700 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY results and Crawford county sent in its full quota. As noted above, Major Kearsley carve to Bucyrus early in 1851 and this city remained his home during the rest of his life. At that time his maternal uncle, Hon. Charles Hetich, was county treasurer of Crawford county, and Major Kearsley became his assistant and in the following year was made deputy auditor and in 1853 was elected auditor. So popular an official had he become that in 1855 he was nominated for a third term by both parties and elected, this being a notable occurrence in Crawford county that has never since been repeated. It was during his term of official life that he superintended the erection of numerous buildings of a public nature, including the first brick jail ever built in the county. He continued his interest in county affairs after retiring from office, cheerfully giving advice when consulted, his many years of experience making this particularly valuable. Bucyrus is indebted to him in many ways for he was ever awake to the city's needs and was ready to lend his influence and give substantial support to all measures which he deemed worthy of th Janie. Through his energy and financial assistance the Bucyrus Memorial Library became a fact and it was a pleasure to him to continue his benefactions to this institution. From the time he reached manhood until the closing years of his life, his gifts to people in all walks were numerous and continuous, but in large part his benefactions were given quietly and with no thought or desire that public approval should mark them. In early life a Whig, he later became a Democrat although he gave political support in the election of President Lincoln. Major Kearsley was married in Illinois, to Miss Susan Phillips, who was born April 5, 1827, at Salem, O., and was 18 months old when her people came to Bucyrus, where she has spent all her life with the exception of three years, during which period she lived with an aunt in Illinois. Her father, James Lewis Phillips, was born in Ohio, Jan. 14, 1798, and died Sept. 20, 1827. His father, Robert P. Phillips, was born in Wales, July 21, 1773, and came to America when a young man and became a teamster and carrier, first in Pennsylvania and later at Salem, 0., where he also conducted a tannery. Ile married Susanna Snyder, who was of Dutch descent. James Lewis Phillips was married in Ohio, Dec. 16, 1824, by Rev. Kenneth Vallandingham, who, it may be noted, later baptized their daughter, Mrs. Kearsley, to Maria McCracken, who was born April 25, 1796. Her parents were James and Susan (Kelley) McCracken, the latter of whom was a distant relative of General Grant's maternal ancestors. The McCrackens came from Scotland and the family was well known in Wayne county, O., and at Columbus. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Maria Phillips left Salem and with her two daughters, Samantha and Susan, came to Bucyrus, where her kindred lived and here her death occurred October 14, 1834. Mrs. Kearsley's only sister died unmarried, Jan. 5, 1872. Major Kearsley was married (first) July 2, 1857, to Martha C. Sweney, who was born at Gettysburg, Pa., in 824, and died at Bucyrus, in 1874. Two children were born to that union: an infant daughter, who died on the day of birth; and Rebecca M., who was born Nov. 28, 1866, and who married Elmer L. White, of Pittsburgh, Pa. They had one daughter, Margaret Sara, who resides with her grandmother, at Bucyrus. The family has been identified with the Presbyterian church for many years and in this relation Major Kearsley was faithful and conscientious. He belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution and was justly proud of this connection, and he was also affiliated with the old fraternities, the Masons and Odd Fellows. DR. JAMES F. FITZSIMMONS, who at the time of his death on April 12th, 1910, was the oldest practicing physician in Bucyrus, was also a citizen widely known and much esteemed. Ile was born on a farm in Whetstone township, this county, Sept. 18, 1843, and was therefore in his 67th year at the time of his demise. His parents were William and Anna E. (Holman) Fitzsimmons, who came overland to Bucyrus from Huntingdon county, Pa., in 1831, settling in Whetstone township. The subject of this sketch was reared on his parents' farm and there resided until his nineteenth year, when he went to Up- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 701 per Sandusky, where he attended school for several terms. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the 134th O. V. I., and was discharged with his comrades in August of that year. In the fall of 1864 he attended the Vermillion Institute at Hayesville, o., remaining until the summer of 1865, when he entered the office of Drs. Ferris and Byron at Upper Sandusky. In the winter of 1865-66 he attended his first course of lectures at Charity Hospital Medical College at Cleveland, going thence to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he studied and practiced with Dr. J. S. Gregg of that place until 1867. He then entered Chicago Medical College from which he was graduated in March, 1868. Resuming practice in Ft. Wayne, he remained there until 1871 and then engaged in special practice in Cincinnati for a short time. In June, 1871, he located in Bucyrus, which place was his home and the scene of his professional activities until his death. Just previous to that final event he had been appointed a member of the county board of pension examiners. He was a member of Keller Post, G. A. R., had served as presiding officer of the Board of Health in past years; held membership and office in the Crawford County Medical Society and in the Royal Arcanum. He also held membership in Summit City Lodge No. 170 A. F. & A. M. of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and in Bucyrus Chapter, No. 16o, R. A. M., and was Past Worthy Patron of Bucyrus Chapter No. 3, Order of the Eastern Star. Dr. Fitzsimmons was married Jan. i, 1872, to Miss Ella Ryan, an adopted daughter of G. L. Saulsbury, a prominent business man of Bucyrus, well known throughout the county. Mr. Saulsbury was a native of the State of New York and married there Nancy R. Dedrick. He and his wife spent their lives subsequently in Michigan and Ohio, both dying in Toledo, this State, as also their children. Mrs. Fitzsimmons was born in Ireland and in 1861 came to Bucyrus, where she was educated and has since resided. Her father, Michael Ryan, married there Mary Cantwell, who was born in Clonmell, the walled town in Tipperary county and the scene of many early battles. She was of French extraction. Michael and Mary Ryan had ten children, all but four of whom died in Ireland. The survivors accompanied their parents to America, the family settling first in Hartford, Conn., and there the wife and mother died in middle age. Mr. Ryan married a second time and came to Ohio, locating in Marion county, where he and his second, wife died, he at the age of about 70 years. They were members of the Roman Catholic church. Mrs. Fitzsimmons was the youngest of ten children and is the only one now living. Her children are three in number, namely: Ralph J., a well educated young man, died in 1909 unmarried. Nellie E. graduated from the School of Oratory at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., later was for eight years societor of the Bucyrus Forum and a city reporter for three years on the evening Telegram. She is unmarried and now resides in Spokane, Wash. Myra Leslie is the wife of Walter M. Hubbell, assistant secretary of the American Clay Machinery Co., of Bucyrus, O., and has a daughter, Myra Leslie (2d). The family are all members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Fitzsimmons' death was very sudden and was due to heart disease, which had not previously troubled him to any great extent. He was sweeping the veranda of his home when he suddenly fell back and in a few moments life was extinct. We cannot sum up his character better than to quote an extract from his obituary notice in a local journal. The writer says: "Dr. Fitzsimmons was a gentleman of the old school, a man or irreproachable character and strong moral uprightness. In character and personality he fulfilled in every particular the requirements of the noblest of professions and his heart was ever in his work. A man of courtly bearing and manner, he was one who justly earned the respect, confidence and veneration of old and young alike. No citizen of Bucyrus was more generally esteemed and more genuinely respected than Dr. Fitzsimmons. He was a man of modest tastes, with a distinct leaning for home life and for a period of years he has lived busily yet quietly here among 702 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY the friends of his young manhood and of his later years. He has come to the end of the journey. The call, sudden though it was, found him fully prepared, as he had always been at all times, with a clean heart and mind, to meet his maker wherever the summons should call him. He leaves behind the record of a clean life worthily lived, than which a better monument to his memory could never be reared." JOHN C. CRANER, township assessor of Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., and a well known citizen, has been engaged in farming in this section for a number of years, renting land and since 1906 has owned 29 acres which are highly productive. He was born in Crawford county, Nov. 27, 1868, and is a son of Christian and Magdalena (Shaffer) Craner. Christian Craver was born in Crawford county and still survives, residing in Polk township, but his wife passed away some years ago and her burial was in Marion county. They had the following children: Malinda, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Sargel; Samuel W.; Francis; Cassie, who is the wife of William McCracken; Elmer J. and John C. Christian Craner has always been a farmer and is well known in the county. He is a member of the German Methodist church as was his wife. After his school days, John C. Craner assisted his father and then engaged at farm work by the month and continued for about nine years, having considerable experience with all kinds of farm methods. He then rented the farm on which he yet lives and still operates but since 1906 has owned 29 acres. Mr. Craner was married Dec. 29, 1892, to Miss Margaret Stuckman, a member of one of the well known families of this township, and they have five children: Archie B., Reba, Rollin, Velma and Donald. Mr. Craner and family attend the United Brethren church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Bucyrus and is one of the active members of the Democratic party in Bucyrus township. WILLIAM J. SCHWENCK, prosecuting attorney of Crawford county, O., and a prominent Democratic politician, has been a member of the Bucyrus bar ever since he entered into legal practice in 1900. He was born in this county, Oct. 18, 1874, and is a son of Hieronymus and Anna M. (Zimmer) Schwenck, both parents being now deceased. The father was a farmer and there were eight children in the family circle. William J. Schwenck began his education in the public schools and later attended the Ohio Normal University, from which he was graduated in 1898. Subsequent to this he entered the law department of the Ohio State University and was graduated from that institution in June, 1900. During his vacation he read law in the office of Phil M. Crow at Kenton, 0., and shortly after his admission to the bar, in April, 1902, he was elected city solicitor of Bucyrus, serving until 1906. On Nov. 8, 1910, Mr. Schwenck was elected prosecuting attorney for the county and, as above stated, has served in this office ever since, his official record showing that he possesses in high degree those qualities which are essential to the proper performance of its very important duties. Mr. Schwenck married Miss Ruth France, a daughter of William France, who was born in Pennsylvania. They are members of the Lutheran church, and he is a prominent member of the Bucyrus lodge of Eagles. M. A. WINEMILLER, treasurer and general manager of the Galion Handle & Manufacturing Company, of Galion, O., an important business enterprise of this city, is a thoroughly experienced man in this line, having been connected with manufacturing industries since boyhood. He was born at Wapakoneta, Auglaize county, O., in 1861, and is a son of Michael and Matilda (Lucas) Winemiller. Michael Winemiller was born in one of the Rhine provinces, Germany, and was six years of age when his parents brought him to the United States. The family located in Auglaize county, O., in the early thirties, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 703 where Michael Winemiller passed the rest of his life, becoming a farmer and blacksmith, and dying at the age of 76 years. He was married in the same county to Matilda Lucas, who was born in Kentucky and from there came to Ohio in young womanhood and lived to be 75 years old. Her father, Israel Lucas, died while serving as a soldier in the Civil War. To Michael Winemiller and wife five sons and one daughter were born, all of whom survive and all are well settled in homes of their own. M. A. Winemiller entered a handle factory after leaving school and worked at Winchester, Ind., and at Attica and Piqua, 0., being foreman of the plant at Piqua and manager at Attica. He was a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the Winchester D. Handle Company, manufacturing D and long handles. Mr. Winemiller was concerned in the establishing of the Galion Handle & Manufacturing Company, at Galion, in 1907, and has been treasurer and general manager ever since. This is an incorporated concern, capitalized at $15,000, its officers being: Anton Kahn, president; Allen Miller, J. S. Winemiller and M. A. Winemiller, with a board of five directors. Employment iS given to thirty people and the output of farm tool handles, about three car loads a month, are sold in England and Germany. Mr. Winemiller was married at New Bremen, O., to Miss Julia C. Staas, who was born in Auglaize county, O., of German parentage. They attend the Friends' church. Fraternally, Mr. Winemiller is connected with the Odd Fellows at Winchester, Indiana, JOHN J. KURTZ, one of the progressive and successful farmers and stock dealers of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., owning thoroughbred stock and registered sheep, belongs to one of the old and substantial families of this section. He was born in Whetstone township, Oct. 14, 1870, and is a son of John George and Catherine (Gaibler) Kurtz. The parents of Mr. Kurtz were born in Germany and for a few years after corning to the United States, John George Kurtz lived in Pennsylvania and then came on t Crawford county, O., being then 11 years of age. He followed farming all his active life and was a highly respected man. John George Kurtz was married (first) to Catherine Sherer and they had two children, Jacob and Samuel, the latter being deceased. He married (second) Catherine Gaibler who was brought to Crawford county by her parents and still survives, making her home with a daughter, Mrs. S. F. Sherer. They had the following children: Isaac; Benjamin; Mary, wife of Simon F. Sherer; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. C. H. Senn; Laura, who is the wife of C. A. Koppe; and John J. The parents of the above family were members of the German Methodist church. John J. Kurtz attended the public schools. He has spent his entire life on the home farm, having an interest as an heir to the 200-acre tract, and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of Whetstone township. He is one of the leaders in the stock industry and makes a specialty of American Delaine sheep. In addition to farming the homestead he also manages 80 acres belonging to his wife. On Dec. 2, 1901, Mr. Kurtz was married to Miss Matilda Sherer, the only daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Haller) Sherer, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Sherer was a prominent man in Whetstone township and served for many years in public office. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have one son, Harold, who was born June 7, 1903. They attend the German Methodist church. Nominally Mr. Kurtz is a Democrat but is somewhat independent in his political tendencies. WILLIAM M. REID, deceased, was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., Nov. 23, 1834, and died at his home in Bucyrus, O., July 30, 1909. His parents were Rev. George and Mary A. (Foster) Reid. Rev. George Reid was born in the north of Ireland, Jan. 7, 1812, a son of George Reid. The family came to the United 704 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY States in 824, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in one of the old sailing vessels that required three months to make a voyage that is now completed in a week. The Reids landed on the coast of Virginia, but moved by degrees farther north, driving their teams on up through New York until they reached Jamestown, where they tarried for a time and then pushed into Ohio. Grandfather George Reid died in Wayne county. For some years the Reids lived at Sandusky and then came to Crawford county, where they secured four sections of Government land. They were not only pioneers but people of purpose and enterprise. Their land was speedily cleared and put under cultivation and while they flailed their first yield of wheat, they were the first to invest in a tread-mill thresher, which was then considered a wonder of agricultural machinery. The Reids brought the first grass mower into the county and were ever ready to test the utility of new inventions. The bricks with which they built their houses they burned and molded on their own farm; they tanned the hides of their own cattle and made leather and also fashioned their own shoes, while the women of the family were no less busy and resourceful. From the flax raised on the farm, mothers and daughters wove linen of amazing softness of texture and the heavy winter clothing came also from their busy looms, the wool from their own sheep. Pages might be written of the remarkable accomplishments of both the fathers and mothers of those early days and in considering them, their descendants must give testimony of honor and praise. While the settlement of a representative family like the Reids was a benefit to the county, it was particularly helpful to Whetstone township and there it became a prominent factor in all affairs. Rev. George Reid was a missionary preacher and paid his own way when necessary, although in every community a pioneer welcome awaited him. He felt a special call to preach to the Indians and established a mission church in Wyandot county, the old structure being a landmark, standing in the midst of an old Indian burying ground. With the help of his sons he developed a fine farm on which he lived until after the death of his first wife, who was the mother of his five children: Robert, who was born July 15, 1832, and died in 1860; William M.; Hugh, who was born August 10, 1837, and died in 1844; George, who was born August 30, 1841, and who now resides on his farm in Iowa; and Rachel, who was born April 3, 1843, and died in 1845. After his second marriage, Rev. George Reid located at Ada, O., and later, while on a visit, died at the home of his son, William M., at Bucyrus, when aged about 68 years. William M. Reid was given somewhat better educational advartages than many country boys of the period enjoyed, his father having him attend the district schools regularly and later sending him to Columbus to take a course in a commercial college. In the early fifties, with his brother, Robert Reid, he came to Bucyrus, where they embarked in the dry goods business together. Later, William M. Reid, about 1856, went into the general store business under the firm name of Reid, Butterfield & Co. In 1865 he became senior member of the firm of Reid, Kaler & Malic, dealers in grain, seeds and produce, and in this line continued and became a prosperous merchant. From early manhood he was a Republican and at different times was elected to public office and once was mayor of Bucyrus. In all his enterprises and connections he was honest, reliable and dependable and no man was held in higher esteem by his fellow citizens. He never identified himself with many fraternal organizations but became interested in the Knights of Honor and was a charter member of this order at Bucyrus and belonged also to the Royal Arcanum.. He united early with the Presbyterian church, in which he long served as an elder, and for twenty-one years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Reid was married (first) December 31, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Modewell, who was born in Crawford county, August 10, 1863, and died when aged 25 years, five AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 705 months and nine days. Her parents were Adam and Susan (Kelley) Modewell, who were leading people of Bucyrus at that time. Mrs. Reid was survived by one daughter, Anna M., who is a teacher in Honolulu. Mr. Reid's second marriage took place at Bucyrus, August 16, 1864, to Miss Emily McCracken, who was born at Sulphur Springs, Crawford county, in 1844, a daughter of John and Sarah Marian (David) McCracken. The father was born in Wayne county, O., of Scotch-Irish parentage. He came to Bucyrus and here met and married, his wife having been a school teacher here before any school-house was built, having her classes, in a part of her uncle's store. Afterward Mr. and Mrs. McCracken moved to Sulphur Springs and she died there at the age of 41 years. Mr. McCracken married (second) Mrs. Huldah (Kent) McCullough, and two children were born: Genetta, who is the widow of Robert Colmary and the mother of two children; and Jay, who died at Fort Wayne, Ind., survived by his widow. To the first marriage of Mr. McCracken the following children were born: Rachel, who died in infancy; Margaret, now deceased, who was the wife of David Lewis, also deceased; and Mrs. Reid. John McCracken died at Bucyrus, when more than 60 years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Reid the following children were born: Edward George, Margaret, Lathrop Tracy, William Thane, Charles Talmadge, Robert Scott, Susan Mariman, Lois Emily and James McCracken. Edward George Reid was born May 19, 1867, and was educated at Bucyrus. He succeeded his father in business and is a representative citizen of Bucyrus. On April 26, 1898, he enlisted for service in the war with Spain, becoming sergeant-major in the 8th O. Vol. Inf., the other officers being, Capt. M. A. Charlton, Lieut.-Col. (now Senator) Dick, Col. C. V. Hard, of Wooster, O., and Maj. Edward Follrath, of Bucyrus, O. While with his regiment at Santiago, Cuba, he was prostrated with the yellow fever and he was sent to a hospital, where, through the efficiency of Miss Anna Wheeler, the noble daughter of General Wheeler, who was giving her services as a nurse, he recovered his health. He was honorably discharged with his regiment in November, 1898, and resumed business, dealing in grain, hay, seeds and building materials as before the war. He is past commander of Charles Thoman Camp Spanish American War Veterans and is identified with a number of fraternal organizations. Politically he is a Republican and is serving as a member of the school, public parks and library boards and the Board of Health. In 1909 he was married to Miss Maude E. McCarrell and they have one daughter, Mary Emily. Margaret Reid was born June 26, 1868, and died July 1, 1870. Lathrop Tracy Reid was born April 26, 1870, and is an engineer on the L. & N. Railroad, resides at Cloverport, Ky., is married and has seven children. William Thane Reid was born December 4, 1871, and died in promising manhood, in California. Charles Talmadge, who was born November 19, 1873, is a commercial traveler with the Hess, Clark Company, resides at Ashland, 0., married Virgie Laughbaum and they have two children, Dorothy and Robert. Robert Scott Reid was born July r6, 1876, and is a physician in practice at Ocean Side, Calif., a graduate of the Columbus Medical College in the class of 1897. He married Millie Hoover and they have one daughter, Elizabeth. Susan M. Reid was born July 27, 1879. She is a graduate of Lewis Institute, in the department of Domestic Science, Chicago. She is the wife of J. H. Norton and they live at Riverside, Calif., and have two sons, Richard and John. Lois Emily Reid was born January 30, 1882. She is a trained nurse, a graduate of the Presbyterian Hospital Training School, Chicago. James McCracken Reid was born October 8, 1885, and is a resident of Los Angeles, Calif., where he is connected with the Wells, Fargo Express Company. He married Gertrude Bean. Mrs. Reid and family are all members of the Presbyterian church. She is vice president. of the Foreign Missionary Society at Bucyrus. 706 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY HON. LEWIS H. BATTEFELD, who is serving in his second term as a member of the Ohio State Legislature and thereby adding prestige to the city of Bucyrus, of which he has been a resident since 1860, was born at Columbus, O., in 1842, one of a family of four children born to his parents, Lewis and Christina (Biber) Battefeld, the latter of whom was a daughter of Conrad and Christina (Utz) Biber, all of whom were natives of Germany. At the early age of seven years Lewis H. Battefeld was left an orphan, both of his parents having died of cholera in the epidemic of 1849. He was reared in the home of his maternal grandfather, in Cranberry township, Crawford county, and attended the country schools. After coming to Bucyrus, in i86o, he learned the trade of saddle and harness making, which he followed for 14 years, when he became interested in the manufacture of brick and drain tile, in which line he continued for 35 years, building tip a large business from a small beginning. There are many men so engrossed in business that public matters have no interest for them but fortunately not all are so absorbed, there being others who have a wider outlook and more ambition. Among these may be classed Mr. Battefeld. A Democrat from principle from the time of his majority, he soon made his influence felt in Crawford county and eventually became a leader of his party. In 1869 he was appointed city marshal of Bucyrus and at the same time was township constable. From 1886 until 1892 he was a trustee of Bucyrus township and in 1895 took tip the duties of a member of the board of county commissioners, his election having been accomplished in the previous year, and three years later was re-elected to this office and for two years he was president of the County Commissioners' Association of Ohio. In 1900 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held at Kansas City, from the 13th Congressional District of Ohio, having previously served in the same capacity in other political gatherings in county, state and country, and for a number of years served as chairman of that im portant organization, the Democratic county central committee. In 1909 Mr. Battefeld was elected to the legislature and approval of his course as a statesman was shown by his subsequent re-election. He is well known all over the state and his associates and friends are men of equal prominence and reliability. Mr. Battefeld was married at Bucyrus to Miss Phillipina Krebs, a daughter of Frederick A. and Christina (Weibel) Krebs, natives of Bavaria, Germany, but at that time residents of Liberty township, Crawford county. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Battefeld: Cordelia S., who died in 1886; and Lewis P. The latter is a railroad and general contractor, doing a large business at Bucyrus. Mr. Battefeld and family are members of the Lutheran church. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Elks, while Lewis P. Battefeld is a Mason. CHARLES R. MILLER, one of the leading farmers of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., who numbers with his many substantial possessions, two excellent farms, one of 135 acres and the other of seventy acres, was born in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, Aug. 11, 1857, and is a son of Daniel and Maria (Lemon) Miller. Daniel Miller was born in Seneca county, O., but spent the larger portion of his life in Crawford county, where he was a successful farmer. He was a quiet, steady, industrious man, a lover of his home and family and a consistent member of the Lutheran church. He married Maria Lemon, who was born in the State of New York and in early life accompanied her parents to Seneca county, 0., where her death occurred and both she and husband rest side by side in Oakwood Cemetery at Bucyrus. She was a devout member of the Baptist church. They had the following children: Hannah Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Abel Dewalt; John D. ; Henrietta, who is deceased; and Charles R., Frank E., Cassius C. and Lemon S. Charles R. Miller remained with his AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 707 father on the home farm until he was 21 years of age, in the meanwhile attending school in the winter months, and when he started out for himself was quite well equipped, his knowledge of farming securing him remunerative employment. When the agricultural season was over he en-gaged in teaming and when spring came again resumed farming and through prudence and industry has become a man of independent means. He has been an active and useful citizen, giving support to the public schools and exerting his influence for the betterment of his community whenever opportunity has offered. On Jan. 1, 1879, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Catherine Eichelberger, a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Kibler) Eichelberger. They were farming people in Crawford county, O. Mrs. Miller has two brothers and two sisters; David, Noah, Polly and Betsey. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller the following children were born : Bertha May, who died when aged five months; Clara Irene, who married Curtis Stofer and has one child, Ethel Marie; Orville B., who married Mary Mullencupp, and has one child, Desta Irene; and Earl Roland, who died at the age of thirteen months. Nominally Mr. Miller is a Republican but in some campaigns he is inclined to be independent, casting his vote rather for man than party. He has served as township constable and several times as supervisor and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens very generally. ALEXANDER M. KERR, a retired farmer and highly respected resident of Bucyrus, O., belongs to one of the old and representative families of Crawford county, of Scotch ancestry. He was born March 4, 1846, in Whetstone township, Crawford county, 0., and is a son of William and Jane (Clark) Kerr. In early days the great-grandparents of Alexander M. Kerr migrated from Scotland to near Dublin, Ireland, and reared their children and died there. One son, William Kerr, grandfather of Alexander M., came to the United States in 1800 and shortly after ward settled in Juniata county, Pa. He was married there to a lady by the name of Stewart, who died in Pennsylvania and was survived by a daughter, Nancy, who later married and became the mother of several children. William Kerr, Sr., was then married to a widow, Mrs. Sarah (Abrams) Elder, and they continued to reside in Juniata county until after the birth of their children, four in number—Alexander, Sarah, William and James—and then decided to come to Ohio. This was in 1832 and they made the long journey in wagons and finally reached Whetstone township, Crawford county, the whole country being then but a wilderness of forest and tangled prairie. The land on which they settled had been slightly improved by a former owner, so that they found a shelter provided which was better than was the fate of some other settlers who came into this section about the same time. Here William Kerr, Sr., died, prior to 1845, and his widow survived him for seven years. They were among the founders of the Presbyterian church in Whetstone township and were people of exemplary life and were widely known for their pioneer hospitality. William Kerr, Jr., father of Alexander M. Kerr, of Bucyrus, was born August 24, 1808, and died September 23, 1888. He was twenty-four years old when his parents came to Crawford county, where his subsequent life was spent, farming being his main interest. He was married in Whetstone township, Feb. 14, 1837, to Miss Jane Clark, who was born in Wayne county, O., Dec. 4, 1810, and died July 3, 1884. She was brought to Crawford county by her father, Archibald Clark, in 1821, after the death of her mother, in Wayne county, O. Archibald Clark was one of the first settlers in Whetstone township, where he became a man of importance and of large fortune. He died there Dec. 30, 1875, aged 85 years. The Clarks were of Scotch-Irish extraction and were Presbyterians in religious faith. To William Kerr, Jr., and his wife the following children were born; Archibald C., Sarah and Alexander M. Archibald C. Kerr was born Feb. 6, 1838, and was reared 708 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY in Whetstone township and remained at home until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, Aug. 1, 1862, in the 81st O. Vol. Inf.; he died from fever at Corinth, Miss., Dec. 1, 1862. He was unmarried. Sarah, the only daughter, was born March 26, 839. She married James Wise, and they reside on their farm in Wyandot county. They had one daughter, Daisey V., who died after her marriage. Alexander M. Kerr grew to manhood on the home farm and continued to reside there until after his marriage, when he settled on a farm of 40 acres situated in Holmes township. There he engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits until he retired from active business life, in March, 1906. Mr. Kerr is a man of intelligence and observation and keeps well informed concerning all that goes on in public affairs. He is independent in politics, believing in personal freedom of thought and is pronounced in his attitude in favor of temperance. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Kerr was married at Bucyrus, Dec. 23, 1874, to Miss Sarah J. Franz, who was born April 17, 1852, the youngest of five children born to her parents and the only one surviving. She was very carefully and thoroughly educated, graduating with the first class after the new Union School building was completed at Bucyrus, at which time the first certificates of graduation were issued. She was chosen to deliver the first class address. The parents of Mrs. Kerr were Col. John and Jane (Burwell) Franz. Col. Franz was born in Germany, Aug. 12, 1812, and died of an attack of apoplexy, Nov. 14, 1870. In his youth death removed his parents and he was reared by an uncle until the age of 18 years. He then emigrated alone to America and found his way to Galion, Crawford county, 0., where he learned the cabinetmaking trade, which he pursued until 1857, in the meanwhile so impressing his fellow citizens with his sterling character that in that year they elected him sheriff of Crawford county. He served two terms, four years, in this office. When the Civil War broke out he became interested, having previously been active in the state militia, and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the foist O. Vol. Inf. He served for a time but was forced to resign on account of the recurrence of an old ailment which rendered military exposure impossible. After his return to private life he was again called into public affairs, being elected to the office of county treasurer, and was serving in his second term when his useful life was terminated as mentioned above. He was an ardent Democrat all his mature life and served in many local offices including membership on the board of education. He was widely known in the Masonic fraternity and was a Mason of the thirty-second degree. Col. John Franz was married in Ohio to Jane Burwell, who was born in Harrison county, O., May 21, 1815, and died at Bucyrus, in 1902. Her people were old settlers in Harrison county and came to Crawford county when she was young. The Burwells, like the Franz's and Kerrs were Presbyterian in religious faith. Mrs. Kerr had three brothers and one sister. Jay B. Franz died in 1910. He was thrice married but left no issue. William Franz was widely known as the inventor of the Franz Knitting Machine, which has had a remarkable sale notwithstanding the competition afforded by factory knitting. He realized an ample fortune from this invention. He was married in Ohio and had four chilclren, three of whom survive. John S. Franz died at Jacksonville, Fla. He had early interests of a substantial character at Tampa. He married there and is survived by three children. Kate F., the only sister of Mrs. Kerr, died at Bucyrus. She was the wife of J. R. Clymer, a prominent journalist of Crawford county, who is also deceased. They are survived by two sons and one daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Kerr three sons have been born, two of whom survive. William Franz, the eldest, was born Nov. 6, 1875, and died Aug. 24, 1876. Jay Alexander, the second son, was born Oct. 27, 1882, was given excellent educational advantages and is now a prosperous farmer in Huron AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 709 county, O. He married Miss Maude G. Carmean and they have two sons: Ernest C. and Ralph W. The youngest son, Franklin M., is unmarried and resides with his parents. He is well educated and is identified with the T. & O. Railroad, in the freight department. EARL W. CRALL, a resident of Bucyrus, Ohio, who is engaged in the railway mail service, was born in Liberty township, this county, just east of Bucyrus, in October, 187. He is a son of John Raysor Crall, and a descendant in the fifth generation of Mathias Crall, who was of Swiss parentage and who resided in Dauphin county, Pa. Mathias, who had served as a soldier in the Colonial army in the Revolutionary war, had a son, Henry, who was born in Dauphin county, and who married Elizabeth Henshaw, a native of Pennsylvania, like himself. Among the children of Henry and Elizabeth was John, known as John Crall, Sr., who was born in Dauphin county, Pa., December 18, 1809. When a young than John Crall worked at the millwright's trade. On April 16, 1835, he married Elizabeth Raysor, a daughter of John and Susanna (Fackler) Raysor. She was born February 10, 1817, in the same county as her husband. After their marriage they lived with his father's family one year, when they moved to the farm of her father, where they remained nine years. He gave them money to purchase the farm of Mr. Grail's parents, who were about to sell and move to the West. The Crall family moved to Ohio, settling in Crawford county, and the flattering accounts sent back by them of this country induced John Crall to move here also. Accordingly with his wife and five children, he left Harrisburg in a two-horse wagon in April, 1852, arriving in Crawford county in June. Here they purchased the Samuel Foster place, in Liberty township, afterwards occupied by their son, Elias, and in this township both Henry and John Crall died and were buried—the former at a very advanced age. Their bodies rest in the old Crall cemetery, connected with the Crall United Brethren church, which they had taken a leading part in founding, and of which Henry Crall was one of the first trustees. This church has been several times repaired and remodeled and is one of the best known churches in the county—being in fact an old landmark. John and Elizabeth Crall were the parents of twelve children, three of whom died in Pennsylvania in childhood, and two died in childhood after they came here. The others were : John R., who settled in Milan, Erie county, 0.; Elizabeth, who became Mrs. E. M. Moore; William Elias, who for some time taught school and who settled on the old homestead, marrying Lovina Spahr, but who later moved to Hicksville, O., where he now resides; Oliver and Susan, of whom, like William, we have no special record; and David, who served in the Civil war as a member of the 101st Refit., O. V. I., was captured at Chickamauga, and died in Danville prison, May 24, 1864. John Crall, Sr., died Nov. 25, 189. He and his wife were both members of the United Brethren church, her father, John Raysor, being a minister of that persuasion. She died at an advanced age and was buried in the old Crall cemetery. All were worthy people, prominent in the affairs of the township and universally liked and respected. John Raysor Crall, father of the subject of this sketch and son of John and Elizabeth Crall above mentioned, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1837, and was fourteen years of age when he accompanied the family to this county. He was brought up to farm life and was thus engaged, for the most part in this county, until about ten years ago, when he removed to Wauseon, Ohio, and later to Adrian, Mich., where he resides at the present time with a daughter. Like the majority of the Crall family, he is a Republican in his political affiliations. He was first married in this county to Catherine Ferral, who died in the prime of life, leaving one son, Clark Crall, who is now farm manager for the Sciota Land Co., at McGuffy, Ohio, and who is married but has no children. John R. Crall married sec- 710 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY ondly in this county Catherine Stephenson, who was born in Crawford county of English parentage paternally, and was here reared and educated. On her mother's side she is of Pennsylvania-German Jancestry. She died in the fall of 1883, in the prime of life. She was a member of the Christian church, as is also her husband. They were the parents of six children, of whom one, Maude, died in infancy, and another, May, at the age of 25 years, unmarried. The others are: Lawrence, a farmer in Williams county, who is married and has three children—Fred. L., Lee and Mabel; Dilla M. lives with her father in Adrian, Mich., being in the employ of the Van Camp Company; she is unmarried; Earl W. is the direct subject of this sketch; Lee S., who resides at Sumner, Ill., is in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, is married and has children—Donald H., Dorothy and Glenn Robert. Earl W. Crall was educated at Ada, O., and at Alliance, O., and was for some years a school teacher. In the fall of 1903 he took a place as railway mail clerk and is in class 4A of the department. He also studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1908. He is a broad-minded man of scholarly tastes and has many friends throughout the county. He was married in Whetstone township to Mabel B. Campbell, who was born in that township, April 4, 1875, a daughter of John Benton and Jennie F. (Shanks) Campbell, and who, after receiving a good education, taught school in the county for some three years. Mrs. Crall is a granddaughter of Edward Campbell and a great granddaughter of John Campbell, who was an early settler in Wayne county, Ohio. In 1823 John Campbell came with his family to Crawford county, settling in Whetstone township, where he took up government land and applied himself to the task of developing a farm. For years he resided in a log cabin, which he built himself. He was a man of ability and became one of influence, dying much respected at the age of 76 years. Edward Campbell was reared on the farm on which he continued to reside after his father's death. He married Amanda Tupps, who bore him four children. Their daughter, Catharine, married Frank Keiffer and is now deceased. Their son, Samuel K., became in his turn the manager of the homestead farm. A daughter, Lettie J., married Andrew J. Gibson and resides on the old Campbell homestead in Whetstone township, which, as has been stated by another historian, " in the clays of its founder was the center, not only of a generous hospitality, but of an influence which extended in many directions, for that honored pioneer served for many years in the office of justice of the peace, at one time represented his district in the legislature, and was an active and prominent member of the Disciple church." John B. Campbell was the third child of his parents. He was born and reared on the Campbell homestead and was educated in the public schools near his home and at Lebanon, O. For some time subsequently he taught winter school, working on the farm during the remainder of the year. In 1872 he married Miss Jennie Shanks, a daughter of David Shanks, and they had two children—Mabel Campbell and Urias Edward. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell settled on Grandfather Campbell's old home farm, where they lived ten years, then locating on a farm of 160 acres, on which Mr. Campbell has made some fine improvements. He has given his attention to general farming and is a successful breeder of shorthorn cattle and a prominent sheep raiser. In 1892 he was granted a premium for the largest yield of scoured wool per fleece grown in the United States during the year 1892, which was conferred upon him at Boston, Mass. He is a Republican in politics and an influential and useful citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Crall are the parents of two children—Muriel Bernice, born April 5, 1905, who is now attending the city schools, and Clark Campbell, born April 7, 19o8. Mr. and Mrs. Crall are members of the Christian church; the former is a Republican with independent proclivities. He AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 711 belongs to the Blue lodge of the Masonic order. DELMAN McCALLISTER, a leading citizen of Crawford county, O., who now devotes his entire time to the management of his farm and its varied industries, for a number of years was one of the most effective and popular teachers in both Seneca and Crawford counties. He was born Jan. 16, 1867, in Fairfield county, O., and is a son of Albert and Maria (Spitler) McCallister. Albert McCallister was born in Fairfield county, O., in 1837, where he followed farming until about 1873, when he moved to Seneca township, Seneca county, and continued as a farmer until his death, November 26, 1900, when aged 62 years. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. In 1862 he married Maria Spitler, who was of German descent and was born and reared in Fairfield county, her death occurring in Wyandot county, December 2, 1911, when she was aged 74 years, 9 months and 24 days. They had seven children, as follows: Theodore, who is a farmer and resides in Wyandot county; Mrs. Clara Wood, of Toledo; Delman; Mrs. Sadie Ream, who died Feb. 2, 1904; Mrs. Minerva Chester, who lives at Melmore, Seneca county; Mrs. Amanda Meyers, who lives in Wyandot county; and Mrs. Irena Hackman, who also lives in Wyandot county. Delman McCallister was brought up on a farm in Seneca county, his parents having moved to that place when he was a small boy. Here amid stern surroundings, he helped his parents at the general farm work and attended the district school in winter, until he reached the age of Ig years, when he hired out to a neighbor farmer for the summer season. The following winter he again attended the district school, was seized with a desire to teach and during the following summer attended the Fostoria Normal School, then taught school for a time, before taking a higher educational course at Ada, O. For some sixteen years Mr. McCallister satisfactorily taught school in Seneca county. As a teacher he was always mindful of the moral and spiritual side of life, and tried to impress and enthuse his pupils with the higher and loftier ideals which trend to build up and make better and more noble men and women. In 1903 he came to his present farm in Crawford county and for one year afterward taught school at Oceola, his last work in this line being during the following winter when he taught the school in his own school district. He is now thoroughly interested in his agricultural activities and carries on his operations along modern lines and with a large amount of success. In farming, as in teaching, Mr. McCallister is thoroughly progressive. He believes in making home life pleasant by having pleasant surroundings and spends no little time in making then so. Mr. McCallister was married June 29, 1891, to Miss Ida May Peters, who is a daughter of the late J. D. Peters, who was born in Jefferson county, O., Sept. !6, 1828, and came with his parents to Hancock county in 1834, and settled on a farm where Arcadia now stands. Later he bought and moved to a large farm in Seneca county. He was a member of the 197 regular O. V. I., and a life-long resident of Hancock and Seneca counties. He died in Fostoria, O., June 4, 1911, when aged 82 years, 8 months and z8 days. He was married first to Sarah J. Benham, and three children were born to them: William, who is deceased; Mrs. Josephine Whetson, of Findlay, O.; and Mrs. Melvina Ferguson, who is deceased. He was married (second) to Nancy Roller, who left nine children, namely: Emma, who is deceased; Ida May, who is Mrs. McCallister; Ross, who is deceased; C. J., who is a resident of Tiffin; Mrs. Alma Shuman, who is a resident of Cary, O.; Harry O., who lives in Indianapolis, Ind. Mrs. Anna Baker Cole, who is a resident of Findlay, O.; Mrs. Ada Meyers, whose husband is a minister living at Caldwell, Kans.; and Mrs. Myrtle Moore, whose home is in South Dakota. The third marriage of Mr. Peters was to Ellen Clemens, a resident of Findlay. Mrs. McCallister was also one of the suc- 712 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY cessful school teachers of Seneca county. She received her higher education at the Northwestern Normal School and the Fostoria Academy, and followed teaching for several years previous to her marriage. She was a lover of good literature and always took great interest in literary work. Mr. and Mrs. McCallister have one foster son, Frank, who lives at home and teaches school. In politics Mr. McCallister has always been a Democrat. While residing in Seneca county he served two terms as township clerk and has also served as census enumerator. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Jr. O. U. A. M. For many years he has been a member and active in the United Brethren church, taking a special interest in Sunday-school work. D. C. CAHILL, a well known member of the Bucyrus bar, formerly clerk of the courts of Crawford county, has been engaged in the practice of law in this city, although not continuously, since 1860, when he was admitted to the bar. He was born in Vernon township, Crawford county, O., Nov. 2, 1832, and is a son of R. W. and Eliza (Cummins) Cahill. Mr. Cahill spent his early years on the home farm, and later, to assist his father, passed more time there. He was educated in the Wittenberg College, and completed the entire term in that institution. In the fall of 1857 he came to Bucyrus and completed his course in law, was admitted to the bar three years later and afterward engaged in the practice of his profession in this city until April, 1865, when he closed his office in order to make a visit to the Pacific coast. Traveling in a leisurely way and stopping at interesting places, he reached California and went from there to Oregon, and from April, 1866, until he started back east, he served as deputy clerk of the county courts of Linn county. In his return to New York Mr. Cahill traveled over what was then an interesting part of the Western hemisphere and which is doubly so at present, crossing the Isthmus of Panama in the irregular and unsafe man ner of transportation of that time, without ever a thought of the great Gatun Dam that has eaten its way through miles of that wilderness, or of the mighty waterway that will invite the commerce of every nation. For a few months Mr. Cahill again practiced law at Bucyrus, but once more closed his office in order to be free to accompany an ailing brother to the warmer clime of Texas, where the latter died three months later. In June, 1869, Mr. Cahill resumed his law practice at Bucyrus but shortly afterward was incapacitated by a painful accident, which prevented further professional effort until 1872. In 1874 he was elected county clerk of Crawford county and continued as such until 1880. After leaving public life, Mr. Cahill once more resumed his practice of law and has ever since maintained his office in the Quinby Block, being in partnership with a brother, the firm name being Cahill Brothers. General law has been his line and he has the reputation of being one of the safest and most conservative advisers among the older members of the Bucyrus bar. FRANK MARION EAKIN, agent for the Pennsylvania Company, at Bucyrus, O., is not only popular with this corporation but is known, valued and esteemed in railroad circles generally. He was born at Columbus Grove, O., July 28, 1870, and is a son of Dr. Thomas and Ella (Frank) Eakin. Thomas Eakin, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He married in his native state and a large family was born to him, his eldest son being given his name, Thomas, as was the family custom. Thomas Eakin, Jr., was born in Pennsylvania in 1816 and became a physician. For some years he was associated in practice with Dr. J. F. Fitzsimmons, at Moundsville, Ind. Later Dr. Eakin located at Columbus Grove, O., after three years of medical service in the Civil War, and continued to practice there until within a short time of his death, in 1894. He was a man of education and culture and of splendid physical robustness and it was AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 713 said of him that his mere appearance in a sick room was as potent as his prescriptions. He was widely known and was held in very high esteem both personally and professionally. He was thrice married, his last union being with Miss Ella Frank, who was born in Wayne county, O., not far from Wooster. She is a lady of scholarship, a former teacher, and has served as a member of the Columbus Grove School Board. She is interested not only in social matters but in those of wider scope, especially in relation to those concerning her own sex. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, as was the late Dr. Eakin. Four children were born to the above marriage, three daughters and one son, namely: Nettie, who is the wife of L. E. Maxwell, a prominent citizen of Wooster, O., a member of its board of aldermen; Frank Marion, our subject; Margaret, who resides with her mother at Columbus Grove; and Mary, who is the wife of L. D. Bower, a merchant at Geneva, O. Frank Marion Eakin was educated in the schools of Columbus Grove, after which, in 1888, he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Company as a telegraph operator and served as such at different points until 1896, when he was detailed as clerk for the same system, at Englewood, Ill., where he continued until 1899, at which time he was appointed ticket agent at Lima, O. After coming to Bucyrus he was made agent, this being a very important point on the Pennsylvania Lines, and here has displayed marked efficiency, his executive ability being so tempered with tact and diplomacy that he presides over an office of satisfied employes and at the same time meets every demand of often an unreasonable public. Mr. Eakin was married in 1900 at Topeka, Kans., to Miss Eleanor H. Newman, who was born in Chicago, Ill., and was educated at Toledo, O., and in Kansas. They attend the Presbyterian church. He is identified with the Masons and the Elks. J. LEW GUGLER, who is prominent in the commercial life of Galion, O., and proprietor of one of the largest mercantile establishments in Crawford county and identified with numerous other successful business enterprises of this section belongs to that large number of prosperous business men who can claim this city as their native place. He was born in a log cabin in 1864 that still stands on North Union street, and is a son of Louis and Louisa (Hessenauer) Gugler. The parents of Mr. Gugler were born, reared and married near Heidelberg, Germany, and came to the United States in 1848, on a sailing vessel that required 70 days to make the passage but nevertheless safely landed its voyagers in the harbor of New York. From there Louis Gugler and wife made their way to Galion, O., where Mr. Gugler engaged in work at his trade, that of cooper, for 40 years, and his industry would have been rewarded by a comfortable competency had not his faith in some friends induced him to endorse notes which he subsequently had to meet. His death occurred when he was aged about 67 years. His widow survived until 1904, she being aged 73 years. They assisted in, founding the German Methodist Episcopal church at Galion, Mr. Gugler being an official for a long period. J. Lew Gugler was educated in the Galion schools and at one time had as his tutor Jacob Menser, a well known character. When fourteen years of age the youth commenced his business career and it was with the fixed purpose of sometime being at the head of a mercantile establishment of his own, starting in the dry goods store of D. W. Swaner. His ambition has been realized, although many years of work and fidelity to employers went before and he has had many handicaps at one time or another. He spent ten years of service in dry goods stores in Mansfield, O. His determination and energy enabled him to overcome all difficulties and at length, in 1893, he embarked in business with a partner, tinder the firm style of Gugler & Davis, which was continued until 1903, when Mr. Gugler became sole proprietor. He has a fine location with an T8o-foot frontage at No. 121 East Main street. His stock is large and 714 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY varied, including dry goods, cloaks, ready-to-wear goods, carpets and rugs and house furnishings, handling the finest fabrics and catering to the most exclusive of the city's buyers. He is a man of ideas and has introduced many pleasing features which are not to be found in every establishment. Mr. Gugler has found also that it is better to do a strictly cash business and he was the first merchant in the city who established and kept to this safe and, in the end, most satisfactory system. Mr. Gugler has demonstrated his business ability along still other lines and is a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Savings Bank Company; also of the Galion Iron Works Company, and of the Galion Building and Loan Association, and is a stockholder in numerous other concerns. Mr. Gugler was married to Miss Ida C. Hugo, who is justly proud of her descent from the great French writer, Victor Hugo. She was born at Mansfield, O., but was mainly educated at Detroit, Mich. They have two children, a daughter and a son, Mildred Dorothy, who is aged i4 years; and Robert Hugo, who is a school boy of 9 years. An older child, Helen Louise, died when 5 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Gugler are members and generous supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Gugler being a member of the official board. He has always been an ardent Republican and in 1911 was elected a member of the school board in a city of 8,000 that always gives a Democratic majority of from 500 to 1,000. He was one of the organizers of the Commercial Club and is a director and an active member of the renowned "Galion Boosters," who never tire of working for Greater Galion. JOHN F. FISCHER, formerly a trustee of Tod township, Crawford county, O., and one of the honest, reliable and respected citizens of this section, resides on his finely improved farm of ioo acres, which is situated nine miles northwest of Bucyrus, O. He was born in Germany and is a son of Emanuel and Magdalena (Rilling) Fischer. Emanuel Fischer and wife were born in Germany and when they came first to Crawford county, 0., he bought a tract of 20 acres west of Bucyrus, to which he subsequently added 16 acres and followed farming there until the close of his active life, his death occurring in 1897, when his age was 72 years. He married Magdalena Rilling, who was born in 1840 and still survives. Of their ten children, six grew up and five of these are living. John F. Fischer went to school in the country near his father's farm, first in Pennsylvania, and after 1884, when the family came to Crawford county, in the neighborhood of Bucyrus. He then secured farm work and for six years was engaged by the month as a farm hand, in this way gaining a very thorough knowledge of every phase of agricultural life. For the next three years he rented land and put into practice what he had learned when working for others and succeeded so well that he took a larger farm on the Tiffin road. He remained there one year and afterward, up to rgor, lived on other farms in the township, being a good tenant on all. In the above year he purchased first 80 acres and then added 20 acres, which together constitute his present farm of 100 acres in Tod township which he has so improved that it is one of the best and most attractive in this part of the township. Mr. Fischer married Miss Sophia Streib and they have three children: Mary, who is sixteen years old; Clara, who is eleven years old; and Jerome, a bright boy of seven years. Mr. Fischer and family are members of the Lutheran church. His political sentiments have always been Democratic. WILLIAM MAGEE, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest man living that was born in Crawford, county, O., is widely known and universally esteemed, possessing traits of character which have endeared him to those with whom he has associated in any way during his long and worthy life. He was born on his father's farm in Crawford county, Sept. 19, 1827, and is a son of James Washington and a grandson of Alexander MaGee. Alexander MaGee was born in Ireland and came to America in early manhood, settling in Washington county, Pa., prior to AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 717 the Revolutionary War. He acquired 400 acres of land in Washington county and lived on the same into old age, a well preserved man possessing all his natural faculties except his eyesight, which faded some years before his death. The family has been one of unusual longevity. He married in Pennsylvania an excellent woman who belonged to an old Presbyterian family of Washington county, and the following names of their children have been preserved: Alexander, John, William, James Washington and Nancy, the last named becoming the wife of John Ramsey. James Washington MaGee was born in Washington county, Pa., in 1789, and grew to manhood in his father's house. In those days a source of income was open to sturdy young men in the business of hauling freight over the mountains, there being no great transportation lines yet constructed, and James Washington MaGee made numerous trips of this kind. Having thus earned the capital he was anxious to invest it in land and in 2821 came to Ohio, then the far West to Pennsylvania, and in Sandusky township, Crawford county, entered r6o acres of land for himself and also 16o acres for each of his three brothers-in-law, a one-quarter section for William Moderwell, another for John Clemens, and another for John Magars. Having thus ensured a little settlement in the wilderness he, with the other families, in 1823 came with their wagons and ox-teams, to Crawford county. Here all established themselves and lived out long and useful lives and all have descendants in the county. James W. MaGee cleared and improved his farm and remained on it a contented man during the rest of his life, his death occurring April 14, 1850. His father had been a Federalist and he was a Whig. In the latter part of his life he united with the Presbyterian church. On May 10, 1814, he was married in Washington county, Pa., to Miss Ann Moderwell, who was of Scotch parentage, but was born in Pennsylvania. She was born February 21, 1792, and in loving tribute to her her son, William, declares that when she died on October 12, 1852, there passed from earth the best woman that ever lived. She was a devoted Christian wife and mother and not only her family loved her but the whole neighborhood. Mr. Ma-Gee can conceive of no higher type of womanhood than was this beloved mother. Nine children were born to James W. and Ann McGee, as follows: Eliza, who died at the age of 70 years, leaving two children: Mary A., who died at the age of 21 years; Robert, who was survived by children, Isabel and John, both of whom are deceased; Sarah I. and Margaret E., twins, the former dying at the age of z6 years and the latter when aged 19 years; and Ethalinda, who died when aged i8 years. William MaGee passed his boyhood and youth on the homestead farm and as opportunity was afforded attended the district school. He was industrious and provident during his active years and accumulated a large amount of property, the greater part of which he has given to his children in order to witness their enjoyment of it, but he still retains a farm of 116 acres, which lies in Bucyrus township. On Oct. 10, 1850, Mr. MaGee was married to Miss Margaret Jane Cleland, who was born in Vernon township, Crawford county, O., Nov. 3, 1828, and died at her home in Bucyrus, Feb. 14, 1899, an estimable woman in every relation of life. The following children were born to them : an infant, deceased, who was born September 13, 1851 ; Rachel Ann, born March 31, 1853, who is a widow living at Los Angeles, Calif. ; and William Wallace, who was born August 28, 1856, and now has charge of his father's farm in Bucyrus township. He married Arnanda Dirmeyer and has had two children: James, who died in childhood; and Florence A. When five weeks old a niece, Rachel Emma Ann Cleland, lost her mother and she then became a member of the household of Mr. and Mrs. MaGee. She grew up a dutiful and loving daughter and for eleven years was the chief dependence of her adopted mother, Mrs. MaGee, the latter of whom was an invalid for thirteen years, being afflicted with creeping paralysis. Since then she has been equally dutiful to her uncle and adopted 718 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY father, Mr. MaGee. On May 13, 1911, she was happily married to Ray H. Furister, who was born June 17, 1878, in Michigan, a son of the late A. J. and Susan Viola (Hodges) Furister. In his views on public matters Mr. MaGee is in sympathy with the cardinal principles of the Republican party. He has always been a Presbyterian in religious faith. VICTOR McDOUGAL, owner and proprietor of an important industry at North Robinson, Crawford county, O., a plant for the manufacture of brick and drain tile, is an experienced man in this business and since purchasing this plant in June, 1909, has worked his machinery to its fullest capacity every season. Mr. McDougal was born Dec. 22, 1876, near New Washington, O., and is a son of Hiram and Elizabeth (King) McDougal. The father of Mr. McDougal was born in Auburn township, Crawford county and the mother in Pennsylvania. The latter survives and resides at New Washington, but the former died Jan. 22, 1908. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served three years in Co. K, 45th O. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged. Afterward he followed agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His children were: Adrian, Warren, Victor and Inez, the last named being deceased. Victor McDougal attended the common schools of Cranberry township and spent two years in the New Washington High School, after which he went to Cleveland and in one of the great machine shops of that city learned the trade which he followed for three years. On account of impaired eyesight Mr. McDougal was obliged to give up his trade in which he was acknowledged to be a skillful workman, and then turned his attention to tile making, this being an industry that demanded less eye strain than work as a machinist. For two years he was in the tile plant of William Seitter and for two years more was with the Milliron Bros., and then went into the business for himself, purchasing his present well equipped plant from P. R. Fate. During his busy season he gives employment to eight men, and has a satisfactory local market for his brick and tile. He has invested in other property here and owns a comfortable residence. On June 14, 19o5, Mr. McDougal was married to Miss Blanche Burd, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Burd; farming people in Seneca county. Mrs. McDougal has one sister, Elsie, who is the wife of Monroe Stephenson. Mr. and Mrs. McDougal have three children: Homer R., Richard and Norris. Politically he is a Republican, fraternally belongs to the Maccabees, and he and wife attend the United Brethren church at North Robinson. WILLIAM R. WISE, who, in association with his brothers conducts a furniture and undertaking business at Bucyrus, O., is a representative business man of this city. The Wise family was known in Clearfield county, Pa., in the days of George Wise, the grandfather. He died there and later his widow came to Crawford county, O., accompanied by her sons, and afterward to Valparaiso, Ind., where she remained during the rest of a long life. William Wise, father of William R. Wise, was born in 1824, in Pennsylvania, and was twelve years old when his mother came to Crawford county. About 1845 the sons, William, Adam, Jacob, John and Henry, returned to Crawford county from Indiana and all settled on farms in the county. William located first in Bucyrus township, but afterward moved on a farm nearer the village and still later became a resident of the hamlet, where he started a cabinetmaking shop. He had but the tools of his trade, none of the present machinery for the making of furniture having yet been invented, and even the black walnut coffins were all made by hand. He was one of the first in this section to purchase machinery and had the enterprise to keep abreast with the times, and in 1847, in partnership with Christopher Hoenstein opened a large shop at No. 215 East Mansfield street, Bucyrus. This continued until 1865, when the firm name became William Wise, and later Wil- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 719 liam Wise & Sons, located at Nos. 215-17 S. Sandusky street. He first admitted his son, Preston, who died in 1890, and his death occurred October 14, 1901. Since that time the business has been conducted by the surviving Sons: William R., George L., Fred A. and Joseph D., all of whom have been practically brought up in it. This firm carries a large stock of furniture and house furnishings and a complete line of undertaking goods, including two funeral cars and an ambulance. The present business house was erected in 1884 and additions made in 1895, the present frontage being 33 feet with a depth of 160 feet. Every department of the business is carefully attended to and the patronage is heavy. Old methods, in so far as business integrity is concerned, are still maintained, confidence in the name of Wise having been secured a half century ago. The late William Wise was a leading member of the English Lutheran church at Bucyrus for thirty years. He gave political support to the Republican party but accepted no offices. For some years prior to his death he was a member of the fraternal organization, the Knights of Honor. He was married in Crawford county to Eliza Jane Deardorff, who was born in 1827 and died in 1888. Her father, Emanuel Deardorff, was an early settler in Crawford county, a tanner and farmer, who spent his last years in comfortable retirement in Bucyrus. None of his surviving children reside in this county. To William Wise and wife eleven children were born, two of whom died young. One daughter, Lizzie, died in 1902, and one son, Preston, in 1890. A daughter, Millie, who died February 1, 1910, was the wife of Edward Vollrath, an attorney at Bucyrus, and was survived by three sons and two daughters. The surviving members of the family of William and Eliza Jane Wise are: Martha, who is the widow of Rev. George Hindle and resides at Wooster, O., with her large family; Bessie, who is the wife of Seth Hodges, who is at the head of the U. S. Express Company at Cleveland, 0., and who has one son, William Preston; William R., the subject of this sketch; George L., who married Fannie Shaw and has one daughter, Mary; Fred A., who married Maybell Beard and has two daughters, Helen and Frances V.; Joseph E., who married Olive Greyer, formerly a successful teacher of music at Bucyrus, and has one son, William. William R. Wise was reared and educated with his brothers in the city schools, and also with them had the practical training under their father that provided them with a business as soon as they were able to take responsibilities on themselves. He was married at Bucyrus to Miss Stella Lauck, a daughter of George Lauck, who for many years before his death was a merchant here. Mr. and Mrs. Wise have two children: Eleanor C., who was born April 18, 19oi ; and Virginia, who was born July 29, 19o5. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are members of the English Lutheran church. He belongs to the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and the Order of Ben Hur. He and brothers are all Republicans. From their father they have inherited musical talent of a high order and frequently they take care of the musical service as well as the practical work of funerals, this usually being more than satisfactory. Mr. Wise and brothers are all graduate embalmers. JEFFERSON I. SMITH, ex-auditor of Crawford county, O., who has been active in Democratic councils in this county for many years, is engaged in the insurance business at Bucyrus and represents some of the leading life companies of the country. He was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, April 24, 1863, and is a son of Frederick and Lucy A. (Shupp) Smith. Frederick Smith was born in Litenberg, Saxony, Germany, April 1, 1815, later attended a trade school and became a stone mason. Between 1833 and 1840 he came to America, voyaging on an old sailing ship that was tossed on the Atlantic ocean for sixty days before making harbor at New York. From that city he made his way to Columbus, O., where he secured work at his trade and helped to build the stone 720 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY bridge there and presumably secured the capital by this labor which he subsequently invested in 160 acres of land in Lykens township, Crawford county. It was then an unbroken tract of timber and presented a hard task to its new owner, who immediately went to work to clear it. Before his death, in 1877, he had cleared 100 acres of his place and had acquired cattle and stock and was considered a substantial resident of his township. He was an intelligent and interested than in public matters and somewhat of a leader in Democratic politics in his section. In Germany he belonged to the Lutheran church but later in life united with the Evangelical Association. Frederick Smith was married first at Columbus, 0., to Christina Lippman, who was a native of Germany and had come to the United States when a young woman. She died in Lykens township, leaving four children, all living except the eldest. Mr. Smith chose Lucy A. Shupp for his second wife. She was born in 1830, in Dauphin county, Pa., and after her parents died she came to Ohio and was reared in the home of her brother, the late Michael Shupp. She died in 189o, in Holmes township, Crawford county. She was a woman of many virtues, a sincere Christian and a member of the Evangelical Association. There were ten children born to the second marriage, the seventh in order of birth being Jefferson I., of Bucyrus. The others were: Cornelius W., who resides with his family at Bucyrus; Matilda, who died when aged 38 years; Katherine, who is the wife of Jacob Meek of Holmes township; Frederick, who resides with his family at Bucyrus; Henry W., who lives in Holmes township; Lucy A., who died when aged 28 years; Emma J., who is the wife of Abraham Schifer, living in Crawford county, and has eight children; and Serepta, who is the wife of Clarence H. Flickinger, of Holmes township. Jefferson I. Smith attended both the common and high school and afterward taught school very acceptably for some time, after which he went into newspaper work. For 12 years he was the able editor of the New Washington Herald and during this time aroused interest in other sections in northwest Ohio, being ever loyal to his own part of the state. In 1897 he was appointed deputy auditor of Crawford county and served under Auditor J. F. Kimerline through the latter's term, and in 1901 was elected auditor and served the county in that important office until 1909. He is still officially connected with county affairs in a special way but his main business is life insurance and he maintains his office at Bucyrus. Mr. Smith was married in Wayne county, O., to Miss Linnie Breneman, who was born there in i86o and is a daughter of J. H. and Lydia (McNary) Breneman, early settlers and continuous residents of Wayne county until their deaths. Mr. Breneman was a shoemaker by trade. Mr, and Mrs. Smith have one son, Russell Breneman Smith, who was born Aug. 23, 1894, and is a student in the class of 1912 in the Bucyrus high school. Mr. Smith and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and attends both lodges at New Washington. WINFIELD S. KIESS, who, as his father's representative, successfully operates one of the large farms of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., 390 acres of very valuable land, belongs to a well known and highly respected family of this section. He was born in Whetstone township, Oct. 12, 1880, and is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Haldeman) Kiess. Joseph Kiess came to Ohio from Lycoming county, Pa., and now lives retired at Bucyrus. He married Rebecca Haldeman, who was born at Galion, O., and died March 19, 19o2. They had two children: Winfield S.; Viola, who married J. A. Shearer and has three children, namely: Catherine, Eveline, Joseph. The father of the above family has always given political support to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Evangelical church, to which his wife also belonged. Winfield S. Kiess attended the public schools and afterward the Ohio Northern AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 721 University, at Ada, O. His business has been farming but during six winter terms he made use of his decided musical talent, being director of music during that time in the public schools of both Whetstone and Liberty townships. His present farm, known as the Joseph Kiess homestead, not only now engages all his time and attention but makes it necessary for him to keep two hired farmers and also to utilize the services of a boy, all the year round. Mr. Kiess is very enterprising, keeps thoroughly posted as to crops, stock and other matters pertaining to his business, and is numbered with the most reliable farmers of this part of the county. In October, 1904, Mr. Kiess was married to Miss Sadie Cook, a daughter of Philip and Rachel (Neff) Cook, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Cook, who is a retired farmer now living at Bucyrus, married Mary Lust for his second wife, and three children were born to them; Minnie, Bessie and Ethel. To his first marriage the following children were born: Ella, wife of William Ronk; Sadie, wife of Winfield S. Kiess; Clara, wife of William Hosterman; Emma, wife of Clarence Kelly; and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Kiess have two bright little ones, Leona and William. They attend the Evangelical church. Politically Mr. Kiess is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Maccabees. Although his father still owns this farm, its entire management and direction is in the hands of Mr. Kiess. RAPHAEL M. LONSWAY, who very efficiently represents the well known firm of Dostal Bros., brewers, in the commercial field, all over Ohio, has been identified with this Bucyrus business house since 190l, when the present owners succeeded Frank Dick. He was born December 6, 1875, in Seneca county, O., and is a son of Emanuel and Magdalene (Houck) Lonsway. Emanuel Lonsway was born in Seneca county, of Canadian parents and of French ancestry. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and then married Magdalene Houck, also a native of Seneca county, who was of German ancestry. For a number of years they lived on their farm in Loudon township and then retired to Fostoria, O., where they still live. They are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. Of their family of fourteen sons and one daughter, Raphael M., was the fifth in order of birth. Raphael M. Lonsway, or, as he is best known to his friends, Ray M. Lonsway, was reared in his native county and at school prepared himself for teaching, and for some years before coming to Bucyrus was a very acceptable educator in Seneca county. Since identifying himself with his present firm he has filled all the departmental official positions and thus prepared himself for the work of a commercial traveler, in which he has been quite successful. Through his close attention to business he has won the approbation of the firm and through his pleasing personality has made many friends for himself. Mr. Lonsway was married in Big Spring township, Seneca county, O., to Miss Rose M. Jacoby, who was born there in 1876, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Reinhart) Jacoby, who now live retired at Cary, O. Mr. and Mrs. Lonsway have three children: Raymond, who is a very satisfactory pupil in the parochial school; and Gilbert M. and Gertrude S., attractive twin children, now in their fifth year. Mr. and Mrs. Lonsway are members of the Roman Catholic church, in which both were reared. He is identified with the Eagles, the U. C. T., of Ohio, and the D. K. U. V. SIMEON KIESS and JOSEPH F. KIESS, retired farmers and respected citizens of Bucyrus, 0., are sons of Jacob and Catherine (Delker) Kiess, and grandsons of Christopher and Christina (Sheets) Kiess. The grandfather, Christopher Kiess, and his wife were both born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and after marriage lived at Stuttgart until January, 1806, when they emigrated to America, landing probably at Philadelphia, Pa., from that city moving to Lycoming county. There Christopher Kiess was a farmer and also taught school and for many years resided near the present city 722 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY of Williamsport, where he died Mar. 26, 1866, when aged 88 years and 2 months, having survived his wife for a few years. They were members of the Pietist colony, a body of religionists who came to the United States in order to follow out their religious beliefs in their daily lives. To Christopher Kiess and wife the following children were born: Rebecca, born Sept. 8, 1801 ; Abraham, born Sept. 23, 1802; Catharine, born Oct. 30, 1805 ; William, born Feb. 26, 1808, in America; Dorothea, born Oct. 8, 1809; Jacob, born Aug. 6, 1812; Salome, born Sept. 6, 1813; Sophia, born Sept. 3, 1816; Emanuel, born July 9, 1818; and Christina, born July 23, 1820. Jacob Kiess grew to manhood on his father's farm and continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1852, when, with his family he started for what was then the far West, Crawford county having been little settled previously in the neighborhood of Whetstone township. He secured a wild prairie farm, which, with the aid of his sons, was converted into a productive and valuable one, and there he and wife enjoyed some years of comfort. His death on Decoration Day, 1882, was caused by accident while crossing a railroad track. He was twice married, first to a Miss Rote and second to Catherine Delker. To his first marriage two children were born: Jonathan and Lydia. To his second marriage 5 sons were born; Simeon, Joseph F., Daniel, Samuel and William C., and two daughters, Christina and Mary Margaret. The mother of the last named family was born in 1813 in Wurtemberg, Germany, and was a child when her parents emigrated to America and settled in Lycoming county, Pa. She survived her husband for two years and died at the home of a daughter in Kansas. Both she and husband were devout members of the Evangelical church, in which he was a class leader. Simeon Kiess grew to manhood on the home farm in Whetstone township, having been eight years old when the long overland trip was made from Pennsylvania, where he was born Jan. 31, 1844. He remained with his father for some years and then pur chased the homestead and continued to carry on farming and stock raising there until 1906, when he shifted its heavy responsibilities to the sturdy shoulders of his sons and retired, moving then to Bucyrus. The farm contains about 400 acres, all of which, with the exception of 8o acres, has been well improved. Mr. Kiess was a very enterprising and progressive farmer and handled only first-class stock and made use of improved and labor-saving machinery. In 1867 Simeon Kiess was married in Whetstone township to Miss Catherine Kile, who was born there in 1845, a daughter of Tobias and Carrie (Nipp) Kile, natives of Germany. They came to Ohio and after marriage located in Whetstone township, where the father of Mrs. Kiess lived to be 83 years of age, surviving his wife for five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kiess the following children were born: Sidney E., Harvey E. and Verne E. Sidney E., who operates a part of his father's farm, married Amanda Cook and they have two children—Raymond and Catherine. Harvey E., who completed his education in the university at Ada, O., is cashier of the Farmers and Citizens Bank of Bucyrus; he married Ida Sherrard, of Gibsonburg, O., and they have two children: Helen Irene and John Simeon. Verne E., who is a farmer in Whetstone township, married Rebecca Neff of Martel, O., and they have two children: Margaret and Marian. Mr. Kiess and sons are Democrats in politics and the whole family belongs to the Evangelical church. JOSEPH F. KIESS was born in Lycoming county, Pa., Sept. r5, 1849, and was too young to recall the adventures incident to the long trip over the mountains when his parents came to Crawford county from his native place. He grew to manhood in Whetstone township and, with his brothers and sisters, attended the district school. When he left home he purchased a farm in the vicinity of the old homestead and still owns 390 acres of valuable land in Whetstone township, on which he made fine improvements. He was an extensive farmer, stock raiser and sheep grower and for years kept some Soo head of sheep. In April, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 723 1911, he retired, having erected a handsome residence on the corner of Lucas and East streets, Bucyrus, and here enjoys all the comforts that modern building now provides. Formerly he was quite active in township affairs and served on the school board and in other offices. Joseph F. Kiess was married (first) to Miss Rebecca Haldeman, who was born in Morrow county, O., in April, 1856, and died in her home on the farm in Whetstone township, March 17, 1901, having been a member of the Evangelical church for years. She was a young woman when she accompanied her parents, Rev. Christopher and Susanna (Brickley) Haldeman, to Galion, O., where both died advanced in years. Mrs. Rebecca Kiess was survived by two children: Viola, who is the widow of John Sherer, who died in October, igio, leaving three children: Catherine R., Evelyn and Joseph N., and Winfield Scott, who manages his father's large farming interests. He married Sadie Cook and they have two children: Leona and William H. Mr. Kiess was married (second) at Bucyrus, Aug. 24, 1909, to Mrs. Elnora (Niebel) Heckman, who was born in Wyandot county, O., and completed her education at the Tiffin high school. In early womanhood she was married to Scott Heckman, who was born in Wyandot county in May, 1860, and died at Sycamore, in November, 1903. He left no children. The parents of Mrs. Kiess were Abraham and Catherine (Haldeman) Niebel, who were of German ancestry but were born in Pennsylvania. They were married in Morrow county, O., and then moved to Wyandot county, where the mother of Mrs. Kiess died. Her father resides at Sycamore and is in his 72nd year. Her one brother, Orval Niebel, is principal of the Sycamore schools, married Marcella Musser and they have one daughter, Catherine. The grandfather of Mrs. Kiess, Enos Niebel, moved from Pennsylvania to Wyandot county in 1829, and died at Sycamore, O., in May, 1911, when 97 years of age. His father was an early preacher in the Albright, now the Evangelical church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Kiess belong. WILLIAM H. LOWMILLER, who is one of the well known and substantial citizens of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., residing on his farm of 150 acres, was born in Snyder county, Pa., May 19, 1840, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Baker) Lowmiller. Adam Lowmiller and wife were born in Pennsylvania, married there and reared a family of eight children, namely: Susan, deceased, who was the wife of William Straus; Daniel Henry, who is deceased; William H.; Mary, who is the wife of Reuben Treaster; Eliza Ann, deceased, who was married first to a Mr. Blaine and second to a Mr. Martin; Catherine, who is the wife of David Harmony; and two who died in infancy. By trade the father of the above family was a weaver and afterward he was employed in a tannery. William H. Lowmiller was reared to the age of 19 years in Snyder county, Pa., and attended school as opportunity offered but as soon as he was released from home responsibilities he started for Ohio, reaching Crawford county, Feb. 7, 1859, his capital being the sum of nine dollars. He then learned the carpenter trade and became a good workman and followed it for about eight years and then turned his attention to farming. For two years he rented land and then bought his first 20 acres, which he sold to advantage two years afterward and bought 85 acres of his present farm, purchasing of Jacob Keister, his father-in-law, who had entered it from the Government in 1828. Mr. Lowmiller owes the original deed which bears the signature of Andrew Jackson, President of the United States. For many years Mr. Lowmiller labored on his farm and kept adding to it and improving in many ways, but finally shifted his heaviest responsibilities to the shoulders of his capable sons, Edward C. and Jeremiah E. Lowmiller. General farming is engaged in and some good stock is raised but not for sale. On April 6, 1865, Mr. Lowmiller was married to Miss Sarah Keister, who was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, June 29, 1839, and died in June, 724 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY 1909. She was a daughter of Jacob and Salome (Wize) Keister, natives of Union county, Pa., who came to Crawford county in 1828. They had the following children: Mrs. Sarah Lowmiller, Mrs. Jacob Shumaker, Mrs. George Wingert, Joseph, Mrs. Daniel Kehrer and Mrs. John Zimmerman. To Mr. and Mrs. Lowmiller four children were born, as follows: Edward C., who married Clara Kiefer; Jeremiah A., who married Iva Gibson and has three children —Roland, Helen and Earl; Ellen L, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Zimmerman and had two children, Orrin and Maud; and Ida E., who is the wife of Charles Gehret and has two children, Mildred and Frederick William. In addition to operating the home farm for their father, the two sons of Mr. Lowmiller own a tract of 81 ½ acres in partnership. The family belongs to the German Reformed church. Nominally Mr. Lowmiller is a Democrat but frequently in casting his vote, follows the dictates of his own judgment. IRA B. CHADWICK, assistant superintendent of the Toledo & Ohio Central Railway Company, at Bucyrus, O., has been identified with railroad work for 26 years and during this entire period has been with the same corporation. He was born on his father's farm near Alexandria, Licking county, 0., June 3, 1865, and is a son of Lucius and Anna L. (Graves) Chadwick. Lucius Chadwick was born in Central New York, a son of Rufus Chadwick of the same state. The family is of English extraction. Grandfather Rufus Chadwick married Experience Brickley, in New York, and when their eldest child, Lucius, was two years old, they came to Ohio, traveling by way of the Ohio Canal, this being- in 1840. They settled in Licking county and Mr. Chadwick established a tannery at Alexandria or in the near vicinity, which he conducted for a number of years. His death occurred there in 1878, at the age of 63 years, his widow surviving until 188 f They were among the organizers of the Methodist Episcopal church in their neigh borhood and their hospitable home was ever ready to receive traveling or visiting preachers. Lucius Chadwick learned the tanning-business with his father but later engaged in the mercantile business at Alexandria, returning, however, to the homestead when his father died. He made improvements and continued to carry on the farm until the close of his life, on Sept. 24, 1906, when his age was 66 years. In early life a Whig he later became a Republican and was a man of local importance, being mayor of Alexandria at the time of death and formerly a justice of the peace. Lucius Chadwick married Anna L. Graves, who was born in Licking county, O., and still survives, being now in her seventieth year. Her father, V. A. Graves, was born in Masachusetts and his wife in Licking county, O. They were strong Presbyterians and were most worthy people in every way. To Lucius Chadwick and wife three. children were born: Lorena, a resident of Alexandria, O., who was a teacher for some years and who is a great Sunday-school worker; Ira B., and Albert. The last named was a merchant at AIexandria and died there in 1904 and is survived by his widow, Helen (Weed) Chadwick. Ira B. Chadwick left school at the usual age and then learned the art of telegraphy and his first position with his present company was at Corning, O., after which he was stationed at different points, in the capacity of agent and operator. He climbed steadily upward through the positions of dispatcher and for two years was chief dispatcher at Columbus and for three years was assistant trainrnaster at Bucyrus, but three years later was sent back to Columbus as trainmaster and continued until July 1, 1909, when he was made assistant superintendent of the road, with headquarters at Bucyrus, under Superintendent C. L. Gardner, whose headquarters are at Columbus. This long period of uninterrupted service speaks for itself. On October 26, 1899, Mr. Chadwick was married to Miss Gertrude M. Stiger, who was born in this city, March 20, 1867, a AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 725 daughter of Jacob and Ellen (Monnett) Stiger. Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick have one daughter, Arnie Louise, who was born Feb. 8, 1903, at Columbus. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is prominent in Masonry, belonging to the Shrine at Columbus and is identified also with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Y. M. C. A. FRANK C. WAGNER, proprietor of a fine grocery store and doing a large business on the Public Square, Bucyrus, 0., occupies.a site on which a grocery store has been conducted continuously for 40 years. Mr. Wagner was born at Bucyrus, Sept. 9, 1872, and is a son of Robert and Mary A. (Stiger) Wagner. Robert Wagner was born in Saxony, Germany, and came to America in 1863, where he succeeded in establishing himself in business and in 1867 returned to Germany to be married to Mary A. Stiger. In 1868 they came to Bucyrus and here he followed his trade as a mechanic until the close of his life, his death occurring in the spring of 1875, when he was about forty years of age. Mrs. Wagner subsequently married Edward Meissner and they reside at Bucyrus, no children having been born to the second union. To the first marriage there were four children, Frank C. being the youngest and the only son. One son died in infancy and two daughters survive; Clara, who is the wife of Otto Fearing, a tailor in business at Bucyrus; and Anna, who is the wife of M. A. Charlton, who is an electrician employed in the Industrial Home at Lancaster, O. They have two children: Paul H. and Susie. Frank C. Wagner obtained his education in the schools of Bucyrus but since the age of 13 years has been identified with the grocery trade and has been connected with the grocery people who did business here since April, 1889. For ten years he was a clerk, first for L. C. Hall and later for J. E. Hall. On Sept. 1, 1899, he purchased the latter's interest and in partnership with E. A. Ditty, conducted the business for two and one-half years. In March, 1901, he bought his partner's interest and since then has been alone. He has commodious quarters, his store space being 22 x 65 feet, situated at No. 156 Public Square, and he carries a carefully selected stock of both staple and fancy groceries, catering mainly to the best and most particular trade. He is one of the busy and successful business men of this city and takes pride in his justifiable reputation for business integrity. Mr. Wagner was married at Bucyrus to Miss Anna Schaaf, who was born and educated here. They have one son, William Joseph, who was born Nov. 17, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are members of the German Lutheran church. Politically he is a Republican and is a willing party worker but desires no political advancement for himself. He belongs to Demas Lodge No. 108 Knights of Pythias. JOIN LEWIS DIEBLER, who owns and resides on the old family homestead containing 121 acres, situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, 0., was born here Nov. 6, 1859, and is a son of John and Magdalena (Heinlen) Diebler. John Diebler was born in Union county, Pa., Nov. 25, 1816, and was a son of John G. and Mary M. (Wise) Diebler. In 1828 the Dieblers came from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, journeying in a three-horse wagon and accompanied by two other families of pioneers, and all settled near the center of Whetstone township, where they found fertile and well watered land. The Dieblers have been among the best citizens of this township ever since. John Diebler assisted his father on the farm and later learned the carpenter trade. He became a well known man in this section and frequently was elected to public office. He was one of the leading members of the Democratic party in this section and was a liberal supporter of the German Reformed church. On Aug. 20, 1843, John Diebler was married to Miss Magdalena Heinlen, who was born in Pickaway county, O., June 20, 1822, and they became parents of the following children: Sarah R., Anna E., Rebecca L., 726 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY John L., Amanda S., Mary M., George and Samuel. John L. Diebler attended the district schools with more or less regularity until he was seventeen years of age, mainly during the winter seasons, and remained at home with his father until the latter's death, when he purchased the home place and has lived here ever since. The land is fertile and under Mr. Diebler's excellent methods is very productive. He raises a good grade of stock but not for the general market, and grows the grains that do best in this section. In 1886 Mr. Diebler was married to Miss Lydia Matilda Shumaker, a daughter of Jacob and Matilda (Fester) Shumaker, representative farming people of Crawford county, whose other children were: Sarah; Mary, wife of F. W. Sholtz; J. E.; Eliza, wife of L. F. Heinlen; Catherine, wife of George Gattner; Henry J. and J. S. To Mr. and Mrs. Diebler two sons were born: Walter E. and Otto Milton. The former married Emma Rexroth and they have one daughter, Ernestine. The family belongs to St. John's Reformed church of Whetstone township. In politics always a Democrat, Mr. Diebler has been a loyal party worker. He has encouraged the development of the public schools and for six years has been president of the school board, and has served two terms as road supervisor. LEWIS REITER, who has been a resident of Bucyrus, O., for a half century, now lives in comfortable retirement at his home which is at No. 865 South Poplar Street, Bucyrus, and is known to a large body of his fellow citizens. He was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., Dec. 28, 1834, and is a son of John and Sarah (Mathias) Reiter. The Reiters are of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, good, sensible, thrifty people. In the thirties John Reiter with wife and children came to Ohio and settled first on land east of Bucyrus, but later bought land in Holmes township, north of Bucyrus, where he developed a fine farm and there spent the remainder of his life. Both he and wife were members of the German Reformed church. They had seven children born to them and there are three yet living, namely: Lewis; Elizabeth, who is the wife of "Henry Brink, residing in Henry county, O.; and Sarah, who owns a home of her own at Bucyrus and lives on the corner of Oakwood avenue and South East street. Lewis Reiter grew up on his father's farm in Whetstone township and afterward learned the carpenter trade and for many years followed the same after coming to Bucyrus. He was married in this city to Anna Myers, who was born in Columbiana county, O., March 4, 1836, and was young when her parents, Louis and Barbara (Amon) Myers, moved to Bucyrus. Here Mr. Myers died when aged 73 years and Mrs. Myers at the age of 86 years. They were of the German Lutheran faith. Of their nine children all survive except two, John and Rebecca, the former of whom was a retired farmer at time of decease, and the latter was the wife of Frederick Bittikofer, also now deceased. The surviving members of the Myers family are: Jacob, who is a farmer in Henry county, O.; Anna, who is the wife of Lewis Reiter and the mother of Mrs. J. J. Smith, of Bucyrus; Lewis, who, with his sister, Mrs. Mary Nedele, widow of John Nedele, resides at No. 338 South Main street, Bucyrus; George, who is a retired business man of this city, and resides on East Warren Street; Barbara, who is the wife of Benjamin Ernest, residing at Ridgeville, Henry county, O.; and Catherine, who is one of the representative business women of Bucyrus. For many years Miss Catherine Myers has successfully conducted a millinery establishment, for a time being associated with her sister, Mrs. Lewis Reiter, and at present with her niece, Mrs. J. J. Smith. This is the oldest millinery establishment in the city and its continued prosperity is assured as the business is still carried on according to the honest and capable methods with which it was started. It has more than a local reputation and the most fastidious people need not leave their own city in order to secure tasteful, modern and fashionable millinery. Mrs. Reiter was AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 727 connected with the business from May 6, 1881, until 1902,. when her daughter, Mrs. Smith, took over her interest. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reiter, as follows: Mary Minerva, who was born at Mansfield, O., Nov. 21, 1861 ; Leander, who died in 1908, at Butler, Ind., where he was engaged in business; Annette, who conducts a large millinery business on Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, O.; and John L., who is a baker by trade, and who resides with his parents. Mr. Reiter has always given his political support to the Republican party. Mrs. J. J. Smith, the eldest of the above family, was given educational advantages at Bucyrus, where she grew to womanhood, and then learned the millinery trade with Mrs. E. A. J. Cahill. Later she became interested in the business with her mother, and as noted above, since 1902, has successfully conducted the same. She was married at Bucyrus, to John Justice Smith, who was born here March 17, 1857, a son of John Clark and Mary (Myers) Smith. They came to Bucyrus before marriage and afterward made this city their permanent home. Mr. Smith is the only survivor of a family of seven children, with the exception of one sister, Mrs. Myra Sites, who is also a resident of Bucyrus. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely: Anna M., born March 18, 1894; M. Geraldine, born May 16, 1897; John Amon, born March 9, 1899; and Thomas Clark, born August 10, 1906. Mr. Smith and family are members of the English Lutheran church. By trade, Mr. Smith is a carriage painter. He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Arcanum. CHARLES LAKE, one of the prominent and substantial business men of Bucyrus, O., who has been identified with the commercial interests of this city for some 56 years, is owner and proprietor of the oldest jewelry store in the State of Ohio, and the oldest established business house in Bucyrus. Mr. Lake was born in Meigs county, O., April 2, 1836, and is a son of Joseph and Maria (Cassell) Lake. The parents of Mr. Lake were natives of Hartford, Conn. They married there and then came to Meigs county, 0., acquiring a farm in Lebanon township. The father was a quiet, industrious man, a Whig in politics and a Baptist in religious faith. He died at the age of 62 years. The mother of Mr. Lake died at Hamilton, O., in her both year. They had but one child. Charles Lake remained at home, assisting his father and attending the district schools, until about nineteen years of age, when he went to Cincinnati and became an apprentice to the jeweler's trade. After serving the prescribed time he started out as a journeyman and located in the village of Bucyrus. He became an employee in a store which had been founded by a Mr. Fifener, who, in 1850 was succeeded by William Burkhardt and in 1855 Mr. Lake entered into partnership with the latter and they continued together until 1865, when Mr. Lake became sole proprietor. His handsomely appointed store is located at No. 104 Quinby Block, north side of the Public Square. He has introduced modern fittings, equipments and conveniences and carries a large stock of first class goods, the array of silver ware, watches and clocks, china and cut glass, diamonds and other precious stones with or without setting, presents a beautiful and attractive appearance, one that would be entirely creditable in any city. Mr. Lake was married in Bucyrus to Miss Abaline Seizer, who was born in Crawford county and died in 189o. They had three children: Edward, who died at the age of seven years; Fannie, who died when aged 16 years; and Helen, who is the wife of James Aylward, who is a native of Toledo, O., and a prominent business man of Bucyrus, who is now manager of the jewelry store owned by Mr. Lake. Mr. Lake has never been very active along political lines, business claiming the larger part of his attention. He votes with the Republican party. He owns the block in which he carries on his business together with other 728 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY property. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. With interest Mr. Lake has watched the growth of Bucyrus and at all tunes has been ready to lend a helping hand when opportunity presented or occasion demanded. WILLIAM L. FERRALL, a leading representative in the real estate line at Bucyrus, established his office in this city some eleven years ago, from 1903 until 1906 being in partnership with E. B. Foster but during the rest of this period has been alone. He was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, O., Jan. 12, 1838, and is a son of Edmund and Nancy (Eaton) Ferrall. Edmund Ferrall was born in Ohio and his wife in Washington county, Pa. She came to Columbiana county, O., in young womanhood and was there married and soon after Mr. and Mrs. Ferrall moved to Stark county. From there, in 1835 they came to Crawford county and settled on a farm in Liberty township, the same being known at present as the Joshua Meyers farm on the Sulphur Spring road, northeast of Bucyrus. A few years afterward they traded the farm mentioned for another tract of unbroken land in Liberty township. To the second tract Mr. Ferrall kept adding until he owned a half section of land and lived on the place until the death of his wife, when she was 63 years of age. He no longer desired to remain on the homestead and sold it to advantage, moving to a small farm near Bucyrus, on which the closing years of his life were spent, his death occurring after his 81st birthday. He was a man of sterling character and was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors. In all his dealings with them he showed his Quaker honesty and on certain occasions, when he had escaped misfortunes that fell on others, he displayed the generosity and true charity that accorded well with his religious principles. Of his nine children all but two reached maturity. William L. Ferrall was the fourth son and fifth child in his parents' family. He grew up on the old homestead in Liberty township and after completing his education taught school for about eight years during the winter seasons. In 1894 he came to Bucyrus and dur ing much of the time since then has been a real estate broker and has handled many valuable properties in Crawford county in this capacity. Mr. Ferrall has long been one of the influential Democrats of this section of the state and during some of his campaigns through Crawford and Allen counties, was advertised as the Farmer Orator, possessing a ready wit and being a fluent and forceful speaker. He has always been a loyal party man, ever ready to work for his friends but never a seeker of office for himself. He has also been a contributor to the press for many years. Mr. Ferrall was married first to Miss Rebecca Kiefer, who was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, and died at the age of 52 years, leaving five children, namely: Frank K., who lives at Memphis, Tenn.; Samuel L., who is engaged in the real estate business at Galion, O.; Hattie E., a resident of Toledo, O., who is the widow of Harry A. Sherer and has two children—Harold and Viva; Charles E., a carriage painter by trade, who lives at Galion and has two sons; and Alma, who is the wife of Arthur Gladhill, of Galion. Mr. Ferrall was married (second) to Mrs. Mollie J. (Songer) Foster, who has one son born to her former marriage, Elzie B. Foster, who is a resident of Bucyrus. Mrs. Ferrall is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church while Mr. Ferrall belongs to the Christian church. EMANUEL HEINLEN, a member of one of the old and leading families of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., where his farm of 46 acres is situated, was born June 27, 1845, in the old pioneer log house that then stood on this farm, and is a son of Lewis and Hannah (Wise) Heinlen. Lewis Heinlen was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to the United States when a young man. He was a butcher by trade, and also made pumps during his earlier years but mainly followed farming after settling in Whetstone township. He erected the log house in which his children were born and which stood until 1900, when it was torn clown to make way for the present handsome brick residence. He married Hannah Wise, who was born in Lycoming county, Pa., and they had the following chil- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 731 dren born to them: Sarah Ann, deceased, who was the wife of John Stump; Samuel; George; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Isaac Stump; Reuben; Jonathan; Henry; Mary Malinda; Emanuel, and Josiah and Isaac. The parents were members of the Reformed church. During boyhood Emanuel Heinlen attended the district schools when his help was not required on the farm, and afterward continued with his father and remained until the latter's death. In the distribution of the estate of 24o acres, Mr. Heinlen received 46 acres of the homestead. Here he carries on general farming, grows fruit and raises poultry and stock sufficient for family use. In 1870 Mr. Heinlen was married to Miss Catherine Bittikofer, a daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Heimlich) Bittikofer. The parents of Mrs. Heinlen were born in Switzerland and the father was a weaver by trade. To this first marriage of Frederick Bittikofer three children were born: Abraham Frederick, deceased; Lena, deceased, who was the wife of Philip Heckler; and Catherine, who is Mrs. Heinlen. His second marriage was with Rebecca lMIyers and three daughters were born to that union: Sarah, who is deceased; Allison; and Laura, who is the wife of Joseph Johnson. A family of eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen, as follows: Elizabeth Malinda, Samuel, Della May, Allen, Harvey, Alfred, Leo Howard and Bessie, all surviving except Allen, Elizabeth Malinda and Della May. The youngest daughter is a student in the Bucyrus high school, a member of the class of ig12. Mr. Heinlen and family belong to St. John's Reformed church of Whetstone township, in which Mr. Heinlen has been both a deacon and elder and a teacher in the Sunday-school, as well as its superintendent. In his political principles he is a Democrat. Frequently he has been chosen for public office by his fellow citizens and has served many tines on the school board, for seven years was township assessor and for seven years was one of the board of directors of the Crawford County Infirmary. ROBERT M. AURAND who for more than twenty years, has been connected with the government mail service, is second clerk on the P. F. W. & C. Railroad on the route running west from Pittsburg to Chicago, and first clerk on the route running east. He was appointed from Monroeville, Allen county, Ind., and came to Bucyrus, O., in 1891, this city being conveniently located as to his business. He was born Jan. 23, 1863, in Wyandot county, O., and is a son of Daniel and Mary A. (Deppler) Aurand. The original spelling of the family name was Aurandt and during the life of the grandfather, Jonathan Aurandt, this orthography was preserved, after his time the final letter being dropped. Jonathan Aurandt was of German ancestry but he was born in Pennsylvania. During his earlier years he was a preacher in the German Reformed church. He was twice married and shortly after his second marriage came to Crawford county, about 1830, and here he and his wife lived into old age, their deaths occurring on their farm two miles north of Oceola. They were among the early workers in the Methodist Episcopal church. Jonathan Aurandt married sisters and all of the ten children of his second union were born in Crawford county, and of these the following survive: Jonathan, a retired carriage upholsterer, living at Mt. Gilead, who has one daughter; George, who is a farmer on the old homestead, and who has four children; Enoch, who lives in Merrick county, Neb., and has four children; and Rufus, a retired farmer and justice of the peace, who has seven children. Daniel Aurand, son of Jonathan and father of Robert M.., was born in Crawford county, O., Jan. 26, T835, and died near Monroeville, Ind., Jan. 4, 1908. Some years after his marriage he lived on a farm near Logansport, Ind., and then returned to Crawford county, where he resided for nine years. In 1872 he moved to Allen county, Ind. He followed farming all his life. His father had been a Whig in politics and he was a Republican. During the latter part of his life he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Mary A. 732 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY Deppler, who was born in Crawford county in 1840, and died January 19, 1875. Her father, John Deppler, was born in Germany and when he came to the United States settled near Sulphur Springs, Crawford county, O., where he engaged in farming, and was eighty years old at time of death. He was thrice married and three children were born to the first wife and one to the third, the latter being George W. Aurand, who is a resident of Michigan. Of the first union two survive : Robert M. and Mary A.; the latter is the wife of John V. Lutz, a farmer in Crawford county, and they have two children, Esther and Maude. One son, Daniel A., who was born in 1873, died unmarried in 1893. Robert M. Aurand was nine years old when his parents moved to Allen county, Ind., and there he attended the public schools and prepared himself for educational work, and later taught school in Indiana and also in Nebraska, spending three years in that state. He then received his appointment to the railway mail service and through fidelity and efficiency has been advanced to his present position. Mr. Aurand was married at Bucyrus to Miss Esther S. Shifley, who was born in Crawford county and was educated at Bucyrus and Toledo, and for five years was a stenographer and bookkeeper in a large business house in the latter city and for two years in the former city. Her parents were John and Anna (Krauss) Shifley, the former of whom was of German extraction but was born in New York, while the latter was of Swiss parentage but was born in Pennsylvania. They were married near Buffalo, N. Y., near which city they lived until after the birth of five children, when they came to Crawford county, where two more children were born. The father died at Bucyrus in 1876, being then in middle age. The mother of Mrs. Aurand passed away in the latter's home, in 1907, when almost 82 years of age. Both she and husband were members of the 'Mennonite church, good, worthy, virtuous people, the influences of whose lives were beneficial to all with whom they came in contact. Mr. and Mrs. Aurand have two children: Robert Ray, who was born March 4, 1895, and is a member of the class of 1913 in the Bucyrus high school; and Helen Magdalene, who was born December zo, 1896. This young lady is the possessor of musical gifts which are being developed under the direction of Prof. Snyder, a well known musician of Bucyrus. Mr. Aurand and family are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Aurand is a Knight of Pythias and belongs also to the Railway Mail Association. CHARLES ARNOLD, who has been engaged in the manufacture of native wines at Bucyrus, O., for the past 20 years, enjoys a wide business reputation as his beverages are in demand all over the country and have consumers wherever they have been introduced. Mr. Arnold was born Feb. 17, 18 o, in the province of Baden, Germany, quite near the division line between France and. Switzerland. His parents were John Jacob and Anna Mary (Schmidt) Arnold, also natives of Baden. The mother died when aged 40 years, but the father lived to the age of 13 years. Like his own father, also John Jacob Arnold, he was a man of impressive figure, six feet, two inches in height and weighing 250 pounds. Grandfather Arnold, with four of his brothers, enlisted in the German army in 1313, serving for six years. He survived to be 96 years old and died in his native neighborhood. Of the six children born to the parents of Charles Arnold, he is the eldest. Anna M., the next in order of birth, lives in Germany, unmarried. Ernest follows the butchering business in Germany and resides with his family there, a well known citizen of Baden. Frederick still lives on the old homestead on the Rhine. Herman came to America and follows the butcher trade in the city of Chicago, Ill. He married a lady from Kansas and they have children. Elsie married Frantz Huber, a gold engraver at Lahr, Germany, and they have children. Charles Arnold attended the schools near his home in boyhood and then began to learn wine waking as a trade. In 1869 he AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 733 emigrated to America and located at Bucyrus, O., reaching this city on Sept. 29th of that year. Finding no attractive opening in the wine business at that time, he learned the machinist trade and worked along that line for 26 years, during this time being employed in eleven different shops and working in every department. All these years, however, he had been quietly making experiments and taking note of the productiveness; the hardiness and the chemical qualities of the native grapes in Ohio, and after retiring from his hard work in the machine shop embarked in the wine making business, in which he has prospered. He has carefully studied the fruitage of the Ohio vines and has come to a thorough understanding of the business from this point of view. His plant consumes two car loads of grapes to produce 8,000 gallons of wines and his cellars have been specially constructed to store the same for its maturing. His specialties are Delaware, Catawba and Claret, and he produces a very' fine line of special table claret, not to be excelled in flavor and wholesomeness by any exported product. Mr. Arnold was married first in this city to Miss Mary Flocken, who died at the age of 42 years, the mother of two children: Charles Frederick, who lives at Akron, O.; and William E., who is a dental surgeon. Mr. Arnold's second marriage also took place at Bucyrus, to Miss Mary Kraft, who died in 1911, leaving no children. Mr. Arnold is a 32nd degree Mason and is prominent also as an Odd Fellow. He casts his political vote with the Democratic party. He is a well known and highly respected citizen, active in public charities and liberal in supporting local enterprises. JOHN PHILIP GERSTENSLAGER, who is one of the representative men of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., resides on his valuable farm of 87 acres, which he purchased in 1893. He was born at Bucyrus, O., Jan, 14, 1858. John P. Gerstenslager had but meager educational opportunities and never went to school after he was 13 years of age, his time being engaged until his mother's death three years later, in helping to clear up the farm of his step-father. He then started out for himself and for nine years worked in the neighborhood where he was known, for farmers by the month, , and continued for several years after his marriage, at the end of that time renting the farm which he now owns. It belonged to his father-in-law, John Deebler, and after the latter's death. Mr. Gerstenslager purchased it and ever since has carried on general farming and done moderate stock raising, his many years of experience giving him advantage over younger men in the business, of whom there are always examples in every neighborhood, who work by theory instead of along practical lines. In 1877 Mr. Gerstenslager was married to Miss Anna Elizabeth Deebler, a daughter of John and Magdalena (Heinlen) Deebler, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Gerstenslager had three sisters and one brother: Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Lutz; Rebecca, deceased, who was the wife of Isaac Albright; John Lewis; and Amanda, who is the wife of Henry Gerstenslager. To Mr. and Mrs. Gerstenslager the following children have been born: Harvey William, who married Della Christrnan, and has three children, Florence, Inez and Delma; John Harry, who married Emma Shumaker and has one daughter, Edna; Albert Lewis, who married Carrie Laughbaum, and has two children, Lucile and Irene; Bertha, who married Otto Neumann, and has three children, Harland, Edwin and Frederick; and Nellie, who is the wife of Philip Frank. The family attends the Reformed church in Whetstone township. In politics Mr. Gerstenslager is a stanch Democrat. He is a man who stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens and they have testified to the same by electing him to a number of important offices. For six years he served as township trustee and for several years was road supervisor, while for two years he filled the office of township health officer. 734 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY L. FRANK HEINLEN, a prosperous merchant of Bucyrus, O., who conducts a large grocery store at No. 812 North Sandusky Avenue, established the same in February, 1908, for four years previously having been a farmer. He was born in Wyanclot county, O., Nov. 3, 1859, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Keiss) Heinlen. Samuel Heinlen was born in Crawford county, O., in 1836, a son of Louis Heinlen, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America when aged twenty years, locating in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., southeast of Bucyrus. He worked at his trade of tailoring among the early settlers, according to the practice of the times going with shears and goose to one house after another and fitting the male members of the family with garments. He had married in Pickaway county before reaching Crawford, a Miss Starger, also a native of Germany. Their old farm in Whetstone township still belongs to the family and there they spent their lives into old age, dying when about eighty years old. They were members of the Mennonite church. Of their children, two sons and one daughter survive: John, who lives with his family at Des Moines, Ia. ; David, who ]ives on his farm near Bucyrus; and Mrs. Sarah Wise, who lives in Marion county, O. Samuel Heinlen followed farming, locating in Whetstone township after marriage and a few years before the birth of their son, L. Frank, moved to Wyandot county, where they lived several years and then returned to Crawford county. He married Margaret Keiss, who was born in Pennsylvania and was thirteen years old when she accompanied her parents to Crawford county. Five children were born to them, namely: William A., who is a dealer in sewing machines at Bucyrus and has two daughters, Ruth and Gladys; L. Frank; Reuben, who is a railroad agent and lives at Great Bend, Kans.; Mary E., who is the wife of William Stump, a farmer in Dallas township, and has one daughter, Vella; and Edward, who was accidentally killed in an explosion in a saw mill at Bucyrus. In 1887 Samuel Heinlen and wife retired to Bucyrus and here his death occurred in January, 1911. His wife survives, well and active in mind and body, at the age of 75 years. L. Frank Heinlen was small when his parents returned to Crawford county and he was reared to manhood here and obtained his education in the local schools and the university at Ada, O. He was connected with several business houses in a clerical capacity before he engaged in farming, after which, as stated above, he embarked in his present business at Bucyrus. Like his late father he is a Democrat in politics and prior to coming to Bucyrus was clerk of Whetstone township for six years. He is a good citizen and as a business man is wide awake to honorable opportunities. Mr. Heinlen was married in Jefferson township, Crawford county, O., to Miss Eliza Shumaker, who was born there, a daughter of Jacob Shumaker, of German ancestry. Her parents came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. They were members of the German Reformed church. Mrs. Heinlen is one of a family of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen have three children: Clinton, who not only has been well educated in a literary sense but has a technical education in wireless telegraphy and is an operator on the vessels in the Great Lakes during a part of the year and is with his father as an assistant during the other months, a very capable and reliable young man for his twenty-two years; Hazel, who was creditably graduated from the Bucyrus high school in the class of 191o; and Grace, who is a student in the city schools, and is now nine years old. Mr. Heinlen and family are members of the Evangelical Association, to which organization his parents also belonged from his childhood. GEORGE W. FENNER, deceased. Perhaps no old resident of Bucyrus. O., was held in higher esteem than was the late George W. Fenner, who was identified with the material development of this city for 43 years. He was born at Delaware Water Gap, Pa., April 26, 1825, and died at his AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 735 beautiful residence situated on the corner of Charles and Poplar Streets, Bucyrus, O., Oct. 9, 1900. His parents were Abram and Eliza (Pickering) Fenner. Both the Fenners and Pickerings bear names linked with epoch-making events in America history, the former tracing an ancestry from that stanch old skipper, Captain Fenner, who successfully guided the Mayflower to the shores of New England in 1620, while during the War of the Revolution the Pickerings were financial supporters of the Patriot cause. In every succeeding generation these names have been borne by people of sterling worth whose lives have reflected credit on the noble ancestry from which they came. Abram Fenner, father of the late George W. Fenner, was born in Delaware county, Pa., and died at Ashley, Pa., at the age of 82 years. He was a farmer and millwright, a man of peaceful life and a member of the Society of Friends. He was twice married and both wives bore children. His eldest daughter was the wife of Joseph Coleman. Hiram, the eldest son, came to Bucyrus in 1852 and here followed the tailoring trade during his active years, retiring before his death, in 1894. Benjamin lived and died at Almira, Pa. George W. was the youngest of this family. Of the boyhood of George W. Fenner little is known, but it is possible that the stern Quaker discipline of the household in some ways chafed him and led him to leave home and become a clerk in a store and then to enlist for service in the Mexican War, in which he performed so creditably in several departments that he was especially honored by General Winfield Scott. At first he was attached to the quartermaster's department and it is evident that he displayed rare soldierly qualities or he would not have been selected to lead the party of volunteers in the attempt to raise the country's flag over the citadel in the city of Mexico. It was indeed a hazardous although successful expedition ; nevertheless all did not.live to return. General Scott was so impressed by the bravery of young Fenner that he presented him with his sword, which honorable trophy is carefully preserved in the family. Not only was Mr. Fenner thus distinguished, but when the war closed and he was discharged, it was found that by a special provision, his commission as an officer was permitted to extend to the end of his natural life. He returned to Pennsylvania and from there came to Bucyrus, where his older brother was already established, in September, 1857, having, in the meanwhile, learned the carpenter trade and become a skilled mechanic. He reached Bucyrus when it was awakening to its needs and for many years he was engaged here in the planning and erecting of many of the fine business structures as well as the handsome residences which adorn this city. While he never became active in politics because of his disinclination to bind himself by any party tie, he was an alert and interested citizen and gave hearty support to all measures of which his own judgment approved. At one time he was identified with the Odd Fellows and also was a member of the order of Royal Arcanum. At Delaware Water Gap, Mr. Fenner was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bush, who was born at Shawnee, on the Delaware river, May 6, 1827, and died at Bucyrus, Oct. 21, 1894. She came also of old Quaker stock and throughout life was an exemplar of the simple unostentatious faith in which she was reared. Her parents were Benjamin Van C. and Sarah (DePuy) Bush. Four children were born to this marriage, namely: Frank, Foster, Amandus and Eliza. The eldest son, who died Sept. io, 1911, was a carriage and sign painter by trade and was engaged in business at Bucyrus. Foster Fenner, the second son, was born in Pennsylvania but was reared and educated at Bucyrus. He resides with his sister in the old home in this city. In politics, like his late father, Foster Fenner is independent, and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the order of American Mechanics. Amandus, the third son, who died at Bucyrus, Sept. 9, 1908, at the age of 52 years, is survived by his widow and one son and three daughters. The only daughter, Eliza, 736 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY was born in Pennsylvania, in 1857 and was brought to Ohio when but seven months old. She has passed the larger part of her life in this city and is well known through her social connections and her womanly charities. ISAAC KURTZ, who in addition to being one of the heirs of the Kurtz estate in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., consisting of 200 acres, owns a second farm containing 108 acres, in the same township. He was born Jan. 12, 1872, in Whetstone township and is a son of John George and Catherine (Gaibler) Kurtz. John George Kurtz was born in Germany and was eleven years old when he was brought to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and continued to reside in Whetstone township until the time of his death. His burial was in the Sherer cemetery. He married Catherine Gaibler, who was also born in Germany and now makes her home with a daughter, Mrs. Simeon F. Sherer, in this township. After his school days were over, Isaac Kurtz assumed farm duties on the homestead and the larger part of his life has been spent on the old farm to which he came back after a period spent at Bucyrus, where he was in the employ of M. C. Coulter in the implement business and later in the harness business tinder the firm name of Kurtz & Haffner. On the homestead are two residences and he occupies one and cultivates 140 acres of the land, while his brother, John J., occupies the other and manages the other part of the farm. They both are men of energy and enterprise and their undertakings are carried on with such good judgment that they are usually successful. On May 18, 1899, Mr. Kurtz was married to Miss Laura Sherer, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Hurr) Sherer, who were early settlers in Crawford county, both being now deceased. They were members of the German Methodist church. To the first marriage of Jacob Sherer the following children were born: Emanuel; Sarah, wife of J. J. Heverly; Emma, wife of Andrew Peters; John; and Laura, wife of Isaac Kurtz. To his second marriage, with Sarah Beal, two children were born: Bertha, wife of I. M. Snyder; and Ruth, a high school student at Bucyrus. To Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz two children have been born: Lloyd Sherer and Dorothy Eleanor. They attend the German Methodist church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz are members of the Grange at Bucyrus. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Kurtz is a stockholder in the Farmers & Citizens Bank of Bucyrus. JOHN KERR, who now lives somewhat retired after a busy agricultural life of many years, owns and occupies one of the comfortable homes and attractive residences that may be found in the city of Bucyrus, O., his being particularly marked on account of its tasteful arrangement of flower beds on the lawn and its great variety of choice shrubbery. Mr. Kerr was born in Dallas township, Crawford county, O., Sept. 6, 1845. James Kerr, the grandfather, was born in Franklin county, Pa. He grew to man's estate there and was married to Betsey Arbuckle. Late in the twenties they came to Ohio and settled in what was practically a wilderness, hoping to develop a farm and earn comfort for their old age. They lived beyond four score and ten and, were permitted many years of comparative ease. They were among the early members of the Christian church in this section. They had the following children: Robert, Johnson, who was a farmer in Wyandot county; Alexander, who was a farmer in Allen county; James, who was a farmer in Crawford county, all of whom left descendants; Jane and Martha, who were both married and lived into old age; and Louisa, who married Robert Urich and who lived and died in Knox county, O. Robert Kerr was born in Mifflin county, Pa., in 1807 and was reared in Knox county, coming there when 6 years of age. From Knox county he came to Crawford county when 20 years of age and here entered eighty acres of government land in Dallas township. This eighty acres was but the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 737 nucleus around which he built up a large fortune in land, acquiring acre after acre until he owned 4,500 acres of Ohio soil. He began life in a primitive way, starting in a log cabin that had a puncheon floor, and in this humble dwelling a number of his children were born, among whom was his son, John, who still owns the original eighty acres entered by his father. In the course of time Robert Kerr provided a more commodious residence and resided in it up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1889. He was known far and wide for the success he reached in his agricultural operations and his growing of stock and he became one of the largest sheep farmers in Crawford county, having an annual flock of 10,000 head for many years. His first wife died in 1857 at the age of forty-one years and twenty days. She was a devout Christian, a member of the Disciples church. Three sons and four daughters were born to this marriage, three of whom survive: John; Mrs. Sarah Harris, who lives on a farm in Wyandot county; and Mary, who is the wife of Philip Linn, of Marion, O. His second marriage was with Mrs. Martha Williams, and they had one daughter: Mrs. Adelaide Barr, who is a resident of Kansas City, Mo. John Kerr grew up on his father's farm and had absolutely no educational advantages. Although this has been no serious drawback to his success in life, Mr. Kerr has given each one of his own children a college education. While he was not permitted the study of books, he learned many lessons of value in the fields and forests of his father's large estate and many of these he afterward practically applied. When he became a farmer on his own account he put aside many of the old, worn-out methods and theories of former days, and through his own experimenting reached conclusions which resulted in the adoption of many of the most modern methods of carrying on agricultural pursuits. He reached success in what he undertook and soon became recognized as one of the most practical and enterprising farmers and stock men of the township. In 1892 he retired from the farm to Bucyrus after erecting his handsome brick residence at No. 215 South Spring Street, already mentioned. He has seen many changes take place in this part of Crawford county and is well posted on all the leading events. On August 30, 1869, Mr. Kerr was married to Miss Alice Chambers, who was born and reared in Carey, Wyandot county, O. Her father, William Chambers, was born in West Virginia and was married in Wyandot county, O., to Keziah Carr. They were farming people in Wyandot county for some years when they moved to Sedgwick county, Kans, but later returned to Ohio. He died in Marion county in 1890 and his wife in Wyandot county, in 1900, aged respectively 81 and 86 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kerr the following children were born: Eva, the wife of Daniel Locke, who resides at Everett, Wash., and has two sons—Gormley and Wayne; Maude, who is the widow of William Sholaker, and resides in Delaware; and Robert, a farmer in Richland county, O., who married Jessie Strawbridge and has three sons—John, Harrold and Donald. Mrs. Kerr is a member of the Christian Science church. Politically Mr. Kerr is identified with the Republican party. MILTON R. LEWIS,* who is engaged in an insurance and real estate business at Bucyrus, O., in partnership with Chas. F. Mathew, with offices in the Forum Building, was one of the pioneers in the fire insurance line here and has been identified with insurance during many years of a very active business life. He was born in Harrison county, 0., in 1847, and has been a resident of Bucyrus since 1849, being reared and educated here. David Lewis, the grandfather, was of Welsh ancestry and was born in Maryland. He was a pioneer in Harrison county, O., but his last days were spent at Bucyrus, where he died when aged 83 years. He married Rachel Rogers and they had a large family born to them, the third in order of birth being James Lewis, who became the father of Milton R. Lewis. He was 738 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY born in 1813, in Harrison county and was reared on the home farm near Cadiz. He married Rebecca Gregory, who was also of Maryland parentage. After the birth of several children they moved to Bucyrus, Crawford county, in which section he became a very prominent man. In i856 he was elected to the State Senate, the first and only Republican elected from this Senatorial district. He had embraced the principles of the Republican party as they were in formation, having previously been a Whig. During the Civil War James Lewis was appointed. United States district assessor and served for seven years in the office. For 65 years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and during much of this period served in an official capacity. Of his twelve children ten grew to maturity and five yet survive. Milton R. Lewis for 26 years was a traveling salesman for a Mansfield business house and at the close of his long connection spent one year at Portland, Ore., and then returned to Bucyrus. He then went into the insurance business and has been very active in the local field. In 1909 he entered into partnership with Chas. F. Mathew, formerly county recorder. The firm handles a large amount of farm and city property and represents many standard insurance companies. Mr. Lewis has one daughter, Lucille, a talented young woman who is a student in the Arts and Crafts School, at Cleveland, O. One son, James, died at the age of seventeen years. Mr. Lewis is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to the Commandery at Mansfield, 0., and to Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council, at Bucyrus. He is identified also with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. He is a highly respected citizen and is widely known. Politically Mr. Lewis is a Republican. WILLIAM KNELL, who is one of Whetstone township's highly respected German-American citizens, has been a resident of the United States since he was 22 years old but claims Germany as his birthplace. His parents, George and Christiana (Shookman) Knell, lived and died in Germany as did his grandfathers, Andrew Knell and Peter Shookman. William Knell was the only one of his family to cone to America, his one sister remaining with the parents. For three months after reaching the United. States he lived at Chambersburg, Pa., but found no opening in that section for a young man who had his hopes settled on securing farming land on which he could establish himself permanently. From Chambersburg he walked to Mansfield, O., where he remained for two months more, earning his living by doing odd jobs and making friends wherever he stopped, and then started on foot for Crawford county. Here he found plenty of farni labor, starting first on the farm of Abraham Holmes and keeping steadily at work for the next four years. He then visited Nebraska and remained in the West for nine months and then came back to Crawford county, where he married. For three years he rented land and for two more worked for a railroad company and then bought his first tract, 30 acres in Jefferson township. Mr. Knell remained there for ten years, in the meanwhile preparing for further investment and in 1874 Dought his present valuable farm of 100 acres from Jay Major, and has lived here ever since. This property is very valuable and under Mr. Knell's careful cultivation has been developed into one of the best farms in this section of Crawford county. In 1860, Mr. Knell was married to Miss Elizabeth Rettig, a daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Ketrost) Rettig. They were born in Germany and were early settlers in Crawford county, where they prospered. They had the following children: Catherine, Maria, Margaret, Elizabeth, Gertrude, Caroline, George, Leonard and Nicholas. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Knell: Calvin, who lives in Jefferson township, who married Clara Gearhart and has three children— Oleda, Paul and Carl; Harvey, who is a farmer in Whetstone township, who married Edith Smith and has four children—Loran, Edwin, Myron and Mildred; and John, who married AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 739 Wilemina Wharton and has two children—Roma and William. Mr. Knell and family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Knell and his sons all belong to the Democratic party and all are men of high standing in Whetstone township, quiet, self-respecting, law-abiding men, who profit through their industry, and are helpful and just to those with whom they are associated in the public affairs of the community. CHRISTOPHER WALTHER, one of the highly respected citizens of Bucyrus, O., now living retired after an active business career that covered many years, is a native of Germany, born in Baden, June 16, 1833, and is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Doll) Walther. Christopher Walther, Sr., was born in Baden, Germany, in 1802, a son of Christopher Walther, a weaver by trade, whose entire life was spent in Germany, although a part of his family came to America and settled in Ohio. Christopher was married in Germany to Elizabeth Doll, whose parents were small farmers and spent their lives in that land. Christopher Walther and wife continued to live in their native section until six children were born to them and then determined to seek a land where there were wider opportunities and made preparations to immigrate to the United States. 'Before they were ready to embark on the sailing ship, however, in 1846, two of the children had died and it was with wife and four children that Christopher Walther started on the long sea voyage that then consumed thirty-six days. They reached the harbor of New York and then, by the old tedious ways of transportation, finally nmade their slow journey to Sandusky, O., where relatives had already established themselves. They remained there for eight weeks and then came by wagon to Crawford county, where, in Liberty township, Mr. Walther bought a small farm. They lived to see many years of prosperity, retiring to Bucyrus in the closing years of their lives. In Germany they had belonged to the Lutheran church but in their new home no organization of that faith had yet been established and they united with the Methodist Episcopal church and were among its worthiest members. They had the following children beside the two that died in Germany: Christopher; Magdalena, born October 14, 1836, who is the widow of August Kuntzman, and lives at Sandusky, 0.; Philip Jacob, who was born October 17, 1838, and who lives on the old homestead in Liberty township and married Rosina Knappenberger; Carolina, born June 6, 1841, who is the wife of Christian Bertsch, a shoe manufacturer at Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Henry, born in America, December 12, 1849, who is a carriage builder by trade and lives at Sandusky, O. It is somewhat remarkable that no death has occurred among the children of Christopher and Elizabeth Doll since the family came to America. Christopher Walther, eldest son of Christopher and Elizabeth Walther, remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter trade, serving an apprenticeship to the same for three years. In 1853 he came to Bucyrus and with the exception of the period from 1856 until 1861, which he spent in Iowa, he has been a continuous resident of this city. He has been a busy man, becoming a skilled mechanic in early manhood and later adopting building as his chosen line of work and as a builder erected many of the important structures in this city and vicinity. Many of the handsome public school buildings now standing give testimony as to his taste and skill, including the Union School building, while the large German Lutheran church edifice on Poplar Street, shows what he accomplished in that line of construction. For the past twelve years Mr. Walther has been more or less retired but there is probably no citizen of Bucyrus who more closely watches the city's material development and extension than he, having so long been closely connected c,,ith the same. Mr. Walther was married at Bucyrus to Miss Margaret Schuler, who was born June 17, 1838, at Rome, N. Y., and died at her home in this city, April 5, 1900. This es- 740 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY timable lady was a daughter of Frederick and Ava (Stoll) Schuler, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States and lived in New York until 1840, when they came to Bucyrus. They were members of the Lutheran church. The only survivor or their family is Jacob Schuler, a retired business man of this city. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walther, namely: two who died in infancy; Annetti,. who is the widow of Paul Barraider, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Frank A.; Fred E., who died at Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1911; Lena, who is the wife of Charles Flocken, of Bucyrus; and Lizzie, who is the wife of Philip Mar-quart, of Cleveland, O. FOREST CASEY, junior member of the well established firm of Resch & Casey, plumbers, tinware manufacturers and dealers in hardware, at No. 123 East Ninth Street, Galion, O., was born at Galion, Jan. 9, 1869, and has spent his life in his native city. His parents were James and Hattie (Shumaker) Casey. James Casey was born in Pennsylvania in 1842 and was brought to Galion in boyhood by his parents, grew up on a farm and spent his life in Crawford county, his death occurring at Galion in June, 1909, having survived his wife since 1871. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of the five children born to his first marriage, James Casey has two survivors, Forest and Susie, both of whom reside at Galion. His second marriage was to his sister-in-law, Miss CIara Shumaker, who died in August, 191o, leaving three children: Earl, who is assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Galion; Floyd, who is a bookkeeper in a Cleveland business house; and Mary, who is the wife of John Wiggs, of Chicago, Ill., and has two children. Forest Casey was educated in the public schools and afterward learned his present business. In 1892 he entered into partnership with the Resch brothers, William T. and Harry P., which continued until 1904, when the second Resch brother withdrew and the business has been successfully con tinued ever since by the present firm, William T. Resch and Forest Casey. They carry a large line of hardware sundries including wire fencing, and manufacture tinware and attend to plumbing. The firm stands high in public regard, both partners having been known here from youth. Mr. Casey was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Schloss, who was born at Galion in 1875, a daughter of Jacob Schloss, who died in this city some 15 years ago. The mother of Mrs. Casey is now in her eightieth year and resides with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Schloss were both born in Germany and after coming to Galion were married and spent their lives here. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have one son, Kenneth De Forest, who was born February 6, 1903. They are members of the German Reformed church. In his political views Mr. Casey is a Republican, and fraternally he is identified with the Elks and the Odd Fellows, JOHN C. AUCK, whose fine farm of 121 acres is situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., is a successful farmer and representative citizen of this section. He was born in Whetstone township, three-fourth miles west of his present farm, Nov. 29, 1868, and is a son of Michael and Caroline (Ehmann) Auck. Michael Auck was born in Lycoming county, Pa., and now is a retired farmer living at Bucyrus. His parents were John Christopher and Rachel (Wagner) Auck. He married Caroline Ehmann, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of Christopher and Frederica (Fritz) Ehmann. They are members of the German Reformed church at Bucyrus. Six children were born to them, namely: Mary Jane, who is the wife of David S. Schieber; John C.; Lucy Ellen, who is the wife of J. E. Myers; William H.; Celia, who is the wife of Harry G. Hoover; and Samuel E. John C. Auck obtained a common school education in Whetstone township and then assisted his father on the home farm until he was 23 years of age. On Dec. 24, 1891, Mr. Auck was married to Miss One Ellen Andrews, who is a daughter of Lemen and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 743 Lettie (Kiefer) Andrews, and a granddaughter of Jacob and Ellen (Montgomery) Andrews and of Samuel and Catherine (Jones) Kiefer. Mrs. Auck was born on this farm March 3, 1872, and both parents were born in Crawford county. The mother died Feb. 4, 19o1, but the father survives and lives retired at Bucyrus. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews attended the Church of Christ. They had the following children: Allen C., Mrs. Auck, George Franklin and Elsie Catherine, the two last named being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Auck have two children: Lemen Paul, who was born June 25, 1893; and Ralph Michael, who was born Jan. 19, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Auck are members of St. John's German Reformed church, in Whetstone township. In politics he is a Democrat and has frequently been elected to local offices, serving as township trustee from 1908 until 1912, one year as road supervisor and also as a member of the school board. ABSALOM M. VORE, a retired farmer and highly respected resident of Bucyrus, O., was born in Center county, Pa., Dec. 22, 1840, coming of old Pennsylvania Dutch stock. He is a son of Jesse and Catherine (Musser) Vore. In the days of the grandfather, who was Absalom Vore, the name was spelled Wohr but later was anglicized. The grandfather spent his life in Pennsylvania and was a farmer. After marriage he lived in Berks county, where he died and his widow subsequently married a second time and reared a second family. Jesse Vore, father of Absalom M., was born Aug. 15, 1805, in Berks county, Pa. Later in life he moved to Center county and for some years followed the tailoring trade at Millheim. All his children were born in Center county, where he later became a farmer, moving with his family to Ohio in 1859. He bought a farm of loo acres, situated in Holmes township, Crawford county, and there spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring May 3, 1892. He married Catherine Musser, who was born in Center county. Her death occurred July 23, 1885. Jesse Vore and wife were members of the Reformed church and were people whose Christianity was shown in their daily walk and conversation. They had eleven children, two of whom died young. Nine grew to maturity and of these, Julia, Harriet and John, all died unmarried in Pennsylvania. Absalom M. Vore, who was the sixth of the family in order of birth, is the oldest of the survivors. He was in early manhood when the family came to Ohio and proved of the greatest assistance to his father after moving on the large farm in Holmes township. He continued at home and finally succeeded to the homestead and there followed farming with a large amount of success until in September, 1908, when he retired from active labor, purchased a fine residence at No. 517 E. Rensselaer street, Bucyrus, and has been a resident of this city ever since. Politically a Democrat he has always been interested in the success of his party and has frequently served in important public offices. During his two terms as trustee of Holmes township, much desirable progress was made in its affairs, and he was a justice of the peace there for two years. For 22 years he was a director of the agricultural society and for six years a director of the Crawford County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is serving in his second term as one of the directors of the Crawford County Infirmary. On Dec. 27, 1866, Mr. Vore was married to Miss Louisa F. Kanable, who was born in Holmes township, April 4, 1844, a daughter of Enoch and Rebecca (Gordon) Kanable. Her parents were born in Bedford county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Vore have one daughter, Clyde L., who was born Jan. i, 1868, in Holmes township. She married Curtis L. Dobbins, and they reside on his farm in Marion county, O. They have two Sons: Ray V. and Earl Keith. Mr. and Mrs. Vore are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a charter member of the Holmes Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and later identified himself with Bucyrus Grange, No. 705, of which he was master for four years, and in December, 1892, he received the seventh and highest degree in the Grange. JACOB W. STIGER, a well known citizen of Bucyrus, O., who now lives retired 744 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY and occupies his handsome residence at No. 883 South Poplar Street, has been a resident of Ohio since childhood, but his birth occurred at Williamsport, Pa., February 22, 1838. His parents were Abraham and Rosina (Clineman) Stiger. The Stigers belonged to Wurtemberg, Germany, and there the grandparents lived into old age, their two sons, Abraham and Jacob Frederick, both coming to the United States. Prior to this Abraham served three years in the standing army and later for four years held a commission on the German emperor's staff. When honorably discharged he was married in the village of Myring, nine miles from his native city, to Rosina Clineman. She had one brother, John Clineman, who also came to the United States, where he engaged in hotel keeping and farming and died at Calumet, Cook county, Ill., leaving six sons. Abraham Stiger and wife set out for America on the day following their marriage, taking passage on a slow-going sailing vessel that required 75 clays to make the harbor of New York. From there they went to Lycoming county, Pa., early in the twenties, and resided there for some years and then went to Illinois and in Cook county made a purchase of five lots in the swampy village of Chicago, along the sluggish river. Mr. Stiger built a house for his family but the climate proved detrimental to their health and they remained but two years. The land that he once owned is now valued at many thousands of dollars, this being the site of the Northwestern Railroad station, Chicago, a busy section of the second largest city in the country. In 1844 Mr. Stiger brought his family to Bucyrus and here he resided until his death on June 15, 1860. While living in Pennsylvania he engaged in farming and was also a charcoal burner but he had artistic talents and these he put to use after locating permanently at Bucyrus. He was a member of the German Reformed church, while his wife, late in life, united with the German Methodists. They had four daughters and one son born to them: Mary, who is the wife of John D. Alcott, of Milwaukee, Wis., and has one son; Jacob W.; Catherina, deceased, who was the wife of Dennis Manning, also deceased; Minnie, who is the widow of John G. Carpenter, and resides in the city of Chicago; and Rosina, the widow of Oliver C. Carpenter, formerly of Chicago, who has three sons and two daughters. Jacob W. Stiger received his early school instruction from Miss Anna McCracken, who taught in a little building that then stood on the site of the present Park Hotel, at Bucyrus. When sixteen years of age, not being subject to military service as had his father in his youth, he was ready to learn a trade and chose harnessmaking, which he learned under John Sins, one of the early business men of the place. In 1857 Mr. Stiger left Ohio and traveled through the West, working at his trade, until the death of his father recalled him home. He spent some time in Chicago and two years at St. Paul, Minn., and a short period at Freeport, Ill., and then he went back to Bucyrus and started into business here in his trade line and was prospering when the Civil War broke out. On July 16, 1861, he enlisted for service in Co. E, 34th O. Vol. Inf., of which he was commissioned a corporal, and served with this regiment for 21 months, when he received his honorable discharge at Cincinnati. He returned then to Bucyrus and resumed his harness and saddlery business, in which he continued until 1876, when he became a farmer in Scott township, Marion county, and in 1882 he purchased a farm in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1910, when he retired. He owns an entire block on the edge of the city, in the midst of which stands his fine residence, surrounded by beautifully laid out grounds. Mr. Stiger was married in Marion county, O.. May 3, 2864, to Miss Ellen M. Monnett, who was born there Jan. 22, 1843, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Belt) Monnett. Mrs. Stiger is a cultured and educated lady and prior to her marriage was a teacher. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stiger: Charles W., who is AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 745 president and manager of the Motor Device Company, an important enterprise of Chicago, and who married Louisa Rathbone, of Peoria, Ill., and has two children—Marion and Charles W. ; Gertrude M., who is the wife of Ira B. Chadwich, superintendent of the T. & O. Railroad at Bucyrus, and has one daughter, Arnie Louise; John R., who was graduated from the law department of the State University at Columbus, and who became a member of the law firm of Hills & McCoy, Chicago, and died there in 1898, when aged but 28 years; Arnie C., who is the wife of Oscar F. Cretcher; Thomas A., who is engaged in the practice of law at Everett, Wash., and who married Anna Raymond and has two children—Louise and Thomas Raymond; and Cora, who is the wife of Prof. Augustus Goldsmith, who is an instructor in music in the public schools at Bucyrus. Every educational advantage possible were afforded the above family and all were creditably graduated from one or more institutions. Mr. and Mrs. Stiger are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. At their hospitable home both friend and stranger find welcome and courteous greeting. EMANUEL AUMILLER, one of the best known citizens of Bucyrus, O., residing at No. 354 Warren street, has long been numbered with the, leading men and substantial citizens of Crawford county. He is the owner of numerous valuable farms in this county together with improved land in Nebraska. He was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, O., Oct. 5, 1838, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Boyer) Aumiller. The Aumiller family originated in France and from that country the great-grandfather of Emanuel Aumiller came to America with a body of British soldiery during the Revolutionary War. After reaching the colonies he became impressed with the righteousness of their cause and, through a clever subterfuge, managed to escape from the English troopers and later became a loyal and useful soldier in the Patriot army. It is supposed that he died in Pennsylvania, and it is certain that his son, John Aumiller, died in that state. The widow of John Aumiller came to Ohio and when an old lady went to Indiana and died at the home of her son, George Aumiller, in Elkhart county. She had but two sons, George and Daniel, both of whom were born in Union county, Pa., the latter in 1810. In 1828 the sons accompanied their mother to Ohio, covering the distance to Crawford county with a two-horse wagon and camping by the roadside on the way to rest. For some years they all lived together on a farm that George purchased near Bucyrus, but the latter subsequently moved to Elkhart county, Indiana, and there became a man of independent fortune. In 1831 Daniel Aumiller entered eighty acres of wild land in Crawford county and to the development and improvement of this land the rest of his life was more or less devoted. He married Sarah Boyer, who was born in 1819, in Union county, Pa., and she survived her husband for 18 years, dying at the age of eighty-two. She was an estimable woman and a devoted member of the Evangelical Association. They reared their family of eleven children to plan and womanhood and seven of these survive. Emanuel Aumiller was the second born and the second son of the family. He took advantage of the rather meager educational opportunities offered children in his day in the neighborhood of his father's farm and very early became accustomed to the work of the farm. Mr. Aumiller continued to operate his land himself for many years, after which he relieved himself of some of his responsibilities and retired to Bucyrus. In addition to his handsome place in this city, he owns 200 acres of improved land in Holmes township, three farms of 112, 8o and 78 acres, all in Bucyrus township, and 48o acres in Nemaha county, Neb. Mr. Aumiller was married in Holmes township to Miss Lucy A. Heller, who was born Dec. 1, 1841, and died at her Bucyrus home, Sept. 14, 1906. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which her husband also belongs. Mr. 746 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY and Mrs. Aumiller had two sons, Daniel and Jesse E. The former is a prominent farmer in Bucyrus township, married Maria Miller and they had an adopted daughter. Jessie E., who was born in 1873, died in 1911. His second wife is a resident of Chicago, Ill., and their two children, Lucile and George E., both died young. Mr. Aumiller is a Republican in politics. HENRY J. STUMP, who is a leading citizen of Whetstone township, and the owner of 135 acres of valuable land here, was born in this township, Jan. 23, 1867, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Heinlen) Stump. Isaac Stump was born in Pennsylvania and came to Crawford county in young manhood, where he subsequently married and engaged in farming for a number of years. He and his wife now live retired in this township, their home being a short distance west of the one occupied and owned by Henry J. Stump. Isaac Stump is a staunch Democrat and in former years was quite active in politics and public affairs in his township and served both as trustee and treasurer. He and wife are members of the German Reformed church. They have five children, namely: Esther, who is the wife of Emanuel D. Sherer; Sarah, who is the wife of Daniel W. Hurr; Henry J.; Amanda, who is the wife of Edward D. Zimmerman: and Emma, who was married (first) to Charles Lepp, and (second) to Simeon G. Kurtz. Henry J. Stump attended the public schools of Whetstone township and worked with his father on the home farm until his own marriage, after which he engaged in farming on the home place on shares and three years later rented farm land from his father for about ten years. He then purchased 74 acres from his father, which he put in fine shape, subsequently buying 61 acres more, all together making about as large a farm as he cares to handle. He raises the general crops of the locality, has fine orchards and garden and grows his own stock, not the fancy kinds, but nevertheless of good grade. On Jan. 10, 1889, Mr. Stump was married to Miss Elma D. Rorick, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Heinlen) Rorick, formerly well known farming people living in Whetstone township but now retired residents of Bucyrus. They had the following children: Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of John Snyder; William, who is deceased; Charles; Elma D. ; Henry; Amanda, who is the wife of Morris Roberts; Anna, who is the wife of John Baumonk; and Ora and Rosa, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stump have two daughters: Chloe E., who is the wife of William M. Wingert and has one son, Layton; and Bernice, who attends the township schools. Mr. Stump and family are members of the Reformed church. He is a Democrat in politics and for four years served in the office of township trustee and for two years was supervisor. J. GEORGE HIPP, a well known and reliable business man of Bucyrus, O., a builder and contractor here for many years, was born in this city, on what is now South Sandusky avenue, Oct. 26, 1858, and is a son of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Brand) Hipp. Sebastian Hipp was born in Wurtemberg, Germany and was 19 years of age when he took passage on a sailing vessel for the United States and after a voyage of many weeks was safely landed at Castle Garden, New York City, and from there came to Bucyrus. Here he followed the weaving of the beautiful German bedspreads which many Americans would pay large prices to obtain at the present day and those who are fortunate enough to possess them, treasure them with care. He was an expert in this line of manufacturing and knew how to blend his colors and bring out the beauty of the pattern. Like many other old industries, machinery soon replaced hand work to such an extent that the latter became unprofitable. He later became interestecl in a woolen mill at Butler, O., and still later moved to Mansfield, where he now resides, being in his 85th year. He was married at Bucyrus to Elizabeth Brand, who was born in Baden Baden, Germany AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 747 and was a child when her people came with her to America. The parents of Mrs. Hipp located at Bloomville, Seneca county, where she grew to womanhood and about that time they came to Bucyrus, where they later passed away. Mrs. Hipp died at Mansfield, O., March 7, 1909. She was a devoted member of the German Reformed church, J. George Hipp is the eldest of a family of nine children, one of whom died in infancy, eight reaching maturity. He attended school at Bucyrus and then learned the carpenter trade and subsequently went into building and contracting. He has always been a steady, hard-working man, practical in everything and well merits his reputation for reliability. Mr. Hipp handles a large amount of work in his line at Bucyrus. Mr. Hipp married Miss Elizabeth Beal, whose birth in Bucyrus township preceded his own by 24 days. She is a daughter of Isaac Beal, once a well known farmer of Bucyrus township, and they have the following children: Raymond C., who fills a very important position, being head of the claim department of the John Deere Manufacturing Company, of Atlanta, Ga. ; Rufus I3., who is a commercial salesman for George B. Barrett Jewelry Company, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mary Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the Bucyrus High School; Naomi C., who is a member of the class of 1912, Bucyrus high School; and Martha L., who is also a student in the High School of this city. These young ladies all take part in the pleasant social life here and with their parents belong to the German Methodist Episcopal church. JOHN GEBHARDT, president of the city council of Bucyrus, O., and formerly sheriff of Crawford county, has long been prominent in public affairs in city and county. He was born two miles north of Bucyrus, Sept. 6, 1859, and is a son of Adam and Susan (Brand) Gebhardt. The parents of Mr. Gebharclt belonged to old families of Baden, Germany. The father, Adam Gebhardt, was born at Epping, in the above province, Sept. 15, 1815, He was early left an orphan and from the age of 15 years depended entirely upon himself, for a number of years doing farm labor in Germany and also being driver of a stage. He was married in Germany to Elizabeth Whittmer. In 1848 the country became so disturbed with revolutionary ideas that peaceful labor became difficult to secure and thus he and family turned their thoughts to America and finally started for the United States. In those days the inspection of sailing ships was not very thorough and the one on which this party embarked sprung a leak when along the Irish coast and it became necessary to stop until repairs could be made. Thus the voyage consumed 68 days but the tired passengers were finally landed safely at New York. Their journey was not yet over, however, as they intended to locate in Crawford county, O., which entailed a further water trip as far as Sandusky and a wagon journey before Holmes township, Crawford county, was reached. Adam Gebhardt secured 160 acres situated two miles north of Bucyrus, of land almost new, his being the second transfer from the Government. There he spent a laborious life, working early and late to develop his land and make improvements. He died on this farm August 17, 1897. He was a worthy member of the German Lutheran church and was a man of whom his neighbors ever spoke kindly. His first wife died six months after reaching America, leaving two daughters: Eva, who died in 1911, who was the wife of Philip Whittmer, of Paulding county, O., and left a large family; and Elizabeth, who died some thirty years since. She was married first to Jacob Defenbaugh, and second to John Frey, both of whom she survived. Adam Gebhardt's second union was with Susan Brand, who was then living at Bloomville, O. She was born at Fortsheim, Baden, Germany, July 12, 1827, and was brought young to the United States by her parents, Christian and Elizabeth (Musselman) Branch. They located in Seneca county, O., where she was reared. Mrs. Gebhardt survives and is a typical pioneer  sheriff of Crawford county and served most acceptably through two terms. For more than 21 years he has been a member and during the greater part of the time vice-president of the Crawford County Agricultural Society and both in 748 - HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY woman, one of those whose courage and resourcefulness added so much to the comfort and happiness of the home in the early days when privations had to be faced on every side. She tells in an interesting way of many expedients resorted to by careful housewives of her clay and has cooked many a satisfying meal on coals from burnt logs in the open, and has (lone it all the year round. She is a member of the Mennonite church. Personally she is greatly beloved, her . sympathy and neighborly kindness never failing when trouble falls on those within her reach. Five children were born to this second marriage, as follows : Catherine, who died in 1906, who was the wife of John C. Krauter, and left three sons and five daughters; Caroline, who is the wife of William Krauter, a farmer in Bucyrus township. and has five children; Jacob, who lives in Oregon ; John ; and Susan, who is the widow of August Michileus, and who resides at Bucyrus and has five children. John Gebhardt grew up on the home farm, which yet belongs to the family, and obtained his education in the local schools. In 1893 he began to cry sales and from his first effort it was predicted that he would be unusually successful as an auctioneer, which judgment was later confirmed and undoubtedly he has a greater popularity along this line than any one else in this part of Ohio. He is a general auctioneer and it makes no difference to him what kind of property is for sale, as his knowledge is extensive, his ready (low of wit can he applied alike to any commodity and his Voice can be modulated to suit any occasion. After coming to Bucyrus in 1893 he was associated with John Suavely in the meat market business in which he continued for about five years. For six months afterward he devoted himself entirely to auctioneering and then purchased a market business of his own, which he conducted until 1901. when he was elected sheriff of Crawford county and served most acceptably through two terms. For more than 21 years lie has been a member and during the greater part of the time vice-president of the Crawford County Agricultural Society and both in city and county is recognized as one of the live men of this section. He has served on the school board and is now president of the city council in his second term. Mr. Gebhardt was married at Bucyrus to Miss Emma Caroline Vollrath, born April 27, 1862, a daughter of F. August and Caroline (Ashbaucher) Vollrath, natives of Germany, who lived and died on their farm in Cranberry township, Crawford county. Mrs. Gebhardt is one of a family of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Gebhardt have two children : Janet Susan, born Nov. 20, 1882, who is the wife of Louis F. Ronfeldt of Bucyrus ; and Cleo Edward, who was born May 24, 1886. He has been connected with the Bucyrus City Bank since he was fifteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Gebhardt are members of the German Lutheran church. MICHAEL D. BAIR, farmer, owning 90 acres of good land in Whetstone township. Crawford county, O., was born in this township, Oct. 26, 1860, a son of John and Rebecca (Shearer) Bair. The father of our subject, John Bair, was a native of Stark county, Ohio, where he spent his life in farming. He was a Republican in politics and was affiliated religiously with the Lutheran church. As above intimated, he married Rebecca Shearer, who was born in Whetstone, Crawford county, and they became the parents of seven children, namely George W., Samuel M., Rachel Ann, who married George Ness; Michael D., subject of this sketch; Adam, now deceased; Sadie J., also deceased, who was the wife of John Seifert, and Lilly, wife of Lawrence McMichael. Samuel M. resides on a farm in Whetstone township, which is a part of the old Bair homestead. Michael D. Bair acquired his education in the common schools and then took up farming, which he has since followed as an occupation. After starting in for himself, he rented a farm for eight years and then bought his present tract of go acres from the Bair heirs. He has convenient and substantial buildings, does general farming and keeps enough stock for his own use. In AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 749 politics he is a Republican and for the last six years has served the township as school director. He was married Dec199, 1886, to Clara Shumaker, a daughter of John and Catherine (Dickerhoof) Shumaker, who were formerly farming people in Polk township. Mrs. Shumaker has passed away but Mr. Shumaker, Mrs. Bair's father, is living in Galion, being now retired from the active business of life. He is a Democrat and in religion a member of the German Lutheran church, as was also Mrs. Shumaker. Their children were as follows: Belle, wife of Ira Morrow; Clara, who is now Mrs. Bair; Mary, wife of Frank Trachtt; and Andrew, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Bair have on son, Andrew W., who was born Oct. z8, 1893, and who lives with his father on the farm. The family attend the English Lutheran church, and are people well known and respected throughout this locality. JAMES THROUPE, a highly respected citizen of Bucyrus, O., who now lives retired from active business, for 35 years held the responsible position of general foreman of the shops connected with one of the largest industrial concerns of the country, the American Clay Machinery Company, at Bucyrus, O. He was born at Bradley, in Yorkshire, England, October 28, 1830,, but in his erect carriage and robust health, he might be credited as much younger. He comes of sturdy Yorkshire folk, his parents and grandparents living there into old age. He is a son of John and Maria (Sugdin)Throupe. John Throupe was born near Stilson and Bradley, England, in 1800, a son of William Throupe, and he had one brother, Wiliamn, who lived and died in Yorkshire. John Throupe was a miller and operated a grist mill, utilizing water power for the same. He married Maria Sugdin, a daughter of Jonas and Maria Sugdin. Her death occurred in England in 1880, when aged about eighty years. She was a devout member of the Church of England. To John Throupe and wife ten children were born and almost all lived to marry and rear children of their own. Of this family James is the only survivor. James Throupe was reared in his native shire and attended the village school. He left home for America when eighteen years of age, but previously had learned the machinist trade and, while he believed the United States would offer him a better industrial opportunity, he had no idea of coming to this country empty handed and helpless. In 1848, when he boarded the sailing vessel, the Benjamin Adams, for the harbor of New York,hee scarcely anticipated the discomforts that attended the long voyage of six weeks on a stormy sea, but finally safely reached port and started for Ohio as his objective point. From Cleveland he went to Alliance and about the first work he found was sawing wood to feed the engines that were then used on the old Fort Wayne Railroad. Within two years, however, he had a remunerative position in the railroad shops and after eighteen months at Alliancehee came to Bucyrusand,, in connection with a Mr. William Burkhart, started a repair shop which was the nucleus or beginning of the present American Clay Machinery Company. Afterward he became general foreman and as mentioned above, for many years afterward was continued in that position and was one of the most valued and trusted employes. Although for a number of years sadly handicapped by an accident, he nevertheless possessed the efficiency, the unerring eye and the executive ability that made his services very valuable. During the Civil War he was enthusiastic in his support of the Union cause and when General Grant accomplished the surrender of Vicksburg and the citizens of Bucyrus proposed a celebration in honor of this victory, Mr. Throupe was given charge of the cannon used on the occasion. Through a premature explosion an accident occurred which caused the breaking and subsequent loss of Mr. Throupe's right arm. This accident was deplored by the whole city and checked the festivities. Mr. Throupe was married at Bucyrus to Miss Helen Kirkland. who was born in