton, who was born in Cranberry township, a daughter of Arthur Tilton, and they have seven children, namely: Ida, Minnie, Elmer, Ora, Emma, Arthur and Lilly. All have been given educational and other advantages. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. Mr. Marquart is not bound by politics to any particular party, preferring to use his own judgment as to the worthiness of candidates when he casts his vote. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1067 HON. FRANK MILLER, whose prominence and usefulness both in public life and in business affairs justifies the assertion that he is one of the leading men of Crawford county, O., served with distinction for five years in the Ohio State Legislature, and from 1896 until 1900, was mayor of the city of Crestline, during which period municipal growth and progress was notable. Mr. Miller was born at Crestline, March 11, 1863, and is a son of C. H. Miller, long a prominent citizen here. Frank Miller attended the Crestline schools and the State University at Columbus, O., and in 1887 was admitted to the Ohio bar and practiced law until 1892. While he has been very active in politics he has been no less so in the business world. He is a director of the First National Bank of Crestline and also of the Burch Plow Works, and is vice president and treasurer of Schil Bros. Co., manufacturers of stoves and steel ranges. The above business was incorporated in 1900, with a capital of $150,000, and the present officials are: W. H. Weaver, president; Frank Miller, vice president and treasurer; and W. D. Cover, secretary and manager. The hoard of directors is made up of the following capitalists : W. H. Weaver, C. F. Frank, J. M. Martin, J. A. McCallum, C. A. Simeonton and John Schil, Mr. Miller owns and operates the stockyards at Crestline and has the contract for the managing and cleaning of the stock cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Mr. Miller was reared a Democrat and has always been a loyal party man and for years has served as a delegate to all important conventions and been prominent in county organizations. In 1889 Mr. Miller was married in Logan county, O., to Miss Short, who was born, reared and educated there. Fraternally he is identitied with the Knights of Pythias, at Crestline, and with the Elks, at Bucyrus. BENJAMIN L. SITES, pharmacist, who conducts a well equipped drug store at No. 138 South Market Street, Galion, O., has had a wide experience in his profession and in unusually well qualified for the important position the pharmacist fills in a community. He was born at Dakota, Stephenson county, Ill., but was mainly educated in Ohio and after spending some years at Wooster and Heidel berg Universities, entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada and was graduated from the School of Pharmacy in the class of 1896. He then became a clerk in the drug store of C. E. Ashbrook, at Ada, where he remained for five years, as prescription clerk for this house. In 1901, an opportunity presented for a position in his professional capacity, under the Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, U. S. Navy. After passing a very satisfactory examination, he was attached to the recruiting party as assistant to the medical examiner, and later was sent to New York where he was given his first assignment, aboard the U. S. Training Ship "Aliance." This vessel made a number of lengthy foreign cruises, not being hampered by the usual fleet routine.  When military occupation was made of the Panama Canal Zone, he was one of the two pharmacists, out of 40, selected for duty there in the establishment of marine hospitals. In this capacity, he was professionally associated with the most skilful medical men in the service and enjoyed experiences which were exceptionally valuable in following work. At the time his enlistment expired, he was serving with Dr. J. D. Gatewood, formerly head of the Bureau at Washington, and then attached to the U. S. S. "Yankee." Dr. Sites then came to Galion and in 1905 succeeded one of the oldest druggists of this city—L. K. Reisinger—and has continued in business here ever since. He is an enterprising citizen, an active member of the Commercial Club, having served as one of its presidents and at present is chairman of the industrial committee. He is a member of the State and National Pharmaceutical Associations, is treasurer of the Crawford County Pharmacists Association and belongs to numerous fraternal bodies including the Elks and Knights of Pythias. WILLIAM DITTY, who is serving in his second term as township clerk of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., is well known all over the county, for 15 years having been a prominent and popular school teacher. He was born in Lykens township, Feb. 17, 1874, and is a son of Levi William and Catherine (Haas) Ditty. 1068 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Levi William Ditty, whose death occurred Aug. 8, 1901, was well known all through Lykens township, where he followed farming. His widow survives and resides with her son William, who was the second born in the family or children, the others being: Susan, now deceased, who was the wife of Arthur Jay Stevenson; Conrad M., who is deceased; and Mattie M., who resides with her mother and brother. William Ditty completed the common school course in Lykens township, after which he took a commercial course at Ada, O. Teaching has been his main interest for many years and as an educator he is held in high esteem in Crawford county. During the summer season he cultivates his two acres of fertile land, attached to his comfortable residence, and does gardening and trucking. He is identified with the Democratic party and was elected on that ticket to the office of township clerk and gives intelligent attention to his official duties. He belongs to Lodge No, 859, Independent Order of Foresters, at Brokensword, and with his mother and sister, attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Ditty is unmarried. THOMAS H. B. CLUTTER, M. D., who stands at the head of the medical profession at Crestline, O. and is the oldest physician and surgeon here, has been a resident since boyhood, but was born in Washington county, Pa., and is a son of John P. and Margaret (Andrews) Clutter. The Clutter family can be clearly traced as far back as 1623, in Holland, from which country his forefathers came and settled at New Amsterdam, N. Y. From Morristown, N. J., his great-grandfather, John Clutter, enlisted for service in the Revolutionary War, in which he was a soldier for seven years and was with General Washington during the memorable winter at Valley Forge, his son, John Clutter, being also an enlisted soldier from the same place. After the trouble with Great Britain was settled the great-grandfather located in a wild section of Washington county, Pa., one of the first settlers there, his estate lying within 12 miles of the present county seat. The Clutter family experienced the most of the dangers and hardships of pioneer life, being driven to block houses for shelter from Indians—these houses being the first thing they were compelled to build. They also suffered loss of stock from wild animals and had to surround their cabin at night with blazing fires to drive off hungry and voracious wolves. They lived through all these trials, increased in numbers and prospered in their business enterprises, accumulating much land and many herds of cattle. John Clutter, son of John, and grandfather of Dr. Clutter, became famous locally as an Indiana fighter. He was a robust man even up to 80 years and possessed as much knowledge of woodcraft as the most wily savage and when one of the latter had committed some depredation, John Clutter pursued him for weeks until he had brought the Indian to justice. He married Phebe Headley, who also survived into old age. John P. Clutter (3), son and grandson of John Clutter and father of Dr. Thomas H. B. Clutter, was born in Washington county, Pa., Jan. 1, 1806, and lived and died on his grandfather's farm, when aged 80 years. He was one of the younger members of a family of 12 children, all of whom have now passed away. He married Margaret Andrews, who was born near the old block-house in Washington county, in 1816, and died Oct. 10, 1885, a daughter of James and Anna (Van Voorhees) Andrews, who came from New Jersey to Washington county, Pa. John Clutter, grandfather of our subject, was a carpenter and wagonmaker and was skillful with tools. He was a busy and useful man in the neighborhood at the time when the hand was the only machine. The Andrews were all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, while the Clutters were Baptists. Thomas H. R. Clutter is one of seven children born to his parents, namely: Jasper, who left a widow at death; Thomas H. B.; Samuel, who lives with wife and two children, at Akron, O.; John P., Jr., who lives with his family in Charleroi, Pa. ; Robert Morris, who is a resident of Waynesburg and has one son and one daughter; and two deceased. Thomas H. B. Clutter came to Crestline in r861, was reared here and served an apprenticeship in a durg store, after which he studied medicine for a time with Drs. A. & A. E. Jenner, with whom he prepared for Starling Medical College, where he was graduated in 1865. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1069 Later he returned to Crestline and with the exception of a period of practice at Leesville, Crawford county, has been at Crestline. In February, 1889 he purchased the practice of Dr. C. W. Jenner, of this place and has been actively engaged here ever since. Dr. Clutter was married (first) in 1867, in Pennsylvania, to Miss Joanna Day, who was born there in 1842, and died in the Columbus Hospital, Nov. 15, 1886. Dr. Clutter was married (second), to Miss Ida L. Mapes, who was born and reared at Bucyrus, O., a daughter of Richard Mapes. Dr. and Mrs. Clutter attend the Presbyterian church. He is prominent in Masonry, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Crestline; the Commandery at Mansfield, the Consistory at Cincinnati and the other branches at Dayton. He is a charter member of the Dayton Consistory, S. P. R. S., No. 32, and a charter member of the Home for Masons at Springfield, being one of the first contributors of one hundred dollars to this worthy object. Professionally he is widely known, financially he is independent and personally is a man of sterling character. HENRY HAGEMAN, who is one of the most progressive agriculturists of Crawford county, O., resides on his finely improved farm in Cranberry township, where he has 100 acres situated in section 24, and an additional 100 acres adjoining the home farm on the north, was born here March 13, 1848, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Fredline) Hageman. Charles Hageman was born in Somerset county, Pa., and was twelve years old when he accompanied his parents, Barnett and Susan Hageman, to Wayne county, O. Barnett Hageman served as a private in the Revolutionary War and died in Crawford county and his burial was in Goodwill Cemetery. Charles Hageman grew to manhood in Wayne county and then married Catherine Fredline. He was a house carpenter and a skilled workman and after marriage he built a residence in Wayne county which his son Henry visited in later years and was surprised to see how skillfully and substantially it had been constructed, all its finishing having been done by hand. After the birth of three children—Sarah, Mary and Catherine—Charles Hageman and wife moved to Crawford county, in 1842 reaching the present farm of Henry Hageman, in Cranberry township. It must have been a stern sense of duty that made Mr. and Mrs. Hageman willing to give tip their comfortable home in Wayne county and settle here, where but three acres of the 100 had been cleared and the only house was a log cabin. In the course of time, however, Mr. Hageman erected the frame residence which is yet standing and cleared 7o acres of the land and here the rest of the children were born, namely : William, Martha, George, Henry, David and John. The survivors are William, John and Henry, the last named being the only one living in Crawford county. The father died on this farm when aged S1 years, one month and 21 days, and the mother when aged 76 years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Henry Hageman had the school opportunities then offered in Cranberry township, these being somewhat meager in his boyhood, and afterward followed farming and the carpenter trade, acquiring a farm of 40 acres situated northwest of the homestead. When his mother died he came with his family to the home farm, which he purchased, and here the aged father had kind care until the close of his life. Mr. Hageman cleared off the remaining 30 acres of the land and made the repairs to the buildings which lie deemed necessary and has added many improvements. He is a self made man, never having received any portion of his father's estate which he did not pay for. He is a member of the Grange and in his agricultural methods follows modern teachings and with great success. His residence is situated on the Fast and West road, four and one-half miles south and east of New Washington, O. In politics lie is a Democrat. Mr. Hageman married Miss Martha A. Garberich, who was born in Crawford county, west of Galion, a daughter of Isaac and Susan Garberich, and they have six children: Gertrude Pearl, who married Orval Stern and lives at Helena, O. ; William, who married a Laura Cole, and lives at Shelby, O. ; Maude. who is the wife of George Foster; Howard, who married Cora Derfler; Eva, who was a teacher for five years, and is in a nurse's training school; and Anna, who has been a success- 1070 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY ful teacher for some years. Mr. Hageman and family belong to the M. E. church in which he is a steward and one of the trustees. GEORGE JACOB BAUER,* whose fine, well stocked farm of 47 acres is situated in Vernon township, Crawford county, O., has been a lifelong resident of this township and was born near his present place, July 12, 1858, a son of John J. and Julia (Harrience) Bauer. John J. Bauer was born in Germany, Nov. 19, 1828, and came to the United States with his parents in 1836. They were John Philip and Catherine (Frick) Bauer, who settled as pioneers in Vernon township, where they cleared and improved land and occupied it into old age. This same farm was owned by their son, John J., for a period of 45 years and on that place his death occurred May 6, 1911. He was a well known and highly esteemed man, well read and possessed of the sound judgment that led others to consult him on matters important to themselves and the community. Politically he was a Democrat and a worthy member of the German Reformed church. By trade a carpenter, he assisted in the erection of the first Reformed church building in Vernon township. At Sandusky, O., John J. Bauer was married to Julia Harrience, who died in 1856, in the prime of life, in Vernon township, the mother of the following children: Emma, who married William Beach, of Vernon township, and has eight children; George Jacob, our subject; and Phebe, who is the wife of Charles Pauffenbach, a carpenter in Toledo, O., and has six children. Mr. Bauer was married (second) in Crawford county, to Julia Unckrich, who was born at Massillon, O., and died in Vernon township in February, 1904, when aged 63 years, the mother of eight children, all of whom married but one: Mary, deceased; John F.; Elizabeth, deceased; Frederick, unmarried; Amelia; Theodore; and Alice, a widow. George Jacob Bauer attended the district schools in boyhood and youth and has followed general farming and moderate stock raising ever since, with satisfactory results. The farm on which he lives is well improved, Mr. Bauer being progressive in his ideas, and he has one of the fine orchards of the town ship. He also has an interest in his father's farm of 240 acres and in a farm of 200 acres, which is owned by five people. Mr. Bauer was married in Jefferson township, Crawford county, to Miss Mary Nigraiench, who was born in this county, Dec. 25, 1867, a daughter of Christian and Margaret (Steffhom) Nigraiench. He was a soldier in the German army but found conditions so hard that he deserted and managed to hide himself for three days in the sails of a vessel, in which he escaped to America, and on the same vessel Margaret Steffhom came to the United States. After reaching Crawford county, O., they were married and afterward spent a long and happy life on their farm in Jefferson township. In 1861, when civil war was declared, he again became a military man and displayed all the qualities of a good soldier during his four years of service in his adopted country. Both he and wife were members of the German Lutheran church at Crestline. To Mr. and Mrs. Bauer the following children have been born: Julia, who is the wife of Samuel Beach, a groceryman, at Crestline; and Hattie, Mada, John P. and Boston N. F., all living at home. In politics Mr. Bauer is a Democrat and has served in local offices and while trustee of Vernon township had much to do in the matter of ditching and building the excellent turnpike roads for which Vernon township is justly noted. For three successive years, Mr. Bauer, his father and his uncle, Peter Bauer, were drawn to serve as jurors, in the State Supreme Court, at Cleveland, the whole family having high standing in Crawford county. Mr. Bauer and family are members of the Reformed church. P. C. THOMAS. Among the substantial and representative business men of long standing at Galion, O., is P. C. Thomas, who has been in the hardware line here for the last 30 years, his store being one of the largest and best stocked in this section of the state. He was born at West Becket, Berkshire county, Mass., and is a son of George Milton and Almeda (Baird) Thomas, and a grandson of George Milton Thomas, Sr. George Milton Thomas, Jr., was born also in the Berkshire hills and died in 1862, when AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1071 aged 56 years. He was a carpenter by trade and also managed a small farm. In early days he was a Whig and later a Republican. He married Almeda Baird, who was a member also of an old Massachusetts family. After her husband died, Mrs. Thomas moved to Lorain county, O., where her death occurred in 1876, when aged 68 years. She had two children, a son and a daughter. The daughter died in infancy and the son accompanied his mother to Ohio. P. C. Thomas was eight years old when his father died and the larger part of his school period was passed at Wellington, O. As soon as he was old enough he worked for neighboring farmers and then learned the carriage blacksmith trade, in which he engaged until 1881, when he came to Galion, immediately becoming connected with the store of which he is proprietor. For 19 years he was on the road for its owners, O. R. Cox & Company, they doing a jobbing business. Since 1901 Mr. Thomas has been sole proprietor. His quarters are commodious, the dimensions of his store being 24x196 feet, and the stock he carries includes shelf hardware of every description together with all lines of general hardware known to the trade. He has many of the qualities credited to his old Welsh ancestors, among these being a fine sense of business integrity which has been no small factor in his success. At Wellington, O., Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Mary Daughterty, who was born in Medina county, O., a daughter of William and Adelaide (Mariam) Daughterty, the former of whom died at the home of Mrs. Thomas, at the age of 78 years. The mother of Mrs. Thomas survives. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have the following children: Frank, born at Wellington, O., who is a salesman for his father and who married Fay Coleman and has two daughters—Ethel and Helen; George Milton, named after both his grandfather and great-grandfather, who is bookkeeper for his father, and who married Nellie Bland of Galion and has one daughter, Ruth Lilian; Addie, born at Galion, who is the wife of Stewart Booth, of Greenwich, O.; and Ralph R., who lives at home. Mr. Thomas and his two older sons are all members of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, of which Mr. Thomas is past master and treasurer, and lie belongs also to the Chapter at Galion, and Council at Bucyrus, in all of which he has been an official. With his sons Mr. Thomas is also a Republican, all being strong party men. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the First M. E. church. HARVEY G. ZELLNER, owner and proprietor of the Lykens Township Tile Factory, together with 17 acres of adjacent land, was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, O., Feb. 22, 1879, and is a son of Edward and Emma (Ohl) Zellner. The father, Edward Zellner, was born in Pennsylvania, has followed an agricultural life and now lives retired at Brokensword, O. His wife is deceased, her burial having been in Baseline Cemetery. They had the following children born to them: William, Charles A., Henry, Laura, Harvey G., Anna and Walter. Laura is deceased and Anna is the wife of William Park. Harvey G. Zellner had no other educational advantages than those offered by the public schools. In early manhood he began farm work, by the month, which he continued for about ten years and then purchased his present plant from Harvey Candel. The enterprise is an important one in this section, employment being given to from five to ten hands, the product being building blocks and tile from three to fifteen inches. The business is prosperous. On Feb. 22, 1911, Mr. Zellner was married to Miss Clara Laipply, a daughter of Emory Laipply, a general farmer in Crawford county, Mrs. Zellner has the following brother and sisters: Amanda, who is the wife of George Green; Emma, who is the wife of John Smith; and Laura, Grace and Jonas. Mr. and Mrs. Zellner are members of the Reformed church. In politics he is a Democrat and at present is serving acceptably in the office of road commissioner. PETER ECKSTEIN, deceased, for many years was a leading business man at Crestline, O., and was the founder of the grocery store now conducted by his sons and successors, Henry E. and George P. Eckstein, at Nos. from 106-112, West Main Street, He was 1072 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY born in Kleinbieberau, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, April 8, 1848, and was but two months old when his parents, George and Mary Catherine Eckstein, brought him to the United States, following his baptism in his father's church, in the village where he was born. George Eckstein settled first with wife and child in Richland county, O., and afterward moved into Crawford county, securing land in Vernon township, on which he and wife spent the rest of their lives. They were quiet, God-fearing people, devout members of the Reformed church. When Peter Eckstein had reached his r 6th year, he left the home farm and went to Sandusky. O., where he learned the carpenter trade and afterward followed the same for a number of years at Crestline. In 1875 he embarked in the grocery business, conducting the same for the first year with Benjamin Spell for a partner, but after that until he retired in 1906, was sole proprietor. He was a man of business integrity and a most worthy and useful citizen and his memory is held in universal esteem. Although he never sought public office his judgment and business qualifications were so approved by his fellow citizens that they desired the benefit of these in civic matters and elected him a member of the city council. In his political views he was a Democrat. His death occurred in his home at Crestline, May 10, 1910, a member of the German Reformed church. In 1872 Peter Eckstein was married at Crestline, to Miss Catherine B. Huber, who was born near Leesville, Crawford county, Nov. 15, 1849, and is yet a resident 0f this city. Her parents, Peter and Christiana (Knapp) Huber, came to the United States from Germany and afterward lived on their farm in Crawford county and died there in old age. Seven children were born to Peter Eckstein and wife: John, who died in infancy; C. William, who is in the grocery business at Galion and has a family; Ida, who married Herman Holcker, who is in the hardware line at Crestline, and has two children—Albert and Martha ; Julia, who resides with her mother; Henry E. ; George P., who, with his older brother. is a member of the firm of Eckstein Bros., and who married Lulu Hetrick, of Shelby, O. ; and Fred O., the youngest, who is a student in the Ohio State College. Henry E. Eckstein, the older member of the firm of Eckstein Bros., was born at Crestline, Sept. 9, 1881 and obtained his education in the schools of this city. He practically was reared in his father's store and learned the grocery trade at first hand, as may also be said of his brother and partner, George P. When the father retired, July 1, 1906, after his long and honorable business career, it was with feelings of satisfaction that he turned his interests over to sons so capable and well qualified to succeed him. A very large volume of trade is handled here, there being customers who dealt with the father and continue their patronage to the sons, the enterprise of the younger men having opened up new avenues that have contributed to business expansion. Henry E. Eckstein was married May 5, 1909, to Miss Blanche Topping, who was born at Galion, O., in 1884 and was educated in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Eckstein have one son, Robert E., who was born June 14, 1910. As a family the Eckstein's are members of the German Reformed church. Both members of the firm of Eckstein Bros. are Democrats in their political sentiments, while fraternally they belong to the order of Elks, at Galion. They are not only able business men but public spirited and progressive, proud of the extent and high standing of their business interests and ever ready to assist in fostering that local spirit that arouses emulation and results in more general prosperity. Crestline, as every other city, values such citizens. WILLIAM J. STUCKEY, a representative business man of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., owner and proprietor of the elevator at Plankton, where he deals in feed and grain and all kinds of farming implements, was born in this township, Jan. 20, 1870, and is a son of Carl and Louisa (Keller) Stuckey, both now deceased. Carl Stuckey was of German extraction and his business was fanning and for many years he lived in Lykens township, where occurred his death and burial. He was twice married and to his first union were born : Henry, and Mary who is the wife of John Ohls. To his second marriage the following children were born: Lena. who is the wife of Frank Dennis: Charles: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Lewis Young: Hattie, who is the wife of Charles AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1073 Moore; George; William J. ; Laura, who is the wife of Cyrus Ohls; and Janela, who is the wife of L. J. Shoots. William J. Stuckey attended the public schools and then spent five terms in the Ohio Normal University at Ada and after this taught school for five years in Crawford and Seneca counties. For ten more years he folIowed farming but in 1908 bought his elevator and has been engaged in business at Plankton ever since. He shows an active and intelligent interest in public matters, aiding all movements that promise to be beneficial to the village and is valued as a citizen. In 1893 Mr. Stuckey was married to Miss Hattie Mesnard, who was born in Seneca county, a daughter of William and Eliza (McClaughlin) Mesnard. To the parents of Mrs. Stuckey the following children were born: Emma, wife of Charles Stuckey; Edward; Della, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Stuckey; Cora, wife of Donald Swalley; Mat-tie, wife of William J. Stuckey; and Lloyd and Duff. Mr. and Mrs. Stuckey have two children: Verle, who is associated with his father; and Velma. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Stuckey is a Democrat and is serving in the office of clerk of Texas township. He is identified with the Odd Fellows at Melmore, Seneca county. MRS. MINNIE C. BECHSTEIN, who is a member of one of the old families of Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., where she was born, reared and educated, resides two and one-half miles northeast of New Washington, her valuable farm of rib acres being situated in section 2 of this township. She is a daughter of Michael and Caroline Marquart, both of whom died in Cranberry township, and the widow of William C. Bechstein. Mrs. Bechstein grew to young womanhood in her parents home and in girlhood attended school at what is called the Klein school-house, in Cranberry township and also attended German school at New Washington, O. On May 22, 1891, she was married to William C. Bechstein, who was born in Germany, a son of Ernest and Louisa Bechstein. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bechstein lived on J. Wright's farm near Bellevue, 0., afterward moving to the Yingling farm north of Monroeville, and from there came to the present farm, which Mr. Bechstein bought from Henry Rapp, in 1899. The land had been partly cleared but the only attempts at improvement were two log stables. Mr. Bechstein was a very industrious man and an excellent farmer and soon had many improvements tinder way, his death, at the comparatively early age of 44 years interrupting many of the plans he had in view. He was a highly respected citizen of Cranberry township, a good neighbor and kind husband and father. A son and daughter survive him, Elmer and Ora, both of whom live with their mother. Since Mr. Bechstein's death, on Feb. 20, 1910, Mrs. Bechstein has erected the present comfortable farm residence and the farm industries are carried on tinder her capable management. She is a member of the Lutheran church as was her husband. GEORGE WOOD NICKELS, postmaster at Galion, O., to which place his parents came in 1854, was born in this city July 10, 1869, and is the sixth son of George Wood and Margaretta R. (Webber) Nickels. The elder George Wood Nickels was born in Marion county, O., in 1820, and was a soldier in the Mexican War in 1846. In 1854 he was married at Mansfield, O., to Margaretta R. Webber, a native of Cumberland county, Pa., and they came then to Galion, where he followed his trade of carpenter and car builder and for a number of years was one of the most highly valued mechanics in the (now) Big Four Bee Line Railway employ. He died at Galion, O., in 1873. Politically he was a Republican and fraternally a Mason. His widow, who was born in 1834, still survives. Three of their children are living: George W., subject of this sketch; Webber, who is a sheet metal worker, resides at Galion with his mother; and Guy, who is an upholsterer and carriage trimmer, resides also at Galion. At the age of 18 years George Wood Nickels, Jr., left school to learn the trades of boilermaker and machinist with the Erie Railway Company and was so employed until he was appointed assistant postmaster tinder Postmaster J. W. Cupp, who filled the office for seven years. Mr. Nickels has always been an 1074 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY active Republican and on July 1, 1905, was appointed postmaster by President Roosevelt after a special election to determine the people's choice and was reappointed by President Taft. He has devoted all his energies to advancing and improving the efficiency of his office, paying particular attention to expediting the mails in order to give satisfaction to the citizens and also carefully regulating the rural mail service. This is an office of the second class and a large volume of business passes through it, some 12,000 residents being served. He has a competent force and the office is conducted carefully and economically. In 1896, Mr. Nickels was married to Miss Laura Case, a daughter of Philip Franklin and Dora (Monnett) Case, the latter a native of Galion. The former died here in 1884. The mother of Mrs. Nickels lives at No. 222 Gill Avenue, Galion. Mr. Nickels is a charter member of Star Council of Junior American Mechanics, chartered in 1890, and for many years has been identified with the Masonic bodies, being past master of Galion Lodge 414, F. & A. M., is active as an officer in Galion Chapter 142, and belongs to the Commandery No. 21, K. T., at Mansfield. In large measure Mr. Nickels is a self made man and is entitled to the respect and esteem in which he is universally held. FRANK B. KEHRER, proprietor of the largest and most complete jewelry store at Bucyrus, O., a business house that was founded by his father some 40 years ago, was born in Ohio, in 1862, and is a son of George J. and Leah (Haller) Kehrer. George J. Kehrer was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1839, and died at his home in Bucyrus, in 1891. He was born possessing many talents and, probably, with training would have become a musical genius, and all his life was naturally proficient in mechanical arts. In 1850 he came to America but after a few years returned to Germany but came back to the United States before the Civil Wary and in the latter part of this struggle served as a private in an infantry regiment under command of Captain Diller of Bucyrus. About 1872 he went into the repair business, on Sandusky Avenue, Bucyrus, beginning in a small way as a tinker and mender of clocks, watches and jewelry. In his spare moments he constructed a wonderful clock that worked automatically and that not only recorded the passing of the hours but had many devices that made it a remarkable piece of workmanship. This clock still is exhibited in the store which his sons conduct and probably is unique as a sample of inventive skill along this line. He was what, in these days, is called a wizard, when he undertook the manipulating of clocks and watches. All his skill in this direction was a natural gift as he had never been instructed in mechanics of any kind, his education, which was liberal, having been directed more in the line of a profession. In politics he was a Democrat and in religion was a member of the German Lutheran church. Fraternally he was identified with the leading German organizations of the city. George J. Kehrer was married in Columbiana county, 0., to Leah Haller, who was of German ancestry but was born in Ohio. She still survives and is now in her l0th year. They had the following children: Frank B., Laura. Charles, George J., Frederick, Emma and Harry, the last named dying in 1890, at the age of five years. The eldest daughter as well as the youngest reside with their mother. Charles, who is a member of the jewelry firm of Kehrer Bros., married Desta Sprow. George J. was born at Bucyrus in 1876 and since his graduation from the Bradley Polytechnic School of Peoria, Ill., has been in the jewelry business at Bucyrus. In 1898 he enlisted for ;service in the Spanish-American War and with the 8th O. Inf., went to Cuba, from which island he returned with the command in 1899. He became second lieutenant of Co. A, O. N. G., resigning in 1901. He is a member of the firm of Kehrer Bros. Frederick, who is a graduate of the Ohio Medical University of Columbus, is a well known practitioner of this city, a specialist in diseases of the eye, nose and throat. He married Cady Coxgrove, and they have one son, Harry. Frank B. Kehrer began to work in his father's shop as soon as his school days were over and thus acquired a thorough knowledge of the trade. In 1887 he succeeded to the business and immediately began its expansion and within five years found his quarters inadequate and after several removals, in 1897, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1075 with Mr. Blicke, purchased what is now the Kehrer Block, on Oct. 5, 1905, becoming sole owner. This is a handsome and valuable property situated at Nos. 112-114 North Sandusky Avenue, with dimensions of 48x72 feet. He carries a very large stock including jewels, gold and silver and silverware, clocks and watches and choice objects of art and his trade relations make it possible for him to procure for his customers any jewel or desired object of value or fine workmanship that he may not have among his own treasures. Mr. Kehrer is looked upon as a dependable man in his line, to which he has devoted his attention continuously for 38 years. In 1912 he admitted his brothers, George J. and Charles, to the firm. Mr. Kehrer has never married, residing with his mother and sisters. He is identified with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. Politically he is a Democrat but has never accepted any tender of public office. CHARLES H. MILLER, whose long, efficient and honorable service made him one of the best known railroad men for many years connected with the Pennsylvania system, has been a resident of Crestline, O., since 1860, and now lives retired, his home being located on the corner of Seltzer and Main Streets, Crestline. He was born in the city of New York, June 9, 1829, and is a son of John F. and Barbara (Giunder) Miller. John F. Miller was born at Hamburg, Germany, Oct. 5, 1805, and died at Carrolton, O., July 2, 1897. When 12 years old he came to the United States on a cattle ship. For a number of years he lived in the city of New York and became a custom tailor, later in life moving to Carroll county, O. In New York City he married Barbara Giunder, who was born on the Atlantic Ocean when her parents, Jacob Giunder and wife, were coming from Switzerland to America. The mother died after the birth of her child and her burial was at seat. The father continued the journey with his motherless children, to Philadelphia, from there coming to Carrol county, O. In Switzerland he had been a linen manufacturer. His death occurred there when he was almost 100 years old. Mrs. Miller was reared by her brother and sister, mainly in New York State. Her death occurred in Carroll county, O., when aged 84 years. She was a member of the Lutheran church. Four sons and three daughters were born to John F. and Barbara Miller. One son, Benjamin, died at the age of 75 years. Thomas J. left a son at death. John F. died without issue. All the sons and daughters reached maturity and the two survivors are: Charles H. and Mary, the latter of whom never married and who still occupies the old homestead in Carroll county. Charles H. Miller grew to manhood in Carroll county and secured his education there. In 1851 he entered railroad life, becoming connected with the C. & P. Railroad, and worked on a construction train until 1853, when he went to Pittsburgh, where he engaged in merchandising for four years. He then returned to railroading and was conductor on a Pennsylvania line road until i860, when he came to Crestline. Here he was placed in charge of the company's business with the title of dispatcher, but at that time his duties included a much wider territory than at present. In February, 1868, he was assigned to the position of livestock agent at Chicago, Ill., but still retained his home at Crestline. The company appreciated his services and gave him full credit for what had been accomplished. When he left the railroad service an elaborate dinner was tendered him by his fellow livestock agents of the Union Stockyards, at Chicago, on Dec. 29, 1900. He stood high in the regard of both employers and comrades and was given the privilege of naming his successor, his son-in-law, Ernest A. Oliver being subsequently named to succeed him. He has a thorough knowledge of railroad history running back 'sixty-one years. Politically Mr. Miller is, like his father before him, a Democrat. He is a third degree Mason. Mr. Miller was married at Carrolton, O., to Miss Caroline Jackson, who was born there May 26, 1833, and died at her home in Crestline, Jan, 8, 1908. Although quiet and domestic in her tastes she was widely known for her sympathy and charity were given wherever needed and the circle of those who sincerely mourn her is large. She was the beloved mother of the following children: Ada, who married A. J. Wire, and died twelve years later; Carrie, who is the wife of Ernest A. 1076 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Oliver; Frank, who formerly was a member of the Ohio State Legislature, and is now engaged in the livestock business at Crestline; and Fannie, who is her father's housekeeper and devoted attendant. CAREY A. MICHENER, postmaster a;. Lykens, O., and, in partnership with his brother, Alva J. Michener, owner and proprietor of a general store here, was born in Venice township, Seneca county, O., in 1881, and is a son of William and Laura (Richie) Michener. The parents and their two sons all live in Crawford county, Alva J. being also a school teacher in addition to being associated with his brother in the store enterprise. Carey A. Michener attended the local schools and afterward enjoyed three terms of Normal School training at Ada, O., and then went into educational work, for ten years afterward being a teacher in Lykens township. After retiring from the educational field he turned his attention to merchandising and embarked in his present business on Dec. 1, 1909, when he bought the same from M. L. Aurand, in association with his brother. The firm enjoys a large volume of patronage, their honest methods and pleasant personality contributing largely to this prosperity. For the past three years Mr. Michener has served also as postmaster and as a public official has given entire satisfaction. On Sept. 1, 1909, Mr. Michener was married to Miss Hattie Hartzell, who was born at Bloomville, O., a daughter of Alvin and Savannah (Miller) Hartzell. The father of Mrs. Michener was a boiler maker by trade. His death occurred in 1908 and his burial was in Bloom township, Seneca county. Mrs. Michener has sisters and brothers as follows: Agnes, wife of Albert Owen; Elizabeth, wife of Reed Marquis; and Cora, William and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Michener attend the Evangelical church. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Lykens, O. GEORGE W. MILLER, president of the Farmers and Citizens Bank and Savings Company, at Bucyrus, O., and also president of the Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company, has long been a leading citizen of Bucyrus and of Crawford, his native couuty. He was born in 1859, in Todd township, and is a son of John D. and Mary (Kahl) Miller. John D. Miller was born in 1813, in Cumberland county, Pa., a son of George and Catherine (Rex) Miller, who moved in 1837 to Richland county, O. Farming. was the occupation of father and sons. John D. Miller continued to reside in Richland county until 1852, when he moved into Crawford county, securing a farm north of Oceola, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted the rest of his active years, surviving until 1896, passing away at the age of eighty-three. His first marriage took place in 1840, to Mary Deal, who died in 1852, having been the mother of five children. In 1855 Mr. Miller married Mrs. Mary (Kahl) Barga, a daughter of Henry and Susan (Rank) Kahl, a widow with two children. To this marriage was born one son, George W. Miller, now of Bucyrus. After securing a fair common school education, George W. Miller attended the Northwestern Normal School at Fostoria and then engaged in teaching school, continuing in educational work for a part of each year, for a protracted period. During the last three years of his career as an instructor, he had charge of the Oceola, O., schools. He has always been greatly interested in the educational advancement of his county and in order to further it has frequently consented to serve on educational bodies. For a number of years his business interests have been important, and as the head of the Farmers and Citizens Bank and Savings Company, he has become relied on as a financier. The security felt by the public in this institution is largely due to his careful )and conservative attitude. He has been officially connected with local fire insurance organizations since 1898 and is now president of one of the prosperous and substantial companies of Crawford county. In politics Mr. Miller was reared a Democrat, by a father who took a deep interest in the success of Democratic principles. He has frequently been elected to important township offices and served two terms as treasurer of Crawford county, and in the fall of 1911 was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and made chairman of the Agricultural Committee. Mr. Miller was married in 1880 to Miss Dell AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1076 A. Sigler, a daughter of George E. and Harriet (Horrock) Sigler, who were highly respected residents of Todd township. Mr. and Mrs. Miller lost their only child. They are interested in the quiet social life of the city, are hospitably inclined and have a wide circle of attached friends. JACOB BOLLERER, who is engaged in the bakery business, at No. 740 East Church Street, Galion, O., is a thoroughly experienced, practical baker, having been in the business for more than 30 years, learning his trade at Wiesloch, in Baden, Germany, where he was born Feb. 10, 1863. He is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Metz) Bollerer. The parents of Mr. Bollerer were lifelong residents of Baden and the father was in business there during the entire space of his active life. His death occurred in 1888, in his 74th year, he having survived his wife since 1877. They were members of the German Lutheran church and in that faith they reared their three sons and three daughters, all of whom survive, only two of them, however, living in the United States: Jacob and George, the latter being with the Erie Railway Company, in the Galion shops. After completing his apprenticeship to the baking trade, in his native land, Jacob Bollerer, entered the German Army in which he served faithfully for three years as the laws of his country demand. Believing that the United States offered better business opportunities to young men than Germany or other countries of Europe, in 1888 he left Germany and landed at the harbor of New York and from there came on to Galion. With the exception of seven years he has been continuously in the baking business. He carries on a wholesale and retail business, arranging for an output of 700 to 800 loaves of bread daily, the excellence of which has carried his name over a wide territory and has caused frequent enlargement of his original plant. He has first-class ovens and all the equipment which go to make up a modern bakery according to sanitary regulations. In 1903 he purchased two acres of land on which site stand his buildings and he thus has space for still further expansion. Mr. Bollerer was married at Galion to Miss Johanna Schnautz who was born near the birthplace of her husband, Nov. 29, 1865, daughter of Lonkin and Marie (Steinbrenner; Schnautz, who came from Baden, German. to America in 1883 and located at Galion, O., where the father died at the age of 73 years He was a blacksmith by trade and both I and wife were faithful members of the German Catholic church. They had a family three sons and four daughters, all of whom married. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bollerer, as follows: Catherine, who lives at home; Frederick, who assists his father in the business; Albert, who also assists in the same business; and Emily, Edna, Mary, Johanna, Loretta and Esther. Mr. Bollerer and family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Politically he is a Democrat. while fraternally he is identified with the Owls and the Moose. As a business man Mr. Bollerer stands very high in the city and equally so as a citizen. DAVID BATCHELDER, president of the Citizens National Bank, at Galion, O., has honorably and ably filled this position for the past 17 years. He was born in Richland county, O., March 22, 1839, where he was reared and had school advantages. Mr. Batchelder was 23 years old when the Civil War opened and he was one of the patriotic young men who answered the first call of President Lincoln for soldiers, enlisting as a private and being continuously promoted until he was commissioned captain on Nov. 18, 1864, being mustered out on Nov. 23, 1864. He has a fine record and participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Grand Couteau, Sabine Cross Roads, Cane River, and Forts Gaines and Morgan. After the war was over he engaged in the shoe business at Johnsville, O., until 1870. when he came to Galion, where he embarked in the fire insurance business, in which he continued until he became identified with the Citizens National Bank of Galion. For eight years he traveled as adjuster for the Pacific Fire Insurance Company and then admitted the late A. M. Mathena to a partnership, the latter's son continuing the old business. The Citizens 'National Bank of Galion was established in 1866 and on March 9, 1872, was chartered, its present capital being $60,000, 1080 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY with $41,000 as surplus. For some time prior to being elected president of this old institution, Mr. Batchelder was vice president. The report of its condition at the close of business on Feb. 20, 1912, shows that the affairs of the bank are in a very prosperous condition. The officers are all capitalists, the cashier being A. F. Lowe, and the board of directors: D. Batchelder, J. J. Schafer and H. Gottdiener. Mr. Batchelder married Miss Anna E. Ross, who was born in Wyoming county, Pa., and they have two children: Alice Adelia, who is a graduate of a college at Painesville, O., and is the wife of C. S. Northrup, formerly city solicitor of Toledo, O., where they reside, they having two children—Katherine M. and John D.; and Henry J., who is in business at Galion. Mr. and Mrs. Batchelder are members of the Baptist church. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Galion. He is a Democrat in National politics but in local matters exercises his own judgment. Mr. Batchelder is numbered with the public spirited citizens and belongs to the Commercial Club. WILLIAM H. McWHERTER, who is connected with the blacksmith department of the Erie Railway shops at Galion, O., was born in Marion county, O., Sept. 5, 1846, a son of Peter and Mary (Swisher) McWherter. Peter McWherter was born in Marion county, O., where his Scotch parents had settled as pioneers. He grew up on the old home farm and was 28 years of age when he married Mary Swisher, a native of Cumberland county, Pa., who was brought to what is now Crawford county in 1823. After the death of her first husband she married Henry Bilsing and survived until 1905, dying at the age of 81 years, the death of Mr. Bilsing occurring in 1909, when aged 83 years. In 1867 they had moved to Galion. To Peter McWherter and wife three children were born, two daughters and one son. One daughter, Ellen, was the wife of John Seanor and at death left seven children. The other, Samilda, resides at Galion. William H. McWherter was married (first) to Miss Alice Neff, who was born at Galion, a daughter of Henry and Isabel (Buckingham) Neff, who came to Galion in 1841, after their marriage in Pennsylvania. Mr. Neff was a member of the Lutheran church which he attended until his death, in 1884, when aged 71 years. Mrs. Neff was 69 years old when she died in 1882, a member of the United Brethren church. Mrs. McWherter was born in 1854 and died in 1896, the mother of one daughter, May, who was born in 1878. She married Charles King and died in the State of Washington after a residence of 16 m0nths, leaving no issue. Mr. McWherter was married (second) in 1908, at Baltimore, Md., to Miss Florence A. Reagle, who was born at Manchester, Md., in 1872, a daughter of Henry Reagle. The latter was born at Manchester, in February, 1819, and worked there as a carpenter until 1909, when he came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. McWherter, where he died June 3, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. McWherter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican and for 23 years he was active in the order of Odd Fellows. PETER H. KEIFER, whose fine farm of 76 acres lies in Lykens township, Crawford county, O., is one of the representative citizens of this section, a veteran of the Civil War and a man who, through industry and prudence, has been successful in his various undertakings. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 12, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Anna (Bool) Keifer. Jacob Keifer and wife were natives of Germany and the former died in that country when his son, Peter H., was eight years old. By trade he was a millwright. In 1853 the mother came to America with her children and subsequently located in Ohio. Peter H. Keifer was ten years old when he accompanied his mother to the United States. He was one of the following children born to his parents: Emma, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Stuckey; Mary and Jacob, both of whom are deceased; Adam; Louise, who is the widow of John Wax; Peter. H.; and Margaret. While attending school, Peter H. Keifer provided for himself by working for his board and lived on a farm until January, 1864, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. H, 55th O. Vol. Inf. in which he served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged in June, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1081 having participated in the great march to the sea under General Sherman. He then learned the carpenter trade, which he followed about 25 years. Mr. Keifer then bought 40 acres of land in Lykens township and began farming for himself and later added 40 more acres, but subsequently sold four acres to the railroad company, which reduced his farm to 76 acres, all of which, with the exception of three acres, is tillable. He carries on a general farming line and raises sufficient good stock for home use. On June 28, 1870, Mr. Keifer was married to Miss Sarah Feighner, who was born in Stark county, 0., but was reared in Crawford county, a daughter of John and Margaret (Gratz) Feighner, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Feighner the following children were born: Sarah; Ellen, deceased, who was the wife of Lewis Angene; James; L. C. and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Keifer have two sons Richard and Charles. The former who is superintendent of the Upper Sandusky schools, married Ida Sanford and they have had the following children—Herbert, Homer, Walter, Paul and Helen, deceased, Charles, the younger son, is ticket agent with the Big Four Railroad, and he married Nettie Rhodes and has one son, Herold. Mr. Keifer and family attend the Baptist church. Politically he has always been a Republican and for 18 consecutive years served as a justice of the peace and has held other responsible offices, for two years being assessor, three years township clerk and one year constable. He belongs to Robert's Post, G. A. R., to the Odd Fellows at Lykens and to the Masons at Bloomville, O. HOMER COX, one of the trusted and val ued employes of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, a corporation that is rioted for the care with which it selects its men and also for the just treatment it accords them, has been in the service since August, 1890, when he began as a fireman, being steadily advanced until he now is engineer on the longest run in the whole system. He has spent the greater part of his life at Crestline, and was born in Crawford county, April 23, 1862, a son of William and Elizabeth (Bleeks) Cox. William Cox and wife were born in Wayne county, O., both being of Pennsylvania parentage. They were reared in Ohio and married in Crawford county and spent the rest of their lives on their farm in Crawford township, where his death occurred in December, 1900, at the age of 70 years. His widow survived him four years, being then aged about 75 years. They were parents of five children: Maria, who died after marriage, leaving no issue; Mary, who married Madison Flohr, lives at -Newton Falls, O. and has two daughters—Maybell and Hazel; Adelaide, who is survived by her husband, Henry Orewiler; Homer, our subject; and Everett, who resides in the far West. Homer Cox attended school in Liberty township and then entered railroad life with which he has been identified continuously ever since. After serving for eight years as a fireman for the present company, he was promoted to be an engineer and has continued his connection with the freight department, and his appointment, two years ago, to the Pitcairn run, was an evidence of confidence and appreciation. He has never had a serious accident and has never been injured and his record speaks for itself of his carefulness, caution and railroad efficiency. He is an active and valued member of the B. L. of E., belonging to Division No. 306, and for four years has been chief of this division and has been a delegate to the last two Biennial Conventions. He is also a member of the General Committee of the Adjustment of the entire northwest system of the Pennsylvania, and this indicates that he is a broad minded and well informed marl. Mr. Cox was married in Richland county, O., to Miss Carrie Brown, who was born in Crawford county in 1864 but was reared and educated in Richland county, a daughter of G. C. and Caroline (Richardson) Brown. The father of Mrs. Cox is a retired merchant living at Shelby, O., but her mother died in 1908, at the age of 67 years. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have two children: Harry A. and Ethel May. Harry A., who will celebrate his 27th birthday in February, 1913, is chief engineer of the heating and electric lighting company of Middletown, N. Y., married Myrtle Shumaker of Crawford county, and they have one daughter, Mary E.. who was born Aug. 9, 1911. Ethel May, who was born at Richmond. Va., gradu- 1082 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY ated with her brother from the Crestline High School in the class of 1908. She is the wife of Wilber Jones, who is an engineer with the Pennsylvania Railway, on the Conway Division. Mr. Cox erected the first residence in the block in which lie lives, his hone being at No. 623 West Bucyrus Street. A. A. ARNOLD, superintendent of the Galion Metallic Grave Vault C0mpany, of Galion, O., and one of its organizers, incorporators and directors, was born at Mt. Vernon, O., Aug. 7, 1862, and is a son of George William and Elizabeth (Austin) Arnold. Both parents of Mr. Arnold were born in England, the father in the great city of London, and the mother in beautiful County Kent. They were married in the city of London and when they started for the United States in 1856, they had one daughter, Ellen, the eldest of their children. She is the wife of John Dice, a locomotive engineer, and they reside at Galion and have two children. Four more children were born, the two survivors being : Mamie, who is the wife of Frank Brown, a barber, and lives at Muncie, Ind., having two daughters ; and A. A., of Galion. The Arnold family resided at first in Cleveland, O., and from there moved to Mt. Vernon, and in 1864 to Galion, where the father died in 1876 and the mother in 1894. They were members of the Episcopal church. A. A. Arnold attended school at Galion until he was 14 years of age and then entered upon an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade, afterward entering the Erie Railroad shops and two years later was promoted to be foreman of a department, afterward general foreman and still later received his degree of master mechanics. In 1904 Mr. Arnold became interested in his present enterprise and the Galion Metallic Grave Vault Company was organized as a corporation, its business being the manufacturing of steel grave vaults and was the first to construct an open end grave vault. These vaults are made of the best steel and in sizes ranging from a child's body to what is called the Mammoth, the last named weighing as much as 500 pounds. Fifty people are giveu employment at the plant and in the business, and sales are pushed all over the country, Mr. Arnold finding his time fully occupied in looking after the same. At Galion, O., Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Ella Johnson, who was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1868, came to Galion in her 19th year and died here Aug. 30, 1910. She was a devout member of the Episcopal church, to which Mr. Arnold and their one son also belong. The latter, Roy J., is a graduate of the Galion High School. Mr. Arnold was married (second) to Mrs. Enema Louise (Biehl) Fox, who has been a lifelong resident of Galion. By her first marriage she had one son, William Fox, who is a student in the Galion High School. In politics Mr. Arnold is moderately active and votes with the Republican party. He belongs to the Masonic Blue Lodge and Chapter. CHARLES ODER, who, in association with his wife, owns a fine farm of 160 acres, which lies in Texas township, Crawford county, O., was born in Seneca County, O., a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Chamberlain) Oder. One of the early settlers in Seneca county was Edward Oder, who was born in Logan county, O. After marriage in Seneca county he followed farming there and as a respected and reliable man, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of the leading Democrats in his neighborhood. His family consisted of the following children : Nancy, who is the wife of D. M. Eastman; and Charles, the subject of this article. The mother of these children died in March, 1865, and later he married Elizabeth Pfau and they had two children: Jennie, who is the widow of Elmer Rhodes, and Frederick. Charles Oder has devoted himself entirely to his farm pursuits since his school days and for the past 17 years has lived on this farm, which he purchased from his father-in-law, H. ShaIters. He cultivates the grains which experience has proved do best in this section and sufficient stock is raised for his own use. He is an industrious, sensible man, well informed as to public matters and interested in all things that are important to this particular AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1083 Part of his native state. He votes the Republican ticket, and is serving in his second term as township trustee. In 1884 Mr. Oder was married to Miss Laura Shalters, a daughter of H. and Mary (Clark) Shalters. Mrs. Oder has one brother, Frank. To Mr. and Mrs. Oder three children were born, namely : Glenn, who married Florence Sponseller, and has two children—Kenneth and Evelyn; Mary, who is the wife of Albert Gregg; and Clark, who married Hazel Lee, and has one son, Lee Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Oder attend the Methodist Episcopal church. PORTER F. RHOADS, whose connection with the great Pennsylvania Railroad system dates back to May 17, 1872, has a clear record for fidelity and efficiency during all these years and the confidence and esteem that he feels for his company is mutually felt by its officers. He was born at Haney Creek Junction, Seneca county, 0., Nov. 19, 1853, and in 1859 was brought to Crestline, by his parents, William and Julia A. (Shade) Rhoads. William Rhoads was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Columbiana county, O. They were married in Seneca county and afterward he followed his trade of carpenter at Haney Creek until 1859, when, as noted above, he came to Crawford county and continued to work at his trade here almost to the time of his death, in 1900. He as a stanch Republican and with his wife belonged to the English Lutheran church. His widow, born in 1829, survived him for eight years. They had five children, as follows: Eliza, who is the wife of Frank Reeves of Columbus, O., and has six children; Porter F., subject of this article; Frank, who has been with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Crestline since 1879, and who is married and has a family; Ella, deceased, who was the wife of John Sears of Mansfield; and Sherman, who is a resident of Mansfield and a commercial traveler. Porter F. Rhoads attended the public schools of Crestline and since then has been continuously connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1872 his name went first on the books of this road, in 1873 he was made a yard brakeman and in 1875 began as brakeman of Division B, Crestline to Alliance. On May 17, 1881, he was made conductor on Division B, and eight years afterward was given a crew and a run from Crestline to Conway, Pa. In June, 1910, appreciation and confidence was shown him by his appointment to what is considered the best run on the road, that being to Pitcairn, Pa., consisting of 208 miles. Railroad life, at best, is one of hazard and to avoid accident year after year, under all conditions, including weather, indicates a caution and measure of judgment that marks the highest type of railroad man. Mr. Rhoads was married (first) to Miss Lucretia Dodane, who was born and reared in Crawford county and died at her home at Crestline, in 1901, at the age of 42 years, survived by no issue. Mr. Rhoads was married (second) to Mrs. Carrie (Perman) Carlin, who was born in 1856, in Morrow county, O., where her parents, Michael and Margaret (Fisher) Perman, had settled when they came from Germany. The Permans secured Government land and the father developed it into a valuable farm. Mrs. Rhoads was reared by her parents in the German Reformed church. She was married (first) to Edward Carlin and the following children were born to them: Margaret, who is the wife of Albert Menes of Crestline and has one daughter, Norma; Bertha, who is the wife of George Gresmer, of Crestline, and has one son, Roy: Nora, who is the wife of Barley Neff, residing in Canton, and has five children—Ray, Harold, Maria, Ralph and Donald; Abaline, who is the wife of Richard Freeman, of Crest-line; Charles, who lives at home; Lena, who is the wife of Clyde Kirby, and has one son, Kenneth; Agnes, who is the wife of Robert Nelson, of Pittsburg, Pa.; and Louis, who died at the age of 21 years. Mr. Rhoads and wife have no children. He belongs to the English Lutheran church.Since 1882 he has been a member of the Railway Conductors' organization and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias. ALLEN A. CRAWFORD, a member of the board of county commissioners of Crawford county, O., was born near Mt. Gilead. Morrow county, O., May 20, 1856, six months after the death of his father. His parents were Allen and Ann (McAtee) Craw ford and 1084 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY on both sides of the family his ancestry is Irish. Alexander Crawford, the grandfather, who was one of the pioneers of this family in Ohio, was born in Ireland. His parents carne to America and settled in Licking county, O., and moved from there to Morrow county, at a very early day, Alexander crossing the Atlantic Ocean some years afterward and joining the other members of the family. He followed an agricultural life and lived to the age of 75 years. His wife, Mary Eckles, probably was b0rn in West Virginia, and they had a family of four sons and three daughters. The only survivor of that family is the youngest born, Joseph, now in his 87th year, residing at Cameron, Mo. Allen Crawford, the eldest son of Alexander Crawford, was born in 1818, either in Licking or Morrow county, being reared in the latter and at the age of 23 years was married at Mt. Gilead, O., to Ann McAtee, who was born in 1817, in Loudoun county, Va., a daughter of Colley and Della (Ashford) McAtee. They moved from Virginia to Morrow county in 1829. Allen Crawford died in Boone, Boone county, Ia., Oct. 4, 1855, leaving four sons: Theodore, who is engaged in farming in Holt county, Neb., and who married Sarah Berry, and has five sons and one daughter; James, who owns a fine farm on the state line between South Dakota and Nebraska, who married Nancy Johnson and has two sons and two daughters; William, who is located near his brother, in South Dakota, and who married Mary Sparks; and Allen A., the subject of this sketch. Allen A. Crawford was reared by an uncle, Floyd McAtee, and obtained a good, common school education. A natural inclination directed his early business efforts to agricultural pursuits, including the raising of stock, particularly horses, and in the course of years he became widely known over the state as a successful breeder of fine livestock. He gave much attention to the improvement of horse stock in his section and for a long period was considered an authority along this line, and has been otficially connected with agricultural associations and those bodies that encouraged the development of speed in horseflesh, and in this connection has owned many valuable animals. Mr. Crawford is an ardent Democrat and his party in Morrow county first elected him a county commissioner, where he overcame a large Republican majority, and in November, 1910, he was elected a county commissioner of Crawford county. Mr. Crawford was married first in 1877, to Miss Jennie James, who died in 1883. In 1888 he married Miss Cora Thomas, who was born and reared near Mt. Gilead, O. They enjoy a beautiful home at Galion, O., and they are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in that city . Mr. Crawford is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the U. T. C. JACOB HOLCKER, carriage manufacturer, vice president and secretary of the Holcker Bros. Buggy Co., at Crestline, O., is one of the solid, substantial and representative citizens and a member of a family that has contributed largely in the last quarter of a century to the prosperity of this section, along industrial lines. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 26, 1846, and is a son of Philip and Charlotte (Dietz) Holcker. The parents of Mr. Holcker lived and died in their native neighborhood, the father passing away on his estate, at the age of 78 years and the mother when aged 68 years. He was a man of industry during his active years and understood and followed both blacksmithing and carriage and wagon making. Jacob Holcker grew tip in his native place and secured a fair German education and then learned the trade of carriage smith. He early cherished a desire to come to the United States but remained in his own land until after he had complied with the law in regard to army service, then secured his passport and in 1868 set sail for America and was safely landed in the harbor of New York. From there he came to Bucyrus, O., there to join his brother, Louis Holcker, who had preceded him by two years, and the brothers went into business together at North Robins0n, in Crawford county. In 1870 their brother, Charles Holcker, joined them and since then has been closely connected with their joint manufacturing interests. The history of the Holcker Bros. Buggy Co. dates back to 1873, when the three AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1085 brothers above mentioned, Louis, Jacob and Charles, established themselves as a firm at Crestline, coming from North Robinson. Here they first put up a frame shop on Seltzer street, in the heart of the town, and in the course of a comparatively short period had to enlarge their facilities, a brick addition being first added to the plant and this being supplemented with still further additions until now a half block is covered with substantial buildings, the plant extending 300 feet back from Seltzer street to the Big Four Railway. The product of this plant is sold all over the country, their traveling men covering the main business sections of the United States. Constant employment is afforded 35 skilled workmen for no buggy or carriage ever leaves this factory unless a careful inspection proves that it is first class in material and perfect in mechanical construction. The firm has built up a name for honest workmanship that is a valued asset. In 1888, Louis Holcker withdrew and went to Kansas City, Mo., where he embarked in a similar business and prospered, continuing until recent years, when he retired. The business at Crestline was continued by Jacob and Charles Holcker and had a steady growth and in 1902 was incorporated with a paid up capital of $50,000, and was officered as follows: Charles Holcker, president and treasurer; and Jacob Holcker, vice president and secretary. The board of directors include the above officers and additionally, William Monteith, C. F. Frank and Joe Schill, all of Crestline. At the present date of writing (1912) Jacob Holcker has practically retired but retains his official position, his name having great weight in the commercial world. Like his brothers, Mr. Holcker is a member of the German Reformed church. They all are of the same political faith and Charles Holcker has been quite prominent in Democratic circles and has served as a member of the city council and for some years on the board of Public Affairs. Jacob Holcker was married at Crestline, O., to Miss Magdalena Plocher, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 19, and came to the United States and to Crestline, in 1872. She died at her home here, Jan. 31, 1900. In every relation of life she was an admirable woman and is tenderly remembered by family and a wide circle of friends. She was a devoted member of the German Reformed church. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holcker : a babe that died early; Charlotta Maria, who completed her education in the Crestline High School, and who married Charles E. Brown, who is an engineer with the Pennsylvania Railway and has two children—Olive Magdalena and David Holcker; and Louise C., who is the wife of Dr. D. W. Peppard, a successful physician at Mansfield, O. Dr. and Mrs. Peppard have three children: Gretchen Louise, Ruth Bettina and Heloise. After graduating from the Crestline High School, Mrs. Peppard taught German in the public schools for some years. The family is socially prominent. HENRY W. HUNSICKER, a well-known farmer of Lykens township, who is at present serving his township as treasurer, operates a 160-acre farm owned by his mother. He was born in Lykens township, Aug. 12, 1884, being a son of William and Catherine (Lust) Hunsicker. Jacob Hunsicker, father of William and grandfather of Henry W., was born in Germany. After emigrating to America he located first in New York state where he met and married Miss Matilda Knerieman, also a native of Germany. From New York they removed to Stark county, 0., and it was there on April 13, 1842, that William Hunsicker was born. In 1851 the family again moved, this time coming to Crawford county and locating in Chatfield township. William Hunsicker grew up on the farm and all his subsequent life was spent in tilling the soil together with threshing. He was married on Nov. 24, 1874, to Miss Catherine Lust, who was born Dec. 30, 1850, and was a daughter of Conrad and Magdalena Lust. In April of the year following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William Hunsicker moved to a farm of 160 acres in Lykens township, on which lie erected good buildings and made many improvements. To him and his wife were born the following children: Peter Franklin, Madalena Elizabeth, John Wesley, Charles Simon, Henry W. and Laura Ellen. 1086 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY William Hunsicker is now deceased but his wife still lives on the 160-acre farm in Lykens township, owning also a tract of S0 acres in this township. She is, as was her husband, a member of the German Methodist church. Henry W. Hunsicker, the direct subject of this sketch, after completing a common school education, spent one year at the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, and one term in the Ohio State University at Columbus. He then went to work on his mother's farm and has since operated it for her. e has also become well known in his locality as an auctioneer. Henry W. Hunsicker is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Lykens and of the Grange at Brokensword. He attends the Reformed church and in politics is a Democrat, as was also his father. E. W. HADLEY, one of the best known citizens of Crestline, O., with which place he has been identified since its founding, is yet one of its active business men, for a number of years since retiring from railroading, having been engaged in the grocery business. He was born in Richland county, O., Jan. 16, 1833, a son of Savannah and Martha (Riddle) Hadley. Smith Hadley, the grandfather, was born and grew to manhood in New York and there married Mary Van Norman, probably of Holland birth. They were very early settlers in Richland county, O., where they lived into old age. Savannah Hadley, father of E. W. Hadley, was also born in New York and was a young man when his parents came to Richland county, where he followed farming until late in life, when he moved to Noble county, Id.; where he died at the age of 83 years. In Richland county he married Martha Riddle, of Scotch-Irish descent, whose parents, James and Margaret (Marshall) Riddle, were pioneer settlers, the former being born in Ireland in the latter in Scotland. Twelve children were born to Savannah Hadley and wife, five of whom are yet living, E. W. being the fourth born of the family. E. W. Hadley was reared in Richland county and there attended the district schools. In 1852 he came to what is now Crestline, it then being but a flag station surrounded by heavy timber. For some years he worked at getting out heavy timber and in a saw mill for the Big Four Railroad, then in course of construction, and afterward became a brakeman on the road and in three months was given a place as conductor and for 26 years he worked as a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad. After retiring he purchased his present store and has continued in the grocery business ever since. In politics Mr. Hadley is a Republican and has been an active factor in his party in the county, for about 12 years a delegate to the county conventions and at present is serving as a member of the county central committee and as a member of the board of elections. Mr. Hadley was married in Richland county to Miss Eliza P. Garver, who was born in Ashland county, O., and died at Crestline, April 22, 1901, aged 62 years. She was an admirable woman in every relation of life and the mother of five children : Augusta A., who is her father's housekeeper; Horace G., who was accidentally killed in a railroad accident at Lucas, O., when aged 24 years; Martha E., who resides at Crestline; Frank E., who was a railroad man for a time and died at St. Louis, Mo., when aged 46 years; and Minnie May, who taught school for some years and at present assists in her father's store. BENJAMIN F. LAUCK, a representative business man of Bucyrus, O., dealing largely in wool, was born May 27, 1839, in Crawford county, O., not far from this city, and is a son of George and Mary (Deardoff) Lauck, and a grandson of Peter Lauck. Peter Lauck was born in Holland, married there and together he and wife came to America about the time of the Revolutionary War, locating in Lancaster county, Pa., where he became a successful farmer. His wife died there at the age of 78 years and afterward, Peter Lauck came to Ohio and died at the home of his son, near Bucyrus. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters: George; Lydia, who married a Mr. Diller, of York County, Pa., where their son lived and died Mary, who married a Mr. Fries; and John, who was a farmer and miller in Perry county, Pa. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1087 George Lauck was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1800 and died in 1852 on his farm in Crawford county, O., to which state he had come in 1827. He married Mary Deardoff, in Lancaster county, a member of a well known old Pennsylvania Dutch family, and her death occurred in 1859. They were members of the Lutheran church. George Lauck was prominent and influential in the Democratic party in Crawford county and served in local offices and three terms as county treasurer. To George and Mary Lauck the following children were born: John, who died at the age of two years; Jane, who married Andrew Failor, formerly a merchant at Bucyrus but later a resident of Iowa, where both he and wife died, leaving seven children—Emma, Andrew, George, Mary, Samuel, Charles and Frank; Amanda, who was the wife of Judge Josiah S. Plantz, both now deceased, who had four children—Justinian, Gailor, Frank and Anna; Henrietta, deceased, who was the wife of C. W. Fisher and left six children—Mary, deceased, Edwin, Charles, Frank, Blanche and Grace, deceased; Nettie, who married L. B. Lyday and died in Texas, while Mr. Lyday died at Indianapolis, Ind., they having had four children, the one survivor being Mary, who lives with her family in California; Benjamin F., whose name heads this article; and George, who died at Toledo, O. For some years he was a merchant at Bucyrus. He and wife were survived by four children: Clarence, Stella and Ella, twins, and Mary. Benjamin F. Lauck was educated at Bucyrus, later was a student at Wittenberg College and still later had educational advantages at Newton, Ia. In 1860 he went into the grocery business but closed it out shortly afterward in order to become a soldier in answer to President Lincoln's call for volunteers. He enlisted in Co. I, 86th O. Vol. Inf., and served four months under Captain Stone and Col. Burns, in this connection, and then reenlisted, becoming a member of the 57th O. Vol. Inf., under Captain Skelton and Colonel Munyon, and one year later was honorably discharged at Black River, Miss. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the following battles: Deer Creek, Haines' Bluff, Jackson, Chapin Mills, Blue Ridge, Chickamauga, Holly Springs, Black River Bridge and many others and saw hard and continuous service. He was ever at the post of duty and was a cheerful, efficient and dependable soldier. For some years following his army experience, he was a clerk in business houses and in 1866 he embarked in the dry goods business with a partner, under the firm name of Fisher & Lauck, which continued for nine years. Failing health caused Mr. Lauck to retire from the above firm and for some years afterward he traveled as a representative of a grocery house. Mn 1880 he became a partner in a grain buying house and continued for 21 years and then went into the wool buying business, purchasing largely for Jeremiah Williams & Co., of Boston, Mass. He has the northwestern part of Ohio as his territory and in 1911 handled the enormous amount of 700,000 pounds of wool. He is widely known and has both business and personal friends in every section. Mr. Lauck was married at Plymouth, O., in 1860 to Miss Laura E. Bodine, who was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Feb. r, 1838. She was one year old when her parents, Peter and Susan (Erving) Bodine, moved to Plymouth, O. Peter Bodine was born in 1784, in Pennsylvania, and his wife in 1796, in New Jersey. They were married in 1814 at Niles, N. Y. Her father, Peter Erying, was a native of England and later came to the colonies and served as an officer in the Patriot army. Peter and Susan Bodine came to Richland county in 1837 and he acquired much land and became a man of substance. His death occurred there Sept. 20, 1849. His widow survived until Oct. 28, 1868, her death occurring at the home of Mrs. Lauck. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Of their 12 children, three are living. One daughter is the widow of D. R. Locke, the author of the Nasby Letters, once editor of the Bucyrus Journal, founder of the Plymouth Advertiser and later owner of the Toledo Blade, which she yet owns. One daughter, Martina, who is the widow of Alfred Parks, was married first to Daniel Locke, a brother of D. R. Locke. She resides at Bucyrus and has a family. Mr. and Mrs. Lauck have had three children: Anna L., who is the widow of James Franey, and has one daughter. Marion Alice. 1088 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY who was born Nov. 13, 1896; Frank B., a machinist by trade, who is shop superintendent in one of the large plants at Bucyrus; and James L., who died in 1908. He was a merchant. He married Grace Reed, of Mansfield, O., who survived him for two years. In politics Mr. Lauck is a Republican and has always been an active and interested citizen. He served five terms, eleven years, as a member of the city council. He is past commander of Keller Post, No. 128, G. A. R., Bucyrus, and is a Royal Arch Mason. HARVEY CANDEL, one of the representative citizens and public officials of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., resides on his excellent farm of 130 acres and belongs to one of the old county families. He was born in Whetstone township, Nov. 12, 1875, and is a son of Elias and Sarah (Shupp) Candel. Elias Candel was well known in Crawford county. By trade he was a tile maker and he established the Candel factory in Lykens township, which is now operated as the Zellner factory. He died and was buried at Broken-sword by the side of his wife in the Evangelical church cemetery. They were parents of the following children: Harvey; Clarence; Cora, wife of Marion H. Kline; Ada, wife of Robert Reamsnyder; and Florence, wife of Roy Gatchell. Harvey Candel attended the public schools and after the death of his father, when he was 18 years of age, took charge of the tile factory and conducted the same for his mother for five years. He then purchased 50 acres of land and cultivated it and when his mother died, he bought the tile plant and operated it for seven years. After disposing of the tile works he bought 80 acres of land adjoining his first purchase and has continued here as a general farmer and moderate stock raiser. He is also engaged, to some extent in contracting in concrete work. Mn politics he is a Democrat and is now serving very satisfactorily in the office of turnpike road commissioner. In 1899 Mr. Candel was married to Miss Louisa Laipply, who was born in Lykens township, a daughter of Simeon and Matilda (Bower) Laipply, who still reside on their farm in Holmes township. Mrs. Candel has the fol lowing brothers and sisters: Adam; Elizabeth, wife of John Volkmer; Frederick; Abraham; Rosa, wife of Herbert Aurand; William; and Pearl, wife of Lloyd Zellner. Mr. and Mrs. Candel have six children, namely: Edison, Arthur, Alverta, Gladys, Harry and Lloyd. They are members and active workers in the Evangelical church. FRANCIS MARION FOSTER,* who has been a resident of Crestline, O., where he now lives retired, for 40 years, for 36 of these was a faithful and valued employe of the great Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was born in Bracken county, Ky., in July, 1841, a son of James and Prudence (Knight) (Walker) Foster. On the paternal side Mr. Foster's ancestors came from Scotland and Ireland and were early settlers in Tennessee. Grandfather Foster was born in Tennessee and was married seven times and survived all his wives, the fourth one being the grandmother of Francis M. Foster of Crestline and was the mother of four children, one of whom was James Foster. He was born near Knoxville, Tenn., in 1817. In early life a farmer, he later became mate on a Mississippi River steamboat, but afterward returned to his farm and died at St. Louis, Mo., in 1869. Prior to the Civil War he was a Democrat but afterward was identified with the Republican party. He married Prudence Knight Walker, who was a first cousin of Hon. James G. Blaine, and was born in Westmoreland county, Pa. After the death of her husband she came to Crestline and for 32 years was a member of the household of her son, Francis Marion Foster, where her death occurred in January, 1900, when her age was 82 years, 2 months and 18 days. Her grandfather Knight died while serving in the War of 1812. During the life of her husband she attended the Baptist church, to which he belonged, but later she united with the Presbyterian church. She was the revered mother of four sons, all of whom grew to manhood and three married, Francis Marion being the eldest and the only one living. Francis M. Foster was 15 years of age when his parents moved to Indiana and later to Illinois. When he started out for himself he entered railroad life as an employe of the old AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1089 I. & St. L. line and engaged in construction work for one year and then became fireman, later a brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad and still later, on the O. & M. Railway, which is now the B. & O., southwest. In 1872 he came to Crestline and accepted a position as freight conductor with the Pennsylvania Railroad, beginning a connection that lasted for 36 years, when he retired with a clean record, this move being made at his own request, when he was 68 years of age, his pension being dated August 1, 1909. Mr. Foster is well and favorably known to all railroad men in this section and is highly esteemed by the company he served so long and by his comrades who had confidence in his skill and knowledge and affection and admiration for him as a man. Since 1885 he has been a member of the order of Railway Conductors and was a charter member of the division order at Alliance, O., known as Division No. 177, with which he has always been in good standing. From 1875 until 1885 he was chief conductor in the old order of Brotherhood Conductors, when that organization had its headquarters at Crestline. Aside from his own business, Mr. Foster has also been a progressive and energetic worker and a useful and public spirited citizen. In politics he has been a supporter of the policies of the Republican party since the close of the second administration of President Cleveland. In 1881 he became a Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Crestline, actively interested in the fraternity and living tip to its teachings. On June 20, 1872, in Knox county, O., Mr. Foster was married to Miss Mary E. Wertz, who was born in Holmes county, O., where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Foster had three children: Charles H., whose lamented death occured in his 26th year, and who married Josephine Dunlap who survives with their daughter, Marion, now 14 years old; Ira G., a funeral director at Crestline, who married Almira Geiger, and has one son, Eugene Francis; and Benjamin, who died at the age of seven months. Mrs Foster died Dec. 23, 1906. Mr. Foster is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife. ABRAHAM SCHIEFER, one of the enterprising farmers of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., who owns 93 acres and also operates 80 acres for his father, was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, O., April 16, 1866, and is a son of Christopher G. and Sarah Ann (Miller) Schiefer. Christopher G. Schiefer was born in Germany, July 11, 1824, and is one of Lykens township's venerable and respected citizens. He married Sarah Ann Miller, who was born in Texas township, Crawford county, O., who died in 1907, her burial being in the Brokensword Cemetery. They were parents of the following children: Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Lewis Schiefer; Jacob F., Isaac and Abraham; and Amanda, who is the wife of C. H. Ahlefield. Mr. Schiefer is one of the oldest members of the Evangelical church in this section, in which he and wife were active for many years. He is identified politically with the Republican party. Abraham Schiefer attended the local schools during boyhood and one term at New Washington in the High School, and afterward, for one term was in the Normal School at Ada, O., since when he has given the home farm attention and has devoted himself almost exclusively to agricultural activities. In 1887 he was married to Miss Emma J. Smith, who was born in Crawford county, a slaughter of Frederick and Lucy Ann (Shupp) Smith. The father of Mrs. Schiefer was a substantial farmer and a well known man. He was married (first) to Christabel Lipman, who was born May 1, 1815, and died June 2, 1846, the mother of four children: Louis F., Herman, John F. and Adolphus G. He was married (second) to Lucy Ann Shupp, and to that marriage the following children were born: Clara, who is the widow of Joseph Laipply; Christabel, who is deceased; Cornelius W. ; Martha and Matilda, both of whom are deceased; Catherine, who is the wife of Jacob Meek; Frederick T.; Henry W.; Lucy Ann; Jefferson I.; Emma J., who is the wife of Mr. Schiefer; L. Melanchton; and Sarepta G., who is the wife of Clarence H. Flickinger. Mr. and Mrs. Schiefer have eight children, as follows: Guy Arden, Charles Richard, Harry Edwin, Christopher Frederick, James Gerald, Russell Washington, Helen Camile 1090 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY and Dorothy Rebecca. They have been given excellent educational and other advantages and are intelligent and interesting young people. The family attends the Evangelical church. Nominally Mr. Schiefer is a Republican but there are occasions when lie is led into depending entirely upon his own good judgment in casting his vote. He has served his township on the school board and as land appraiser and for two terms was assessor. He is now representing the Crawford County Insurance Company as its agent in this section. For some years lie has been an active member of the Grange, at Brokensword. FREDERICK STAIR,* manager and superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph Company offices and also of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company offices at Crestline, 0., was born near Orville, O., Jan. 11, 1865, attended the public schools there and spent one year in a Normal School, after which he became a telegraph operator. After learning his profession at Orville, Mr. Stair accepted a position in 1885 with the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad and later became connected with the Pennsylvania system at Pittsburg, three years was with the same corporation at Wooster, O., and in 1893 came to Crestline as an operator under C. N. Frye. In 1899 he succeeded Mr. Frye, who then became manager of the District Telegraph Company at Columbus. Mr. Stair thus became manager of the Crestline office and additionally, is wire chief of the Pennsylvania lines from Crestline to Alliance. Mr. Stair is an interested and active citizen of Crestline and for some time has been clerk of the city school board. At Crestline, Mr. Stair was married to Miss Flora Hoffman, who was born in this city in 1869 and has survived her parents. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stair : Ethel, who is a member of the class of 1913, in the Crestline High School; Helen, who is a Junior in the High School; Madge and Charles, both of whom are in the High School; and F. Wayne, who is preparing for the same in the grade schools. Mr. Stair and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which lie has been treasurer for some years, and for three years was Sun day-school superintendent and at present is teacher of the Bible class. In politics he is affiliated with the Democratic party. FRANK LA RUE, an honored veteran of the great Civil War and one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Lykens township, Crawford county, 0., in which section lies his valuable farm of 100 acres, was born in Seneca county, 0., July 22, 1842, a son of J. B. and Jane (Gray) La Rue. The parents of Mr. La Rue were both born in the State of New York and did not come to Crawford county but settled in Seneca county after marriage and there the father became a substantial farmer. They were members of the Free Will Baptist church, most worthy people in every relation of life. Their ashes rest in the Rock Creek Cemetery in Seneca county. Seven children were born to them: Frank, Charles, C. W., Levi G., George, Janette, and Albertus, of whom all are deceased except Frank and C. W. Frank La Rue attended the public schools and afterward spent one year at Hillsdale College and then taught one term of school. He then enlisted for service in the Civil War, becoming a private in Co. K, 44th O. Vol. Inf., and remained a soldier for three years, less 28 days, during this time bravely facing death on many a battle field. He survived, however, to return home although numerous comrades were left behind, many in unknown graves. Mr. La Rue very soon afterward settled down to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and continued a farmer and stock raiser as long as he remained in active life and then turned over his responsibilities to his capable sons. A general farming line is carried on, stock for home use is raised and something of a specialty is made of Delaine sheep. A combination of fertile land and careful methods of cultivating it, has resulted in bountiful crops and financial independence. Mr. La Rue was married Feb. 20. 1868, to Miss Ardella Waller, who was born in Craw- ford county and has passed her life here. Her people, L. M. and Arletta (Cory) Waller, were old settlers and her father became a man of large estate. After the death of his first wife. Mr. Waller married Ann Jane Yingling and they had one child that died in infancy. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1091 To Mr. and Mrs. La Rue the following children have been born: Charles, a civil engineer, who married Gertrude Blazer and has one son, Baxter B.; L. W., who is one of the house farmers; Cora, who is a successful school teacher, having taught for five years and afterwards graduated from college at Ada, O.; Ralph W., who married Edith Flickinger, and has two children—Forest and Stanley; Guy G.; Harry G., who married Mabel Caldwell, and has two children—Ellen G. and Lois Marion; James O.; Edna; F. E.; and Gertrude. Mr. La Rue and sons are Republicans as was the father of the former from the organization of the Republican party. He is a member of the Grange at Brokensword and belongs also to the G. A. R. and the Knights of Pythias. The family attends the Baptist church. JOHN W. RONDY, who has numerous business interests in Crawford county, O., and is a director and stockholder in the Weaver Bros. Company, extensive dealers in grain and other commodities at Crestline, and one of the incorporators of this company, was born in Richland county, O., Feb. 28, 1873, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine ( Sutter) Rondy. Jacob Rondy was born at Nassau, Germany, in 1840, and was three years old when his parents came to the United States. They secured Government land in Sharon township, Richland county, O., and Mathias Rondy cleared and improved the same and it subsequently became the property of his son Jacob, who still resides there, being now in his 72nd year. His father lived to the unusual age of 96 years, retaining all his faculties to the day of his death. To Jacob Rondy and wife mne children were born and seven of these are living and all have married but one, John W., our subject, was the third of the family in order of birth. The parents arc members of the Roman Catholic church. John W. Rondy was reared in Sharon township, Richland county and obtained his education in the public schools. He was married at Mansfield to Miss Mary A. O'Rourke, who was born at Spring Mill, Richland county, May 2, 1876, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Brannon) O'Rourke. They were born in Ireland and came to Richland county when young and married there, where the mother of Mrs. Rondy still resides, the father beiug deceased. Mr. and Mrs. O'Rourke reared their children in the Roman Catholic faith. Mr. and Mrs. Rondy have an adopted daughter, a child of three years, who has been named Mary Dorothy. In his political affiliation Mr. Rondy, like his father, is a Democrat. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Ohio and the Eagles. Mr. Rondy and wife are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church at Crestline. VICTOR D. CAMPBELL, who is a leading citizen of Texas township, Crawford county, O., who is serving in his tenth consecutive year as township treasurer, and is owner and proprietor of a general store at Benton, O., was born in Wyandot county, O., July 30, 1859, a son of Curtis and Isabel (Caldwell) Campbell. Curtis Campbell was born in Washington county, Pa., and during the greater part of his life was a school teacher. He married Isabel Caldwell, who was born at Bucyrus, 0., a daughter of John and Martha (Martin) Caldwell, the former of whom was once sheriff of Crawford county. They died in Wyandot county and their burial was in the Union Cemetery. Their family consisted of four sons : Fremont and John, both of whom are deceased Victor D. ; and Elmer E., who is a resident of Los Angeles, Calif. Victor D. Campbell attended the public schools of Wyandot county, and with the exception of seven years has been in the mercantile business all his mature life. In I901 he came to Crawford county and bought his present store from R. O. Seery and now conducts the only mercantile establishment at Benton, serving a wide territory and carrying a very large stock of well selected goods. He is an active citizen, in every way possible advancing the interests of the town. Politically a Republican he has frequently been called on to serve in local offices, his fellow citizens having great confidence in his integrity and business ability. Mr. Campbell was married in 1891 to Miss May Caldwell, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of David S. and Sarah Jane (Doyle) Caldwell, the former of whom, now deceased. was a native of Maryland and 1092 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY a minister in the Reformed church. The mother of Mrs. Campbell was born in Canada but was reared in Crawford county. To Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell four children were born: Ellsworth; May; Blanche, who died at the age of 14 years; and Alpha 0., who is the wife of R. E. Hillborn. The father of Mrs. Campbell was a veteran of the Civil War, having served as captain in Co. H, 123rd O. Vol. Inf. For eight months he was a prisoner at Libby Prison and was one of the, fortunate unhappy men who managed to escape from that vile dungeon by tunnelling his way to freedom. He served all through the war in the company which was organized at Benton. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell four children have been born: Beth, Dale, Roscoe and Faythe, of whom Roscoe is now deceased. The eldest daughter is a teacher of Stenography in the Lorain BusinessCollege, at Lorain, O., in which Dale is at present a student. Mrs. Campbell and daughter Beth are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Campbell is identified with the Odd Fellows at Upper Sandusky, O. REV. JOSEPH R. WAECHTER, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic church, at Crestline, O., has charge of one of the most important and prosperous parishes in the diocese. He was born at New Washington, O., where his people still reside, Aug. 9, 1876. Father Waechter attended the parochial schools at New Washington and completed his theological training at St. Mary's Seminary. On May 24, 1902, he was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Horstman, after which he was assigned as assistant priest under the presiding priests at Tiffin, O., where he remained until Sept. 14, 1909, when he took charge of St. Nicholas' church, at Berwick, Seneca county, O., and continued in charge there until Dec. 25, 1911, when he came to Crestline and took charge of St. Joseph's church, succeeding Rev. H. E. Boesken, who had been sent to Toledo after a pastorate of nine years at Crestline. Father Waechter entered upon his duties with characteristic zeal and has aroused fresh interest in every branch of church work. This is one of the old strongholds of the Catholic church and for years has been steadily advancing both spiritually and materially. There are few better established congregations in the Toledo diocese and Father Waechter is a man well qualified to carry on the present church enterprises and to add still further to their efficiency and usefulness. His parochial school is flourishing, with 130 pupils and is in charge of a number of Catholic Sisters. HENRY M. HEER,* whose well cultivated and very productive farm of 80 acres is situated in Lykens township, Crawford county, O., was born in Lykens township, Jan. 29, 1873, and is a son of Philip C. and Catherine (Herrwagon) Heer. Philip C. Heer was well known in Lykens township where, for many years, he followed the shoemaking trade. Afterward he went to Missouri and died there. His wife died in Crawford county and her burial was in Chatfield township. They had the following children born to them: Henry M., our subject; Louisa M., who is the wife of Jacob Bower; Emma E., who is the wife of William Husemann; Matilda C., who is the wife of Daniel F. Long; Edward M.; and Rosena C., who is the wife of William Marquis. Henry M. Heer attended the public schools in boyhood and since then has practically taken care of himself. For 11 years he worked for farmers by the month and thus accumulated the means to purchase 40 acres of his present farm, this being about 1888. The second 40 acres he bought in February, 1911, and now has about as much land as he cares to give attention to. He carries on general farming and raises some good stock but only for his own use. Mr. Heer was reared a Democrat but uses his own judgment when he casts his vote, frequently putting men before party when he gives support. He attends the Lutheran church. Mr. Heer has never married. GEORGE F. NESS, one of the well known citizens of Galion, O., where he has been connected with the building of many of the substantial structures, and also owns a tract of farming land, was born at Tipton, Ia., July 16, 1856, and is a son of Charles and Phebe Jane (Auten) Ness. Michael Ness, the grandfather, was of German ancestry but was born in York county, Pa. In 1835, accompanied by his wife, he AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1093 came to Galion, O., when it was but a small place and finally became a landowner and farmer in Polk township, Crawford county. He died in 1870, when aged 75 years and his wife survived him for eight years. They were industrious, respectable, thrifty people and were consistent members of the German Lutheran church. To them were born three sons and one daughter; the last, Rebecca, who has been twice married, lives at Waterford. All three sons, Jacob, Michael and Charles are now deceased. Charles Ness was born in York county, Pa., Dec., 16, 1833, and was two years old when his parents came to Crawford county. He grew to early manhood here and learned the carpenter trade, afterward married and then moved to Iowa and for a few years lived at Tipton, in Cedar county. He was always a. hard-working man, mainly at his trade but he also engaged to some extent in farming and it was said of him that few could excel him in the use .of the old cradle in a wheatfield. His death occurred in 1890. He was married in this city to Phebe Jane Auten, who was born west of Galion, in 1833, and was two months younger than Mr. Ness. She accompanied him to Iowa but willingly returned to Crawford county after a few years in the western state and here her death occurred in January, 1885. Of their five children the following survive: James H., living six miles from Galion, in Marion county, who is a barn carpenter, and who is married and has nine children; George F., whose name heads this sketch; Mary, the youngest, who is the wife of Sidney Hill, a railroad man, living at Springfield, O., and having six children. George F. Ness was young when his parents returned to Crawford county and his education was secured in the district schools. Under his father he learned the carpenter trade and is considered an expert workman. In politics he has always been a Republican but is not interested beyond the demands of good citizenship. On Feb. 8, 1880, in Whetstone township, Mr. Ness was married to Miss Rachel Bair, who was born in Whetstone township, Jan. 5, 1859, and was reared and educated there. Her parents were John and Rebecca (Sherer) Bair, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Whetstone township and all their married life they spent in that township. John Bair died there in 1896, at the age of 65 years. His wife, who was born March 12, 1835, died on the farm on which she was born, Oct. 12, 1888. Her father had entered the land from the Government and it has been kept in the family and is now owned by the two brothers of Mrs. Ness, Michael and Samuel Bair. To Mr. and Mrs. Ness two sons and one daughter were born, which died in infancy. One son, Sherman H., born Nov. 14, 1888, who died Nov. 7, 1910, was a bright and promising young man. The other, Cloyd L., born Oct. 4, 1882, who operates his father's farm in Marion county, married Dessie Geiger and they have two children: Willard C. and Geraldine. Mr. and Mrs. Ness are members of the United Brethren church. FRANK A. NEFF, proprietor of the leading barber shop at Crestline, O., and an enterprising business man of the city, is a native of Crestline, born July 4, 1860, a son of John and Catherine (Burkhart) Neff. The grandparents of Mr. Neff, on both sides, were natives of Germany, but both parents were born in Germany and were married at Marion, O. They afterward took up their residence in Galion, coming later to Crestline, spent the rest of their lives here. The father, who was a car finisher with the Big Four Railroad for some years, was a skilled cabinetmaker and also manufactured delicate musical instruments. He was well known to the people of his adopted city and universally respected. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran, while his wife was a Roman Catholic. They had four children: Catherine, John, Frank A. and Edward, the last named being a dry goods merchant at Crestline. After his school days were over, Frank A. Neff learned the barber trade in 1871 and has been in business for himself since 1886, after spending about ten years in New York state, and has established himself here, having a modern tonsorial parlor, with three chairs and skilled attendants to care for patrons. Through his courtesy, skill and careful attention to details, Mr. Neff has built up a heavy patronage and conducts a place that compares very favorably in its equipments with these found in a much larger city. 1094 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Mr. Neff was married at New York city to Miss Elizabeth Cohan who was born in Rochester, N. Y., and who losing her parents was reared by an aunt. They have the following children : Bertha, who is the wife of Oran Blanford, of Crestline; William L., who is a factory worker at Crestline; and Alfonso, who is a brickmason by trade, both sons living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Neff are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Neff is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen. In addition to his business location, Mr. Neff owns some valuable residential property here. ROBERT U. WALCUTT,* one of the public officials of Texas township, who owns and resides on the old homestead farm, was born on this farm, one of the best in Crawford county, O., Nov. 20, 1868, and is a son of Mason and Susan (Walters) Walcutt. Mason Walcutt and wife were born in Ohio, she being a native of Wyandot county, surviving her husband and residing with her son, Robert U. All his active life Mason Walcutt was a farmer. He voted with the Republican party and was a member and liberal contributor of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Cason Walcutt and wife the following children were born: Daniel; Alverta, who died when aged 20 years; Amelia, who is the widow of John Smith; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of James Brown; Laura, who is the wife of Frank Bower; William and Robert U. In the public schools of Texas township, Robert U. Walcutt secured his education and since then has devoted himself to his agricultural industries, carrying on general farming, dealing in Durham cattle and buying and selling horses. About four times yearly, Mr. Walcutt makes a business trip to the West and ships by car load his market being Crawford and adjoining counties. On Feb. 2, 1890, Mr. Walcutt was married to Miss Alice Klase, who died in 1897, her burial being at Benton, O. She was survived by four children: Raleigh, Mason, Inez Floy and Zelma Merl. In 1900, Mr. Walcutt was married (second) to Miss Rose Merbaugh, and they have two children: Ralph Edward and Mercy Dell. Mr. Walcutt and wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is independent in politics but is a respected and relied on citizen and has been elected to the school board and is serving also in his first term as township trustee. FRANCIS M. ANDERSON, a substantial and representative citizen of Crestline, O., where, for many years, he has been interested in fire insurance, has been a resident here for 50 years and has a financial interest in many of the prospering enterprises of this city. He was born in Fairfield county, 0., Feb. 12, 1830, a grandson of James and Priscilla (House) Anderson. On account of the stormy times iu which they lived, the ancestors of Mr. Anderson succeeded in preserving but few of the family records. Among these may be found proof that William Anderson, who was born in Scotland in 1693, was a supporter of the claims of one of the pretenders to the British throne and was obliged to fly in disguise, on account of political troubles and first reached England and from there crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Virginia. He located in Hampshire county, Va., and his estate is still known as the Anderson Bottoms, although at that time, it was a wild and unsettled region by white men. He became a well known warrior, took part in the French and Indian campaigns and served under General Braddock. He died in Virginia when aged 104 years. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters. Mention is also made of Capt. Thomas Anderson, who was born in 1733 and died in 1808. James Anderson, probably a grandson of William Anderson, was born in England, Feb. 17, 1768, and died Oct. 24, 1844. He entered the cavalry branch of the military, with the rank of second lieutenant, and assisted in putting down the Whiskey Insurrection and afterward served under General Anthony Wayne, and for meritorious services was made a captain. In 1808 he came to Fairfield county, O., late in life moving to Lafayette, Ind., where he died at the home of a son. He married Priscilla House, in Virginia, who survived him for a few years, passing away also in Indiana. They had eleven children and ten of these grew to mature life, married and reared families of their own. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1095 John Anderson, son of James and Priscilla Anderson and father of Francis M. Anderson, was the third born child in the above family, his birth taking place in Virginia, March 4, 1803, but he was reared in Fairfield county, O. Subsequently he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for eight years and then moved to Marion county and in 1838 purchased 120 acres of wild land there. This land he cleared and cultivated and occupied it until his death, on Jan. 4, 1888. In Fairfield county he married Martha Roult, who was born in Ohio of Pennsylvania parents who were of Irish extraction. Mrs. Anderson died in Marion county in 1847. The Andersons were members of the Methodist Episcopal church in this generation. In politics they were Whigs until the formation of the Republican party, when they became identified with it. Nine children were born to John and Martha Anderson, five sons and four daughters, and eight of these grew to maturity. One son, Thomas J., enlisted for service in the Civil War, in the 12th Ind. Vol. Inf., and was stricken with an illness from which he died before arriving home. John, the next son, died in 1859, while Levi died in 1864, all being unmarried. Three daughters survive, Susan, Ellen and Margaret. Susan is the wife of Rev. Walter Scott, a retired Episcopal minister, residing at Oberland, O., and they have four children. Ellen is the wife of John Blue, of Belleplaines, Ia., and they have six children. Margaret is the wife of John B. Hines, of Marion county, 0., and they have three children. Francis M. Anderson had common school and academic advantages, and afterward, for eleven years was a school teacher, and for five years was in the mail service on the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1862 he reached Crestline and shortly afterward became agent for leading fire insurance companies and has continued in the business, one of the oldest and most successful agents here. He is a director in the Crestline Building and Loan Association and owns stock in many of the industrial plants in this section, his investments having been made judicially. He has been very active as a citizen and has served as mayor of Crestline. For some 1s years he was a justice of the peace and for many years was a member of the school board. He is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Anderson was married (first) in Marion county, O., to Miss Sarah E. Geiger, who was born in Marion county, in 1834, and died at her home in Crestline, in 1899, leaving one son, Harry W. For a number of years he was in the furniture business at Crestline but now lives retired, a man of ample fortune. He married Mary Etsinger, and they have two children: Bertha and Frank M., the latter of whom fills a clerical position with the Pennsylvania Railway at Crestline. In 1900 Mr. Anderson was married (second) to Miss Elizabeth A. Thrush, who was born in Crawford county. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. TOBIAS MORCKEL, who is a highly respected retired citizen of Galion, is a native of Ohio, born at Windfall, Crawford county, April 16, 1838. His parents were Peter and Anna M. (Stuber) Morckel. Peter Morckel and wife were born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, where they grew to maturity and married. It was after the birth of three children, Christian, Katherine and Elizabeth, that they decided, in the later twenties, to come to the United States. They took passage on a sailing vessel and after 76 days on the Atlantic Ocean, were safely landed on American soil. They made their first home in Pennsylvania and while living there another son, George, was born. About 1832-3 the family came over the mountains with teams, accompanied by other immigrants, and when they reached Jefferson township, Craw ford county, found land which seemed desirable, although it was in what seemed to he a cyclonic section and was named Windfall on that account. Here they bought many acres of land and erected a log cabin that withstood all subsequent storms. With land clearing and improving climatic changes were evidently brought about and the parents of Mr. Morckel lived peacefully and undisturbed until the end of their lives, the mother dying when aged 65 years and the father surviving to his 82nd year. They were of the German Lutheran faith and assisted in building the Windfall church. After coming to Crawford county the following children were born : Tobias, whose 1096 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY name heads this article; Maria, deceased, who married here; Leah, who lives with her family at Cleveland; and Elizabeth C., who lives three miles west of Galion. For the first 23 years of his life, Tobias Morckel lived on the old home farm. Later lie went to Crestline and for ten years afterward was with the Pittsburg and Ft. Wayne Railway, subsequently moving to Cardington in Morrow county, where he operated an engine in a grist mill for some time for his father-in-law. Still later he went to Upper Sandusky and from there to Columbus, where he engaged in a business enterprise and was also engaged in this way at other points prior to coming to Galion, in 1876, in which city he was successful in business ventures for years. He had the foresight to buy some valuable tracts of city property and these he has improved, much of his improved realty being on East Main Street, right in the heart of the business center, and he also has valuable holdings at Crest-line. He occupies his leisure in looking after his property interests. Mr. Morckel was first married to Miss Matilda Purkey, who was born in Ohio but was of Pennsylvania parentage. Her death occurred in 1873 and she was survived by two children : Augustus J. A., who resides with his family at Tacoma, Wash., and has two children—Ruth and John Allen; and Lilian, who is the wife of Rev. J. Fred Miller, a Lutheran minister of Baltimore, and has four children —Ernest, who has been well educated and is an electrician; Carl, who is a resident of Columbus, O. ; and Leona and Harold. The second marriage of Mr. Morckel was to Miss Elizabeth Hinkle, who was born in Hesse, Germany, March i1,, 1849, and was three years old when her parents, Conrad and Mary E. (Eckel) Hinkle brought her to America. The voyage consumed 68dayss and after landing at New York the father was taken sick and died three months later. Mrs. Hinkle and her five children remained in New YorkCity for five years and then came to Galion, where she lived for many years afterward, her death occurring in 1899, when she was aged 81 years. Mrs. Morckel was the youngest but one of the children, the others being: Henry, who died in Ohio, leaving a family; Conrad, a stonemason by trade, who lives at Galion now retired; John M., who is in the meat business at Troy; and Charles, who is an engineer with the Erie Railway, lives with his family at Galion. Mr. and Mrs. Morckel are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Democrat and fraternally is identified with a German organization. SAMUEL HEINLEN,* one of the highly respected retired citizens of Bucyrus, O., residing in his comfortable residence on Wallace Avenue, owns an excellent farm of 92 acres, which lies in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O. Mr. Heinlen was born in this township, April 4, 1855, and is a son of Mathew andElizabethh (Beckel) Hinlen.. Mathew Heinlen was born in Germany and there learned the weaving trade but later settled in Crawford county, O., and followed farming in Bucyrus township. He was married to Elizabeth Beckel, in Crawford county, and they had the following children: John, S., M. and Frank; Elizabeth, wife of Absalom Bolinger; Matilda, wife of James Johnson; Lena, wife of Byron Kent; and Lucinda, wife of J. S. Murphy. Samuel Heinlen attended the district schools in boyhood and then began to work on farms, first by the day and later by the month, and thus, by hard labor acquired enough capital to buy 40 acres of land. This tract he subsequently sold and purchased the 92-acre farm which he still owns and on which he lived and carried on farming for a number of years and then shifted his responsibilities in large degree to younger shouldersaudd retired and took tip his residence in Bucyrus. Mr. Heinlen was married April 12, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Catherine Speigle, who was born in Crawford county and died April 28,1908,, a daughter of William and Barbara (Myers) Speigle. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Speigle are well known people of Crawford county. To Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen the following children were born : Lewis, Lawrence, Leroy and Dora Alvena. Leroy married Ermina Eckert, a daughter of George Eckert, and they have one son, William Lee. Mr. Heinlen and sons are identified with the Democratic party. The whole family attends the United Brethren church. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1097 WILLIAM H. WEAVER, member of the firm of Weaver Bros., the well known grain firm at Crestline, O., has been secretary acid treasurer of this corporation for about 12 years and is numbered with the careful and astute business men of this section. He was born in Wyandot county, O., in 1867, a son of John and Mary B. (Rininger) Weaver. John Weaver, the grandfather, came to the United States from France and purchased Government land in Jackson township, Crawford county, O., on which he and wife spent their subsequent lives. His wife was also a native of France and they were members of the French Catholic church. They had 12 children, ten of whom lived to marry and eight survive. John Weaver, father of William H., was born on the old homestead in Jackson township and spent the greater part of his life in the German settlement, his death occurring July 17, 1890. His widow survives and resides with her son, William H., being now in her list year. Four sons and two daughters were born to them, namely: William H., our subject; Frank and John E., both members of the above named tirm; Rose, who is the wife of William Gosser, residing on a farm in Vernon township; Anna, who is the wife of Peter Keller, a farmer in Darke county; and Charles D., who is a farmer in Sharon township, Richland county, on the old homestead. William H. Weaver came to Crestline from Vernon, where he had been in the grain and stock business for six years previously. The present business is one of large volume, incorporated for $100,000, its officers being: Charles Kindinger, president; Peter Huth, vice president; and William H. Weaver, secretary and treasurer. The company has branches at three points, Galion, Vernon and Crestline, John B. Weaver being manager at Vernon and J. J. Patterson at Galion. They handle hay, grain and livestock, give employment to five men at Galion, eight at Crestline and two at Vernon. Mr. Weaver was married in Richland county, O., to Miss Mary E. Frye, who was born there in 1864, of German parents, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have the following children : Leo E., who was educated at Crestline and Dayton, and resides at home; Wilfred F., similarly educated, who is associated with his father; and Norbert R. and Angeline H., both at school. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Elks and the Eagles A. H. KINSEY, who is the present proprietor of what was the first established drug store at Crestline, O., has been in the drug business for 32 years, having had experience in several cities and a resident of Crestline since 1891. He was born at Galion, O., in 1862, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Claes) Kinsey. Samuel Kinsey was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland. After coming to the United States he settled near Galion, O., where he first engaged in farming and later was a machinist in the shops of the Big Four and Erie Railways, his death occurring in 1893, when he was aged 63 years. He was a Republican in his political views and was a member of the Reformed church. He married Catherine Claes, who was born in Germany and was young when her parents came to the United States and settled at Galion, where both died. Mrs. Kinsey survives and resides in her comfortable home which is situated on Atwood Street, Galion. Her people secured and improved land near Galion, the deed for the same bearing the signature of President Andrew Jackson. After graduating from the Galion High School, A. H. Kinsey became a drug clerk in that city and later entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at Philadelphia, the oldest institution of its kind in this country, where he was graduated in 1884. For five years be fore coming to Crestline, Mr. Kinsey was in the drug business at Xenia, O. The first drug store at Crestline, the one that Mr. Kinsey now owns, was started here by Dr. Alexander Jenner, a half century ago. He was succeeded by the firm of Spencer & McCullough, which did business for a few years, when Dr. Spencer became sole proprietor and continued until 1891, when Mr. Kinsey succeeded, Dr. Spencer moving to Colorado. Mr. Kinsey has been improving his property ever since. In 1907 he erected the Kinsey block, a two-story brick structure, with basement, of modern construction throughout, one of the most substantial 1098 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY business blocks in the city. Mr. Kinsey enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens in his profession and is numbered with the representative men along all stable lines, of this city. In 1892, Mr. Kinsey was married at Crestline, to Miss Irilla Rooks, who was born and educated in Illinois. Her parents, Levi L. and Anna (Frye) Rooks, are residents of Crestline, where Mr. Rooks is a coal dealer. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey have two sons: Herbert S. and Albert R., both students. Mr. Kinsey belongs to the National Association of Retail Druggists, the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association, the United Drug Company, of Boston, and the American Druggists Syndicate, of New York. MRS. FRANCES M. SOURWINE, who is one of the highly respected residents of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., the mother of Frank A. Sourwine and the wife of Henry Sourwine, deceased, was born in Seneca county, O. Her maiden name was Link and her parents moved from Pennsylvania to Seneca county. She resides on the farm of 103 acres with her son, this farm being located in section 3, Auburn township, Crawford county. In 1874 Frances M. Link was married in Seneca county, to Henry Sourwine, who was born one mile north and one-half mile east of Attica, O., a son of William Sourwine. Henry Sourwine died in December, 1909, at the age of 64 years, 3 months and 21 days, and his burial was in Green Lawn Cemetery, at Plymouth, O. In 1873, Henry Sourwine and his brother, William, Jr., bought this farm in partnership, and when they subsequently divided the land, Henry took 103 acres and William, Jr., took 92 acres and both improved their properties. The substantial buildings now standing on the farm of Frank A. Sourwine were put there by his father, who also drained and tiled the land and continued to be interested in its cultivation until his death. In politics he was a Republican, and from 1898 until 1901, served his township as one of its trustees, an honest and upright man in all his official acts. To Mr. and Mrs. Sourwine but one child was born, Frank A. He was carefully reared and is now one of the township's solid, reliable men, a Republican like his late father. He married Myrta M. Keller, a daughter of George M. and Ella Keller, of Crawford county, now residents of Attica. They have three children: Carl G., Wanda L. and Gerald K. Henry Sourwine and wife were members of the Church of God. JEREMIAH ERRETT, who, after many years of active agricultural life on his valuable farm in Polk township, Crawford county, O., came to Galion, since 1906 has occupied his handsome residence at No. 638 West Main Street. He was born on the old Errett homestead in Polk township, Jan. 14, 1851, the youngest but one of a family of nine children born to his parents, John and Nancy (Budlin) Errett. The founder of the Errett family in Crawford county was Rev. Henry Errett, who was of German ancestry but was born in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and married Catherine Fox. In 1835 they came to Crawford county, O., accompanied by their three children, Polly, Susan and John, the last named being 13 years old at that time. The grandfather was a good judge of land and selected a heavily timbered tract in Polk township, well situated as to water, and there built a log cabin, gradually cleared the land as his ministerial duties permitted and both he and wife spent their remaining years here. They were among the most venerable people of this section at time of death, although they had passed through many of the dangers and hardships of pioneer life, he reaching the age of 91 years, while she was 86 years old. He was the first minister of the United Brethren church in this part of Crawford county and was the means of organizing churches in many neighborhoods and in visiting them traveled hundreds of miles back and forth on horseback. He was widely known and was held in great esteem by all. His son John succeeded to the homestead and spent his long life of 75 years here. He married Nancy Budlin, who was born at Marion, O., and was young when tier parents settled in Polk township, where she lived at the age of 84 years. Both she and husband were members and active workers in the United Brethren church. They had five sons and two daughters born to them, all of whom became respected members of society and became well settled in life.