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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 225 self from 1863 to 1869; then he sold and came to Defiance, arriving here December 7, 1869. His wife died here August 12, 1870. He was again married, January 28, 1871, to Catharine Shafer, of this place, by whom he had four children—Frederick A., Franklin M., George and Lenhart P. In 1872, Mr. Schlosser bought the property where he is now carrying on business, it being the pro erty formerly owned by C. D. Romky, who made the purchase while a wood lot, in 1852. Mr, Romky built the frame house now owned by Mr. Goodman. In 1854, he built a dry- dock and a limekiln. About the same time. he built the frame dwelling in which Schlosser now lives. In 1859 or 1860, he built another dry-dock. In the spring of 1865, Mr. Romky sold out to Ramus & King, who continued the business about three years. About this time, Ramus built quite a large blacksmith shop, 20x50. Mr. Humus carried on the wagon and blacksmithing business till 1872, when Mr. Schlosser bought him out and continued the business. In 1874, Mr. S. put up another building, 24x34, two-story, using same for a wood work shop. In 1879, Mr. Schlosser found it necessary to increase the shops; accordingly, ho put up his present commodious two-story brick, 32x72; adjoining this, in the rear, a frame of 40x60, for a warehouse and for storage of wagon material, etc. The upper story of the brick is used as a paint and trimming shop, the lower for blacksmith and wagon shop, giving fifteen to twenty men employment, turning out heavy lumber wagons, heavy and light spring wagons and buggies; lumber sleighs a specialty in their season; about one hundred set of bob-sleighs sold this winter, 1880-81. Lay Whitney Richardson, born December 25, 1830, in Canton, St Lawrence Co., N. Y., was the son of J. L. and Delia (McCulloch) Richardson, and was raised on a farm, and resided with his parents in St. Lawrence County until about eighteen years of age, when he came to Defiance County with his parents, in the spring of 1848, having received the usual common school education allowed to boys of his age at that time, by attending school at the old stone schoolhouse in South Canton, N. Y., in the winter season, with an addition of one term at the academy at Canton Village. After coming to Defiance, he remained at home with his father and assisted in clearing up a farm, purchased by his father, of 160 acres of wild land (situated about two miles west from Brunersburg, on what was then known as the Bellefontaine pike, near where Lyman Langdon now lives), working on the farm in summer and teaching a winter school in the winter season till the fall of 1852, when he came to Defiance and attended school during that winter, boarding with William Langdon, then Sheriff of Defiance County. In the spring of 1853, he clerked for John M. Stilwill, who then kept a general store, about opposite where the Russell House now stands, remaining with him about one year, when he went into the store of J. M. Boyd, who opened a store and bank in the same block, and soon after sold his stock to J. P. Rowen, of Napoleon, Ohio, and the subject of this sketch was transferred with the goods to Napoleon, to put up the goods and open the trade for the new proprietor. Napoleon then was but a small town and only contained but one other small store. This was just at the time the Toledo & Wabash Railroad was being built from Toledo to Fort Wayne, in the year A. D. 1855, and the greater portion of the trade consisted in supplies to contractors and hands then working on the railroad, and business was good. Mr. Richardson remained in the employ of Mr. J. P. Bowen, as salesman and general manager of the store, for about one year, when he purchased a stock of goods from Abner L. Backus and went into business for himself at Napoleon in A. D. 1856, and remained in trade there until 1860. In April, 1861, Mr. R. enlisted under the first call for 75,000 troops, on the 22d day of April, 1861, and enrolled, in less than three days' time, over one hundred of the best young men in Henry County. Mr. R. was tendered a commission on tho start, but declined, and went out as an Orderly Sergeant in Company F, of the Fourteenth Regiment, under Col. James B. Steadman, of Toledo; served in the campaigns of Western Virginia, participated in the battles of Phillipi, Va., Laurel Hill, Cheat River, capture of Gen. Garnett's command, and all the marches and campaigns of West Virginia till August, 1861. The term of enlistment having expired, the regiment returned to Toledo, and was mustered out, Company F, having had the singular misfortune to lose their Captain, A. Crawford, and First Lieutenant, J. D. Belnap, both having been accidentally shot by their own men. Mr. Richardson, after returning to Napoleon, re-enlisted again in October, 1861, for three years, in Company G, Sixty-eighth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, organized at Napoleon by Col. S. H. Steadman, Maj. R. K, Scott. James G. Haly and others, at Camp Latty, near Napoleon. Mr. R. entered the service again as Orderly Sergeant, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant of the company at Vicksburg in A. D. 1863, and to First Lieutenant before Atlanta in A. D. 1864; was in all the campaigns, marches and battles in which the regiment was engaged, in the Seventeenth Army Corps of the Army of the Tennessee, under the command of Gen. U. S. Grant, from the commencement of his campaigns at Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh; Corinth, Miss., and down the Mississippi to Vicksburg, during the siege and at the surrender 226 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. of the same, and on to Jackson, through the Atlanta campaign and with Sherman to the sea, and to Savannah, and was mustered out of service at Savannah, Ga., January 3, 1865, never having missed a day's duty or a battle in which his regiment was engaged while in the service. Mr. Richardson, on the 10th oi January, 1865, turned his face homeward, taking steamer at Hilton Head for New York, and from there by rail to Washington, D. C., where he lemained about ten days, settling his accounts at the Quartermaster General's office, for ordnance and other stores of Companies G, F and E, of the Sixty-eighth Regiment, of which he had been in command while in the regiment. He went to the capitol, and called on the President, Abraham Lincoln, shook hands with him, and said to him, " Mr. President, I have served under you, as Commander-in-Chief, for nearly four years, and am now honorably discharged, and on my way home am come to see you, and say good-bye, and God bless you." He said he was glad to meet the old veterans, and wished me "good luck." This was only a few weeks before he was shot. Mr. R. arrived home at Defiance in February, 1865, and in March, 1865, went into the store of E. F. Lindenbergor, near the Maumee bridge, as salesman for five or six years. In 1866, March 28, Mr. Richardson married Miss Mary Metz, of Defiance, Ohio, who was born at Columbus, Ohio, February 8, 1839. Their family consists of four children-Florence M., born April 16, 1867; Hattie Pearl, April 29, 1868; Harry, born July 8, 1869, died March 21, 1871; Ralph Roswell, September 12, 1871, and Nellie, born at Findlay, Hancock Co., Ohio, April 15, 1878. His mother died March, 1875. at Pioneer, Muskingum Co., Ohio, aged sixty-nine years; his father, at the same place January 31, 1881, aged seventy-eight years. In the spring of 1869, Mr. R. was appointed as Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue for the counties of Defiance and Paulding, under Col. George E. Wells, then Assessor of the Tenth District, with headquarters at Toledo. About two years thereafter, a consolidation was made, and his territory increased by the addition of Henry, Williams and Putnam Counties. In A. D. 1873, the office of Assessor was abolished, and the business was done by the Collector and Deputy Collectors, when he was appointed Deputy for the above counties, which position he held till the spring of 1874, when he again went into the dry goods business with A. M. Shead and C. M. Thrall, under the firm name of Shead, Thrall & Co., in the new brick building then just completed by William D. Hill, in what is known as the Keystone Block, on Clinton street; another store was run at Cary, Wyandot Co., Ohio, at the same time. This firm continued about one year, when Mr. Richards purchased the store at Cary, withdrew from the firm, and removed with his family from Defiance to Cary and opened up business in his own name, and continued till the fall of 18'77, when he sold and removed to Findlay, Hancock Co., Ohio, where he resided till the spring of 1879, when he returned to Defiance, his former home, where he now resides, and is now engaged in the real estate, insurance, collection and claim agency business, with office in the Eagle Block, corner of First and Clinton streets. Robert Cary, born January 1, 1842, is son of David and Nancy (Harter) Cary, in Putnam County, Ohio (then Williams County), on the Auglaize River, near the mouth of Hog Creek, on a farm entered by his grandfather, Rufus Cary. His father, David Cary, was about twelve years old when his parents moved from Shelby County, Ohio, to the farm where he resided for forty years. On this farm Robert Cary was born, and remained with his parents till he was twenty years of age, when he enlisted in Company I, Ninety-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served about two years, and was badly wounded while skirmishing near Chattanooga, Tenn. His grandparents, Cary and Harter, were both soldiers in the Indian war, and were with Gen. Wayne at Fort Defiance. Mr. Cary was married, September 17, 1865, to Martha E. Williams, of Delaware County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Polly (Budd) Williams, and was born February 27, 1846. Her father died when she was about one year old; her mother lived to be sixty years of ago, and died January, 1881. Mr. Cary had two children, Alice V. and Eva May; the youngest, Eva May, died February 9, 1881, at the age of eleven years. Mr. Cary's father died at Charloe, Paulding Co., Ohio, May 12, 1878. His mother is now living in Defiance, where she was partly raised, and went to school in the blockhouse on the Fort Grounds, which was then used for a schoolhouse. Mr. Cary located in Defiance County in 1867; was elected as Justice of the Peace for two terms; studied law for two years with Hill & Myers, of this town, and afterward engaged in the business of collecting soldiers' claims for bounty, pensions, etc., being a badly crippled soldier himself, thus fitting him the better to look after the just claims of his comrades. Mr. Cary is now devoting his whole time to this business. Office in Eagle Block. John A. Foust was born March 24, 1852, in Jefferson Township, Williams County, Ohio. His parents, Benjamin S. and Priscilla (Markle) Foust were born, the former in Bucks County, Penn., the latter in Circleville, Ohio. They had a family of six children-Mary A., who died in infancy; George W., who also died in infancy; Lydia C., John A., Effie and Ella. John A., the subject of this sketch, spent HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 227 his boyhood days working on his father's farm in summer and attending the district school in winter, until about seventeen, when he entered the Mykrantz College at Bryan, Ohio, where he remained about two years, when he entered the shop of A. B. Stoner, of West Unity, Ohio, to learn the blacksmith business, where he remained two and a half years, then started out as a tramping " jour," all over the country, until July 14, 1872, at which time he was married to Miss Mary A. Crethers,only daughter of Lindsay Crethers, of Stark County, Ohio. The fruit of this marriage has been three children—Gracie, born July 12, 1873, deceased September 12, 1874; Freddie L,, born May 28, 1874; Maudie, born December 2, 1880. After his marriage, Mr. Foust settled down to his trade in Hicksville, in this county, where he did a very extensive and thriving business until the fall of 1880, when he was elected Sheriff of the county, and entered upon the duties of the office the first Monday of January, 1881. At the county convention held at Defiance, in June, 1882, he received the unanimous vote of the convention for a second term, and at the election held in October of the same year was re-elected by a handsome majority. Mr. Foust is a Democrat, a man of simple, sterling Character, possessing many good qualities, and has the respect of a wide circle of friends, not simply in the party of which he is a member, but among his political opponents as well. James B. Heatley was born in Union Town, Monroe County, Va., August 18. 1819. His father, Moses Heatley, and mother, Mary (Foster) Heatley, were by birth, the former a Pennsylvanian, the latter a Virginian lady. They were married at Union Town, Va., and had eight children--Elizabeth, James B., Martha, Parmelia, Clarissa, Mary, Maria and John 0. Of these, three are living—James B., Clarissa and Mary. Clarissa married Jason Carman; Mary was married to John R. Deardorff, Both sisters are now living in San Francisco, Cal. James B., was married to Rebecca Garman, of Defiance Township, October 17, 1850, by whom six children were born--Lorenzo D., born December, 1851, died July 3, 1881; George A., born July 5, 1853; Millie E., born August 7, 1855; Rebecca E., born November 9, 1857; Parmelia and John D., who died quite young. Mrs. Heatley's parents, George P. Garman and Rebecca (Frankenberger) Garman, came from Pennsylvania in 1831, to Stark County, Ohio, and from there to Defiance County in 1847, and settled on south side of the Auglaize, about two miles up the river from town, where they both died on their farm. Moses Heatley, father of James B., emigrated from Monroe County, Va., Ohio, in 1821, with his family, consisting of his wife and two oldest children, Elizabeth and James B., the latter of whom was about two years old, stopping for about three years at or near Dayton, Ohio, working at his trade in the tannery until 1824, when, hearing of the country in the neighborhood of Defiance, he packed up and with his or team followed the army trail until he reached Blodget's Island, two miles up the Auglaize River. Arriving at Defiance in the fall of 1824, he stopped the first night with Robert Shirley, who lived in a double log cabin made from a block-house of Fort Defiance, and located on or near the lot now owned by A. M. Shead. We give his recollections in his own words. He says: " In 1824, this town was very thick woods except a strip running up the Auglaize River, from the mouth to a short distance above where the Lutheran Church now stands, and extending west to the present route of Clinton street. A tannery was located on the deep ravine near the present outlet of the canal, built by James Jolly. At the time James B. Heatley came to this town, there were but three houses here, all of which were built from the old block-house of Fort Defiance. The early settlers had great difficulty in raising their log cabins, owing to the scarcity of men. Frequently it would take two or three days to obtain sufficient help. They had to go as far as Blanchard's Fork for help —a distance of thirty miles. For two years after moving to Defiance our staff of life consisted of corn bread alone. The first year we pounded our corn in a kind of mortar, after the fashion of the Indians. A basswood tree of about twelve inches diameter was cut down and a block cut and made to stand on end, a fire built thereon and kept burning until a hole was burned to the depth of about eight or ten inches—this was our mortar. We fastened a stick on an iron wedge and putting the corn in this mortar, pounded it until it was as fine as could be gotten—which, of course, was not very fine. Mother would mix it with milk, the best she could, and spread it on what we called a Johnny cake board. This board was made of a clapboard, tapering at each end and about three feet long and seven inches wide. It was set up edgewise to the fire,in an old-fashioned cabin fire-place. We knew nothing about stoves until about 1830, cooking altogether by fire-places. While our corn was yet soft, we grated it, mixed and baked in the above stated manner. In this way we were compelled to live for about two years. After that, a stone-cutter came to this part of the country. He took two flint stones, working out two buhrs about eighteen inches in diameter, and four or five inches thick. The lower buhrs was stationary, while the upper one stood on a pivot, just like a mill stone; on top, a hole was drilled about one inch and a half deep, on one side of the center. Then a pole the size of a broom handle, was placed in this and extending up- 228 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. right to the joist. Sometimes we drove a staple for it to work in. We could then work it with one hand. This made tolerable good meal. We owned one cow, which we called Rigga. This cow we brought with Us from the Miami country. I think we raised ten head of cattle from her, which gave us a good start for stock. Old Rigga was a good cow. Mother often used to say the old cow almost raised us children. The way we used to farm, after our horse died, was the same as the Indians did. In planting our corn we used what was called a square hoe, which was about three inches wide and six inches long. We would strike it in among the stumps and roots to open a hole to drop in the corn. Then when it was ready to .work, we could do better with the same kind of a hoe among the roots, as many of the early settlers know. I think it was two years after we came that we got our first mill flour. It was from Waterville just below the head of the Rapids." Mr. James B. Heatley has held several township and county offices; was Township Treasurer two years, Assessor in 1849-50 and 1851; was elected Recorder in 1851 and reelected in 1854, serving six years as Recorder. Also has served over thirty years as Township Constable. Mr. Heatley had but very little advantage for an early education. He being the oldest boy, was obliged to assist his father in clearing the land and do what he could toward the support of the family. He went to school to William A. Brown and learned to read and write, which was the extent of his schooling until after he was of age; then, by applying himself to such books as were within his reach and by attending night school, he managed to get his education. Mr. Heatley is now in his sixty-second year, and says there is not a person now living within the corporate limits of Defiance who was here when he came—and he knows of none living. Joseph Ralston was born in Hanover, Dauphin County, Penn., June 20, 1818. His father, William Ralston, was born in Mount Joy, York County, Penn., March 26, 1'791; his mother, Jane (Rouch) Ralston, was born in Hanover, Dauphin County, Penn., December 11, 1797; they were married July 17, 1817; had a family of ten children, viz.: Joseph, Harriet, Maria, George A., Henry P., William R., Jane, Susan, Rebecca A. and James. Of these, two died, Jane at sixteen years of age, and Maria at Forty-two. In 1824, his parents moved to Lebanon, Lebanon County, in the same State, where he attended the Lebanon Academy, graduating from that institution in 1831. In March, 1832, he with his parents started for Ohio, and after seventeen days travel overland arrived at Massillon, Ohio, on the 10th day of April, and soon after settled on a farm near by, where his parents died Mr. Ralston, August 10, 1858, and Mrs. Ralston May 30, 1868. Joseph assisted on the farm until the age of eighteen, when he commenced teaching school, and continued at that vocation six years. June 23, 1839, he was married to Ann E. Shorb, of Stark County, Ohio, whose parents were born in Frederick County, Md.. and immigrated to Stark County, Ohio, in 1820, where her mother died in August, 1833. Her father removed to Fairfield, in Wayne County, Ill., in 1847, near which place he died in 1868. They had a family of ten children, viz.: Mary C., Ann C.,John F., Frances C., Harriet, Ann E , Sarah, James, Thomas and Margaret. Mr. Ralston remained in Stark County about three years after his marriage, when he concluded to seek his fortun6 in the West. Accordingly, in October, 1843, he and his family, consisting of his wife and son, William Henry (then one year old), took passage on a canal boat on the Ohio Canal at Massillon, for Cleveland; there embarked on the old steamer Superior for Toledo; leaving the wharf in the evening in a gale, the storm increased so much that in about three hours the boat returned to her dock at about 11 P M. and started out at 4 P. M. of the next day, arriving at Toledo next morning. Here he took passage on the canal boat Red Lion, for Defiance, arriving there October 10, 1843. Here he met an old acquaintance, Samuel P. Cameron, and was induced to settle in Washington Township, where Georgetown is now located, and occupied a small log cabin on the land of Mr. Cameron until he could secure a place for his future home, which he did by selecting 80 acres of land in the southwest part of Section 31 in Tiffin Township. on the bank of Mud Creek, being the first settler on that stream. He commenced the clearing of the forest preparatory to putting up a house, which in those days was quite an undertaking, owing to the scarcity of help, which had to come from two to six miles. The season was an exceedingly wet one, which proved quite a hindrance, as he had to gather his help five times, but after a time he succeeded, and moved into it, and was "monarch of all he surveyed," for his neighbors were not plenty, the nearest, Parmenus Ribble, Reuben Brown and John Par- tee, were two miles away, on the north; on the east, on the " Bellefontaine " road, was Brunersburg, four miles, then a small village; on the west was " Crago Hotel," six miles off, on the bank of Lick Creek; on the south it was four miles to the Maumee, and west the forest was unbroken for twenty miles. After Mr. Ralston made a break, he was soon followed by Solomon Stoner, who settled on an adjoining lot, and David Strawser, the following fall, settled on the Bellefontaine road near by. Among his neighbors were Lyman Langdon, Reuben Brown, John Partee, John Post, Levi Tarr and Mathew and William HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 229 Pierce. The first schoolhouse in his vicinity was near Mr. Kibble's farm, and known as the Kibble Schoolhouse. After clearing a part of this farm, putting up a hewed log house (which is in good condition now), setting out an orchard, carrying the trees on his back from Enos Partee's farm (six miles), and making several improvements, he sold out to Samuel Clinker, in 1850, and in the spring of 1851 moved to Defiance and purchased the place he now resides on, and also purchased an interest in the firm of Tuttle & Bruner, who were engaged in a general merchandising and produce business; continuing in this business, he bought out the other parties and continued the dry goods business about three years, on the north side of the Maumee, in the building now occupied by Hall & Killey as undertakers. He then sold, and formed a partnership with Gen. Gilson (the first banker of Defiance) for one year, and started a hardware store, opposite the Russell House, on Lot No. 99, opening out in May, 1857. In August, he purchased Mr. Gilson's interest, and continued alone until 1860, when L. E. Myers became a partner, by consolidating his tin and stove store.. The firm which became Ralston & Myers then built the two frame buildings recently removed from the Lot No. 100, now occupied by Messrs. Switzer & Kehnast's brick block. In 1862, Mr. Ralston sold -his interest in the hardware, and retired from the mercantile business. In 1860, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and at the end of his term was, in 1863, appointed by the Government Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Tenth Collection District, and Deputy Collector of Revenue thereafter. In 1868, he received the appointment of Special Agent for the Post Office in Defiance, and in 1869, was appointed Postmaster, in which capacity he served four and a half years, when he resigned and gave his attention to raising fine sheep, and is now engaged in raising fine Durham and Jersey cattle. Mr. R. has several fine farms, in all about 530 acres, including 18'7 acres in the corporate limits of the city of Defiance. The products of one of his farms on the Maumee, containing 144 acres, 115 of which is cleared, were in 1880, '780 bushels of wheat, 1,240 bushels of oats, 2,000 bushels of corn, 92 bushels of Mammoth clover seed, and about 60 tons of hay. Mr. Ralston has a family of seven children, viz.! Ann M., William H., Sarah J., Orlando L,, L. Clayton, Clara A. and Lake E. ; of these three died, Ann M., in infancy, L. Clayton at twenty-three years and one month of age, and Clara A. at twenty-three years and five months. The remainder of his family are distributed as follows: Sarah J,, now Mrs. Bowen, is located at Denver, Colo., and has a family of five children—Harry R., Annie, Samuel A., Albert H. and Jennie; Annie died in infancy; William H., is living near his father's residence, married C. E. Hudson, has two children—William H., Edwin F.; Orlando L., is on his farm, five miles up, and on the bank of the Maumee River, married Helena B. Rohn, have five children--Joseph, Ernest, Clara, Karl and Eugenia; and Lake E., residing at his father's house. Adam Wilhelm was born June 23, 1823, in North Prussia. His parents, Jacob and Odelia (Smith) Wilhelm, with their family, then consisting of four children, viz., John, Jacob Jr., Marian and Adam, immigrated to America in 1836, and settled in Stark County, Ohio, where he lived one year and then moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and remained there about three years. Here Marian, the only daughter, died at the age of seventeen years. In the spring of 1840, they moved to Brunersburg, and remained until January, 1811, and removed to Henry County and settled on 80 acres of wild land, and he was obliged to cut the road a distance of three miles through the woods to get to it, and distant three miles, from any white neighbors. Indians were numerous but friendly. Here the subject of this sketch, Adam Wilhelm, remained just long enough to assist his father and brothers in getting up their log cabin home and in clearing up about two acres, and in May, 1841, left the parental home to shift for himself, and walked to Independence, Ohio, where the Miami and Erie Canal, as well as the State dam across the Maumee, were being constructed. Here he got employment and helped to lay the first timbers for the present dam, and was employed as teamster on the job, at driving oxen, in connection with Philip McCauley, now a prosperous farmer of this county. In September, he began work in the blacksmith shops of the State, and assisted Thomas Garrett. In December, came to Defiance and worked for Benjamin Brubaker for his board, and attended school for the winter. The following year, C. L. Noble married Miss Brubaker and bought out Mr. Brubaker's stock of general merchandise. He then worked for Mr. Noble at $8 per month and schooling; remained with him three years; was now getting $25 per month. In 1844, he clerked in S. Lyman's store and warehouse, remaining nine months, when he sold out his stock. Mr. Lyman retaining the building, rented one-half of the room to Wilhelm, using the other half for a tin shop. Here he (Wilhelm) commenced business on a very limited scale by selling bread and cakes, and small beer of his own manufacture, continuing at this until the following year, 1845, when he took in Mr. S. Lyman as partner. he (Lyman) furnishing $75, which was invested in tobacco, candy, crackers, etc. In July, same year, sold out his interest to Mr. Lyman, and after paying off his indebtedness had $14 left. On the following Sunday, Joseph Grosell, John Orf 230 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. (now in the milling business at Fort Wayne, Ind.; and himself were at the old fort grounds and they showed up their assets. He had $14, Orf, $14.10 and Grose11, $14.35. On Monday, Mr. Wilhelm's father had a note of $28 to pay, and he let him have the $14 to help meet it. This left him penniless, but he had lots of friends. A young man named George Woodruff and himself hired out to S. S. Sprague, buying and shipping grain. In September, 1845, he toot charge of the toll bridge across the Maumee here, only getting his board from the company, but in addition he had the use of the toll house, 10x14 feet in size. Mr. Lyman assisted him to a little stock of notions. he not having a dollar, Here he got a start, doing well for himself and the bridge company. While in charge at the bridge, three mon wanted to cross and were informed that the toll was 3 cents each, but nc extra charge for baggage, when one of them paid cents and took the other two on his back and carried them aver. Then he quit the bridge and went intc the grocery business with G. M. Weisenberger, at the upper lock. At the end of eleven months, in the spring of 1846, he bought a farm of H. G. Phillips, of Dayton, Ohio, located at Independence Lock. One year after this, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Rikart, of Fort Jennings, Putnam County, Ohio. The fruits of this union were nine children, viz. : John, born July 28, 1848; Barbara Elizabeth, born July 15, 1850, and died May 24, 1856; George Adam, born September 16, 1852, and died May 16, 1854; Jacob Adam, born February 22, 1856, died July 29, 1858; Franklin, born September 10, 1858; Mary Catharine, born September 27, 1862; Ann Amelia, born October 31, 1864; Clara Elizabeth, born July 13, 1866; Adam, Jr., born August 31, 1872. In the spring of 1850, he sold out his farm to G. B. Abel, with the intuition of moving to Logansport, Ind., but on his way stopped over at Defiance to pay a farewell visit to his former partner and brother-in-law, and was induced by them to remain at Defiance; bought out Andrew Weisenberger and for the second time went into business with G. M, Weisenberger. After eleven months ho bought out his partner's stock and real estate for $3,800, and continued doing a very successful grocery business until 1800. Then took in his clerk (John Rowe) as partner. For three years ho had a very large lumber trade and made money fast. In 1866, he bought out his partner and built a brick building adjoining his grocery and started in the dry goods business. Not liking the business, at the end of three months sold his stock to A. A. Ayers, and moved his grocery into this building and continued the business until 1871. Then bought the Defiance Mills, and since that time has made the milling and real estate his principal business. In 1868, Mr. Wilhelm took a trip across the waters once more to visit the home of his childhood, in company with Mr. Vandenbrock, of this place, since deceased, and visited all the principal cities of Europe. In 1875, he lost his first wife, and for his second wife he married Miss Rosa Virgho, February 20, 1877, of Monroe, Mich., with whom he is still living. He served the county as one of its Commissioners six years, a member of the City Council six years, and a member of the School Board for six years. Has always been an ardent Roman Catholic, and aided very much in the cause of the church by liberal donations here in Defiance as well as in neighboring towns. When Mr. W. first came to this place, there were but two Catholic families residing here-F. Weisenberger's and T. Fitzpatrick's-and a few young men and women. In politics, Mr. Wilhelm has always been a Democrat. Mr. Wilhelm's father was a soldier under Napoleon through the Spanish war. Out of a division of 5,000, only 276 were left, he being one of them, and these all wounded but nineteen, he among the rest. He had verylittle sympathy for Spaniards ; having seen them nail the French soldiers to barn doors He was born A. D. 1789, in Bavaria, Prussia, and died on his farm in Pleasant Township, Henry County, Ohio, 1874, aged eighty-five years. His wife, Odelia, was born in Prussia, A. D. 1795, and died in Henry County aged fifty-two years. John R., eldest son of Adam Wilhelm, is a partner with his father in the milling business, and has principal charge of the mill. He was married, November 7, 1877, to Miss Agnes M. Marantette, of Mendon, St. Joe County, Mich. They have two children, Fanny M., aged four years, and Carl E., aged about two years William A. Brown was born September 6, 1815, and died at Defiance, July 10, 1875. His father, William, was a scout for Gen. Hull, at Detroit, in the war of 1812, and performed many a trip as bearer of dispatches between Detroit and Fort Miami, on the Maumee River, little dreaming that forty years thereafter he would revisit the same place to find it a beautiful, thriving country. After the surrender of Gen. Hull, at Detroit, he returned to Richville. St. Lawrence Co., N. V., and married Miss Mandana Rich, a daughter of Salmon Rich, and settled upon a farm near De Kalb Village, in said county, then as much a wilderness as it was here forty years ago. Here the subject of this sketch was born, and a short time thereafter his father and mother removed about a mile south of Richville, near the line of Governeur. From this place he attended school about three months in summer and three or four in winter, until about twelve years old when all the schooling he got was about three or four months in winter, the balance of the time working upon the farm, until the winter of HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 231 1833-34 he attended the Academy at Governeur, and also in the winter of 1834-35. In May, 1835, he left St. Lawrence County and came to Defiance, arriving June 5, 1835, and continued to reside until his death. His first work in Defiance was for Sidney S. Sprague, scoring timber for the erection of the house in which Enos Blair now resides. In the fall of 1835, in company with two others, he took a job of grubbing for John E. Hunt, of Maumee, of 100 acres of laud in Defiance, afterward known as the Warren farm, and lately as Warren and others Addition to Defiance. After having grubbed about thirty acres, Gen. Hunt sold his farm to Dr. John Evans, and W. A. Brown and Edwin Phelps went to Mamnee City and worked for John E. Hunt until the 1st day of December, during which time they assisted in raising the first Presbyterian Church in that village. Upon his return to Defiance, he engaged in teaching school the greater part of the time, some of the time tending post office for Dr. Jonas Colby, then Postmaster, In October of 1837, he was elected Auditor of Williams County, which then included Paulding County and a larger part of what is now Defiance County, which office he took March, 1838, and held until March, 1842. He was married, May 20, 1840, at Sandy Creek, N. Y., to Harriet N. Stow, daughter of Rev. William B. Stow. From thence they returned to Defiance and continued to reside here ever since. The fruit of this marriage was six children, three sons and three daughters, four of whom, two sons and two daughters, survive him, and are residing in Defiance. One son and one daughter died in infancy. His wife survives him, having traveled the same road with him for more than thirty-five years. Defiance County was organized in the spring of 1845, and in the fall of the same year he was elected Auditor of Defiance County, which office he held for two years. For a great many years, he, by himself and in company with Others, was engaged in mercantile pursuits and in the purchase and shipment of grain, and afterward leased the Defiance Mills, and finally purchased them. He was au industrious, sober, man, never using liquor in any shape, nor even tobacco, and was kind and affable in all the relations of life, a very warm friend and an affectionate husband and father. Mrs. William A. Brown is still living in Defiance, as also are the. four surviving children. Frank G., the eldest son (the Secretary of the Defiance Machine Works), was born in Defiance, Ohio, Setpember 11, 1841, where he lived until he enlisted under the first call for three months' volunteers and served until mustered out, as Sergeant of Company K, Twenty-first Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Ho then engaged with Maj. D. Taylor, Paymaster of the United States Volunteers, as his clerk,. going on duty at Washington, D. C., with the Major in October, 1861, and served in this capacity until March, 1862. when he received an appointment in the Second Auditor's office of the United States Treasury Department, Washington, D. C., where he was in charge of a large division, numbering over sixty clerks, remaining until January 1, 1868, when he resigned and moved back to Defiance. August 25, 1861, he was married to Miss Kate E. Oliver, eldest daughter of David L. and Elizabeth Oliver, who were early settlers of Defiance County. Four children have been born to them-Maude, now deceased, born in Washington, D. C., June 28, 1865; Oliver Sessions, born in Washington, D. C., September 14, 1867; Hattie E., born in Logansport, Ind., June 18, 1872, and James Scott, born in Defiance, Ohio, February 15, 1875. Helen B., the eldest daughler of William A. Brown, was born May 25, 1847, and was married to Dr. J. L. ;.Scott June 8, 1869, a former resident of Richmond, Ind., but who had removed to Defiance some time previously and located as resident dentist, and is still the leading dentist of the place. Mary A., the other daughter, was born August 30, .1849, and was married October 17, 1871, to James J. Jarvis, proprietor of the Defiance Woolen Mills, who removed from Piqua, Ohio, to Defiance in 1865, and this daughter with her husband and children live in the old homestead built by her father in 1844. Alfred S., the remaining child, was born May 13, 1853, and is now a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, where he is assistant to John L. Free - man, General Baggage Agent of the L. S. & M. S. Railroad. Rev. William B. Stow was born in Marlboro, Middlesex County, Mass., January 1, 1782. His father being a farmer, he remained at home, helping to carry on the farm in the summer seasons and going to school in the winter, until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he entered Williams College, and after graduating there studied theology at Andover. Mr. Stow was married, November 11, 1811, to Miss Lucy Mooro, who was born in Warwick, Mass., July 22, 1782. To them were born six children-Lucy Moore, William R., Adeline, Harriet N., Alfred M. and Mary T. William R. and Lucy M. are dead, Rev. Alfred M. lives in Canandaigua, N. Y. ; Mary T. married W. W. Smith and lives in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Adeline married Lorenzo Higby, and resides in Ridgeville, Henry County, Ohio; Harriet N. (widow of William Brown, deceased), is now living here at Defiance with her children. Mrs. Stow died August 3, 1825. Mr. Stow was married twice thereafter. For his second wife he married Catharine Sprague, and to them was born one child, Kate, who married J. D. Gillett, of New York; and for his third wife, Hannah Brainard, HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 232 Rev. Mr. Stow came to Defiance, A. D. 1837, from Mex- ico, N. Y., under the auspices of the Home Mission- ary Society. At that time there was no church or- ganization at-Defiance, except. the Methodist Episcopal. Mr. Stow took an active part in organizing the Presbyterian Church at that time, which was accomplished December 11, 1837, and at said organization he was chosen their pastor and remained as such until the spring of 1839, when, owing to ill health of him- self and family, he resigned his charge and with his family returned again to his former home in New York. Subsequently, A D. 1852, he returned again to Defiance, but not to take the place of pastor in the church at Defiance, but preached every other Sab- bath or as health would permit in the little church at Ridgeville, until his death, April 24, 1856, aged seventy-four years. A few days before his death he penciled the following lines: "With joy I proclaim to this body farewell, I've no more occasion within thee to dwell; Long hast thou been faithful and firm to endure, Long wilt thou be resting, all safely secure. I leave thee at present in charge of kind friends, All needed attentions will compass thy ends; May you rest in all quiet down under the clod, Beneath His protection; thy Lord and my God. Roused, up after ages by the Omnipotent word, Oh, how much delight will re-union afford; With pleasure surpassing all present portray, No more to be sundered, all hail the bright day. Such rays from our Savior will fall on us then, To render us happy, oh, stop, my poor pen; Oh, wonder of wonders, no mortal can tell, With joy in conclusion, I say, fare thee well." Henry Sauer was born on September 10, 1812, in Cassel, the Capital of the former electorate of Hesse. Cassel, now a portion of Prussia, Germany; immigrated to America at the age of nineteen, arriving at New York in the summer of 1832, after a long and tedious voyage on a sail vessel; being without means or friends to assist him, he immediately worked his way westward until he arrived at Cleveland in the fall of 1834, here he found two families that had immigrated a few years before from his neighborhood in Germany; they were the families of George A. Hoffrichter and Frederick Lesh. On May 10, 1835. he married Wilhelmina, daughter of George A. and Julia Hoffrichter. In the summer of 1836 he with the families of Hoffrichter and Lesh removed to where he now resides in Pleasant Township, Henry County, Ohio, being now the oldest living settler in the township. Arriving at Independence, Defiance County, their only path to their newly purchased home (which was represented as being not far distant from Cleveland) was the lonely Indian trail. Upon arriving at the spot they found nothing but a dense forest, wild beasts and the Indians, who were peaceable and did the new-corners no damage. By untiring energy and perseverance, he set to work and soon had several acres ready for the plow, which was pulled by one ox, or sometimes a man was hitched up with him. A few years later, when the canal was being built through Defiance, he left his little farm, then consisting of 40 acres, and helped to construct, it from Defiance to Delphos, in this way procuring means to buy more land. By continuing at hard work until the present day, he was able to secure 240 acres of land, which is to-day in the garden spot of Northwestern Ohio. The result of his marriage was fifteen children, ten girls and five boys, nine of whom are living to-day. He is now enjoying the fruits of his hard labor and is living on the same piece of land he moved onto in 1836, being seventy-one years of age, his wife sixty-five, both in good health and neither one would be taken for the earliest settlers in the township. John Hively came to Defiance County in 1817, entered a farm, settled on the north bank of the Maumee, about three miles below Defiance, where he built and operated in connection with his farm a sinall tannery. He had four sons and two daughters, one of whom, Polly, married John Bridenbaugh, and after his death, John Ruth, with whom she new lives in Milford Township. Thomas, one of the sons, lives in Indiana; John, another son, lives with his sister, Mrs. Ruth. John lively, Sr., and his wife died on the farm they had entered from the Govern- ment. Rev. Truman Felton is the son of Chauncey and Lucinda (Delsworth) Felton. His father was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and his mothei in Hillsdale County, Mich. Their children were John, Truman, Harriet, Charlotte and George. John went to Iowa in 1869, and to the Black Hills in 1874, where he was when last heard from. Mr. Chauncey Felton was a soldier in the late war, and an early pioneer and hunter of Defiance County. Truman spent his boyhood upon the farm, professed religion at the age of twelve years, studied for the ministry and was licensed to preach in the United Brethren Church in 1882. January 16, 1875, he was married to Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Henry and Hannah (Lay) Shafer. Their children are Chauncey, born March 6,1876; Anna, born December 25, 1877; Lucinda, born January 1, 1880, and Myrtle, born January 20, 1882. Townsend Newton, the second son and third child of William and Laura (Moore) Newton, was born August 9, 1826, at Willsboro Falls, Essex County, N. Y. His parents were born, the former January 1, 1880, in Scotland, the latter May 15, 1800, in Essex County, N. Y. They were married and settled down for a time at Willsboro, where they remained until 1847, when they removed to Clinton HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 233 County, N. Y., where Mr. Newton died August 20, 1849. Mrs. Newton came to Defiance County in 1861 and died at the residence of her son William, in Defiance Township, in January, 1872. Their children were William (dead), Mary, Townsend, Alma, George, Margaret (dead), Isabella (dead). Townsend Newton, the subject of this sketch, was married to Car.). line E., daughter of Elisha and Eliza (Roe) Brown, September 20, 1849, at Fort Ann, Washington County, N. Y., and moved to Clinton County, and from there to Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and from there to Defiance County, Ohio, in the fall of 1862. In the spring of 1863, he purchased the old pioneer farm, known as the Nathan Shirley farm, situated on the Auglaize River on Section 17, Defiance Township, to which he has added 80 acres, making a homestead of 240 acres. Six children have blessed this union Ella, born October 9, 1850, (lied May 13, 1873; Mary, born January 2, 1852; William, born May 28, 1854; Charles, born August 20, 1856; Helen, born April 12, 1860; Hattie, born June 25, 1868. Mrs. Newton died March 26, 1872. Mr. Newton then married Mrs. Dickey, April 2, 1873, with whom he is now living. Mr. Newton, owing to ill health of his father, started out at the age of eleven years to work on a farm at $2.50 per month. At the age of seventeen, went to learn the bloom trade (making iron rods from the ore). After completing his trade, penniless, he started out in the world, borrowing 50 cents and traveling all day, put up at night. The landlord asked if he wanted supper, to which young Newton replied he would like supper, lodging and breakfast, and tendered him the 50 cents. The landlord told him to keep it and pay h im when he got, a job, which he afterward did, and by economy and good management he is " well fixed," having a good farm of 240 acres in a body, besides several small farms in this and the adjoining counties Jacob J. Greene, one of the most widely known citizens of Defiance County, was born at Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, in July, 1821; moved to the town of Defiance in the summer of 1843, and has resided there continuously ever since. He edited and published for twenty-five years, from February, 1849, the Defiance Democrat, which was not only the county paper for Defiance, but for a time also for several of the adjoining counties. He is now (and has been since January, 1854), Probate Judge of Defiance County. He has held various local offices, besides having been a member (elected from the counties of Williams, Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert and Putnam) of the Constitutional Convention in 1850-51, as also (from Defiance and Paulding) of that of 1873-74. In politics, he has always been a Democrat, prominent as a Freemason, and has from his youth been a communicant of the Episcopal Church. The Judge is somewhat scholarly, being an A. M. of Kenyon College. His wife, Mary, is a daughter of John Donaldson, an early settler of Tiffin Township. At sixty-two, with unusually good health, and in the ready use of his faculties, Judge Greene bids fair to live years yet to enjoy his comfortable home and the esteem of friends, comprehending all classes and all parties. Capt. J. E. Casebeer, formerly proprietor of the Crosby House, Defiance, Ohio, was born, near Canal Dover, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. June 25, 1841, being now in his forty-second year. His parents are both living at Hicksville, Ohio, respected and well to do. His boyhood days were spent on a farm at hard work. He obtained a good business education by attending the district school of from two to throe months each winter, but to natural ability he is more indebted for his education than to any advantages the schools afforded. At the age of twenty he enlisted as a soldier in Company D, Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana. Volunteer Infantry, September 20, 1861, and re-enlisted as a veteran at Chattanooga, Tenn., January, 1863, and was with his company and regiment from the time of its mustering in until its mustering out. As a soldier, he participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Nashville, besides the innumerable skirmishes, marches and hardships attending an active campaign of four years' duration of a desperate and bloody war. He was honorably discharged, September 25, 1865. He was married to Dorothy Miller, May 15, 1867, a lady beloved by her friends and esteemed and honored by her acquaintances, who was born near Hicksville, Ohio, June 27, 1848. They have two children- Laura A., fifteen years old, and Odie K., thirteen years old. From 1867 to 1872, Mr. Casebeer engaged in the manufacturing business with success. From 1872 to 1876, he was engaged in the mercantile business, when he failed through the cause of the panic of 1873 and the close times and general unsettled state of business attending it. He immediately embarked in the hotel business without a dollar, every cent of his former capital going to his creditors. In 1878, he was burned out and lost everything again. Still undaunted, with nothing but energy and grit left, he commenced business anew, and through his able management, the Crosby House was second to no other of its size in the State, besides he is making other investments and improvements, the most important of which is the Casebeer Block at Hicksville, Ohio, which at present is the best building in town. Having sold the furniture and fixtures of the Crosby, lie moved to Tole- 234 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. do in June, 1883, and re-opened the American House under the name of the Merchants' Hotel. Socially, Mr. Casebeer is a liberal, whole-souled, plain speaking gentleman, with many friends and few enemies. Politically, he is Independent, untrammeled by any party ties, reserving the right to vote as he thinks best, believing that all good and honest measures should be sustained and that corruption and dishonesty should be rebuked, regardless of party prejudices. Religiously, he is liberal, believing that every one has a right to his own religion: but in doing good to suffering humanity whenever we can, we come nearer to meriting our true reward from the great Giver of all good. J. S. Haller was born March 6, 1837, in Chambersburg, Penn. His father immigrated to this country in 1827, from Baden, Germany. His mother was of German extraction, but born in America. They were married in 1830, by Rev. D. A. Gallatzer, at Loretto, Cambria County, Penn. The father's occupation was selling wall clocks, at which he was quite successful. Shortly after his marriage, he located at Chambersburg, Penn. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters, all born in Chambersburg, and all living except the younger daughter, who died at the age of five years. The father after a residence of thirteen years at Chambersburg, purchased a small farm three miles south of Harrisburg, Penn., on which they moved in the spring of 1850, and followed gardening for a living. In 1855, the father died, aged sixty-seven, and in 1861 the mother followed, aged forty-nine. Both parents and sister rest in the family lot at Chambersburg. J. S., our subject, started West in 1859, bound for Nebraska, purchasing a ticket for St. Louis, hut stopped over at Defiance to see his uncle, who with others persuaded him to try this place. In the fall, he secured employment with King Bros., commission merchants of Toledo, and afterward with Powers & Fish, also commission merchants of the same city. Then through C. Knox, general freight agent of Wabash Railway, he secured a clerkship in the Logansport freight house, remaining there until the fall of 1861, when he returned to Defiance and married Josephine, eldest daughter of Mr. Weisenberger, on October 1, 1861, making his wedding tour to Harrisburg, Penn., and while there his mother died. The following spring he returned to Defiance, settling down for life. His first attempt was in the grocery line, purchasing a small stock, at the one-story frame called the Recess, where now stands Mallet Bros.' marble works, After a time he purchased the lot where the Democrat now is. built a one-story brick building thereon, moved his original stock to a frame build ing owned by his uncle, Mr. Weismantel. After the completion of his own brick building, he moved into it his family and stock, and was very successful. He then entered into partnership with F. Wolfsiffer, hut after a year sold out to Richolt Bros; then purchased the S. R. Hudson property, moving his stock into the place; in a few years, formed a partnership with J. W. Phillips, express agent, but in a year they dissolved and Mr. Haller was appointed agent, which he followed exclusively until 1871, except that for some time he was in partnership with J. & F. Wolfsiffer in groceries. He was then appointed joint agent at Logansport for two express companies, remaining until the winter of 1872. Next spring he traded the Gorman property for a half-interest in Ryder & Gib son's saw mill, which business he followed until 1876, when he leased the grounds and erected the buildings, now standing. to E. Gove & Co. In 1872, with Mr. Gorman, he purchased twenty-five acres of H. C. Boll-ten, which they divided and improved, where they now reside. From .1876 to 1882, Mr. Haller was gardening, etc. In 1882, William Gibson and he commenced manufacturing a very useful wooden fork and im• proved threshing machine, both recently patented. Mr, Haller's family consists of four sons and five daughters. Mrs. Eliza Brubaker was born in 1803, and lived a large portion of her life in Defiance. She took a great interest in the Presbyterian Church, of which she was a life-long member, and was one of the little band of nineteen who organized the church at Defiance in December, 1837, and continued an active member in every good work for the promotion and best interests of the same. She was the first to organize a sewing society, as one of the helps to build a church, in which she was permitted to worship to a good old age, when her spirit took its flight to the church triumphant on high, April 15, 1879. Mrs. Brubaker was the mother of Mrs. C. L. Noble, of Paulding Center, Ohio, and grandmother of Mrs. L. G. Thacker, of Defiance, Ohio. John Lawrence Scott was born in Springboro, Ohio, June 9, 1839. His father, William E., of English descent, his mother, Ann Trotter, of Scottish descent, were both raised and married in Virginia, and in the early days moved to Springboro, Warren County, Ohio. They had three sons and two daughters—Edward (deceased), Ann E. (Mrs. Edwards, of Madison County), William J. (of Pana, Ill.), John Lawrence, and Louisa (Mrs. Henry Lawrence, of Plainfield, Ind.). When three years old, our subject, on the death of his father, went with his mother to Richmond, Ind,, and in 1859 began the study of medicine with Dr. Butler, attending one course of lectures at Philadelphia. On the death of Dr. Butler, he went to Wabash, Ind., and studied dentistry for two years with Dr. J. Bechtol. In HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 235 1863, he enlisted and served two years in the army as Captain of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He returned to Wabash, and resumed the practice of dentistry, but selling out February 1, 1866, he moved to Defiance, where he still practices his chosen profession. He married in 1869, Miss Helen Brown, of Defiance. In 1877, he engaged in the drug business in connection with Dr. W, D. Colby, which interest he still retains in connection with the active duties of his profession. Abijah John Miller, attorney, was born in Pennsylvania and received his literary training at Williamsport Academy, where he graduated in 1836. He graduated in law at the Cincinnati Law School in 1839, and has been a resident of Defiance since 1849. Conrad Marquardt was born November 18, 1848, in Germany, his parents, John and Anna (Shafer) Marquardt, who were born in Germany and came to America and settled at Toledo, Ohio, May 8, 1851. They have one daughter, Anna, born in 1846, who married Lewis Riebel, of Toledo. Mr. Marquardt died at Toledo in 1861, aged forty-six years. Mrs. M. is still living at Toledo. At the age of sixteen years, Conrad started out to learn the door, sash and blind business. In 1872, he came to Defiance, where he has remained ever since, working at his trade. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the three mouths' service, served his time and was honorably discharged at Toledo, where he had enlisted. Samuel S, Ashbaugh, attorney, was born in La Grange County, Ind., March 25, 1852, being the youngest child of Andrew and Elizabeth (Davis) Ashbaugh. He lived on a farm in this county with his parents until he was about fifteen years of age, when they removed to Hillsdale, Mich., to obtain better educational advantages for their children. Mr. Ashbaugh completed the classical course of Hillsdale College in 1874, and now holds the degree of A. M. After graduating, he taught school at Allen and Jonesville, Mich., declining a second re-election at the latter place, in order to read law, and was admitted to the bar at Hillsdale, in March, 1879. In September, following, he resumed teaching, taking charge of the public schools of Defiance, Ohio, which situation he held three years, resigning in June, 1882, that he might enter the practice of law. He immediately formed a partnership with Henry B. Harris, was admitted to the bar of Ohio, January 2, 1883, and is now engaged in the active practice at Defiance, Ohio. Henry B. Harris, attorney, second son and third child of Thomas Drake and Elizabeth (Ashton) Harris, was born in Defiance, Ohio, on the 4th day of November, 1853. He attended the union schools of Defiance, and afterward the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, where he graduated in 1874. The year succeeding his graduation he was employed as superintendent of the union schools of Hicksville, Ohio. In the summer of 1875, Mr. Harris commenced the study of law at Defiance under the. tutelage of Henry Ne begin, Esq. In December, 1877, he was in the Supreme Court of the State admitted to the practice of law in Ohio, and the first of the new year following entered the active practice in his native village. On the 18th of October, 1882, at Rushville, Ohio, Mr, Harris married Alice A., eldest daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Shaw, of Fairfield County, Ohio. Mr. Harris is now senior member of the enterprising and prosperous firm of Harris & Ashbaugh. William Carter, attorney, son of William and Elizabeth E. (Daggell) Carter, was born at Defiance, Ohio, December 31, 1856; was educated in the public schools of that place, and after spending most of four years in the employ of the civil engineering department of the B. & 0 R, R. Company in constructing one of its lines,. entered the law department of the University of Michigan in September, 1876, and graduated therefrom in 1878. He was admitted to practice in the State of Ohio in 1879, and located in his native city, where he has since followed his profession with success. During his yet short career as a lawyer, he has in several instances been called to fill places of responsibility by the court and citizens outside as well as inside his own county. He is now Master Commissioner for Defiance County, and a Trustee of several organizations within the county, among which is the Defiance Female Seminary. We predict for the future of Mr. Carter that degree of success and eminence in his profession which integrity, fidelity and perseverance in all matters merit. Mr. Carter was married to Emma A., daughter of Rufus A. and Christina (Walls) Houghton, of Defiance, Ohio, April 30, 1878. They have two children -Abbie Carter, born April 9, 1879, and William Carter, born December 19, 1881. Charles E. Bronson. The subject of this sketch is the eldest son and fourth child of Sedgwick and Johanna E. Bronson, who were married in the fall of 1838, at Fredonia, N. Y. His father was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., February 2, 1810, and his mother in same-county in the fall of 1818. They are the lineal descendants from the same ancestors with Greene C. Bronson, the late Chief Justice of the State of New York. Their parents moved form New Haven, Conn., in 1790, to Western New York, where they settled and engaged in farming, raising stock and engaged in dairy business, and some of their children are still residing on the old homestead 236 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. which he erected in 1790 at Mayville, N. Y. In the fall of 1849, his parents moved to Defiance, Ohio, where he was born March 10, 1850. His father was engaged in the saw mill business and had charge of the saw mill on Indiana Lock, owned by S. S. Spraglie, Esq., which he managed for fifteen months. In 1852, the family returned to Chautauqua County, N. Y. The family consisted of his parents and four children, viz.: Sarah E., Caroline W., Charles E. and Frank C., one girl died in infancy. He at- tended the common schools of their home until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Forest- ville Academy, then under the control of the Board of Regents of Albany, N. Y. His parents were not able to pay his board and tuition, so he accepted the position of janitor of the school buildings to pay for the same, and attended the regular course in the academy for two years. He then succeeded in pass- ing the examination prescribed by the Board of Re- gents of the State, standing at the head of his class. In the fall of 1867, he came to Defiance, Ohio, his native place, and made his home with his uncle, J. W. Phillips, and attended a select school taught by S. H. Wallace; during the winter, he taught the dis trict school four miles southwest of town, known as the "Duck District," where he gave good satisfac- tion. The winter of 1868-69, he taught the school in " Conkle" District, Adams Township, also a two months' term at Independence, Ohio. The winter of 1869-70, he taught the Farmer Center School. During the year preceding this--his last school—he commenced the study of law with the firm of Hill & Cowen, and on the 19th of March, 1871, just nine days after he became of age, he passed the examination without missing a single question at the session of the district at Defiance, Ohio, and the next day, March 20, was duly sworn in attorney and counselor at law; on the 10th day of April, the same year, he formed a law partnership with the Hon. Henry Hardy, an old attorney of the city, and entered upon the active duties of his profession. He was successful from the beginning, and in a short time had a lucrative practice. In March, 1873, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, and on the 5th day of June, 1873, he was nominated for Prosecuting Attorney of the county of Defiance, by the Democratic party, and was elected. He was so successful and faithful in the discharge of the duties of his office that he was twice re-elected, holding the office for three successive terms of two years each. At the close of his third term, January, 1880, he retired from the office and rented the suite of rooms on the second floor, directly opposite the court house, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law, and a general loan and real estate business. He has one of the finest suites of rooms in the city. On December 6, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary A. Thacker, youngest daughter of I. N. Thacker, M. D., one of the oldest and best physicians of the city. To them were given three boys—Eddie S., I. Newton and Charlie Thacker, the last of whom died in the spring of 1880, at the age of eighteen months, with that terrible disease, scarlet fever. Ludger Blanchard was born in Canada, November 12, 1842. His father, James, and his mother, Harriet, were Canadians by birth. The latter died in Canada in 1851, and the former in Paulding County, Ohio, May 26,1876. They had ten children, nine boys and one girl, who died in infancy. Their names are as follows: James, Joseph, Ludger. Gideon, Simon, Malina, Philip, Philleus, Patrick and Edmund. Simon, Malina and Philip are dead. Joseph, Gideon and Ludger are living in Defiance, Philleus being in Paulding County, Patrick in Wyoming Territory, James and Edmund in Canada. The mother died when Ludger was eight years old, and the family were scattered. At the age of seventeen years, Linter went to Montreal to learn the cabinet-making. After serving three years, he went to Plattsburg, .N. Y., and worked there eighteen months. From Plattsburg he went to Defiance, in the fall of 1863, and worked for the firm of Hoffman & Geiger eight years. In 1872, he commenced the undertaking business, and still continues in it. December 25, 1866, he was married to Bridget T. Downs, of Defiance, who was born in Toledo, March 22, 1843. Eight children have blessed this union--Joseph J. A., Ovid D., Annie H. (deceased), Eugenie Z., Mina T., Charles G., Albert L. and D. A. Joseph Blanchard is engaged quite extensively in the timber business in Defiance. He married Sarah Hess, of Defiance, in the fall of 1874, and they have five children,—Frank, Nettie, Josie, James and Mary M. James and Josie are deceased. Gideon Blanchard is a resident of Defiance, where he has been engaged in the timber business for the past twenty years. His wife was Margaret Mum- her, of Paulding County, to whom he was married June 6, 1865, and they have six children living-- Gideon, Harriet, John, Eddie, Zelia and Israel. Charles Carroll Strong was born at Thetford, Vt., June 30, 1829, and is a descendant of the Elder John Strong, of Taunton, Somersetshire, England, who came to America in 1629. The father of Charles Carroll, Horace Strong, was born in Lebanon, Conn., April 9, 1791, and was married, at Thetford, Vt., October 22,1818, to Laura Allen, who is a sister to Dr. Jerome and Bella Allen, with whom so many of the pioneers of Defiance are acquainted. Horace Strong died September 24, 1836, leaving a wife and HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 237 five children, of whom Charles was the youngest. At the age of sixteen, he left home for Chicopee Falls, Mass., to learn the machinist's trade. July 12, 1851, he was married to Frances K. Cheeney, daughter of Elias and Lucy F. Cheeney, at Thetford, Vt. Their children were Frances and Sarah, twins, born at Nashua, N. H., April, 1852; Harriet M., born at Windsor, Vt. , March, 1855; Horace, at Defiance, Ohio, February, 1861; Kate, at Defiance, December, 1863; Nellie G. and Addie G., at Defiance, November, 1865. Of a family of seven children, only two are now living, Harriet M. and Addie G. They moved from Philadelphia, Penn., to Defiance, March, 1858. He, with his. brother Samuel and Marcus Orcutt, bought the foundry then owned by P. Kettenring, they adding a machine shop. John McCollister was born in Mad River Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, January 7, 1840, and in September, 1850, he removed with his father to Jennings Township, Van Wert County, at that time almost a wilderness. The nearest school being three miles off, his father provided a boarding place about half-way to school, and John and his brother Noah, and his sisters, Polly and Anna, went to school, in 1850 and in 1851, to David Price. In September following, his sister Nancy died, and then his mother and sister Anna, all in three weeks, so his fourteen year-old sister Polly was left to keep house. About this time, our subject had an exciting and dangerous tussle with a wild hog, which he killed after putting five balls into him. On another occasion, he was obliged to enlarge a hole in a hollow tree, in which his little nine year brother was stuck. In August, 1855, his father died, aged fifty-five. He was a native of Shenandoah County, Va., and his mother of Tennessee, her maiden name being Sarah Taylor. He then lived with his uncle, John Taylor, of Defiance, going to school to Angeline Meredith, a daughter of Thomas Warren, then to Eldridge Willie, and next to W. Wells, and finally, in 1859, to Oscar Myers. On December 25, 1860, he married Esther Brown, by whom he has had nine sons and three daughters; of the boys, only Charles Strong, David Locke, Lafayette Burchard and an infant not named, now survive. The girls are Clara Covila, Emma Dell and Fannie Augusta. In 1862, Mr. McCollister enlisted in Company A, Sixty-ninth Battalion Ohio National Guards, and in April, 1862, they were ordered to Cleveland, there mustered into the United States service and ordered to Washington. They were stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, seven miles from Washington. He was transferred, at Cleveland, into the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in Company K, Capt. Bowlus, Lieut. Loveberry. He was honorably discharged at Camp Cleveland, August, 1864. A. Viers, son of John and Rebecca Viers, was born near Delta, Fulton Co., Ohio, March 27, 1845. His father was also a native of Ohio, born January 9, 1800, and was married to Rebecca Salisberry, born in Pennsylvania June 8, 1806. They moved to Fulton County at an early day, being the third white family in the county. They cleared a large farm, and raised a family of nine sons and four daughters. Five of the sons served their Country in the late war, in which two lost their lives. John Viers died July 2, 1873; his wife is still living. The subject of this sketch was married, June 17, 1869, to Alice M., daughter of Adam and Mary J. Stout, born March 12, 1851. They first settled in Florida, Henry County, remaining until 1871, when they moved to Defiance, where he entered into mercantile life as salesman for Messrs. Flickinger & Blair. In the spring of 1883, he formed a partnership with Thomas Hilton in the grocery business, and opened up in the Holgate, Potterf & Tittle Block, opposite the Russell House. His family consists of two children-Nettie B., born March 16, 1871, and Adam C., born February 2, 1874. Enos Blair was born in 1839 in Greenwood, Steuben Co., N. Y. His father, William M. Blair, was born in Massachusetts in 1'799, and died at Litchfield, Mich., in 1846. His mother, Selinda Wheeler, was born in New Hampshire in 1799, and is still living at Litchfield, Mich. They were married, in 1820, at Dryden, N. Y., and a few years after moved to Greenwood, N. Y., and then, in 1845, to Litchfield, taking with them their six-year-old son, Enos, and from that time until he was thirteen he lived on his brother's farm. In 1852 and 1853, he attended school at Defiance; returned to Michigan, remaining until 1857, going then to Illinois, working on a farm in summer and teaching in the winter for two years. He then entered into the stove trade in Defiance for two years, when he went into the dry goods business, in the fall of 1863, in partnership with C. A. Flickinger, and they still continue to do a thriving and prosperous business. He married, September 2, 1868, Amanda M., daughter of J. J. and Susan M. Myers, of Defiance, who was born at Mogadore, in Summit County, November 15, 1848. They have three childrenEva M., born June 15, 1869; Hattie A., November 10, 1873; Elmer Enos, July 26, 1876. John M. Preisendorfer was born in Oberstine, Bayern, Germany, October 22, 1838, and is son of Adam and Agnes Preisendorfer, who had a family of five sons and one daughter, of whom three survive- John M., Joseph and John. His father died in 1896, the mother in 1881. John M. came to this country 938 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. in 1860, remaining in New York until February, 1861, when he came to Defiance, working eleven months for A. Dolke, at the boot and shoe trade, when he went into business with his brother Joseph, but after five years bought out the latter. In 1867, he built, at a cost of $4,200, his present place of business, 49 Clinton street. He married, November 24, 1865, Elizabeth Wilhelm, of Henry County, by whom he had nine children—Mary A., John J., Adam (died in infancy), Agnes E., Alphonso R., Anthony F., Frank S., Adam and LOuis 'Charles. In politics, Mr. P. is an active and faithful Democratic worker, and has held office as Corporation Treasurer from 1870 to 1878, and now, in connection with his boot and shoe business, in which he carries a large and carefully selected stock, he is prepared to suit all. He has kept abreast of the times, and has never allowed any competitor to surpass him in the completeness and variety of his stock, the fairness of his prices and liberality of his dealings. He also represents a large number of first-class American and European fire and life insurance companies, and takes risks on all commercial and farm property. Defiance has a good representative in Mr. Preisendorfer, who is an honorable and upright citizen, and a merchant of reliability and established reputation. William Higgins, son of Schuyler and Sophia (Carter) Higgins, was born on the Western Reserve; in South Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, June 9, 1828. Left fatherless at the age of ten years, he and his seven brothers and sisters were dependent on their own exertions for a living and education. Endowed with a large amount of energy and perseverance, he manfully resolved to win for himself "a name and a fame." At the age of fifteen, with his school books and personal effects tied up in a cotton handkerchief, he left home for Sandusky, en route for the then far West. Arriving at his brother Franklin's, who lived thirty miles west of Chicago, he worked for two months at $8 per month. With the money thus earned, he furnished himself with suitable clothing, and came back to Valparaiso, Ind., where he attended school. War having been declared between Mexico and the United States, August 3, 1846, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the mounted rifle regiment at Michigan City, Ind., and was immediately ordered to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where the regiment was organized, drilled and equipped. Here he was as- signed to Company G, commanded by Capt. John L. Simonson. After three months' camp life at Jeffer- son Barracks, he was ordered to Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, where the regiment continued cavalry drill till the February following, when orders were received to proceed at once to the mouth of the Rio Grande. A few weeks' stay here, and they were ordered to Lobos Island, in the Gulf of Mexico. Two weeks later, the fleet was organized, and sailed for Vera Cruz, intending to besiege and bombard the city. Mr. Higgins, with others, was transferred from the ship "Diadem," to the sloop-of-war "Al- bany." From the " Albany " he was one of the first to enter the surf-boats and effect a landing under cover of the fire from the fleet. After a siege and bombardment of four days, the city of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa surrendered. From here the army marched to Plandel Rio, where they stopped for rest and to prepare to storm the heights of Cerro Gordo. He was now with Gen. Twiggs, in the storming party that flanked the enemy on the right and rear; which movement, Manuel M. Jimen, in the Mexican official journal, El Diario, afterward likens to the passage of Bonaparte across the Alps, and "that the road by which the enemy flanked us was impracticable." On the forenoon of the 18th, while storming the main heights, led by Lieut. Ewell, with the shot and shell falling thick and fast around them, and many a poor comrade breathing his last, our hero fell, badly wounded, which unfitted him for further service. After a tedious stay in the hospitals at Jalapa and castle of Perote, on the 31st day of October, 1847, he was discharged, and went immediately home, where be was an invalid for eighteen months, from the effects of his wound and disease contracted in the army. With the partial return of health, his old energy and force of character began again to assert itself, and in the fall of 1848, at the age of twenty years, he engaged in his first speculation, which consisted in the purchase and shipment to Chicago of one hundred barrels of green apples; the sale of which he personally superintended. January 19, 1849, he located his land warrant, and became the possessor of a farm of 160 acres of rich prairie land in Grundy County, Ill, which he still owns. In March following, he returned to Birmingham, Ohio, and made all necessary arrangements for a journey across the plains to California during the coming summer. At, the appointed time, his expected partner concluded not to go, and thereby caused him to defer till a later day his trip to the land of gold. September 1, he again enrolled himself, not as a soldier but as a student at Baldwin University, Berea. On the 8th day of April, 1850, he started from Birmingham for California across the plains, and reached Ringgold September 22 following. Here he followed the occupation of a miner till March, 1852, when he engaged in mercantile business at Placerville, in which he continued till January, 1854, during which time he built the pioneer or first brick business block in Placerville, situated on the corner of Main and Sacra- HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 239 mento streets; it is strictly fire-proof, and is now occupied as a post office building. In February, 1854, he returned to Ohio by the Nicaragua route, passing most of the time till September in traveling through the Western and Southern States, when he again started for California, by the Panama route, and reached San Francisco in October. He again followed the occupation of a miner, spending the greater part of his time at Monte Christo, on the celebrated Blue Lead, until January, 1858, when, the home attractions becoming stronger than all else, he again returned to Ohio. On the 8th day of May, 1858, he came to Defiance, where he has since resided, spending the first four years of his stay in the law office of Hon. William Carter, since deceased. August 19, 1862, he consummated a very important event of his life, viz., his marriage with Miss Delia Stone, of Adrian, Mich., a teacher in the public schools and an accomplished and highly esteemed lady. Four years later, his wife died, leaving him a childless widower. In October, 1867, he married Miss Amelia Tinney, of Irving, Erie Co., N. Y. The fruits of this union were Bertha H., Lora D., William E., Schuyler R. and Minnie E. In 1873, he, with three others, built the fine edifice on the corner of Clinton and Third streets, known as the Keystone Block. In November, 1875, his wife, Amelia, died, leaving him again a widower. January 1, 1877, the dread angel Death again visited his family, and Schuyler, his second son, was taken. June 24, 1880, he again embarked on the sea of matrimony, and married another teacher, Miss Clara E. Peck, of Erie County, Ohio, whose home - was near his own birthplace. One beautiful little girl, Mary Augusta, has come to bless their union. Financially, he has been more successful than could have been expected from one whose business has been so varied and changeful as his. By his strict integrity and uprightness of character, he has won many friends and been honored with offices of trust by his fellow-townsmen, among which was the Mayoralty of the city. He also held a commission under Gov. Tod during the late civil war, as Colonel of militia. He is positive in temperament and outspoken in manner, showing the world his strict ideas of right and wrong regardless of consequences. Politically, he is a life-long Democrat, of the true Bourbon stripe. Religiously, a supporter of the Church, a friend of the poor and needy, and an adherent of the doctrine that a quiet, conscientious, consistent life is a better example of true Christianity than loud spoken words and acts "to be seen of men." Lewis Neill, a lineal descendant on the mother's side of Gavin Hamilton, of Scotland, the patron of Burns, the Scottish poet, and on the father's side, of Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone (the unyielding Irish patriot who battled so long against the armies of the British crown), is a son of Lewis and Corbina E. Neil (both deceased), of Jefferson County, now West Virginia. His forefathers came to colonial America whilst Lord Fairfax held and lived upon his "grant" of the "Northern Neck of Virginia," and Lewis Neill, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch., at one time owned 12,000 acres of that Fairfax land. Lewis Neill has two surviving broth- ers, George W. Neill (unmarried), and Samuel B. Neill (married), and two surviving sisters--Mary S. Neill (unmarried), and Virginia Johnston (married). Lewis Neill, our subject, married Ellen M. Greer, only daughter of Judge James S. Greer and Louisa Greer, both of Defiance, Ohio, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Vermont. Mrs. Neill, his (now deceased) wife, was born in the village of Defiance May 2, 1844, am] Mr. Neill was born in Jefferson County (now West Virginia) March 16, 1821. They had one child only—Lewis Greer Neill (living), who was born March 18, 1866. Mr. Neill was Justice of the Peace and County Recorder for six years He settled in Defiance County in the year 1863. William C. Holgate, banker, lawyer and capitalist, was born November 23, 1814, at Burlington, Vt., of English and Scotch descent. He has in his possession an ancient English coat of arms, without date, of which he has no knowledge save that it has been handed down from his ancestors. He was the son of Curtis and Alvira (Prentice) Holgate. A sketch of his father will be found on another page. William C. Holgate attended the academy and select school at Utica, N. Y., and was admitted to Hamilton College in the year 1832, graduating in 1835. In 1841, the college bestowed on him the degree of A. M. He studied law with Willard Crafts, of Utica, and then with Horace Sessions, of Defiance, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio in the year 1838. About this time, he was appointed Clerk of the Court, which office he resigned in 1839, then receiving the appointment of Prosecuting Attorney of Williams County, in which position he had his first experience in the practice of law. His first case in a court of record was where Morrison R. Waite, now Chief Justice, delivered his maiden speech as opposing counsel. In the winter of 1844– 45, he went to Columbus with a petition for the erection of Defiance County, and succeeded in securing the passage of a legislative enactment establishing the county. The bill was drafted by him, and by his untiring efforts carried through the Legislature, amid the most violent opposition, in the short space of three months. On his return home with a certified copy 240 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. of the law, he met such a reception from his fellow citizens as was never given to any other man in the county. Well they might, as of some twenty-five projects of a similar kind, his was the only one that succeeded. About 1851, a Mr. Allen, with his agents, was found listing and taking possession of nearly all the vacant land surrounding the town of Defiance, under a contract with the Governor of the State, by virtue of an adroitly framed resolution of the Legislature, reading in such a way as to mislead the members passing it, and also the Governor and Auditor of State. Ascertaining that this contract would put Mr. Allen in possession of nearly 40,000 acres of land in close proximity to Defiance, and so smother the growth and prosperity of the village and surrounding country, and believing there must be a great fraud and wrong underlying the matter, Mr. Holgate called upon the leading men of Defiance to see if they would join with him in an 'attempt to thwart the proceeding. He found that nearly all of them had already been interviewed by Allen, and been led by him to concur in the legality of his claim. "But," said they, " if it is wrong, what can we do about it, with all the leading officials of the State against us ? " Mr. Holgate replied that he would show them what " we could do about it," and immediately called a public meeting of the town, in which, as Chairman of a committee appointed by the meeting, he made an elaborate report of the law and facts relating to the matter, which was received and adopted, and, with appropriate resolutions, was published in the papers of the town and republished throughout the State. A great consternation was aroused among the people on the subject. The officials of the State were led to review and reconsider their action in the matter, and to hedge Mr. Allen's procedure with difficulties. 'The Auditor soon brought the lands to sale, and the most of them were bought by actual settlers, Mr. Allen, having failed in getting action of the Supremo Court in his favor, finally abandoned his claims to the lands, and thus were the great interests of the State as well as the people of Defiance, saved by the action of Mr. Holgate. When the Michigan Southern Railroad and the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Rail. road went through the State, cutting off most of the territory tributary to the .business interests of Defiance, business men talked about removing to other places, and everything looked as if the doom of the town was sealed, and no one to lift a helping hand, only to say there was no hope. It was then that William C. Holgate came to the front once more and secured to the town the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. None can now appreciate the really hard mental as well as physical work it took to accomplish this object. Late at night and early in the morning, Mr. Holgate worked and worked on. He corresponded with nearly every railroad man and interest--east as far as Buffalo, and south as far as Cincinnati, and west as far as La Fayette—and the correspondence would now fill a volume. Nearly every railroad meeting within those limits was attended by him, and he depicted in vivid colors in the newspapers of the town the advantages of railroad routes through Defiance. The strain upon him in doing this work, in connection with his law office and large real estate interests and infirmities produced by a bilious and debilitating climate, caused his health to give away in 1853, to such an extent as to render him unfit for active business for the succeeding twelve to fifteen years. He could not read or write for much of this time, and was compelled to give up his law practice, and now rarely attends to any but that in which he is personally interested. Though tolerably comfortable, Mr, Holgate has never entirely recovered from the prostration that came upon him in 1853. In 1864, when the land contracted to the town fourteen years previously for the Defiance Female Seminary had been forfeited to the State for the non-payment of purchase money, and a bill was about being passed by the Legislature requiring the State Auditor to sell the same, he went to Columbus and secured the passage of an act authorizing a deed of the land upon payment of the money due. Mr. Holgate and Horace Sessions advanced the money from their private funds and secured the deed, thereby saving to Defiance the 1,280 acres. It was about the year .1869 the citizens felt the want of increased railroad facilities to accommodate the manufacturing inter ests of the place, and this again brought him to the front in the interests of the people. Several lines for a railroad were proposed and urged by the leading citizens of the town. Feeling that the most important route for the next railroad through the place would be from the southern bend of Lake Michigan,, as Chicago could be most directly connected through it with the, cities of the Atlantic seaboard, Mr. Holgate organized a company in Ohio and Indiana, its line surveyed two years later being accepted and built upon by the Baltimore & Ohio Company. The beneficial effects of this railroad upon the business prosperity of the town are incalculable. He was appointed Director in this new road. The city and county of Defiance are almost wholly indebted to Mr. William C. Holgate for securing to them that great improvement in their interest known as the " Second Street Bridge." A Board of Commissioners in 1873, had advertised the letting of a contract for the construction of a $40,000 stone and iron structure at the crossing of the Auglaize River at Hopkins street, which, if proceeded with, Mr. Holgate saw would so exhaust the bridge moneys of the county that HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 241 it would cut off all hopes or prospects of a bridge at Second street. It was found that, in addition to the hostility of the Commissioners, no direct relief to prevent the letting of the Hopkins street contract could be obtained by injunction from either Judge residing in the county, and the case seemed hopeless, Already contractors from several States had begun to crowd the hotels, when as a desperate alternative, Mr. Holgate entered the Auditor's offrce with responsible parties, and gave security, and so caused the transfer of the papers relating to the Commissioners' proceedings about the Hopkins street bridge, by appeal, to the Clerk's office of the Court of Common Pleas. When the hour for letting came, the Commissioners found they had no papers on their files in proper shape authorizing a letting, and dismissed the assembled bidders. Mr. Holgate was fully conscious this appeal would not, on final hearing, be sustained, but knowing it would tide over the dangerous emergency, he waited until a good case could be made up for an injunction before Judges outside of the county, in the absence of those resident within. He took the appeal as his only chance. The case was now in court, with some few of the leading attorneys of the town, supported by Morrison R-. Waite as their adviser. All the County Commissioners and the other prominent officials of the county sought to get the case out of court, so that they could proceed.with the letting, while Mr. Holgate tried to keep it in, in order that the people of the county might have an opportunity to rally and elect a Board of Commissioners that should take care of their own and the great public interests affecting the matter. It suffices to say that in this, as in the first case in court in which Mr. Waite was the opposing counsel to Mr. Holgate, the latter's success was complete. The case was ended late in the year 1874 by a decision of the Supreme Court of the State against the Commissioners. While this suit was pending, two new Commissioners were elected in the interest of constructing the bridge over the Auglaize River at Second street, and they caused its erection in the summer of 1875. While the proposed Hopkins street bridge was on the outskirts of the city, with its approaches narrow and crooked, Second street is a broad avenue running by the court house through the center of the busi ness part of the town in a straight line across the Auglaize River to a point half a mile east. This had a direct outlet given to it by an old county road to the east and by another one running south. The town of Holgate, twelve and one-half miles east of Defiance, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, laid out by the citizens of Defiance, was named as a compliment to Mr. Holgate for his efforts in securing that road to their .place He always took a warm interest in the real estate improvements of the town, and his brain teemed with projects to promote its growth. His efforts, with those of his partners, have secured to the town of Holgate many important factories and other interests, together with the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railroad, which adds greatly to the prosperity of the town. Holgate avenue was originally a road graded by Mr. Holgate about 1844, through a fifty-acre tract owned by him, adjacent to the city of Defiance on the west, on which, in 1858, he built a house for his residence. After lining the street with shade trees and making it inviting to those seeking homes, he opened it to the public, and the village soon spread over his land and extended its limits a mile westerly. Holgate pike reaches from the north end of the Maumee River bridge in Defiance on section lines to Williams County. About the year 1850, Mr. Holgate secured the passage of a special act for the locating of the Williamstown & Ridgeville Free Turnpike road on this line. Its name, by another special act of which he secured the passage, about the year 1856, was changed to that of the Defiance. & Michigan Free Turnpike road, but the people called it the Holgate Pike," by which name only it is known. After the Defiance County Agricultural Society located its fair grounds on this road in 1875, Mr. Holgate added to it a strip of land forty feet wide, for a mile and a half north of the river, making it one-hundred feet wide. He then planted three rows of maple trees along this pike, which are already giving it a pleasant and beautiful appearance. Assisted by his sou Curtis, he is now engaged in opening in this vicinity one of the best stock farms in the State. It consists of about 900 acres north of the Maumee, embracing what is known as " Sulphur Hollow," and 200 acres south of that river. In "Sulphur Hollow," there is located a very valuable mineral spring. Mr. Holgate is opening out, grading, and building roads on most of the subdivision lines of sections through this tract, making of his farm a beautiful park. He keeps about one hundred head of cattle, about twenty- five of which are thoroughbred short-horns of the finest pedigrees, the increase of which will soon make his whole herd full bloods. He has other farming lands not adjacent to the city, amounting to 5,000 acres, besides a large amount of city property, which he is improving every year. Mr. Holgate's expressed wish and desire seems to be to hold only such lots and lands as he can properly improve, all the remainder being for sale, He was the prime mover in organizing the Defiance County Agricultural Society, drafted its by-laws, performed the duties of Secretary,.and took upon himself nearly all the business management for five years, when he was compelled to resign on account of sickness. In politics, he was 242 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. formerly a Whig, but since a Republican. Mr. Holgate has always been too much engrossed with important matters affecting his own interests as well as those of the public to devote much of his time to the business of politics. Being a man of great determination, he has always been eminently successful in all his undertakings, whether of a private or public nature, and especially has this been the case in matters of public interest, ,which he has always pushed to success regardless of personal inconvenience, and yet he has never held or sought any public office. Strictly honorable in all his dealings and prudent in all his business matters, he has acquired a handsome fortune, without sacrificing the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, by whom he is regarded in the highest manner---and especially is this the case among those who have known him from pioneer days down to the present time. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is President of the Merchants' National Bank of Defiance, and also of the Defiance Manufacturing Company, a strong organization, manufacturing hubs, spokes and bent work. Mr. Holgate was married in 1854 to Miss Mary Hoelrich, who died June 6. 1865. They had two children —W. Curtis Holgate, born November 29, 1854, who was married September 14, 1876, to Miss Florence Gleason, who have also had two children--William Curtis Holgate, born J illy 19, 1877, and Robert Gleason Holgate, born October. 1, 1880; Fannie Maud Holgate, born October 2, 1856, was married to Commodore Perry Harley, July 9, 1874, who have had one child—Holgate Christian Harley, who was born June 19, 1876. Curtis Holgate was born in Dummerston, Vt., August 28, 1773. He was of English and Scotch descent, and was a son of Asa Holgate, whose father came from England. while we were colonies of Great Britain, as a Surgeon in the British Army. He died while in the service and was buried at sea between Boston and Halifax. Dr. Holgate left one son, Asa, who at seventeen years of age,. being without a home, enlisted as a private in the British Army, and was engaged in the old French and Indian war. At the close of this war, he married a daughter of Capt. Kahan, a Scotchman, who had settled on the Connecticut River, near Brattleboro, Vt.. and owned fine lands for nine miles along the river. Curtis Holgate was born on a farm, and was one of the younger children of a large family. While yet a child his father moved to Lake Champlain. The young man toiled vigorously at whatever he found to do, and at the age of thirty-six had accumulated a capital of about $1,500, the savings of his own labors. He received nothing from his father, as the fine landed estates on the Connecticut River had been lost to the family. His first wife having died, he married Miss Alvira Prentice, the daughter of a physician in Northern Vermont, and shortly after, gathering together all of his worldly possessions, he moved to Burlington, Vt. It had considerable commercial importance, but was without a wharf, though situated upon the broadest and most exposed part of the lake, and where one would be of the greatest value. Many had been built, but none of them permanently- enough to stand, on account of the exposure of the coast to heavy storms and ice-drifts. Mr. Holgate felt confident that he could build a dock that would withstand the storms, and applied to the Legislature for a sole right to wharf privileges, which was granted to him for the term of fourteen years, He had nearly completed his first structure when it was all swept away in one night by ice and a heavy storm. Arriving at the scene the next morning he saw where the weak points were, and decided to try again. To give up was not in his character. He was called the Napoleon of Burlington, on account of his energy and perseverance. Having no money, but the full confidence of all who knew him, he went to a leading capitalist and laid the case before him, telling him if he would lend him the amount he needed to build another wharf, he would give him one hundred per cent interest. His application was successful. The required aid was granted, and in a short time the second dock was built. It answered his expectations and stood for a long time against all storms, thereby giving to the city of Burlington an accommodation indispensable to its commercial interests and prosperity. The wharf is still in existence, and has made it the chief city of the State, , It was completed, together with the necessary warehouses, just before the war of 1812. The commencement of the war found him with all the debts for the construction or the wharf paid up in full, according to contract, and a very prosperous business on his hands. Commodore McDonough found the dock of great use during the war of 1812, for here he fitted out for the battle of Plattsburg, where he gained his great victory over the British. Previous to this battle, the British considered themselves masters of the lake. Their ships of war went sailing up and down its broad expanse, firing into the villages and towns. One of their largest vessels anchored opposite to Burlington, but three miles distant, and sent a gunboat within about a mile of the place, which commenced cannonading the town. A prominent object was the house of Mr, Holgate, which stood on the wharf. One ball entered the roof of the house, passed into the dining-room, struck a corner post, bounded back and rolled under the dining table, from which the family had just been hastened to the back country. Other balls struck his yard and garden fences, leveling HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. - 243 them to the ground. Going to Commodore McDonough, Mr. Holgate asked him to fit out a gunboat to drive off the British marauders, and agreeing to furnish the men necessary for the purpose. The Commodore granted his request and furnished the boat with cannon. Mr. Holgate and his fellow-citizens set forth, and in a very short time silenced the British gunboat, driving it back to the ship. At the close of the war, Mr. Holgate sold the dock to Messrs. Mayo & Follet for $22,000, and moved on a farm two miles south of Burlington, also buying 800 acres of land across the lake opposite Burlington. Having some money left, he purchased six or eight vessels, and put them on the lake. On the tract of land opposite Burlington, he laid out a town, calling it Port Douglas, and building a wharf, warehouse, hotel, store and saw mill. About this time, the " Steamboat Company of Lake Champlain," which was very wealthy, laid out a town in opposition to his, about three miles to the north, and called it Port Kent. Mr. Holgate feeling that his investment would prove a loss if Port Kent should succeed, offered to sell out to the steamboat company if they would give him first cost and interest, which they declined to do. He therefore sold his farm, moved to his hotel at Port Douglas stocked his store with goods, built a turnpike three miles through the mountains to Keeseville, a great center of the iron business, and now a noted pleasure resort in the Adirondacks, and started a line of stages to connect with the line of packets from Burlington, thereby causing their boats to stop at Port Douglas instead of Port Kent. Mr. Holgate secured the business of the Peru Iron Company at his dock and also a large lumber trade. These enterprises he carried on for one year in competition with the steamboat company without charge, when that corporation offered to accept the terms of sale made to them a year previous, on the basis of which Port Douglas was closed out to them, he receiving all his expenditures together with six per cent interest. About 1823, he had made a trip West with his own team to see the country, pursuing the line afterward followed by the Erie Canal, passing through and spending some time at Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus and Newark. This trip occupied the whole summer. He formed a very high opinion of the prospects of the towns and country which he visited, and, after disposing of Port Douglas, arranged to remove to the West. He went by the way of Whitehall and the Northern Canal, in his own boat, and, stopping at Troy, he bought a stock of general dry goods in New York, taking it to Syracuse, and opening a store at Salina, now a part of Syracuse. In that place he bought two salt works, which he carried on about one year, in connection with his store. About this time he lost three children with the measles, who died and were buried within the space of three weeks. This so disheartened him that he sold out all of his property and moved to the city of Utica, where he lived until he had educated his children, engaging in no business. But while here the part of the Now York Central Railroad from Schenectady to Utica was located, and he became one of the original subscribers to the stock, taking about $28,000 worth. Shortly after and before the road was completed, he sold his stock at a premium of twenty-eight and a half per cent, and then made a trip to the West, purchasing property in Buffalo and in and near Fort Wayne, Ind. About 1835, he visited Toledo, and bought an interest. in Manhattan property; then going to Defiance and purchasing the interest of Benjamin Leaven, one-half of the town of Defiance and one-third of the town of Napoleon, together with some adjacent land. In 1836, he removed to Buffalo, N. Y,, and thence to Defiance, Ohio, in the fall of 1837. He and his family were very much prostrated by sickness up to his death, which occurred January 15, 1840, at the age of sixty-six years. When about sixty years old, he united with the Presbyterian Church. He took very radical grounds on the side of temperance, as will be shown in the following instance: In the summer of 1839, when help was very scarce, he applied to the canal contractors for men to help harvest his wheat, The contractors were willing, but the men refused to go unless they were permitted to have liquor on the ground. Mr. Holgate told them he would not allow that, but would give them $2 per day, the regular wages being $1.25. They agreed to this offer, and the wheat was harvested. Though Mr. Holgate resided at Defiance with his family but a few years, death calling him away, his memory is fresh in the minds of the people, who feel that they owe a great deal to his help in the infancy of their town. He was almost the first citizen that brought any capital with him into the place. Strict moral principles governed him in every walk of life. Hon. Elmer White, second son of Lyman and Louisa White, the former of New York State, the latter of New Hampshire, was born at West Lodi, Seneca Co., Ohio, April 16, 1847. His parents came to Ohio in 1836 and located at Tiffin, Seneca County, where Elmer passed most of his early life. He received his education in the public schools of that place, graduating June 4, 1864, with the highest honors of his class. Choosing the printer's trade, lre learned the business in the Tiffin Advertiser office, under the preceptorship of Hon. W. W. Armstrong, afterward Secretary of State, and now proprietor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Mr. White was united in marriage with Miss Celia 244 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. A. Hoyt, of Onondaga County, N. Y., on January 22, 1868. The fruits of this union were three children, two of whom are living-Irving E., born July 26, 1870, at Tiffin, Ohio ; Lyman, Jr., born October 30, 1875, at Defiance. A little daughter, Mary, was born February 26 1874, and died. September 29, 1875. In 1869, Mr. White established the Tiffin Star, and continued its publication until the fall of 1873, when he removed to Defiance and became editor and part owner of the Defiance Democrat, succeeding Hon. J. J. Greene, who had published the paper twenty-four years. Is still connected with the Democrat and is also, in connection with Frank J. Mains, proprietor of the Weekly Herald, a German paper of influence. Mr. White was elected City Clerk of Defiance in 1873, and held the office for two terms. In 1881, he was elected a State Senator, representing the Thirty-second District, comprising the counties of Williams, Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize and Mercer. Mr. White has the reputation of being a zealous and active worker in the Democratic party of Northwestern Ohio. He comes of good Democratic stock, his father before him (who is still living), having always been a strong worker in that party. In the State Senate he took a leading part in legislation, and well merited the words of praise frequently bestowed upon him by the press and public, In the Legislature, he was one of the champions of the canal interests of Ohio, and through his work and influence the State made a large appropriation to rebuild the Wabash & Erie Canal west of Junction in Paulding County. Local interests were well cared for by him, and in public matters he was a defender of the people against jobs and schemes of all kinds. Mr. White is a fine speaker and able writer. His eulogy of the late Senator 0. Hogan, from the Thirtieth District, delivered in the Senate Chamber January 9, 1883, received the highest encomiums of the press and his fellow-members, Gov. Charles Foster doing him the honor of calling upon him at his desk, to personally tender his congratulations, and afterward, many distinguished citizens of the State publicly expressed their admiration of this masterly and eloquent tribute to the memory of their departed friend and colleague. Mr. White is now in the prime of health and vigor, and has still an eminent and useful career before him. A brother of Mr. White, now Lieutenant Commander Edwin White, United States Navy, is Executive Officer in the flagship Hartford, of the Pacific squadron, now stationed at the Society Islands. He entered the naval service of the United States in 1861 and graduated at the Naval Academy in June, 1864. His home is in Princeton, N. J., his wife being a daughter of Rear Admiral Emmons, of the United States Navy, and a niece of Rear Admirals Thornton and Jenkins. William Gaylord Blymyer, son of John and Sarah Blymyer, was born August 31, 1841, at Mansfield, Ohio. In July, 1857, his parents moved to Booneville, Cooper Co., Mo., where, in the fall of that. year, he commenced the trade of a printer in the Observer office. He served faithfully as an apprentice for three years, after which he took charge of the mechanical part of the office, which position he held until the office was closed, on the approach of Gen. Lyons' army, in June, 1861. From that time until 1864, he spent his time between his old Ohio home and Missouri. In 1864, he established the Booneville Monitor, a weekly paper devoted to the cause of the Union. It was the first Union paper published in Central Missouri, and, indeed, we might say one of the first published in the State. On account of the many bushwhackers in that part of the State, and the great danger in publishing a Union paper, ho was forced to give it up after issuing twenty-six numbers. After the Monitor was discontinued, he came to Mansfield, Ohio, and was married, December 17, 1864, to Miss Susan A., daughter of George and Sarah Sheets. They have two children-Olive S., born April 4; 1868, and George S., born February 28, 1880 In 1865, Mr. Blymyer purchased the Fostoria News, which paper he published for about one year, when he "pulled up stakes " and became one of the publishers of the Kansas City, Mo., Daily Advertiser. Not liking the place, he again returned to Ohio, and became interested in the Findlay Jeffersonian, with the Locke Bros. In 1868, they sold the Jeffersonian, and purchased the Tiffin Tribune, which they continued to publish until 1873, when Mr. B. sold his interest to his partners and moved to Defiance, and purchased a half-interest in the Democrat, with which he remained connected till June, 1881, when he sold his interest to his partner, Hon. Elmer White. In October of the same year, he founded the Democratic Times, which paper was a success from the start, supplying what seemed to be a want in the political papers of the city and county. The Times is in a prosperous condition, having a large circulation in both city and country, and does an extensive job printing business. Frank C. Culley, editor and publisher of the Defiance County Express, son of Matthew D, and Emily Culley, was born at Fremont, Ohio, July 2, 1838. At the age of fifteen, he began to learn the printer's trade, and has been connected with the newspaper business ever since. In April, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company F, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till February, 1863. Soon after his discharge, to wit, February 16, 1863, he was united in marriage at Perrysburg, Ohio, with Miss Emma R., daughter of J. R. and Mary A. Rudulph, who was horn at New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1842. They have four children-011ie M., born at Haskins, Ohio ; L. Belle, born at Bowling Green, Ohio ; Fritzie Allen, born at Eaton Rapids, Mich. ; and J. Ray, born at Defiance, Ohio. In 1867, Mr. Culley founded the Wood Count?' Sentinel, and published it for two years, when he sold out and moved to Eaton Rapids, Mich., and published the HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 245 Journal at that place for eight years ; after which, in 1879,-he came to Defiance and bought the Express, the the history of which paper appears in another part of this work. Mr, Culley comes of a patriotic family, his ancestors being in the Revolutionary war. He is a stanch Republican, advocating earnestly the principles of the party, though he has never held office. Dr. I. N. Thacker, born January 27, 1811, in the town of Essex and county of Essex, State of New York. He came with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, in the fall of 1815. In thp spring of 1813, his parents moved on a farm in Clermont County, Ohio, where the Doctor grew up, attended district school in the winter season and helped his father on the farm in summer, till nineteen years of age. In 1831, he studied medicine under Dr. John Thacker, a cousin of his, in Goshen, in the same county. In 1835, he attended a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and in 1840 he graduated at the same college, and commenced practice at what was then Rochester, now Morrowtown, Warren County, Ohio, and remained there about fifteen years. He was married to Miss Lydia Haywood, of Goshen, Clermont County, Ohio, November 21, 1833. Six children were born to them, four boys and two girls, viz.: Joseph 0., William H., L. G., Sarah A., Isaac N. and Mary A. Mr. Thacker came to Defiance October 27, 1853, where he has continued the prac. rice of medicine for nearly thirty years, Three of his sons were physicians: William H., was a graduate of Ann Arbor Medical University, Michigan; I. N., of Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio; L. G., graduated at Bellevue Medical College of New York City, and commenced practice at Defiance, March, 1866. He has an extensive practice, and was married to Miss Lillie Noble, January 27, 1869. They have two children, Eugenie and Myrtle, aged respectively thirteen and five years. The surviving brother, Isaac N., is practicing medicine at Chihuahua, Mexico. Joseph O. also studied medicine, but died at the age of twenty years, before completion of studies. He died May 3, 1858. William H. died in Denver, Colo., July 30, 1876. Dr. Anthony Berchtold was born December 19, 1852, in Sarnen, Canton Unterwalden, Switzerland, and was the second son of Anthony and Rosa (Stockton) Berchtold, who had eleven children, seven boys and four girls. Of this number, five only are living, viz.: Fridolin, Anthony, Gerold, Rosalie and Mary. Anthony, the subject of this sketch, attended the primary and secondary schools from his sixth to his thirteenth year, then entered the Latin school in his native land, and passed through the different branches, consuming six years, then entered a philosophical course at Schoyz, to complete the Latin studies and his education. In 1872, he entered Medical College of Freiburg, Germany, and remained one year. He then went to Berne, Switzerland, and attended the Medical College there two years, and came back to Freiburg in October, 1875, where he completed his medical studies in the summer of 1876, and passed an examination the same year for physician, before the Board of Examiners of Canton Unterwalden, after which he commenced the practice of medicine with his uncle, Dr. M. Stockman, at Larnen, remaining with him one year, and then came to this country, landing at New York October 3, 1877. He went to Newark, N. J., and remained there five months; came from there to Monroeville, in Huron County, Ohio, where he remained ten months and then came to Defiance, arriving here on the 9th of January, 1879, and commenced his practice here, He was married, October 7, 1879, to Josephine, eldest daughter of Joseph and Anna Maria (Durrer) Bucher. Two children have been born to them-Rosa E., born March 4, 1881, and Josephine Theresa, born September 12, 1882. Dr. W. S. Powell was born in Napoleon, Ohio, in the year 1850; commenced the study of medicine in April, 1870; graduated at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, in March, 1874, returning then to his native place, where he practiced medicine for two years, when he located at Defiance, in July, 1876. The Doctor was united in matrimony, December 24, 1878, with Miss Libbie Jarvis, of Piqua, Ohio. Daniel Widmer was born in Switzerland April 9, 1838; immigrated to this country with his parents, Jacob Widmer. and Anna (Frecker) Widmer, when about sixteen years old,. arriving at Defiance June 5, 1854. The family consisted of five children-Anna, Daniel, John, Jacob and Mary. Mr, Widmer was married at Defiance, June 7, 1863, to Miss Rosa Winkler (by Rev. Dotzer), who was also born in Switzerland, Canton Borne, April 13, 1841. They have a family of four children-A. C. Widmer, born at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1864; Ellen, born August 10, 1865; Huldah, born February 5, 1870; Eugene, born March 11, 1874; the three latter were born in Defiance. Mr. Widmer and brother, John, are doing a very extensive business in this town at beer bottling, putting up in bottles and small kegs about one hundred barrels per week. Mr. W. was a member of the Council at Defiance from 1876 to 1878. Mrs. Widmer's parents, Christian and Rosa Winkler, came to this country, to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1853, and to Defiance in 1857. John Widmer, son of Jacob and Anna, was born in Switzerland, 1845; immigrated to America with his parents in 18i54, landing at New York May 27, and 246 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. proceeded immediately for the West, arriving at De- fiance June 5: 1854, coming from Toledo by packet on canal. His parents both died here at Defiance. Mr. Widmer was in the late war, 1861-65, in Company G, Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war, July 24, 1865. March 28, 1869, he was married to Miss Caroline Hauck, of Defiance, who was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1853, and came out with her parents, The fruits of this marriage are three children-John E., born February 6, 1870; William H., born October 12, 1871; and George C., born December 15, 1880. Mr. Widmer and brother Dan are doing a very extensive wholesale trade at this town, bottling and shipping lager beer, receiving about one hundred barrels per week from Toledo Brewing Company, and C. Windisch Muhlhauser & Bro., Cincinnati, Ohio. Joseph J. Kahlo, the second eldest child living of Charles John Kahlo, who was born February 12, 1818, a native of Prussia, was born in Defiance November 14, 1856. He was married, December 14, 1880, to Kate, eldest daughter of Christian and Caroline Geiger, of Defiance. They have one child, William Carl, born December 4, 1881. At the first election of officers, hold April 3, 1882, after Defiance became a city, Mr. Kahlo was elected a member of the Council for two years. January 26, 1851, the parents of Mr. Kahlo set sail for America, on board the old ship Mota, and arrived at Defiance County April 18, 1851, with their little daughter Mota, who was born during passage on ship which landed her on the shores of America, and from which she received her name. Mr. Kahlo settled in what is now known as East Defiance. Eight children were born to them, of whom there are now living Mota, Joseph J. and Charles J. Mr. Kahlo died December 13, 1861, and Mrs. Kahlo married John Stetler Novem- ber 26, 1868, and accompanied her husband to his home in Delaware Township, where they lived six years and then returned to the Kahlo homestead in East Defiance, where they now live, and where the daughter Mota was married to John Stotler, Jr. Charles Andrew Flickinger was born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, August 28, 1836. His parents, John Jacob and Caroline (Glasser) Flickinger, were natives of Bavaria, and were married in October, 1835, having two children born to them, the subject of our sketch and Elizabeth, who was born October 1841, and is now the wife of Adam Minsel. Mr. Flickinger had a strong love for the land of his birth, with all of its associations, from his childhood, yet he realized the advantages of a republic, with its glorious free institutions, where his children would have equal chances with others to rise to high positions. Entertaining these views, he bade good-bye to the fatherland, and started for the United States with his wife and two children, traveling in an emigrant wagon to Havre de Grace, and thence by a new three-masted ship, named Emerald, to New York, arriving in the spring of 1844. He immediately started for the West, going to Albany by steamer, to Buffalo by rail, to Toledo by steamer and. from thence to Defiance, Ohio, by canal-boat, arriving June 1, 1844. He bought a farm in Richland, where he lived seven years, and then moved to Defiance, where he remained until his death, March 9, 1861. His widow married John Grass, and survives her second husband, who died in the spring of 1874. Charles A. Flickinger attended the district school while living in Richland. and afterward the school in Defiance when his father moved to the latter place. He spent three years at this school, working during vacation for $1.50 te $2 per week to get money to buy books and clothing. On leaving school, he entered his father's grocery, and conducted the business until he became of age, when his father deeded to him all of his property, both real and personal. In the following year, 1858, he erected the brick building now used by the Defiance Fire Department, and entered into a general store business, dealing in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, groceries and queensware. In the fall of 1863, he associated with him in business Enos Blair, his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Flickinger & Blair. In 1874, he erected what is called the Stone Front Building, the handsomest block in the city. His firm occupies a part of it with a general line of dry goods, and also another store with clothing, gentlemen's furnishing goods, hats and caps and boots and shoes. He started with the smallest stock in the city, and is now at the head of the largest houses there. He attained the position, not by sheer luck or by some happy chance, but by hard, honest work. In 1863, when the National Guards, of which he was a member, were called out by Gov. Tod, for one hundred days, he furnished a man at $50 per month until discharged. Although not a professor of religion, he is a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church with his wife, who is a member. The churches find in him a ready helper in pecuniary matters. He is also one of the foremost men in Defiance to further the interest of manufacturing and railroad enterprises, helping and donating literally. Early in life he became a champion of the abolition of slavery. He was the first young German of Defiance County to espouse the Republican cause; and although he received taunts and jeers from every side, yet he stood firm on the position he had taken. He has voted for every 'Republican President. His love for liberty, the equal rights of all men, and the HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 247 advancement of moral principles, led him to make choice of this party. He could not be prompted by selfish motives, with the hope of gain, or being honored with office, as his county always gives a large majority for the opposition. He takes an active part in campaign work each fall. In 1880, he took the stump for Gen. James A. Garfield, and delivered from two to three speeches each week. He is a great thorn in the sides of the Democracy. He was married, March 28, 1861, to Eliza, daughter of William M. and Selinda Blair. They have had born to them two children-Alva C., January, 4, 1862, and Karl A., November 7, 1863. Both sons are now students at the university of Wooster, Ohio. Mr. Flickinger is a man of high character, of gracious manners and sterling disposition. His name stands high. He has read and observed much, and, as an aid to his studies, has gathered a fine library of books. At the Republican State Convention, July 7, 1882, he received the nomination for member of the Board of Public Works. George W. Bechel is the second child of Michael and Elizabeth (Grabast) Bechel, the former born September 29, 1804, in Alsace, Germany, the latter born in 1812, in Bavaria, Germany. Mr. B. immigrated to America October 3, 1830, arriving in New York November 3, 1830; arrived in Canton. Ohio, November 27, Mrs. B. coming a year later. They were married December 8, 1834, at Canton, Stark Co., Ohio. To them were born three children, one daughter and two sons. Caroline, the eldest, and now the wife of Dr. 0. E. Brownell, of Akron, Ohio, was born in 1835, at Canton, Ohio. William F., the third child, was born in Canton February 28, .1841; married Lucy Hainsworth, of Newport, Ky., a lady of English birth. He is now engaged with the Pacific Express Company as Auditor. George W., the subject of this sketch, was also born in Canton, June 13, 1838. When about eight years of age his father died, September 27, 1864. Thus early deprived of his father, he was soon thrown upon his own resources for a living, and spent his boyhood days working on a farm, attending the district school in winter, until sixteen years of age, when he entered the shop of his brother in-law, in the village of Manchester, Summit Co., Ohio, to learn the harness-making trade, working there three years and a half. lie then went to the town of Kent, Portage County, then known as Franklin Mills, Ohio, where he remained about fourteen months, then took his departure for Defiance, arriving here October 8, 1860: Abandoning the harness- making business, he entered the drug store of Dr. J. Ruhl and clerked for him, and read medicine for about a year, at which time he was married to Miss Catharine Smith, daughter of William and Susan (Krum) Smith, September 3, 1861, residents of Ionia County, Mich. Of this union eight children have been born-William M., born November 11, 1862; S. Lizzie, born May 28, 1864; Frank and Freddie (twins), born August 30, 1866 (Freddie died in infancy, Frank died March 29, 1881, aged fourteen years nine months); Della K., born June 1, 1869; John A., born September 14, 1871; Lucy, born April 13, 1874, and George W., Jr., born October 31, 1877. In 1863, Mr. Bechel bought out his employer, Dr. Ruhl, and continued the drug business in the same building, which is still standing at the foot of Clinton street, on the bank of the Maumee, where the bridge crosses the river, and is used as an agricultural warehouse. This building was built by Dr. 0. H. Allen for a drug store, and occupied by him as such for a number of years; then followed Taylor & Landis; next, Dr. John Paul; then Dr. J. Ruhl, and lastly Mr. Bechel, who continued the drug business seven years, when he moved to his present place of business, No. 27 Clinton street. The post office was kept for a time in this building, with Joseph Ralston as Postmaster. The upper room of this building was used by the Presbyterian congregation at an early day as a place of worship. Afterward it was used for a printing office. In 1869, Mr. Bechel was chosen Secretary of the Defiance Agricultural Society, and served as such for two or three years, being chosen Treasurer and continuing until 1880, at which time he resigned. In the spring of 1882, he was elected to the City Council, being its President for the term of one year. John D. Graper was born in Hanover, Germany, near the little town of Uchte, January 22, 1817, and immigrated to this country with his parents, K. H. Graper and Catharine (Hasfield) Graper, arriving at Defiance, Ohio, September 18, 1834. Their family consisted of five children--John D., Sophia, Henry F., Christian C. (who died in August, 1862) and Frederick W. (died February 7, 1872). Mr. Graper took passage on the steamboat Atlas from New York to Albany, from there to Schenectady by rail, and from there to Buffalo by canal-boat. The cholera raged badly at that time, and there were several deaths on the boatt. When they arrived at Rochester, N. Y., the Captain and crew all left the boat, the Captain saying to the emigrants they must do the best they could for themselves, there being six other families on board besides the Graper family. There was one corpse on the boat when the Captain left, two more afterward, and two more when they got to Buffalo. After living at Rochester several days, the physicians came to their assistance,. and they were soon able to resume their journey. Of these five deaths, four of them were of one family-father, 248 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. mother and two daughters by the name of Doepke. These families all came on to Defiance, and after resting here for a few 'days took their departure for Cincinnati, except the Graper family, who became residents of this place. Mr. Graper died here April 4, 1843, aged about fifty-one years. Mrs. Graper lived on to a good old age and died August 8, 1871, aged fourscore year's. John D. Graper was married October 12, 1848, to Nancy Wells, of Defiance. They had ten children—William H., Ada, Ida, Frank O., Inez, Edwin F., Emory, Fannie, Walter and Edgar P. Of these five are dead, viz. : William H., Ida, Inez. Edwin F. and Walter—all died young, except Inez, who was about twenty-two year's of age. Mrs. Graper's parents, John Wells and Mary (Mason) Wells, came from Muskingum County, Ohio, to Defiance in the fall of 1834, and settled about a mile from town up the river, on the banks of the Auglaize. They had nine children, three boys and six girls. Four of the girls are married, and live in Defiance; viz. : Mrs. Sarah Kniss, Mrs. Jane Myers, Mrs. Eliza Fritz, and Mrs. Nancy Graper, and Mrs. Eliza- beth Rogers, who is living at Toledo, Ohio. Reason is also a resident of Defiance, and married Alice Preston, of Goshen, Ind. John is living at Saginaw, Mich.; Henry is dead, also Sybil Ann Mr. Graper says, when he came to Defiance in 1834, he found about fifteen cabin residences and five or six small trading places. P. C. Parker kept a general store on Water street, between Clinton and Wayne; also the hotel, called the Exchange, stood on the corner of Clinton and Water streets, where Hoffman & Geiger's furniture store now Stands. E. C. Case was doing business on the corner of Water and Wayne streets. John and Albert Evans were on Jefferson street, south of the Pavilion Hotel, which was kept by C. C. Waterhouse; connected with the hotel was a barn, sufficiently large to accommodate fifteen or sixteen horses over night (travel being altogether on horse- back at that time), in the construction of which there was not a scrap of iron used. It was pinned together, had wood latches and hinges, and the clap-boards were weighted down by poles. One door south of the Pavilion, Foreman Evans had a store, and across the street, opposite Evans, Isaac Hull kept a store. The first frame building was built by Dr. John Evans, and stood near the old fort grounds. The first store (log) was also built by the Doctor, in 1828 or 1829. A little frame, 7x9, stood on the fort grounds for a store or post office, Mr. Graper first started out, after his arrival here, clerking for Pierce Evans & Sons; remained with them ten or twelve years. Then he went into the grist mill with William A. Brown, keeping the books and doing the buy- ing and selling, etc., for about five years. He then went into the dry goods business, on his own account, for about four years; then into the lumbering, which about used him up, financially; then opened up a photograph gallery for a time, He has had charge of the Defiance Rural Cemetery for the past eight or nine years. Mr. Graper has one brother living in Kansas, and his only sister, Sophia (Mrs. Widow Downs), is still living here at Defiance. Joseph I. Levi was born in Europe on the 8th day of January, 1852. In 1856, at the age of four years, he came to America with his parents, landing at Utica, N. Y., and at the age of eight years commenced to learn the cigar-making business at Buffalo, N. Y. At the age of thirteen he went to Detroit to work at his trade, and after a lapse of one year and a half his parents followed him, and settled down at Detroit also. At the age of fifteen, he bought a half- interest in a small cigar factory at Fentonville, Mich., owned by one Daniel Cohen, paying therefor $70. This investment young Levi soon found was not a paying one, and after six months' hard labor and economy sold out his interest to Cohen for the amount invested, $70, taking his pay in cigars, and with his cigar stock in hand instead of his cash returned again to Detroit, where he converted the same into cash and again went to work at his trade for one and a half years, at which time his cash capital amounted to $125, with which he commenced business for himself at No. 92 Michigan avenue, and at the age of eighteen found himself in possession of capital of $450. He then went to Chicago, where he remained about one year, working "jour" work; then returned to Detroit again, and for the benefit of the younger brother, started a small shop in the house of his parents, working evenings with his brother, but day times for other parties; but soon (as seems to be characteristic with your cigar-makers) became uneasy, and next located at Beloit, Wis., remaining there two and a half years, where success favored him, and he again returned to Detroit to choose another partner in business, and on the 5th day of May, 1875, was married to Miss Rachel Ginsburg, and returned again to his business, with his young bride, to Northwest- ern Wisconsin, and remained there one and a half years longer and then returned and visited friends at Detroit (having sold out in Wisconsin), and on April 10, 1877, settled down in Defiance, starting shop with six men, and at this writing (1882) employs fifteen to twenty hands. He has now Ceased his wan- derings, and made a permanent settlement in Defiance. Burr B. Southworth, born in Vermont March 30, 1806, was a descendant of Constance Southworth, who came from England in the Mayflower. He was married to Harriet Crosby, September 15, 1829. Mrs. Southworth was from Worcester County, Mass., HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 249 born September 27, 1801.. Her grandfather was a Surgeon in the Revolutionary war, Dr. Samuel Crosby, who was attached to Gen. Washington's staff. Her ancestors came from England. Mr. Southworth and family moved from Rutland County, Vt., to Ohio, in 1838. Before coming to Defiance in November, 1842, they had taught school in Stark County, Ohio. The winter of 1842, Mr. Southworth taught school in Richland Township; afterward he taught one term in Defiance, and others in the county. He gave special attention to spelling, history and penmanship in his school, and was also a singer. For seven or eight years, in the summers, he worked at the trade of house and sign painter. Being fond of hunting, he killed numbers of deer and other game that was abundant. On public occasions, he served as Marshal of the Day, several years. The inhabitants of Defiance County suffered much with sickness; when not sick themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Southworth were ever ready to wait upon the sick, or sympathize with those who mourned. The seasons the cholera prevailed, Mr. Southworth never failed to do all possible to help the sick. It was often said, Mr. Southworth was sent for before they had sent for the doctor. The last three years of his life, he kept the American House, Clinton street, where he died of apoplexy December 6, 1853. Mrs. South worth continued to reside in Defiance twenty years, respected for industry, intelligence and fortitude in affliction. October 18, 1873, she moved to Evansport, where she now lives. She joined the Presbyterian Church by letter when she came to Defiance, and has been identified with it more than forty years. She was President of the (Ladies') Aid Society during the war, and now, at the age of eighty-one years, she can repeat inure than forty hymns, besides poetry, and passages from the Bible, which she reads daily, also newspapers and books of the day; makes and takes care of all her clothing; pieces patchwork quilts, and does her own housework, which is neatly done. She is nearly deaf. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Southworth were Lucy C. Southworth, born August 24, 1830, married to Thomas Beth mell November 3, 1853; they lived on a farm near Evansport ever since their marriage, where they now live; Charles E. Southworth, born July 24, 1832, died by the hands of the Mexicans in Arizona, with Col. Crabbe's whole expedition from California, April, 1857; Susan E. Southworth, born January 19, 1836, married to William F. Ferris December 19, 1853, died at Defiance October 6, 1870. They had one son, Henry C. Ferris, who was born November 2, 1855, at Defiance, married to Ellen N. Cameron, at Evansport, June 30, 1878; their children are Charles W. and Floyd Ferris. John Kniss was born in Armstrong County, Penn., October, 1814. His parents came to this State when he was a lad about two years old. They had six children—Elizabeth, Jacob, Peter, Polly, John and Andrew. Two of these are dead—Jacob and Andrew. John Kniss came to Defiance in 1827, and was married in 1839, March 10, to Miss Sarah Wells. They have six children--Eliza, Benjamin F., Henry W., Jacob W., Charles W. and Ida M. All are living near by. His wife's parents, John Wells and Elizabeth (Mason) Wells, came from Muskingum County to Defiance in the fall of 1834. Mrs. Kniss has but one brother living—Reason Wells--and he is a resident of Defiance. Mr. Kniss says he has worked at the boot and shoe business in this town about fifty years, and that his father was the first shoe-maker here, and thinks Benjamin Leavell kept the first store, " was here but a short time," and that James Craig was the first to do any tanning here, and the first blacksmith was Arthur Burras, who worked on the north side of the Maumee and had a little shop near the place where Peter Dicknian's shop now stands. Walter Davis was the first cooper, and he thinks William Barton and Pierce Taylor first cabinet-makers. John Rowe, dealer in railroad timber and ties, hoops, hoop poles, etc., was born May 19, 183–, at Steubenville, Ohio, and was son of Adam and Catharine Rowe, now residents of Adams Township, in this county, and who came to Steubenville in 1837, and to Adams Township in 1839. John Rowe resided with his parents until 1857, when he came to Defiance and clerked for Adam Wilhelm, in his grocery and provision store, for four years, when he entered into partnership with his employer for five years. He then went into the same kind of business on his own account on Clinton street until 1880, since which he has been in his present business of railroad timber, etc. In 1862, he married Matilda Reusch, of Henry County, Ohio, and they have been the parents of twelve children, of whom four sons and four daughters still survive. The parents of Mr. Rowe were natives of Bavaria, those of Mrs, Rowe came from Greifswolde, in Prussia. Christian L. Geiger, born February 15. 1836, in Geislingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, was one of a family of ten children of Coonrad and Catharine (Feigel) Geiger. The former died in his native land, the latter came to America, and died in Defiance, There are but three of the children living, viz., Coonrad Jr., Christian L. and Gotlieb, all residents of Ohio. At the age of fourteen, the subject of this sketch was bound out as an apprentice for three years to learn turning, and took his place at the lathe, where he soon found he had to learn to live on porridge made from the chips, or, in other words, his food consisted mainly of water, a pinch of salt and crumbs of bread, is